by Bea Peterson
Winnie Restino and Pam Benkoski were at the Hoosick Falls Village Board meeting again Tuesday evening, August 12, to complain about the Wood Brook flooding behind homes on Hall St. They asked if the engineering report had been completed. Mayor Laura Reynolds responded there will not be an engineering report from Clough Harbour because there are no funds to cover any work to be done. She said she and Trustee Mike Hickey have been trying to reach Tom Sanford of the Rensselaer County Soil and Water Conservation District to put his previous recommendations in writing so they can act on them. She will ask him to come out again and give them a letter quickly. Benkoski said branches from the trees on the other side of the brook are leaning over much further than they were and she is concerned the roots won’t hold and the trees will topple. Both women were grateful for the help of the Village and the Fire Department in removing debris from the culvert to relieve the flooding Monday evening. However, no one moved the debris from the yard, they said. They were both disappointed there will be no engineer’s report. “This is a dangerous situation,” Benkoski said. “Someone should step in and do something.” Mayor Reynolds responded that because the trees are on private property there is a whole legal process to go through before anything can be done. And because it is private property, many grants are not applicable. Restino said, “When you see water coming on each side of your house it’s scary.”
Hickey had a letter from the US Army Corps of Engineers stating it could take up to ten years for them to do the work. Trustee Ric DiDonato explained that some of the properties above Main St. have changed the course of the brook. “I understand your frustration,” he said. “If it were me I would feel the same.” If the brook were damaging the road area the Village could take care of it, but it’s a different issue with private property. Bonnie Smith, another Hall St. resident said this is an old problem left to worsen. It is her understanding that a dam was removed 50 years ago and the water has been left to erode the brook. Who should be approached to fix the dam, she asked. Part of the brook runs on Town property and part of it on private property. Congresswoman Gillibrand’s office is aware of the problem. Federal funding is out there, but it’s not available yet. Hickey will make more calls to see where else the Village or homeowners can go. Mayor Reynolds reminded everyone they can’t legally make any changes to waterways without Army Corps of Engineers approval.
DiDonato said, “This is our biggest problem, but it is not the County’s biggest problem and not the State’s biggest problem.”
Truck Damage
Beverly James who lives on the corner of River St. and McCaffrey Ave. complained bitterly about the trucks ruining her lawn. They’ve widened the curb, she said and they’ve knocked off the wall. She wants to put up a six foot high fence. “I pay taxes and I want to put up a fence!” Mayor Reynolds told her that the Board has been advised by the Village attorney to delay issuing permits for six foot fences until a case before the Judge regarding such a fence is resolved. James was not at all pleased with the response.
Donna Parker complained about the garbage and trash around the house next to her. Building Inspector Dick Weeden said the owner has been cited and the case is in process. The Mayor added, “We have to go through the process.”
Loud Music
Daniel Brandy of Church St. complained about the loud music coming from the Youth Center. When he complained to the Center he was told that concert would be the last one, and then they had two others. “I can’t take it any more,” he said. “And the police say they can’t do anything. Three times is enough!” He said the music was so loud he couldn’t even hear his television. Mayor Reynolds told him the Youth Center is a private entity and the Village can’t do anything, but they would talk to the Director about his concerns.
Let The Buyer Beware
Michael Hyde recently purchased a HUD property at 71 Wilder Ave. as a two family dwelling. Trustee Ann Bornt told him Village records show the property to be a one family home. Hyde responded that it had been a duplex for 20 years! He said it has two kitchens, two bathrooms, two water tanks and two furnaces. Bornt said anyone buying a home in the Village should check in the Clerk’s office to see the status of that property. The Village has had a law since 1992 that single homes cannot be turned into doubles or more. Hyde said, “This slipped past everyone.” Bornt said this has happened with many, many places. Hyde threatened to take the issue to Court. The Mayor suggested his first step should be to go before the Planning Board for a variance.
Jessie Stevens came before the Board for a third time regarding tying into the Village water line. Trustee Matt Monahan said he had reviewed the problem with Jim Hurlburt and Hurlburt will work with Stevens to see the connection is made.
Railroad Land Purchase Finally Underway
Trustee Ric DiDonato reported that the signing for the railroad property for a River Walk is coming up very soon and so far only one encroaching property owner has signed off. The Board agreed to hold to its previous resolution for the Village to purchase the property with funds gifted to it by the Hoosick River Watershed Association (HooRWA). The latest 60 day purchasing extension ends August 17. DiDonato is also interested in finding a use for the old water treatment building. Mayor Reynolds said they recently received a final $50,000 grant for the River Walk from Senator Bruno. She has requested a change in the grant to use some of the funds to purchase a new police car. Indications are that will be possible.
DiDonato reported he had been invited to be on the Lakes to Locks Board to represent Rensselaer County. He has not made a decision yet.
Monahan reported that a new computer has been purchased for the Village office and the Village website should be up this week.
DiDonato reported that road work has been done on Rowley Ave. and this week work has started on Abbott St. The Board approved his request to rent an excavator from Capital Tractor for $3,300 to help with road projects. The Board also approved advertising for a leaf picking-up machine with bids to be in by 3:30 pm on September 9.
The Board approved putting out an RFP for clearing bunkers and culverts for flood control. Bids are to be in by 3:30 pm on Friday, September 5.
Congratulate John Luke
DiDonato and the Board extended congratulations to John Luke on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. They hoped John would be at the meeting, but he was working at the Boy Scout Camp and next month he will be off to college.
Progress On The Corner?
When asked, Mayor Reynolds said that now that work on the wall on the Main St. building near the empty John St. corner is completed and the scaffolding removed the Village can work to make something happen on that corner. She hopes the land can be purchased by the Village and progress made to clean it up.
In other business the Board:
-Tabled the appointment of Jerry McAuliffe as Trustee to fill Robert Becker’s seat.
-Accepted the resignation of part time police offer Ryan St. Gelais.
-Approved Village Clerk Marie Bushey and Village Treasurer Denise McMahon attending COM fall training at Lake Placid September 15 to 19.
-Approved NY Leak Detection proposal to look at Clay Hill area gas and water lines. Estimated cost was from $3,700 to $5,050. The same company looked at the wastewater line for the Wastewater Plant project.
-Approved a request by Village Court Clerk Jan Kimball to apply for a 2008 Justice Court Assistance Program grant.
The Board concluded the meeting with an executive session to discuss the Police Dept. Union contract.