by Bea Peterson
After some discussion among Board members at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, Mayor Laura Reynolds appointed Jerry McAuliffe as Trustee to fill the term of Robert Becker who resigned as Village Deputy Mayor in July. That term will end in March 2009.
McAuliffe oversees a Village Court program for youths that are assigned to do Community Service by the Village Justice. He also has a contract with NY State to mow the grass on the flood wall in the Village. That job ends with summer and will go out for bid again next year. In response to questions raised by Trustee Ann Bornt, the Mayor said she had spoken with John Galligan, a lawyer for the NYS Conference of Mayors and he said there were no legal issues with McAuliffe assuming the post because of these other jobs. There might be some ethics issues, but there is no municipal law that indicates he cannot serve, she added.
Trustee Ric DiDonato said he would be pleased to have Jerry back on the Board as McAuliffe has a much better understanding of the water and wastewater treatment plants than he does and he interacts well with the Highway Department and can respond more quickly to issues since he is here in the Village all day. McAuliffe has previously served on the Board as Trustee and Deputy Mayor.
Another Delay For Riverwalk Purchase
Mayor Reynolds reported that after months of delays on the purchase of the railroad property for a Riverwalk, she was informed last week by railroad personnel that before the land could be sold to the Village, the Department of Transportation had to be notified. Since municipalities are given preferential rites to purchase the property, this seems a moot point. However, the Mayor must wait for notification from NYS DOT before the deal can be completed. That can take up to 120 days she was told. Village officials were ready for the September 17 signing with the Village purchasing the property and HooRWA (Hoosick River Watershed Association) transferring funds for the purchase to the Village. Work on this purchase has been underway for about two years, including lengthy survey time. Mayor Reynolds said HooRWA has paid $4,000 in penalties to the railroad for purchase date delays. She will now notify the railroad to put that $4,000 toward the purchase price since this latest delay has been caused by them.
Grants And Use
Mayor Reynolds mentioned that she has been in touch with Senator Bruno’s office in reference to a $50,000 member item grant that was to be used for the Riverwalk. She would like to have half of that changed and be used for the purchase of a new police cruiser. That brought up the issue of the Restore NY grant of $200,000 the Village has been awarded. The Mayor said she has learned that the State is so far behind in administering those grants that the fact the Village hasn’t used the money yet is not a problem. The goal is still to use some of the funds to work with owners to restore the properties on John and Main Streets. DiDonato reminded the Board that the Village cannot apply for any more grants until they have done something with the grant monies they have already received. He suggested some of the Restore NY money be used to restore the stone wall on the Wood Brook.
Storm Drains And Catch Basins
Residents in the Abbott St. area have been asking DiDonato why work on Abbott St. is taking so long and why they were not notified in some way that this work was being undertaken; signs posted or something. He said the job of installing new storm drains and catch basins is taking longer than expected because of the rainy weather, staff illness and vacation time. Work has been finished on Parsons Ave. and is underway on Abbott to Classic. DiDonato said once Abbott St. is finished work will begin on Snow St. These new storm drains and catch basins should go a long way to eliminating the flooding that has occurred in the past on these streets. Funds for this project have been received by the Village from NYS Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS).
Helvi’s Renovation
The Board approved granting a five year $5,000 Economic Development loan to Helvi’s Restaurant for renovation of the upstairs. The space would then be used for catering parties.
Benches In Park
Hoosick Lions Club President Everett Quackenbush told the Board that the Club would like to put more benches in Wood Park. Board members were pleased by the request and will work with him on it in conjunction with the Veteran’s Memorial planned for the Park.
Grant For Wastewater Plant
Village Treasurer Denise McMahon acquired a grant of $49,000 for an improved records management system for security and emergency records keeping at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Board approved advertising for an RFP for this SACDA system for engineering services and equipment. “This is a phenomenal opportunity for the Village,” said the Mayor.
Trustee Reports
Trustee Robert Downing said recycling is up and the amount of solid waste being collected is down. That’s good.
He said work at the water treatment plant is falling behind and crews will be working on Saturdays to catch up.
Trustee Ann Bornt requested approval for the purchase of new radios for the Police Dept. for $915. The request was under the amount budgeted for the equipment and was approved.
Trustee Matthew Monahan will be look into licensing someone from the Police Department to operate a $26,000 repeater the Dept. hopes to receive through a grant.
Nuisance Property Law
Bornt has been working with the Building Inspector and the Board to develop an enforceable point system law regarding nuisance properties. They have been reviewing the law in place in Troy. Village Attorney John Patterson told the Board that he doesn’t believe the Troy law would be enforceable as many of the points are arbitrary. He suggested they take the best from the Troy law and the Ft. Edward Village law and combine them to make a much more enforceable law for Hoosick Falls. An Informational Public Hearing on the law will be held before the October 14 Village Board meeting at 6 pm.
Bornt complained that trying to get property issues resolved in Court has not been successful, particularly when the property owner never appears, such as the case with the owner of the Elm St. CafÄ building.
Concern was also expressed by Bornt over the O’Dell property on lower Church St. Mayor Reynolds said the site is stable. There is not enough grant money to cover the cost of repair, and the Village will try for another Grant in April.
Transfer Station Open Saturdays Only
After this week the Transfer Station will only be open on Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm until Spring. Through the rest of September contractors needing to dispose of materials may call the Village Clerk to arrange to drop off items during the week.
Trustee Michael Hickey said he has set up a meeting with Kelly Paslow from Rensselaer County Public Safety and County Legislator Stan Brownell to look at the Hall Street flooding situation.
HFPD To Be First Responder At HFCS
Hoosick Falls Central School has received a Title IV Grant to contract with the Village for the Hoosick Falls Police Department to be first responder to any situation occurring at the school. “Our Department will be able to respond and be reimbursed by the school,” said the Mayor. The school attorney is drawing up the contract. The Mayor said this would allow the Department to apply for other grants. “This opens many doors,” she said. “We’ve been waiting a long time.”
In other business the Board approved:
• Liquor license renewal for T-Bone’s
• Liquor license application by Third Base’s new owners Angelo Bernardo and Kathleen Fraher.
• Sending new Village Court Clerk Holli Snyder for training at Adirondack Community College on October 4.
• Payments on the Water Project.
• Changes to the water lines at the Jessie Stevens home.
• A bid of $16,400 from William Clark Municipal Equipment to purchase a leaf vacuum machine. ODB Company submitted a bid of $16,541.