by Gary Danforth
The regular monthly Town of Hoosick Board meeting took place this past Monday evening, November 10, in the Hoosick Falls Armory with Supervisor Marilyn Douglas calling the meeting to order at 7:06 pm. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes of last month’s regular monthly meeting along with the minutes from a public meeting about a proposed land use law/zoning law on October 30 and another public meeting’s minutes from October 14 were approved without having them read. Also, the minutes from a preliminary 2009 Town budget meeting on November 6 were approved. Councilpersons Mark Surdam, Mark Cottrell, Kevin O’Malley and Bob Ryan were present as was Town Clerk Sue Stradinger and Town Attorney Tom Kenney.
The Town Clerk’s report was accepted with two new dog licenses, two marriage licenses, seventeen death certificates and eight building permits being of note. Also, the Town got to keep $501 out of $20,495 for hunting and conservation fees collected with the rest of the money going to New York State. The Assessor’s report was in order as was the Court Clerk’s report and the Building Inspector’s report.
Bill Shiland, Superintendent of Highways, said the Town Highway Department crew has finished $60,000 worth of repaving of roads. Also, wings and plows were being put on the Town trucks for the coming winter season. Also, sand and salt supplies have been replenished for the coming winter season. Shiland reminded the sparse audience that deer hunting season will start Saturday, November 15.
Douglas said, regarding Bennington Paperboard having closed this past August 29, that the Town received word from the Department of Environmental Conservation that they are pleased with the plant’s modifications after closure and that security will remain at the plant, along with the company’s permits remaining in force, as that will be an advantage to attracting a potential new buyer.
From the Supervisor’s report, Town Historian Phil Leonard, with assistance from Charlie Filkins, submitted a picture board showing pictures of the Walter A. Wood Mowing and Reaping Machine Company. The plant was founded in 1865 in Hoosick Falls, was at its heyday in the 1880s and reached its peak in 1890 with some 2,000 workers. The plant closed in 1923. Walter A. Wood, its founder, lived from 1815 to 1892. The board will be on display at the Key Bank in Hoosick Falls.
Barnett Open House
The Barnett Homestead will have a holiday Open House on Friday, December 12, with hours from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Other hours will be from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14. Also, Rensselaer County reviewed the Town’s summer camp program and pool operation and everything is in order with those program operations.
Bus Routes And Cable TV
The Town had communication with CDTA about bus routes to Troy and Albany from Hoosick Falls with rates not having gone up since 1995. There could be changes in the cable television package, but this is a seemingly ongoing issue.
There is another Land Use Law/Zoning Law meeting on Wednesday, November 12. There is also another Lakes to Locks Passage meeting about tourism on Wednesday, November 12.
It was announced that anyone wishing to put something on a National Grid power pole needs to get a permit to do so.
Zoning Law Reactions
Councilpersons Surdam and Cottrell said they both had inquiries about the land use/zoning process which is going on within the township. Some persons feel the Town is trying to tell them what they can and cannot do with their land. There has been discussion about persons needing to buy land in five acre lots and other discussions about one acre lots. Some people feel future potential land owners may be priced out of the real estate market.
Halloween Parade
Thank You
Councilperson O’Malley thanked the Village of Hoosick Falls police and fireman and the Hoosick Falls Central School Honor Society members for their help with the very successful Halloween Parade. Councilperson Ryan said there will be a benefit spaghetti dinner on Saturday, November 15, at the Polish Hall as well as a Bowl-A Thon on November 29 for Chris Luciano injured in a summer accident. Proceeds will be used for rehabilitative services for the young man.
Weight Limit
The Board passed a resolution for a local law posting Farmers Inn Road and Telford Road for a ten ton weight limit with violators paying a $250 fine or facing 15 days in jail. School buses and emergency vehicles would be excluded from the law.
River View Parking Area To Be Paved
The Board passed a resolution that the Town will maintain a parking area, to be created by New York State, on land by the Hoosick River on Route 22 by the “rock cuts” past Wysocki’s Farm. The land must be deeded over to the Town within 18 months of the completion of this paved parking area. No overnight truck parking or campers will be allowed. The State will pave and market this tourist spot while the Town agrees to maintain it.
Dumping In Buskirk
The Town passed a resolution authorizing Town equipment and personnel to assist the Buskirk Fire Department with clean up of debris on the bank of the Hoosic River which was inadvertently deposited there by the Department. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials have told the fire company that they must clean up the debris or risk a hefty fine. The debris must be removed and taken off site or the fire department will be fined as the dumping of debris is a violation of state law.
Budget Passes
Finally, the Board passed a motion adopting the 2009 Town budget with an overall increase of $24,901 or a 1.56% increase per property owner. On a house assessed for $30,000 within the Town, a property owner would pay an additional $9.90. For a house assessed at $30,000 within the Village of Hoosick Falls, a property owner would pay an additional $6.60.
The busy meeting adjourned at 8:11 pm.