by Bea Peterson
Paul Haynes was sworn in as a trustee for the Hoosick Falls Village Board at the start of Tuesday’s regular monthly meeting. Haynes replaced Jerry McAuliffe who resigned last month. McAuliffe had replaced Robert Becker who resigned in September. Haynes has served on the Board before. Mayor Laura Reynolds appointed Matthew Monahan Deputy Mayor.
The meeting opened with the first of three public hearings being addressed briefly, then the Board went into Executive Session, an unusual step for them to take during the meeting. Mayor Reynolds said since the Village attorney was present it was an opportune time to discuss the UPSEC police department contract with the UPSEC representative.
Public Hearings
After returning from Executive Session the Public Hearing of Local Law #4 regarding water use continued. Ownership of laterals and mains from homes to the curb or street and who is responsible when those lines are damaged were a point of review. Mayor Laura Reynolds and the Board agreed that the water law should have the same guidelines as the wastewater law. The Board will meet with Water Plant Manager Jim Hurlburt, Public Works Superintendent Niel Stowell and representatives of Clough Harbour to clarify the law before the next Public Hearing on it in January.
Water Meters
The water discussion brought up the issue of water meters. Some attending the meeting expressed frustration with having installed water meters in a timely fashion and still being assessed a flat rate for water usage. Mayor Reynolds said the Village will use a fixed rate until they know all the meters are working correctly. Those who have not installed the meters, she said, will be charged one and a half times the regular water rate. The Village is working on a plan to establish rates. The rates will be based on dwellings and not on inhabitants, she said.
The second Public Hearing covered a nuisance abatement law. “The law,” said the Mayor, “allows us to deal with problem properties.” Trustee Ann Bornt has been working with the Mayor and the Building Inspector for some time on this law. Owners of problem properties that affect the public and the Village’s quality of life will garner ‘points’ for every offense and after accumulating a number of points will be subject to fines. If a property accrues 18 points in a 12 month period, the Village will have the right to close that property. In the case of rental properties, the Village will notify the property owner of the violations. Because the Board made two changes to the law during the hearing, another Public Hearing will be held on it in January.
The third Public Hearing dealt with the 25 Elm St. property. Since no one appeared to contest the action, the Board approved putting out a bid for demolition of the building to be submitted by the next Board meeting on January 13.
Complaints
Terri McGuire, owner of Artistic Hair Designs on Elm St., complained about the telephone poles in front of her building obstructing parking. There appears to be an issue with the telephone company and the electric company. Trustee Robert Downey said the utility company agreed to replace so many poles a year. They will look into the pole placement. “What about the American House,” McGuire asked. She said she has been extremely patient regarding that property. Glass is falling out, she said. The property was bought at auction and then sold on ebay. Trustee Bornt said she wants to talk with the company that purchased it because they “need to have megabucks to fix it, or they should tear it down.” McGuire said the windows need to be boarded and the graffiti has been there for ages and should be removed. “Some of my customers say they can’t stand to come down here at night,” she said.
John Street
Herb Loretan, owner of the Ruditis building on John St. complained about the “hole in the ground that has been an eyesore in the Village for two years and eight months. He was referring to the spot where Dougherty’s Restaurant used to be. On the other end of the street, he said, is a boarded up broken window that is a safety hazard. The owner has told him he will never replace the window. Loretan wondered if the Building Inspector couldn’t do something about it.
“John St. never gets plowed,” he continued, “and the snow is never removed.” Mayor Reynolds said John St. is a State road. In the past the State had paid the Village to remove the snow. Last year they did not. Loretan said the businesses suffer when customers have to climb over snowbanks to get to them. “I pay Village taxes, too, why can’t they remove the snow.” He said he felt businesses were being discriminated against. He added that he didn’t mind paying his fair share, but he would like to see a level playing field for businesses. He pointed out he has had a water meter in his building for years and at the present rate it is costing him two to three dollars a gallon. Mayor Reynolds told him the Board works very hard for very little and he should come in and discuss the problem and they will see what they can do to help. “We understand your plight,” she said. “It’s not fair to think we don’t want to help.”
New Used Cruiser
The Board approved a motion by Trustee Bornt to purchase a used 2008 Ford Explorer Police Cruiser with 10,000 miles on it, from Jack Byrne for $17,500. Other bids received were for $23,477 and $29,600.
Dispatch Issues
The Board approved a motion by Trustee Matt Monahan to have Bradley Electric install two new dedicated electric receptacles in the Dispatch office at a cost of $903. One will be for air conditioning only, the other for phone only. Monahan said a lot of corners have been cut in that department and he will be looking for a grant for an entire new phone system. A discussion followed regarding Hoosick Falls taking over its own 911 calls. “We had that option once,” said Monahan, “but it was passed up.” Hoosick Falls often picks up 911 calls from Berlin north to Buskirk and the Washington County line when 911 operators are not available.
Metal Detector
A grant of $4,754.50 was received from the Justice Court Assistance program for a walk through metal detector. However, the grant does not provide funding for security personnel, and there is no money in the Police budget for it. Mayor Reynolds said the grant will have to be discussed further.
Trail Purchase In Process
Mayor Reynolds reported she has received word that DOT has sent a release on the railroad property that is to be purchased for a Village Greenway. “The closing is in process,” she said. The railroad has reduced the purchase price by $2,000 to $22,000, since the latest delay in completion of the sale was caused by them. The land will be gifted to the Village by the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA).
In other business the Board:
• Approved a motion to renew the liquor license for Greg Zora.
• Appointed Jerry VanDerKar as part time highway employee retroactive to October.
• Approved water project payments of $800,000 to contractors. Trustee Downey said the walls are up and part of the roof is on the new water plant.