by Gary Danforth
The regular monthly Town of Hoosick Board meeting took place this past Monday evening, December 8, in the Hoosick Falls Armory with Supervisor Marilyn Douglas calling the meeting to order at 7:13 pm. The meeting was delayed due to a presentation of the HAPPY organization (Hoosick Area Partnership for Parents and Youth) to the Board which ran past 7 pm. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes of last month’s regular monthly meeting were accepted without changes. Councilpersons Mark Surdam, Kevin O’Malley and Bob Ryan were present as was Town Clerk Sue Stradinger. Town Attorney Tom Kenney and Councilperson Mark Cottrell were absent.
The Town Clerk’s report was accepted with two new dog licenses, eleven dog license renewals, three marriage licenses and $11,599 in conservation fees collected being of note. The Assessor’s report was in order as was the Court Clerk’s report and the Building Inspector’s report.
There were no people to be heard in the public comment session.
Bill Shiland, Superintendent of Highways, asked the Board to advertise for bids for 2009 for sand and fuel oil. Those bids will be opened at the January, 2009, Board meeting. Also, Douglas and Shiland said bricks which had been recovered from near the Buskirk Fire House would be transported to the Hoosick Town Garage and be available for free to citizens for home projects. The Town will also use the bricks for fill when possible.
Douglas said she had not received a monthly update from Bennington Paperboard as the reporter was on a leave until January but she expected a monthly report in January.
Also, from the Supervisor’s report, Town Historian Phil Leonard, with assistance from Charlie Filkins, submitted a picture board showing pictures of mowing, reaping and harvesting machines produced by the Walter A. Wood Mowing and Reaping Machine Company whose products were sold worldwide. Wood introduced the idea of interchangeable parts for his machines, whose parts could be ordered through a catalogue. Leonard also met with Lands to Locks tourist personnel who are writing a narrative of possible travels, trips and trails throughout the Town of Hoosick.
The Barnett Homestead will have a holiday Open House on Saturday, December 13, with hours from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Music will be provided by Mike and Cindy Brewster and their children. Other hours will be from 1 to 4 pm on Sunday, December 14.
It was announced that a Land Use Law/Zoning Law informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 10, where a land use map of the Town and another draft of the law will be available for the public to review.
Also, Janet Deluca will be the Weir-Reynolds skating rink supervisor and Sue Hyde, from the Friends of Hoosick skating club, will be in charge of figure skating and hockey endeavors on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings. The Board approved Emily Ciuk, Danielle Bohmer, Tyler Thurber and Evan Thurber as skate guards. Cards will be handed out to unruly skaters.
The Board authorized Douglas to pay Town bills through the month of December, and those payments will be reviewed by the Board in January, 2009. There was also discussion by the Board of a local government council for economic growth. There will be a meeting with the Rensselaer County Executive later this month which Douglas may attend. Also, the Board is trying to facilitate weekly transportation to the Bennington Recreation Center in the winter for Senior Citizens. The Senior Center had received a check from the township.
Councilperson Surdam said he had gotten feedback from events believed to have been going on in the Tibbits Forrest parking area. Councilperson O’Malley had positive feedback about the recent Christmas Parade. Councilperson Ryan had nothing to report.
In other business, the Board passed a resolution to maintain the landscaping on property by the new bridge in Hoosick after the State makes a driveway and curb cut into Town owned property and erects a sign about the township. Flowers may be planted.
The Board approved a motion to have the 2009 organizational meeting at 6:30 pm on January 12, 2009, just before the regular monthly meeting. The Board agreed to table a decision as to whether to join a local government communities efficiency planning grant committee until more information can be gained about what services the Town would gain from entering into such a group.
Also, the Board passed a motion to have CornerStone Telephone Company deliver services to the Town. Douglas was able to negotiate a reduction in monthly line rates from $9.95 to $8.99, long distance rate calling from $.41 per minute to $.31 per minute and local calling rates to a penny per minute. The Town will also receive three months without line charges. The contract will be for three years.
Finally, the Board passed a motion to have Nemic Indemnity Company, through the local Robson and Geraghty Insurance Company, contract with the Town for workers’ compensation insurance as it limits the Town’s liability. The cost of the plan will go down from $27,735 per year to $26,410 per year. The Town will continue to provide workers’ compensation for fire fighters through a New York State plan.
The meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm.