by Gary Danforth
Amidst a backdrop of a well attended meeting punctuated by passionate speeches by Board and audience members for and against a proposed land use/zoning law, the regular monthly Town of Hoosick Board meeting took place Monday evening, March 9, in the Hoosick Falls Armory with Supervisor Marilyn Douglas calling the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
After the Pledge of Allegiance the minutes of last month’s regular monthly meeting and the minutes of a February 25, land use public hearing were accepted without having them read aloud. Councilpersons Mark Surdam, Mark Cottrell, Bob Ryan and Kevin O’Malley were present as was Town Clerk Sue Stradinger and Town Attorney Tom Kenney.
The Town Clerk’s report was accepted with two death certificates, four building permits, twenty one dog license renewals and $357 in collected conservation fees being of note. The Assessor’s report was in order as was the Court Clerk’s report and the Building Inspector’s report.
Wood Brook
Under people to be heard, on this particular night, many stepped to the podium to air their views. First, Pam Benkoski thanked the Board for their assistance since last month’s Board meeting for help in trying to resolve the Wood Brook flooding issue.
Land Use/Zoning
Next, a gentleman told the audience, “I don’t want anyone telling me what I can do with my property, but property values go down when there are no zoning laws. I think the law should be passed for the common good.”
Then Terry Hoag, a third generation farmer, expressed that he thought the law, if passed, should be “renewable,” with persons able to have input to change an existing law.
Then Bonnie Powers said she was concerned that the draft of the law had been changed with “many things not discussed, not noted or corrected and I’m wondering what physical draft you’re voting on tonight.” Powers also noted that a number of Board members hadn’t attended workshops regarding the proposed law and wondered how they could vote on it. Douglas responded that per the Town Attorney no major changes had been made to the proposed law.
Then Lisa Revet said, “As a community we all pitch in together. We need to put in the zoning to help us move forward.”
Then, one by one, each Board member told the audience what they thought of the proposed law. First, Surdam said he wouldn’t vote for the law. He said he favored putting the vote off “maybe till September and let the landowners work on this at a meeting. Maybe there should be a public referendum, binding or non-binding.” Surdam said he wouldn’t vote for the law but “it would be good for the Town.”
Ryan said there had been many meetings with the opportunity for input from the public and that he always voted on issues with the interests of the general public in mind.
Cottrell said, “I agree with ninety five percent of the law. I’m going to say no based on restrictions on farmers’ properties.”
O’Malley thanked the zoning committee and said, “I think it’s good for the whole community, overall. I support this.”
Then Douglas said, “You know how I’m going to vote. I’m calling for a vote tonight. This is not going to hurt the farmer. It’s a work in progress. This is a changing document. If issues are brought to the Town’s attention then the Town becomes liable.”
A roll call vote was asked for on the proposed law and seconded. Douglas, Ryan and O’Malley voted for the law while Surdam and Cottrell voted no. And so the Town of Hoosick has a land use law.
In other news, Bill Shiland, Superintendent of Highways, had nothing to report.
From the Supervisor’s report, Town Historian Phil Leonard, with assistance from Charlie Filkins, submitted a picture board showing post card pictures of scenes from within the township. Among the historical pictures on this 87th board submitted for public review were Delaney’s Hotel, the Walloomsac race track in 1953, Hoosac School, the creamery in Eagle Bridge and the Village municipal building before fire claimed it in the late 1960s. Leonard noted that the Town’s Irish community used to meet at the now defunct Dublin Bridge heading out toward East Hoosick.
Douglas noted that the Caretaker’s Bridge by the Barnett Homestead would be built this year as a result of the federal stimulus package. Douglas also noted that the new Route 22 bridge over the Hoosic River would be going up for bid on March 26.
The Board passed a motion to allow for final corrections to the 2009 budget. The Board also passed a resolution that setbacks for buildings would be 25 feet from the center of the road per agreement of the Building Inspector, Superintendent of Highways and Code Enforcement Officer.
The Board agreed that the zoning/land use law committee would be filled with appointments via letters of interest and possible resumÄs from Town residents which would need to be submitted by April 6. Committee members would have to attend a workshop. Ads would be put in newspapers and put on the local television station.
Councilperson O’Malley reported that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be Saturday, March 14, with the parade at 1 pm and an after parade party at the Armory at 2 pm.
Also, Douglas reported that the appeal for disaster relief from the December 2008 ice storm damage had been approved for federal funds up to $30,000.
The Board voted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding from the Hoosick Area Partnership for Parents and Youth (HAPPY) contingent upon HAPPY submitting a copy of their budget to the Town Office for inspection.
There will be a blood drive at the Armory on April 17.
Finally, the Town passed a motion to allow the Girl Scouts to use the Armory for an April 24 dance featuring a deejay from Fly 92 radio station for a fund raiser for the scouts.
The busy, well attended, action packed meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.