Woods Brook Saga Continues

by Bea Peterson
At the Village Board meeting on Tuesday Pam Benkoski expressed her disappointment that when the Department of Environmental Conservation looked at Woods Brook they did not walk the entire length of it to observe all of its problems. The private property issue continues to be a problem, and when it was suggested the Woods Brook residents form an association, she said that would never happen and the residents don’t have the time, energy or know-how to apply for grants or to pursue resolutions. Village Trustee Ric DiDonato pointed out that the Board is few in numbers and doesn’t have time, etc. either, but they would be willing to work with an association to help. Trustee Mike Hickey said representatives from CT Male Associates had walked the brook and would do an engineering study for $15,000 that would include help with grant applications. Neither the Town nor the Village has the funds for such a study. NYS Senator Roy McDonald’s office has promised the funds, but they have not been forthcoming. Everyone agreed that some repairs can be accomplished by the Village but that an overall solution cannot come about until an engineering study has been completed.
DiDonato said one solution DEC offered was that if the repair and improvement project became too costly, the houses should be taken down and the property restored to a flood plain.
Faulty Properties
Residents of Griffin Avenue complained to the Board about the house at 1/2 Griffin Ave. They said it has been a problem for 30 years. Cats, skunks and rats have taken up residence in the building. Trustee Ann Bornt said it is a health and safety hazard and has never been inspected. Someone is currently living in the building and will have to move out because the building will not receive a certificate of occupancy.
They said police have been there three times. They also noted that Dispatch gets annoyed when they call. People from Fiske St., where there have also been problems, said Dispatch and the Police have acted annoyed with their calls. Mayor Matt Monahan bristled and said that should not be the case. If residents have difficulty with Dispatch, they should ask to speak to a police officer. If they have a problem there, they should call the Mayor, and he will dispatch an officer to the problem area. Trustee Bornt pointed out that there is now a law on the books to protect neighborhoods and that the law is based on complaints and responses to complaints.
Louise Ciuk thanked the Board for sending someone to look at the water problem  on her property. She said the situation has been partially resolved but not completely. Hoosick Town Highway Supervisor Bill Shiland was going to look at the problem on Wednesday. Trustee John Hickey said he would be there. Mayor Monahan said he should bring Niel Stowell, the Village Highway Superintendent with him.
One Way Street
Trustee Bornt suggested to the Board that Fiske St. be made into a one way street going South. Board members agreed. The Mayor said he had checked with the Police Chief and the Chief agreed. They will check with the Village’s attorney and prepare a law to make the street one way.
A Wilder Ave. resident said nuisance issues have been reduced but the property remains for sale. Several months ago he asked the Board if the property needed to be owner occupied. He didn’t get an answer. The Mayor told him he would have an answer by the end of the week.
Dog Park
Melvin Dessler said he would like to start a dog park in Hoosick Falls. The Mayor said he and Trustee Mike Hickey will look at a piece of property by the water works to see if it is suitable and then discuss it with the attorney. Dessler said all the park needs is a fence.
Trustee Bob Downey received permission for the Boy Scouts to set up exhibits in the Park the nights of the Band Concerts.
Tree Removal
Three bids were received for  removal of four trees on Center St. and one tree at the corner of Hoosick and Third Streets. The low bid of $2,500 from Wood Waste Reduction Service was accepted. Wood Waste will take down the trees and grind up the stumps, and the Village crew will remove the remains of the trees. DiDonato wondered about repairs to the sidewalks after the trees are removed. The Mayor said they won’t be repaired right away but funds may be available to repair them later this year.
The Board approved the  purchase of five water meter monitoring devices. They can be placed on a water meter in a home to check the accuracy of the installed meter.
Kennel Selected For Strays
At the request of Trustee Paul Haynes the Board approved Great Field Kennels on 48 Riverside Dr. in North Bennington as a place to hold stray dogs for seven days at a cost of $9 a day. Since the dogs will only be received during normal business hours Haynes further requested $40 for the purchase of a dog crate for the Village Dog Control Officer to keep a dog overnight, if necessary. He  will be paid $10 for keeping the dog. This was approved.
Pumpkinpalooza Festival
Aelish Nealon and Beth Dillard addressed the Board regarding an event they are planning for September 26 to Celebrate Hoosick Falls, promote the Village and benefit Village merchants and restaurant owners and benefit MentorWorks, the Youth Center, HAPPY and other community organizations.
Planned activities include Punkin’ Chunkin’, a chili cook-off, a cycling event, contests and games, music and dancing and many more activities. The Board expressed support for the event.
Change To Local Law #3
The meeting had begun with a Public Hearing on Local Law #3, a revision to the Village’s water law. The revision changes where the homeowner is responsible for water line repairs. The law now states that homeowners are obligated for repairs to their water line from the water main in the street to their house. As no one took issue with the change, the Board unanimously approved the Law by voice vote.
After the Public Hearing was closed, the Board went into executive session to discuss a personnel issue.