Hoosick Falls To Form Water Panel

by Bea Peterson
Hoosick Falls Mayor Matt Monahan announced at the monthly Village Board meeting on Tuesday, October 13, that a panel will be formed to resolve water metering and billing issues. The panel, he said, will be made up of Board members and residents of the Town and Village. Issues before the panel to be resolved include meter billing by August 2010 and adjustments to payments for Village water and sewer used by Town residents.
Charles Kovage appeared before the Board last month and again this month regarding his water rate of one and a half times what Village residents pay. The Mayor told him nothing could be done this year, but the panel will be working on changes in the rate and payment times for non-Village users. He said Town residents from Green Heights pay in a lump sum and they would prefer to pay in installments the way Village residents do. “The agreement with the Town is up in 2011 and, hopefully, we can get everyone on the same page,” Monahan said.
In another water related issue the owner of a newly constructed home at 131 Rogers Ave. said his house is at the end of the line and there is little water pressure on the first floor and no water pressure on the second floor. He is worried about getting a certificate of occupancy as they must move into the house. He wondered about connecting to the water tower which is only 200 feet from his house. The Mayor said he would look to see what the options are in this case. He added that the last phase of the Village’s water project, Phase III, is looping of end lines in various spots through Hoosick Falls. “This should help increase water pressure,” he said.
Bovie Hill Water Line
Concern was expressed about road conditions where new water lines had been laid in the Bovie Hill area, especially the bump in a driveway at 7 Davis St. The Mayor said spots not seeded or filled in should be completed soon. Paving will be done next week and the project should be completed within the next two weeks. He is looking into patching or paving Hovey St. and Martin Ave. The Board approved $13,000 for a change order with Casale Excavating for additional exploratory work and a wet tap at the intersection of Davis and Mechanic Sts.
Dog Park
Melvin Dessler asked about the status of the Dog Park. He said he has someone willing to install used fencing. He said he has been “getting a very good response from people” regarding such a Park. Dessler also asked about a water spigot for the Park. The Mayor said he and Trustee Michael Hickey will be walking over the area between the old and new water plants to measure and determine the size of the Park. He expects the Park will be “ready to go by spring.”
David Borge of Wilder Ave. asked the Board if they had determined whether the property at 43 Wilder, which is for sale, was a two or three family building. Trustee Ann Bornt said the Village Attorney had determined it was a two family dwelling and the current owner and the realtor had been notified that was the case. Borge further pressed the Board to find out if the property came under the section of the Village law stating that the house must be owner occupied.
David Borge told the Board that the engineer has yet to inspect his property on Griffin Ave. The Mayor told him the Board’s big concern is the engineering report. After that is completed decisions on the future of the property can be discussed.
Thank You And Goal
At this point Trustee Bornt thanked the Board, the Village Departments and residents for their kind thoughts during her husband’s recent illness and death.
“I’m proud of this Village,” she said. “If it’s the only thing I do, it will be to pressure realtors and landlords to conform to the laws.” She said she didn’t want to see more people coming in, buying property and then letting it run down to make a quick buck.
Trustee Bob Downing reported that meter readings had been done and hydrants flushed. Trustee John Hickey and Downing both asked when the job for an assistant water plant operator was going to be advertised. The Mayor said it would be this week. He said several applications had already been received.
The large Village brush pile had been chipped.
Trucks On River Road
Downing and Hickey said they continue to receive complaints about trucks on River Rd. The Mayor said the speed of 200 trucks had been monitored by radar by the Hoosick Falls Police and none of them were speeding. Twenty cars, however, were stopped for speeding. The Mayor said his concern about having the trucks come through the Village is that they create more congestion.
Trustee Paul Haynes reviewed the Treasurer’s report and said that General, Sewer and Water expenses were in line with the budget and the Village “is in good shape right now.” He also noted there were four dog calls during October.
Bids
The Board approved Clough Harbour putting out a bid for a dehumidifier for the new Water Plant. Bids must be submitted to the Village by 10 am, Tuesday, November 3.
A motion to advertise for bids for the wastewater plant sludge holding tank mixer and solar panel modification, prepared by C.T. Male, was approved. Bids will be opened on Monday, November 23. Funds for this project will be covered through the recently awarded Green Innovation Grant Program for $100,350.
Thank You
Mayor Monahan expressed his appreciation to the countless volunteers who participated in the various events that have been held throughout the Village in the past few weeks, including The Taste of Hoosick and Pumpkinpalooza. “A lot of good things have been happening, and I appreciate the help of everyone involved. The Village employees did an excellent job,” he said.
Other Business
Village leaf pickup will start October 26 and continue through November 20. Leaves will be picked up in each Ward. Dates for various Ward pick ups will be announced on the Cable channel.
The Board approved an extra Dispatcher be on duty from 6 pm to midnight Friday and Saturday night of the Halloween weekend. The Town of Hoosick parade will be Friday evening, October 30.
The tree lighting in the Gazebo will be Friday, December 4. Santa will be in the Village Hall after the lighting.
In other business the Board
• approved the removal of two parking spaces from the lot on Church and Elm Sts. Trucks parked in those spots hinder the view for cars leaving the lot.
• approved Extech inspecting the Rensselaer St. water tank.
• approved Dan Merrills, Ken Holbrook and Jim Hurlburt attending training for Security and Emergency Response on November 12 at a cost of $19 per person.
• Accepted the resignation of part time police officer Peter Yakel.
• Tabled request for a new hire police officer until next month.