Hoosick Town Board Action – Local Law Passes, Another Set For Next Month

by Bea Peterson
During the regular monthly meeting of the Hoosick Town Board on Tuesday, June 15, and after closing the Public Hearing, the Board approved Local Law #1 for 2010. The new law changes the length of time the Zoning Board of Appeals has to transmit a copy of a special permit application to the Planning Board from 30 days to 12 days. If the Planning Board does not submit an advisory opinion, “It shall be interpreted as a recommendation that the special permit be granted.” The law shall take effect immediately after filing with the Secretary of State. The Town Board had consulted with the Planning and Zoning Boards before implementing this change.
A Public Hearing for Local Law #2 will be held on Monday, July 12, at 6:45 pm, before the regular Board meeting to designate Caretakers Road as one way going from Route 67 to Cottrell Road. The new bridge will be two way.
Resolution
If a Town property owner does not pay his or her Town and County tax bill by March 1, not only is there a late fee, but there is also a $2 property tax service charge. Many people pay the late fee, but don’t realize there is a service charge, and they are billed again for it. The Hoosick Town Board passed a resolution to permanently remove that $2 property tax service charge.
Changes Underway
Supervisor Keith Cipperly announced that starting on Wednesday, June 16, Steve Nichols would be working in the meeting room to extend the dais to the end of the wall with the windows. The front of the dais will be constructed to match the cabinets that are on two walls of the room. The changes have been made possible through a Justice Grant, applied for by the Town Court. A longer conference table will be needed as well.
New Truck
The Board approved the purchase of a new truck with a dump body and a reversible plow from Delurey Sales and Service and Arrowhead Equipment for $191,182 to replace a 1992 truck. Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland spent 15 hours preparing the bid proposal rather than going through the simple State contract process. The vehicle purchased was $12,000 below the State contract price and, the Board agreed, the savings was well worth Bill’s efforts.
Thank You
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger read a letter from Hoosick Falls Public Works Superintendent Niel Stowell commending Town of Hoosick Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland and thanking him for his continuous help and support to the Village whenever it is needed. The Board also extended its appreciation to Bill for all he does for the Town and Village.
Supervisor Cipperly thanked Bill for the fine work done for the dedication of the Coach Ken Baker Memorial Athletic Complex on Sunday. He also thanked Peckham Industries for the stone on which the Baker memorial plaque will be placed.
Cipperly extended his thanks to Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino for her offer of County equipment to mow the Bennington Battlefield if the State Parks Department didn’t take care of it. The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department also offered to take on the project through their community service work. Fortunately, Cipperly said, those offers were not needed.
Councilman Louis Schmigel thanked the HFCS students and teachers who helped clean up the Town Park for the great job they did.
Summer Camp Appointments
Chelsea Pine was appointed as a fill-in Town Camp counselor. Andrew McEvoy, Kiley Grandjean, Max Goldstein and Craig McGuire were appointed life guards. Pat Sinacore will be volunteer offsite Camp Health Director. Angela DeLuca was appointed Camp Art Director for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Basketball Camp, conducted by HFCS Coach Mike Lilac, will be June 28 to July 1 for boys and girls, grades 3 through 8, at the Town court.
Pool Liner
Shiland reported that the Town pool liner is in bad shape and he doesn’t expect it will last too many more years. It cost $75,000 fourteen years ago, and he expects a new one will cost double that or more. He suggested that when they price a new liner they should also consider upgrading the pool bathrooms, which could cost, he guesses, about $400,000. Councilman Mark Surdam suggested they start getting estimates now to give them figures to work with over the next few years. Schmigel agreed to gather and put the information together. The Board agreed it is important to keep the pool going.
Cole Concert
Hoosick Band leader Bill Gaillard requested use of the skating rink on Wednesday, July 14, for a special 50th anniversary concert in memory of H. Bradford Cole, Sr., HFCS band leader for 14 years, who died in 1960 at the age of 44. The purpose of the concert is to have as many of his former band students as possible participate in the concert and to raise funds to keep the Cole Scholarship at the high school going. The Board approved the request. They also approved funding insurance for the band for a year for $300.
Cipperly explained that the Town auditor did not like having all the budget transfers done at the end of the year. The auditor suggested the Supervisor make transfers for no more than $5,000 each, as necessary during the year. The Board approved the proposal.
A Voice From The Past
Supervisor Cipperly said he had heard from Wastetricity, the firm that wanted to build a landfill and recycling center in Walloomsac. They wanted to talk with Board members but not at a public meeting. Cipperly said he had reviewed the materials regarding the project and he did not think it would be good for the Town. Schmigel disagreed with him, and he said he was definitely interested in what they had to say but only if they were willing to come to a regular Board meeting. “It’s a lot of money to turn down,” he said.
In other business the Board:
• Accepted, with regret, the resignation of Helen Kennedy from the Assessor’s office. Sharon Messersmith was appointed to replace her.
• Approved purchase of a fire proof file cabinet, required by NY State, for $1,900.
• Commended Town Historian Phil Leonard on his latest history board with old and new photos of Walloomsac.
• Commended the HFCS sports teams, especially the Girls Softball team, for the great year they have had.
Upcoming Events
• June 24, Thursday, 6:30 pm, Meet and Greet the Town Fire Departments in the Town Athletic Field
• June 25 Town Pool open to public from 1 to 5 pm
• June 28 to July 1, rain day July 2, Basketball Camp, Town Park
• July 14, Wednesday, 7:30 pm, 50th Anniversary Gala in memory of H. Bradford Cole at the Town Skating Rink