Hoosick Falls Landlords Fuming Over Water Rates

by Bea Peterson
Three landlords attended the Hoosick Falls Village Board meeting on Tuesday, November 9. They were furious over the rates they are being charged for water and sewer. Now that water meters are in and working they are seeing a big difference in the amount of water they are being billed for and the amount of water their tenants use. In some instances the tenants are using one third to one half of what the building owners are being billed. They were looking for some compensation from this discrepancy. Unfortunately they did not receive any. Mayor Matt Monahan and Deputy Mayor Paul Haynes, Jr., who oversees the Village’s budget, explained that the amount the landlords are to pay this year is a part of the budget that began June 1. If the Village made adjustments for them, then others would come in requesting a change and the loss of revenue would have to be made up in some way by other taxpayers. The Mayor expressed regret over the situation and acknowledged the billing system currently in use is not equitable. He said they are working on new rates for the entire Village now that all the water meters are in and working. The new plan will also decrease the amount of anticipated water use in rental properties. He said a Public Hearing will be held on January 3 to review and discuss the new rates. It is hoped that the Board will be able to vote on the rate changes at the January 10, 2011, Board meeting. Those rates will then go into affect with the new budget. Everyone will have one more water/sewer payment, due in May, at the current rates.
Village Election March 15
The Board approved a motion to publish a notice designating the offices to be filled and the terms for the election on March 15, 2011. Offices to be filled include a two year term for Mayor, four year terms for three Trustees and the position of Justice. The seats to be filled in the upcoming election are those held by Paul Haynes, Ric DiDonato and John Hickey. The Justice position is now held by Thomas J. Restino, Jr.
Sewer Connection
The Board accepted a bid of $11,240 by Pat Bakaitis to install the sewer laterals on Abbott and Classic Streets,  pending review of his insurance coverage. The Board also approved offering the four affected homeowners loans from the Economic Development Fund to cover the cost of the installation at an interest rate of two percent per year for ten years. As changes were being made to sewer lines throughout the Village it was discovered that the sewer lines from these four homes flow directly into the storm drains and into the Hoosic River. This is a situation that the DEC wants to see remedied immediately.
Greenway Issues
Mayor Monahan announced that the Village recently received a $5,000 grant from Greenway Conservancy to be used on the Village Greenway Trail.
Representatives from the Hoosick Trailmasters Club, Inc. (snowmobilers) addressed the Board about using the Greenway at its northern end near the Wastewater Treatment Plant. They noted that for years they have cleared fallen trees from the trail and that they groom the trails so they can be used by cross country skiers and snowshoers. The Village recently passed a ruling that no motorized vehicles could be used on the Greenway. Mayor Monahan said he would like to sit down with the Trailmasters and the Greenway people at their meeting on Thursday, December 2, at 6 pm to see if they can’t find something “beneficial to both sides.”
The Greenway will be holding a Nature Walk on Sunday, November 28, leaving from the Waterworks at 10 am.
On Thursday, December 16, between 6:30 and 7:30 pm, at the same location, they will have a bonfire and sell luminaries to benefit the Greenway.
Fines Assessed
The Village has sent letters to a property owner on Center Street and to the owner of the American House requesting they inform the Village of their plans for these dilapidated properties. There has been no response from the owners. The Board agreed to send another letter stating that if the Village does not hear from them immediately, they will be fined $500. If they have still not responded after 10 days, they will be fined another $500.
Veterans Memorial Wall
Co-Chairman of the Veterans Memorial Wall Committee, Phil Leonard, addressed the Board regarding the progress to date. He told the Board that in five months the Committee has raised over $29,000, and with the money the Village has set aside from the previous fund drive the total is $30,738 to date. He said the fund raising has been extremely heartwarming because it has all come from the public and from community organizations. “The people want this,” he said.
Applications to have a name on the wall are still being accepted. “I’m afraid we are going to miss people and that bothers me,” Leonard said. He expects there will be 1,200 to 1,300 names on the wall, most of them from World War II. The Committee is going to purchase models of the bronze plaques to be displayed on the wall so people can confirm spellings and note if someone is missing.
Congratulations All Around
The Mayor commended the HFCS girls and boys sports teams for the great job they have done this season. “They have a lot to be proud of,” he said. He also congratulated Trustee Michael Hickey on the birth of his son.
Tree Lighting
Mayor Monahan noted that the tree lighting in Wood Park has outgrown the Municipal Building. This year the tree lighting will begin at 5 pm on December 10 in Wood Park and then everyone will head to the Youth Center for a pancake supper and an opportunity to meet Santa Claus.
In other business the Board approved:
• A motion to take less than $300 from the fund balance to replace three trees that were recently taken down in Wood Park.
•  A request from the Eagles Club for a handicap parking space in front of their building at 33-35 First Street pending the approval of Police Chief Bob Ashe and Public Works Superintendent Niel Stowell.
• A request to renew the NYS Liquor License for Greg Zora and the Back Street Saloon.
• A motion to accept a bid of $500 from John Sotile to purchase the Village’s surplus 1988 International garbage truck.
The Board then went into executive session to discuss personnel issues.