Hoosick Town Board Action – Winter’s Work Is Never Done

by Bea Peterson
Town of Hoosick Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland said the highway crew will be busy for at least the next two to three weeks chipping brush and trees on the small roads as a result of last week’s ice storm. He said all Town roads are open for two lane traffic. He said they have started work on pot holes and will begin sweeping next week. “It’s good to be getting spring complaints, not winter ones,” he said.
FEMA Funds
Shiland said he attended a FEMA kick off meeting on the December storm. He estimates that the Town will recoup $20,000 from that storm. He hasn’t heard yet about the recent ice storm.
Shiland said he talked with NYS DOT regarding the street lights at Routes 7 and 22. He said the State agreed to move the one on the hill down closer to the road, but they want to take another look at the placement of the light closer to the bridge.
The new truck and chassis will be here by the end of the week, Shiland said. The Town crew will build the truck body as they have done in the past. He said there is no need to worry about purchasing a plow until late July.
Prices At The Pool
Shiland reported that groups are already signed up for swimming lessons this year. He said the policy for groups using the pool for special events has been $60 an hour. He noted that the pool has never been a money-maker. He said with a group of 40, two lifeguards is sufficient. However, several groups last year were 200  people in size. That, he said, requires five or six lifeguards, and the Town is still getting only $60 an hour. Swimming lesson prices have been the same for the last three to four years, he added. They are $25 for Hoosick residents and $40 for those outside Hoosick. Shiland said he realizes Towns and Schools have set their budgets for this year, but he suggested the Board consider raising the rates for next year. The Board will review the request in August.
Greenway
Michael Batcher of the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) brought the display boards on the Greenway for everyone to see. He said this is a long term project and they are still raising funds for their second matching grant. The Greenway project can be reviewed at the new website, hoosicrivergreenway.org.
Then And Now
Town Historian Phil Leonard had his latest history board to show. He titled it Then And Now. He had photos of hotels, gas stations and stores that were located in the Village at one time and that have been torn down and replaced by other buildings or parking lots. For instance, at one time there was a Grand Union store where the Rite Aid is located. He noted the many wrought iron fences that lined the streets throughout the Village. They were all taken down and turned in for scrap metal during WW II, he said.
He went on to say that he and Marilyn Douglas are “getting there” in regards to the names for the Veterans Wall. He said there are still names and money coming in. Funds raised in the past year amount to $34,000. The entire Wall Committee will be meeting shortly to finalize the list of names as it will take two months for the names to be printed out as they should appear on the plaques. The Committee would like to have them on display for the Memorial Day program and have the bronze plaques installed and landscaping completed for 11/11/11.
Planning Board Vacancy
The Board accepted with regret the resignation from the Planning Board of Chairman Everett Quackenbush. Members expressed the hope that he will consider rejoining that Board at another time. Former Chairman Jim Dunigan was reappointed Chairman. Quackenbush’s resignation leaves a vacancy on the Board. Someone is needed to complete the less than two years that remain of his term.
Jim Hoag was reappointed Chairman of the Zoning Board.
Thank You
Town Supervisor Keith Cipperly thanked everyone, the volunteers, the highway crews and the utility companies for the fantastic job they did during the recent ice storm. “Everything went smoothly,” he said.
Cipperly asked the Board to approve local resident Emily Kinde of Donadio Group to assist him in filing the Town’s annual audit. She will be paid $2,500. The Board approved.
Cipperly asked for a member of the Board to complete the Rensselaer County Camp Application for the Health Department. Councilman Bob Ryan said he would do it.
The Town Baseball and Softball program requested use of the Town Park for games and practices from June 7 to August 5. The Board approved the use pending proof of insurance and a more definitive list of tournament dates and times.
In other business the Board:
• Commended the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, Kevin O’Malley, Marie O’Neill and Mary Bradley for a very successful and very well planned day. “It’s a big day for everybody,” said Cipperly, “and I commend everyone involved.”
• Approved a motion to accept the North Hoosick Fire Department Service Awards Program.
• Approved a letter of support for the Village’s grant application for a Village Dissolution Study with Alternatives to Dissolution.
• Approved a resolution requesting legislation by the NYS Senate and Assembly extending the imposition of the additional one percent sales tax to 2013. That increase began in 1994. That would keep the sales tax at eight percent in the County. Supervisor Cipperly pointed out that one percent amounts to $70,000 for the Town of Hoosick.
• Approved a resolution to adopt the NYS Fire and Property Maintenance Code, or the Universal Building Code of 2010, through 2013. It was pointed out that the Town also has its own Building Code.
•  Approved a resolution allowing Town Court Clerk Jan Kimball to fill in for the Village Court Clerk when needed.
Councilman Louis Schmigel commended the Hoosick Falls Central School Athletic Department for an outstanding season. The girls and boys basketball teams made it into Sectionals. The bowling team had one bowler qualify for States and two wrestlers made it to the State matches.
Schmigel said St. Mary’s Academy is not ready to come before the Board yet, but they are planning a Town event from August 23 to 28.
Councilman Jeff Wysocki said he attended a Farmland Protection meeting and he expects they will have a plan finalized by next month. He said he attended the Farm Bureau Lobby Day in Albany on March 1.
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported a very light month for permits and licenses. She had one building permit. Funds brought in amounted to $629.50. She turned over $487.98 to the Town Supervisor.
Stradinger added that “Summer Camp is ready to roll!” This year the camp will run from 8 am to 3 pm. The fees are unchanged, $70 a week for Hoosick residents and $75 a week for those outside the Town.