Village Of Hoosick Falls Board Meeting – No Tax Increase

by Bea Peterson
Mayor Matt Monahan reported that the Village will take $56,000 from the fund balance allowing a zero percent increase in the 2011-2012 budget. He said he recently learned the Village will receive a full $90,000 from the State’s CHIPS fund. He added that retirement funds have increased by $21,000 and he expects insurance premiums to be up 10 percent. He said the sewer and water rates will be the same.
The budget hearing and organizational meeting will be Tuesday, April 19, at 6 pm.
The first order of business at the April 12 regular meeting of the Hoosick Falls Village Board was the installation of Mayor Matt Monahan, Deputy Mayor Paul Haynes, Jr. and Trustees Ric DiDonato and John Hickey who were re-elected in March.
Reprieve For American House
A public hearing was scheduled that would lead to the demolition of the American House. However, Trustees Ann Bornt and Ric DiDonato reported that they had met with the building’s new owners last week and these new owners, one from Israel, fully intend to restore the building and say they have rehabbed worse. They have already seen to it that the building is boarded up until work can begin. DiDonato said he feels their intentions are earnest, and he is guardedly optimistic they will follow through. The two trustees wanted to give the owners six months to submit a plan for the rehabilitation. Mayor Monahan said that was too long. He wanted to give them 90 days to submit a budget and plan to the Planning Board.
Former Mayor Don Bogardus suggested from the floor that they request a bond.
The Board approved a resolution that the owners of the American House submit a proposal to the Planning Board along with a $25,000 bond within 90 days.
This brought up a question from the floor regarding the Dougherty lot. The Mayor said Alex Koks closed last Thursday on a $750,000 loan. Once the state approves the plan, work can begin. “This is a short term loan, and, hopefully, the project will be nearly finished within a year,” said the Mayor.
A public hearing on no parking on a section of Church Street will be held next month.
Year End Figures
Haynes reported that as of March the Village’s general fund was 18 percent above budget. He said the budget included $100,000 from the fund balance and only $50,000 had been used. He said the wastewater treatment plant had $24,000 more than budgeted and the water plant, because of using less chemicals than first thought, was able to pay for the new truck out of its budget without going over. He said, overall, the budget was in very good shape.
Veterans Wall
Phil Leonard told the Board that the fund raising drive for the Veterans wall has been enormously successful. “It’s really the people’s wall,” he said, noting that only one contribution came from a corporation. Leonard added that he has been involved with four projects over the years and “with this one we’ve had sensational cooperation from the people.” The funds, $34,266 to date, have been raised in less than a year. The Board told him what has been accomplished in so short a period is a great feat in these economic times.
Leonard said that by late May he will have boards with all the names that will be on the plaques. He will set one up in the Town Hall and one in the Village Hall for people to review and submit any corrections.
Neighborhood Group
A Ward 2 resident complained about the number of out of state cars parked on the various streets in Ward 2. They are a problem because of the many young children that play outside in the area. She requested more police patrols, four way stop signs on several streets and some “slow, children at play” signs. She also mentioned seeing drunk teens in the streets at times, most recently at 5 am. She concluded some people were interested in forming a neighborhood support/watch group. Mayor Monahan said Trustee Bornt had also received requests for such a group and she will work with Ward 2 residents to start it.
A public hearing on a four way stop at First and Center Streets will be held at 6 pm on May 10, before the Board meeting.
Louise Ciuk thanked the Board for stopping the ice problem she had with her driveway this winter. She would like to see culverts put under her driveway and in other areas to prevent the ice buildup from happening next winter. The Mayor said he would talk to Town Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland to see if the problem can be resolved.
Former Mayor Bogardus lamented the tough financial times we live in and pointed out the Village has 3,490 residents and 1,100 taxpayers. He said they don’t have the income to support all the Village services. “We don’t need a full time building inspector,” he said, “or a full time police department.” He said the Village has to cut back the same way homeowners are having to cut back. He added that he doesn’t believe consolidation will save money.
The Mayor responded that every department will be reviewed for cuts. As for the consolidation study, he said, “We don’t know what it will say. We are looking for an unbiased opinion.” He noted several people have mentioned to him a consolidation report that was done when Dan Severson was Mayor which stated that there would be no savings. “That was 30 years ago,” he concluded.
Landlord Fran Downing was furious at the mock sewer/water bill he received recently, saying it was totally unaffordable, and he is upset because now he will have to pay three times a year. He didn’t seem to understand that paying three times a year was to make it easier for him as opposed to coming up with a larger amount just twice a year. After the meeting Downing spent time with Water Superintendent Jim Hurlburt to resolve the problems.
Downing also didn’t see a need for the Village Building Inspector to be inspecting HUD apartments when that is HUD’s job.
Another resident asked about the issue on Fiske Street. A public hearing will be held on the parking situation there before the May 10 Board meeting.
Trustee John Hickey reported that crosswalks will be painted and blacktop patched for the Memorial Day parade route. Other roads will be patched later.
Trustee Bornt is heartsick over the loss of another building in the community with the fire at CeeCee Pizzeria. She is looking into the condition of a garage on First Street to insure it is not a safety hazard.
Haynes said there was an issue with one of the sewer tanks. The $1,700 part will be put in on Wednesday.
Air Conditioning
Three bids were received for air conditioning for the Court room/Meeting room to be paid for by a Unified Court System Grant. The low bid from Bennington Cooling and Heating of $9,642 was accepted contingent on approval from the Judge and Court Clerk.
Economic Development Funds
The Mayor said the Village has a lot of money in its Economic Development Fund. “You can’t buy property with it,” he said, “but for every $35,000 loaned, one job must be created.” He wishes people would apply for the funding.
The Village will use some of that funding to install a closed circuit television system in the Municipal Building in the amount of $4,880. A replacement unit for the Village TV channel in the amount of $4,965 will also be paid for from Economic Development Funds.
Thank You
The Mayor thanked Water Superintendent Jim Hurlburt, Water Superintendent Ryan Hemmindinger, Village Clerk Marie Bushey, Assistant Clerk Judy Van Der Kar and Village Treasurer Denise McMahon for all their help in putting the new water and sewer billing system into operation. “We collected a bunch of fines, and almost everyone is on board,” he said. “I really appreciate all your help and support.”
Dispatch Change
The Mayor pointed out that the Hoosick Falls Dispatch office will be closing the end of April and on May 1 the Village will be part of the County 911 Dispatch service. He said all the equipment is in and ready to be installed.
Fallen Branches
Since the March ice storm tree branches have been accumulating on various properties. There is no plan for the Village to pick them up. Fallen trees and branches are being accepted at the Transfer Station at $5 a load.
Due to space considerations the other business that the Village Board approved will appear in next week’s issue.
In other business the Board approved:
• A request from the Lions Club to use Wood Park for the annual road race on May 21.
• Contributing $250 to ADAPT for the HFCS after prom party
• A resolution for Jan Kimball to cover the Village Court Clerk position when Holli Snyder cannot be there.
• A six month leave of absence for full time police officer Ryan Ashe and the appointment of Joseph Turoski, Jeffrey LaChappelle and Jason Ring as part time police officers.
• A change order for Carver Construction for $19,500 to install shut off valves and fire hydrants.
• A motion for the Mayor to sign the Flood Control Contract.
• A motion to advertise for bids for curbside solid waste collection.
• Renewal of agreement with the Town for bailiff services for the court.
• A cost reimbursement agreement with the State for the cost of training personnel in the prevention of and response to events involving weapons of mass destruction.
• A request from Mr. Ding-A-Ling ice cream for a peddlers permit from April 15 to September 15.
• Support for a Village Clean Up Day and Community Block Party on Saturday, May 14. Cleanup will be from 9 am to noon. The Block Party in Wood Park will be from noon to 3 pm.
• A request to use Wood Park for a Townwide Tag Sale on Saturday, May 28, from 9 am to 2 pm.