Hoosick Falls Property Owners Without Water Meters To Be Fined

by Bea Peterson
At the Hoosick Falls Village Board meeting on Tuesday, May 10, the Board approved a motion to enforce the local law for fines on those property owners who do not yet have water meters or have not had broken meters repaired. The Village will also re-levy all unpaid invoices pertaining to water, sewer, solid waste and property maintenance.
Residents have already received mock bills based on water meter readings to give them an opportunity to understand the new payment process.
Second Ward Neighborhood Watch
Christine Miclette addressed the Board regarding the newly established Second Ward Neighborhood Watch. She said there are some houses where kids are frequently seen entering and leaving. Several cars from Vermont have been seen in that area as well. She said since her last talk with the Board she has noticed an increase in police patrols in the area. She gave the Board a graph with all the ward two streets on it with all the stop signs marked. Some, she said, were placed there during the River Street road construction and could be removed. Other areas need more signs.
Mayor Matt Monahan thanked her for the information and told her that the Municipal Building was available on the first Tuesday of the month for ward meetings.
Esther Baker, who lives at the corner of Ball and Easy Streets, complained that the snowplow tore up her yard during the winter and no one from the Village has come by to fix it. She also lamented that the Village no longer has a cleanup day when items can be put out and picked up for free. The Mayor explained that the project was stopped because people from surrounding towns were bringing their junk to Hoosick Falls and placing it on curbs. “It was just too costly,” he said. Baker said she has construction materials in her garage and she has no way to get rid of them without it costing too much. Deputy Mayor Paul Haynes took her name and said he would have someone come and pick up the materials. Trustee John Hickey said he would see that someone looked at what needs to be done in her yard.
Loan To Weebs Fish Fry
During the meeting the Board laid out some guidelines for granting Small Business Loans. Payment would be deferred for the first six months. Loans would be given to new businesses with good credit. Invoices must be shown. Preference would be given those who own the building where the business will be located. After the discussion the Board approved a $10,000 loan to Ric Ferrannini for Weebs Fish Fry, which will be located in the former Harrison Vending building, owned by Ferrannini and his wife Beth. The loan will be for five years at $138 a month. Ferrannini said the seasonal business will be open from April 1 to October 1, seven days a week from 11:30 am to 8 pm. He expects to employ three to five part time people.
Curbside Waste Contract
The Mayor reviewed two bids received for Village curbside waste pickup. The bid from Pollard Disposal was $372,720 for two years. The bid from County Waste was $360,482 for two years. The Board approved County Waste, pending a review by the Board.
Trustee Ann Bornt reported that last Wednesday she reviewed Village properties going up for auction and, sadly, only two of them are salable.
Trustee Ric DiDonato reported that members of the Riverwalk committee met with local contractors for estimates on improving the southern end of the trail. Mayor Monahan said he and about 40 Geocachers spent last Saturday cleaning up the Riverwalk.
Trustee Michael Hickey requested that the Board consider hiring someone for five hours a month to clean up the Municipal Building. He said the overall cost would be $700 a year. In the past it has been maintained by individuals doing community service. This does not appear to be the case at the present.
In other business the Board:
• approved a request, pending insurance coverage, by Heather Lockrow for use of the gazebo on August 6 at 5 pm for a wedding;
• received a thank you from HAYC3 for the Village’s donation to the Youth Center; The Mayor noted they are doing a fine job at the Center;
• approved payment for Carver Construction for $96,639.70 for water main work;
• approved payment to Casale Excavation for $26,600 for work at the Rensselaer Street water tank site;
• approved a CSEA agreement for some Village employees with a two percent wage increase and no other changes.
Hydrant Flushing
Hydrant flushing in Hoosick Falls will be Wednesday and Thursday, May 25 and 26.
Public Hearing
The Board will hold public hearings before the start of the regular meeting on Tuesday, June 14. A public hearing on the Ward Two stop signs will be held at 6 pm. At 6:10 the hearing will be on Church Street no parking and at 6:15 there will be a hearing on a re-levy of Town residents using Village water.