by Bea Peterson
At the regular meeting of the Hoosick Falls Village Board on Tuesday evening, June 14, Trustee Michael Hickey announced his resignation from the Board. He has recently purchased a home on Albany Street which is located two houses outside the Village line. Mayor Matt Monahan thanked him for his contribution to the Board over the years. His chair was still warm when David Borge was sworn in to replace him. The Mayor noted it would be a short tenure, from June until next March when Hickey’s term expires.
Court Diversion Program
Hoosick Falls Police Officer Harold McClellan and Aelish Nealon addressed the Board about a new Court Diversion Program aimed at young people aged 16 to 20 years old who are arrested for alcohol use. This program is modeled after a very successful one in place in Vermont. This is a pilot program for NYS and Hoosick Falls is the first to participate. It is financed through the NYS Court system. The Program went into effect on June 10. Officer McClellan said all of New York State is watching to see how it goes in Hoosick Falls.
Four Way Stop At Center And First Streets
The meeting opened with a Public Hearing on Local Law No. 1 of 2011 relating to the installation of four way stop signs at the intersection of Center and First streets and no parking on certain sections of Church Street. There was no comment on these changes. At the close of the meeting the Board voted unanimously to approve the law. No one spoke at the Public Hearing on a re-levy of outside utilities and that change was approved as well.
Veterans Wall
Veterans Wall Co-Chairman Phil Leonard said no new names will be accepted for the plaques after June 30. He said holes will be drilled in the plaques so that individual names can be added later if need be. He said over $36,000 has been collected for the plaques and the landscaping.
Trucks On River Road
Once again tractor trailer trucks and speeding cars have become an issue on River Road. Residents said many people walk or run along that road. Some of them have small children in strollers. Since there are no sidewalks, the walking is hazardous with the trucks and speeders. The Mayor said he would look into it.
Sewer Line Issues
So far this year the Wastewater Treatment Plant crew has expended 312 hours and over $20,000 clearing Teflon and wads of thick rags from the sewer lines, particularly in the River Road area. They are looking into ways to eliminate the problem.
Water Line Break
Mayor Monahan commended Deputy Mayor Paul Haynes and the Village crews for the handling of the water line break on Carey Avenue on the Friday evening of the Memorial Day weekend. Haynes said the break was quickly repaired that night. The Mayor, who was out of town that weekend, said it was a great team effort.
Haynes said the Health Dept. told him there was a very low health risk involving the water that night, but a boil water notice had to be issued. The problem of the notice not reaching much of the Village population was discussed and will be investigated to improve the notification process. Signs were posted at businesses throughout the Village, and it was announced on television newscasts and on the public access station, but many people missed it.
New Water Lines
Roadways throughout the Village have been torn up during the last month as new water lines and loops are installed. The Mayor said he is definitely not receiving preferential treatment during this project. He said his street has been torn up, his sewer line has been affected because of the weight of the equipment going over it and he has “bottomed out” his car because of the dip at the end of his driveway. He said he is meeting with the engineers on Wednesday about having all the affected roads resurfaced at no additional expense to the Village.
In other business the Board approved:
• adoption of the final water rates for the 2011-12 budget year;
• a change order for $6,002.85 and payment #2 of $41,802.71 to Casale Excavation for work on the water lines; the change order cost was due to extra work necessary to break up and take out an underground tank pad discovered during the regular scope of work;
• payment #2 to Carver Construction for $274,591.42 for water line work;
• appointment of Joe Nusca, Matthew Derosia-Bornt and Marcus Reynolds as summer help from now until Labor Day;
• sponsorship of Crystal Quell and Danielle Barbour Crosier to attend the Police Academy in July; both women have Criminal Justice degrees and will pay for attending the Academy themselves; this in no way guarantees them a job on the Hoosick Falls Police Force.
Transfer Station Closing Early
The Transfer Station will close at 11:30 am on Saturday, June 25, instead of the usual time of 2 pm.
Shakespeare In The Park
Once again Hubbard Hall will perform a Shakespeare production in Wood Park. This year it will be on Sunday, July 24, at 7 pm.
The meeting ended with the Board going into executive session to discuss a personnel issue.
