by Bea Peterson
The crowd in the meeting room of the Armory filled it to overflowing Monday evening for the regular meeting of the Hoosick Town Board. Everyone came prepared to speak for or against the domed sports complex that might be built near the soccer fields on South Street in Hoosick.
The issue became a non-issue when project developer Matt Philpott stepped to the podium,
thanked the Board for its support and announced the domes will be built on 20 acres along Route 7 in Pittstown. He said he had talked with D. Wallace Bryce on Friday regarding land on Route 7 in Hoosick before making his decision. The 40 foot height restriction still had to be addressed by the Board for the project to be feasible in Hoosick. Philpott told the Board, “Business is run on a budget, and time is money.” Philpott has all the financials “wrapped up,” and wants to have the 60 foot high domes completed by November. Pittstown does not have a building height regulation.
Town Attorney Debra Young told the audience that nothing about the complex had been brought before the Town Board until the issue of 40 foot height restrictions came up. “The time frame we had was short,” she said. “This Board could not have met that time frame if they wanted to.”
“It’s an unfortunate loss for the Town,” said Councilman Lewis Schmigel. “It slipped right out of our hands,” added Councilman Bob Ryan.
People still had plenty to say on the subject. Barona Powers told the Board that proponents of the project never had a chance to voice their opinions.
It was published in the paper that there would be no comments accepted from the floor at the workshop, she said, and then for two weeks we read the comments that those against the project had to say at that meeting. Schmigel admitted the Board made a mistake and apologized. Supervisor Keith Cipperly said, “I am at fault there, I apologize.” Other comments included the fact that many people were in support of the project. Another thought a feasibility study should have been conducted regarding traffic issues. Others said it was difficult for any new business to come into Hoosick. Those opposed to putting the sports complex on South Street were not opposed to seeing it somewhere else in the Town or Village. Whatever, subject closed.
Cipperly looked out at the large crowd and told them, “Jerry McAuliffe was here recently looking for assistance to put on a Town carnival. If half of you here helped him, it would be an easy project.”
Board Gives Land Back To Bryce
Supervisor Cipperly then introduced a resolution returning the 40 acres of land behind the Sunoco station on Route 7 to realtor C. Wallace (Wally) Bryce. Bryce deeded the land to the Town in 2005. “Originally it was a good thought,” Cipperly added. Since this was the first the Board had heard about it, Ryan said he wanted more time to study the issue. After a long pause, Schmigel seconded the motion. Ryan voted no. Supervisor Cipperly, Councilmen Jeff Wysocki and Schmigel voted yes. Councilman Mark Surdam was absent.
Mohawk Ambulance Gone
Supervisor Cipperly told the Board that Hoosick Rescue Squad President Bill Gaillard told him that as of June 5 Mohawk Ambulance was no longer at the Hoosick Fire House. Gaillard said the Cambridge Rescue Squad has spent $3,000 on an application to cover part of Hoosick Falls. Cipperly was going to talk with Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino to see if the fee could be waived.
Town Hall Feasibility Study
At the Board’s request, engineer Bill Cottrell addressed them about doing a feasibility study regarding the best site for the Town Hall. Councilman Ryan assured Cottrell he was their “engineer of choice.” Cottrell told them he will need a scope of work with as much information as possible. “Don’t pay me to do what you can do,” he said. How detailed a report they want is up to them. Each building presents its own challenges, he said. “Every building must be checked against the building code,” he added. The age of the building and what needs to be fixed and what needs to be changed to make it suitable for Town officers must also be determined. Ryan and Schmigel offered to work with him on guidelines. Buildings to be reviewed include the Armory, Baker’s Nursery, Harrison Vending and Patire’s. Cost of a new structure will also be considered.
Supervisor Cipperly said he had spoken with Titan Roofing, installers of the Armory’s new roof. They told him the roof cost $900,000 and it will need to be replaced in 20 years. He also checked about renting the Armory until January 1. He said from October 10 to April 1 he was told electricity cost $5,144 and fuel was $22,559. Sewer cost was $785 and water was $491. He reiterated the building needs a new furnace at a cost of $75,000 to $100,000. Ryan said he had contacted government officials about historic preservation grants. The only one to respond was NYS Assemblyman Tony Jordan. Ryan said he would contact Jordan’s office again.
Zoning Regulation Changes
A public hearing will be held at 6:30 pm on Monday, July 11, for discussion on Local Law #1 regarding subdivision regulations. The Board is looking at two changes to the 1980 Town of Hoosick Subdivision Regulations. One change will be the addition of a category for family simple subdivisions. This allows for the gifting of more than one lot to family members without it becoming a major subdivision project. The Subdivision Regulations will remain the same except for this change. The second change will allow a longer time frame for public hearings related to zoning issues. The time will be increased from 45 days to 62 days.
Veterans Hall At Schaghticoke Fair
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger said the Town had received a letter from the Schaghticoke Fair stating that they were turning the Freihofer Building into a Veterans Hall. They are hoping each of the County’s 14 towns and two cities will contribute information about their veterans for the building, from the Civil War up. Town Historian Phil Leonard said they have scrapbooks full of material. He said it will take him all summer to copy it, but he can have it all together by Fair time. He expects the copying cost to be about $50.
No Names Accepted After June 30 For Veterans Wall
Leonard said he is still receiving names for inclusion on the Veterans Wall. He said all the names must be submitted by June 30. Within two weeks after that, all the names will have been reviewed and sent to be cast in bronze. The bronze plaques take at least two months to be created, and there must be a deadline so the plaques can be installed for the November 11 dedication. Space will be left, with holes drilled in the bronze, so that nameplates can be added, if necessary.
The fund drive, he said, has exceeded its goal. Contributions have reached $35,100. He expects the grounds around the wall will be beautifully landscaped as a result of all the donations.
Harriet Hoctor
Leonard’s most recent board for display is one of renowned ballerina Harriet Hoctor. She was born in Hoosick Falls and is buried here. Leonard said her parents were an important part of the community. Harriet was popular in the 1920s and 30s. She was a regular in the Ziegfield Follies and danced with Fred Astaire in a movie.
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported she received $1,051 in conservation funds for the month of May. She issued eight building permits and received $1,367 in summer camp registrations. The total amount taken in was $3,939.65, with $2,757.30 turned over to the Supervisor.
Town Assessor Tony Rice said he is working on the final assessment. He said 23 people grieved their taxes. He said that is more than usual.
Town Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland said highway crews have been busy patching potholes and cutting grass along the roadways. The Board approved his request to put a bid out for a snow plow for the new truck that was purchased in April.
Pool Open
Shiland said everything is up and running at the Town Pool, which officially opened Monday, June 13.
The Board declined to purchase Knox Boxes for the highway garage and the skating rink. The Board approved the Hoosick Falls Wrestling Club using the skating rink Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31, from 9 am to 6 pm.
Councilman Ryan said junkyard inspections have been completed and all except one are in compliance. He said the trees planted as a buffer at the John Cahill junkyard have all died. Either they should be replaced or a fence put up to be in compliance, he concluded.
Ryan said the Town Summer Camp is all set to go. Latest hires include lifeguards Julia Baker, Danielle Bohmer, Stephen Colvin and Kylie Grandjean and Camp Director Assistant Erin Shea.
Councilman Schmigel said he is meeting with the NYS DOT on Thursday regarding the White Creek bridge.
Councilman Wysocki said a final draft of the Farmland Protection Plan is being reviewed and once it is approved it will be brought to the Board.
Supervisor Cipperly said he and his children attended the Remote Control Airshow in Buskirk over the weekend. It was rainy, but they enjoyed it. He mentioned that Gordon Fricke (of Barber & Fricke Automotive, Inc.) has been on NPR radio on the Car Talk show, at 2:30 Friday afternoons. He was on once in April and once in May.
Cipperly said he has been to Weeb’s Fish Fry three times. “What a good product,” he said. He also said that he would like to see all local businesses on the Town website.
Cipperly extended congratulations to the 2011 Hoosick Falls graduates.
The Board approved the appointment of Mike Lilac as Director of the Basketball Camp.
Workshop Dates
The Board passed a Resolution for the addition of two Workshops to the regular meeting schedule. The workshops will be on June 27 and August 2 at 6 pm in the Town Hall.