by Bea Peterson
At the Village of Hoosick Falls Board meeting on Tuesday, July 12, the Board approved the design for the ground work for the Veterans Memorial Wall. Wall committee member Bob Becker showed the plan, which will incorporate the millstone already in the park in the design, to the Board. The plantings will be reviewed once the ground work is complete. There will be a new sidewalk leading toward the walls starting from the Main Street sidewalk. The design will expand to a V and will include brick type trim on the edges and cement and exposed aggregate in the center. Village Trustee Ric DiDonato said he did not want to see the walls overpower the gazebo as that is also an important part of Wood Park. Becker agreed.
Becker thanked Phil Leonard and Marilyn Douglas for their dedication to collecting the names for the plaques, and, he said, the community has been very generous. He told the Board all the donations have been from private funds and amount to over $45,000. He said Bradley Electric is donating in-ground lights and the Board approved running an electric line to the Municipal Building. Mayor Matt Monahan thanked the committee for its enthusiasm and hard work. The Wall is on schedule for dedication on November 11.
Upcoming Events
The Board approved a request by Dominic Oliveri to block off a portion of Classic Street on Saturday, October 8, from 6 to 9 pm for a neighborhood barbecue, followed by a candlelight acoustic concert in memory of Tyler Marcoux, which will be open to the public.
The Board approved a request by the Rescue Squad for a Candlelight Walk from the Hoosick Falls Fire House to the Rescue Squad Building on First Street on September 11 starting at 7 pm in remembrance of the 9/11 victims.
Deputy Mayor Paul Haynes reported that one month into the new budget things were going well. The Village is looking into a grinder pump that will chew up the Teflon pieces that currently cause considerable problems by clogging up the pump on River Road. The cost will be about $12,000. Additionally, the Board is looking into sharing the cost of a street sweeper with other nearby municipalities since the cost to rent one this year was $10,500.
The Village is looking into purchasing a new sidewalk tractor and snowblower. The Mayor suggested the tractor be put out for bid and another option be put on the table as well.
Weatherization Assistance Information
The Commission on Economic Opportunity asked the Board to advertise its weatherization assistance program with the community. Mayor Monahan said the Clerk’s office will have the information on the people to contact.
Fireworks Funding
The Mayor said Jerry McAuliffe had requested funds for fireworks for the Carnival to be held at the Town Park August 25, 26 and 27. The Golub Corporation has pledged a percentage of the cost, and the Town pledged $1,000. The Village voted also to pledge $1,000 toward the cost, especially since the Carnival committee has a grant for the cost of police coverage of the event.
DiDonato said he has been investigating software companies for ease of use and cost effectiveness when it comes to notifying the community of emergencies. “They all want to give you a demonstration before they give you a price,” he said. When he narrows it down to a couple of companies he will ask for demonstrations.
The Board approved the Girl Scouts selling ice pops and lemonade at the band concerts. The scouts will share the profits with the Band for repairs of the bandstand.
The Board approved payments to Casale Excavation for additional work on the water lines in the amount of $6002.85 and $19,500 to Carver Construction for additional work, plus payment #3 in the amount of $209,202.79. The extra work that had to be done has put the final completion date out two weeks to August 31.