by Bea Peterson
At the Tuesday, August 9, regular meeting of the Hoosick Falls Village Board Mayor Matt Monahan said the Village will be reading water meters between August 19 and 22. He expects bills will be sent to residents by September 9 at the very latest. These will be the first bills Village residents will receive that reflect the amount of water households actually use.
Trustee David Borge reported on the water treatment plant, noting that hydrants around the Village have been painted and several new hydrants installed. He said there are two more streets to go with new water lines. He noted that the new lines have caused pressure trouble with some of the old lines. Trustee John Hickey commended Carver Construction for the great job they are doing on this project.
Temporary repairs have been completed on the wells as a result of the lightning strike, Borge added.
The new 360,000 gallon water tank is in place on Rensselaer Street. The old tank will be removed next week.
Mayor Monahan said Jim Hurlburt and Ryan Hemendinger have put in many late nights in recent weeks and, “We appreciate all your efforts.”
Village Not In Paving Business
The Mayor noted that as a result of all the water line and paving work underway in the Village some unscrupulous people have stated they are with the Village paving and have offered paving at $3,500 when the job should have cost $350. The Mayor said he has been working with Hoosick Falls Police Chief Ashe and the people who paid their money have gotten that money back. Trustee John Hickey added that it is not the Village and it is not Carver Construction offering the paving.
Time Is Up On American House
Trustee Ann Bornt reported that as of the end of July the Village has had no plans from the new owners regarding the American House. She said a demolition date will be set and the new owners will be fined for each day they delay in getting the building down.
Bornt also reported that the property on Griffin Avenue is on schedule for cleaning up the yard.
Chief Ashe, working with Village Attorney John Patterson, has sent letters to property owners regarding nuisance abatements.
A new storage shed has been installed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Trustee Bob Downing reported that Waste Management has some new trucks that are not programmed right and they are not picking up the trash barrels correctly. The problem should be solved soon.
Correspondence
Mayor Monahan said the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad and Advanced Life Support team is once again applying to cover the Village of Hoosick Falls. This is especially important now that Mohawk Ambulance has left the area, and the Mayor has sent them a letter of support.
The Board approved Clough Harbour overseeing the work being done by Carver Construction. The Mayor noted that Carver has been working very long hours and this requires an additional 250 hours for Clough Harbour at a cost of $26,900. He noted there is enough money in the project fund to cover this addition. “It’s worth the money to have it done right, and we’re still under budget,” he said.
Bids were opened on the two trucks the Village had for sale. The old water department truck high bid for $750 was submitted by David Thurber. High bidder for the bucket truck was also David Thurber with a bid of $900. The Board accepted Thurber’s bids for the vehicles.
The Board approved a resolution for the Greenway to apply for an additional Hudson River Greenway Grant for the Hoosick Falls project.
Dispatch Agreement
Mayor Monahan said the Village had reached an agreement with the former Village dispatchers for the loss of their jobs. The former full time employees will receive $150 for each year of service, and the former part time employees will receive $75 for each year of service. The total amount they will receive is about $10,000.
The Board approved payment #4 to Casale Excavating in the amount of $92,767.50.
Mayor Monahan read a letter from Shaftsbury, VT, inviting everyone to its 250th anniversary celebration August 19 to 21.
He also read a letter from the Cheney Library inviting him and Board members to become charter members of the Friends of the Library. The first meeting will be Tuesday, September 6, at 7 pm. John Hickey said he would attend.
Public Hearings
The next Board meeting on September 13 will begin at 6 pm with a public hearing on the new four way stop sign at the intersection of McCaffrey Street and Carey Avenue. The hearing on the new fourth ward stop signs will be at 6:10 pm.
The regular meeting will be followed by a ZBA meeting for a variance changing a property on River Road from residential to commercial and then at 7:15 pm there will be a public hearing regarding having a commercial propane tank in a residential zone.
Before the meeting closed Borge asked if the Route 22 project along High Street was done. Mayor Monahan said he believes the major portion is done, but they still have some seeding to do. He added, “We have no say at all” regarding that project. However, he expects it to be an ongoing problem, and he doesn’t doubt NYSDOT will be back again within 10 years.
Borge then asked about the Dougherty corner. The Mayor said the Historic people are reviewing the project now. “It is inching along,” he said. “We as a Board, and Alex as well, have done everything we possibly can.”
Fourth Ward Playground
Mayor Monahan and Deputy Mayor Paul Haynes commended Pat Bakaitis and Peg Bakaitis and other volunteers for the new gazebo and the improvements to the fourth ward playground. In the last seven years Peg has collected $7,000 for the playground through a bottle drive.