Village of Hoosick Falls Board Action – Ann Bornt Resigns; Takes Village Clerk Job

by Bea Peterson
The Village of Hoosick Falls Board meeting began with a twist Tuesday evening, September 13, when Mayor Matt Monahan called the Board into Executive Session at the start instead of the end. They returned ten minutes later and the Mayor announced that Marie Bushey had resigned as Village Clerk, effective August 12. His next announcement, he said was bitter-sweet. Ann Bornt resigned as Village Trustee and assumed the part time position as Village Clerk, effective August 15. Bornt previously held the position of Village Clerk for 25 years.
Local Law Tabled
There was a public hearing on Local Law #2 involving no parking on part of Rogers Ave. and the addition of several stop signs throughout the Village, particularly in Second Ward. When concerns about the no parking on a section of Rogers Avenue were raised, the whole law was tabled until the Rogers Avenue issue can be looked into further.
Thank You
The Mayor thanked all the volunteer agencies and the Village and Town highway crews for the work they did in the recent storms. He said a preparedness meeting was held the Friday before Tropical Storm Irene and the Town and Village were as ready as they would ever be. Fortunately the area fared much better than surrounding Towns. “I want to commend everyone out there. They worked very hard. They handled everything terrifically, working and putting in the hours,” he said.
Louise Ciuk brought photos of the water runoff at the end of her driveway on upper Mechanic Street. The Mayor told her they will reluctantly dig out the area and put in a catch basin and straighten out the culvert.
The Mayor noted that the weather hasn’t helped with Peckham paving the streets.
Hedges To Be Removed
The Mayor had a letter from Jerry McAuliffe thanking the Board for their support of the Hoosick Hometown Days carnival and fireworks. The Mayor said the fireworks were spectacular.
McAuliffe, who also serves on the Veteran’s Wall committee, requested approval from the Board to remove the privet hedge along the front of Wood Park, particularly in front of the new Wall. The Board agreed the hedge, which has reached a scraggly stage, could be removed. Some concern was expressed that it provided a buffer between the park, where youngsters are often very active, and the street. That issue may be addressed at a later date.
River Road is still closed where a pole fell and the road washed out. The Mayor said the County engineers have done some soil testing and they are waiting for FEMA people to come out before making a decision on how to proceed. It will be next week before the FEMA is here. The repairs will affect the entire Clay Hill area water lines and electric power, the Mayor said.
Councilman David Borge said there are still more fire hydrants to be connected in the Village and he expects the Rensselaer St. water tank will be hooked up and in operation in the next week or so.
The next Village Board meeting on October 11 will begin at 6 pm with a public hearing on Local Law #2.
Pumpkinpalooza is September 24. The Mayor said the event is growing every year. Saratoga Carriages, now owned by Kim Revet and Alan Finney, will offer horse drawn wagon rides from Wood Park to the Town Park throughout the afternoon.
Effective October 1 until April 1 the Transfer Station will be open Saturdays only, from 8 am to 2 pm.
In conjunction with the memorial band concert on Classic St. on October 8, a Suicide Prevention Walk will be held on Sunday, October 9 at 5:30 pm from Wood Park.