by Bea Peterson
The Town of Hoosick regular Board meeting on Monday, March 11, reeked of drama. More than 80 people attended the session. The crowd was there because they were certain some sort of decision regarding the Armory would be made. They were right. The meeting began with the usual bits and pieces. The large crowd was quiet and orderly.
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When given an opportunity to speak, thirteen people addressed the Board. Many had prepared statements. Their words were heartfelt. Some were emotional but controlled. James Martinez, the first to speak, began by criticizing comments Supervisor Keith Cipperly had made in an editorial in area newspapers about his children being unable to realize the American dream if they were burdened by the cost of maintaining the Armory. Martinez pointed out that he and Jim Monahan also had a dream when they invested in the Thorpe building. “It had nothing to do with greed,” he said. “It had to do with pride and faith in our community.” He said in their building they also faced issues of an in-ground oil tank and lead paint and asbestos and they overcame those obstacles. The Town can, too, he added. He reminded them it was their responsibility to listen to their constituents and after gathering the facts and a detailed analysis, make a decision.
Mike Batcher, on behalf of the Armory Committee appointed by the Board, implored the members to follow through on the Request for Proposals (RFPs). “Our recommendation is that you complete the process,” he said.
Dave Sutton told the Board, “This building is worth your consideration. Don’t let it sit empty for five to ten years.” He reminded them that no matter what they do, they are going to spend money.
Dennis Casey asked why the RFPs were never reviewed. Town Attorney Debra Young explained that she had stopped the process because they were being reviewed and scored. “The scoring sheet was not submitted to the bidders as part of the RFP,” she said. If the bidders had known they were being scored, they might have bid differently.
Supervisor Cipperly said there was not enough time for the Board to review all of the RFPs and, ultimately, “in the end we’re the ones making the decision.” Councilman Bruce Patire said he had looked at all of them and used the scoring sheet.
Councilman Mark Surdam said it was the first time he had been involved in such a process. He reviewed them on his own. “I reached out to the Committee, but in the end I had to rely on the Town Attorney when the process was suspended. I know a lot of work has gone into this effort.”
Casey asked for a ball park figure in the Town’s fund balance and reserve. Town Bookkeeper Tyler Sawyer said the final reports were due the end of March, but he estimated there was approximately $400,000 in the fund balance and nothing in a reserve fund.
Casey continued saying that should they purchase the Armory he was sure they would not have to make changes right away and that they could be done inexpensively. “Unfortunately you have chosen to put out red herring after red herring after red herring as to why the Armory won’t work. You have done the Committee you appointed a disservice. And some engineering firms may never respond to a request from you again.”
Barbara Sussman said she had spoken to no less than seven attorneys who told here there was no violation in what had been done to date on the RFPs. She suggested the Town have a municipal law to cover the RFP process. She told the Board any of the attorneys she spoke with said they would help with this law. She urged the Board to purchase the Armory to buy time to take charge and go through the process phase by phase before making a decision.
Gary Sussman told the Board he has seen one beautiful building after another lost in the Town and Village through shortsightedness. One dollar buys an entire community, he said. Having worked with non-profits for years, he told the Board, “No one non-profit can sustain this building. It will take a consortium of non-profits.”
Village Trustee Ric DiDonato said the Village has the first right of refusal if the Town does not buy the Armory. He said the Village does not have the revenue or tax base to do that. But, he said, he believes the Village would be willing to cooperate with the Town by paying up to half the cost for an RFP study through its economic development fund but only if the Town purchases the Armory. DiDonato said he doesn’t want to see homeowners abandon the Town and Village because they feel it is an undeveloped place.
Rick Tinkham noted that the Town has a great school system and great youth programs. “But people can’t do the taxes,” he said. “The water and sewer rates have had a real impact. Taxes are an issue.” He pointed out that Thorpe’s was a private entity. Government entities must pay prevailing wage and expenses are a huge issue. The lack of an elevator is fine, he said, until someone complains and then it becomes an issue. He commended the Board for being realistic and not emotional, adding many families are living paycheck to paycheck. Start with bringing jobs to Town, he said.
Marilyn Douglas said the building is a beautiful national historic treasure. “It’s a tribute to those who served in the Military from here. It has a history. It is an anchor building in the community. She asked why Bill Cottrell’s report, which also favored the Armory, was not being disbursed.
Supervisor Cipperly responded that he liked working in the building. “It’s the second oldest Armory in the State. Why are they giving it up?” The response was the obvious, Statewide the military is and has been downsizing. Cipperly added, in listing uses for the Armory the State puts recreation first, highway second and Town offices third.
Bob Ryan urged the Board to keep an open mind. “Live with the what ares,” he said, “not with the what ifs.” He reminded them they are going to spend a lot of money whether on a new building or on the Armory.
Louise Ciuk said over the years she has seen the Town and Village “miss the boat so many times.” She said for years they had a Mayor that didn’t raise taxes “and now we’re paying the price.”
Frank Downing urged the Board to keep an open mind. He said he loved the community, but the building was an albatross.
Gary Sussman added that no matter what, taxes were going to go up.
Dave Sutton added that if the Board did not purchase the Armory, “you might as well put a tombstone up outside that says Hoosick Falls used to be here.” He suggested the Town consider a public referendum.
A Calmer Moment
Following all the people to be heard Town Historian Phil Leonard presented his latest display board. He said this meeting to him was a rehash of the one years ago regarding the municipal building and whether to rebuild it after the fire or tear it down. “At midnight they chose to tear it down, and then it was gone,” he said. His board Monday evening was Stores Remembered from 50 years ago. “You could buy anything you wanted in Hoosick Falls, and there was a grocery store on every corner.” At one time, he pointed out, the Wood Block was going to be torn down. “The big box stores have killed all the little towns,” he said. “They have turned them into bedroom communities.”
Mid-meeting Supervisor Keith Cipperly proposed a resolution that would scrap the RFPs submitted last month. Nineteen companies responded that they were willing to assess the building and determine what costs would be involved in expanding the Town offices in the Armory and utilizing portions of the building for other purposes. The estimates for this study ranged from $28,000 to $100,000. An enormous groan emitted from the audience when the Board voted four to one to scrap the RFPs. Supervisor Cipperly and Councilmen Louis Schmigel, Bruce Patire and Jeff Wysocki voted for; Councilman Mark Surdam voted against.
Near the close of the meeting Surdam proposed the Town purchase the Armory from the State for one dollar. The motion was seconded by Schmigel, noting if it didn’t work out, the Town could give it back and only be out a dollar. Patire and Cipperly voted no. Wysocki hedged; he was interested in the purchase being for HAYC3. He was advised that the vote was for the Town to make the purchase. The crowd held its collective breath, a few urging him to vote yes. Then, after what seemed an eternity, Wysocki said yes. The room exploded in a cheer. The Town Attorney was advised to work out an agreement with the Office of Government Services for the Town to purchase the Armory. Schmigel said there must be a stipulation in the agreement that the State will take care of any issues regarding the in-ground oil tank. If the State does not want to take on that responsibility, the deal could fall through. Surdam noted no test bores can be drilled around the tank until the Town owns the building.
By killing the RFPs it would appear the Board has no intention of researching the actual costs of having the Town offices remain in the Armory on a permanent basis. Both Surdam and Schmigel feel the dollar purchase is a stop gap measure to give the Board time to research its next step.
Highway
Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland praised the lack of winter saying he hasn’t seen anything like it in 40 years.
Shiland said has has signed an agreement with FEMA for reimbursement of flood damage costs during Tropical Storm Irene. The amount spent was $81,228.42. Of that amount the Town will be reimbursed $71,741. He was told the Town would have the check within a month, but he anticipates it will take longer than that to receive it. Shiland requested that the money be set aside for an equipment purchase. He noted the 1994 dump truck needs to be replaced and that amount would cover about half the cost. At Supervisor Cipperly’s suggestion, the matter was tabled until the check is in hand.
Building Inspector Charlie Kovage reported he has issued four building permits and made five site visits. He has completed his Inspector training and attended a FEMA mapping meeting, since, he was informed, his job includes flood plain administrator.
Other Business
Town Bookkeeper Tyler Sawyer requested a resolution to transfer $11,800 to Capital Projects. That amount is the five percent the Town must pay of the estimated $236,000 for the White Creek bridge engineering phase. Sawyer noted it was simply a bookkeeping transfer. The Board approved.
Rensselaer County Soil and Water is taking orders for trees. Order forms are available at the Town Hall and must be submitted by April 26. The trees will be available for pickup at the Town Skating Rink on May 5.
Supervisor Cipperly said the Hoosick Falls Kiwanis Club sent the Town a check for $150 for use of the skating rink. Since there was no ice at the rink Cipperly asked for approval from the Board to return the check to the organization to use in one of their many programs. The Board approved.
Supervisor Cipperly announced a new appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals effective April 30. Jerry McAuliffe, Sr. will serve a five year term. He is replacing Marianne Zwicklbauer.
The Board approved letting the Town of Hoosick Youth Baseball and Softball League re-establish a softball field at the side of the tennis court. A backstop is already in place. The League will take care of cleanup and construction. Jerry McAuliffe will be working with them.
Councilman Jeff Wysocki said he had talked with Bill Shiland and Matt Monahan about establishing a regional electronic recycling center. Town recycling is open and unmanned. Anyone could leave anything “electric,” not just electronic, he said. The Village has a manned site. A shed would have to be constructed for storage, but at least there would be control over what was left for recycling.
Wysocki wanted the Board to consider hiring J. O’Connell and Associates to write grants for the Town. He also said that the Rensselaer Land Trust is holding a volunteer tree planting day at the Hoosic River boat launch on Saturday, May 5, from 10 am to 1 pm. He encouraged folks to come out and participate. He added he would be attending a Rensselaer County Agriculture Protection Plan meeting on Tuesday, March 13.
Bruce Patire said the insurance policies for Town trucks and equipment have been improved. A policy allowing $50,000 to rent a truck should one be disabled was added. A pollution protection clause was added for the fuel storage tanks at the Town garage. The cost is $872 for one million dollars cleanup protection. Overall, Patire said, the new policies will save the Town $3,500.
Louis Schmigel has been looking into contract services, which he presented to the Board, for alcohol and drug testing for Town employees. The testing would be done on-site. Schmigel asked where the Board stood regarding employee health insurance. Cipperly said that would be discussed in executive session. After the executive session the Town Attorney told Highway Department employees that because of a letter received by the Board indicating the employees are interested in joining a union, everything, from now on, will go through a negotiator.
April Board Meeting Rescheduled
Due to the school spring break and pending vacations, the April Town Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 3, at 7 pm.
A public hearing on a hazardous mitigation plan will be held at 6:45 pm. The hearing is necessary for the Town to be eligible for FEMA funds.[/private]