by Bea Peterson
Much Ado About Nothing?
A Channel 13 TV news report that aired just before the Town of Hoosick regular Board meeting on Monday evening, May 14, stated that the Town “is accused of wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money. The State Comptroller says the Town overspent its general and highway funds by nearly $630,000 between 2009 and 2010. An audit also found the Town has not taken proper measures to store and back up its data.” That was all the news report stated, adding no explanation whatsoever.
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At Town Supervisor Keith Cipperly’s request, recently appointed Town Bookkeeper Tyler Sawyer tried to clarify the report at the conclusion of Mondays’s meeting. He said corrective action has been taken as a result of the Comptroller’s report for problems going back to 2009-2010. He noted that a copy of the report is available for review in the Town Clerk’s Office as well as online. “Every penny is accounted for,” Sawyer said. While the report shows negative budget figures, all of the expenditures were approved by the Board. Unfortunately, the approvals were not done correctly. “To say the Town wasted money is not fair,” he added. The expenditures were approved, but they were not budgeted.
Proper measures have been taken to backup and support the Town’s computer system. “Basically,” Sawyer said, “backups were left on site. This issue has already been corrected.” Sawyer said he has read the report and he feels the comments made on WNYT, Channel 13, were not at all fair. “I want to assure residents that money was not misspent,” he added. “The budget was overspent, but the money was available in the fund balance and there was no deficit at any time.” Sawyer added that it was important for the Bookkeeper attend the meetings.
With that in mind, Sawyer asked for a resolution to transfer $725 to the Dog Control Officer’s account to keep that account in the black (as advised by the Comptroller). He noted several dogs have been kept at the kennel recently. He said $800 will be coming in for that account through the Court and those funds will put the account back in order.
Water Issue
Larry Cain asked the Board if there was any resolution to the Green Heights water issue. Supervisor Cipperly and Hoosick Falls Mayor Matt Monahan, who attended the meeting, said they were working on a resolution. Mayor Monahan said he and Supervisor Cipperly had met with the Department of Health “and we have both learned a lot.” They will meet again with Rich Elder, and they hope to hear back from him within the next week or so. Cain has several issues with his water and sewer bills. He said the biggest problem is that nobody listens to him. Both the Supervisor and the Mayor said they were working toward a conclusion of the issue. Cain is outraged to have to pay extra because he and his wife use 55,000 gallons of water.
Latest History Board
Town Historian Phil Leonard unveiled his latest history board. It was from 1957/1958 issues of the Standard Press Remember columns, a collection of pieces put together by Jim Torpey. One photo shows the digging for the foundation for the Armory; another shows the Phoenix Hotel, once a showplace in the Town. Leonard noted a 1966 article in a business magazine reporting that Hoosick Falls had eight to ten factories and hired 800 men.
Veteran’s Names
Leonard reported that he has a list of over 30 names to be added to the Memorial Wall in Wood Park. He said most of them are from the Vietnam era. He said all applications must be submitted to him by May 31 to be included on the Wall. He is optimistic that the new individual name plates and the donor plaque will be in place for Veterans Day, November 11.
Counselors And Lifeguards
Landon Nelson has been hired as the Town of Hoosick Summer Camp Director. Counselors are Connor Hemeon, Erin Shea, Ryan Hyde, Emily Hoag, John Lancour, Stephany Bradley and Chelsea Pine.
Emily Ciuk is Pool Director and lifeguard. Other lifeguards are Ayla Graney, Allison Philpott, Nicholas Downing, Jacob Meerwarth, Katherine Danforth, Julia Baker and Adam Lowe.
Supervisor Cipperly pointed out that he had incorrectly stated that the $14,930 the Town gave to HAYC3 was a donation. He said it is part of an agreement with the Center to be used as payment for youth counselors.
Other Business
There was a complaint of speeding on Breese Hollow Road. The Town will have to involve the County as that is a County Road.
A Young Road resident complained that every time it rains, water from the road washes into the end of the lawn. It will be looked into.
The Board approved:
• a request by Dave Sutton to improve the tennis courts, trim trees and point up the stone wall at the Town Park;
• use of the pool area by the North Hoosick Fire Department for a dance on July 13 from 7 to 10 pm; The rain date is July 14;
• a request for renewal of a liquor license for the Falls Diner;
• a request to donate a $115 family combination pool membership to the Ken Baker fundraising Golf Tournament as it did last year;
• the Youth Wrestling Club request to hold its second annual Wrestling Event at the skating rink July 27, 28 and 29;
• an independent fax line and fax machine for the Court so that fines can be collected with credit cards.
Supervisor Cipperly reported he had attended the American Legion dinner during the month. He said the Board holds the organization in the highest regard. He also attended the Armory Stag, which was catered by Jean’s Place and Brown’s Brewery. Lastly, he attended the Hoosick Area Church Association Taste of Hoosick. He requested the Board make a $500 donation to the Food Closet. The Board approved.
Cipperly congratulated HFCS senior Rachel Quackenbush on her signing a letter of intent to play softball at Siena College.
Councilman Louis Schmigel reported that he and Gerry McAuliffe were going to give Home Town Days one more try. He requested the same donation of $1,000 from the Town as last year. The Board approved the request. Set up for the event will be August 2, and it will run August 3 and 4, from noon to 10 pm. He said they are hoping for good weather and a big turnout. If not, they won’t hold it again.
Schmigel also requested that the Town make the pool available, with extra lifeguards, for the use of those working at the Home Town Days.
Councilman Bruce Patire said Hoosac School needs a letter from the Board to the County in support of a crossing zone and drug free zone designation for Pine Valley Road near the school. The request for such a crossing was made by the school last month. The Board approved.
Patire said the Board should do a “walk around” the Town pool and begin to get estimates for repair costs. “It could cost $200,000 to save the pool,” he said. He added that once the liner is removed, they will be dealing with 45 to 50 year old pipes underneath. Schmigel, who had previously looked into this, said companies don’t want to look at it until the Town is ready to bid the job. Patire added that once the pool is refurbished they may have to install a new infrared purifying system as opposed to using chlorine.
Patire also reported that his review of the Highway Department equipment insurance policy with Marshall Sterling, through Robson-Gerrity, resulted in a saving to the Town of $16,411.34.
Patire also suggested that perhaps next year, as part of the Home Town Days, a kayaking and canoeing event could be held on the Hoosic River.
Councilman Jeff Wysocki said he had a good meeting with a grant consultant and provided a report. Councilman Mark Surdam said the business outline in the report was interesting, intriguing and expensive. The Board needs to hold a brainstorming session to list projects in need of funding through full grants or matching grants. One suggestion was that since other Towns benefit from use of the pool, perhaps a grant could be found to cover the repair costs. Schmigel added that the grant writing people are well worth their money.
Wysocki added that he is serving on the County Farmland Protection Board for two years. He is also attending meetings of the County Association of Supervisors.
Surdam commended Eagle Scout Ethan Clifford for his Eagle project on the Cottrell Road cemetery. He noted Clifford is also a member of the North Hoosick Fire Department.
He said he attended Clifford’s Eagle Ceremony, which was quite impressive.
The Town Clerk reported she received $2,596 in Conservation fees, $715 for five building permits, licensing fees, garbage stickers, death certificates and summer camp registration for a total of $4,116.50. Of that total $1,582.05 was remitted to the Town Supervisor. She also reported that the Town received a tax check for $7,150.
Deputy Highway Superintendent Charlie Thurber reported that the Department has been busy with springtime road patching and mowing.
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