by Bea Peterson
A letter of resignation from Town of Hoosick Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland was read at the regular meeting of the Town Board on August 13. Councilman Louis Schmigel wanted to discuss a replacement. Supervisor Keith Cipperly responded that since Shiland had asked the Board in January to appoint Charles Thurber as Deputy Supervisor, he saw no reason that Thurber shouldn’t automatically take over the job until the end of the year. “Bill has confidence in him,” said Cipperly. When asked, Thurber said he had worked for the Highway Department for 17 years.
[private]The job of Town Highway Superintendent is an elected position. Since Shiland has resigned sixteen months before the completion of his term, a candidate must be elected in November to complete the term. Cipperly mentioned that he had wanted to give Shiland a plaque commending him for his many years of service to the Town but Shiland declined the offer. “My wish for Bill and his family is to enjoy the rest of their lives,” said Cipperly.
Councilman Jeff Wysocki thanked Bill for his 40 years of service to the Town and the Village of Hoosick Falls. Councilman Mark Surdam said, “Bill Shiland made our jobs much easier with his depth of knowledge. I know he did a great job, and he made my job easier.” Town Clerk Sue Stradinger added that he was a Jack of all trades and helped her out in the early computer days and in many ways in the building. “When there was research, he had all the answers for what happened 20 years ago or recently,” she said. Schmigel read a glowing letter from Hoosick Falls Highway Superintendent Niel Stowell expressing his appreciation to Shiland for all his help to him and to the Village over the years.
Councilman Bruce Patire suggested that two members of the Board do a walkthrough at the Town garage with Shiland and Thurber before August 23, Shiland’s final day. Schmigel and Councilman Jeff Wysocki agreed to do that. Schmigel emphasized that there needs to be more communication between “us and them,” meaning the Board and the Highway Department.
At another point in the meeting Patire and Schmigel recommended that the Town’s trucks have a more complete inspection annually than the routine inspection required by law. Schmigel would like it expanded to an engine and oil analysis. Schmigel said he fully realized brakes or cylinders can fail overnight. The cost for a complete inspection is $192.
Surdam said, “We’ve got a whole crew of guys who work on these vehicles every day.” He said it seems like an unnecessary inspection. He felt it was more important that the Board come up with a schedule for vehicle replacement. He said he didn’t agree with spending the extra money. Cipperly pointed out that the school bus garage has its own mechanic, for example, while the Town does not.
Surdam said he didn’t feel the Board should be micromanaging the Highway Department. “That is part of the Highway Superintendent’s job,” he said. “I don’t see it as our job.”
Patire added that this whole idea of trying to plan for truck replacement came about when the State auditors reviewed the books. A time line for replacement vehicles is needed to put in the budget. He feels the inspections would help with the planning. Two of the trucks are due for inspection within the next two months. The Board voted to have extended inspections done at that time and build on that. Thurber said that if a truck needs work they should also know the value of that truck compared to the cost of any part replacements or repairs. The Board agreed.
Hoosick Falls resident Steve Johnson of the Bennington Marauders swim team thanked the Town for the use of the pool while their indoor pool was being repaired. He commented on how welcomed the group was by every one. He said the lifeguards were great and the pool maintenance was first rate. “The kids loved it,” he said. All of their swimming events were outside, so it was good to practice outside, he added. The Club had a booklet published and a thank you to the Town was published in it.
Margaret Casey asked the Board if there was a new process for not-for-profits to receive requested Town funds. She said the Board had approved funds for the St. Patrick’s Day event but the committee had not yet received them. Town Treasurer Tyler Sawyer said all groups now have to fill out paperwork for funds, it is an IRS requirement. Once the paperwork is completed, the funds will be remitted.
Casey said she had heard concerns about Town Court being held with children in the building. Supervisor Cipperly assured her that it was not a problem. The only time there might be an overlap is when there was a Bench Trial or arraignment that couldn’t be conducted in the Village Courtroom. If that was the case, a separate entrance would be used for the Court. It is not expected that youngsters would be in the building on regular Court nights. Casey said she was relieved to hear that because she didn’t want the Board to use that as an excuse for not staying in the Armory.
Green Heights resident Larry Cain asked the Board if it had made any progress with the water situation. Cipperly said not at this point, but they are working to create a water district that would cover more than Green Heights. Cain again stated that they are being double billed for water. For one resident, he said, the water bill was $700. “A lot of people are suffering; others are just barely making it,” he said. “You are responsible for us. The Village is only responsible for the Village. We can’t vote people in the Village out, we can only vote for you. Hopefully some day this will be resolved. To pay $2,100 a year for water is ridiculous. It’s not fair.” He implored the Board to “please do what you can.”
Route 67 Speedway
Mike Mahoney, Chuck Roberts and Hoss Jones of Walloomsac asked the Board to request the State put school bus stop signs up on Route 67. They would also like to see the speed limit reduced. Mahoney noted that since the road has been resurfaced it has become a speedway for people in cars going to and from work. They noted there are more and more children living in the area, and some of the residents have grandchildren that wait on that road for the school bus.
Councilman Schmigel said he had talked to someone from the State and was told the State doesn’t like to put up those signs because of the liability caused by admitting there is a problem on that road. The Board, however, will write a letter to the State requesting a review of the situation.
The Walloomsac residents suggested the Sheriff’s Department have a patrol car in the area between 6:30 and 7 am to slow the cars down.
Hoosac School Headmaster Dean Foster thanked the Board for its help in getting a crosswalk and reducing the speed limit in front of the school on Route 103, Pine Valley Road. Foster said he had talked with an official who had marked the spot for a crosswalk on the road. He was told the 45 mph signs would be taken down and replaced with 35 mph signs.
Foster thanked the Town for the new entrance to their road and encouraged the Town to use the school’s resources to maintain the island at the intersection of Routes 7 and 22.
He went on to say the school had opened its dormitory rooms, at a nominal fee, to visitors attending the recent Youth Wrestling Tournament. He said the people left the rooms in better shape than when they arrived. After taking out the cost of preparing the rooms, etc. Foster was pleased to return to the Wrestling Club a check for $500. He presented the check to Mike LaPorte and Chris Marsh at the meeting. LaPorte told the Board the Tournament was a “total, total success.” He extended his appreciation to the Highway Department for getting up on the skating rink roof on super hot days to repair the holes. He said the rain came down so hard and was so loud one day that the matches had to be stopped. “But the mats stayed dry,” he said. In appreciation, the Club is buying lunch for the Highway crew. LaPorte said the Town should be very proud of what happened. “This Tournament is rated one of the top 25 tournaments in the country, and it happened in just three years. Without the community support it would never happen.” Cipperly commended LaPorte. “It was a lot of work, and you did a great job,” he said.
Town Historian Phil Leonard showed off his 120th display board. This one has many photos of historic vehicles. After creating so many boards, it is difficult to think of a new topic, he said. This board showed cars in front of Bolson’s garage in West Hoosick, a bus, without sides on it, parked at Potter Hill, Mrs. Reynolds and her automobile, Police Chief Ed Burns on his motorcycle and many others.
Councilman Schmigel said it was a tough weekend for Hometown Days. Last year we had the hurricane, and this year it was the heat, he said. “We’re going to give it another shot,” he added. “We’re trying to get more people involved.” Last year, he said, they took a break after the event, but this year they will be meeting every month. They are hoping that the Girl Scout Car Show will stay as part of the event. Cipperly thanked Schmigel and Jerry McAuliffe for doing a great job.
Councilman Patire reported that he had checked on having County people work with Town employees and was told they didn’t want any more sent over because the employees became nothing but babysitters.
Comprehensive Plan
Patire continued that he had been studying and reviewing the 2004 Comprehensive Plan. “The present plan is not good and should be changed,” he said. He added that many things have changed in the Town since the plan was approved.
Councilman Wysocki reported that the final draft of the Farmland Protection Plan is ready for approval. A public hearing on the plan was scheduled for 6:15 pm on Monday, September 10, before the regular meeting.
Supervisor Cipperly reported that Joe Maleady brought all his equipment and he and Joe worked three and a half hours cutting and trimming the overgrown grass at the rock cuts.
Cipperly said he had a letter from Time Warner Cable stating they were adding 9.3 miles to their lines from Pittstown into Buskirk and Eagle Bridge. The new lines will cover 202 homes.
Resolutions
A second public hearing will be held at 6:45 pm before the September 10 meeting regarding the Resolution to approve Local Law #3 of 2012, adopting the NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law in its entirety. The verbose and lengthy law can be found on the internet. The Supervisor believes the passing of this resolution will entitle the Town to keep a greater percentage of the fines and penalties collected by the Town Court that are turned over to the State.
The Board passed a Resolution to participate in Rensselaer County’s Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. This will give the Town greater access to FEMA funds in any type of disaster. The copy of the resolution is available for viewing in the Clerk’s office.
The Board passed a Resolution requesting the County permit local businesses to access vendors on the County bid sheet. That way the businesses could take advantage of the prices negotiated by the County.
In other business the Board approved:
• Tops Friendly Markets use of the Armory to complete the paperwork involved in certifying Grand Union employees to become Tops employees;
• a request by HFCS football coach Ron Jones to use the skating rink for practice in the event of rain and to use the pool after practices on August 14 and 15 and 22 and 23;
• the appointment of certified life guards Anna Restino, Hunter Yavaniski and Thomas Peabody for the remainder of the season;
• the Treasurer’s request to transfer $5,000 from the Highway Department unappropriated fund balance to another Highway account to cover the cost of an attorney dealing with Highway Department union negotiations.
Town Clerk Stradinger reported that during July she received $747 in conservation licenses, $523 from Basketball Camp, $3,872 for Summer Camp, $1,170 in pool memberships, $2,465 for swim lessons, $3,855 for pool admissions and $2,572 from the pool concession stand. This and other funds collected, as well as funds paid out, amounted to $19,440.50. She turned $18,583.23 over to the Town Supervisor.
The meeting concluded with the Board going into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.[/private]