Village of Hoosick Falls Board Meeting – Remembering 9/11

by Bea Peterson
The Village of Hoosick Falls opened its regular monthly meeting at 6 pm Tuesday, September 11, with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence to remember 9/11.
This was followed by Mayor Matt Monahan noting that Village Trustee John (Ersel) Hickey will be out for the next couple of months for cancer surgery. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family,” said the Mayor.
[private]Celebrating The Constitution
At the request of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Mayor accepted a proclamation declaring September 17 to 23 the week to celebrate the two hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the American Constitution.
Rensselaer County Executive Cathy Jimino requested the Village support Bells Across America by asking Churches to ring their bells at 4 pm on September 17, the anniversary of the day the Constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and sent to the 13 states for ratification..
The Mayor endorsed the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a program that recognizes and honors these men and women.
Trustee Reports
Trustee Robert Downing reported that the ERC Warehouse property has been sold to the owners of Dollar General. The Warehouse will be moving to Melrose, but Downing is not certain of the location at this time. Eventually Village residents will be able to take electronic equipment to the Transfer Station for recycling, but Downing asked that they hold off doing so until the Warehouse is settled in its new location.
Trustee Ric DiDonato reported that there is an issue with ATVs and motorcycle users ruining the new topcoat on the Riverwalk. He said the trail has turned out real good, but it is only for pedestrians and bicycles. The Mayor said that starting this week the gates to the trail will be locked. There will also be police patrols in the area.
Trustee David Borge reported on the Water Department. He said the water restrictions are still in place. He noted that because of the low water supply the plant has to work harder. In the end this may result in more and earlier equipment preventative maintenance. He said there are still some water meter issues being addressed and some transmitters need to be replaced. The Water Department is aware of the problems and is working on them.
Borge said residents with water line problems on their property can go to the Village website to find local contractors and their rates when they need work done.
He said unequal water pressure on Snow Street is an ongoing problem and they are currently working to try to figure out what is going on and fix it.
He said Code Enforcement has been busy. Eleven citations and 15 warnings have been issued in the last month. Six cases are pending in the Court. Building Inspector Ed Holland is working on a better tracking system for complaints and responses to those complaints.
Borge would like a review of the Village’s Nuisance Law as it is now not being utilized. The Mayor said the Police Department liaison is no longer here. Mayor Monahan said he had spoken with the Village Attorney, John Patterson, who said he is happy with the law the way it is written. The Mayor’s concern with the law is that he doesn’t want to see criminal violations slip through the cracks. A nuisance complaint must be submitted to the Village on a form. It is not a sworn statement, just a simple form.
Deputy Mayor Paul Haynes said the Wastewater Treatment Plant is doing well. The Board approved putting out a bid for the purchase and installation of one new actuator for the Plant with the bid to be submitted by Friday, September 21.
It was noted that the no parking sign and pole needs to be replaced on Fiske Street. The stop sign on Madison Street is missing, and the no parking sign on Wilder Avenue and another on Classic Street are down.
The Village fountain is also down for the season. A piece broke off the top and will be repaired over the winter.
Full Time Officer
The Board approved the appointment of Keith Johnson as a full time police officer. The Mayor noted Johnson has been with the Department for more than two years as a part time officer “He is an outstanding officer,” said Mayor Monahan. “He has adapted well to the Department and scored very high on the Civil Service exam.” Johnson is also an EMT. The Mayor noted that the Village has lost two full time officers in the last year. The Board approved canvassing the Rensselaer County Civil Service list for a second full time police officer.
Insurance Savings
Mayor Monahan reported that the Village changed insurance carriers mid-year. “It’s been for the better,” he said. “It’s nice to report good news. We have been battling rising health care costs for years.” The new company is Nimer. It has been in business for many years and has recently expanded into this area The savings for the year is $25,000.
The Board approved putting out a bid for a 2010 or newer truck for the Highway Department.
The Board also passed a resolution proclaiming the HAYC3 property a Drug Free School Zone.
Upcoming Events
A prescription drug drop off day will be held in the Municipal Building on Saturday, September 29, from 10 am to 2 pm.
Pumpkinpalooza will be Saturday, September 29, and Sunday, September 30. Mayor Monahan commended HAYC3 for the quality of the Pumpkinpalooza brochure and commended the group for “stepping their game up.”
The meeting ended with the Board going into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.[/private]