Hoosick Town Board Action – Town Pool Cost Is An Issue

by Bea Peterson
The Town of Hoosick Board meeting was held on Tuesday, October 9, instead of Monday in deference to the Columbus Day holiday.
Mid-meeting Councilman Bruce Patire asked residents for their patience and understanding as the Board deals with the upcoming budget. “Businesses are asked for more from less people,” he said. “It is difficult for us. There are only so many things we can do in the next year or two.” He said they want to hold taxes down, but there are decisions to be made to save the Town Pool and to fix roads. “We’re looking at a health insurance increase of ten percent, minimum,” he said. “We have to make hard decisions.”
[private]A letter from Schaghticoke Youth Commission Director Susan Zarone pleading with the Town not to close the pool emphasized the importance of the pool to other communities, not just Hoosick. Supervisor Cipperly asked Councilman Mark Surdam to request similar letters from other communities that could, perhaps, be useful in grant applications. Cipperly said that the Board has never said it would close the pool.
Recycling
Councilman Louis Schmigel has been looking into setting up a recycling program for the Town. He said it will be a lengthy process as he investigates the options. He said he is hoping for shared services with the Village and he has been working with Mayor Monahan in that regard. “Obviously, this is a big issue,” he said.
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported collecting $23,935 in Conservation licenses for the month of September as well as 10 building permits, garbage stickers, other licenses and certificates for a total of $28,946. Of that amount, $5,633.08 was turned over to the Town Supervisor.
Town Assessor Tony Rice reported that enhanced STAR exemption forms will be mailed the first week of November. Rice will be attending Assessor’s training classes all next week.
Highway Department Deputy Supervisor Charles Thurber reported that all the equipment is ready for winter. Supervisor Cipperly asked if the pool was covered for the winter and if utilities were off. Thurber said it would all be done on Wednesday.
Schmigel reported that the estimate to pave the top part of Bovie Hill Road is between 58 and 60 thousand dollars. He said the road is already smoother. He suggested the Town finish up the hill with the remaining CHIPS money.
Supervisor Cipperly had received a letter from the State regarding the fence at the parking lot on Church Street. Though the State doesn’t want to remove it, Cipperly is going to talk with Village Mayor Matt Monahan about at least cutting the fence height to half what it is now.
He said he had a letter from the Hoosac School inviting the Board to do a walk-through of the school and see where the new crosswalk will be as well.
The Board approved a resolution for the Town Justices to apply for a Justice grant.
The Board agreed to table the issue of the Green Heights water district for at least three months.
Resident Dennis Casey asked the Board if the Town had a FOIL policy. The Supervisor replied that the Town follows the NYS guidelines. Casey suggested that Board minutes be placed on the Town web site.
Rich Holder of Absolute Drug and Alcohol Testing, the company that does the testing for the Town, addressed the Board regarding recent changes in the NYS laws and offered to work with the Town on updating its Drug and Alcohol policy.
Town Historian Phil Leonard reported that the plaques for the Veterans Wall are in. The plaque recognizing donors and committee members will be installed in the center of the mill wheel in front of the wall, he said. And the 45 individual name plates will be installed on the wall in the appropriate locations. He believes the work will be done in the next couple of weeks.
The Board he displayed for this meeting was of the Walloomsac area when trollies ran out that way and a night club and a paper making factory were a big part of the landscape.
He said the Historical Society is preparing a 30 page booklet on the 125th anniversary celebration held by the Village of Hoosick Falls. “It was the biggest celebration the Village ever had,” he said. The Society’s plan is to have the booklet for sale before the Christmas holiday.
Meeting And Happenings
Deputy Mayor Jeff Wysocki said there will be a public hearing and informational meeting regarding the new Farmland Protection Plan at the Senior Center on Monday, October 29, at 7 pm.
Because of the Veterans Day holiday, the next Town Board meeting will be Thursday, November 15, at 7 pm.
A Town of Hoosick preliminary budget public hearing will be held in the Armory on Tuesday, October 30, at 7 pm.
The Corn Maze at Kettle Farms is open. Hours are posted on the Town’s website.
The Board went into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue. Upon their return they appointed Anne Keagan to the Housing Authority Board.[/private]