by Bea Peterson
The first order of business for Mayor Matt Monahan at the Hoosick Falls Village Board meeting on Tuesday, October 9, was to recognize Highway Superintendent Niel Stowell for 25 years of service to the Village.
Deputy Mayor Paul Haynes reported that the fiscal year end shows the Village didn’t have to use any of the fund balance set aside for the year. The Water Department had a $37,000 surplus and the Wastewater Department had a $35,000 surplus.
[private]He noted that the Village has a fund balance of $432,000, the Water Department, $186,000, and the Wastewater Treatment Department, $211,000. These amounts are all within the NYS guidelines. To date this year, he reported, all three budget funds are in good shape.
Pam Benkoski and Winifred Restino once again asked the Board for an update on improvements to Woods Brook, a continuing concern for Hall Street residents. The Mayor told them Rensselaer County submitted a grant proposal for six projects lumped together. The projects all relate to areas of six or seven houses subjected to frequent and severe flooding. He expects they should know something by November. Though the dry weather has helped, the ladies feel the situation is getting worse. The Mayor said he and Building Inspector Ed Holland will look at the area next week.
The Mayor added that the State wants the Village to assume responsibility for the flood wall and the Woods Brook issue is part of the whole project.
Other residents asked about progress on improvements to the house on Griffin Avenue. Mayor Monahan responded that the owner has appeared in Court several times and will appear again this Thursday. Building Inspector Holland said they are down from seven to three violations. The deadline for work completion is this Thursday. After that, he said, they will be fined $200 to $250 per violation per day until the work is complete. “They’ve already paid a lot of money since the first week of June,” he said.
A couple of people expressed appreciation regarding properties in the Village that have recently been cleaned up.
Trustee Robert Downing reported that as soon as a trailer is put in place at the Village Transfer Station residents will be able to leave electronics for proper disposal. He said when the trailer is full, the Eastern Rensselaer County Solid Waste Management Authority (ERCSWMA) will pick up the items.
Leaf Pickup
Trustee Jeremy Driscoll reported that leaf pickup will begin on October 22 and continue through November 22.
Greenway Cleanup Day
Trustee Ric DiDonato reported that the gates have been installed on the Greenway and that there will be a Greenway Cleanup Day on Saturday, October 13, beginning at 9:30 am.
Trustee David Borge reported that the well cleaning has been completed and it has made a significant improvement in the water flow. He said the Snow Street project is still in the works.
Water Restriction Lifted
The Mayor announced that the water restrictions for Village residents have been lifted as the lawn and garden watering season has ended.
Grease
Haynes said it is not appropriate to pour grease down a sink drain or down a toilet. Once again the Wastewater Department had to work on a sewer line to clear a grease blockage. This time it was in Second Ward. “It’s getting kind of old,” said Wastewater Department head Dan Merrills, Jr.
Bids Accepted
The bid for an actuator for the Wastewater Treatment plant was accepted from Koester Associates for $20,594. Funds from last year’s surplus will be used to cover the cost.
New Truck
Two bids were received for a 2010 or newer pickup truck. The bid from DePaula Chevrolet for a 2013 pickup truck for $30,985 was accepted. A bid for a Ford pickup for $32,118 from Carmody Ford was disqualified because the necessary non-collusive statement was not included. The Mayor said the money for the truck is in the equipment budget.
The following motions were approved:
• to advertise for sealed bids for the Village’s three Crown Victoria vehicles, two old cruisers and the building inspector’s old car. Bids must be submitted by Monday, November 12. Call the Village Highway Department to arrange to see the vehicles.
• to change the Hoosick Falls Country Club liquor license to year around instead of seasonal;
• to accept the resignation of Assistant Police Chief John Sotile and Officer Crystalee Quell;
• to appoint Harold McClellan Assistant Chief of Police. The Mayor noted that McClellan does an outstanding job for the Department, and
• to authorize the Village Court Clerk to apply for a Justice Court Assistance Program (JCAP) grant.
A Resolution authorizing the acceptance of road right of way property from the NYS DOT for the Classic Street parking lot near Baker’s Insurance was approved.
The Mayor closed the meeting by encouraging everyone to attend the Dissolution Study public hearing at the Senior Center from 6 to 8 Wednesday evening.[/private]