by Bea Peterson
Summer Camp
At its regular meeting on Monday,March 10, the Board approved a motion extending the Town of Hoosick Summer Day Camp from six to seven weeks and extending the hours from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Children ages five to 12 years old are eligible to attend on a first come-first served basis. Camp is limited to 60 children per week. This year they are going to try a “future counselors in training” program. Camp will begin June 24 and run through August 9. Registration is expected to begin in the next few weeks. [private]The cost of Camp remains the same as last year, $70 a week for residents, $75 a week for non-residents. There is no Camp on the 4th of July. The cost for that four day week is $56 for residents and $60 for non-residents.
Supervisor Keith Cipperly pointed out that the Town was not into Summer Camp to make money but to keep kids off the street. He added that the cost was cheaper than day care.
There was a concern that there weren’t enough tables and chairs for the program. Councilman Bruce Patire said he would contact Paul Baker at Hoosick Falls Central School to see if they had any surplus.
The Board approved keeping pool membership prices the same as last year. Those who purchase a membership in advance of the season receive a $5 discount. Registration forms for both the pool and camp are available at the Town’s website and in the Town Office.
The Assessor’s report stated that for the next two months Assessor Tony Rice will be busy with updating exemptions and data collection.
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported that during the month of February she collected $3,782.75 in licenses and fees and turned over to the Supervisor $3,529.18. The difference was sent to the State.
Highway Superintendent Louis Schmigel hopefully told the Board that spring is here and we are done with snow. Otherwise we could be hurting financially.
There was no one to speak during the people to be heard portion of the meeting. The Supervisor asked regular meeting attendee Louise Ciuk if she had a comment. She replied that she was under a gag order, “My family doesn’t want to see my name in the paper any more.”
Money Back
Town Historian Phil Leonard reported that it was originally thought that additional name plates placed on the Veterans Wall in Wood Park last November would cost $100 each. Instead, the cost was $50 each for the plate and installation. Therefore, he sent 32 people checks for $50 for overpayment. He believes names of men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan should be added to the wall as they return.
His board for the month had a variety of historical photos of “Bridges at the Falls.” He pointed out that the 40 foot drop of the Hoosic River has always been more of a cascade than a falls. One photo showed the old Caldonia Cotton Mill built in 1823, and another showed a wooden covered railroad bridge. He noted a covered railroad bridge was not such a good idea as the sparks often set those bridges on fire. He added that before the railroad came to Hoosick Falls there were only 200 families living here.
NYSERDA
Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wysocki reported that the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is refunding its alternative energy program and has set aside $250,000 for a second round of studies. When asked about the success of the solar panels at his farm, Wysocki responded that in the months with the least sunlight the system has already generated 17,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. The goal was 35,000 kw hours for a year, and he expects they will meet or exceed that in the sunnier months to come. He said they will need a whole year to look at the actual results.
Patire reported that he and Louis Schmigel met with the NYSERDA small business services to review lighting at the highway garage, the pool and the rink. He was surprised to find that many of the lights at the garage are already energy efficient. The pool, he said, doesn’t use enough electricity to warrant changes. To change the lights at the rink would cost $11,986. Electricity there is $924 a year. Patire estimated a total upgrade cost of close to $20,000 with eight and a half years before the improvements would pay for themselves. Patire said, “This is 20,000 bucks the Town can ill afford,” and he recommended that the changes were not feasible at this time. The Board agreed.
Patire noted that someone from Global Underwriters has approached him about insurance for the Town. Patire had given him the current Town policy to review and, though Patire has called him three times since then, the calls have not been returned.
Supervisor Cipperly requested and received approval from the Board for a Penflex program for North Hoosick Volunteer Firefighters where credit is earned for retirement benefits based on responses to calls and meetings attended.
The Supervisor also requested and received approval for a Resolution encouraging the passing of NYS Senate Bill S3534. The bill states in part, “Due to New York State’s struggling financial situation a financial crisis emerged causing citizens to fall behind on their mortgages and, in many instances, leave or abandon their homes. In some instances the foreclosing institution will commence the process but not follow through or delay taking control of the property which, in some instances, can cause the property to become unmaintained and blighted in the surrounding neighborhoods. This law would obligate mortgage foreclosure plaintiffs to act in good faith and not delay in taking action in controlling and providing upkeep on the vacant dwelling itself.”
Cipperly extended a thank you to Tom Margiotta, Louis Schmigel and the highway guys for maintaining the skating rink through the winter.
He also noted that the NYS Retirement Fund has divested itself of all stock in firms that sell firearms.
Cipperly suggested that the Board consider hiring Jim Hurlburt to test the pool water this summer. Schmigel said Deputy Highway Superintendent Charles Thurber is qualified to do that, but he won’t sign off on the results. Patire pointed out it was not helpful if the paperwork is not signed. There was concern that Hurlburt is a Village employee and could not do the testing during working hours. Patire thought perhaps it could be done before and after his work day and at lunchtime. He further suggested a request be sent to the Village Board regarding the task.
Pool Workshop
The Board will hold a workshop meeting with Laberge on Tuesday, March 19, at 6 pm to discuss the Town’s swimming pool.[/private]