by Bea Peterson
On Monday, April 8, at its regular monthly meeting, and before a capacity crowd of HFCS students, Village and Town residents, the Hoosick Town Board agreed to pay $9,000 in rent due to HAYC3 since November 2012. The rate is $1,500 a month and covers November through April. The Board also agreed to give HAYC3 $10,000 this year to be used toward setting up the food co-op that had been planned.
[private]HAYC3 Director Aelish Nealon said the funds will be used to install a lift type elevator and stairway improvements that will make it possible to have the co-op in the lower level of the Armory. It was agreed that two Board members will work with a HAYC3 committee to determine uses for the $10,000 a year the Board approved for the next four years. Though the Supervisor wanted the funds earmarked for the co-op, Nealon noted it was possible the co-op could be self-sustaining and the funds would be needed for other projects in future years.
Cipperly pointed out that, in a show of support for HAYC3, the Board approved delivery of $5,232 in heating oil earlier in the year.
Councilman Kevin Allard pointed out several minor changes in the lease agreement with HAYC3 he would like to see addressed before the Board approves it. “Items that should be worked out with the lawyers,” he said.
Criminal Mischief
The meeting began with Supervisor Cipperly reading a prepared statement regarding the criminal mischief incidents involving himself. He publicly criticized individuals for their comments and reports and suggested facebookers could be held liable for publishing false information.
During the comment session Margaret Casey, Dennis Casey and Ellen Scott reprimanded Cipperly for his behavior and his comments, suggesting he should resign. For his part, Jim Matinez read a prepared statement justifying his stand in the matter and noting he was not criticizing Cipperly the person but Cipperly the Town Supervisor.
Town Clerk Susan Stradinger reported collecting $1,473.40 in license fees, certificates and building permits. She remitted to the Town Supervisor $1,076.26.
Recycling
Stradinger reported that Washington County Public Works is no longer in the recycling business. On April 20 Earth Waste and Metals will be taking over the recycling. Stickers should be handed to the attendant and not placed on the bags of recycled items. Earth Waste will only be accepting the stickers for a short time. The stickers can be reimbursed from the Washington County Treasurer’s office on Saturdays through June 1.
The Assessor reported he has been busy with data collection for the May 1 tentative tax rolls.
Wait For Tractor
Highway Superintendent Louis Schmigel reported that road sweeping is underway. “There’s a lot of sand from a lot of nuisance storms,” he said. He asked the Board to assign two Board members to meet with him once a month to discuss the Highway Department needs. “I was unaware that it would take from 120 to 150 days to get a tractor,” he said. He said there is a tractor available and it can be obtained by piggy-backing with other states on their contracts. He said Pittstown is doing the same thing. For instance, the tractor would be available at a price obtained by the State of Iowa.
The present tractor needs more than $7,000 in repairs, and Schmigel doesn’t feel it is worth that much. Cipperly and Councilman Jeff Wysocki will meet with Schmigel regarding a tractor purchase. Cipperly told Schmigel, “I appreciate you coming to the Board first. It’s a slower route, but it will work.”
White Creek Bridge Public Hearing
Schmigel said there will be a public hearing on April 16 at 6 pm at the Armory regarding the White Creek Bridge. He said the bridge will not be built until mid to late 2014 but closing the bridge will affect school bus routes and emergency vehicles.
Championship Team
Hoosac School Headmaster Dean Foster brought three basketball players to the meeting. Unique McLean, Jabari Noel and Charles Wingate were part of the Hoosac team that won the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class D Championship this year. The Board congratulated the players. Foster told the Board that the Hoosac students, with the Town, will take care of maintaining the diamond at the intersection of Routes 22 and 7. He noted trash had recently been dumped there. He thanked the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad for their quick response when one of the basketball players was injured, and he thanked Town Historian Phil Leonard for his board on the Hoosac School history. He said some of the students are working with St. Mary’s Academy students to teach them Korean and Chinese. He said the school is always working for the betterment of the community. He told those at the meeting, “Don’t be a stranger. Come over and see us.”
Wrestling Tournament
Mike LaPorte requested permission from the Board to use the skating rink on July 27 and 28 to hold the fourth annual Youth Wrestling Tournament. He said there will also be a small golf tournament at the Country Club on Saturday.
LaPorte said a cement company has offered sealer for the rink if labor can be provided to put it on. He said the Tournament has been very well received and some of the top youth wrestlers across the country attend the event.
Cornell Wrestlers
LaPorte said wrestlers from Cornell University will be holding a clinic at HFCS on May 11.
World War II
Historian Leonard’s board this month was composed of clippings of the 35 men from Hoosick who were killed in WW II. He said ten local men are buried in Europe where there are 24 American cemeteries. He told the young people, notification of a soldier’s death came by telegram in those days. For 14 months a telegram was received by one Hoosick family every month. On October 3, 1944, three Hoosick soldiers were killed in one day.
Councilmen Reports
Mark Surdam once again questioned if the Supervisor had the right to change Town employee’s health insurance providers without approval of the entire Board. Town Attorney Joanne Monagan said there is no specific provision in Town Law on the subject and after checking with the Association of Towns they don’t have a secure answer either. She is continuing to look into the matter. Cipperly did attempt to clarify the issue but to no avail, while Surdam asserted that the employees felt they were lied to.
Jeff Wysocki said the study on Route 67 is complete and results should be available in two months. Highway Superintendent Schmigel said the DOT guys had been to see him but he wants a school bus driver to tell them where the school bus signs should be placed.
Wysocki said there will be a County Planning and Zoning Workshop on June 20. He said Pittstown will hold an Open House on April 27 at the new Town Garage. Congressman Chris Gibson will be there.
Kevin Allard suggested a solution to the problem brought up by Surdam might be a policy on policy changes similar to one in place at HFCS. There would be a first read, a second read and then a vote. This would involve a two month time frame. If there were no issues, by a two thirds vote the Board could dispense with the second reading.
Councilman Bruce Patire has reviewed the Town’s insurance coverage and said it is fine. He has spoken with HFCS, and tables and chairs will be available for summer camp as long as the Town picks them up and brings them back.
Outstanding Funds
Patire said there is $20,000 outstanding in a grant with one year left, for youth sports use. Someone needs to get in touch with him about the funds as perhaps it could be used for the new field to be built.
Open Town Hall Meetings
Patire will be holding an open Town Hall meeting at the West Hoosick Fire House for residents of West Hoosick and Buskirk on Tuesday, April 30, at 7 pm. “This will be a very informal meeting,” he said. But he wants to know what the people think and want. “If it is well received, I would like to do others in North Hoosick and Hoosick.” Board members are welcome to attend.
Patire added that this Board has taken a pro-business approach. New businesses have opened in Town, he said. Previously there were a lot of anti-business laws on the books. The Zoning Board and Planning Board are working together. “Nit picking doesn’t get anything done,” he said. He pointed out that Cipperly has been fighting tooth and nail with the County over the [lack of settlement] WCW building. “He is working very hard for this Town to go forward.”
BAR Appointments
The Board approved two resolutions appointing Marsha Nichols and Arlene Wysocki to the Board of Assessment Review. Councilman Wysocki abstained from the vote appointing Arlene Wysocki.
Summer Appointments
The Board approved the following summer appointments: Nick Downing – Pool Director, Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard, Pool operator; Lifeguards – Anna Restino, Tyler Rondeau, Adam Lowe, Alyssa Houghton, Jake Meerwarth, Emily Ciuk (also a Water Safety Instructor). Camp Counselors – Ryan Hyde, Hailey Bugbee, Emily Hoag, Chelsea Pine, Stephany Bradley and Dana O’Malley and Counselor in training – Tyler Senecal.[/private]