by David Flint
The Stephentown Town Board thinks the Town Hall is in need of some refurbishment. Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt believes the interior has not been painted since it was built. Therefore, at their meeting on Monday, June 17, the Board authorized the publication of a Request for Proposals to paint the interior of the building and carry out some minor repairs. No specifications will be included. The proposals are due in the Town Clerk’s Office by Friday, July 12.
[private]Hiring A Professional Planner
The Board also authorized the Town Supervisor to work with the Dreyer Boyajian law firm to draft and disseminate a RFP to retain a professional planner. Eckhardt explained that now that the Town has completed some minor changes to its Land Use Regulations, the Board wants to continue with a more comprehensive review and update of those regulations. In any case, he said, the Regulations should be professionally reviewed every five years. To ensure that this is done with careful thought, expertise and oversight, the Board feels it prudent to retain a professional planner to make recommendations and assist and guide the Town in the process.
Bond Counsel
Eckhardt was also authorized to engage the services of the law firm Harris Beach PLLC as Bond Counsel. This firm will be working with the Town on issuing the bonds authorized last month for the purchase of a new dump truck. The Board expects to use their services in the future for other purchases or projects, such as flood remediation work that might require some temporary debt obligation or short term bond anticipation notes. The Board believes that in certain instances this is the best way to regulate cash flow at minimal rates of interest.
Transfer Station Substitute Appointed
The Board appointed Shirley Furcinite of Stephentown as the second substitute for the Transfer Station. The Town Clerk published a request for resumés and letters of interest last month, and Furcinite was the only one to respond.
County Tax Income Received
Eckhardt reported that the Town has received from the County its half year distribution of the mortgage tax and sales tax. The amount of the mortgage tax was $26,062 and the sales tax was $62,911. The mortgage tax is considerably lower than the $71,554 distribution received during the same period last year.
Haggling Over the Hager Bridge
Highway Superintendent Aldie Goodermote has been working with Hudson River Valley Engineers PLLC to prepare specifications to bid out work to repair or replace the Bert Hager Road bridge. He reported that they have reached a snag with FEMA about what needs to be done. The engineering consultant had proposed replacing the bridge with a box culvert, but FEMA is balking at that saying it doesn’t meet the scope that they wrote for repairs and the Town might not be reimbursed if they go ahead with it.
Councilman Roder said the Highway Department will now go back to Hudson River Valley Engineers and see if they can come up with a proposal that would satisfy FEMA at the least cost.
TOPS For Stephentown?
Kathy Lawless remarked that “we need a supermarket and a pharmacy and instead we get a dollar store and a brewery.” This instigated some discussion again about the need for a food store in the area. Eckhardt said it’s a good question and is part of what the Board is looking at from a planning standpoint – how to go about encouraging a supermarket chain to locate in Stephentown or New Lebanon. Councilman Bill Jennings noted that the Tops grocery chain that took over the old Grand Union market in Hoosick had expressed at their grand opening recently an interest in having other small outlets in this area. Eckhardt said he would find out whether TOPS might have an interest in locating in the neighborhood.
Swim Program Cancelled
Councilman PJ Roder reported that enrollment for the Summer Youth Program has been slow but so far 27 have signed up. The extended hours program at the Library, however, is filled up with 20 youngsters enrolled.
Roder said that only nine children signed up for the two week swim program. Since that program was conditional on 20 enrollees, it has been cancelled. Stephentown children can join Berlin kids in their swim program at the Town of Hoosick pool, but parents will have to provide transportation to Berlin. Stephentown will pay for their use of the pool and instruction and will reimburse Berlin for bus transportation. Roder said a letter has been sent out to Town parents.
Burt Swersey Donating Plants
Eckhardt said that Burt Swersey is phasing out his Shadowbrook Nursery and has offered to donate plants and shrubbery to the Town for use around the Town Hall or down at the little Town Park at the Route 22/43 intersection.
Berlin Carnival And Community Day
Eckhardt announced that the Berlin Fire Company is holding a Carnival and Community Day on August 23 and 24. Hours will be 5 to 10 pm on Friday and 11 am to 9 pm on Saturday. They expect to have carnival rides, games and food by Amyland Amusements. Non-profit organizations and school groups can set up booths for free. Contact Tammy Osterhout at 658-2924 or Tena Harrington at 658-2294 if interested in setting up a booth.
Deposits & Spending
The Town Clerk turned over the sum of $394.86 to the Supervisor for the month of May. The distribution from the Office of the State Comptroller, Justice Court Fund to the Town was $3,730.55.
The Transfer Station deposited a total of $6,059 for the month of May.
The Board audited and approved claims in the amount of $127,478.33 from the General Account and $33,597.24 from the Highway Account. General Account expenditures were inflated this month by a property insurance premium of $25,596 and payment of $75,095 to Zwack, Inc. for fabrication of the body and equipment for the new dump truck. The Highway Account included $22,485 for materials for Wemple Road where at the lower end the Highway Department has been reconstructing the roadway and preparing for chip sealing.
The Board set their next workshop meeting for Monday, July 8, and their next regular meeting for Monday, July 15, both meetings to start at 7 pm.
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