by Bea Peterson
At the Hoosick Falls Village Board meeting on Tuesday, December 10, Mayor David Borge said there had been a meeting with U.S. Congressman Chris Gibson’s representative Steve Bulger regarding the Woods Brook problem. “Whatever the fix may be, it will be very expensive,” said Borge. The Mayor said Bulger is working to set up a meeting in the Village after the first of the year with Congressman Gibson, a representative of DEC and a representative of the Army Corps of Engineers.
[private]Borge said he felt the initial meeting was very positive. He hopes they can develop a plan to resolve the situation. “It may take five, ten or fifteen years, but at least we will have a plan,” he said. He added that this will be a long process and it doesn’t just affect neighbors near the brook as the brook also runs under Village streets. “This was fi ne 100 years ago, but it is not acceptable today,” he said. He noted that the meeting with the Congressman will not be a “photo op” but a working session. The Mayor added that NYS Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin and NYS Senator Kathy Marchione are working on a proposal to have the Wynantskill Creek declared an inland waterway. He is hoping the Woods Brook can be added to that proposal. Zoning And Planning Update
Mayor Borge said members of the Planning and Zoning Boards met with Rensselaer County Chief Planner Linda von der Heide about updating the Village regulations. He said the regulations were last revised in 1977 and prior to that in 1947. He said a lot of pieces have been added since then but a total update is needed. He expects it to be a two year process. He wants a lot of community involvement as the result will determine what the community will look like in years to come. He added that not everyone will be happy with the outcome but what must be done will be what is best for the whole community.
Water Pumps
Mayor Borge said that last spring one of the pumps at the water plant died. He said two pumps work alternately at all times and one of the two now in operation is starting to go. He suggested the Board look into purchasing an additional pump as these pumps take at least six weeks to make from scratch. The Board agreed to get information and prices for the next meeting. The cost could be $12,000.
Municipal Building Updates
The Board received two bids to replace the roof on the Municipal Building. The bids were from Goldstein Construction and Phelps Brothers Roofing. Trustee Jeremy Driscoll reviewed the bids and suggested the work be held off until spring. The Board agreed. The roof must be replaced before solar panels are mounted on it. Hoosick Falls Building Inspector Ed Holland reported that interior painting for the building was cost prohibitive at between $10,000 and $20,000. Instead, Jerry McAuliffe will supervise those doing community service in the painting. Then the cost will only be materials. The downstairs will be painted first, and areas that are not scheduled for renovation will follow. Police Department renovations will be done first and other renovations will follow piecemeal. Many of the doors and other materials in the building will be repurposed as the work progresses.
Tom Restino Remembered
Mayor Borge began the Board meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence in memory of former Village Trustee, Hoosick Justice and Supervisor and Rensselaer County Legislator Tom Restino. The Mayor then went on to praise the community and the Village staff for recent holiday activities including the beautiful decorations on the gazebo, the decorations in and outside the Municipal building, the trees decorated by businesses, the St. Mary’s Academy Cabaret, the Saturday HAYC3 events at the Armory and the lighting of the Nativity at Immaculate Conception Church. He praised the success of the HFCS football team, commended Louis Weierbach on his appointment to West Point and expressed appreciation to Joyce Brewer for the letter published in the Eastwick Press commending the HFCS Chorus for its performance at Carnegie Hall and appreciation to the Pep Band. “These are just a small sample of the many good things that are happening in our community,” he said. He noted that the Hoosick and Cambridge Lions Clubs are holding a dinner dance at the Country Club on Saturday, December 14, where gifts will be collected for local families. The Mayor then welcomed Hoosick Town Supervisor- elect Mark Surdam to the meeting.
Hockey Game Community Day
The Albany Devils Hockey Team has invited the Village to attend a Community Day at the Times Union Center on a Sunday afternoon in March. Tickets cost $8. More information will be available at a later date.
Snow Street Water Issues
Residents of Snow and Ball Streets, who were encouraged to attend the meeting by Mayor Borge, addressed the Board regarding the low water pressure in their homes. If water is run in the kitchen, for example, then only a trickle of water comes out of an upstairs bathroom fixture. The Mayor explained that they do have the Health Department required 20 pounds of water pressure coming into their homes at all times. He said the Village has learned that the water tank installed on Rensselaer Street two years ago should have been twice the size it is and should have been located higher up the hill. “It will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to make any changes,” he said. “We will look at the issue and see what needs to be done, and we will look at all reasonable options. It won’t happen tomorrow,” he added. One resident stated they shouldn’t be paying the same rate as everyone else when they don’t have the same water. The Mayor countered that perhaps other complainants shouldn’t pay the full amount either, and then where would it end and the bond would never be paid off. He added, “We will see what is reasonable, and it is important that you are here.”
Social Media
Mayor Borge said it is important that the Village and Town be promoted as a great place to live and social media is one way to do that. Brian Bushner gave a presentation on the usefulness of such media stating it is like a pamphlet of the community that is always updated without spending a dime. It just takes volunteers to keep it going. It can present the community at its best. Trustee Bob
Downing reported that the ERCSWMA Community Calendar is ready to print. The Mayor noted that Channel 14 is up and running. The clothing drop off box seems to be working well to date. Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato reported that the paving contract for the north portion of the Greenway has been signed and Pat Bakaitis will be doing the work in the spring. DiDonato commented about the snowmobile agreement for the trail. The Mayor said he would get a copy to everyone to review. They will operate under the agreement of last year and resolve any new issues in January. Police Chief Ashe said the snowmobilers are always respectful and he has no issues with them.
Trustee Bob Ryan said the Village crew has been out plowing and a new employee has been hired. The Mayor noted there were ten applicants for the job.
Trustee Kevin O’Malley said he has been looking at two different vendors for signs for the Village. He had samples of the work.
Police Report
Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe reported that for the month of November the Department participated in 74 various events that included: vehicle and Traffic Arrest-3, Missing Person- 3, Burglary-5 (with 4 arrests), Dispute- 1, Outside Agency Assist-12, Larceny-2, Domestic Disputes-9, Animal Complaints-5, Alarm of Fire-3, Property Damage Auto Accident-2, Juvenile Arrest-2, Trespassing-2, DWI Arrest-2, Drug Arrest-1, Warrant Arrest-2, Vehicle/Traffic Calls-1, Sex Registry- 1, Menacing Arrest-1, Criminal Mischief-4, Harassment-2, Order of Protection Arrest-1, Civil Landlord-2, Rape Arrest-1, Check the Welfare-3, 911 Hang Up-1, Emergency Medical Service-3. He also reported that several youngsters were fingerprinted at the Armory on Saturday. He said the Department has received an $11,800 Stop DWI grant to be used five different times during the coming year.
The Chief said the Department wants to work with HAYC3 and the local schools to have the students design a new police uniform patch, with the Department funding the cost. Chief Ashe said the Department wants to hold a “Chicken Blizzard” in March. They are looking for barbecue chicken recipes and volunteers to help with the event. The Department will deliver the dinners to those who can’t pick them up. Funds raised will be used to support youth programs.
In other business the Board approved motions to:
• send the unpaid taxes to Rensselaer County for relevy in the amount of $233,019.70. The Mayor noted this is money the Village does not have in hand and won’t for a while;
• purchase one kiosk for the Greenway in the amount of $2,600. The Village will be reimbursed by the NYS Parks and Recreation Grant;
• appoint MEOL George Mentiply to the Highway Department effective immediately with a probation period of six months; • accept the 2012 Court Audit completed by Driscoll;
• proceed with an audit of street lighting costs by Troy and Banks. Mayor Borge explained that the company will review the Village’s electric bills for any discrepancies regarding the Village’s 500 street lights. Should they find any overcharges, the company will take a percentage of the overcharges and the rest will go to the Village. If no discrepancies are found, the cost to the Village for the service is zero.[/private]