by Bea Peterson
The Town of Hoosick Organizational Meeting on Monday, January 6, began with the Pledge of Allegiance, the Supervisor’s Committee Appointments: Fire and Rescue Squad-Councilman Jeff Wysocki, Highway-Councilman Dave Sutton, Street Lighting-Supervisor Mark Surdam, Insurance-Councilman Bruce Patire and Web Page and Social Media-Supervisor Surdam. The Supervisor’s Appointments were: Deputy Supervisor-Jeff Wysocki, Town Bookkeeper-Emily Saunders and Town Historian-Phil Leonard.
[private]A Vacancy On The Board
The Town Board Appointments began with Resolution #1 appointing Michael Hickey to fill the Hoosick Town Board seat vacated by Surdam. The term of this appointment would be effective immediately and would expire December 31, 2014. Supervisor Surdam offered the resolution, with a second by Sutton. Sutton commented that he had not known Hickey prior to the recent interesting and lively campaign and during the campaign he realized that “Mike has no agenda other than to serve the community and honor his father.” Surdam said he felt the top three vote-getters in the last election should be in line for the seat. Had someone other than Hickey been third, that is the person he would have appointed.
Wysocki and Patire voted no, without any comment. The seat remains vacant.
New Town Attorney
Supervisor Surdam asked that the appointment of a Town Attorney be tabled as he was looking for a person with more Town law experience than in the past. Town Assessor Tony Rice and Village Assessor Dick Whalen had recommended the attorney that represents the Assessor’s offices, Jonathan Schopf, as a likely candidate. Surdam said he would like to have an opportunity to interview him and others before making a decision. The resolution was tabled.
Recordings To Begin Again
All other resolutions passed unanimously, including one authorizing Charles Filkins to electronically record Town Board Meetings onto DVDs at a cost to the Town of $40 per meeting recorded. One copy of the DVD will be given to the Town for its records.
In other business at this meeting Recreation Supervisor Tom Margiotta recommended a delay of one week for Open Hockey Night until waivers can be prepared and reviewed regarding liability. The Board agreed to the delay. The Board also approved establishing a fee of $50 an hour for individuals to rent the rink for private parties. A facility use form would be required along with a certificate of insurance.
The Board also approved replacing the motor on the skate sharpener up to a cost of $300.
Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland was authorized to purchase sand from Peckham’s at last year’s rate for now and to put further purchases of sand out for bid. The bids must be submitted by February 10. Shiland said there is now an open position in the Highway Department, and he requested permission to fill that position. Councilman Patire told Shiland he has the right to hire and fire in his Department. Shiland said the Village had recently interviewed several candidates for a Highway position and he wants to hire their second choice, Jeremy Gaillard.
The Hoosick Town Board adopted the following:
Meeting Date: second Monday of the month at 7 pm in the Armory
Bank: Pioneer Commercial Bank and Key Bank, Hoosick Falls
Official Newspaper: Eastwick Press; Alternate: The Record
Appointments And Annual Salaries
Town Supervisor Surdam – $16,480
Councilmen: Patire, Sutton, Wysocki – $5,665 each
Town Justice Restino – $10,903
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger – $39,770
Deputy Town Clerks – Virginia Blinstrub, Elisa Bouplon and Annette Nealon – $11.58 per hour, not to exceed $4,045 annually all clerks
Registrar of Vital Statistics – Sue Stradinger – $1,236
Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics – Virginia Blinstrub –
Records Management Officer – Sue Stradinger – $1,896
Deputy Records Management Officer – Annette Nealon – $1,338
Town Superintendent of Highways – Bill Shiland III – $50,367
Laborer – Highway Department – $17.87 hour
Meol – Highway Department – $17.37 hour
Town Sole Assessor – Anthony Rice – $46,432
Assessor’s Clerk – $12.50 hour, not to exceed $12,632 annually
Real Property Appraisal Aide – Richard Kuebler
Town Attorney – TBD – $10,300
Town Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Official – Edwin King – $14,752
Veterans Service Officer – Harold Nichols – $800
Dog Control Officer – Nancy Quell, Safe Haven – $4,635
Town Historian – Philip Leonard – $3,708
Town Bookkeeper – Emily Saunders – $22,399
Town Payroll Clerk – Janet DeLuca – $7,804
Planning Board Chairman – James Dunigan
Planning Board Secretary – Karen Jennings – $1,009
Planning Board Attorney – Stanton King – $5,835
Court Clerk – Janice Kimball – $8,037
Part Time Recreation Supervisor – Tom Margiotta – $15 hour
Part Time Water Superintendent – Jim Hurlburt – $100 month
Deputy Town Supervisor – Jeff Wysocki
Deputy Highway Superintendent – Charles Yavaniski
Mileage Reimbursement Rate – $.56
Other
Petty Cash – $200
Highway Superintendent purchase not to exceed $3,000
Authorize Deputy Supervisor signature on Town checks in emergency
Designate the Armory Lobby Bulletin Board as Town of Hoosick Official Bulletin Board
Authorize Town Bookkeeper to pay utility, health insurance and like bills received after Board’s regularly monthly meeting.
Authorize Armory Rental payments of $1,500 month to HAYC3 on or before the first day of each month.
Authorize Charles Filkins to record meetings at $40 per meeting
Establish a $25 charge on all returned checks for insufficient funds
Supervisor Mark Surdam appointed Official Delegate to 2014 Annual Meeting of NYS Association of Towns – Jeff Wysocki alternate delegate
Zoning Board Chairman – James Hoag
Zoning Board Secretary – Karen Jennings – $1,009
Zoning Board Attorney – Mark McQuerrey – $5,665
Town Custodian – Donald Morin[/private]