by Bea Peterson
In addressing those attending the Village of Hoosick Falls Board meeting on Tuesday, April 8, Mayor David Borge said, “The 2014-2015 budget is a lean budget, but it is a fair budget.” He said, though details are not available, the Village, the Town and the County and the Associations of Towns and Counties are looking at ways to share services as a means to reduce costs.
[private]Highlights of this budget, the Mayor said, include $45,000 for waterline repairs to Snow Street. “This is something that needs to be done, and we are planning on doing it.”
“We have set aside $25,000 in this budget to purchase a skid steer loader and, with funds from this budget, will be able to pay for it outright. He added that there were funds in the current budget to pay for a new backhoe at a significant savings.”
Non-union Village staff will receive a 2% pay increase.
Electric Bill Shocks
Mayor Borge added that the latest electric bill was a shock and that the Village is planning that rates will be higher in the future. Therefore he has looked into alternative suppliers at a fixed rate for the next two years, at a savings of $40,000 a year.
He noted the Village has strong fund balances in the general, water and sewer accounts. “Overall we are able to address all issues,” he said. “There is a lot of street maintenance necessary, and we hope to continue the 50/50 sidewalk program.”
“How did we get there?” the Mayor asked. He explained that the Village’s income comes from property taxes, State aid and water and sewer fees. “There has been no property tax increase in five years,” he said. “This year were will be making a .5% increase or $.28 per thousand.” He explained that the Village has lost taxable property income of $45,000 to $48,000 and this increase makes up that loss.
He said the Water Department requires a lot of maintenance. It seemed the day after the warranties expired, equipment needed replacing. “A new major pump was recently installed,” he said. He added that much of the work installing the equipment was done in-house as those running the water and sewer facilities are taking ownership of those facilities regarding the care needed to keep them running. Water rates will increase from $4.50 per 1,000 gallons to $4.65. “That will allow us to do preventative maintenance,” the Mayor said. Therefore sewer rates will increase one tenth of one percent.
Mayor Borge said $54,000 from the General Fund Balance will be put into the new budget, $37,500 from the Water fund balance will be put into that budget and $40,000 from the Sewer fund balance will be put into that budget. Using Fund Balances is not the best way to go forward, he said, and added that most likely they won’t use all of it. Those amounts are about one quarter of the total Fund Balance.
“All in all, we’re in very positive financial shape,” the Mayor concluded. The total Village budget, which the Board approved is $3,201,128.
Police Report
The monthly Police Report was given by Hoosick Falls Police Officer Crystalee Quell. She said calls by the Department have surpassed 69% of the total calls last year. She said the Department has responded to more calls than all other nearby Police Departments. She said there was a raid at 34 Church Street where the Department’s canine found drugs. She commended the St. Patrick’s Parade committee on the excellent way the day was conducted. “There were no major calls,” she said. “It was very successful.” By 11 pm, she reported, the taxi hired by the committee had taken 56 people home. Trustee and Parade committee member Kevin O’Malley said funds for the rides came from the County’s Stop DWI program.
Officer Quell said the Department’s defibrillators will be upgraded thanks to the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad at a cost of $1,509.
A Lock Out and Lock Down drill was held at St. Mary’s Academy and went very quickly and very well. The Department hopes to hold one at Hoosick Falls Central School before the school year ends.
It was noted that a Town Hall Meeting will be held at the Armory on Wednesday, April 23, at 7 pm on heroin and other drugs.
Building Inspector
Ed Holland reported that he attended a 30 hour NYS Building Inspector program, received six building permit applications, responded to four fire calls, handled six complaints and attended Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings. He said the Village’s lock box has arrived.
Holland reported that the Armory has been given its Certificate of Occupancy. “HAYC3 is in good shape,” he said.
Skid Steer Purchase
The Board approved the purchase of a skid steer loader for $54,000 with an end-to-end three year warranty, plus trade-in. It will have snow blower, bucket and sweeper/broom attachments. “This will be wonderful next winter,” said Mayor Borge. Trustee Bob Downing remarked that if we buy it for the whole Village it should be used for the whole Village. Public Works Superintendent Niel Stowell responded that the issue is often a manpower problem.
New Roof
The Board approved awarding the bid of $17,000 for a new roof on the Municipal Building. Once the roof is completed, then solar panels can be installed.
Transfer Station Summer Hours
Downing reported that the Transfer Station is now open from 8 am to noon on Tuesdays and from 8 am until 2 pm on Saturdays.
Trustee Ben Patten said he is working with State entities for reimbursement of the $45,000 to repair the water line on Snow Street. He said that is moving along and he expects to have more information next month.
Patten said the Village has been offered a free assessment of its cable needs since, it is anticipated, Time Warner Cable will become part of Comcast by the end of the year. He will follow up on the free assessment.
Emerald Ash Borer Alert
Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato said the Rensselaer County Cooperative Extension is holding a workshop on the Emerald Ash Borer and the damage it is doing in this area. He said more information is available on the Village website.
He said volunteers have been busy preparing the Youth Baseball and Softball fields for the opening of the season. The volunteers have found a lot of dog waste on those fields. No one should be walking dogs on those fields said DiDonato.
Greenway Is No Longer A Rail Bed
DiDonato said four-wheelers are using the Greenway almost every night. The Greenway is clearly marked that no motorized vehicles are to be used on it. However, some folks still consider it the rail bed and available for riding. The Police will be patrolling, said DiDonato, and the vehicles will be impounded.
He added that the northern end of the Greenway has a water issue in one spot that is causing a problem. Pat Bakaitis, who is putting in the surface on that stretch of the Greenway, wants to put in a culvert. However, it has to be discussed with the railroad, which is nearby.
A “bud walk” will be held on the Greenway on Saturday, May 10, at 9 am.
DiDonato said Lakes To Locks is talking with Brown’s Brewery about making a special old German brew for the event opening the Lt. Col. Friedrich Baum Trail in June.
Wood Block
DiDonato said Barbara Sussman is optimistic something can be done with the Wood Block, especially with the third floor, which once was a performing arts center. He said that at the moment they at least want to get a kiosk in front of the building.
Trustee Bob Ryan reported that potholes are being fixed and street cleaning will begin soon. Hopefully they can publish a schedule so people can keep their vehicles off the street at that time.
He said police car 501 is out of service and needs $900 worth of repairs.
Trustee O’Malley requested that the Highway Department operate on a 10 hour day/4 day week from May 5 to the end of September as it has done in the past. The Board approved.
Rate Increase For Those Without Water Meters
The Board approved a motion to increase the fee for those properties in the Village that still have not installed water meters. Those properties will see an increase charge from 20,000 to 40,000 gallons of water. The Mayor noted owners are already being fined for non-compliance. Now they will pay an additional amount for the water they use, whatever amount it is, since they don’t have meters.
Hydrant Flushing
Fire hydrants will be flushed in Wards 2 and 3 on May 7 and in Wards 1 and 4 on May 8.
Peddler’s Permit With Restrictions
The Board approved a peddler’s permit for Mr. Ding-A-Ling from April 15 to September 15. Board members noted that the ice cream vendor is restricted from peddling in certain sections of the Village. In the past he has violated that restriction. If he does so this year, the permit will be revoked.
Community Marketing Consultant
The Mayor said the Town and Village had heard two presentations on Community Marketing, one from the Laberge Group and one from Camoin Associates. In reviewing the two plans submitted, the Board agreed the Camoin plan was more long range and more in line with the overall plan. The Mayor said he had talked with Town Supervisor Mark Surdam, but he doesn’t know how or if the Town will participate. He added that this is not a marketing plan for just the Village but for the entire Hoosick community. The cost, he said, will be covered by Economic Development money.
Village Zoning Consultant
Mayor Borge noted that the Village Zoning laws are truly outdated. “They have not been fully updated since 1977,” he said. The Board approved hiring the consulting firm of Burton & Loguidice at a cost of $27,600 to work with the Village on an update. “We will have a professional
facilitator and that will reduce completion time for the project from two years to one year,” the Mayor said. He added that improving the zoning laws may make the Village eligible for a Gateway Community Grant that could reduce the cost of the project by five to ten thousand dollars.
Energy Savings
With soaring electric bills, the Board approved a two year agreement to have GDF Suez Energy Resources supply electricity to the Village. The Mayor estimates this will be a savings of about $40,000 a year.
The Board also approved motions to appoint Peyton Ogden as a part time Police Officer and to approve a contract between the Village and Attorney John Patterson, at the same rate as last year.
Sign Selected
A choice of two sign designs were on display on the Village website and in the Municipal Building for installation at the entrances to the Village. The public was invited to choose one sign or the other. By a vote of 119 to 53 the community selected the #2 burgundy sign.
In Memory Of Isabel McGuire
The Organizational and Budget Hearing began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence in memory of Isabel McGuire.[/private]