by Bea Peterson
At the Monday, May 12, meeting of the Hoosick Town Board, Supervisor Mark Surdam announced that beginning on Tuesday, May 27, traffic will be reduced to one lane at times on Route 7 from Pittstown to the new bridge over the Hoosic River in Hoosick while State Highway crews perform preventative maintenance and paving on that section of roadway.
[private]Proposed Flood Map
Supervisor Surdam also announced that a copy of the new FEMA proposed Flood Maps for the Town of Hoosick is available for viewing at the Town Office.
Pool Repairs
The Town has received the bid package from Laberge for the Pool repairs. The Board approved publishing legal notices for RFPs this week. Bids must be returned by 2 pm on Tuesday, June 10. Surdam said he will call a special meeting to review those bids.
Surdam said this has been the first interruption in usage since the pool was installed in 1967. “Time takes its toll,” he said. “In 1967 they did it right. The substructure is still good. We are working with a sound base, and we are certainly hoping it is worth a one year investment to hire the most qualified contractor to complete the repairs and get the job done right this time too.” The Board agreed it was in the best interest of the Town to not try to have the pool open for August. “We want to offer a contractor friendly environment,” added Councilman Dave Sutton.
Surdam added that the Walter A. Wood High School Alumni Association has informed him that they would be contributing their fund raising proceeds this year to the Town Pool Rehabilitation Project.
The Board passed a resolution to have Laberge write a Consolidated Funding Grant Application targeting Pool Bathhouse and Pumphouse upgrades. Their costs are not to exceed $5,000.
Summer Camp
Supervisor Surdam said he thought he had a Camp Director lined up but the person declined the position. He assured parents that a Director will be appointed by May 25. He added that the camp program has an excellent support staff of returning counselors. He noted that the Camp Director must be 21 years of age or older. Counselors to be hired for the summer will be notified by phone this coming week.
Playground Upgrade
The Board passed a resolution to have Chain Link Fence Connection install 122 feet of 7 foot high chain link fencing along the pool side of the castle playground at a cost of $2,940. This fencing will replace the solid wood fencing that is there now.
Dave Sutton reported that the meeting to review the needs of the playground was attended by more than a dozen people, many of whom are just “itching to get involved” with updating the area. Supervisor Surdam suggested that in addition to replacing the fence, the remaining playground pieces should be stained and covered with a clear sealer, that the wood chips from under the structures be replaced with new wood chips, that the fence be removed from the basketball court side of the castle and that new boards be replaced where needed. He further suggested that the tires be removed and new swings and climbing nets be added. Sutton noted that there is no handicapped access to the playground nor is there any handicapped playground equipment and that this should be considered.
The Board then passed a budget amendment resolution taking the $85,000 set aside by the previous administration for playground rehabilitation and making it part of the 2014 budget so that it can be used to pay for the work being done there. Any of that money not used by year end will be returned to the general fund. Surdam further suggested that playground equipment replacement be done year by year in the future.
Battlefield Re-enactment
Peter Schaaphok addressed the Board regarding the Battle for Bennington re-enactment to be held at the Battlefield on Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17, the 237th anniversary dates of the Battles. The Board approved his request that Caretaker’s Road be closed off for those two days. The Board also approved his request that the NYS owned access road, near the Cottrell property, which has been partially washed out, be repaired. The Board approved the Highway Department making the repairs, contingent on receiving a letter from the State approving the repair. For more information on weekend events at the Battlefield visit http://www.brgade.org/barcal/m2014/walloomsac.html.
Shared Service Agreements
Members of the Town Board have been emailed copies of proposed agreements with the Village of Hoosick Falls for their review. Mayor Borge will attend the June meeting to answer any questions regarding these agreements. They are: 1. General Agreement – Purpose, shared services/labor and or equipment. 2. Police Agreement – Purpose, Town Court and special events. 3. Water Agreement – Purpose, Town residents who receive Village Water and Sewer.
Other Business
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported that she collected $3,779.25 in licenses and fees for the month of April. Of that amount she turned over $1,066.74 to the Town Supervisor. She also turned over to the Supervisor interest and penalties from the 2014 tax bills in the amount of $7,154.
The Board approved the Clerk’s request to have Assistant Town Clerk Ginny Blinstrub given extra hours on an as needed basis to handle the plethora of FOIL requests that have been submitted to her this year. Stradinger said that in addition to her regular business she is dealing with the new DEC computer system that changes every week. She said the program has not been working right since January and that she spends a huge number of hours on the phone with technicians trying to resolve the problems.
Since federal funds are being used for the White Creek Bridge Project a 2014 audit will be required. The Board approved a 2013 baseline audit being done.
The tentative tax roll is on the Town website, www.TownofHoosick.org.
The Furon Company tax assessment settlement has been resolved. The Court stipulated adjustment reduced the 2012/13 taxes to be paid on one property by $18,787 and on the other property by $33,566.01. The Company will be credited these amounts when paying their taxes over a five year period.
Town Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland said the bulk of the paving budget this year will be used for the paving of White Creek Road. The White Creek bridge work will soon be underway. He reported that the Highway crew has been busy patching potholes and repairing roads.
Town Historian Phil Leonard was not well, so Charles Filkins presented the Historical Society’s latest board which had photographs of the first National Guard group that established the Armory in 1891. He had other photos of the Guard that went to Florida en route to the Spanish American War and another group that was sent to South Texas in 1916. Besides the photos, the board contains the names of all those pictured.
During the Public Comment portion of the meeting Gail Smith addressed the Board regarding the Celebrate Recovery Program sponsored by the Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church. The Program addresses alcohol and drug addiction as well as gambling, overeating, grief, guilt/ anger/rage and many other hurts, hang-ups and habits that folks want to address. The group meets every Tuesday. Doors open at 6 pm and the meeting runs from 6:30 to 8 pm. Anyone is welcome to participate. The group has been in operation for four years and will hold a Celebrate Recovery Sunday at the Church on Sunday, May 18, at 10:30 am.
Supervisor Surdam said the Town Court has received a $1,000 grant to install a portable air conditioner in the Court Room/Meeting Room, which should make the room far more pleasant in July and August.
The Board passed a resolution supporting Lakes to Locks and the installation of a kiosk near the stone schoolhouse on the Stewart’s property at the corner of Routes 7 and 22. The kiosk details the Lt. Col. Bauhm trail that ends at the Bennington Battlefield in Walloomsac It was agreed the kiosk will be installed by volunteers as the Town cannot finance not-for-profit organization activities.
Surdam noted that the monthly Operating Statement, Revenue Report and Voucher Packet for review and signatures will be provided to all Town Board members for review and to the Town Clerk for public record.[/private]