by Bea Peterson
At the Monday, July 14, meeting of the Hoosick Town Board, Town Supervisor Mark Surdam said the new pool bid package will be advertised this week. Bids will be opened on Friday, August 15. The Board hopes to receive more than one bid this time. Councilman Dave Sutton suggested that possible bidders be contacted and encouraged to submit bids.
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Supervisor Surdam thanked Sutton, Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland and the Highway crew for their efforts to get the playground opened. “There is still considerable work to be done,” added Surdam. He suggested playground equipment be selected by the community since it is their playground. Councilman Bruce Patire felt it was better if the Board made the choices. “We were elected to make decisions,” he said. “Having the community do it will take too long.” Sutton noted that playground equipment is not cheap. Surdam pointed out that upgrading the playground should be a five year plan. In the end, the Board agreed to work with HFCS Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Paul Baker to devise a plan and choose equipment.
Supervisor Surdam said the Town Summer Camp has been going along well. Each week has a theme, he said. The first week was Sports, this week is Hawaiian and next week’s theme is Nature. The Board approved Camp Director Kaila Matatt’s request for a bus to take campers to the Pioneer Fish & Game Club on July 22 for an hour and a half.
Surdam added that Don McCabe is waiting for an okay from the Fire Commissioners to use one of the fire trucks to provide a water spray for campers on hot days.
Camp attendance this year is less than half of what it was last year. It’s suspected the low attendance has to do with the lack of a swimming pool.
Life Guard Training
Surdam expressed concern about the Town having certified life guards when the pool opens next year as there was no training this year. He hoped that during school breaks something could be worked out for training. Sutton suggested that perhaps something could be worked out with Hoosac School. No conclusion was reached at this point.
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported conservation fees of $845 for the month of June. Summer camp fees were $2,200, with license and permit fees bringing the total for the month to $3,812.30. Of that amount, $2,901.91 was turned over to the Town Supervisor.
Stradinger received the necessary paperwork from St. Mary’s Academy to hold its annual Cow Plop in the Town Park on October 12. The Board approved the request.
Town Assessor Tony Rice’s report stated he has an updated list of all available commercial properties in the Town of Hoosick. He also reported that the tax rolls are available for review in his office Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm.
Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland reported that the White Creek road has been ground, but it won’t be repaved until the bridge work is completed. He said the bridge work is a little behind and won’t start until August.
Town Historian Phil Leonard had a new display board with a map of Hoosick Falls as it was in 1879. Surrounding the map he had photographs of buildings that existed in the Village at that time.
Supervisor Surdam reported that during the month he attended several community events as well a Hoosick Rising meeting and a Municipal Innovation Exchange Summit at HVCC in an effort for school districts and local governments to find new and expanded ways to efficiently share services. He later met with HFCS Superintendent Ken Facin and Board President Greg Laurin, Mayor David Borge and Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato to discuss ways they can work together. He also attended an Economic Revitalization Forum held in Cambridge with NYS Senators Betty Little and Kathy Marchione on leveraging regional cooperation.
Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wysocki reported that he attended the Penflex meeting with the North Hoosick Fire Department regarding their service awards.
Councilman Patire said he is working with Town Clerk Stradinger, the contractor and the insurance company for safety improvements to the Clerk’s office.
Councilman Sutton expressed concern that this time around the Town receive more than one bid for pool repairs.
The Board passed a resolution approving the Town policy against sex discrimination and sexual harassment.
A resolution to approve the NY State Police satellite office agreement was tabled until Supervisor Surdam talks with the Hoosick Fire Department about heating costs to have the Police located in their building.
The Planning Board requested the Town Board consider reducing the size of the Planning Board from seven to five members. At the moment the Planning Board only has four members. Members of the Town Board were not enthusiastic about this request. They hope to recruit new members by the next Town Board meeting.
Supervisor Surdam requested the Board’s approval to change the Town’s health care benefit plan assistance from Richard Palermino of Patriot Benefit Solutions to Denise Palyo of Capital Financial Group, Inc. Patire abstained from the vote because he felt Surdam should have discussed making the change with Palermino and given him an opportunity to respond before a decision was made. Surdam responded that it was nothing personal, but he felt it was in the best interest of the employees. The three Board members approved the change, and the motion passed.
Addition To Sign
The Board approved the addition of a Grandma Moses picture to both sides of the Town’s sign at the intersection of Routes 7 and 22 at a cost of $650. Surdam thanked Village Trustee Kevin O’Malley for pursuing this project as it ties in with the Village’s new signs and there will not be a Grandma Moses franchise fee involved.
Meeting Dates
The Board approved Town Clerk Stradinger’s request for setting the following meeting dates:
• Tuesday, October 9, 6:30 pm, Budget Workshop;
• Thursday, October 16, Town Board meeting moved from Monday holiday;
• Thursday, October 23, Public Hearings on Fire Department Budgets, and
• Thursday, November 6, 7 pm, Preliminary Budget Public Hearing.
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