by Bea Peterson
The Hoosick Falls Village Board met for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 8. During the public comment time Christine Miclette addressed the Board stating how unfair it was to neighboring residents and properties when the issues of continuous traffic in and out of the 42/45 River Street and 3 Third Street properties result in vandalism of adjoining properties. [private]The neighbors, she said, are concerned that problems could escalate. Many residents know the property as the old Murphy Store. Miclette said the neighbors want to form a Neighborhood Watch. “We don’t want to call the Police all the time,” she said. Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe told her he would meet with the neighbors any Sunday evening and help them set up a Watch. He encouraged them to please call the Police whenever they see something going on.
Mayor Borge thanked Miclette for coming to the meeting. “The Village is very aware of the situation,” he said. “A number of people have been brought to court. These situations take time. The Building Inspector has been to see this building, and there is a great deal going on.” Trustee Bob Ryan suggested Miclette get in touch with a couple that had previously run a very successful neighborhood watch program.
Those attending the meeting were reminded that the Village has a Nuisance Abatement law. Under this law complaints are compiled under a point system and when a number of points are accrued, the property owner can be taken to Court and/or the Code Enforcement Officer can put a seal on the apartment or home. Those forms are available on the Village’s website www.villageofhoosickfalls.com or can be picked up at the Village Clerk’s office weekdays between 8 am and 3:30 pm.
Loan For Unanticipated Projects
The Board passed a resolution borrowing $185,000 for five years at 1.48% interest from Key Bank for three unanticipated projects. The loan was dated July 10, 2014, and no payments will be due for one year. There will be no penalty if the loan is paid off in less than five years. Mayor Borge said he is checking with NYS Senator Kathy Marchione and Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin to see if there are any Capital funds available to cover some of these costs.
The unanticipated projects include the DEC mandated sewer line repairs near the River Road pump station requiring assessment of the force main and gravity sewer downstream to perform bypass pumping, and closed circuit televising of those pipes. Estimates for the assessment and repairs range from $25,000 to $85,000.
Leaks in the Rogers Avenue water tank must be repaired before winter. The plan is to make sure that the water system can operate without the tank, then drain it and line the walls and fix any other leaks. Cost estimates range from $50,000 to $75,000.
In addition to the $10,000 budgeted toward a new unmarked police cruiser, another $20,000 will be needed, under State contract, to purchase an outfitted 2013 vehicle. The new cruiser will not be available for two to three months. The old vehicle will be auctioned off once the new one arrives.
New Town Water Agreement Goes Into Affect With August Bills
Mayor David Borge reminded Hoosick residents using Village water that the new agreement with the Town regarding water bill payments goes into affect with the bills property owners will receive in August. “This will impact 110 residential users and 10 business or multiple dwelling properties,” he said. Trustee Ryan said the Mayor and Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam were to be commended for coming up with a solution to this problem. The Mayor said it was the work of the five volunteers who put the proposal together who should be commended.
Shower The Campers
After discussing notification of neighbors and the resolution of water pressure and drainage issues, the Board approved a request from Don McCabe to use the Hoosick Falls Fire Department ladder truck to provide a water shower three or four times through the summer to offer some water fun for the Town campers as there is no swimming pool this year. The Board agreed not to charge the Fire Department for the water usage.
Grant For Zoning
Mayor Borge reported that the Village received a $9,500 Greenway Grant to be used toward the cost of the ongoing Zoning update. The grant, he said, covers about one third of the overall cost of the project. He said there is a lot of work going on with this committee and the results will have a long term affect on the Village’s economic development. Along those lines, he noted that the property at 1 Mechanic Street now belongs to Rensselaer County and will be put in the hands of a commercial realtor for industrial development. “This is moving forward,” he said.
The Mayor said he attended a meeting in Cambridge of Route 22 Corridor Supervisors, Mayors and Trustees, along with NYS Senator Marchione. He said it was a good meeting.
The Mayor added that he canvassed the Board between meetings and then sent a letter of support for a Casino Project in the city of Rensselaer. The letter had to be received by the end of June.
Inland Waterway Bill Passed
The Mayor further reported that the Inland Waterway Bill passed both NYS houses and now sits on the desk of the Governor, along with 600 other bills, for him to sign. This bill holds some hope for Woods Brook residents. Though the Brook is not an inland waterway, the Hoosic River is, and the Brook is a tributary of that River.
Zoning And Planning Board Vacancies
There are two vacancies on the Planning Board and one vacancy on the Zoning Board. Mayor Borge suggested that anyone interested in serving on either of these Boards contact him.
Trustee Robert Downing reported that the ERC Community Warehouse at 19 Church Street in Melrose reopened in June. Hours are Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm, Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm. He also reported that the clothing box at the Transfer Station earned $13.70. He also berated the Police Chief on the way the officers drive the cruisers stating that he would not complain to the Chief anymore as there were no changes in the driving when he did complain.
Trustee Ben Patten reported on his ongoing discussions with Comcast for changes in the percentage rate the Village currently receives from Time Warner Cable. He will have more information next month.
So far, he added, he has not been able to find any outside funding for the new Snow Street waterline.
Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato reported that development plans are underway for the Greenway so that more of the Grant money can be used. He noted several events that will be going on during July. All of them are listed on the Village website.
Trustee Ryan reported that residents in Second Ward will be notified as road work in that area begins so that cars can be moved out of the way.
Trustee Kevin O’Malley reported there was a glitch with the new Village signs but they should be ready by the end of summer. The Board approved a motion to install posts for the three signs for a total cost of $900. The funds will come from the Village’s Economic Development Fund. “These are expensive signs,” said the Mayor, “and we want them to last a while.”
New Radios For The Police Department
In his report to the Village, Police Chief Ashe noted that the Police Department will be receiving new radios through a Rensselaer County grant. The new equipment, worth approximately $50,000, will greatly improve communication with County dispatch and other agencies in the area, he said.
Police Report
Ashe reported that from June 5 to July 8 there were 108 answered reports as well as 24 other requests for assistance including PDAA/escort/lock-outs/MV-78B’s/911 hangups/Repossessions, etc.
Officers responded to 6 alarms/open doors, 2 traffic DWIs, 11 Domestics/Order of Protection, 1 Endangering/Welfare Checks, 5 neighbor disputes/disorderly conduct/noise complaints, etc., 2 Larceny/Burglary, 26 Aid-EMS/Fire, 9 Harassment, 6 Investigations, 1 Criminal Mischief, 4 Rape/Sex Offense/Sex Registrar, 1 Assault, 1 Warrant Check/Warrant Arrest, 1 Animal Complaint, 2 Fraud Complaints.
Chief Ashe reported that the Department responded to 6 out of Village calls; one was shots fired, another DWI/Possible Armed, a 911 hangup and a burglary in progress/area check.
The report included 10 arrests; 1 Order of Protection Violation (felony charge), 1 Warrant, 1 Criminal Possession of Stolen Property/Grand Larceny 4th Degree/Criminal Trespass, 1 DWI/Unlawful possession of marihuana, 2 Mental Health Law, 1 Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd/Harassment 2nd/Endangering the welfare of a child/Order of Protection violation, 1 Assault 3rd. Thirty-four traffic tickets were issued in the last month and five accident reports were filed since the last Board meeting.
Eagle Project To Benefit HACA
The Board approved a request by Reid Crobok to use Wood Park for a Can-A-Palooza concert to collect food and cash donations for the HACA Food Pantry on Tuesday evening, August 5. Three’s Harmony will perform. This is part of Crobok’s Eagle Scout project.
In Memoriam
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence in memory of Jinnie Leonard.[/private]