by Bea Peterson
Bronnie Powers brought her concern regarding use of the Planning Board Family Subdivision law to the Town of Hoosick Board meeting on Monday, September 8. She had previously expressed her concern to the Planning Board. During Monday’s meeting the Board agreed to hold a Family Subdivision Community meeting on Thursday, September 18, at 7 pm in the HAYC3 Armory. [private]What appears to be a loophole in the Family Subdivision law has brought concern to her and other members of the community as a property owner recently requested lots be divided for a Family Subdivision and then put the lots up for sale. That was not the purpose of the law. After a discussion with the Town Supervisor and the Building Inspector, the property owner removed the for sale signs.
Town Supervisor Mark Surdam recommended that Town Attorney William Ryan, Jr. and Planning Board Attorney Denis King review the law and make recommendations to the Boards.
White Creek Bridge
The Board will hold a special meeting on Saturday, September 13, at 8:30 am in the HAYC3 Armory to award the White Creek Bridge contract. Improvements to nearby Burley Lane were approved at an additional cost of $3,100.
Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland reported that as a result of a Workers Comp Site Visit from Safety Management Specialist Bill O’Connor, Shiland and the Highway Department will hold half hour monthly safety meetings. O’Connor pointed out the Town and its employees are doing a great job keeping safe and avoiding injuries.
Shiland requested permission to look for specifications and bids for a Ford 550 truck and plow. The Board approved a motion to look for such a vehicle.
Assistant Town Clerk Ginny Blinstrub reported she collected building permit fees of $824, conservation fees of $3,032.98 and summer camp and other fees amounting to $9,520.75 of which she turned over to the Supervisor $3,050.22.
Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wysocki said he had been talking with people regarding playground equipment and layouts. No funding is available at this time in those areas. He has also been quite busy lately working with the crew of Building Wild on their project on his property.
Councilman Bruce Patire reported he had looked into the Town’s insurance rider on gas and oil tanks. He noted this is a separate policy and is all set until March 2016. The cost of that policy is $537.
Councilman Dave Sutton was unable to attend the meeting as his vehicle broke down on his way to the meeting.
Comprehensive Plan
Supervisor Mark Surdam attended many events and meeting throughout the month. He said he spoke with Ben Syden from Laberge about the need to update the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, which is over 10 years old. Syden told him he would look into cost estimates and potential funding sources for the update. Surdam believes the update should be considered for 2016/2017 unless funding is available sooner.
The Supervisor also met with Bob Nesbit regarding some computer problems. At some point Nesbit will present a proposal to the Board to improve computer software.
Local Development Corporation
Supervisor Surdam noted that the Board of the Local Development Corporation (LDC) recently met with Jack Bonesteel from Rensselaer County to coordinate working with the County on furthering development in Hoosick. The County has begun accepting RFPs for listing the former WCW building.
LDC, which existed many years ago, is formally reorganizing to comply with recent changes in the law. Officers are Chairman Bill Johnston, Secretary Rosemarie Smith and Treasurer Jacqueline Luciano.
A resolution between the Town of Hoosick Youth Development Agreement with Rensselaer County and HAYC3 was tabled as HAYC3 Director Aelish Nealon was unable to attend the meeting.
Donations
The Board approved giving budgeted donations of $9,700 to the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad and $6,200 to the Hoosick Area Seniors.
School History
The meeting room was filled with HFCS government class students who had a real glimpse of history Monday evening when Town Historian Phil Leonard described his latest display board which showed all the one room school houses that once dotted the local landscape. He pointed out that there was once a schoolhouse for every 10 to 20 families. Every township had its own schoolhouse, he said. At one time there were 10 school districts in this area. In 1956 the community voted 1,241 to 676 to centralize to four elementary schools, one junior high school and one high school. The schools were still scattered, stretching from White Creek to Petersburgh. Leonard then introduced the first Superintendent of those schools, Kazmir (Walt) Stempek, who is now 93 years old. He regaled the meeting with tales of his teaching career and traveling from school to school to deal with the issues in each building.
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