by Bea Peterson
Hoosick Falls Mayor David Borge opened the fourth Hoosick Rising meeting on September 25 by thanking everyone for coming, noting that every session has brought a larger crowd. He pointed out some very positive articles that have been published in recent weeks. “We have to find ways to continue that great press,” he said. “We have three terrific schools in the area and a lot of good stuff going on.” Town of Hoosick Supervisor Mark Surdam said work on repairing the Pool has started and will be completed by June 1 next year. Village Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato said the Village is working with an emerging technology to improve the water and sewer pumps.
[private]The Corner
Jeff Buell, President and CEO of Sequence Development, said his company is in “full design mode for work on the corner (of John and Main Streets) that will be started this fall.” Buell and Company were seen at the property recently. DiDonato added that across the street CiviCure is working on restoring the Wood Block.
HAYC3 Director Aelish Nealon pointed out that almost 50 Barn Quilts had been created and over 2,000 copies of the Barn Quilt Trail maps had been distributed.
Mayor Borge concluded that when we work together everybody wins. “What we do next year, in the next two years will have a huge impact.”
At that point Christa Franzi of Camoin Associates took over. She said during the previous meetings at least 40 projects were suggested and that was far too many to accomplish at one time. She and Ian Flatt had posted topics on the walls around the room. Under each topic was a list of subtopics. “It’s time to stop talking and start doing,” said Franzi. She suggested entrepreneurs must lead and those leaders must make a long term commitment. They must look five, ten to twenty years ahead. “You must be inclusive of anyone who wants to participate,” she added.
Topic titles were Built Environment, Marketing the Region, Historic and Natural Resources, Beyond Our Borders and Entrepreneurship and Business Development. Some of the subtopics were inventory vacant properties, arrange a community tour for realtors, market low cost space to startups and entrepreneurs, improve trail signage, have a community calendar kiosk, promote the Grandma Moses connection and many, many more.
Everyone was given stickers to put on the subtopics they thought were most important. Camoin Associates has compiled the information gathered. It will be reviewed by a subcommittee and then a date set for the next meeting to review the results and start a plan of action.
Those on the email list have received two ideas that received the most votes for working on right away. That information will be available on the Village website. Anyone interested in helping on any one of the projects should attend the next Hoosick Rising meeting.
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