by Bea Peterson
At the Hoosick Town Board meeting on Monday, November 10, the Board approved the 2015 budget of $1,446,110 with a tax increase of 3.13%.
“We have kept it under the allowable tax cap,” said Town Supervisor Mark Surdam. “The challenge is the pool, which is the Town’s major expense. We are still working on how to pay for it, and we expect it will affect the budget for the next five years.” [private]Another big expense this year, he said, will be the purchase of a new heavy plow truck. The budget also includes union negotiated two percent raises and similar increases for the Town Clerk and Town Assessor.
Supervisor Surdam and the Councilmen expressed their appreciation to Town Bookkeeper Emily Sanders for her invaluable help guiding them through the budget process.
Pool
Supervisor Surdam reported that the rebuilding phase of the pool has begun. The continuous gutter system was being installed around the perimeter, and the main drain work and some concrete reinforcement work was being done. The weather has helped speed progress, and the contractor believes they will finish for the season in the next two weeks. The pool will be filled with water for the winter to avoid frost damage.
The Board passed resolutions to authorize Supervisor Surdam to execute an agreement with Lemery Greisler LLC to act as bond counsel for the Town’s pool project and to bond that project.
White Creek Bridge
Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland reported that there are seven wing walls yet to be installed on the White Creek bridge. The work was supposed to be completed by November 22, but, at this point, they are hoping it will be finished by mid-December.
Shiland said the paving of White Creek Road was finished Monday.
Margiotta Resigns
Part time Recreation Director Tom Margiotta resigned his position effective November 19. He will continue to volunteer his time to consult on the pool project and the skating rink. Surdam thanked Margiotta for his help and expertise. “You helped us move forward with many projects, thank you,” said Surdam. Margiotta said he will be around if they need his help. Councilmen Bruce Patire and David Sutton also expressed their appreciation for his efforts.
The Board approved the purchase of rubber mats for the rest rooms in the Rink for $700.
Part Time Jobs
Starting in December there will be part time jobs available at the Skating Rink. Lifeguards will also be needed for the pool next summer. Lifeguard training needs to be planned in advance of the pool opening. Anyone interested in these jobs should contact Town Clerk Sue Stradinger, Town Supervisor Mark Surdam or Rink Director Kaila Matatt.
Communication Tower
Supervisor Surdam reported he had received a letter from Rensselaer County Director of Safety Kelly Paslow advising the Town that the County plans to construct a communication tower at the Buskirk Fire Station.
As a result of a public hearing held before the meeting, the Board passed a resolution to approve the Town’s proposed Property Maintenance Law. The Board also resolved to execute the 2014 Youth Grant Agreement with the Rensselaer County Department for Youth for HAYC3 in the amount of $2,188.
Supervisor Surdam said, as of now, the water testing must continue for the Green Heights Water District. He will be working with the Village, NYS DEC and the County Health Department to resolve this duplication of water testing, which, he said, is a complete waste of money.
Reports
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported collecting $12,921 in Conservation licenses during October, plus fees for nine building permits, one site plan application and the issuance of various licenses and certificates for a total amount of $14,017.28 of which she turned over $1,721.84 to the Town Supervisor.
Town Historian Phil Leonard presented a board of aerial views of Hoosick Falls. He said the age of the photos was determined by the buildings that were found or not found in the pictures.
Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wysocki reported that the Berle Farm received an Agricultural Stewardship Association Award of $42,215 for an Incentive Payment Project to protect the farm. Landview Farms in White Creek received an ASA Award of $904,246 for a Conservation Easement Project to protect that farm.
In addition to thanking Margiotta for his efforts for the Town, Councilman Patire also thanked Gail Smith for all the work she does for the veterans. He added that he thought the Board was doing the right thing with its latest truck purchase and the future purchase. He stressed that the entire Board agreed it was important to have safe trucks on the road. He also commended Jerry McAuliffe for the work he did at the playground recently.
Councilman Sutton said he is impressed with the diverse talent in the Town of Hoosick, from Margiotta to Sanders. He said he is very pleased with the quality of the work being done by the people repairing the pool.
Supervisor Surdam congratulated the various sports teams for another successful season. He also thanked Police Chief Robert Ashe and the Hoosick Falls Police Department, Judge Robert Whalen and the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s office for the quick arrest and disposition of the vandalism at the Castle Playground.
HFCS Capital Project
First to speak at the meeting Monday evening was HFCS Superintendent Ken Facin who addressed those attending by briefly describing the proposed Capital Project the school hopes to undertake. The public will vote on the Project on December 2. He noted that the Project contains essential upgrades needed to improve the school.
Public Hearings
Two Public Hearings will be held before the next Board meeting on Monday, December 8. The first hearing will deal with the Site Plan Review Law, which was discussed before the November meeting. Changes were made and those changes will be reviewed at 6 pm. The second hearing will deal with repealing the Family Subdivision Law and that will be at 6:30 pm.
The Board went into executive session to discuss the Cipperly Road situation, which has been in litigation for some time. The subject was brought up by Keith Cipperly and another resident of Cipperly Road during the public comment portion of the meeting. As the Board went into executive session Supervisor Surdam noted that no decision would be forthcoming. Since the matter is in litigation, no Town official can comment on the issue.[/private]