by Deb Alter
The Hoosick Falls municipal water system continues to meet and exceed all County, State and federal public health safety standards. However, at the request of a residential water user, the Village Water Department tested water from each of the Village’s three wells for a synthetic element called perflourooctanoic acid (PFOA). [private]They did this despite the fact that it is not required by any public agency to be tested for, and the County and State Departments of Health and the Federal EPA have no set minimum standards for exposure.
There was much discussion among Board members, local and County Water Department representatives and the audience about the PFOA in the Village’s water, its effects and what to do about it. The Village will continue to communicate with scientists, engineers and experts at all levels of government, and it is looking at what other communities are doing in its ongoing mission to remedy the situation. So far, Well 3 has replaced Well 7 as the primary water supply, but there is no quick fix. It is important and prudent to understand the science behind how the PFOA got into the water and the technology of how to get it out before making changes at the Village Water Treatment Plant.
The Board is taking citizens’ concerns seriously and will continue to work on the issue and keep the public posted on developments. The sample results are public; more information about them is available in the Village Clerk’s Office.
Closing The Center Street Railroad Crossing
There will be a Public Hearing at the Village Hall on Wednesday, January 7, from 6 to 7 pm concerning the closing of the Center Street Railroad Crossing. So far the Board has received input from the Rescue Squad. They are waiting for assessments from the Police and Fire Departments.
No Camping Without Permission
Local Law #1 was passed unanimously. The law states that there can be no camping on Village property without permission from the Board. People can camp on their own property. A Boy Scout camp-out in Wood Park was given as an example of the kind of camping on Village property that could possibly be approved.
Closing Oak Mitsui
As of February 5, 2015, Oak Mitsui will be closed officially. Mayor Borge is working with the State and County to get funds to help Oak Mitsui employees who live in Hoosick Falls get training for new jobs. The mayor explained that Oak Mitsui would tear down the buildings, but not immediately. The process will be closely monitored. The Governor’s office is aware of the situation, and the State and County Departments of Labor and Building Departments will be involved in the cleanup of the site, as will the DEC. The required permits must be obtained. In the end, the property will be clear, clean and usable. Hoosick Falls will lose about $12,500 in taxes after the buildings are gone.
Wood Memorial Road Race
The Lions Club request to use Wood Park, the bandstand and Village streets for the 30th Annual Wood Memorial Road Race on Saturday, May 16, was approved. Following this, there was a discussion about standardizing the route for all of the 5k road races in Hoosick Falls. The Board felt that it would be helpful to runners, organizers, merchants, the Police Department and others involved. Assistant Police Chief Harold McClellan presented two different routes. One option uses only Village streets, the other includes part of the Greenway. The pros and cons of each were debated. Village Trustee Bob Ryan offered to contact the sponsors of the races and get feedback from them before making a final decision. The Board will revisit the topic at its January Board Meeting.
LDC Loans
William Johnston of the Local Development Corporation (LDC) spoke about his organization’s finances and how they can help new businesses in Hoosick. They are already considering two requests. The LDC currently has about $50,000 in its fund, and will consider loans for up to $7,500. If the total amount in the account grows, it could possibly grant larger amounts. Johnston added that there is an opening for a director on the LDC Board and interested parties should contact him at 686-7390. Directors must be residents of the Town of Hoosick or the Village of Hoosick Falls. The Mayor brought up the possibility of transferring some of the HUD funds from the Village account to the LDC. This will be on next month’s agenda.
Police Report
Police Chief Robert Ashe gave the Police Department report. There were 63 calls in total, nine arrests, ten domestic violence calls, 13 EMS calls and one investigation. The most serious incident occurred when two young men were pulled over and when officers searched the car they found a loaded 9mm handgun. The unlicensed drivers were not aware of the presence of the weapon, as they were not the owners of the vehicle. There was an investigation, and the individual who owned the car, and the gun, was subsequently arrested and sent to County jail. Mickey, the Hoosick Falls police dog, was instrumental in helping to find drugs as well. Ashe also reported that a heroin safe house was discovered in the Village as part of a larger, wide-ranging investigation. He also said that domestic violence calls are up 24% over last year but he did not know why. DWIs are down. The Police Department has received two grants from the County to help defray the cost of extra patrols during the holiday season.
Trustee Ryan recommended the appointment of two part time police officers. They will be sent to the Police Academy for training, sponsored by the Village but at no cost to the Village. The vote was unanimously in favor. It was noted that of the 16 part time officers, seven of them are from Hoosick, and this number has been growing.
New Village Signs
The new Village signs with the Grandma Moses painting will be put up very soon. They would have been up already, but there have been weather related delays.
Odds And Ends
Ben Gaines of the Hoosick Trailmasters requested use of part of the Greenway for the snowmobile club. Trustee Ric DiDonato explained that because of the large amount of money and effort that has been spent to upgrade the Greenway, it would be necessary for the Club to sign a contract that stipulates the rules and regulations for snowmobiles on the trail as well as where they can and cannot go. Gaines had no problem with that. Police Chief Ashe stated that The Trailmasters have always acted very professionally.
Karen Sprague is the new Trustee who will serve out the rest of Jeremy Driscoll’s term. Since she has a banking background (she recently retired from Trustco Bank), she will be on the Finance Committee. Due to a previous engagement, she was unable to be at this meeting and will be sworn in next month.
Trustee Ben Patten reported that five months into the budget year, everything looks good and that the tight cash flow at the moment is normal for this time of year. He also said the he and other residents received a mailing from a company called HomeServe offering insurance for the water lines to property owners’ homes and that this was an independent company with no connection with the Village whatsoever.
Trustee Kevin O’Malley reported that he is working with National Grid to replace three lights on Mechanic Street that don’t work. Please report any street lamps that are out to the Village Clerk; National Grid is more likely to come and fix them if they are aware of them all.
There will be a Public Hearing on Wednesday, December 17, to examine the nuisance laws. The Board would like to get a handle on the rental issues that are causing problems. Some are violations of Section 8 laws, and some will involve Troy investigators cracking down on welfare fraud. In some cases, renters are subletting rooms in their apartments.
The Zoning Workshop on December 3 was well attended and productive. The Board should receive a draft of the new zoning laws by the end of January.
The closing on The Corner is anticipated any day, and construction will start immediately after that.
Trustee Bob Downing was re-appointed to represent Hoosick Falls on the Eastern Rensselaer County Solid Waste Management Board. The Village continues to see savings due to recycling rates – a savings of about $10,000. More information about recycling and waste disposal is available on the Village website.
The following motions were passed.
• The Village election will be March 18.
• In the event of a snow emergency, other Village departments will be called for back up.
• Unpaid 2013 taxes will be sent to Rensselaer County for re-levy in the amount of $238,483. That amount is on par with other years.
Village Clerk’s Report
• Water bills should go out this week
• The New Year’s Day holiday trash pick-up schedule: if your regular day is Thursday, your trash will be picked up Saturday; there are no changes to the regular Friday pick-up schedule.
• The 2015 waste management schedule will be in the mail soon.
• Ed King was appointed as part-time Interim Building Inspector until the position is permanently filled. Ed Holland is still the go-to contact person in case of emergencies.
Earlier in the meeting, there was a moment of silence in honor of James Cutler, a former Village Board Trustee.[/private]