by Bea Peterson
Members of the HAYC3 Board of Directors and members of the Town Board were on hand between the organizational and regularly scheduled Town Board meetings on Monday, January 12, to witness the signing of a three year HAYC3 Armory rental agreement between the Town and HAYC3. This, the first agreement approved by both Boards since HAYC3 took over the Armory, was signed by Town Supervisor Mark Surdam and HAYC3 Board President Amanda Rudzik.
[private]Town Receives Grant For Pool Mechanical Room And Bath House
At the regular Town of Hoosick Board meeting, Supervisor Mark Surdam announced that the Town has received a $123,625 matching grant from NYS Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation to upgrade the mechanical room and bath house at the Community Pool. Surdam said he would like to see the mechanical room work tied in with the work currently being done on the pool. “We’ll worry about the bath house later,” he said. He thanked the Laberge Group for working to acquire the grant.
Life Guards
During the meeting it was noted that the Town is now accepting applications for Lifeguards for the 2015 swim season. It is important to apply now so that needed training can be coordinated prior to the pool opening in late June or early July. Applications are available on the Town website.
Rink Open And Events Scheduled
The Town Skating Rink is now open. Sign up for skating lessons is underway. Contact Sue Hyde at 686-3371 or Recreation Director Kaila Matatt at 686-4571 with questions.
The Board approved a private skating party at the Rink from 2 to 4 pm on January 17, the Girl Scouts and the First Baptist Church skating party on February 7, the Town of Hoosick Kiwanis Club skating party on either February 14 or 21, from 1 to 4 pm, and the Cambridge Central School fundraiser on Tuesday, February 24, from 4 to 6 pm. All of these events are, of course, weather dependent.
There may be some concessions in addition to those offered in the vending machines at the Rink.
Castle Champion
Supervisor Surdam said Town of Hoosick Kiwanis Club President Wendy Larson is in contact with the National Kiwanis organization about the Club being “Champion” for the Castle Playground. No new information is available at this time.
With Sympathy
The meeting began with a moment of silence for the Patire family. Councilman Bruce Patire was not at the meeting. He was at the wake for his mother, Annie “Marge” Patire. In addition, his mother-in-law, Margaret “Peg” Pine, died on January 3.
New Member
Supervisor Surdam welcomed newly elected Councilwoman Jenn Hyde to the Town Board.
Low Income Loans/Grants
Surdam mentioned the USDA Rural Development 504 Loan/Grant Program which provides help to very low income owner occupants of modest single family homes in need of repair located in rural areas. More information on this program is available at the Town website. www.townofhoosick.org.
Highway Report
The Board approved Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland’s request to start the bid and purchase process for a new large dump truck. The process is lengthy and the cost is included in this year’s budget.
The new truck purchased last year will be complete with plow and dump body within the next week or so.
The Board also approved a motion to obtain bids for sand, fuel oil and diesel fuel, which will be opened at the February meeting.
Historical Society Video
Town Historian Phil Leonard proudly introduced the nine minute video that was professionally created to highlight features of the Miller Museum. The video was very well received and can be viewed on the Town website.
Combined Board Meeting
Supervisor Surdam said a combined meeting of the Planning, Zoning and Town Boards will be held on Wednesday, January 21, at 6:30 pm and will include Building Inspector Ed King, Laberge Group and Rensselaer County Planner Linda von der Heide.
Changes To Clerk’s Office
The Board approved spending an estimated $4,500 in security upgrades to the Clerk’s Office. Town Clerk Sue Stradinger said it is fortunate most of the reconfigured pieces will be constructed off site, so there will be little inconvenience to those paying their tax bills. The changes were recommended by the Town’s insurance carrier.
The Board approved a resolution accepting the new proposed agreement with the NYS Police for space in the Hoosick Fire House. The Police had rejected the previous proposal.
Supervisor Surdam said the Town should be closing on the Bond Anticipation Note for the pool in the next two to three weeks.
The Board passed a resolution approving the Court Clerk Audit and approved $600 in support of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The Board approved contacting the Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) requesting financial assistance for updating the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning regulations.
Deputy Supervisor Wysocki reported that the contract from the Philpott Farm is now on file. Councilwoman Hyde said she attended the Health and Fitness Expo in the Armory on Saturday. “It was a wonderful event with plenty of free screenings available,” she said.
Inappropriate Comments
During the public comment session of the meeting Tanya Brock handed the Board a petition with 200 names on it requesting Councilman Dave Sutton be removed from the Board because of inappropriate comments he recently made to an individual on “social media” regarding the recent bullying, school/bus driver issue.
Sutton responded to the “recent unpleasantness” and the way it played out in the social media during his Council Report. He said, “I am not making any excuses for my vulgar comment. It is not defendable.” However, he said, he believed it was his civic duty to say something in response to the level of vehemence that surrounded the issue and that some of the attitudes expressed were self destructive and a reflection on the entire community. He said he believes there is a core tenant to support every child in the district. “We have a great school, but it’s not perfect,” he added.
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