Considers Changing Brook’s Path
by Bea Peterson
At the Hoosick Town Board meeting on Monday, March 9, Town Supervisor Mark Surdam said the grant application for a Woods Brook study approved last month had changed and the new grant application will be more costly. [private]In view of that, Surdam invited Brad Grant and Bob Murphy of Barton & Loguidice DPC to explain and answer questions regarding the study and application. The new grant application is more complex and requires more work, said Grant. The federally funded grants are administered by New York State through its Community Development Block Grants program. It is important the application have many letters of support from the community, Grant added. Letters, for instance, from the Fire Department indicating how many times flooded cellars have been pumped out. And letters from Town and Village officials and individuals and businesses affected by the Brook.
Surdam noted that if the grant is approved, this study could show an actual fix for the problem. On a map of the brook Grant pointed out specific areas of concern where there are closed culverts and open channels. Many of the culverts, said Grant, are in bad shape. “The upper part of the watershed needs to be spread out to turn down the water flow,” he said. “In the Village the culverts are filled with sediment and instead of being larger as the flow increases, they are getting smaller. He also suggested redirecting the Brook to the Hoosic River through Town land. “It will be very expensive, but there will be fewer streets to cross,” he added.
Bob Murphy said they have spoken to CDBG officials who have told them the Town and Village qualify for this grant and their application is stronger because it is a joint application. He said the grant application for the Woods Brook study must be submitted by early summer and awardees will be announced in late December 2015. If the grant for the $24,800 study is approved, then once the study is completed, another grant will be submitted for the actual work to be done and grant approval would be received in December 2016.
Surdam said, “This looks like our best chance to do something.” Councilman Bruce Patire expressed concern that any property that had to be taken by eminent domain could hold the project up for years. Grant and Murphy didn’t foresee such a problem. Patire then added, “Well, somebody has to step up.” The Board agreed and passed a resolution approving the payment of $3,500 toward the $7,000 grant application cost.
New Truck
At Supervisor Surdam’s request Jeff Delurey of Delurey Sales and Services attended the meeting to answer questions related to scrapping the 1998 tandem truck that was badly damaged last month while plowing and the purchase of a new truck. After listening to problems related to such an old vehicle the Board voted to accept the $4,200 offered by the insurance company. And after listening to Delurey on the pros and cons of various new trucks, the Board voted to purchase a tandem truck with standard transmission and a combination body for approximately $206,800. Since the truck will be purchased through Delurey Sales and Surdam is employed by them, he abstained from the vote.
McClellan Appointed Justice
The Board passed a resolution appointing Harold McClellan as Town Justice to replace the late Dick Whalen. Since this is an elected position, McClellan will have to run for the office in the fall. Patire said, “There couldn’t be a better choice. He is an upstanding person.” Surdam added it was unfortunate McClellan will have to resign from the Hoosick Falls Police Department to accept the position. “He’s an outstanding Police officer,” he said. Surdam noted that long time Court Clerk Janice Kimball had been asked to accept the position, but she declined.
Surdam said there have been no applications for the position of Town Building Inspector at this time.
There is also a vacancy on the Grievance Review Board. The Board thanked Marcia Nichols for her years of service. She has stepped down for health reasons. A new member is sought for the position.
Town Assessor Tony Rice said the tax exemption application deadline was March 1 and a 99% response was received. As a result of the death of Village Assessor Dick Whalen, Rice has agreed to temporarily fill that post.
County Survey
Tom Vallone addressed the Board with a broadband update. At last month’s meeting he suggested the Town prepare a survey to be filled out by Town residents regarding better internet service. However, he recently learned that Rensselaer County is preparing a similar survey that will cover the entire County. “This survey will have a larger impact than one from just Hoosick,” he said. He encourages everyone who receives the survey to fill it out and return it as the more households that do so, the larger the impact. Surdam said, “The State is also investing a lot to improving broadband service in rural areas and it is important we be part of that.”
Pool Prices Unchanged
The Board agreed to hold membership prices for use of the Town Pool to what they have been. Patire suggested that pricing be reconsidered at the end of this coming season, and the Board agreed. Town Clerk Sue Stradinger noted that memberships have dropped considerably in recent years. She said daytime use of the pool, particularly because of swimming lessons, is strong but the pool is used very little in the evening. She suggested evening programs, such as water zumba, water aerobics or volleyball be considered. Councilman Dave Sutton said the goal should be to raise pool participation. He noted that the Town has offered the community a great public service with the number of people who have learned to swim in the Town pool over the years.
Summer Camp
Requests are already coming in for the Town of Hoosick Summer Day Camp. The Board agreed to raise the charge for the camp by $5. The cost will be $75 per week for residents and $80 per week for non-residents. Stradinger noted that the camp never pays for itself and that other area camps are more expensive. Camp registration forms can be found on the Town’s website.
Rink
Recreation Director Kaila Mattat reported that over 1,000 people used the skating rink this year, not counting the many folks who skated on the Kiwanis free day. So far the rink has been open for 44 days, and this past week the ice has been awesome, she said. More needs to be done next season to promote the hockey program, she added.
Mattat said she has received requests from HFCS to use the rink for baseball and lacrosse practice. Supervisor Surdam said this shouldn’t be a problem.[/private]