by Bea Peterson
At the Hoosick Town Board meeting on Monday, April 13, the Board approved lifeguard appointments for Will Clifford, Katherine Danforth, Sean Dingman, Alyssa Houghton, Kelli Grennan, Kara Laflamme, Michael Matatt, Dana O’Malley, Tyler Rondeau and Lizza Ryan. Town Supervisor Mark Surdam said there are still a few openings left for Lifeguards. He hopes people will apply now so the training can be coordinated.
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The Board accepted, with appreciation, a $300 donation from the Eagles Club to be used toward Lifeguard Training.
Surdam noted that the work on the pump house and the bath house will not be completed this year. He said the grant from NYS Parks and Recreation is complex and he has spoken with Rich Laberge about their assistance in getting through the process.
Summer Camp
Most positions for the Town Summer Camp have been filled by returning staff members. Town Clerk Sue Stradinger noted that youngsters from ages 13 to 15 can become counselors in training and when they are 16 then can apply to become paid counselors.
Camp And Pool Pay Scale
The Board approved the following hourly wages for summer camp and pool employees: Camp Counselor-$8.75, Camp Counselor with CPR and First Aid-$9.25, Life Guards-$10, Life Guards with Water Safety Instructor Certification-$11, Assistant Managers for Summer Camp and Pool-$12.
Castle Playground
Surdam said he and Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wysocki met with the Hoosick Kiwanis Club and heard a presentation from Karen Armstrong, Project Manager from Parkitects, Inc. The Board approved paying $1,000 from Castle playground funds to have Parkitects complete a playground maintenance audit and safety inspection as codes and safety rules have changed since the playground was first installed. Once the report is complete, then a rehabilitation plan and schedule will be put in place. Surdam said the Kiwanis Club is excited to be part of this project.
Highway Report
Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland reported he had received an insurance cheek for $29,017 for the truck that was totaled. Part of that money will be used for paying to have the truck towed.
Shiland said the Town has been allocated $128,996 in CHIPS money and $19,101 for extreme Winter Recovery. He added that the long cold winter has caused serious budget concerns for the remainder of 2015. He hopes for a mild November and December.
The Board approved the purchase of a Kaufman trailer for $4,800 for transporting mowers and small equipment.
Shiland said work on the White Creek bridge is almost complete. All that is left is the paving and landscaping. Now that the weather has improved, he believes that will happen soon.
High Speed Internet Survey
On Monday residents began receiving a survey from Rensselaer County regarding high speed internet service. Supervisor Surdam pointed out that right now it appears this area has good high speed internet service and that is not the case. New York is undertaking a multimillion dollar program to improve internet service throughout the state and, he and Board members, could not stress enough the importance of completing and returning the survey to see if it is possible to get better service in this area. It ties in with the idea of bringing businesses into the area… businesses that rely on good internet service, which is one of the goals of Hoosick Rising. Councilpersons Bruce Patire and Jenn Hyde both expressed the importance of active involvement in Hoosick Rising and its goals for the entire community.
Councilman Dave Sutton encouraged the students attending the meeting to keep an eye on their friends, particularly at this time of year when celebration time rolls around. “Be careful,” he said. “If you see them under the influence, grab them, stop them, don’t let them drive. In one moment someone goes too far and we have a senseless fatality.”
Wysocki noted that his “Building Wild” project will air this Tuesday night.
Renovations to the Clerk’s office are almost complete. Painting is underway and Wysocki said Eagle Bridge Windows will give a free estimate on the cost of replacement windows.
Town Historian Phil Leonard had a display board put together by Charles Filkins on the 1898 flood in Hoosick Falls when the Wood’s Pond dam broke. At that time the basement to the Armory was completely flooded.
To date only one application for the job of Building Inspector/code Enforcement Officer has been received. The candidate will be interviewed.
There is still an opening on the Grievance Board, which convenes on the fourth Tuesday in May from 4 to 8 pm. Contact the Supervisor or any Board member to apply.
The Board passed a resolution continuing the appointment of Andy Beaty on the Zoning Board.
Supervisor Surdam commended Will Clifford, Reid Crobok and Gregg Pirie for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
During the public comment session realtor Rick Tinkham told the Board that there is a vacant house on Baby Lane, owned by a California bank, that has mountains of garbage around it that were only revealed after the snow was gone. He said the garbage has attracted rats. The Board agreed the situation will be looked into immediately to see what can be done. Another concern is a house near the school where the walls are falling in. Both situations will be investigated.[/private]