by Bea Peterson
John Carnett, Managing Director of BounceLinx, a high speed wireless internet provider, addressed the Town of Hoosick Board at its meeting on Monday, May 11. [private]He said his company plans to invest a half million dollars in putting up six permanent towers and several repeater sites in
Hoosick to provide high speed service to 100 percent of the Town at reasonable rates. The Board held a special meeting on April 30 to discuss BounceLinx’s request for a tax abatement for three years on its towers to do this. Town attorney William Ryan said he has yet to find a basis for such a request and he will confer with BounceLinx’s attorney for further clarification. Taxes per year on each tower, depending on height, would be from $300 to $600 per tower. The Board did agree, however, to a letter stating that property owners would not see their taxes increased for having repeaters on their silos.
The Board is wholly supportive of BounceLinx’s plan to provide coverage to the Town.
BounceLinx will be at the HAYC3 Armory on Wednesday, May 20, from 5 to 8 pm to answer questions about its service.
Free Adult Water Aerobics And Yoga
Sonya Burge has volunteered to conduct free water aerobic and water yoga classes at the Town Pool on Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 7 pm. The program will be open to teens and adults. Town Supervisor Mark Surdam said, “this is great for the community.” The Board accepted Burge’s gracious offer. There will be no charge to attend the classes. Sonya has been giving a variety of weekly classes, including chair yoga, at the Senior Center for several years.
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger noted there will be no night swims this year for lack of interest in previous years.
Pool Slide
Supervisor Surdam said all the cement and piping is in place for a pool slide. His hope is that the slide would be a community fund raising effort as slides are priced from $15,000 to $30,000. To get things going, the Board accepted a donation of $300 from the St. Stanislaw Society toward that slide.
Lions Club members Judy and Everett Quackenbush have talked with Surdam and Councilman Dave Sutton about starting a “Brick Fundraiser” for the slide. Those donating toward the slide project would have their names on bricks somewhere near the pool. Discussion and implementation of that idea will continue.
Pool Pumps And Pipes
Supervisor Surdam said the pool pumps need replacing and some of the broken water lines must be repaired. Six pumps are needed at a cost of $600 each. Surdam noted this is not a part of the Pool Rehab Project, but it needs to be done now. It is, however, part of the grant funding received from NYS Parks and Recreation for the pump and bath houses. He added that Laberge has submitted all the information required to NYS Parks for final grant approval. Work on that project should begin in September.
Pool On Schedule
No work is being done at the Town Pool this week because a number of cracks had to be sealed and there is a seven day curing process for the sealant. Supervisor Surdam said the majority of the work has been completed. Next week Watson Co. will begin applying the Gunite to the pool surface. All the work is scheduled to be completed by June 1.
The Board approved pool usage dates for various classes at Hoosick Falls Central and Cambridge Central Schools and learn to swim classes for Schaghticoke, Valley Falls and Petersburgh.
Town Parks and Recreation Director Kaila Matatt reported that plans for the Town Summer Camp are underway. She noted that a Water Safety Instructor is still needed. The Board approved Thomas Peabody and Luis Weirbach as lifeguards and Victoria Hackett who must complete a lifeguard class. Appointed camp counselors were John Lancour, Rachel Green, Chelsea Pine, Elise North-Kirkman, Ayla Senecal and Tyler Lindsey.
Playground
Supervisor Surdam reported that Parkitects have completed the Playground Maintenance Audit and Safety Inspection. The Kiwanis and the Town are waiting for the report to set up a rehabilitation plan.
Surdam reported that HFCS teacher and coach Chris Fleming is going to run a basketball summer camp through the school this year.
Special Plate
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported she had received a Town of Hoosick 125th Anniversary plate from Evangeline Weller Brenenstuhl. The plate was of great value to Mrs. Brenenstuhl and she wanted to donate it to the Town. Stradinger turned the plate over to Town Historian Phil Leonard. Interestingly, Leonard exhibits a display board to the Town each month and this month the board was on plates and other Hoosick commemorative items. The plate was accepted with appreciation.
Supervisor Surdam reported that new LED lights have been installed on the Church Street bridge, thanks to Niel Stowell and the Village crew.
There was a discussion about hiring the firm of Roemer Wallens Gold & Mineaux LLP or using Town Attorney Bill Ryan of Tabner Ryan and Keniry, LLP to represent the Town in the upcoming Teamsters Union contract negotiations. The Board chose to have Ryan represent them.
The Board is looking into a new telephone system for the Town as the current system is not at all satisfactory.
There is an opening on the Town of Hoosick Housing Authority Board due to the recent resignation of Mark Folgert.
Councilman Bruce Patire commented on the recent passing of Tom Vassello. “For 18 years he was involved in Little League, Youth Baseball and traveling Baseball teams. He helped a lot of kids and he should be remembered,” said Patire.
Councilwoman Jenn Hyde reported she was impressed with the number of people who participated in the Village Cleanup Day. “It was a great turnout,” she said.[/private]