by Bea Peterson
Revaluation Discussed
Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam brought up the subject of a Town and Village property revaluation at the Town Board meeting on Monday, July 13. Surdam said the idea had been discussed at the last Hoosick Rising meeting and it is something that should be seriously considered. He pointed out that it has been 35 years since one has been done in the Town and 50 years since one has been done in the Village. [private]Town Assessor Tony Rice estimates the cost to be between $250,000 and $275,000. A Town and Village 100% full valuation would mean one role (Town and Village) and one grievance day. Right now, said Rice, in many cases, there is a big difference in the Town valuation and the Village valuation of the same property. This would be eliminated. Rice added that about one third of the valuations would go down, another third would go up, while a third would remain the same. All the Council members agreed this was necessary. Town Attorney William Ryan, Jr. said the Town is currently at a disadvantage when it comes to the State equalization rate. Bruce Patire added that it’s an issue of fairness, and that it is going to cost more every year the revaluation is put off. All were in agreement that it will not bring more money into the Town coffers; it will simply balance how that money is received from taxpayers.
Surdam said that the process will not begin this year. It will be a three year project. Next year an RFP will be sent out and the amount will be set aside in the 2017 budget. Early in 2018 the next phase will begin, with the project and funding concluding in 2019. “If we decide to update the revaluation every 10 years,” he said, “then it has to become part of the budget.” There will be considerably more discussion on this project before any final decision is made.
Woods Brook
The Town and the Village have been working with Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C. on a combined grant to resolve the Woods Brook problems. Though it is a combined grant, the Town and Village will hold separate Public Hearings on the issue. The Town will hold its Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 21, in the Armory at 6 pm. The Village Board will held its Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 14.
Combined Meeting
On July 28 at 6:30 pm there will be a combined meeting of the Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board to establish a line of communication between the three Boards to ensure procedures are in place to deal with high speed board band becoming available in the Town and an increase in solar requests Townwide.
The Board approved the use of the Town Park for the St. Mary’s Academy Cow Plop on Saturday, October 10 for preparation and Sunday, October 11, for the event from 8 am to 4 pm.
The Board also approved the use of the Park for a Hoosick Falls Health Center Foundation event on Saturday, October 17.
Assessor Tony Rice said the final tax role is available in his office and on the Town website.
A request from Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland to work with Peckham Industries for reclamation on Young Road at a cost of $12,096, 2.5 inch cold mix base on Young Rd., Lee Lane and Kim Court at a cost of $34,429, and chip seal Young Road, Lee Lane and Kim Court for $14,362. Total cost is $60,887. The Board was unclear if this project was covered by CHIPs funds or how it would be paid and the Board will hold a special meeting to vote on it once they have clarification. Shiland was on vacation and was not at the meeting.
Pool And Summer Camp
Kaila Matatt reported that 20 to 30 people are attending the yoga and aerobic evening swim sessions. Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported that summer camp applications are increasing and she expects they will reach 2013 levels. She and Supervisor Surdam credit the increase to the great summer camp programs offered by Matatt and her staff.
Surdam read a letter from HFCS elementary teacher Anne McEvoy commending the Town for the fine job done on the pool and the great staff there that helped make the school’s field trip a wonderful experience.
The Board approved the engineer’s completion statement and the final change order on the pool. Cost was $664,466.25 and escrow monies held by the Town were released.
LaBerge has submitted all the information required to NYS Parks and Recreation for the funding for the mechanical room/pump house and the bath house. The Town is waiting for approval for the funds.
Playground
Surdam said the Hoosick Falls Kiwanis Club is in the process of finalizing the Playground project and setting up a priority list. The Club expects to be working on the playground in sections. Once the list has been established, then the Board will hold a special meeting to authorize ordering the equipment.
In other business:
• the Board will run an ad again looking for a part time Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer,
• the Board has an opening for a volunteer to serve on the Town of Hoosick Housing Authority Board,
• Building Inspector Ed King has been in touch with the bank that owns the Baby Lane property and the bank has agreed to clean up the property, and
• the Town’s new phone system should be active in the next few days.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence in memory of Don Morin. [/private]