Town of Hoosick Board Adopts
2016 Preliminary Budget As Final
by Deb Alter
At the November 9 Board Meeting, the Town Board passed Local Law Number 1 of 2015, the tax-cap override, and then unanimously voted to adopt the Preliminary 2016 Budget as the Final Budget. [private]The budget for 2016 calls for a 5.939% increase over the 2015 budget. The increase takes into account paying for the new pool, the purchase of two trucks, and the first of three yearly installments to help pay for the planned revaluation project (which will be supplemented by monies from the fund balance), the three things that are adding the most to the Town’s expenditures. Even without these few big-ticket items, the budget would have to go over the tax cap, which is only 0.73%.
The Board also looked to future needs of the community in its planning. Councilman Bruce Patire said that he felt that this budget is necessary at this time. “Nobody wants a tax increase. I have a house, my kids have homes here, but it’s the right thing to do.” Councilman Dave Sutton added, “The budget resets the platform, it sets things right. The revaluation must be done. It is long overdue.”
Before the regular Town Meeting at 7 pm, there was a Public Hearing at 6 pm concerning Local Law Number 2 of 2015, the Town of Hoosick Emergency Management Law, which would replace Local Law Number 6 of 1999. No citizens came to it. During the regular meeting, the Board voted to accept the new Emergency Management Law of 2015 of the Town of Hoosick. The law updates emergency plans and outlines procedures and responsibilities in case of a disaster or emergency situation. The Fire Departments, Rescue Squad and others were consulted in the formation of the plan.
The Town has been working with the NY State Department of Health to test private wells for PFOAs in the area near the Village water supply. The State is willing to do additional voluntary private well testing in the same area and expanding south on Route 22. Businesses and homeowners will be contacted to find out if they would like to participate.
As was discovered during the State grant funding process, some boundary line adjustments are needed. Apparently some town fences are not on the property lines. There was discussion about whether the Town will be gaining or losing property. Supervisor Mark Surdam explained that the surveyors will identify the correct boundaries and the Town Attorney will rewrite the deeds to reflect the corrected borders. The Town does not plan to move any fences.
The Philpott Farm Conservation Easement Project, which has been in the works for several years and for which the Agricultural Stewardship Association serves as Project Manager, has now been officially authorized. The Board passed a motion to allow Supervisor Surdam to sign the Memorandum of Agreement that was inadvertently left unsigned back in 2009.
The Board voted to deny the Gnostic Church in North Hoosick’s request to forgive $11,480 in back taxes. All non-profits, including churches, need to apply for tax-exempt status by March first each year. Assessor Rice sends out a notice every year. The Gnostic Church did not file the necessary forms, and the Board felt that it would be opening “a can of worms” to make an exception to the process.
The Castle Playground project continues to move forward. The Board is looking at ways to trim costs in order to stay within what was budgeted. There will be further discussion at the December meeting.
Recreation Report
The Town of Hoosick Learn to Skate Program was officially established. It was determined that the costs for lessons and rink rentals should cover the program costs. Skating Lessons will be $50 for eight lessons for residents, $60 for non-residents. Open Ice Hockey will be $5 per person for two hours. “Free Skating” times sponsored by other groups will cost $60 per hour. Monday evenings will be free skating nights.
Town Historian
Phil Leonard noted that Mrs Mary Miller, a life-long Hoosick resident, had just celebrated her 99th birthday. He then presented a new board depicting Hoosick “Urban Renewal” with pictures of buildings that have been demolished and what’s there now. He also showed pictures of a 2005 “Victorian Stroll” in Wood Park with people all dressed up in period garb. The newest collection of stories in the Historical Society’s “Hoosick Tales” series has been published. They are available for purchase at the Louis Miller Museum and at Thorpe’s.
Highway Department
Plows are being readied for winter. The department used only $77,000 of its allotted $128,000 in CHIPS money from the state. Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland confirmed with the State that the leftover amount will be rolled over to 2016 without any penalties.
Solar Farms
During the Public Comments period, Dennis Casey and Jeff Delurey brought up the solar farm issue, asking that the Board reconsider the moratorium on solar farm approvals. Neither had been at the Public Hearing on the subject in August, but both were concerned that a large solar farm had been approved at the last Zoning Board meeting and that these kinds of installations could ruin Hoosick’s beautiful rural landscape. They were also concerned that the energy they produce will not necessarily benefit Hoosick. Some installations, like the one on the landfill were good, they said, because you can’t see them and the Village gets the energy. Supervisor Surdam invited Delurey to be on the Solar Farm Committee that had been established to study the issue, and he accepted.
Other Business
• The Board is looking for a new provider for Workers Compensation Insurance, as the current provider will stop its coverage as of January 1, 2016. There will be a recommendation at the December meeting.
• The Town Health Care provider will change to MVP starting December 1.
• Fran Rodgers was approved as Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector-in-Training for the month of December. To get “the lay of the land,” he will work with Ed King, who is retiring at the end of the year. Rodgers will be officially appointed to the position of Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector beginning January 1, 2016.
• The standard work day was established for additional positions for the purpose of reporting to the NYS Retirement System.
• There is still an opening on the Zoning Board. Anyone interested should contact the Town Supervisor.
The next Town Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 7.[/private]