Village Board Approves Fall Activities
By Jackolyn Houghton
The Village of Hoosick Falls held their regular board meeting on August 6th. First order of business was HAYC3 requesting several events for village board approval. They include: the Hullabaloo event for September 29th, the Trunk and Treat event for October 27th, the 69th annual Halloween Parade for October 30th. They were all approved. Community families can expect to see a wonderful display of activities throughout the Fall 2018 events in Hoosick Falls.
Updates from Mayor
Wood Brooks Buyout
Mayor Allen stated, “Attorney Andy Gilchrist and I have gone back and forth and have found new requirements that require new work.” A new agreement has been established and as long as all parties agree the village can begin the buyout. Mayor Allen added that this project is slowly progressing.
Highway Garage
Mayor Allen stated that the village board asked for bids for the August meeting, and Niel Stowell Village Highway Superintendent asked to have another week. There will be a special meeting to review bids on August 21st.
Technical Needs Assessment Report
Mayor Allen mentioned that the assessment program sent a draft report where the board has sent comments back and it will be presented at the September meeting.
People to be Heard
Kendle Baker approached the village board on the subject of the Immaculate Conception Church. He presented the board with one of several petitions that included over 200 signatures from concerned residents. He asked the village board to create a resolution that supports the efforts to save the church. Baker added, “I’m not Catholic, but I believe that the church is an important cultural cornerstone to our community and should not be demolished. Attorney Andy Gilchrist mentioned that if the board wanted to move forward on a resolution then they could work on it and have it for the next meeting. Mayor Allen addressed Baker saying we will look into it and have something for September’s meeting.
Water Report
Jim Hulbert reported that the Rensselaer Street pump station that is pressurized by air had a valve break. The valve needs to be replaced and the pump station needs updating. He went on to say that the water department has asked several times for the approval for fixing the pump station and it has not been approved. He also mentioned that there is no fire protection in that area at all. Mayor Allen spoke to the issue and stated that there was a grant that was accepted before he took office and that the construction company CFI had the lowest bid at $317,000, but with the grant of $350,000 and everything else that needed to come out, it would leave the village with $17,000 to fix the pump station. This would not be enough to cover what is needed. Mayor Allen stated, “ I suggest we start looking into addition funding to get the remaining money to get the pump station fixed if not this year, next year.”
Treasurer Report
Village Treasurer Denise McMahon submitted a report to the village which stated that they are barely into the first month and they still have not figured out what is need to recoup from last year’s flooding. The report asked that all department heads be accurate with their budget and for any purchases needed to please see Denise McMahon.
Police Report
Chief Ashe reported that the Hoosick Falls police have responded to 153 calls in July. He also mentions that there have been a total of 25 arrests that include mental health and domestic. There has also been a step-up in traffic control and in warrant arrests. Ashe’s report included an increase in sex offenders that live or have moved into the area. He stated that police officers have been assigned to them to monitor their activity to ensure they are obeying their guidelines.
Code Enforcement Report
Mark Surdam reported that he has busy with code violation follow-ups. He then asked for direction from the village board about the property at 51 Hoosick Street. He explained that the property is a clear health hazard, but requests made to the Department of Health to declare the property a health code violation have been unsuccessful. According to Surdam, “rats must be seen to make it a health violation.” Mayor Allen asked attorney Andy Gilchrist what the village’s options were. Gilchrist stated that the current state law says that once the bank foreclosure commences the bank has to maintain the property. He stated that he will look into the situation and then they can look to the bank.
Community Service Report
Jerry McCauliffe submitted a report to the Village Board stating that there have been 76 hours of community service logged for the month of July. Those hours included cleaning, police car detailing, power plant cleaning and weeding areas.
Village Clerk’s Report
Village Clerk Ann Bornt reported that July was busy. They were continuing to input April and June bills. Bornt also mentioned that the August water and sewer bills would be going out in two weeks. She stated that they have helped individuals at the window and individuals with handicap parking requests. Her last item mentioned included properties sold; they were mostly single family.
Village Highway Report
Village Highway Superintendent Niel Stowell reported that the village crew has been tasked with multiple things which included a truck replacement and closeout of the FIMA snowstorm of 2017. He also mentioned work on Snow Street and fixing the electrical panel in the bandstand. The crew also worked on Abbott Street paving and drainage issues on Church Street.
Village Sewer Report
Ken Holbrook, the Assistant Sewer Plant Operator mentioned in his report that he had been assisting the highway department with the water main break and pump issues. He also worked on the Abbott Street sewer line replacement.
Trustee Reports
Village Board Trustees reported on the committees they serve. Vanessa Lewis had nothing to report. Brian Bushner reported that he had “development stuff” explaining that there was money in the HUD Small Cities account. His concern is that they should use it, but will need to ask the state what they can use it on. Ben Patten spoke on the first meeting of the Eastern Rensselaer Solid Waste Management Authority (ERSWMA) stating that he is working closely with Matthew Curley who heads the whole process. He also mentioned that the 2019 solid waste calendar is a big deal where all of the hazardous waste dates are listed. They are thinking about a date for hazardous waste disposal in Castleton. Patten stated that people do not have to live in the Castleton area to utilize it. Anyone residing in Rensselaer County is eligible. He also mentioned that anyone interested in using it would need to preregister. Kevin O’Malley had nothing to report. Trustee Pine and Trustee Ryan were not in attendance.
Additional Mayor Updates
CDBG Grant
Next up was the CDBG grant which Mayor Allen mentioned was not related to the Woods Brook Buyout. He said that the village was ready to accept the grant and then decided the bid associated with it was not advertised enough so they put it back out to bid. When it came back the second time they still only received one bid. The village presented a resolution to accept the offer. The resolution passed.
Sewer Project
At the July regular meeting the decision was made to put the sewer project back out for rebid pending how long the previous bid was good for. Mayor Allen recapped the previous discussion by restating the bids and budgets that were presented then. He then gave three options, the village board could approve the amendment that just came in, they could approve the bid to go out without approving anything else or they could table it until new questions are answered. The village board discussed it further and decided to table a decision. They all agreed that Trustee Pine should review all of the new information presented.
New Business
Among new business discussed was a concern that landlords with multiple apartments who would seek to have their own dumpster, would still have to pay the refuse fee. Ann Bornt suggested that Trustee Patten bring the concern to the next ERSWMA meeting. Patten agreed.
Mayor Allen asks the village board to approve sending the Village Clerk to the Magistrate Conference which includes a $50 registration fee and travel costs of $579 for the village clerk and the town clerk. The town would split the cost with the village. It was approved.
There were three quotes requested for the Village’s security system. Two have come back. They are waiting on the third quote. The board tabled it until the August 21st special meeting. Also mentioned was the New York Alert System, which had an upgrade system option where users can receive alerts via text message. The village would be able to have the authority to send the alert for extreme emergencies. This would include three zones, the village, the water system residents and the waterways such as Woods Brook. Attorney Gilchrist states, “this will require the village to appoint a contact person and identify notifiers that they require training. The village will also have to create policies.” He also mentioned that the village would have to include village cost responsibilities. Gilchrist then stated that the village would need to have all policies in place and to check with the village’s insurance company before the system could be up and running.
Old Business
Mayor Allen approached the flood financial costs subject, stating that they come from a bond counsel. He confirmed that there were a series of resolutions adopted for financing associated with the costs incurred. He stated that there are three resolutions that need to published including an estoppel that needs to be published and adopted. Allen said the estoppel notice must be published for a short amount of time. He concluded that this is a redo on the last two bonds.
Mayor Allen asks Mark Surdam to speak on the engineering reports that came in regarding unsafe structures. Surdam stated that there are three unsafe structures that engineering reports confirmed need to be demolished. They are 5 Waldron Avenue, 6 Spring Street and 22 John Street. There will a public hearing with specific times designated at the special meeting on August 21 to allow property owners the chance to speak on behalf of their property.