New Stack Testing Date Set
By Doug La Rocque
The original testing of emissions from the stacks at Saint Gobain’s McCaffrey Street plant scheduled for January 21 had to be put off because of the shutdown of the federal government at that time. The new date is set for March 18 through March 22.
The EPA’s Office of Research and Development, along with New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation, has developed a new technology to handle the testing of air emissions. Its use in Hoosick Falls will be one of the first in the nation. The results of the testing are expected back a few months after the test date.
New Highway Garage
Mayor Robert Allen told the Village Trustees at the Board’s meeting on Tuesday, February 12 that all redesigns are complete, and all required documents are in place to move forward with plans for a new Highway Garage. The Board approved the advertisement of bids for the project, with special meetings set for Monday, February 25 for pre-bid work, and Monday, March 11 for bid openings. The bid includes a list of alternatives to ensure the new building costs remain within the total grant funds and not force any additional burden on the taxpayers.
Taking Down Unsafe Buildings
Mayor Allen said the Village is waiting for required variances from the NYS Department of Labor concerning asbestos abatement, before it can move ahead with the demolition of two unsafe structures, one being at 6 Spring Street, the other at 22 John Street. These variances are expected to be in hand within the next two weeks, and from there, Codes Enforcement Officer Mark Surdam can coordinate with the demolition and air monitoring companies and schedule the work, most likely in March or April.
Plans to Upgrade the
Walkway to Wood Park
Marianne Zwicklbauer of Civicure presented plans to upgrade the walkway from the Senior Complex to the park along with the nearby gardens. She said the organization is looking for some support from the Village. They asked for and were granted permission for Dave Sutton to repair a drainage problem that has caused a collapse at the bottom of the walkway. Mr. Sutton is volunteering his services. The Board also approved a request to have the Community Service Program assist with the rock garden project, and finally, asked if the Village Highway Department would put up new railing on the walkway, using pipe to mimic the one at the back of the park along the drive. The Board planned to discuss this.
Budget Warning
As was reported several weeks ago in The Eastwick Press, cuts in the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities Funding (AIM) contained in Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal, would cost the village over $30,000 in funding. Mayor Allen said if the cuts go through, it would limit any increase in spending in the coming fiscal year to no more than $22,000.
The Board also approved declaring itself SEQRA lead agency on the Hoosic River Greenway Northern Trailhead Improvement Project, approved a request from the St. Patrick’s Day committee for the use of Wood Park for the Saturday, March 16 parade, and also a request to use the park on Saturday, April 13 for the annual Glow in the Dark Walk for Autism.