Board Has Long Discussion On COVID-19
By Doug La Rocque
The worldwide pandemic has reached into nearly every village, town and city in the United States, and Hoosick Falls is no exception. The actual number of infections in the rural parts of Rensselaer County are relatively small, but many village board members expressed their feeling at the Tuesday, May 12 meeting, that will eventually change, and are preparing to see if some re-opening of the state’s business, dining and entertainment sectors, could cause a spike in the number of infections.
Also of concern are reports of many people gathering without proper social distancing and often without masks. Talk, of course, turned to what can be done, and in particular, when such gatherings are on private property. Police Chief Bob Ashe says if his officers witness it, or get calls about one they investigate, but try not to get too aggressive and simply remind them of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order forbidding such gatherings. So far, they have not had any real problems with this approach.
Memorial Day Parade
The annual event is sponsored by the American Legion, with support from the village. Given the Governor’s order prohibiting social or congregate gatherings, the village feels very uncomfortable offering that support this year, even to the extent of simply having small memorial ceremonies. It was also pointed out that many groups who would normally take part in the parade have withdrawn. The final decision apparently rests with the American Legion, but if any parade were to take place, it would be without the permission of the village.
Landfill Remediation Planning
Under the consent order signed with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the village has to begin developing a remediation plan to deal with the PFOA and PFOS contamination of the village landfill. Its environmental attorney, David Engel, briefed the board on a resolution to hire Sterling Environmental Engineering, to watch over the engineering plans submitted by the Honeywell Corporation, to layout the groundwork for the remediation process. The cost is pegged at just under $10,000, however, Attorney Engel said The Hartford Insurance Company has agreed to pick up the tab. Sterling has agreed to bill The Hartford directly.
You Will Be Towed
The issue of unregistered vehicles being left for days at a time in village parking lots, particularly the one adjacent to the Tri-State Area Federal Credit Union, was first brought before the board last fall by TSAFCU President Jim Martinez. Chief Bob Ashe says they have repeatedly talked to the primary offender with little success. Chief Ashe wondered what kind of legal action might be supported, again calling for signage to be posted prohibiting such use.
Village Attorney Andy Gilchrist noted if the vehicles in question are indeed not properly registered, they can be towed. Chief Ashe however, expressed a concern that once towed, the vehicles become the responsibility of the village, who may get stuck with all associated costs if the owner does not claim said vehicle or pay the fine. Court action against the individual would also be on hold, since courts in New York State have been ordered closed under the Governor’s Executive Order.
Chief Ashe said he would again speak to the alleged offender, to which Mayor Rob Allen said if he has not removed the vehicle by Thursday, tow it.
Greenway Issues
While discussing three proposed change orders involving contractors hired for work on the Sewer Improvement Project, there were comments from Trustee Kevin O’Malley and Deputy Mayor Bob Ryan, that the disturbance to some parts of the Greenway, which the contractor, J-Squared Construction, promised would be returned to their original condition, still have not been. That, and some other issues the village wants to further look into, caused two of these change orders involving J-Squared, to be tabled. The other order, involving Luizzi Brothers Contracting was approved.
While the Greenway may not be going to the dogs, some village board members say they have heard concerns about unleashed dogs. Codes Enforcement Officer Mark Surdam said the rule is dogs must be leashed or under their owners control. It is the last part of that rule that apparently is causing some concern by walkers, as to whether or not the dog is truly controlled.
Deputy Mayor Ryan is concerned the Greenway is going to pot. Marijuana that is. He says there have been reports of groups gathering to smoke marijuana, which he says are mostly teenage girls. Chief Ashe said he would assign more patrols to the area, including foot patrols.
Other issues
There were a number of other items discussed at the meeting, again held virtually using a zoom platform. One was garbage, often spilling out of the few trash containers available in the downtown area. Trustee O’Malley said he has looked into the cost of purchasing ten more of the long term receptacles and found the price tag to be about $3,000. He wondered if some sort of grant might be able to help defray the cost.
A discussion regarding price changes for household garbage and recycling at the transfer station was again tabled, as was a motion to approve a professional services agreement with Delaware Engineering for the Waste Water Treatment Effluent Disinfection Project. The village was awarded a one million WIIA grant in December of last year, but it requires a $250,000 match on the part of the village. Other associated cost could mean Hoosick Falls might have to bond upwards of $500,000. Attorney Gilchrist also spoke of some undisclosed concerns that further led to the decision to table the motion until the June meeting.
The Board did approve a resolution to amend the bond resolution concerning the construction of the new Highway Garage, extending the maximum maturity of the bonds beyond five years. The Mayor noting the original language should have stated it was a 15-year payback period, not five.
It was announced the street sweeping project has been completed, as has paving on Lyman Street, lower John Street, Superior and Water Streets.
Most of the new phone system, network and village server work is complete, but there are still some concerns, particularly with the server.
The board agreed to hire two new part time police officers to replace two that are leaving or reducing their hours, and said yes to hiring former trustee Brian Bushner to work as a part-time records management clerk.
It was also noted that village elections have again been postponed by New York State, now scheduled for September 15. That means Trustee Ben Patten, who is not seeking re-election, remains a member of the board until that date. It also means he continues in his role as the one called upon each meeting for the motion to adjourn. A task he again handled with ease.