Town Goes Green
Board’s 1st Shatford Park Meeting!
by Michelle Van Horn
The Town Board has started to hold its meeting in the great outdoors at the Shatford Park pavilion. This provides the members with the opportunity to meet in person with public attendance, while still socially distancing. The meetings are also being live-streamed for those who do not want to attend in person.
New Lebanon is now officially Clean-Energy Certified as a Climate Smart Community, which has been in the works for about 3 years, back when Town Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling was still Town Clerk. Since New Lebanon signed on to become a Climate Smart Community back in February, its committee has held 3 meetings, has formed sub-committees, and is on its 4th action step, the latest being converting street lights to LED lighting. It has a new advisor – Marc Anthonisen, whose focus of study at Cornell University is Climate Smart Communities. In addition, Bruce Shenker reports that Columbia County’s Environmental Committee is looking toward the entirety of Columbia County becoming a Climate Smart Community. Mr. Shenker proposed that towns in Columbia County who are already participating as Climate Smart Communities write letters describing the benefits of being a Climate Smart Community to encourage other towns to join.
A motion was made to live-stream regular town board meetings for a maximum of 6 months, with up to 3 live streamings per month at a rate of $150 per month starting in August. Along with COVID purposes, convenience, inclusivity, and our society’s technological direction are driving the decision to provide this service to community members.
Shatford Park News
It has been requested by individual residents that the Town consider opening the playground and basketball court in the park to the public even though it has been strongly advised by Columbia County to maintain its closure until further notice. Council members considered the risks of residents becoming COVID-exposed or sick if they choose to open the park, and that the Town may be held liable. Supervisor Houghtling suggested getting advice from the town’s insurance company regarding whether the town is actually liable for the risk in question, and then following the advice of the insurance company. Council member Jesse Newton said the benefit of having a safe, outdoor space available for kids and families outweighs the current situation for lots of families, which is kids sitting next to one another playing video games and watching tv. A motion to play-at-your-own-risk at the basketball courts and playground pending the insurance company’s assurance that New Lebanon is not liable for illness incurred while at the park has been passed. To be clear: The park is still closed until further notice. The Eastwick Press will relay this information as soon as it becomes available.
Re-doing The Bathrooms
The bathroom renovations at Shatford Park are several months away, with many needed items/materials unavailable for at least 5-6 weeks. Since the park is still closed, it can be assumed that the bathrooms are too. Council members have agreed to extend the bathroom contract through September 9.
The free Skate Park’s August move date is quickly approaching and a spot needs to be chosen for its arrival. In order for its permanent position, a concrete slab will need to be poured, with possible costs up around $10K, which was cut out of the budget due to the pandemic crisis. Superintendent Houghtling is pushing for its permanent positioning rather than drumming up a temporary one, which means either laying it on the grass, or finding another spot and stowing it away in pieces for the season. Houghtling suggested that they find the money in the budget, especially since the skate park is coming to them free of charge. A surplus of funds may be available in other budget areas that could supply the funds for the concrete slab to be its permanent home. The Board agreed to her motion to move forward on putting bids out for engineer plans for the concrete slab by August 7 for possible August 11 board meeting approval.
Highway News
Several highway equipment items will go out to bid through Auctions International, including one 1999 International 2×4 Truck, one 1997 All-Wheel International, a Dodge 5500 4×4 Truck, and the 1988 Champion grader. Bids are due August 7 So the Board can take action on them at its August 11 meeting.
New Dog Officer Means New Dog Regulations
Two phone calls from different residents were received by Supervisor Houghtling about a great job and service new Dog Officer Maggie Banker is providing. One of the calls even came from the person with the problem dog, testifying to Maggie’s great understanding of what is entailed in her new position.
Ms. Banker is in need of a rabies vaccine as well as booster shots for dogs and cats, which will cost over $400 that insurance does not pay. A motion to pay the full cost of Banker’s Rabies vaccines was passed by the Board.
New regulations are being requested by Ms. Banker for 2nd and 3rd time offenders. By creating a fee imposed for loose dogs, Banker believes this may prevent further issues in the future. She proposes a small fee for returning loose dogs without having to take them to the kennel (which would be a bigger fee). This fee would increase with each incident. Also, she requests that pure-breeders (people who breed and sell pure-bred dogs) be licensed to do so in New Lebanon. The board has agreed to begin write-ups for the town’s attorney to look over, and a hearing will be set.
The next Town Board meeting will be Tuesday, August 11, 7 pm at Shatford Park.