Re-Energizing The Festival Of Trees
by Doug La Rocque
The calendar says it is still officially summer, but the topic of discussion at the Hoosick Falls Village Board meeting on Tuesday night, September 8, centered around Christmas, or more specifically, the Festival of Trees. Marianne Zwicklbauer spoke for the Hoosick Rising organization, and had a number of questions for the trustees. One, should the trees only be placed in the historic district, not on side streets where they might not be seen, and who should make that decision. Not the Village Board said Trustee Craig Pine, just too much liability all around.
Ms. Zwicklbauer has spoken about the amount of physical work that faces them each year, often with less and less volunteers. The work entails in part, setting the heavy barrels the trees are placed in around town, and she wondered if perhaps the Village Department of Public Works could help by placing the barrels for them a few days before the trees arrive. Said Trustee Pine, I support that idea, as did the rest of the board.
Other problems pointed out included some businesses who want trees out front, not decorating them on time, and then throwing away the expense light strings used on trees that are not by a light pole with a plug in. The solutions to these questions will attempt to be hammered out with the formation of a committee that includes Mayor Rob Allen and two other board members, as well as those from Hoosick Rising. After all, said Ms. Zwicklbauer, the small businesses in the village depend on their December income to get them through the winter months, and a great looking Festival of Trees helps bring in people and put them in a spending mood.
Working On The Parking Problems
People who misuse the village parking lots have been an expressed concern for many months and the board has been discussing legal remedies with Village Attorney Andy Gilchrist for just about as long. Mr. Gilchrist has drafted a local law that says in part, only registered vehicles will be allowed. The question of what is a vehicle however, still needs some clarification. Mayor Allen says they are hopeful of making all the needed changes, and introducing it at the October meeting.
It’s Not A Game Of Chicken
It is however, a first draft of the promised Chicken Law, that governs under what circumstances village residents may keep chickens. There has been a committee working on this with attorney Gilchrist, and it is patterned after laws currently in place in other municipalities. Mayor Allen says this law too will most likely be introduced next month, with a public hearing to be set for November.
Costly Upgrades
The board has approved a resolution that allows the expenditure of $1.5 million for state ordered upgrades to the disinfection system at the village’s Waste Water Treatment Plant. One million of this is covered by a state grant, and the resolution authorizes the issuance of a bond for the remaining $500,000. The village is also applying for another grant that would reduce the village’s share of the expenditure by another $125,000. This is subject to a permissive referendum.
Departmental Reports
The total calls for the Village Police Department for August numbered 128, same as July. Those who defaced the River Street bridge were caught, because of the DPW cameras in the area. Comments that members of the department have put up on Facebook have drawn some complaints and raised questions as to if they can legally be taken down by the village. Regulations as to who can post or comment on the site are to be discussed.
Codes Enforcement Officer Mark Surdam talked about his request to the village to look at taking action on three properties, at 48 Classic Street (foundation wall collapsing and unsafe sidewalk), 82 Elm Street (partially collapsed barn) and 1 Center Street. Some of the hangups include missing owners and bankruptcy proceedings.
Other Meeting Notes
Village elections will be held on Tuesday, September 15, from noon to 9 pm at the Municipal Building. Trustee Craig Pine and Vanessa Lewis are seeking re-election. Trustee Ben Patton is retiring (for the second time, the March meeting was to have been his last, then Governor Cuomo postponed the elections for six months). Deb Alter is the only other person on the ballot, and will assume his seat.
The Village Planning Board is still looking for one member.
A discussion regarding price changes for household garbage and adding costs for recycling brought to the village Transfer Station was tabled once again, though Mayor Allen said they need to start looking at this in earnest.
A motion to bring Officer Cory Wagner back onto the police force in a part time role was approved. A motion to promote Officer Matt Waldron from part time to full time, needed discussion in executive session.
The trustees also approved a resolution to extend their agreement with the Eastern Rensselaer County Solid Waste Management Authority until May 1, 2021.
The meeting was again held at the Highway Department Garage, to allow for social distancing.