Board Approves Preliminary Budget for 2021
by Alex Brooks
At its October 14 meeting, The Hoosick Town Board approved its preliminary budget for 2021. Total spending in the budget is $2,395,737, which is about $169,000 less than last year. The Highway equipment budget was down by $110,000 from $280,000 to $170,000 because the Town bought a truck this year for $110,000 and next year that expense is gone. The plan for next year is to purchase a new wheel loader and flail mower. The debt service budget was down $76,380. There will be a savings of $46,380 because a final payment was made on a truck bond this year and no payment is needed on that bond next year, and there will be savings of $30,000 because this year a $130,000 payment finished paying off the bond on the first phase of the pool project and next year the first payment of $100,000 will be made on the new bond of $300,000 which financed the most recent phase of the pool project.
Salaries of full-time employees were raised by 2% which increased expenses by about $9,000. There was an increase of $5,300 in the ambulance contract, from $9,700 annually to $15,000 annually, at the request of the ambulance squad. There was an increase of $8,000 for the Building Inspector budget to be used for training a new applicant in anticipation of Fran Rogers’ retirement at the end of 2021. There is a $4,200 increase in funding for Youth Center programming, from $14,000 annually to $18,200 at the request of the Youth Center.
The equipment line in the buildings budget increased by $9,000 because the Town plans to buy a server this year for $9,000.
On the revenue side, a tax levy increase of about $23,000 is planned, which is an increase of 1.6%. The Town applied fund balance this year of $388,500 to offset taxes, and next year it plans to apply $221,500, which is $167,000 less.
A public hearing on the budget will be held on Thursday November 5 at 6 pm which can be viewed either by Facebook livestream or connecting by Zoom. Copies of the budget are available from the Town Clerk. Comments or questions may be submitted by e-mail to hoosicktownclerk@gmail.com.
Hawkers & Hucksters
The Board also passed a law regulating Hawkers, Hucksters, Peddlers and Solicitors selling things in public places in the Town of Hoosick. Such peddlers must get a license from the Town, which costs $50 for a year. The law does not apply to merchants who have a physical location in the Town, farmers or truck gardeners, political, religious, educational, or charitable organizations, and several other exempted entities. A $250 fine is provided for peddlers who fail to get a license.
Skating Rink
The Board appointed Isaac Humphrey as Assistant Skating Rink Manager, and Sydney Stowell and Ben Kapron as Rink Staff. The board is looking for an Ice Manager to make and maintain the ice for the upcoming season.
There was a brief discussion about the Spectrum Franchise agreement which is coming up for renewal, but no action was taken. Supervisor Mark Surdam noted that the Town does not get much of a fee from the franchise agreement, and the Town really has a larger interest in getting cable providers to serve areas of Town that do not have service. He wondered if that might more effectively be accomplished by not signing a franchise agreement and allowing competition instead.
Railroad Bed Problem
Jerry McAuliffe reported that a State inspector had examined the area where the railroad bed had been compromised by the July 2017 rainstorm and flood, and has written a report about it, but he has not seen it yet. He said the County is FOILing it, and will share it with him once it is delivered.
The Town is seeking applicants for a member of the Assessment Review Board, a part-time Code Enforcement Officer, and a Planning Board Attorney.