Cops, Copiers and All Things Water Related
by Doug La Rocque
Mayor Rob Allen announced up front at the Tuesday, January 11 Village Board meeting that there has been a change in the Officer in Charge position for the Village Police Department. As of that evening, Officer Paul Aleksonis will assume the department’s top spot during the suspension of Chief Robert Ashe. He replaces Officer Bernie Davock, who was appointed to the position on December 16. Officer Davock will assume the position of 2nd in command.
According to the Mayor, Officer Aleksonis has been with the Police Department since 1995 and has been Officer in Charge many times in the past when the Chief was on vacation. He is also available to work several shifts per week.
Chief Ashe’s son Justin also attended the meeting and during public comment read a letter expressing his displeasure with Mayor Allen and some other members of the Police Department and called for the Mayor’s resignation. The report on that development is on the front page of this week’s paper.
Time to Pull the Plug
According to the Mayor, the copier situation in the Village Office is “dire.” Their main copy machine ceased to operate about a month ago and was determined to be “unfixable.” The backup machine is barely holding on, with several toner issues. The smaller Sharp copier still works, but it too has problems. The solution proposed by Mayor Allen: pull the plug on these relics and buy a new one. The Village obtained a number of quotes and the Trustees decided to purchase a new photocopier from Repeat Business for $4,497.
No Takers
The landscaping work needed at the Hoosick River Greenway North Trailhead was the subject of a previous bid which failed to garner any responses. The consulting firm of Barton & Loguidice has now put forth a revised and simpler bid, which the Board voted to issue, with bids due in the Village Office by February 1.
Woods Brook
Mayor Allen reported several of the locations involved in the Woods Brook Buyout Program have been demolished, with two more at 5 Hall Street and 27 Elm Street slated to come down (weather permitting) in the near future.
Help With the Water Bill
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance recently announced a Low Income Household Water Assistance Program that deals not only with a person’s water bill but any wastewater charges as well. It is done by contracting with water providers for a lower rate. The Trustees voted to authorize the Mayor to submit the agreement.
Speaking of Water Bills
When water bills go unpaid, the Village at the end of their fiscal year in June sends these bill to Rensselaer County to be relevied on the County tax bill. In the meantime, like with property taxes, the County sends the Village the amount due, while they wait to collect. In June of 2021, this was not allowed via an executive order from former Governor Andrew Cuomo. While the prohibition has been lifted for 2022, the Village is still short money in its Water Department budget. The answer is the issuance of a Revenue Anticipation Note at an interest rate of eight percent. The note will total $163,684 and is paid back when the County makes the Village whole.
The last issue discussed that evening concerning water is the scheduled change out of the GAC Filter (used to filter out PFOA from the drinking water), which is expected to begin on January 18.
Other Notes
A long list of rules for the proposed dog park was discussed. Some clarity is still needed such as who enforces the rules and who to call if there is a problem. The Trustees decided they did not want to seem too ruff and placed the matter on their February agenda for more discussion.
The Mayor was authorized to sign an agreement with Spectrum for the installation of internet services at 13 Waterworks Road.
The yearly Village elections are scheduled for Tuesday, March 15. Petitions for the upcoming election need to be received in the Village Office by 3:30 pm on Thursday, February 3. Open seats include three 2-year Trustee seats, a single 1-year Trustee seat and a 4-year Village Justice position.
The Board expects to receive more clarity on the use of their American Rescue Plan Act monies very shortly and discussed holding a public session for feedback on its allowable use. Instead, they decided to discuss the matter more at their February meeting, when hopefully the complete instructions on how they can spend the money will be in hand.