Updating Assessment Values
by Doug La Rocque
Assessor Tony Rice told the Hoosick Town Council on Monday evening, January 10, it’s time to look at property values again, noting overall property values are up by about 10 percent. He is very quick to emphasize this is not a reassessment, simply an update to keep the Town’s equalization rate at 100 percent. This means homes are assessed at their true value, not a percentage of it.
Mr. Rice said during the last year, many homes in the Town are selling at $100,000 higher than their assessed value. He also indicated these updates should take place about every five to seven years, with Town Supervisor Mark Surdam noting that when it all shakes out, it has little impact on the actual amount of tax dollars paid by a property owner.
Once again in 2022, the State has ordered that real property tax exemptions in place in 2021 be extended through 2022. This means most exemptions will be automatic, and those receiving the exemptions need not make an appointment with the tax assessor. Mr. Rice says the only exceptions to the no visit policy apply to those seeking a significant exemption change or who have had a major assessment revision.
A New Community Forest
Jim Bonesteel of the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) spoke to the Council members by Zoom to announce plans for a new Community Forest encompassing 519 acres of land in the southwestern corner of the Town. The Community Forests lines would also creep over the borders a little into Pittstown and Grafton. Mr. Bonesteel said this would be a working managed forest with limited hunting allowed. The RPA is seeking a grant from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to open the forest in spring or summer of 2023. One of the requirements of this grant is to garner the support of the Town the forest is located in. The Council members approved such by motion. This support does not exempt the RPA from any required Town permits.
Naturae Is Headed to Court
The operators of the hemp processing facility on NYS Route 67 in North Hoosick have been served with yet another stop work order by Codes Enforcement Officer Lloyd Moses. Unlike the previous orders which the Town claims have been ignored, Town court is once again open, and a hearing on the order has been set for Thursday, January 27. If the Naturae facility is found to still be in violation, they face some stiff fines and other punitive actions.
The primary complaint by neighbors has been the odor the hemp processing produces.
No Luck This Time
The Town’s new Highway Superintendent Paul Hoag made his first report that evening. Of primary importance was the Cottrell Road Bridge, which is in need of considerable repairs. Hoosick had applied for funding under the Bridge NY program, which according to Governor Hochul recently handed out more than $216 million for projects around the State. Almost seems like the Capital Region isn’t part of the State, as only one project in the area was funded, and it wasn’t the Cottrell Road Bridge. Supervisor Surdam says they will continue to seek State monies. In the meantime the bridge remains open but is down to one lane for the foreseeable future.
Time to Hit the Ice
The Weir/Reynolds Skating Rink officially opened on January 8, the date delayed by uncooperative weather.
According to Supervisor Surdam, attendance has been good with 50 people signed up for the learn to skate program. The Council also approved the hiring of Toni Hanselman to aid with the skating sessions. Councilman Bill Hanselman abstained from voting for the obvious reason.
We Are Organized
Prior to their regular meeting, the Hoosick Town Council held their annual Organizational Meeting, passing total of 44 resolutions dealing with various appoints, financial issues and meeting schedules. Some of the highlights of the meeting were the reappointment of Councilman Eric Sheffer as Deputy Town Supervisor, Rae Philpott as Bookkeeper and Phil Leonard as Historian. Jonathan Schopf was reappointed Town Attorney and Nancy Quell of Animal Safe Home and Rehabilitation is the Dog Control Officer. Lloyd Moses continues as Building Inspector and Codes Enforcement Officer. Jim Hoag is still Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals with Ken Lorenz as Planning Board Chair. The Council will continue to meet on the second Monday of each month at 7 pm at the Hoosick Armory unless otherwise noticed.