By Denise Wright
After the East Nassau Board of Trustees held their workshop meeting on November 9 to amend the Code Administration and Enforcement Law (Local Law #1 of 2022), the Board held their regular meeting where they discussed everything from public hearings and cookies to speed humps.
First, the Board approved a public hearing for the revised Local Law #1 for December 14 at 6:45 pm at the Hoags Volunteer Ambulance building. The Board had last revised the law in 2006. The State is now requiring that a new law be passed before the end of the year and will provide for the administration and enforcement of New York State’s Property Maintenance code and the Village’s Energy Construction Code.
The Highway Department was approved to purchase speed humps, signs, and accessories for approximately $5,000 from the Village’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for Hayes Road, which has been having safety issues with speeders. The goal is to have the humps installed for spring.
“Speed humps are modular and span 12 to 14 feet wide, or the entire width of a road if desired. Vehicles can pass over them with less of a jolt and can safely maintain speeds of 15–20 miles per hour” (reliance-foundary.com). Highway Superintendent Mike Dorr reported to the Board that a new dead end sign had been ordered for Bath Township Road and Mayor Acquario thanked Dorr for installing the new Village sign. The Code Enforcement Officer also wanted to remind residents to take advantage of the forms for complaints on the website, and that residents can submit them anonymously.
The Climate Smart Committee was happy to report that the Village has received a designation from The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as a Clean Energy Community, because of the four high-impact actions that the Village was able to complete. Because of this designation, a $5,000 grant will be available to the Village through an application process. The Committee’s potential ideas for the grant might be an EV charging station, LED lightbulbs, and tree planting. The Committee also plans on subsidizing another plant sale through the Soil and Water Conservation of Rensselaer County in early 2023.
Board members discussed potential ideas for further use of ARPA funds.