By Doug La Rocque
To buy or not to buy? That is the question that faced the Hoosick Falls Board of Trustees at their Wednesday, November 9 meeting. The question involved a small strip of land adjacent to the Rogers Avenue site, which the Village might use in any replacement of the leaky tank. Hoosick Falls has twice been turned down in their efforts to obtain a New York State grant to pay for the work. The Board has received an appraisal on the parcel but by law would have to offer a fair market value for the land.
It was also said that if the Rogers Avenue site had to go offline for repairs or possible replacement, the other pump stations that are part of the water district could handle the load for a while.
The Water and Sewer Department also has another problem that deals with grease being poured down drains. Do not do it was their strong advice, as a recent sewer clog was found to have been caused by a long gooey string of grease in the pipeline.
Local Laws
Two public hearings were held on a pair of local law proposals. One restricts (basically prohibits) the discharge of firearms and crossbows with in the Village limits, with exceptions for law enforcement. That was approved. A second law authorizing the issuance of temporary permits for outside dining and sidewalk sales displays was tabled. Some Trustees wanted to see the inclusion of sanitary conditions, dealing with waste receptacles, and prohibiting the use of municipal garbage containers. If so amended, the law would have to be re-introduced and another public hearing held.
Computers and Tasers
The Village Police Department has a computer that is old, failing and obsolete. The Trustees agreed to the purchase of a replacement. They also said yes to a five-year agreement for the purchase of new tasers. Officers would be required to complete training on the new equipment before it could be put into use. Approved as well was the purchase of two department cell phones so officers would not have to use their private phones on duty. The phones would have to be signed in and out for each shift, and no private use would be allowed.
They Will Be Sorely Missed
Mayor Rob Allen announced that Highway Department Superintendent Niel Stowell will be retiring in January after 30 years of service. Also leaving is Village Attorney Andy Gilchrist, though he will stay on until his replacement can be found. Mayor Allen lamented the departures and thanked both for their dedication and service to the Village.
Election Time
The dust has not yet settled from the 2022 mid-term elections and the Village is talking about their next round of balloting. It is slated for March 21, with petitions available in January for filing between February 7 and 14. Two seats on the Board with two-year terms are open. A one-year seat held by Megan Walraed, and Mayor Allen’s two-year term will also be on the ballot.
Toys for Joy 2022
The Village will again sponsor the Toys for Joy campaign working with community members, churches, and local organizations to help those in the Village that can use some assistance this holiday season. The Toys for Joy box will be in the lobby of the Municipal Building from November 17 through December 10, for people to drop off new and unwrapped gifts. For questions, please contact Village Clerk Marie O’Neil at 518-686-7072, or clerk@hfvillage.org.
News and Notes
The purchase of a bike repair station, bike rack, and kiosk for the Hoosic River Greenway Trail at the Northern Trailhead was approved using money from the Greenway grant. The Trustees adopted a 504 Grievance Procedure to close out the Woods Brook update grant undertaken in conjunction with the Town of Hoosick. Roof repair at 114 Church Street was discussed. Building and Codes will contact Rensselaer County about the repairs as it is a County owned building. Trustees will contact the Federal Rail Authority (FRA) about trains blowing their whistle at every crossing in the middle of the night. Finally, the Village still needs one person to fill out the Planning and Zoning Boards of Appeal.