by Bea Peterson
At the regular meeting of the Hoosick Town Board on Monday, September 13, Town Supervisor Keith Cipperly reported that a mother and daughter saw people performing lewd acts while they were walking in Tibbits Forest. “This is a big problem,” said Cipperly. He said people should call Forest Ranger Joe Hess or the NYS Dispatch at 877-457-5680 to report such situations. There have been complaints that individuals can’t walk in the forest or fish in the brook because of the problem. The Board wondered what the State is doing about it.
Cahill Litigation
The Board adjourned the meeting and went into Executive Session to discuss litigation against John Cahill and his junk yard on Route 7. After a half hour the Board returned and approved a motion to drop all litigation against Cahill pending verification by Building Inspector Ed King that the natural barriers he is to install on the property are in place.
White Creek Bridge Back In The Plans
Supervisor Cipperly reported that he has been told the White Creek bridge is scheduled for replacement within the next year and a half to two years. He asked the Board to approve Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland, Bookkeeper Janet DeLuca and Board member Louis Schmigel to review the list of qualified contractors in preparation of the project. The Board approved.
Unhappy Taxpayer
A frustrated Carl Brennan with property at 115 River Rd. complained to the Board that his property was assessed too high. He purchased the property in October 2009 for $25,000. It needed considerable repair and was assessed at $127,000. He said he and Town Assessor Tony Rice had come to an agreement of reducing the assessment to $60,000. Unfortunately, he misunderstood that Rice wanted him to submit a letter to the Assessor’s office stating the changes and decrease. He did not send a letter and he did not attend Grievance day. Thus, the tax rate went unchanged. Since he has made $40,000 in improvements to the property, he is now facing a tax increase and has lost the opportunity of a lower tax rate. The Board responded by asking if he had a Building Permit for the work he was doing and they told him there was nothing they could do about the taxes. Brennan said he had made an offer on another property in Town and, as a result of this issue, he is going to withdraw that offer. He left the meeting saying he felt he was being ripped off and robbed. Councilman Bob Ryan commented, “there is a process and it has to be followed.”
Names For Veterans Wall Due November 11
Town Historian and Veterans Wall Co-chair Phil Leonard said he has been involved with four major fund raisers during his time in Hoosick Falls and the response to the Veterans Wall has been unbelievable. He said more than 170 individuals and organizations have made donations. “Three individuals have given $500 each and 80 to 90 people have contributed $100 each.” Since the latest fund drive began Memorial Day $24,200 has been raised. Leonard estimates they have 1200 names for the plaques, but he said, there really should be many more. The last day to submit names is November 11. He anticipates the committee will spend the winter verifying the submitted names.
As Historian, Leonard presented his latest display board with old photos of Main St. and John St. He said with the dated pictures you can learn a lot about the history of the Village. Some buildings no longer exist, others have had changes to them, from minor to major.
Councilman Schmigel reported he had looked at Wood Brook in the Hall St. area and said there is no quick fix for the situation there, but he sees a real big problem happening soon. “The problem is not going to go away,” he said.
Schmigel reported the motorcycle race held by the State Line Riders on Potter Hill was the biggest turnout they have ever had. The Club earned several thousand dollars on the event and their chicken barbecue sold out early.There were several races and classes for youngsters and adult events that included five professional riders. Plans are already under way for next year.
Schmigel said he had also received a letter from Hoosick Falls Public Works Superintendent Niel Stowell thanking the Town for their help in paving Home St.
Councilman Jeff Wysocki reported there was no Farmland Protection meeting this past month.
Councilman Bob Ryan reported the Ken Baker memorial plaque has been installed on the monument at the sports field and it looks great.
Cipperly thanked all the Pool and Camp personnel for a successful summer season. “They did a great job.”
He thanked Larry Bugbee and Kevin O’Malley for reviewing the new voting process with voting inspectors on September 25. He said a copy of the brochure describing the voting process is available on the Town’s website. He thanks web designer Bob Phelps for his help on that site and said many people have visited it.
Dispatch
Supervisor Cipperly said the Town has sent its annual contribution of $5,500 to the Village of Hoosick Falls for Dispatch services. “There is nothing we can do to take over Dispatch,” he said, noting that 50 percent of the Dispatch calls are Village Police calls. He said he had been asked to contribute his opinion regarding abolishing Dispatch hoping it would help the Village Board make the right decision.
Fire Department Budget Hearings
The hearings on the Town’s three fire departments will be held on October 19 in the Town Hall. West Hoosick will be heard at 6:30 pm, Buskirk at 7 and North Hoosick at 7:30.
New Dog Licensing Law
Town Attorney David Gruenberg told the Board he had reviewed Town laws already on the books regarding dogs and new regulations the state has in place because, starting January 1, 2011, the Town will handle all billing and collecting of dog licensing fees. The Board reviewed the recommendations with him regarding the ID tags, fees for spayed/neutered dogs and those that are not. Rates will remain the same, $5.50 for spayed, $13.50 for unspayed. Guide and service dogs will be exempt and the purebred fee will be eliminated. The impounding fee will be increased to $15 a day. Gruenberg will put the changes together and have them ready for the next Board meeting for review.
Reappointments
The Board reappointed Terri Barber to the Assessment Review Board and Ann Bornt to the Housing Authority Board until September 30, 2015.
Upcoming Events
The Farmers Market on Route 7 will continue on Fridays, from 3 to 6:30 pm until October 13.
The Corn Maze at Kettle Farms on Route 7 opened September 4 and will be open until November 7.
Pumpkinpalooza will be September 25, from 9 am to 9 pm
The Cow Plop and Car Show will be October 3.
October Meeting
The Hoosick Board will meeting at 6 pm on Tuesday, October 13 for a Budget Workshop. The regular Board meeting will begin at 7. The meeting will be on Tuesday in October because of the Columbus Day holiday on Monday.