by Bea Peterson
A Public Hearing was held before the regular Town of Hoosick Board meeting on Monday, June 11. No one attended the hearing to comment on the proposed changes to the Town’s Land Use Law. During the meeting that followed, Local Law No. 1 of 2012 amended Local Law No. 2 of 2009 in relation to permitted uses in light/industrial commercial zones, minimum setbacks, maximum building height limit, non-conforming uses, special permits and definition.
[private]Section 4.1 regarding Area and Bulk Regulations was modified to state “all minimum frontal setbacks will be 50 feet from the nearest edge of the road regardless of the highway they abut.” Light Industrial Commercial will remain the same.
Also in Section 4.1 District Schedule of Area and Bulk Regulations Maximum Building Height is deleted and a new section 4.1.a is:
“Maximum Building Height: the maximum height of a structure can only be as great as the number of feet of setback from the next closest building.”
Section 4.3.1 is amended to add commercial wind turbines and ham radio towers.
Section 5.1.4 is deleted
Section 7.3 is modified as follows: “In considering and acting on Special Permits, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall consider the public health, safety and welfare of the public in general and the residents of the proposed development. The Zoning Board of Appeals may prescribe such appropriate conditions and safeguards as may be required to fulfill the standards.
The entire document is available for review in the Town Clerk’s office Monday through Friday.
Pool Problems
For at least the last two years Town Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland has brought to the attention of the Board the problems regarding the Town pool. Councilman Louis Schmigel looked into the issue but could get no concrete information unless the repairs were sent out for bid. Councilman Bruce Patire, accompanied by representatives of the Laberge Group, looked over the pool before it was filled recently. Patire said the Town crew has done an excellent job of repairing the pool liner, again. But even a new liner, at considerable cost, will no longer get the job done. The walls behind the liner are crumbling and need to be rebuilt. Patire said the first comment was that the pool is huge. Estimated cost to redo the pool in the same configuration is $1.3 million. “We can’t afford that,” said Patire. “But we can’t afford not to have something for the kids.” He added that the first step is to get through this summer with the pool the way it is. The Board asked Town Historian Phil Leonard for any information he still had on the pool installation as no out of state company wants to take on the project. Patire also noted that a new pool will have to meet an entirely new set of health rules and regulations. The pool opened on July 8, 1967 after a year long successful fund drive. The final cost was $67,000 for the pool and bath house. After the meeting Leonard lamented that had he foreseen the future cost, he never would have started the project.
The pool is a fantastic community asset, and it is utilized by many surrounding communities. At the meeting the Board approved the use of the pool from 7:15 to 8:15 am Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the Bennington Recreation Swim Team while their pool is being repaired.
The Board approved paying the Laberge Group $5,500 for collecting further information and assessing the overall pool situation.
In that vein, Supervisor Keith Cipperly requested that the Board approve the Laberge Group looking at the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and making suggestions how to change the Plan if changes are made to the Land Use map. The Board approved the request for ten hours at $135 an hour.
Green Heights
Supervisor Cipperly reported that he and Hoosick Falls Mayor Matt Monahan had been to the NYS Department of Health to discuss the Green Heights development water system. They have been advised that a water district should be established. Issues still to be resolved include who will bill the residents, who will be responsible for the water lines, what the rates will be and how long a contract should be. They will continue to resolve the issue.
In a related matter, the Board agreed a representative should sit down with the developer of land above Green Heights to see about installing well and septic systems should houses be built in that area. Councilman Louis Schmigel said that years ago it was suggested a pump station should be set up in that area as water pressure is extremely low. “Then it would have cost between $65,000 to $85,000,” he said. Now it will cost in the high $100,000s, perhaps as much as $500,000.
Cambridge Rescue
Effective June 14 the Cambridge Volunteer Rescue Squad will provide backup life support to Buskirk, North Hoosick and Hoosick Falls. They will have Rensselaer County 800 radios and be in the Dispatch Sequence for response to 911 calls.
Hoosac School
The Board approved a resolution requesting that County Route 103, Pine Valley Road, in the area of the Hoosac School, have a crosswalk and a reduced speed limit of 20 miles per hour. The resolution will be sent to the County for approval.
Schmigel commended HFCS for the fine athletes the area produces and the success of the teams and for doing well scholastically.
Schmigel reported that he and Patire, with help from Delurey’s, have been looking over the Town’s highway equipment to get an idea of what, if anything, needs to be replaced and approximately when. Then, he said, a Capital Fund can be established to replace that equipment. He said the study ties in with the recent State audit that suggested the Board maintain better oversight of Town expenditures.
Patire said he had spoken with the Rensselaer County Attorney, Stephen A. Pechenik, about the “jungle” growing around the former WCW building on Mechanic Street. He said Pechenik told him the County has finally received the deed for the property. In a conversation with attorney Pechenik on Wednesday, the attorney said the mowing would be taken care of shortly. He added that though the County has received the deed, the County Legislature must still authorize acceptance of that deed. Once the property officially belongs to the County, then it can be put up for sale.
Councilman Jeff Wysocki reported that, hopefully, the final recommendations for the Farmland Protection Plan will be completed within the week. And again, he hopes, the Plan can be approved next month.
In other business:
• Town Clerk Sue Stradinger reported she took in $1,906 in sports licenses, issued four building permits, dog licenses, etc. for a total of $4,615.17. She remitted $2,699.54 to the Town Supervisor.
• The Rensselaer County Board of Elections will hold one more primary election this year. This federal primary will be held in the Armory on Tuesday, June 26, from noon to 9 pm.
• Town Assessor Tony Rice said the final tax roll is set for the County and will be available to residents on July 1.
• The Highway Department reported the pool is up and running, road work is being done and surveyors have been out to look over the White Creek bridge and water flow studies are underway as well.
• Building Inspector Charlie Kovage said he approved five building permits, reviewed five building sites, responded to four complaints and one fire call. He also attended another Building Inspector training session.
Events
Baseball Camp begins July 5
Hoosic River Paddle, July 14, 9 am AUG 25?????
The HooRWA bike ride through the Town and Village will be on Saturday, August 20.
The next Board meeting will be Monday, July 9, at 7 pm.[/private]