by Bea Peterson
At the Town Board meeting on Monday, February 11, Councilman Mark Surdam said there were some things he wanted to get off his chest. Surdam said he understands why the Highway Department wants a Union. “I may not agree with it, but I understand it,” he said. [private]”Town employees should be commended. When Leo (McGuire) retired we tried to write a job description of what he did, and we found he did enough for two plus people. The Highway crew stepped up and diversified. They took on the responsibility for maintenance and repairs and the running of the pool and the skating rink. It was a win/win situation for everybody. Our guys also take care of our [highway] equipment, saving the Town a lot of money.” Surdam continued, people in Town are really not aware of the situation and should remember Town employees are local people. They have reached out to me, he said, never face to face. “This may be an opportunity for a cooling off period, an opportunity to talk outside the negotiations,” he continued. “It’s all stupid. The interest in a union was made because the Highway Department came to the Board regarding changes to their health care program made without their approval and without a Board vote. The Town didn’t respond as quickly as it should have. They [the Highway Dept.] spoke their piece and felt their rights were violated. It was a knee-jerk reaction.”
Town Supervisor Keith Cipperly pointed out that the Board is not allowed to talk with the Highway employees. The newly appointed Town Attorney, Joanne Monagan, said if this is what the employees want, they must let their attorney know and then the attorney will talk to the Town’s labor attorney. “Let’s try to stop it,” said Surdam. “Let’s avoid this.” Cipperly said the conversation would continue in Executive Session.
But Surdam continued, saying that there was an article in one of the newspapers after the last Board meeting about the $4,000 transferred to union negotiations in December, added to the $5,000 in January and the $5,000 transferred last fall at the start of negotiations. “It’s now at $14,000, and there is no end in sight,” he said. He commented that he was handed a communication tonight and it was the first time he had seen it. He said he is worried the negotiations are an endless pit.
A Rat Amongst Us
He added that in an email he received not too long ago Cipperly and Councilman Bruce Patire accused him of “posturing” and aspiring for a higher office. “My obligation for the next couple of years is to the people of the Town, as a Town Councilman,” he said. That email also included a statement from Cipperly stating that after the last meeting it is obvious “we have a rat amongst us!”
Surdam further commented that people need to pay attention to the changes [in the Town] that are happening behind the scenes. As far as the negotiation cost is concerned, Cipperly mentioned that Surdam had no problem with the cost of the Cahill case and the money spent. Surdam responded that that was a different time and an entirely different situation. He added, “They are doing their best to diminish what I have to say in a reasonable manner.”
“My reaction,” said Surdam, “is to take exception to these comments and not have us go through this kind of stuff.” He later commented that the Town has spent $12,000 on something that he feels could be solved in half an hour.
Resolution Opposing NYS Gun Control Law
The Board unanimously approved a Resolution opposing the recently passed NYS gun control law and seeking its repeal. The resolution states, in part, that the new law “infringes on the Constitutional Right to Bear Arms and would be a ban on firearms in the possession and use by the people of the Town of Hoosick and be a ban on the lawful use of certain firearms in the Town of Hoosick.” The resolution further states that there are many other less restrictive and intrusive means of regulating firearms available through mental health reforms, anti-bullying programs for schools, enforcement of existing laws and proper psychological treatment for those in need.
Therefore, the Board, speaking on behalf of all the residents of the Town of Hoosick, want their State Representatives to support the position taken by the Board in this resolution and repeal the law.
Historian Phil Leonard approached Supervisor Cipperly at the close of the meeting and said he was in favor of the law. Cipperly responded, pointing to the Board, “Well, we’re not.”
The Board also unanimously approved a Resolution requiring lending institutions that hold mortgages on vacant structures in the Town to provide contact information of responsible parties to the Town “so that vacant, abandoned and foreclosed homes and structures can be dealt with properly and not degrade and depreciate the value of surrounding properties.”
Kevin Allard Appointed To Board
Early in the meeting the resignation of Kevin Allard from the Planning Board was approved and later in the meeting Allard was approved as Councilman to replace former Councilman Louis Schmigel who was elected Highway Superintendent in November. Cipperly asked that Allard be sworn in immediately so that he might participate in at least the Executive Session of the Board that night.
Town Assessor Tony Rice reminded everyone that tax exemption forms are due in his office by March 1.
Highway Superintendent Louis Schmigel thanked the Village for use of their bucket truck to fix lights on the Mechanic Street bridge. He also thanked the Highway crew for doing a great job during the recent snowstorm. He pointed out that little storms cost as much as big ones considering time and equipment.
At the request of the Board he reviewed fuel oil and diesel bids from Doug’s Oil and Main Care Fuel. He noted that Main Care was one cent cheaper for fuel oil, but six cents higher for diesel. He suggested the Town stay with Doug’s Oil, and the Board approved.
Hoosac School Display
Town Historian Phil Leonard distributed a new brochure the Museum has put together for the Historical Society and the community. He said the Historical Society has 190 members and believes they will have more members by the time the membership drive ends next month. He said they will begin emailing the Society’s monthly newsletter to members who wish to receive it in that form. It will save the Society 55 cents a copy.
The history board he displayed this month was of the Hoosac School. He said the new Director of the school appears very interested in the community and he thought the community should learn more about the school. Hoosac Boys School was started by Rev. Tibbitts in 1899. On the board Leonard has photos of the church on Johnson Hill Road and the buildings around it that made up the school in the early years. In 1941 the school acquired the Tibbitts Mansion on Pine Valley Road and since then buildings have been constructed around the Mansion creating a campus that has students, boys and girls, from around the world.
Town Clerk Sue Stradinger collected $2,357.50 in January. That amount was derived from $430 in conservation licenses, $987 in Skating Rink admissions and $173 in Rink Concessions plus various other fees for dog licenses, death certificates, garbage stickers, three building permits and more. She turned over to the Supervisor $1,888.96.
Stradinger said she had received a letter from the Stephentown Youth Commission inquiring about swimming lessons at the Town pool. The letter also noted that Berlin was again interested in swimming lessons at the Pool. Stradinger in turn asked them for letters of support in regard to their use of the pool. The letter was turned over to Surdam, who is gathering other letters of support to be used in possible grant applications for pool upgrades or replacement.
Supervisor Cipperly said he attended the Hoosick Falls Fire Department banquet and commented it was a nice night with a nice meal catered by Jean’s Place. He congratulated Robert Bornt on completing two years as Chief and congratulated Carlton Coon as the new Chief. He wished them both the best in the future. He and several Board members attended the grand opening of Dollar General. Cipperly noted, true to their word, the company hired local contractors and the store manager is Hoosick resident Marie Andrews.
Donations
The Supervisor received a request for support for the Healers for Here Relay for Life Team, which will be holding a 5k road race on April 20. Cipperly requested the Town donate $250 to the Team. The Board approved.
At Cipperly’s request the Board approved a $600 annual contribution to the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Cipperly said he had a request from St. Mary’s Academy for a free season pass to the pool and a free week of summer camp to benefit their upcoming fundraiser. The Board approved.
Bowling Team Wins Class II Sectional Title
While Cipperly was speaking, car horns could be heard along Church Street. Someone commented that the HFCS Bowling Team was returning from winning the Class II Sectional Title.
Councilman Bruce Patire said Global Underwriters had approached him requesting an opportunity to bid on insurance for the Town. Patire said he was very happy with Marshall Sterling, the insurance firm he is dealing with now, but he thought he should meet with Global Underwriters to see what they had to offer. Members agreed.
Councilman Jeff Wysocki reported that Farmland Protection Plan approval is expected from the County on Wednesday and then he will present it to the State.
He said the County was expected to do a Resolution regarding slowing traffic for school buses on Route 67.
The meeting closed with the Board going into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues. Afterwards the Board passed a motion to pay Hoosick Falls Water Supervisor Jim Hurlburt a total of $100 instead of the budgeted $75 to do the water testing for Green Heights.[/private]