by Bea Peterson
Mayor Matt Monahan announced that the New York Rural Water Association has awarded Hoosick Falls the Water System of the Year for 2013. He congratulated Jim Hurlburt, Matt Brownell and now Josh Magisano for the fine job they are doing.
[private]Solar Power
Steve Erby and Tyler Justin of Monolith Solar Associates, LLC addressed those attending the meeting about the solar panels they will be installing on the roof at the Water Treatment Plant and on the ground at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. They have a non-binding letter of agreement with the Village at this point. The solar panels will eventually save the Village an estimated 25 percent of its energy costs. The panels will be owned and operated by
Monolith Solar Associates. Erby said it will take about 12 months for the Village to get off demand energy and get off the grid. The two said the more the Village saves, the more they save. “We will tackle this project together, and you will be leaders in this area,” said Erby. Justin added, “This is the future.” There will be zero cost to the Village for this energy savings. Erby and Justin estimate their cost, including larger panels to be installed at the former landfill in the future to be three to three and a half million dollars. “We have a vested interest in this project,” said Justin. “It is in our best interest to keep the sites up.” They will profit from the sale of the excess electricity generated by the system.
Trustee David Borge said Board members had visited different installations and found it quite enlightening. “We have to pay the bill, so why not pay a lower bill,” he said. Mayor Monahan thanked Borge, Building Inspector Ed Holland and Denise McMahon for the work they had done. He said they had met with three different installers. This is amazing, he said. You started in December and January, and we’re ready to go. This is a really nice job. Monahan told the gentlemen, “We will go forward with the 50 kilowatt system, then revisit the issue regarding a larger system.”
Health Center Plea
The Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls Board President Ed Gorman, accompanied by Chief Financial Officer Laura Reynolds and Board Member Bill Johnston, addressed the Board and requested forgiveness of the rest of the loan they owe to the Village. In 1995 the Village received a $400,000 block grant which they then loaned to the Health Center. The funds were used to double the size of the Center from 40 beds to 82 beds. They have repaid $380,000 of that loan but no interest. “The $135,000 that we owe,” said Gorman, “is two weeks payroll for the Center. Forgiveness of the remainder will allow us to restructure our debt load and grow.” He said the not-for-profit Center provides great care and good quality employment. He said they have been working more with Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, and, as a result, the Center is at 95 percent capacity.
Mayor Monahan said he knew this was a pretty urgent issue and Board members did a site visit and heard from Gorman and other members the previous week.
Gorman said, like the Village, they are forced to respond to unforeseen expenses and unfunded mandates, such as a sprinkler system. That is a $157,000 expense that must be absorbed, he said. And it is being installed piece by piece.
Gorman said that for many individuals the Center is the last stop. Recently the focus has changed and 20 percent of their work is rehabilitation. “Now our job is to help people through rehabilitation and get them back to their homes. And we have been very successful. Reynolds said sometimes people stay for only five days and then go home. For others it can be 10 to 20 days, then they go home. She pointed out that private costs are $275 a day while medicaid pays only $165 a day, and 65 percent of those at the Center are on medicaid. She added that the State has made major cuts in these programs in the last three years. In addition the State and Federal government take back $2.60 a day per person as sales tax on revenues. Johnston said he has been a member of the Board for 30 years and he has never seen anything like what is happening now.
Gorman added that if the Health Center was not here, where would local people go? People on medicaid could possibly go to Rensselaer Manor or they could be sent hundreds of miles away, far from family and friends. “We are turning over every possible stone,” said Gorman. He noted they are partnering with other agencies as much as possible and are in the process of partnering with BOCES for student training.
The funds paid by the Center go into the Village’s Economic Development Fund, which currently has $145,000 in it. Several Board members did not want outright forgiveness for the entire amount, which is due over the next five years. They voiced several ideas, including repayment of the loan, without interest. All agreed there is no doubt the Center needs help in their efforts to refinance. The issue was tabled until the next meeting so the Board could discuss various solutions. Borge assured them there would some decision made no later than next month.
HAYC3 Thank You
HAYC3 Board Member Gary Contessa told the Board he was not there to ask for anything. He said that when HAYC3 took over the Armory it was an old, dank, dark, rusty place. Thanks to the generosity of the Village Board you have helped us change it, he said. The building is owned by everyone in Town. He invited the Board to attend an Open House on Wednesday, February 20, to see where their money went. The Armory is a shining light in the community, he said.
The Mayor pointed out that HAYC3 had loaned the Village chairs for the Board meeting. The room was filled to capacity and almost every one had a place to sit for a change. Monahan told the HAYC3 Board members that Hoosipalooza was outstanding, and he invited people to volunteer for the next volunteer day scheduled for Saturday, February 16, starting at 9 am. One hundred people showed up for the last one. The Mayor added that what the Board did is insignificant compared to what HAYC3 has done.
The Board received one bid for diesel fuel and #2 heating oil. The bid from Doug’s Oil was for 18 cents over cost on day of delivery. The Board accepted the bid.
For her Gold Award, Girl Scout Samantha Brewer has put together a booklet on the community, and she wanted to put the information on the Village website. The Board approved.
The Board made a donation of $500 to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. The Mayor pointed out that it costs about $15,000 to put on the Parade.
The Lions Club Annual Wood Memorial 5k Road Race was approved for May 18.
The Healers for Here Relay for Life Team requested use of Wood Park for a 5k race on April 20. The Board approved. The Mayor noted this will the third road race in the Village in a year and all of them have very poor attendance.
HAYC3 To Operate TV Station
HAYC3 will partner with the Village on its television station. Mayor Monahan said the Village has a new upgraded system for the television station but doesn’t have anyone to utilize the upgrade. The Board approved paying HAYC3 $50 a month to maintain the station, once again showing the Village Board meetings on it and promoting more local activities. “It is a great resource, and it is not being used,” said the Mayor.
Woods Brook
Pam Benkoski once again asked the Board about updates on the Woods Brook situation along Hall Street. The Mayor told her that the Village was not approved for a grant and that no grants would be forthcoming in the near future because of the needs of victims of Hurricane Sandy. Both Benkoski and Winnie Restino lamented the lack of help they have received over the years and their concerns about more flooding caused by debris in the Brook upstream and downstream.
Building Inspector’s Report
Trustee Borge said for January the Hoosick Falls Building and Codes Report included three Permits Reviewed, one Permit Issued, nine Apartment Inspections, 20 Building Inspections, 12 Violations Issued, 20 Court Actions Pending, two Court Appearances, 10 Complaints Received, two Fire Call Responses, attendance at one Planning/Zoning Meeting, 10 Office Meetings/Public and six Office Meetings/Municipal. Other items included Solar Proposals, Nuisance Law, Inspections of Rental Properties, John Street court action and ruling. “I cannot believe how far we’ve come in the last year and a half,” said Mayor Monahan. He thanked Borge, Ed Holland and Ann Bornt for all their hard work.
In other business the Board approved the following motions:
• change Order #3 for CT Male for continuation of services into the Bid and Construction Phases of the River Road Project;
• to award Jersen Contractors the bid for River Road reconstruction in the amount of $247,640. Twelve bids were received;
• to advertise RFP for engineering for flow testing on Superior, Lyman and Water Streets and the River Road Pump Station;
• to appoint Dan Merrills, Jr. primary contact for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Grant;
• to appoint Sharon Davendonis, Tony Hayes, Mary Remancus, Joni Rogers, Sandy Sargood, Alice Shiland, Paulette and Judy Van Der Kar as election inspectors for the March 19 Village Election;
• to advertise bids for water main parts for River Road;
• to sign the contract with Hoosick Sand & Gravel for work on the northern section of the Greenway;
• to accept the resignation from Water Plant Assistant Matt Brownell. The Mayor noted that Brownell did an outstanding job and the Board wishes him all the best in the future.
• to appoint Josh Magisano as Water Plant Assistant, effective January 28, with six months probation;
• send Magisano to Hudson Valley for the 2A Water Operator Course from March 4 to May 13, 2013. The tuition is $860;
• to accept the resignation of Police Officer Keith Johnson. The Mayor said he was an outstanding officer;
• to appoint Martin Furciniti as a part time Police Officer effective January 24. The Mayor said he had previously worked for the Department and everyone praised his work;
• to send Niel Stowell and Ed Holland to Morrisville for water distribution certification, March 19 and 20, and
• to trade the New Holland payloader for a 2013 Doosan payloader at a cost of $9,800 after trade. The Deputy Mayor said this was a good investment as it comes with a two year warranty.[/private]