by Bea Peterson
At the August 13 Village Board meeting Mayor David Borge displayed the 2013 Water System of the Year Award presented to the Mayor and Water Supervisor Jim Hurlburt on May 22 at the New York Rural Water Association’s Annual Technical Conference held in Lake Placid. [private]Borge, Hurlburt and Wastewater Operation Specialists Dan Merrills and Ken Holbrook attended the conference. Over 500 people representing the water and wastewater industry were at the event when the Village of Hoosick Falls was honored. The Village was selected for its “continued excellence in providing safe drinking water
through superior operations and progressive management.” The Village had built a new membrane filtration plant, did 22,000 feet of water main distribution, including looping for better water circulation and installed new hydrants, valves and storage tanks.
Best Tasting Water
In addition to that honor, Hoosick Falls water was recently judged the best tasting water in Rensselaer County, according to Borge. It was judged second in Regional competition and will be judged again at the State Fair in Syracuse.
Borge commended those at the Wastewater Treatment Plant for their efforts as well. “It should be noted that our water is quite pristine on the way out as well as the way in,” he said.
Water/Sewer Payments Due September 13
A motion was made to extend the Village water/sewer payment date to September 13. Mayor Borge asked for the extension because the bills were sent out late. The Board approved the motion.
Village Budget Surplus
Village Treasurer Denise McMahon reported that the Village ended its 2012-13 fiscal budget year with a $100,000 surplus. She noted that a lot of grant money is coming in. Mayor Borge said, “Kudos to all Department heads for spending wisely.”
McMahon reported a request from Gifty Colosante for adjustment to water/sewer bills because of water leaks in two properties. The leaks represented an excess of 54,000 gallons in one property and 127,000 gallons in the other. The Board approved a credit of $600 for water and $750 for sewer. McMahon said she had all the necessary backup information. She also asked how much longer residents would be reimbursed for leaks. She noted the policy began when the meters were first installed to help property owners adjust to metering. By now they should be aware of any leaks and have them repaired as necessary. One hundred seventy-seven leaks were reported at a cost to the Village of $1,240.
Training Facility
Hoosick Falls Fire Chief Carlton Coon addressed the Board requesting permission to build a two story training tower in a fenced area near the Village garage. The space was formerly used by the National Guard to store its military tanks. He said State rules are strict regarding training and presently local firefighters and their equipment must either take training in Troy or Ballston Spa. He added that if a training site was established other area fire departments might want to use it as well. Trustee Bob Downing was interested in when the training site would be used as he is concerned about an elderly neighbor who lives very near the area Coon has in mind.
As all the land near the old water plant is currently being developed for recreational purposes, the fenced area seemed the most feasible. Mayor Borge asked Coon to return next month with specific details for the building and how often the training site would be used. Coon agreed to do that, and the Board agreed to review the request.
Lock Boxes
Coon also showed the Board a lock box that enables the Fire Department to enter a building in case of fire without having to make a forced entry or to wait for a key holder to arrive. The boxes are placed on a building. The Fire Department has a special key to open the box, and inside the box are the keys to enter that building. The special keys for opening the boxes are kept locked in the fire trucks and can only be retrieved by putting in a special code. Coon noted several of the factory buildings have them, as do some businesses. He asked the Board to encourage businesses to use the boxes or to make a local law requiring businesses to have them. The boxes cost $200 and are tamper proof. When opened they trigger a burglar alarm. Building Inspector Ed Holland said these boxes are mandated for new buildings. Coon said the boxes are cheaper than replacing a plate glass window or door if firefighters need to get into a building quickly. The Board tabled any action on the boxes until they have more information.
No Smoking In Playgrounds
The Mayor read a letter from the Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition stating that on October 10 a law goes into affect that does not allow smoking in playgrounds from sunrise to sunset. Signs will be placed in Village playgrounds stating that fact. Mayor Borge wondered if Wood Park was considered a playground.
Together Again
The first concert in Wood Park by Together Again was so successful that Joe and Chuck Shaw asked the Board if they could hold another concert on Friday, September 6, from 6 to 8 pm. The Board approved the request.
The Board approved renewal of the St. Stanislaw liquor license.
During the Public Comment session Fran Downing said it had come up at the Town Board meeting the previous evening that the Armory did not have a certificate of occupancy, and he wondered why. Village Building Inspector Ed Holland explained that the Armory does not have a complete certificate of occupancy and is currently working under a building permit while stairs and a handicapped lift are being installed and other code violations fixed. Downing noted the building permit was not visible. Holland will check on it.
Dougherty’s Corner
Mayor Borge reported that he has received permission from the Dougherty’s Corner property owner to put in top soil and grass seed and to maintain the plot. Ryan said Bill Bradley of Hoosick True Value has offered to supply grass seed for the project.
Parking Spot Removed
The Board agreed that visibility for cars coming from Wilder Avenue onto Main Street was restricted by vehicles parking in the spot on the corner in front of the Municipal Building. A resolution to eliminate that parking space was approved. The white lines will be removed and a no parking sign installed.
Police Report
Village Police Chief Robert Ashe reported the Department has been pretty busy. He said the burglary at the golf course has been solved. It involved a 17, 18 and 19 year old. He said a recent incident involved a drug dealer with firearms. He noted there is a lot of drug traffic from the Troy area going through Hoosick Falls to Vermont. Thanks to alert neighbors and the police investigation, he said, information was turned over to the State Police which evolved into a much larger investigation. He said these investigations required overtime and he appreciated the Board’s support in this area.
Mayor Borge said the Police Department has been in some extremely difficult situations lately where officers have been injured during drug arrests. “It’s hard work, and we support what you are doing,” he said. Trustee Ben Patten said it is important to pay attention to your surroundings and when you see something unusual, report it.
The Chief reported that, thanks to a grant, the Department now has a $30,000 piece of equipment that allows them to photograph and fingerprint a person and send it to the State Police where it can be sent across the Country. He said it’s a great system and it is up and running. The system costs $2,000 a year for maintenance and a phone line, but it more than pays for itself. Previously, officers had to drive to Wynantskill to feed the information into the State system.
Chief Ashe added that Assistant Chief Harold McClellan’s community check has also been useful. He said that just recently two businesses had to be called because their doors were unlocked.
Few Holidays For Waste Management
Trustee Bob Downing reported that there are few holidays for Waste Management. The only holidays when materials are not picked up are Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Otherwise, like on the recent fourth of July, trash and recyclables are picked up as usual. Downing said they are trying to put a calendar together noting pickup days.
Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato reported that the Revitalization Committee meeting last week was very positive with many plans of action being worked on.
Greenway
DiDonato said he wants to talk with Ben Gaines of the Trail Riders Snowmobile Club about some help with culverts that need to be put in before the trail can be finished. He added that Highway Superintendent Niel Stowell has put in an emergency exit/entrance to the trail.
DiDonato also said that the leash law needs to be enforced in the Village and on the Greenway. Trustee Bob Ryan added that dog waste pickup signs also need to be placed in the area as people are not cleaning up after their dogs.
Ryan also reported that he had talked with Deborah Myers of Carey Avenue and looked over her property. He said she has a legitimate issue and he will follow up to see what can be done. He said vehicles are no longer parking at the corner of Hall Street and this has been helpful to drivers pulling out onto Main Street from Hall.
Trustee Kevin O’Malley said he had talked with Rensselaer County Chief Planner Linda von der Heide and he wanted to invite her to the next Board meeting to give an overview on zoning regulations. The Board approved.
O’Malley pointed out that there are painted boards that can be placed over the windows of abandoned buildings that look like windows, especially if a grid is added.
New Windows
Building Inspector Ed Holland had two bids for replacement windows for the Municipal Building. Trustee Jeremy Driscoll reviewed the bids, and the Board approved the bid from Window World for ten double windows for $3,213. The Mayor noted funds are available for this project and it is best to have more efficient windows installed before winter.
Building Changes
Mayor Borge went on to say there are some changes that should be made to the Municipal Building that “would better utilize the space we have.” He noted that the Judges’ entrance to the courtroom is not a practical entrance. The restrooms are not well designed, he added. “With 100 cases appearing in Court a night, we should set up something else.” He said it would not be done all at once. “We have some funds and some grants for the work,” he added.
The Board approved Holland’s request to put out an RFP, Request For Proposals, for the building changes and for a new roof for the Highway Garage.
The Mayor was encouraged to hear that two Green Heights properties and six Village properties were sold last month.
The Board approved the inspection and cleaning of the water tank on Rogers Avenue for $4,070. The funds were included in the budget.
New Sound System
O’Malley reported that the new sound system for Wood Park will be a wireless box that can be moved for use either at the bandstand or near the Veterans Memorial Wall. O’Malley said he will install the four new speakers in the bandstand. DiDonato suggested extra microphones be purchased. The cost for the system is $2,777. The funds for the system have been donated to the Village by the Veterans Memorial Wall fund. O’Malley said the system should be installed in the next couple of weeks, hopefully in time for the final summer concert.
Solar Power
The Monolith solar system on the roof of the Water Plant is now operational. The next installation will be on the roof of the Municipal Building. The Mayor said that most likely an eight foot pole with one panel on it will be installed along the side of the building with two benches under it to highlight the Village’s use of solar power. Once ground mounts are available, Monolith will begin installing solar panels at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Thank Yous
Mayor Borge reported there was a phenomenal turnout for the recent fundraiser for Luke Hoag held in Wood Park. He wanted to thank the public for its support of this worthwhile event.
DiDonato thanked Michael LaPorte for the spectacular youth wrestling tournament recently held at the skating rink. “It’s a really big deal, and it’s growing,” he said. Young wrestlers and their families come from all over the Country to participate in it. This is the fifth year LaPorte has organized the event.
Mayor Borge read a letter from the Daughters of the American Revolution encouraging communities to ring bells at 4 pm on Tuesday, September 17, to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution 226 years ago. The Village has no bell, but Borge hoped buildings with bells would participate in this event.[/private]