by Bea Peterson
At the Hoosick Falls Village Board meeting on Tuesday, February 11, Trustee Bob Ryan said he was pleased with how responsive residents were to the Snow Emergency policy recently re-established throughout the Village. He said he was told by members of the Highway Department that the cleanup after the most recent storm was the easiest it had been in years.
[private]Ryan and Councilman Kevin O’Malley took advantage of Highway Superintendent Niel Stowell’s invitation to ride with crews when they plowed Village streets during a storm. Both men said the ride was enlightening and gave them a much better appreciation of the work involved in keeping the streets free from ice and snow. Ryan said the first pass is just to make a path for cars to get through. Other passes widen the road. The last pass is to put down salt, which is scarce at the moment. The day after the storm is when the crew is busy clearing away snow and widening the streets. Mayor David Borge pointed out that in addition to plowing the streets the crew has to take care of the trucks and equipment that break down and have them repaired before the next storm.
Thank You
Hoosick Falls Fire Chief Robert Bornt attended the meeting to publicly thank the Village, especially the Water and Highway Departments for their support in response to the house fire on Center Street. He also thanked Building Inspector Ed Holland for his help at that time. Bornt said the Department will be holding a benefit breakfast on Sunday, February 23, for the families that lost their home in the fire.
In turn, Ryan, who was at the fire, thanked the Fire Department and all the other Departments that fought the blaze for their professionalism and the way they kept the fire from spreading to other buildings in spite of the fact the water was freezing as it left the hoses. Ryan further commended the Highway Department for clearing the street of ice so quickly.
Board members once again noted that it is the responsibility of homeowners and renters to keep sidewalks clear of snow.
Congratulations
At the opening of the meeting the Mayor congratulated the HFCS Boys Basketball team for its WASAREN League championship and the Bowling Team for its Adirondack League Championship. Borge quoted from an area newspaper comments by basketball player Andrew Hoag after the team defeated Hoosic Valley for the Title. The part of the quote the Mayor emphasized was the part he so often emphasizes. It said, “it just feels great to get the win and make the community proud.” The Mayor added that the Championships just keep on coming.
Snow Street
Trustee Ben Patten said pumps to improve water pressure on Snow Street will cost $800 apiece and the cost of installing them on the homes that need them is $400 each for a total cost of $15,000. However, Highway Superintendent Niel Stowell is recommending a new water main be installed the length of the street while Water Supervisor Jim Hurlburt is suggesting the Rensselaer Street water tank be raised. Patten said he wants to review these three options over the next month before presenting a proposal to the Board. The Board agreed.
Trustee Bob Downing said the Village received a good-sized payback from recycled materials this year. That amount was $11,503.78. Downing said the ERC Warehouse is officially closed.
Water Agreement
Mayor Borge explained that the 40 year Green Heights water contract with the Village has expired. “We no longer have the ability to collect money from those outside the Village that use Village water,” he said. “We need to have an agreement in place.” To that end, with the agreement of Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam, Borge set up a committee to review the water/sewer issues of the community as to who pays what. The Mayor said he selected two individuals who live in the Village, Gary Keegan and Kyle DeGraaf, and two individuals who live outside the Village, Chris Stevens and Mike Foster. He then asked engineer Bill Cottrell to be Committee facilitator without a vote. Borge noted that there were four votes so three members must agree for any action to take place. The Mayor added that he did not go public with the names of those on the Committee because he did want any undue stress or pressure put on them by those outside the Committee. He said he did not ask them to determine a payment rate but to take a reasonable approach as to how payment should be made and present it to the Town and Village Boards. The hope is the Village will be made whole in the sense that the Town will relevy to the Village any funds the Village does not collect from those Town residents.
Borge said that the Committee put together a very positive report and he now wanted to publicly thank them for the work they did. He is hopeful that by spring the Town and Village can put together a 12 year agreement that will be reevaluated every three years.
Foster, who, with Cottrell, was at the meeting, said the process went fairly smoothly with five reasonable people. He said they toured the water and wastewater treatment plants and, overall, they tried to be as reasonable as they could be. Mayor Borge added that there are over 100 properties outside the Village that use Village water and those water lines have to be maintained. Green Heights and the four other outside areas were all considered in the report. Borge concluded that reasonable people can resolve just about anything and the Boards have a good basis on which to develop a contract.
Zoning Committee
The Board approved the appointment of attorney AJ Messersmith, realtor Gale Leva, Surveyor Wayne Wilson, businessman Jim Monahan, Greenway member Mike Danforth and landlord Kendal Baker to a newly formed Zoning Review Committee. Advisors to that committee are Village attorney John Patterson, Building Inspector Ed Holland and Board Member Kevin O’Malley. Mayor Borge said the last complete review of the Village’s zoning laws was in 1977. The one before that was in 1947. Though the laws have been updated over the years, it is time for a complete review. The Mayor said this process could take two years, but he is hoping to cut the time to one year by hiring a knowledgeable Committee facilitator. He is currently seeking quotes.
Greenway
Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato reminded everyone that no motorized vehicles are allowed on the southern portion of the Greenway. He said there is evidence that ATVs and snowmobiles have been on that part of the Trail. The Mayor said St. Mary’s Academy and the Immaculate Conception Church have adopted the northern portion of the Greenway. The southern end has already been adopted by the Hoosac School.
Hoosic River Rating
DiDonato said the Hudson/Hoosic Rivers Partnership has declared most of the Hoosic River to have a B rating. However, the Petersburgh and Hoosick Falls portion have a C rating. He noted that the water quality of the Pownal, VT, portion of the River has improved and should help get the rating up. Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor Dan Merrills, Jr. said that for the River to receive a higher rating the sewer plant would need to add a disinfectant.
Village Signs
O’Malley had pictures of signs that he has been looking into to place at the entrances to the Village. He said Barb Sussman had talked with the Grandma Moses people in New York City and they have agreed to a $2,500 fee for 10 years to use the Grandma Moses name and one of her paintings instead of the original $5,000 requested. O’Malley said they provided Sussman with five or six images of Grandma Moses paintings of Hoosick Falls for use on the signs. A standard sign will cost $600. Hand carved 5×5 signs will cost $2,695 each. Mayor Borge noted that the signs would have to be insured.
Backhoe Trade-In
Bob Ryan reported that Capital Tractor is willing to take the Village’s backhoe in trade for a new one. He said the trade value at this point is the highest it is going to be and the company is very willing to work with the Village. With a $32,000 trade-in, the cost for the new backhoe is $53,000.
The Village is also looking at a skid steer in the future. This is a year around versatile piece of equipment. However the cost is close to $55,000. Ryan said he realizes both purchases cannot be made in one year as that is over $100,000 combined. Discussion on the purchase of the backhoe will continue at this point.
Police Report
Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe reported 107 calls for the month of January. They included Vehicle and Traffic Arrest – 9, Missing Person – 3, Burglary – 2, Dispute – 7, Outside Agency Assist – 5, Larceny – 5, Domestic – 10, Animal Complaint – 4, Alarm of Fire – 8, Property Damage Auto Accident – 6, Juvenile Arrest – 1, Trespassing – 3, DWI Arrest – 1, Drug Arrest – 1, Warrant Arrest – 3, Harassment – 12, Check the Welfare – 1, 911 Hangup – 1, EMS – 12, Citizen Assist – 3, Found Property – 2, Sexual Assault – 1, Mental Health – 2, Endangering the Welfare – 1, Unattended Death – 2, Noise Complaint – 1 and Suspicious Vehicle – 1.
Solar Panels
Mayor Borge reported that NYSERDA has approved the solar panels for the roof of the Municipal Building. First, he said, the roof of the building needs to be replaced. He said that the solar panels at the wastewater treatment plant are ground panels and they cannot be installed until spring. “Then we should start seeing some good savings,” he said, noting that the panels and installation have cost the Village nothing.
The Mayor said that the joint meeting with the Town and Village Boards during the Laberge grant presentation was very positive. He would like to see the Boards hold quarterly joint meetings. He added that he would like to hear a presentation from another company regarding grant possibilities and that Supervisor Surdam is also in favor of such a presentation.
The Village is preparing to install some “pilot” LED lights to see if they are less expensive to operate and to see if they emit enough light to be effective. Borge said NYSERDA has funds available for such LED lights.
Woods Brook Meeting
Mayor Borge said U.S. Congressman Chris Gibson will attend a meeting in the Village next week with several other agencies in regards to Woods Brook. He hopes the results will lead to funding for a study of the Brook and its problems.
Other
The Board tabled the opening of bids for fuel oil.
Mayor Borge extended compliments to the staff at the Wastewater Treatment Plans for the recent successful inspection at the plant. “We have a class act with the Wastewater and Water plants,” he said. “Thank you to everyone involved.”
Kevin O’Malley reported that Erin Tobin of the Preserve New York Grant Program is helping to find new uses for industrial plants. He wants to set up a meeting with her to see what other programs are available to redevelop some of the industrial sites in Hoosick Falls.
Upcoming Events
The Lions Club is sponsoring a “Beat the Winter Blues Night of Comedy” on Saturday, March 8, from 7 to 9 pm at the Hoosick Falls Country Club.
The Hoosipaooza annual bed race will be Saturday, March 1, at noon. The race is from the Village Primary Care building to Wood Park. HAYC3 will also have a Wind Chime project in Wood Park that day and in the evening the Armory will host a “Night at the Brewvies” to raise funds to purchase digital equipment for Hathaway’s Drive In.
March 30 is Hoosick Community Day at the Times Union Center when the Albany Devils Hockey team will play the Binghamton Senators. Tickets cost $8 and include transportation.[/private]