by Deb Alter
The Village Board approved a motion to hold a public hearing regarding The American House on Monday, September 28, starting at 6 pm at the Village Hall. The Village has finally gotten a response from the owner of the building; he acknowledged that he did indeed receive a letter from the Village requesting that he or his representative be at the public hearing. He did not, however, respond in any other way or verify that he will be there. [private]
After the engineer’s report saying that the building must be torn down, the long-vacant building has been cordoned off for safety.
All of the asbestos must be removed before the building is demolished, and the Village needs to hire an “asbestos designer” to help determine how to do that in the safest and most cost-effective way. A strong possibility is to remove the asbestos from the interior of the building, then carefully separating the asbestos from the bricks and heavy timber. Because all asbestos needs to be “fried” at a special location and the cost is based on weight, removing the asbestos from the heavy bricks and timber will considerably reduce the weight, and therefore the cost. The Village has applied for a variance for this. Building Inspector Mark Surdam said in his report that getting to the point where they are now with the building has been time consuming, but is moving forward. He will continue to lead the project.
Bea Peterson Honored
The Board passed a resolution honoring Bea Peterson, former reporter and part owner of The Eastwick Press. She “reports news for the Hoosick Community, attends local sporting events, football games in 30 degree weather, attends Town and Village Board meetings and faithfully sits through hours of monthly meetings of the Town, Village and School boards.” The Board of Trustees and the Mayor thanked Bea for “her reports of the Hoosick Community and her involvement with the many events in our village, and transporting her Wood Park neighbors to elections and community functions.” Furthermore, they recognized her wealth of knowledge and assisting her neighbors and acquaintances with her guidance concerning the where, when and how of various issues. They thanked Peterson for choosing to live in the community, and wished her a happy and healthy retirement.
The Village Clerk reported that at least 10 single family homes in the Village were sold during the month of August, most of them to young people and to children of people who live here.
Trustee Robert Ryan reported that the Town Highway Department had regraded Sewer Plant Road and painted the crosswalks for the Village, both examples of how the Town and Village have been working together. Mayor David Borge has asked the State to take care of the crosswalks on Route 22.
An update letter was sent with the recent water bill about the PFOA water situation. So far, $60,000 has been spent on the PFOA situation. The Mayor is working with State agencies to get the Village on the list for permanent funding.
There was a discussion about parking along Railroad Avenue from Carey Street to the turnaround. It was suggested that there be no parking along the track side of the street. The attorney will have to contact the railroad company to see about getting permission to put up no parking signs there, as the property belongs to them. Highway Superintendent Niel Stowell suggested that there be no parking on either side of the street. Both the Highway and the Police departments agreed that either one or both sides of the street should be no parking zones. No decision was made, but if the Village does decide to go ahead with it, they will need to have a public hearing and pass a Local Law.
Police Chief Robert Ashe reported that the department had a total of 86 calls last month, including three drug arrests, one shot fired, eight domestic disturbances, and seven larcenies. He also reported that the fundraiser in Troy for Officer Colaneri raised $35,000. He started treatment again on September 16, and the doctors say things are looking positive. The Department was awarded $4,500 for the purchase of new vests.
The Board Also:
• Granted a request from RGI Insurance to use a section of the Church Street parking lot to hold a free VIN etching hosted by Glass America.
• Approved the second annual Stephen Colvin Memorial 5K Walk, Run, Roll on October 10 at 9 am. The regular approved route will be used.
• Scheduled a Public Hearing for proposed Local Law (LL) #2 of 2015 repealing the LL#2 of 2011 concerning stop signs in the Second Ward at the October 13 Village Board meeting.
• Declared its support of the 20.20 Revitalization Plan. (The same Rensselaer and Albany Counties’ coordinated efforts to compete for funds from the Upstate Revitalization Initiative as the Town supported, as reported last week. Additional information about how you can help and about the initiative can be found at www.ny.gov/programs/upstate-revitalization-initiative.)
• Gave its approval to Rev. Benoit to use Wood Park for an open public prayer and music service on September 12 and 13 and to Joe Shaw’s request for the use of the Wood Park gazebo for the Together Again concert on August 28.
The next regular meeting is Tuesday, October 13.
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