monthly— Board of Trustees Meeting & Public Hearing
Agenda (25 items)
Order reflects how the Board actually took items up at the meeting (which sometimes differs from the posted agenda — e.g. items brought forward when a guest is present).
Trustee Uku abstained from accepting the April 13 minutes, stating that in her opinion the minutes contain material omissions and misrepresentations of what actually took place at that meeting. She referred the public to the PANDA recording for the full record but did not elaborate on the specific omissions.
Mayor Smythe noted a correction to the April 29 emergency workshop minutes: $1,430.82 originally listed as sewer was reclassified as property maintenance per a county request, though the total amounts in the resolution remained unchanged. The correction was made to the document as presented.
The April 13 minutes passed 4–0 with Uku abstaining. The April 29 minutes passed unanimously.
- Uku's stated reason for abstaining on April 13 minutes is not captured in the official minutes record.Transcript: “Uku: I will abstain on the adoption, and again, out of respect for everyone's time. I won't go into the reasons for my abstention, but I believe, in my opinion, the minutes contain some material omissions and misrepresentations of what actually took place at the meeting on April 13.”
Deputy Mayor Kjarval moved to add a letter to the Town of Red Hook regarding the Community Preservation Fund to the agenda as general business. Allen seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Trustee Allen requested that a brief discussion about a memorial tree be added at the end of general business. The chair agreed.
Trustee Uku requested that a discussion item about the school field lighting project and the village's role in the review process be added, noting constituents had asked for clarification. The chair agreed to add it.
Uku also requested that the PANDA Board of Directors appointment be moved to the start of general business to accommodate the PANDA chair's schedule. The chair agreed, noting this is standard practice for appointments.
With those amendments, Uku moved to accept the agenda as amended, Rothstein seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
The chair opened the public hearing on the proposed fee schedule. Kjarval moved, Rothstein seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Smythe thanked the clerk for organizing the fee schedule into a single comprehensive document and noted it is appropriate to review annually. She proposed several amendments to the building, planning, and zoning department fees to moderate the increases from the initial proposal. For residential construction, she recommended 55 cents per square foot with a $150 minimum instead of the proposed 75 cents. For commercial construction, she recommended 75 cents instead of 95 cents, with a $300 minimum instead of the proposed $300. For decks and porches, she recommended 55 cents with a $150 minimum instead of 75 cents. For barns, pole barns, sheds, and detached garages, she recommended residential at 55 cents with a $150 minimum and commercial at 75 cents with a $275 minimum. For solar energy collection systems, she recommended 55 cents with a $150 minimum instead of the proposed 75 cents with a $450 minimum. She noted these recommendations came from discussion with the building inspector and zoning enforcement officer.
Trustee Uku asked about the lawn mowing and weed trimming fee on the property maintenance page, seeking clarification on what triggers enforcement. The chair explained that the village code requires properties to be maintained to a certain standard (grass longer than 10 inches is out of code), and the village has the right to mow and charge the owner, similar to sidewalk clearing. The chair noted this does not happen often and is not done with a ruler but becomes obvious when a property is clearly untended.
Trustee Rothstein shared a personal experience with a neighbor complaint about his property during 'no mow May,' when he was intentionally growing a wildlife meadow. He noted the county had threatened a fine and cited a three-foot standard from the curb. He expressed concern about voting for a fee that would penalize residents but acknowledged the need for standards to distinguish intentional meadows from neglect.
The chair noted that the Public Spaces Committee is developing standards for meadows, including mowed sections from the road and pathways through the space, and referenced the 'Less Lawn More Life' program. She noted that three feet is a standard partly because ticks cannot jump that distance. She indicated the board hopes to develop a proposed code for consideration.
Trustee Uku raised a broader concern about snow and ice removal from sidewalks, noting that only a minority of residents have sidewalks but all benefit from them being cleared. She suggested the board consider a more equitable village-wide shared cost model rather than parcel-specific penalties. Deputy Mayor Kjarval expressed interest in exploring the viability of the village taking on the service, noting the complexity of where snow goes and liability issues. The chair acknowledged the discussion could happen but noted practical concerns: the DPW is already busy during snowstorms, and expanding the service would require additional resources or budget reallocation.
Trustee Uku asked about the trash removal and snow removal fees on the property maintenance page. The chair explained that trash removal fees apply when someone leaves a large pile of trash at the end of their driveway and the village must pick it up; the village makes multiple efforts to reach the property owner first. She noted this does not happen often but gives the village the ability to recover costs.
No members of the public made comments on the fee schedule. The chair moved to close the public hearing; Kjarval moved, Allen seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
No members of the public made comments.
Trustee Uku recommended that the board consider appointing Alex Geller, the Red Hook Public Library director, to the PANDA Board of Directors. PANDA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public access television station funded by five municipalities, each of which appoints one board member. The current village appointee, Mark Doran, has retired after many years of service.
Eric Riback, PANDA board member, explained that PANDA is seeking board members who will do more than attend meetings but will actively volunteer. He noted that Alex Geller approached PANDA expressing interest in serving and sees PANDA as integral to communication, civic engagement, and education. Riback highlighted that Geller, as library director, has connections to schools and other organizations that PANDA currently lacks, and his nonprofit experience beyond libraries would help PANDA expand its volunteer base and update its bylaws, which have remained largely unchanged for many years.
Mayor Smythe noted she had reached out to a couple of village residents to gauge interest but that one was not interested and another is still considering. She recommended waiting a month to publicize the opportunity more widely and see if other village residents are interested. She also recommended establishing a two-year term for the appointee so the board is reminded of its responsibility to oversee the appointment and so the appointee and board can each decide whether to renew after two years.
Deputy Mayor Kjarval expressed a preference to publicize the position more broadly before appointing someone who does not live in the village, noting that taxpayer money funds PANDA and ideally the appointee should be a village resident. She noted that Alex could still volunteer and be involved regardless.
Trustee Uku countered that it is very difficult to find volunteers for nonprofit boards and that adding the constraint of village residency makes it harder. She noted that Alex is a volunteer, not a paid position, so he is not being paid from village funds. She indicated she had also reached out to village residents and found it difficult to generate interest.
Trustee Rothstein expressed support for the general practice of giving village residents ample notice of board opportunities before appointing a non-resident, even though he believes Alex would be excellent in the role. He suggested waiting a month to allow other candidates to come forward.
Eric Riback noted that in his 12 years with PANDA, no situation has arisen where multiple candidates competed for a board seat. He acknowledged that PANDA has not been aggressive in promoting the opening and could do more public outreach.
Deputy Mayor Kjarval noted that public outreach can yield different candidates than quiet networking, citing the library's experience with trustee recruitment.
Mayor Smythe moved to table the PANDA Board of Directors appointment to the June 8, 2026 board meeting to allow time for broader publicity. Rothstein seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Smythe explained that the village needs to authorize a budget note not to exceed $206,000 to repay the general fund for an interfund advance made in February to cover sewer debt service. The advance was approximately $205,430. She noted that a budget note is a one-year loan with a one-year renewal option, does not require publication, and allows the village to select a lender. She has contacted Bank of Green County (offering 3.8585% with a callable feature) and M&T Bank. The current NY Class interest rate is 3.5%, so the village's net cost will be limited.
Trustee Allen expressed discomfort with the situation, noting it feels like the village is in a difficult position. He acknowledged he does not see another way to pay the bill on time without risking municipal funding and higher future interest rates, but he wanted to state on the record that this is a tough situation and he understands public distrust given the ongoing costs.
Trustee Uku raised questions about the repayment mechanism. She confirmed that the sewer fund will repay the loan and that sewer ratepayers will bear the cost, including interest. She noted that rates were just increased in February and expressed concern that the sewer fund's projected $37,000 reserve cannot simultaneously serve as debt service, emergency reserves, and contingency. The chair responded that building reserves from zero takes time and that the plan is to build them gradually. Uku requested that the board authorize the treasurer to seek terms and bring back a repayment schedule for the workshop before final approval.
The chair stated that from a practical standpoint, the village needs to go to closing and get the money transferred back to the general fund. She noted that the highest interest rate will be 3.85% and that the payment plan will be determined based on cash flow and other factors that may change. She indicated the board can revisit details at the workshop but needs to authorize the borrowing now.
Treasurer Marybeth De Filippis provided a cost analysis: at 3.85% interest on a $206,000 loan, the village would pay $7,931 in interest for the year. At the current NY Class rate of 3.5%, the village would earn $7,210 on the same amount in the general fund, resulting in a net cost difference of $721 to the village by using a budget note.
The chair moved to adopt the budget note resolution. Kjarval moved, and Clarke seconded. On a roll call vote, Rothstein voted aye, Kjarval voted aye, Allen voted aye, and Uku abstained. The motion passed 4–0 with one abstention.
- Uku's stated concerns about reserve allocation and her request to defer the vote are not reflected in the official minutes.Transcript: “Uku: if it is a reserve for emergencies, and a sewer fund has to have reserves, a sewer fund has to have contingency. So I'm just saying that what I would be comfortable with is we have talked about the amendments to the budget that would result from this. I personally would like to see the repayment schedule.”
Mayor Smythe presented the tax levy and warrant for fiscal year 2026–2027. The approved levy is $1,465,214, a 2.3% increase from the prior year, which exceeds the 2% tax cap limit due to a calculation that allows variance. The assessed valuation of real property in the village is $329,291,070, a 10.4% increase from the prior year. The tax rate for the next fiscal year is $4.441892 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, down from $4.7985 in the prior year, representing a 7.4% tax rate reduction. The resolution authorizes the village clerk to deliver the tax roll and warrant to the treasurer for collection.
No questions or discussion were raised. The chair moved to approve the resolution; Kjarval moved, Rothstein seconded, and the motion passed unanimously 5–0.
The chair moved to adopt the amended fee schedule with the modifications discussed during the public hearing. Rothstein moved, Allen seconded, and the motion passed unanimously 5–0.
Mayor Smythe presented the intermunicipal agreement for shared services with Dutchess County for highways and public works. She noted the agreement was finalized after the April workshop with all comments incorporated and is identical to what was shared then. She emphasized that the village is not obligated to share services, can choose to receive or provide services, and can set its own fees. The agreement simply provides a legal basis and appropriate legal coverage when the village chooses to do so.
The chair moved to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement. Kjarval moved, Allen seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Smythe reported that the village received an insurance renewal quote earlier than in prior years. The renewal represents a 7–8% increase and is approximately $1,500 under budget on a total of $106,000–$108,000. She will make a future budget adjustment to cover the shortfall. The insurance covers auto, general liability, excess liability, and other coverage and is provided through New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR) via broker Marshall & Sterling. The increase is primarily due to an audit of the village's property valuation conducted a year ago.
The chair noted that if the board wishes to explore other insurance companies, the time to do so would be next February. She moved to authorize the mayor to sign the insurance renewal. Rothstein moved, and the motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer Marybeth De Filippis reported the village's account balances as of April 30, 2026. General Fund checking: $116,023.16; NY Class General Fund: $426,694.47; Water Fund: $190,097.64; NY Class Water Fund: $154,424.77; Sewer Fund: $65,669.01; Payroll Clearing: $90,581.43; Hart Struggle: $42.76; Village Green: $5,156.35; Health Insurance Deductible: $10,091.25. Reserve accounts included Fire Department ($10,716.16), Police ($18,413.90), NY Class USDA Water ($151,573.28), USDA Water ($7.93), Highway ($614.88), Snow ($3,538.19), OCA ($19,108), Court ($3,558.81), and Office ($1,049). Monthly expenses for April: General Fund $161,073.19, Water Fund $179.35, Sewer Fund $14,665.91.
The chair moved to accept the Treasurer's Report. Allen moved, and the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Smythe presented a resolution to authorize professional training attendance for village staff and elected officials and to establish a procedure for village payment of training fees. The resolution codifies the policy adopted in January and identifies the budgets approved for training. NICON recommends that boards authorize officials and employees to attend training and authorize the possibility of village funds being used for that purpose.
Trustee Uku expressed concern that the $2,000 annual training budget is insufficient. She noted that the fall NICON conference alone costs approximately $750 for the conference fee, plus hotel and other necessary expenses. She advocated for increasing the training budget, citing the significant value of NICON training for trustees unfamiliar with municipal law, finance, and land use. She suggested tabling the resolution to discuss the policy at the workshop.
Mayor Smythe clarified that the resolution does not set a non-negotiable sum but rather references the budget as approved. She noted that if someone wishes to attend training at a cost exceeding $500 (the $2,000 divided by four trustees), the board can choose to allocate additional funds or make a budget amendment. She stated the resolution is procedural and that a separate discussion about increasing the budget can occur later.
Trustee Rothstein moved to second the resolution after clarification that it affirms the procedure for using whatever amount is in the line item and does not preclude future budget amendments. He noted that if he decides to attend training, he can raise the issue with the board to cover the full cost.
Trustee Uku abstained from the vote. On a roll call, Rothstein voted aye, Allen voted aye, Kjarval voted aye, and Smythe voted aye. The motion passed 4–0 with one abstention.
- Uku's stated concerns about the adequacy of the $2,000 budget and her abstention reason are not captured in the official minutes.Transcript: “Uku: the fall training alone is roughly, at least, when I went last fall, about $750 and the total cost was closer to 14 to $1,500. I'm talking about hotel and I'm speaking specifically about the conference fee.”
Trustee Allen indicated he had prepared a draft sewer statement but had a productive meeting with the engineer that morning and preferred to incorporate his remarks into his trustee report later in the meeting rather than present a separate statement.
Mayor Smythe reported that Carrie de Paola has been hired as the new part-time payroll and HR clerk, replacing Irene Wholesome. She will transition over several weeks and also works part-time for the Town of Stanford highway department.
The Red Hook Fire Company sent a letter expressing ongoing operational challenges affecting their ability to consistently meet response expectations. They continue to struggle with finding volunteers. The mayor noted the village is fortunate to have a volunteer fire company and is meeting to determine the best way forward for fire services. In April, the fire company responded to 50 total incidents, with only one in the village (a medical call); the rest were in the town.
The Sewer II expansion project has no specific updates this month.
The Youth Pride celebration has secured insurance through the Red Hook Community Center, so the event is confirmed. Youth organizers and staff are running the event, and the community center is providing insurance and tabling. Other local organizations will receive email invitations. The parade lineup location has been secured with the Red Hook school district, though the school is doing construction that weekend on the high school driveway, so the original location cannot be used. The parade will start at 11:45 a.m. on June 7, with the police lieutenant leading and departing on time. The mayor thanked Amy Smith for providing the coordination that enables the youth to make the event happen.
County grant information and countertops for the compost and food waste program are available. The mayor gave away one box and signed up one new person at Apple Blossom Day. She is working on a plan to spend the remaining funds.
The Saw Kill Watershed Community Advisory Council canceled their Apple Blossom Day tabling due to weather. The group sent a request to Dutchess County Soil and Water regarding their buffer program for the Fifth Street pond. They discussed sending a letter to the county DPW about an upcoming project in Red Hook and a letter of support to the town regarding the town's purchase of the town water district property. Bard College confirmed continued involvement but with limited capacity; they have done much of the water sample testing but are pulling back. An aqua side application regarding pesticides in water from the Red Hook golf course for the Saw Kill pond (assumed to be at hole three) has gone to DEC, and the Saw Kill Watershed Community has prepared a letter. Their next meeting is May 27. The Hudson River Watershed Alliance is giving the Saw Kill Watershed Community and Karen Schaldemacher the 2026 Wave Maker Award at an event on June 3 at the Falcon in Marlboro. The Saw Kill Watershed Community is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The Climate Smart Communities Task Force held no meeting in April. The Dutchess County Transportation Council met virtually on April 29 for a federal certification review covering a broader municipal transportation grouping including Ulster County and other counties. The review is required every four years, and no corrective actions were noted in the report. The 2026 transportation plan update is in process and will update the Moving Dutchess Forward plan with a 25-year horizon. The council is assessing barriers to transportation including safety and reliability. Traffic counts are being conducted annually, and the mayor requested counts for Cherry Street and Church Street, which have not been counted before. The Safety Action Plan was recently formally approved and contains substantial information available on the Dutchess County Transportation Council website.
Deputy Mayor Kjarval reported the police monthly report for April. Total incidents: 348 in the village of Red Hook, 299 in the town of Red Hook, 85 water tower security checks. Uniform traffic tickets: 73 total (27 in village Red Hook, 41 in town Red Hook, 5 in village Tivoli). Parking tickets: 2 in village Red Hook, 0 in town Red Hook, 0 in village Tivoli. Arrests: 8 total (2 in village Red Hook, 4 in town Red Hook, 2 in village Tivoli).
Red Hook Together meets every first Thursday of the month virtually at noon. The Rotary's Apple Blossom Festival on May 9 has secured a Red Hook Central School District shuttle bus to transport riders from accessory parking to the festival and to stop north of the village.
Legislator Chris Munn is proposing a law to regulate use of AI in government. Cecily Wilson Fran reminded the group about the summer intern program. The library announced their 250 Revolution event in coordination with the town on Flag Day. PANDA shared they are looking for board members to fill the village of Red Hook board seat. The next Red Hook Together meeting will be at 4 p.m. on June 4 to launch this year's slate of art box exhibits.
The transitional housing discussion group met on January 21 with Krista Hines from Hudson River Housing and again virtually on April 28 with the town supervisor, McKeon Community Center director Sarah Lee, Neville Smite, and Aaron Canon, Vice President for Civic Engagement at Bard. Discussions covered the group's goals, whether it is the correct venue, and possible next steps. The lack of access to social services support and interventions for individuals with housing, mental health, or addiction crises in Red Hook was discussed in depth. Sarah Lee proposed inviting DCFS Commissioner Sabrina Marcoza to speak to the group. Town Supervisor McKeon proposed finding a location for a Hudson River Housing Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative project covering rental fees for six bedrooms in two properties: three slots for unhoused persons with serious mental illness and three slots for unhoused individuals in the re-entry population. The group has not yet heard of such a project in Red Hook. There was discussion of whether Red Hook would be eligible for satellite access to county supportive social services currently located in Poughkeepsie. An update email indicated that priority will be given to Red Hook community members known to be in need of housing support services. The emergency overnight warming shelter previously held in St. Christopher's basement during winter 2024–2025 has been unable to find a location, although funding and staffing are available.
The Town of Red Hook Comprehensive Plan committee meets monthly from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. A workshop is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at Rose Hill Bar from noon to 4 p.m., offering the first opportunity for the community to see goals gleaned from public engagement in an expo-style format where attendees can walk around and give feedback.
The Community Preservation Fund balance as of March 10, 2026, is $3,778,360. The CPF plan is being amended for the second time this year and will have a public hearing. The town council voted unanimously on February 10, 2026, to request that New York State extend the town of Red Hook's preservation fund tax on real estate transfers until 2051. Kjarval has been doing preliminary work to understand how the CPF advisory committee works. The committee currently meets after projects are sent to review, has not met yet during 2026, and does not produce minutes but uses advisory opinions as reference. The current appointment list still lists Charlie Lang as an architect, which is incorrect.
The communications survey will be shared with the public at Apple Blossom Day and will close so responses can be analyzed. As of the report's finalization, there were 69 responses.
The Red Hook Building Department issued 12 permits in April 2026, one certificate of occupancy, one temporary certificate of occupancy, and one certificate of compliance. At the April 9 planning board meeting, the site plan for the Red Hook Central School District lighting proposal on West Market Street and Linden Avenue was withdrawn. The site plan public hearing for 87 East Market Street was removed from the agenda due to no submissions within the past five months. The site plan for 31 East Market Street was tabled to May 14, 2026. The Zoning Board of Appeals on April 23 denied an area variance for side yard setback at 7449 South Broad, denied an area variance for parking at 31 East Market Street, and tabled an area variance application for 25 Fisk Street to May 14, 2026. Building department revenue for April was $4,556.13.
Trustee Uku reported on the Highway Department for March and April 2026. The Accra fuel surcharge rose from 6.75% to 11.25% in April due to increased fuel costs. March costs were $2,168.18 with revenue of $5,494. April costs were $1,739.91 with revenue of $5,005, including Tivoli garbage service revenue, which has been ongoing since November. Year-to-date, the revenue is very good. The highway department has been given greater discretion to decline pickups of contaminated, improperly bagged, or loosely bound materials. There have been increased recycling contamination charges in March and April, and residents are reminded to be more thoughtful when recycling. The scrap metal program has generated $1,490.45 since the last report, bringing the total since inception in September 2007 to $60,963.29. The fiscal year budget was $4,500, and the program has exceeded that by almost $1,000.
The village provides multiple municipal services including trash and recycling, food waste drop-off, and brush and yard waste pickup. Uku recommended residents refer regularly to the 2026 waste collection guide, dual stream recycling guide, and pickup calendar. She credited Deputy Mayor Kjarval with designing these guides.
Uku gave special appreciation to Jake Smith, the highway foreman, and his crew. Seasonal tree removal is underway, with several hazardous trees identified across the village. New signage was installed at Abrahams Park in April reminding residents that dogs must be leashed at all times, poop must be scooped, and litter goes in provided trash bins or out of the park. Residents are asked to notify the clerk if dog waste bags are left out. Jake and Uku have begun early discussions on infrastructure grants for road and drainage improvements on Elizabeth Street and on the process for potentially adding stop signs at key intersections, both of which require navigating between state agencies.
The Village Green Committee held its second quarterly meeting on Thursday, April 16, at 6 p.m. Members Jim Cashin, Kevin McGinnis, and Joy Glass were excused. Kevin and Joy welcomed baby Lou on April 11. The tree planting committee has consolidated to a single planting day this fall and is considering assigning members a beat to identify good candidates for trees using handwritten postcards. Uku submitted a draft for the board's review. The village received its Tree City USA renewal, having been a member for 24 continuous years. The renewal came with a reflective decal with 24 on it. A tree planted on Fraley that was tipped over during construction was adjusted by Dave Pearson. The committee has begun work on future initiatives, with member Jim Cashin and library director Alex Geller working on some initiatives. The next Village Green Committee meeting will be Thursday, July 16, at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.
Uku met with library director Alex Geller on April 25 for an introductory tour and overview of current initiatives. The Library Board of Trustees meets every third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Due to a time conflict with the April Village Green Committee meeting, Uku was unable to attend in person. Going forward, the director and Uku will meet on the third or fourth Friday of the month, schedules permitting. The library's 2026–2027 budget is $562,950, funded primarily by Red Hook Central School District and the Town of Red Hook. A major milestone is that the library's mortgage is almost paid off. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is finally coming to Red Hook, mailing free books monthly to children from birth to age five, thanks to Alex's coordination between Red Hook Public Library, Tivoli Library, the town, and United Way. The library is looking to reimagine its outdoor garden space, heavily used in summer, with a goal of new furniture, sensory play area, and garden improvements by July 1. The library board will recruit two new board members this summer with announcements going live soon. The next Library Board of Trustees meeting will be Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m.
Trustee Allen reported on the Sewer Department. The sewer team meets twice per month to discuss operations, maintenance, and future planning. Attendees include H2O Innovation, the public works department, Delaware Engineering, the mayor, Allen, the clerk, and others relevant to particular discussions. At the April 6 and 16 meetings, the USDA visited the site to investigate potential energy and cost savings. They expressed genuine admiration for the operations team and celebrated their work in an unsolicited note in their report. The USDA observed the plant was running nearly as well as it could by their standards and offered a few tips, but overall found the operations team working very hard.
A newly installed alarm system within the plant has been effective in monitoring operations, though it needs some tweaking. Over the past month, two alarms notified staff of issues immediately, and because of the new notification system, neither matter became significant—both were handled immediately. The alarm system has become integral to smooth operations, and the team is receiving a quote for enhancing it with expansion throughout the plant so any emergency triggers immediate notification. The alarm system came online on March 5.
At the April 27 meeting, the team primarily discussed the future of the plant, including renegotiating energy prices, incorporating solar technology, and other cost-effective considerations. A major concern is figuring out how to make operations as cost-effective as possible. In the near future, within a year, the village will install a new EQ tank as part of a consent order from a DEC inspection visit on March 16; Delaware Engineering took over operations on April 1.
Allen expressed that he had many concerns and considerations about the sewer when he was campaigning, as it was the most frequently raised issue. Now that he has met with the team, public works department, and the engineer, he wanted to make a public statement. He celebrated and acknowledged the work of the team, noting that significant trouble has been taken care of to the point that the USDA can say the operations team is running something very well. The situation is now much more manageable, and environmental and fiscal concerns of disaster have been addressed through implemented fixes.
Allen stated he has advocated for transparency and discussed with the team and legal counsel seeking recourse regarding installation and operations. He has chatted with engineers about various disposal options and other means of waste dispersal and is actively pursuing every way of making operations as cost-effective as possible through cutting energy expenses, distributing operation and maintenance expenses, and pursuing grant and emergency fundings. He is also heavily advocating for rehabilitating the neighboring wetland, which has a long history predating the wastewater treatment plant and also necessitates its own rehabilitation. There is support amongst the team, and they are moving forward.
Allen believes the village should operate the system as it is and get it under fiscal control before expanding. The engineer pointed out that this is happening no matter what, as even if development moves forward on schedule, the nature of municipal construction means there will be a period of gaining financial control. Allen wants to push forward on a task force to rehabilitate the wetland. He also supports creating a public document compiling everything the village has to further public education around the sewer system. He wonders if there is a way to discuss a rebate or at-need program for those struggling financially with sewer costs. He also thinks it is essential to have written projections for phase two users with and without future developments so the board can be upfront and avoid pitfalls encountered this time.
Mayor Smythe thanked Allen for digging in and suggested coming forth with a resolution to create a wetland task force at the next meeting or workshop, identifying people to appoint to the group.
Allen reported on the Saw Kill Watershed Community regarding Fisk Pond. An email went out regarding facilitating the buffer program with Dutchess County Soil and Water, and updates will follow as they come in.
Allen reported on the Public Spaces Committee. At the most recent meeting, the committee reconfirmed participating members for reorganization, though attendance was low so official confirmation will happen at the next meeting. The committee discussed potential ideas for new projects and public spaces, including collaborating on village hall ideas and looking at municipal lots. They are also looking at engaging more of the public art aspect of their charter, with a few ideas floated but nothing decided. The committee is developing the pollinator pathway, with Linda spearheading that initiative. They are looking at other public spaces where they can engage in the pollinator pathway and are developing code updates to reinforce pollinators throughout the village. The main objective is revitalizing Abrahams Park. The committee recently received funding approval for a design and research intern, a Bard graduate graduating in May, who will work with them until fall to develop a PARCC report including site analysis, history, and a resource catalog of natural resources. Various committee members have been tasked with collecting wildlife reports, bird reports, and tree catalogs. The committee will develop concept designs and visualizations of the park to share with the public, generating momentum and materials for grant applications and other support.
Trustee Rothstein reported on the Water Department. In April, he toured the village water plant with Jake Smith, observing the well placement around the solar field, the interior of the main room where water is pumped from wells into the system with very large impressive pipes, and the room where the main computer resides for remote and on-site monitoring. Jake pointed out a well no longer used due to water quality concerns. Rothstein noted better understanding of how a more stable internet connection can provide more effective remote monitoring. Currently, without a super stable internet connection, an outside consultant drives a couple of hours to provide services, which is billable time. The village wants to get rid of that and be more efficient by solidifying the internet connection. Rothstein noticed multiple improvements in the way the department does business.
Water department statistics for April: average daily volume of treated water was 226,898 gallons; total volume of treated water was 6,806,009 gallons; average chlorine residual at entry point was 2.02 milligrams per liter. Jake explained that if you smell chlorine in the water, it means there is not enough chlorine in the system. Testing revealed that Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria were absent in all testing sites. Completed repairs included pump number 12 with a new pump and drop line. The check valve in the water treatment plant has been approved by DOH and is scheduled for installation the week of May 11. The replacement of the pump and motor for well 13 is waiting for pump size clarification from Delaware Engineering.
Mayor Smythe noted that the total volume of treated water for April is actually 15% lower than last year, which is interesting.
Rothstein reported on two projects he is interested in working on. One involves reaching out to good business owners through the Chamber of Commerce to discuss what they are interested in and addressing affordability issues regarding signage while ensuring signs have an aesthetic feel consistent with the village's history. The other involves light poles and whether the village can take ownership of poles currently owned by Central Hudson. When a municipality owns its light poles, it saves costs. Rothstein has reviewed recent billing to understand how these things are itemized and what could be saved.
Utility billing report for April: utility bills issued in the amount of $259,658.21; penalties and finance charges issued: $0; utility payments received: $200,585.05; re-levy unpaid onto property taxes: $15,506.43; accounts receivable outstanding to the village as of May 1: $62,435.77; bill adjustments: $0.
Mayor Smythe moved to approve audited vouchers in the following amounts: General Fund $31,633.57, Water Fund $11,998.17, Sewer Fund $22,629.63. Rothstein moved, and the motion passed unanimously.
The chair noted several vouchers she had signed with notes indicating miscategorizations that should be corrected. In the water fund, a $9.59 charge for screwdriver bits should be categorized as Tools rather than Water Repairs. In the sewer fund, a propane charge for the generator should be categorized as Fuel rather than Supplies. In the general fund, a charge for court gown and rope should be categorized as Port rather than Police. The chair noted these corrections would be made.
Rothstein moved to adjourn, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:59 p.m.
Documents prepared for this meeting (18)
Compliance & regulatory (1)
Department reports (5)
Trustee + committee reports (3)
Vendor invoices (5)
- Water Quality Report — AG Environmental RSC Original Report #834722 versions
- Water Quality Report — AG Environmental RSC Original Report #84112
- Water Quality Report — AG Environmental RSC Original Report #84049
- Analytical Report — AG Environmental RSC Original Report #84469
- Analytical Report — AG Environmental RSC Original Report #84472