Nov 13th, 2023
Deputy Mayor Melkorka Kjarval’s Monthly Reports
Red Hook Together:
Red Hook Together meets the first Thursday of the month - at alternating times of day and locations. Invitations and meeting times are coordinated by Bard CCE. This month's meeting on Nov 2nd held at 5:30 pm over Zoom was dedicated to the conversation of childcare in Red Hook. Representatives from Headstart and the Childcare Council of Dutchess and Putnam counties were present. A recording of the meeting is taken by Bard CCE and can be viewed upon request.
Red Hook Town Economic Development Committee:
The EDC holds public meetings on the 2nd and 4th Wed of the month, at 8:40 am in the Red Hook Village Hall Courtroom. The next and only meeting in December will be on December 13th. This past month the committee met on October, 11th, 25th and November 8th.
October 25th’s conversation was about Marijuana Dispensaries as well as the details of an upcoming “Farmers meeting”, which has just been moved to January 11th at 8am.
This week’s conversation concentrated on the TND Zoning distinct, and to that end - whether zoning laws become a benefit or a hindrance without the infrastructure to support their full realization. More comprehensive minutes are available on the Committee webpage on the Town Website.
Village of Red Hook Communications Committee:
The Communications committee meets every first Wednesday of the month at 1:30 pm in the Village Hall conference room. The next meeting will be December 6th. This week's meeting was not held due to scheduling issues. We did make progress on the Language Access Grant during a separate session. We have ordered Language Line signage & instructional materials. We have also posted proposed bilingual signage in various spaces in the Village building to receive initial feedback from visitors & staff.
It has come to our attention that some people are unaware that you can receive Village Emergency Alerts and/or Service Disruptions notifications via email or text message. To enroll in the Village’s Notify Me® notifications, visit: redhookvillage.org/list.aspx. Enter your email to login, and then you can customize your notification preferences. The Mayor also sends a newsletter every month - which you can enroll to receive at: redhookvillage.org/Newsletter
Village Events Committee:
The events committee holds public meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6pm at Village Hall. The next meeting will be Nov 20th.
The Annual Village Halloween Parade was a success, the weather was beautiful and the turnout was even bigger than the year before. A huge thank you to the Red Hook Police’s Lieutenant for leading the parade and providing the music.
If you are interested in joining or volunteering for the events committee please contact the committee chair, Amy Smith by email at events@redhooknyvillage.org
Village of Red Hook Human Relations Committee:
The Human Relations Committee holds public meetings every first Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Village Hall conference room. The next meeting will be December 7th. This month's meeting was canceled due to a scheduling conflict with the Village Board Workshop. Last month's meeting on October 11th, focused on deciding what kind of Humanity centered project the Committee would commit to in 2024.
Committee member Amy Boyd is researching storytelling workshops that we can possibly emulate and or enroll in. In the Spring of 2024 we plan to invite community members to participate in expressing our shared humanity in a communal art project, this time with writing as the medium.
In the meantime - the InsideOut Project photos were published on the global website and can be viewed at: insideoutproject.net/en/explore/group-action/we-are-neighbors
Village of Red Hook Highway Department:
-
Brush Pickup is concluded for 2023. Leaf pickup is underway and will continue until the first snowstorm. Please pile leaves in a row at the street edge. Remember that the Highway truck cannot pick up leaf piles mixed with debris, due to possible equipment damage.
-
The Village’s Snow ordinance is in effect as of November 1st, 2023 thru March 31, 2024. No parking is permitted on Village streets from 11PM - 6AM and on NYS Highways (Rt9/Broadway & Rt 199/ Market St) from 2-6AM . Vehicles parked during these times may be removed by RHPD and/or any responding law enforcement agency and towed at the owner's expense.
-
Property owners are reminded to remove athletic equipment, garbage receptacles and/or any other temporary obstacles from the side of streets to prevent their damage during snow removal operations.
-
The owner and/or occupant of every building/lot in the village with an adjoining sidewalk, is required to remove snow and ice within 24 hrs of the end of a snowstorm. The Village Highway Department, at the direction of the Village board of Trustees, may remove uncleared snow/ice, at the cost of $2.00 per linear foot to the property owner. Charges will be assessed and collected with the next tax levy.
5. Scrap Metal Program
Revenue received from the sale of scrap metal during on since the last report was $464.80
Total revenue for this Fiscal Year 2023- 2024 to date is $3,479.30
Since the Program’s inception, in September 2007, donations have yielded a total of $51,357.36
Proceeds go toward the purchase of tools and equipment for the Village Highway, Water, and Materials Management Departments. Residents and businesses interested in donating scrap metal may contact The Village Highway Department (845-758-8600 or highway@redhooknyvillage.org) or the Village Clerk’s Office (845-758-1081 or info@redhooknyvillage.org ). Highway Department personnel will pick up scrap metal upon request.
6. Highway Department Equipment
The Highway Line Striper has been delivered, And Highway supervisor Jake Smith will be meeting with a supplier to purchase the correct size stencils to match our previous painted symbols. The Highway department has also purchased a small trailer to store the striper and any associated equipment.
7. Seasonal Projects
Annual Repaving: The paving contractor was able to schedule two paving projects before the asphalt plant closed for the season, and as of the writing of this report are slated to pave Church St extension on Thursday November 9th., and a section of Cambridge Drive on Friday November 10th.