Village of Red Hook Mayor’s Report January 2025
WIIA – WATER PROJECTS:
SCADA Controls Upgrade –System training has been held. The static IP address from our internet supplier, Frontier, has been secured. The internet speed is not fast enough to allow the system to function optimally. I am confirming with Frontier whether we are getting the proper speeds or if there is a problem. Final inspection also remains to be completed. Avanti Construction is the contractor. The final cost for this project is $390,078.
Cherry & Graves Street Water Main Replacement – The physical work is complete. A few punch list items remain, including fixing a broken hydrant on Cherry St. and confirming final restoration which will happen in the Spring. The contractor was Amity Construction. The final cost for this project is $1,036,314.37.
Water Tank Rehabilitation –This project is now complete – except for a contracted annual inspection to take place next summer.
Financing – The total project costs are about $2,000,000 – vs the original $1.8MM. The board approved this increase when we accepted the low bid from Amity Construction for Cherry & Graves Water Main Replacement. EFC originally provided financing for the difference between the $1.8MM and their grant. I have requested additional financing to cover the additional $200k for the project. That financing is not guaranteed so if we are denied, I will be back to the board for an alternate plan.
SEWER PROJECT I:
The major outstanding item is the Single Audit. We have received a draft that we are reviewing. There is one final MWBE report from Carver Construction to be filed with EFC. The Oct-Dec ’24 report was filed but Carver didn’t make it a final report so there will be at least one more.
SEWER EXPANSION – PHASE II:
An Income Survey is in process which has the potential to increase our chances of getting Bipartisan Infrastructure funding and other grants as well.
We did receive word that we were awarded a $2MM Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Counsel Capital Improvement Grant for Pro-Housing Communities.
The Bond Resolution that is on the agenda for tonight is required for the project to be considered for a WIIA grant. Those grant applications are accepted until late May, announced in the Fall.
There is a County Infrastructure Grant program for which we may be eligible for up to $500,000 that could be used to support the engineering required for the project. That would allow us to get started while waiting for the other grant funding to be secured.
UPSEU CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS:
I just received the final Police Contract. With some minor edits it will be ready to sign. Still waiting for the DPW Contract.
RED HOOK LIBRARY:
I attended the January 16[th] Library board meeting. The Policy Committee continues to work on creating and/or updating policies. This month the committee reviewed their Website, Reserve Fund, Telecommunications & Airborne Infections policies. There was a discussion around Tivoli & Red Hook Library Planning updates. They are moving forward toward working together. The construction projects are complete. There was an understandable dip in foot traffic during construction which has now bumped back up. Additional lighting will be added outside in the ramp & Children’s Garden area. The VFW contacted the library to offer to do a volunteer project. They will be patching and painting the 3[rd] floor conference room. The Volunteer Tool on the Daily Catch website was discussed. There was also a discussion around what would be acceptable uses for renting out the community room. For more detailed information, you can find their board packet on the Library’s website – redhooklibrary.org/board-of-trustees.
Respectfully submitted,
Mayor Karen Smythe