Committee Reports
(Not Part of the Official Meeting Minutes)
Village of Red Hook Mayor’s Report June 2026
SEWER EXPANSION PROJECT (Including Short-Term Upgrades): The updated Engineering Report was completed July 6 with an updated cost estimate for the project at $27,794,000 (up from $19.5MM). This includes increased costs, added elements including the short-term upgrades, solar panels, and a receiving station. Authorizations for grant applications for the Intermunicipal Grant (IMG) and the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) are included under General Business items. Due to the increase in the cost estimate, the Bond Resolution needs to be amended to reflect the higher estimate. To eliminate the need for a further amendment for a small amount of overage, the Bond Resolution Amendment is for $28MM. Both grants are due July 27[th] .
The Short-Term Upgrade design plans are due to the State in July. The Sewer Team will receive copy for review shortly. We will be meeting soon to discuss the Income Survey – we did not get enough surveys to meet the criteria for acceptance last year. We can use last year’s surveys and we still have time to complete enough surveys.
RED HOOK FIRE DEPARTMENT The RHFD has submitted an updated list of officers. The Fire Chief is now Terry Lane. The Administrative President is Keith McGilvray. There are 48 active members as of 6/3/26 including 16 new members since Aug 2025. 18 members hit the service award point threshold for 2025.
FOOD WASTE COLLECTION - COMPOST PROGRAM/COUNTY GRANT We are up to 70 residents who have signed up for the Food Waste Collection program. A total of ____ pounds of food waste has been collected since _______. With the remaining funds in the grant, I’ve spoken with Ray Silverman of Laughing Fox Farm, with whom we contract to pick up our food waste, to hold an educational event about the composting process of food waste to soil, what not to put into the food waste bins, and perhaps an opportunity to plant some seeds in composted soil. Currently looking at a Saturday morning either Sept 12 or Oct 3. Anyone interested in helping with this program, please contact me at mayor@redhookvillage.gov or 845-758-4715.
SAWKILL WATERSHED COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (SKWC): The SKWC met June 24[th] at 6:30pm in Village Hall. Attendees were Sheila Buff, Henry Woods, Amanda Sandor, Amy Shein, Perry Allen, Karen Schneller-McDonald, Eli Dueker and Bard Students Nyla, Kelly & Riley.
Eli and his summer student interns have been working to enhance the database. They are creating an app and working on ways to help people access the data.
Perry indicated that the Village’s new Wetland Committee will be starting with education. Eli will provide data from the Bard database. Karen Sch. offered to share her “criteria for success” worksheet. She also offered to come to a meeting to discuss. She also recommended reaching out to Emily Vail at HRVWA.
The Wavemaker Award plaque that was awarded to the Sawkill Watershed Community and Karen Schneller-McDonald for all the work that’s been done for the Sawkill Watershed over the last 10 years is now being kept in the Village’s conference room.