Village of Red Hook ’ Mayor s Report November 2024
SEWER PROJECT I:
The major outstanding item is the Single Audit. We are still waiting for this audit. There is one final MWBE report from Carver Construction to be filed with EFC.
SEWER EXPANSION – PHASE II:
We are working toward doing an Income Survey to increase our chances of getting Bipartisan Infrastructure funding and other grants as well.
ABRAHAMS PARK TASK FORCE:
The original group meet on Nov. 15[th] to get back together and review where we are. We had some preliminary feedback from the surveys. We meet again in December to review further.
UPSEU CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS:
With the Board’s approval at our Nov. 21[st] meeting, I have signed both MOUs for the DPW and the Police Union contracts for 6/1/24 through 5/31/27. An MOU for Officer Lawson and the final contracts are to follow.
WIIA – WATER PROJECTS:
SCADA Controls Upgrade – The chlorine analyzer arrived and has been installed. System training remains to be completed. Obtaining a static IP address from our internet supplier, Frontier, is all that’s left to finalize alarm system and have it fully functional. Avanti Construction is the contractor. The original cost for this project was $416,700. With the deduct change order, the amount is $390,078.
Cherry & Graves Street Water Main Replacement – The physical work is complete. We are reviewing the final numbers now. The contractor is Amity Construction. The original bidded cost for this project is $1,003,560.
Water Tank Rehabilitation –This project is now complete – except for a contracted annual inspection to take place next summer. The contractor is Worldwide Industries. The contract cost for this project is $373,500. The deduct change order for $13,100 has been approved, making the contract amount now $360,400.
OTHER WATER PROJECTS:
Lead line Inventory –As required, we notified all customers for whom we do not have all information on their water line, including the homeowners service line. And if a portion is not identified, we must say there could be lead. At this time, there are no known lead service lines or water mains in the Village’s water system. A big thank you to Jen Cavanaugh who handled all of this communication. The inventory remains a living document that we will continue to update.
DUTCHESS COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL (DCTC):
A virtual meeting was held on Oct. 30. The meeting began with a presentation from consultants Cambridge Systematics, who are working on a comprehensive traffic safety study that will become part of the County’s Safety Action Plan. They reviewed grant awards including an FTA Section 5310 Program Award to Devereux Foundation for replacement buses. They also reviewed upcoming funding opportunities.
RED HOOK LIBRARY:
I was not able to attend the November Library board meeting as it conflicted with the Village workshop
meeting. I can report that they have completed their construction projects which included replacing the stucco facade, restoring the porch, and refurbishing their teen space. They reviewed a form for the Director’s evaluation, presented initial work from the Strategic Planning Committee, and shared a draft 2025 budget. You can find their board packet on the Library’s website – redhooklibrary.org/board-of-trustees.
OTHER:
DAY OF THE DEAD
I attended this event held Nov. 2[nd] at Hearty Roots Farm, formerly Cookingham East put on by Cultivar Community Farm and the Red Hook Community Center.
MEGABRAIN RIBBON CUTTING
I attended the Nov. 7[th] ribbon cutting for Megabrain hosted by the Red Hook Chamber of Commerce. Megabrain is a new store in the Village that opened in May.
VILLAGE TREE PLANTING
I joined many volunteers on Saturday, Nov. 9[th] to help plant new trees around the Village.
VETERANS DAY
The Red Hook VFW Post 7765 held their annual Veteran’s Day ceremony on November 11[th] at 11am at Memorial Park. It was a moving ceremony with words from their new Commander Jon Conroe, music from Veteran Dave Feroe, and a special tribute to the Vietnam Veterans by the Boys Scout Troop 42.
TACONIC RESOURCES PRESS EVENT HONORING TIVOLI MAYOR GRIFFITH
On Nov. 14[th] , I chauffeured Mayor Griffith and joined in to honor him for his leadership in focusing on ADA compliance where possible in Tivoli.
Respectfully submitted,
Mayor Karen Smythe