Village of Red Hook Village Green Committee Monthly Report March 2025
Planting is almost here - scheduled for April 19. This last month we secured our final spots for the Spring Planting. The committee canvassed and did outreach to our residents trying to recruit some new members to the committee and are all set for our next meeting which will address our preparation for planting day itself and other goals for the year. A reminder that the Village Green meets once a quarter and works on diversifying our tree canopy and is working toward providing helpful information to our residents about how to protect their own trees.
Two representatives from VGC went to the annual Tree Cities luncheon where we were honored in our 23rd year. The DEC gave a presentation on the governor's 25 Million Tree planting effort. The Town is already promoting the use of the DEC's Tree Tracker so that would be a fun thing for the Village to work on and could be a great project for the upcoming year. Any tree planted since January 2024 can be counted. The goal is 25 million by 2033.
We are actively recruiting members. If you are interested in giving back to your community but don ’t have a lot of time to give this may be the perfect committee for you! Please contact me or Jen Cavanaugh, the Clerk.
Village of Red Hook Sewer Department Monthly Report March 2025
In March, there were some strides and setbacks with the operating of the plant. The Village pressed the operator to send copies of all Notices of Violations, where necessary. Remembering lab results are a month behind, a NOV was confirmed to be sent for the month of February - which happened before a calculated dump of mixed liquor was added to help engage the bugs. There were still mechanical issues in relation to the UV lights and so Chlorine treatment, a standard treatment process, was authorized to continue to be used in the tanks. Working through the to-do list - the crew was able to get the necessary tanks emptied and begin to start work on the list of necessary repairs that came out of the audit - as well as connect the EQ tank to the Odor Control system (which needed the ground to thaw). At the alternating meeting we discussed not moving forward with the RFP process and to shift into a new direction for the operation and maintenance of the WWTP.
We continued to meet with our representative from the New York Rural Water Association who has experience with sewer code and functionality of WWTPs in general.
In the month of March, the contract with C3ND, as our operator for both water and sewer, was terminated and as of March 31, 2025 the Village engaged Delaware Engineering, fully accredited/certified to operate WWTPs, as our operator. These actions were solidified at the Board ’ s workshop at the end of March. As Delaware is familiar with the plant and with aiding and addressing malfunctioning plants - their goal is to break it down to brass tacks and start from scratch in learning what this particular system needs and how to get it up to snuff. Delaware worked on a plan to attack the plant with more testing (influent) to see if we are bringing something into the plant that is causing the uneven/unhealthy bug environment. Additionally, they were poised to go in on day 1 and do a full assessment of the plant itself. It is a priority to make sure we have a fully functional and operating WWTP. I also acknowledge that residents
are duly concerned about the operations of the plant. It will take time, but I am trusting in the new team to whip the plant into shape so that after we can then move forward.
The Sewer team meets every other Friday. If you have concerns, comments, etc. related to the WWTP or the Sewer Use Area please do not hesitate to reach out.
Village of Red Hook Speed Limit Initiative Monthly Report March 2025
There hasn ’ t been any new developments since the last meeting.
Village of Red Hook Town of Red Hook Greenway and Trails Committee Monthly Report March 2025
The March meeting covered proposed road signage/safety measures for the Saw Kill Trail to alert drivers that there will be people on the road as the trail connects on and through the roads. There were some repair/maintenance updates such as repainting the sharrows and also adjusting the culvert bridge to accommodate tractors/mowers more easily, but both are weather dependent.
The committee is actively working on promoting the trails as off-road and safer options for traveling between schools and neighborhoods and working through educational material to send out regarding the “ rules of the roads/trails ” such as road safety, looking both ways, walking against traffic, riding with traffic, etc.
Upcoming dates: Ribbon Cutting event for Saw Kill Phase 2, by WLT will be held Saturday, April 26[th] at 1:30 so mark your calendars! It is in conjunction with the Rail to Trail Conservancy ’ s National Trails Day!
Village of Red Hook Climate Smart Communities Monthly Report March 2025
The CSC continues to meet monthly typically on the third Thursday of the month - however, in April due to Spring Break the committee will meet a week earlier (April 10th) at Village Hall, feel free to join us! We received updates on the RHHS compost program (currently only in their kitchens). We talked about the Village ’ s Compost program that will be launching later this spring. And as a quick refresher, we received a grant from the County to start a new food waste drop off/collection site. This will be a 24/7/365 food waste hub - meaning residents will have access to it whenever they want. Residents are urged to express interest now and once the program goes live, you can register for it. After residents register, they will be provided with instructions on how to move forward to officially be signed up with the Village ’ s compost program. Residents will receive complimentary countertop compost bins, while supplies last. And the Food Waste
Hub/Drop off will be in the municipal lot. If you are interested in being informed about this new initiative, please reach out to myself or the Clerk ’ s office. A subcommittee of the CSC did some research into the Safe Routes to School program itself and what it entails and was happy to learn that the Village had already engaged with an engineer to work on speed limit and particularly a School Zone. We discussed an upcoming “ Tour de Red Hook ” that is being organized by the Red Hook Public Library - and could be a good chance to do some resident canvassing regarding bike/pedestrian use of roads to and around the schools. Additionally, it is a great opportunity to engage residents about the Safe Routes to School program.
In the meantime, they are tasked next with compiling a list of action items to recommend to the Board for consideration prior to moving forward on action items for the CSC program. In March, I attended the CAC Roundtable event hosted by Dutchess County Planning and Development at Cornell Cooperative Extension ’ s Dutchess Campus and a few days later was at the 3rd annual Climate Summit held at SUNY Orange. Both provided great opportunities to discuss with experts in the areas and other municipalities what they are doing to address climate change and any hiccups they foresee along the way, especially with the current federal administration and funding concerns. Additionally meet with volunteers who are in similar taskforces/committees and the work they are doing within their committees/taskforce.
CSC taskforce meetings are open to the public and we are actively recruiting members. If you are interested in joining the task force or just sitting in, feel free to reach out to me or check the Village ’ s Calendar for upcoming meetings. Our April meeting was moved forward a week due to Spring Break, so we just met; however, we meet the Third Thursday of the month at 4 p.m. at Village Hall - so the next meeting is scheduled for May 15th.
Upcoming events of interest:
Film Screening of Legion Monday, April 21 @ 6:30 p.m. hosted by Sustainable Hudson Valley Repair Café - Saturday, April 26 @ RHCC Tour de Red Hook - Sunday, May 4th Drive Electric Vehicles Demo May 10th from 1-4 at the Red Hook Town Hall