Village of Red Hook Mayor’s Report October 2025
CROSSWALK UPDATE
DOT required a permit, so we were a little delayed in the implementation of the crosswalks. They were painted on 11/13/25.
VILLAGE FINANCIAL AUDITS
Our new auditors, RBT, have begun our 2023 & 2024 audits. They are scheduled to spend a few days in Village Hall in November to gather the documentation they need to complete their work. Further updates to come. This is a heavy lift for Treasurer Marybeth, Comptroller Michele & Clerk Jen as there are a lot of documents required to be produced. We know there will be several recommendations once the audit is complete. We are looking forward to the opportunity to improve our financial organization and processes.
YOUTH POLICE INITIATIVE
From Oct. 21 through Oct. 25, Dutchess County’s Youth Police Initiative took place at the Red Hook VFW.
The Youth and Police Initiative (YPI) is a way for youth, police departments, and community organizations to build positive change and trust. The YPI curriculum produces strong, sustainable relationships that positively impact youth and police while reducing risk factors for delinquency and police targeting. Over the course of five, 2.5 hour after school sessions, police officers and specially selected youth from local high schools will share histories, complete team building exercises and roleplay scenarios, concluding with a Saturday graduation ceremony.
Thank you to Karmen Smallwood, Assistant Commissioner for Youth Services, for bringing this program to Red Hook.
SAWKILL WATERSHED COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (SKWC)
The SKWC met on Oct. 29[th] at 6:30pm in Village Hall. Attendees were Sheila Buff, Henry Woods, Jen Adams, Amy Shein, Ruth Ford, Zoe Evans, Amanda Sandor & Karen Smythe.
The group discussed the Town Comprehensive Plan and a request to host a kitchen table discussion around water issues to add input to the Plan. Sheila & Amanda attended the HRWA Alliance meeting and shared their takeaways. Jen offered to reach out to the Interact Club as they had expressed interest in volunteering to do some water sampling.
Fiscal sponsorship process was reviewed. After discussion, the group felt that the Open Space Institute (OSI) would be a better fit for the SKWC. Further communication will take place with OSI, following up on questions the group had. The next meeting is scheduled for Wed. Nov. 19[th] .
RED HOOK LIBRARY (RHPL)
The RHPL had their October board meeting on Oct. 16[th] . Attendees were President Anna Greig, Treasurer Grace Kachigan and Board members - Leah Bahnatka, Gareth Davies, & Kelly French, Executive Director Alex Geller.
The Meet & Greet scheduled for Oct 16 before the board meeting was quiet. Not many guests attended. The treasurer reported that expenses are in line with the budget. Income is waiting for the tax payment. The parking lot paving project had additions due to drainage and landscaping. Final walkthrough will be
scheduled after landscaping is complete. The porch project has been 100% reimbursed. A carpenter and door person will be coming to review the back door to determine ADA accessibility feasibility.
A draft budget will be presented at the November meeting with a final budget presentation at the December meeting. Circulation and foot traffic is up vs last year. Mid-Hudson plans to move patrons outside of the tax base to the correct library district. Those living in the Village of Red Hook will be assigned to the RHPL. Those in the Village of Tivoli will be assigned to the Tivoli Library. Those in the rest of the RHCSD will be a percentage split.
For more information, you can find their board packet on the library’s website – redhooklibrary.org/board-of-trustees. Their next board meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 20[th] at 6:30pm.
PUBLIC SPACES/ABRAHAMS PARK
The Public Spaces Committee met on Monday, Oct. 20[th] at 7pm in Village Hall. Attendees: Ash BradleyRickard, Linda DiGasper, David Sokol, Betsy Brauer, Camille Norvell, Perry Allen, David Pearson, Jana Mader & Karen Smythe.
Betsy has done a great job of encouraging more people to attend this meeting. We reviewed a list of possible grant opportunities that David S. had put together. We discussed the possibility of working with Bard to have some students develop master plans for the park as a senior project, for example. Ash is looking to step down as chair at the end of the year. David S. asked the group to look at other parks and find a favorite for the next meeting.
Next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17[th] at 7pm in Village Hall.
CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITY TASK FORCE
The Task Force met on Thursday, Oct. 23[rd] at 6pm in Village Hall. Attendees were Cat Viega, Alex Geller, Karen Smythe, and Scott Kleinberg of CCE. We reviewed the resiliency planning framework. Scott is on our workshop agenda to review their final report with the Board on Nov. 24. He will also have recommendations for next steps.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Library Directors for the Day – The winners of the Library’s Director for a Day opportunity came to visit me at Village Hall. At 4 years old, they are ready to take over! They especially enjoyed their Village stickers.
Town Comprehensive Plan Info Session – I attended the working session at the Red Hook High School. It was well attended and a productive creative session with residents visioning a positive future for the Town.
Bard College New Dorm Celebration – Bard College formally celebrated the opening of their new dorm complex on Oct. 21. I enjoyed representing the Village at the celebration and seeing the new dorms completed.
Youth Police Initiative – I was able to stop by one evening to welcome everyone to the Village of Red Hook and thank the team for their work.