Highway Department Report — March–April 2026

[Sourced from UCRRA, Village receipts, Highway Foreman notes. AI assistance from Claude.]

Highway Department Report for March–April 2026

by Trustee Uku · May 11, 2026

Materials Management

Please refer to the attached Resource Recovery Data Report for full details. The UCRRA fuel surcharge rose from 6.75% to 11.25% in April, reflecting increased fuel costs. Contaminated recycling charges also increased — $6.28 in March and $14.52 in April — a reminder to be more thoughtful when recycling. I’d like to suggest giving the Highway Department greater discretion to decline pickups that are contaminated, improperly bagged, or loosely bound.

Scrap Metal Program

Proceeds go towards the purchase of tools and equipment for the Highway Department. Residents and businesses interested in donating metal may contact the Village Clerk’s office to schedule a pickup.

Trash & Recycling

Trash and recycling must be out before 5 AM on Monday mornings. Cardboard bundles should be bound together with string or tape. Paper recycling should be placed loose within a lidded tub or bin. Recycling pickup alternates between Yellow (paper & cardboard) and Blue (metal, plastic & glass).

Bulk waste disposal (mattresses, large furniture, etc.) is available to Village residents and businesses at a very affordable rate.

Please contact the Clerk to purchase tags for any Village disposal services: (845) 758-1081 · info@redhookvillage.gov · or in person M–F, 11 AM – 4 PM.

Food Waste Dropoff

Residents are welcome to join the Village’s Food Waste Collection Program, made possible in part by a composting grant from Dutchess County. To sign up, contact the Clerk or visit redhookvillage.gov/compost.

Brush / Yard Waste Pickup

Back in season! Brush is collected in the first full week of the month. Please place piles neatly curbside for collection, not in the road.

Please refer regularly to the 2026 Waste Collection Guide, Dual Stream Recycling Guide, and Pickup Calendar. Credit for designing these belongs to Deputy Mayor Kjarval. I couldn’t survive without mine.

Street Light Out? Potholes?

If you notice a street light out in the Village, you may notify Central Hudson directly at cenhud.com/en/outages — select “Report a Street Light” and fill out their online form.

You can notify the Village of potholes on Village roads by calling the Village Clerk’s office or filling out the “Report a Concern” form at redhookvillage.org/concern. You can also submit your complaint directly to the NYS DOT by calling 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653).

Foreman Appreciation (“Giving Jake His Flowers”)

Jake and his crew have been busy. Seasonal tree removal is underway — several hazardous trees have been identified across the Village. Safety first, always.

New signage was installed at Abrahams Park in April.

PLEASE REMEMBER:

• → dogs must be on leash at all times

• → poop must be scooped

• → litter goes in the provided trash bins (or out of the park with you.)

• If you notice dog waste bags are out, please be a neighbor and let the Clerk know.

Jake and I have also begun early discussions on infrastructure grants for road and drainage improvements on Elizabeth St., as well as the process for adding stop signs at key intersections. Both require navigating between state agencies and many many hours doing so. Never too early to start.

Thank you as always to Jake and his team. We are the envy of all neighboring villages and towns. ☺