Ceremony honoring Ann Bornt Tuesday 12/10 at 5:45PM

A stone monument will be unveiled as we name the Municipal Building in her honor

On Tuesday December 10th, at 5:45PM at the steps of the Municipal Building, the Village of Hoosick Falls will hold a brief ceremony in honor of former Village Clerk and Village Trustee Ann Marie Bornt, who served the Village for almost 40 years.

We will be naming the Municipal Building in her honor, and unveiling the stone monument that will permanently reside next to the main stairs of the "Ann Bornt Municipal Building".

We hope you are able to join us. Light refreshments will be available in the main lobby. The regular Board meeting will begin afterwards, approximately at 6PM.

VOCs discovered in Sewer Improvement Project near John Street Superfund Site

Honeywell International has addressed the situation with plans to remediate in 2020

This is to provide an update on a situation that recently occurred during the ongoing Sewer Improvement Project in the areas of John Street, Lyman Street, Superior Street, and Church Street.

On Thursday, November 14th, while the Village’s contractors were working in John Street, an old culvert was discovered. Once equipment began working to uncover and remove the culvert, strong fumes were detected. Air monitoring results showed elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Work was immediately halted, and the culvert was covered.

The Village, along with its environmental consultants Sterling Environmental Engineering, contacted New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, who visited the site. The Village, its consultants, and attorneys immediately initiated discussions with Honeywell International, who is responsible for the John Street Superfund Site. The Village also reached out to a small business owner near the site to make sure they were aware of what had been found and to keep them informed throughout the process.

Results from soil samples taken inside the culvert showed high levels of localized contamination. The highest detection of VOCs in the samples were 11,000 ppm of Trichloroethene (TCE) and 120,000 ppm of 1,1,1-Tricholoroethane. These values are over a thousand times higher than any results obtained in the Remedial Investigation that is being conducted by Honeywell at the John Street site.

Honeywell has accepted responsibility for the situation and has taken the lead on addressing it. As an interim measure and with DEC’s approval, they have properly covered and filled in the area where the culvert was unearthed, temporarily addressing the immediate hazard within a week of its discovery. Honeywell has also started developing a work plan to remediate the culvert, and once the work plan receives DEC approval, they will address the situation, likely in the spring of 2020.

The Village and its engineers and contractors modified the existing Sewer Improvement Project plans so that the John Street portion of the work could be eliminated. This allows the project to continue without delay and/or extra cost to the Village.

As any additional updates come, the Village will post them on their website.

Updated road closings/openings - Thanksgiving week

Monday, 11/25/19: A few updates on road closing and openings related to the Sewer Improvement Project:

• First Street underpass is now OPEN.
• The Mechanic Street bridge will be closed for one more day, and will be opened up at the end of the work day on Tuesday, 11/26. Emergency vehicles can still make it through that section.
• Water Street will have one end (Church Street end) closed off beginning next week, and work will continue down Water Street for the remainder of next week.

We are very sorry for the inconvenience, and the lack of noticing last week. We hit some unanticipated sub-surface conditions that added some delays and forced some schedules to be modified. The Village will be providing additional information on this shortly.

From Honeywell International: John Street Investigation Activity for 2019

A number of Village residents have requested updates as to what would be going on regarding the John Street Superfund work. The Village passed this on to Honeywell, who prepared a summary of work over the next couple of months.

1st Street Underpass Closed November 4th to 8th

Due to the ongoing Sewer Improvement Project work in the area of John, Superior, and Lyman Street, the underpass at the end of 1st street will be closed off beginning Monday morning, November 4th, and will remain closed (including overnight) through likely the end of the week.

For those of us who avoid the train crossing on River Street/Route22 by taking the 1st street underpass below the train track, this will not be an option next week. Very sorry for the inconvenience.

Public Notice: Comprehensive Plan & Local Waterfront Revitalization Strategy

Friday, November 11th: PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that there has been presented to the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County, New York, on October 8, 2019, a Comprehensive Plan and Local Waterfront Revitalization Strategy for the Village of Hoosick Falls.

The full text is available here for public review and at the Office of the Village Clerk, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York, during regular business hours.

FURTHER, PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of teh Village of Hoosick Falls will hold a public hearing on the aforesaid Comprehensive Plan and Local Waterfront Revitalization Strategy in the Meeting Room in the Hoosick Falls MUnicipal Building, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, at 6:00P.M. on the 12th day of November, 2019, at which time all interested persons will be heard.

Click here for the full report with the appendix. A smaller file without the appendix is available here.

MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY STUDY RELEASED

Presentation on the report this Wednesday, October 23rd, at Hoosick Falls Central School at 6:00PM

Monday, October 21st: The long-awaited Municipal Water Supply Study has been released, detailing five potential options for a future long-term water source for the Village of Hoosick Falls municipal water supply. The report is available at the DEC website.

For your convenience, we have broken down the report into the following ways, so that you can easily navigate the report:

• The Municipal Water Supply Study Report - 70 pages - the overall summary of the report and its findings.
• Figures from the MWSS - 13 pages - Figures cited in the MWSS. Color printing is ideal.
• Appendix A and Appendix B - 16 pages - Private Well sampling results and Public Water Systems in NY and the Country that use GAC filtration.
• Appendix C Part 1 - Hydrogeologic Investigation Report - 35 pages - the report that explains option 1 - the new groundwater source.
• Appendix C Part 2 - Figures - 23 pages - Figures cited in the Hydrogeologic Investigation Report.
• Appendix C Part 3 - Tables - 46 pages - Tables specific to the Hydrogeologic Investigation Report.
• Appendix C Part 4 - Attachments 1-3 - 88 pages - Hager Richter Geophysical Survey Report, Boring and Construction Logs, & Johnson Sieve Analysis and Screen Recommendations.
• Appendix C Part 5 - Attachment 4 - 400+ pages - Data usability Summary Reports
• Appendix C Part 6 - Attachments 5-7 - 23 pages - Step Tests and Pumping Test
• Appendix C Part 7 - Attachments 8-10 - 27 pages - Pumping Tests
• Appendix D - Tomhannock Reservoir PFAS Labratory Results - 113 pages - Pumping Tests
• Appendix E - Cost Estimates - 6 pages - Cost estimates for each option.

You can also watch the video below that explains the report and the Wednesday meeting.

This Wednesday, October 23rd, there will be a presentation on the report beginning at 6PM at the Hoosick Falls Central School auditorium. There will also be availability sessions in the gymnasium that run from 3:00-5:00PM and 7:30PM-9:00PM. All are invited and encouraged to attend.

SPECIAL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY TO CONSIDER PROPOSED AGREEMENT BETWEEN VILLAGE AND HONEYWELL

Agreement related to sewer improvement project taking place around John Street Superfund Site

Friday, October 11th: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, commencing at 6 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Hall, Municipal Building, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of consideration of a proposed agreement to accept funds from Honeywell International, Inc. in connection with the current sewer improvement project, SEQRA review of Woods Brook Drainage Improvements Project, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

The agreement to be discussed is available here for review. It is specific to costs related to managing contaminated soil and/or water near the John Street Superfund Site as it related to an ongoing Sewer Improvement Project.

Special Meeting on Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 at 6PM

Tuesday, September 24th: Notice is hereby given that a special meeting will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Wednesday, September 25th, 2019, commencing at 6 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Hall, Municipal Building, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of performing a State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) review of the Woods Brook Home Buyout Program, to provide an update on discussions with Honeywell International, Inc. concerning the pending sewer improvement project, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

The tentative agenda is available here.

Mayor Allen's letter to the NYS Department of Health about MCLs for PFOA and PFOS

Village of Hoosick Falls Mayor Robert Allen sent a letter to New York State's Department of Health, commenting on the state's proposed MCLs (Maximum Contaminant Levels) for PFOA and PFOS. You can read the letter here.

Early Notice and Public Review of Proposed Activity located in a 100-year floodplain

This is to give notice that the Village of Hoosick Falls has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and/or 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for the Woods Brook Improvements Project under CDBG 546PR31-17.

Phase I of the Woods Brook Improvements Project will seek to increase flood water storage upstream through existing culvert modifications and flood water storage facilities. Future phases will include improvements to existing culverts within the Village, daylighting portions of the stream, and realigning the stream to broaden hydraulic capacity and protect existing structures to remain. Approximately 30 acres of floodplain are mapped within the Project’s assessment limits. Direct impacts will seek to improve the existing floodplains to reduce severity of future flood events. The proposed project(s) is located at multiple locations within the Village of Hoosick Falls and Town of Hoosick, Rensselaer County.

Written comments must be received by The Village of Hoosick Falls at the following address on or before August 16, 2019: Village of Hoosick Falls, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090 and 518-686-7072, Attention: Robert Allen, Mayor, during normal business hours. Comments may also be submitted via email atrweitz@bartonandloguidice.com

Upcoming Road Work in the Village

UPDATE: Classic Street and Stark Street paving will happen on Monday, weather permitting.

Over the next week, the Village DPW will be repaving some roads. Here is the tentative schedule, which could be affected by any rain or other bad weather.

Snow Street & Classic Street Milling: Tuesday, August 13th. Paving: Wednesday to Friday, Aug 14th - 16th

Albany & Saratoga Streets (in conjuction with the Town of Hoosick DPW): Paving: Wednesday to Friday, Aug 14th - 16th.

Stark Street: repaving will be at the end of the above paving, either late this week or early next week.

PLEASE NOTE: During these times listed above, NO PARKING will be allowed on these streets during the hours of 7am to 5PM each day.

The Village DPW has recently finished drainage and patch fixes on Richmond Avenue and Church Street. We want to thank them for the quality work they are doing, and we also want to thank all of you for your patience in the process.

Notice to Residents in the 3rd & 4th Ward regarding Water Service Interruption on Thursday 7/10

This notice is to residents on the following Village Streets: RENSSELAER - SNOW - CONGRESS - OAK - CARR - ONEIL - PARSONS (from Snow Street to Fairbanks).

Water service will be interrupted on Thursday, July 11th from 8:00am until approximately 4:00PM due to the installation of the new Rensselaer Street Pump Station.

We are asking you to plan ahead and be ready to use no water at all starting at 8am on Thursday. Once the water is turned back on (around 4PM), expect some discoloration for the first few minutes of water use. Let the water run until the discoloration is gone.

This is the final step in water infrastructure improvements in this part of the Village, which included last fall's new water main along Snow Street.

We sincerely thank you for your patience and cooperation in this process. Feel free to contact the Village of Hoosick Falls Water Department with any additional questions at (518) 686-0200.

Village Mayor Robert Allen releases statement regarding New York State's latest announcement to proceed with MCLs on PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced that he is directing the Department of Health (DOH) to begin the process of adopting Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane. This is an essential and important step to assure the protection of public health in New York. We extend our thanks to Governor Cuomo and the Drinking Water Quality Council for proposing the lowest MCLs in the Nation for PFOA and PFOS.

The establishment of the MCLs is not the end of the process. We recognize that the science is advancing and we anticipate that over time those values may need to be lowered as further data is gathered and studies are conducted.

Hoosick Falls has been on the front line of PFOA and PFOS exposure, and the lessons learned from our experiences have played important roles in driving the dialogue across the state and country on PFAS chemicals and drinking water standards. From changes in state legislation to proposed bills in Congress, many residents of Hoosick Falls have given up their time and energy to push forward on this important concern. That effort has been expended out of an awareness that the health and well-being of our families and community are at stake. To all who have participated in this process and who have made their voices heard...Thank you.

This is an important step forward for our state, and especially with the profound lack of a federal response to these contaminants, we appreciate New York becoming a leader in responding to PFAS contamination. We look forward to the completion of the MCL process in a few months.

VILLAGE BOARD TO VOTE ON $255K INTERIM SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT RELATED TO PFOA CONTAMINATION

Agreement covers past and anticipated costs; maintains legal rights for the Village

Tuesday, June 18th: The Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls will consider a new interim settlement agreement with Saint-Gobain and Honeywell in a special meeting to take place this Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building.

The interim agreement includes $185,000 for past costs the Village took on as a result of the PFOA contamination, and $70,000 in anticipated costs related to the operation and maintenance of the GAC filtration system for the current fiscal year. Like both previous interim settlement agreements, this will maintain the Village's legal rights going forward.

"This agreement is another small but important step forward as we work to make the Village whole," said Mayor Robert Allen. "Not only does this reimburse the Village for more of the previous financial burden it had to bear, but it also addresses anticipated costs related to the daily costs of operating the filtration system, something the Village began taking on when the system came online in late 2016. Most importantly, we still maintain our legal rights; in short, the Village’s costs are covered and the Village maintains its claims for damages against the companies."

Please click here for the full press release or the Interim Settlement Agreement.

Notice to Residents in the 3rd & 4th Ward regarding Water Service Interruption on Thursday 7/10

Monday, July 8, 2019—This notice is to residents on the following Village Streets: RENSSELAER - SNOW - CONGRESS - OAK - CARR - ONEIL - PARSONS (from Snow Street to Fairbanks).

Water service will be interrupted on Thursday, July 11th from 8:00am until approximately 4:00PM due to the installation of the new Rensselaer Street Pump Station.

We are asking you to plan ahead and be ready to use no water at all starting at 8am on Thursday. Once the water is turned back on (around 4PM), expect some discoloration for the first few minutes of water use. Let the water run until the discoloration is gone.

This is the final step in water infrastructure improvements in this part of the Village, which included last fall's new water main along Snow Street.

We sincerely thank you for your patience and cooperation in this process. Feel free to contact the Village of Hoosick Falls Water Department with any additional questions at (518) 686-0200.

Village Mayor Robert Allen releases statement regarding New York State's latest announcement to proceed with MCLs on PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced that he is directing the Department of Health (DOH) to begin the process of adopting Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane. This is an essential and important step to assure the protection of public health in New York. We extend our thanks to Governor Cuomo and the Drinking Water Quality Council for proposing the lowest MCLs in the Nation for PFOA and PFOS.

The establishment of the MCLs is not the end of the process. We recognize that the science is advancing and we anticipate that over time those values may need to be lowered as further data is gathered and studies are conducted.

Hoosick Falls has been on the front line of PFOA and PFOS exposure, and the lessons learned from our experiences have played important roles in driving the dialogue across the state and country on PFAS chemicals and drinking water standards. From changes in state legislation to proposed bills in Congress, many residents of Hoosick Falls have given up their time and energy to push forward on this important concern. That effort has been expended out of an awareness that the health and well-being of our families and community are at stake. To all who have participated in this process and who have made their voices heard...Thank you.

This is an important step forward for our state, and especially with the profound lack of a federal response to these contaminants, we appreciate New York becoming a leader in responding to PFAS contamination. We look forward to the completion of the MCL process in a few months.

VILLAGE BOARD TO VOTE ON $255K INTERIM SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT RELATED TO PFOA CONTAMINATION

Agreement covers past and anticipated costs; maintains legal rights for the Village

Tuesday, June 18th: The Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls will consider a new interim settlement agreement with Saint-Gobain and Honeywell in a special meeting to take place this Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building.

The interim agreement includes $185,000 for past costs the Village took on as a result of the PFOA contamination, and $70,000 in anticipated costs related to the operation and maintenance of the GAC filtration system for the current fiscal year. Like both previous interim settlement agreements, this will maintain the Village's legal rights going forward.

"This agreement is another small but important step forward as we work to make the Village whole," said Mayor Robert Allen. "Not only does this reimburse the Village for more of the previous financial burden it had to bear, but it also addresses anticipated costs related to the daily costs of operating the filtration system, something the Village began taking on when the system came online in late 2016. Most importantly, we still maintain our legal rights; in short, the Village’s costs are covered and the Village maintains its claims for damages against the companies."

Please click here for the full press release or the Interim Settlement Agreement.

Friday deadline for CPWG interest

Tuesday, May 14, 2019—Community members interested in the PFOA cleanup progress and options for the municipal water supply are invited to submit a letter of interest to participate in the Hoosick Area Community Participation Work Group (CPWG). The CPWG will provide local residents with a voice in the process, and an opportunity to provide information, opinions, and perspectives on remediation efforts and options for the municipal water supply. Submit a one-page letter of interest to Hoosick Community Participation Work Group, Attn: The Paige Group, 258 Genesee St., Suite 204, Utica, NY, 13502 or via email at info@paigegroup.com. Letters will be accepted through May 17th, 2019.

For complete information on the CPWG, please click here for the formal announcement from April 2019.

Press Release: Justin Faatz

April 3, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On Wednesday March 26th 2019, Justin Faatz escaped custody from the Hoosick Falls Police Department. Hoosick Falls Police, along with the New York State Police and other agencies followed up on numerous leads.

It was determined early in the investigation that Faatz was in the Athol Massachusetts area. The Athol Police Department and other surrounding law enforcement agencies were notified immediately and actively followed up several leads.

On Tuesday, April 2nd at about 9 a.m., Athol Police acted on a call to check on the welfare of a person and discovered the body of Justin Faatz at an apartment in Athol. It appears that Faatz died of a drug overdose. An autopsy is scheduled for a later date.

View the complete press release.

Special Meeting for Thursday, March 28th, 2019 at 6PM

March 27, 2019 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Thursday March 28, 2019, commencing at 6 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Hall, Municipal Building, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of rescinding action taken by the Board of Trustees at the March 26, 2019 special meeting regarding the acceptance of bids and award of certain contracts for the Village of Hoosick Falls highway garage project; and directing MRB Group to fully and timely complete the review of all bidder qualifications and references as contained in the bids received by the Village of Hoosick Falls pertaining to the Village Highway Department garage project, and to have the same completed as soon as practicable.

No other business will be conducted by the Board of Trustees at this meeting.

WANTED: Justin Faatz

March 27, 2019—Justin Faatz DoB: 07/18/1984.

Justin Faatz escaped from custody around 5:30PM. He was last seen on Main Street in the Village of Hoosick Falls.

He is wanted for escape and burglary. He was last seen wearing a grey long sleeved zip-up fleece jacket with a red T-shirt underneath, and dark colored pants, with a handcuff on his right wrist.

If you spot him, please call 911 immediately.

We will update you as things change.

Special Meeting to be held Tuesday, March 26th at 6PM

March 25, 2019—NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, commencing at 6 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Hall, Municipal Building, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of review and action on the highway garage grant and a grant related to the Greenway, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

Download the agenda

Special Meeting to be held Monday, February 25th at 6PM

February 22, 2019—NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Monday, February 25, 2019, commencing at 6 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Hall, Municipal Building, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of review and action on an amended bond resolution in connection with improvements to the existing sewer system of the Village of Hoosick Falls, review of public bids and award of contract for public works associated with the sewer system improvements project, review of requests for adjustments to certain water bills issued by the Village, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

Download the agenda

Hoosick Falls Mayor Issues Statement on EPA PFAS Action Plan

Mayor Allen says the plan is short on action, calls on EPA and Congressional Representatives to set an MCL for PFOA and PFOS immediately.

February 14, 2019—Today, Mayor Robert Allen issued a statement regarding EPA's PFAS Action Plan. Read the mayor's statement.

February Regular Board Meeting is still on, despite weather

February 12, 2019—Despite the current storm, we are still planning on having the Regular Board Meeting this evening (February 12th) at 6PM at the Municipal Building. Download the agenda.