Hoosick News

Village Mayor addresses County's closure of part of Murphy Building

On Wednesday, August 9th, Rensselaer County leadership claimed that the Village of Hoosick Falls ordered the closure of parts of the Murphy Building.

Pushing back on these false claims, Mayor Robert Allen responded to the County with both a letter to County Leadership and a video that addresses the issue.

For purposes of transparency and educating the Village residents on the truth of the matter, the full Board of Trustees has decided to release the Fire and Safety Inspection document for the Murphy Building to the public.

Village Board drops request to pause and discuss County services

The Village Board is disappointed to conclude that, based on recent statements and actions by County officials and the implication that further delays and discussion could jeopardize the possibility of having a local and improved Senior Center facility, it is in the best interests of the Village and Town residents that we drop our request for a pause and a discussion about a joint venture on a more robust and shared vision for community services. The record clearly shows that the County is not interested in a real and honest dialogue with the Village, let alone a partnership, regarding services provided to our community.

The Village Board of Trustees will continue to strive to serve and represent our community with honesty, transparency, and integrity, and despite the false pretenses of the County Executive, we stand ready and willing to be an active partner in service to our community.

We encourage everyone to review the record of letters thus far, including the County Executive's recent 8/7 response and the Village Board's third and final letter.

Notice of Change to August Regular Meeting Date

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the August Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls previously schedule for Wednesday, August 9th, 2023, is rescheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 16th, 2023, commencing at 6 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Highway Garage, 7 Water Works Road, Hoosick Falls, New York.

Notice of Emergency Special Meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an emergency meeting will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Monday, commencing at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 7th 2023 at the Hoosick Falls Village Hall, Municipal Building, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of entering Executive Session to discuss proposed, pending, or current litigation. No other business will be conducted by the Board of Trustees at this meeting.

Community mourns passing of Dr. Marcus Martinez; Wood Park flag to be flown at half mast

It is hard to put into words the profound impact Dr. Marcus Martinez had on the community he served and he loved. His commitment to family, friends, and to nearly everyone he came in contact with speaks volumes. We are all grieving his loss and offer our condolences to his family.

In honor of the life of Dr. Marcus Martinez, the flag at Wood Park to be flown at half mast tomorrow, August 4th, as we all mourn the loss of a compassionate, hard working, and honorable man.

Village concerns over Senior Center relocation largely unanswered, community action encouraged

Concerns regarding ill-advised Senior Center relocation plan have fallen on deaf ears; now up to the community to make their voices heard ahead of County’s meeting in 4 days.

The Village Board of Trustees is informing the community that attempts to discuss concerns regarding the possible Murphy Building relocation plan with County leaders and local legislators have been unsuccessful and largely ignored. Except for a letter from the County Executive that reduced Village residents’ concerns to “political jockeying” (the letter is attached, as is the Board’s response), the majority of calls and emails have largely gone unanswered and unaddressed.

In the meantime, Village leaders are hearing more concerns about the potential relocation of services provided in the centrally-located Murphy Building and the negative impacts the move could have on our community, including inaccessibility and loss of walkability for seniors and other clients, and negative impact on the downtown economic growth of the Village. Additionally, new concerns about the current conditions of the County owned and operated facility have been brought to the Village Board’s attention, backing up residents’ worries that the building will become an empty storefront in dire need of restoration in the heart of our downtown.

“The entire process has been very frustrating,” Mayor Allen said. “Nearly everyone in our community is against this, across all groupings and party lines. We lack details regarding the new location, a plan to restore busing for seniors, or if and how the County plans to remediate and restore the Murphy Building. It is hard to come away with any other conclusion than we have been intentionally left out of the process.”

“It is time for community members to speak up to County officials and our County Legislators to engage with them,” Mayor Allen said. “We remain hopeful for an opportunity to be active partners in planning for these essential services and their importance to the Village, Town, and to our entire County community.”

Residents with concerns are encouraged to take two important steps: independently reach out to their County and State Representatives and/or County officials listed below, and seek out and sign on to a petition that will be presented at the County Legislator’s Regular Meeting on Tuesday, August 8th at 6PM, where the County Legislature is set to make this decision.

Bruce Patire, Rensselaer County Legislator, District 5 – bpatire@rensco.com – 518-270-2880
Jeff Wysocki, Rensselaer County Legislator, District 5 – jwysocki@rensco.com – 518-270-2880
Carol Rosbozom, Rensselaer County Commissioner of Aging – 518-270-2730
Jacob Ashby, NYS Senator, 43rd Senate District – ashby@nysenate.gov – 518-455-2381
Scott Bendett, NYS Assembly District 107 – bendetts@nyassembly.gov – 518-272-6149

Village Board Summarizes Concerns over possible Senior Center relocation

The Village of Hoosick Falls Board of Trustees has sent a letter to Rensselaer County officials detailing concerns over the recent announcement made by Rensselaer County to purchase the former Dollar Tree with the goal of renovating it to become the new Senior Center, DMV satellite service and Mental Health Counseling service location.

The letter, which can be downloaded here, was signed by the full Board of Trustees with the intention of being the "representative views and concerns of Village residents and leadership." It asks that "the Legislature not...act on this plan at the August Regular Meeting, allowing for more thorough discussions and further planning to be completed regarding this potential move."

Public Hearing for 3 Proposed Local Laws on July 12th

At the Wednesday July 12th Regular Meeting, 3 separate proposed local laws will have a public hearing. The first is a hold-over from the previous meeting, while the second and third will be beginning at 6PM at the start of the meeting. The Local Laws are:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, in accordance with Village Board Resolution, that a public hearing will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on the twelfth (12th) day of July, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Highway Garage located at Waterworks Road, Hoosick Falls, New York, to allow public comment on a proposed Village of Hoosick Falls local law, which would make it unlawful within the Village for “junk vehicles” to be stored on any property, with certain designated exceptions, and said local law will also establish a procedure for remedying non-compliance and penalties for non-compliance.

A copy of the text of the proposed local law will be available for inspection on the Village website and in the lobby at 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York. The Village Board of the Village of Hoosick Falls will hear all persons interested during the aforementioned public hearing. BY ORDER of the Village Board of Trustees the Village of Hoosick Falls, New York.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, in accordance with Village Board Resolution, that a public hearing will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on the twelfth (12th) day of July, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Highway Garage located at Waterworks Road, Hoosick Falls, New York, to allow public comment on a proposed Village of Hoosick Falls local law, which would create a vacant and abandoned building registry, establish fees under such registry, create required maintenance standards for such abandoned and vacant properties, and set penalties for non-compliance.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, in accordance with Village Board Resolution, that a public hearing will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on the twelfth (12th) day of July, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Highway Garage located at Waterworks Road, Hoosick Falls, New York, to allow public comment on a proposed Village of Hoosick Falls local law, which would set certain standards for the maintenance of real property within the Village, and will also establish a procedure for remedying non-compliance and penalties for non-compliance.

Village Accepting Applications for Full Time Village Clerk

The Village of Hoosick Falls is accepting applications for a full time Village Clerk.

Interested parties please send resumes Mayor Robert Allen at mayor@hfvillage.org or call 518 686-7072. Deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, May 17th, 2023.

Agreement for new water system infrastructure ready for Village of Hoosick Falls Board

On Wednesday evening, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls will consider an agreement with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International under which the companies will fund, design and construct a new water source and associated infrastructure for the Village. The proposed Agreement also requires that the companies perform an analysis to be provided to the Village calculating the costs that will be incurred for the long term operation and maintenance of the new infrastructure and continued use of the GAC system. That analysis will be the basis for further negotiations between the Village and the companies.

This agreement, along with an Amended Consent Order between the Companies and NYS DEC that is expected to be released later this week, will result in the development of the new water source and its connection to the existing Hoosick Falls water plant.

"This important milestone not only will lead to a new water source, but also ensures the Village has a voice in the process and will not take another financial hit from this infrastructure project," Mayor Rob Allen said.

In December of 2021, New York State DEC issued its Record of Decision (ROD), determining the long term remedy for the Village as two new groundwater supply wells south of the Village, the continued operation of the GAC system, and the extra redundancy of maintaining an existing well. After several months, the Village began discussions with Saint Gobain, Honeywell, and NYS DEC to make sure that the process to achieve compliance with the ROD would be acceptable to the Village.

Included in the agreement is an $80,000 escrow account funded by the companies for the Village of Hoosick Falls, to be used for expenses the Village will incur for the Village’s environmental consultants to review the engineering plans being developed by the companies’ consultants.

The agreement and the Rsolution authorizing the agreement are available for review on the Village's website. The Board plans to take this up as part of their Regular Meeting at their Wednesday, May 10th meeting, located at the Village Highway Garage at 7 Waterworks Road.

April Meeting, Budget Documents, and Public Hearing

The regular April Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 12th at 6PM in person at the new Highway Garage, located at 7 Waterworks Road. The agenda is available here.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Village Law Section 5-508, a public hearing will be held by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls at Village Highway Garage located at Waterworks Road in the Village of Hoosick Falls on the twelfth (12th) day of April, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. to consider the 2023-2024 Preliminary Budget of the Village of Hoosick Falls and that at such hearing any person may be heard in favor of or against any item or items therein contained.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2023-2024 Preliminary Budget of the Village of Hoosick Falls will be available for inspection in the Office of the Village Clerk at the Municipal Building, 24 Main Street.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Section 5-508 of the Village Law, the proposed salaries of elected officials are as follows:

Mayor: $11,673.00*
Deputy Mayor: $5,306.00*
Trustee of the Village Board: $4,245.00*
*These salaries are not changed from the prior year’s budget

Tentative Budget Documents: General, Water, Sewer.

Notice of 2nd Budget Workshop Meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Monday, April 10, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Municipal Building, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of conducting budget workshops with the Village Board of Trustees prior to the public hearing on the budget which will be held on April 12, 2023, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

Notice of Special Budget Workshop Meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Thursday, April 6, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Municipal Building, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of conducting budget workshops with the Village Board of Trustees prior to the public hearing on the budget which will be held on April 12, 2023, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

Spring Clean-up April 3rd to April 14th

The Village of Hoosick Falls is pleased to announce our Spring Yard Clean-Up for April of 2023. It will run from April 3rd to April 14th. Please see the attached letter. Because this is the first year doing this, we want to make sure it runs smoothly and effectively so that we can make this an annual service. Please review all of the rules and procedures carefully.

Notice of Special Meeting Tuesday, February 28th

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Highway Garage, 7 Waterworks Road, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of authorizing an agreement with the owner of 1 Waldron Avenue and hiring a per-diem worker for the Village Clerk’s Office, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

Special Meeting to Honor retiring DPW Superintendent

The Village of Hoosick Falls will honor the service of retiring DPW Superintendent Niel Stowell at the January 24th special meeting. After the short business meeting, refreshments and beverages will be available. Additionally, the Village will be appointing a new Village Attorney, and will be changing all future Board Meetings to the 2nd Wednesday of the month. You may view the draft agenda here.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Highway Garage, 7 Waterworks Road, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of recognizing the service of Niel Stowell to the Village of Hoosick Falls upon his retirement, and the appointment of an attorney for the Village of Hoosick Falls, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

Notice of Special Meeting Thursday, January 5th

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Thursday, January 5, 2023, commencing at 6:30 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Highway Garage, 7 Waterworks Road, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of an executive session to discuss a matter leading to the potential retention of a particular person, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

Notice of Special Meeting Wednesday, January 4th

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting will be held by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Hoosick Falls Village Highway Garage, 7 Waterworks Road, Hoosick Falls, New York, for the purpose of an executive session to discuss a personnel matter and a matter leading to the potential retention of a particular person, together with any other business that may come before the Board of Trustees.

Public Hearing for Introductory Local Law No. 5 of 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that there has been introduced by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls, NY, a proposed local law to authorize the issuance of temporary permits for outdoor dining and sidewalk sales displays. A complete copy of the proposed local aw is available for inspection at the Village of Hoosick Falls Clerk's Office, and by clicking here.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Section 20 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls, New York, will hold a public hearing on the aforesaid introductory local law on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, to commence at 6:00 p.m., at the Village Highway Garage, 7 Waterworks Road, Hoosick Falls, New York, at which time all persons interested therein shall be heard.

Of Note

For upcoming happenings and events, check out the event page.

The newspaper of record for the Village of Hoosick Falls is the Eastwick Press. Public notices will be posted in the paper.