2017 News Archive

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Governor Cuomo Announces new Actions to Help Hoosick Falls Recover From Flooding

$2 Million Investment to Buy-Out Flood Damaged Property, Mitigate Future Flooding and Improve Resiliency

December 21, 2017—Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an innovative $2 million flood mitigation and stream restoration program in the Village of Hoosick Falls to help the community recover from devastating floods that occurred this past July. Historic rainfall in a few short hours caused flooding of the Woods Brook, which damaged homes and area infrastructure. Under the Governor's direction, the state has continued to provide direct support and assistance to the community in their recovery.

"New York is no stranger to the damage that severe weather can inflict on communities, and time and time again, we have stepped up to provide real relief to families affected by storms," Governor Cuomo. "This funding will give residents the resources they need to build back better and stronger as they recover from the flooding they experienced this summer."

The program was designed and developed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the village of Hoosick Falls, in partnership with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Specifically, the program features:

  • Up to $1 million will be made available to the Village to purchase and remove up to 13 flood-damaged structures;
  • $900,000 to implement green infrastructure projects to hold and slow flood waters upstream of the Village;
  • $182,000 to design the flood plain restoration project in the impacted area.

Senator Kathy Marchione said, "With the announcement of this new $2 million State investment to help Hoosick Falls recover from this summer's damaging flood and assist in mitigating future flooding, Governor Cuomo is once again demonstrating his continued, significant and strong commitment to helping Hoosick Falls. I thank the Governor for this funding, as well as the considerable support and assistance he continues providing to the community. This flood relief funding and community investment is terrific, welcome news that will help the community continue moving forward."

Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino said, "This is great news for the residents of Hoosick Falls as the much needed assistance to recover from the devastating flooding as well as prevent future occurrences. I want to commend the Governor for allocating these vital resources as well as thank all of the partners in government from the village on up to the state for the concerted effort to help this community recover from the flooding."

Hoosick Falls Mayor Rob Allen said, "This is a monumental day for our Village. We have been provided a pathway to make a lasting and permanent solution to a problem that has plagued our Village for decades. We are extremely grateful to the Governor, DEC, and DHSES for their months of work on this project. Not only does it show our State Government's commitment to Hoosick Falls, but it is an example of the state providing support and opportunities to one of the many beautiful rural locations in Upstate New York."

Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam said, "We have had flooding problems with Woods Brook going back to the 1950s and any relief that state can provide would be greatly appreciated."

Through this program, the state will assist in the voluntarily acquisition and demolition of up to 13 flood damaged properties that were built above and adjacent to the flood prone Woods Brook. An engineering consultant working with the village will design a new restoration project to daylight the Woods Brook and install flood plains and natural stream features on the site of the flood damaged properties that—when coupled with other projects—will help withstand a 500-year flood. The funding will also be used to design a community park to be developed within the flood prone area in the future. In later phases, New York State will collaborate with the village to identify state funds needed to implement the flood plain park project.

In addition, this program will implement green infrastructure projects at the headwaters of the Woods Brook to improve the capacity of the brook and alleviate flooding downstream. These projects will consist of widening the brook, creating wetlands, and heightening culverts, which were identified by a prior study funded by the state.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Through Governor Cuomo's leadership, this creative project is providing the protection the Hoosick Falls Community needs to withstand future flooding. We look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor and the Village to advance these important projects quickly and improve the resiliency of the Woods Brook area."

Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "This is another example of Governor Cuomo's commitment to bringing State resources together to help communities devastated by severe weather. HCR is proud to make a $900,000 Community Development Block Grant award to create environmentally friendly infrastructure that increases the capacity of Woods Brook, eases downstream flooding, and helps keep the village and its residents safe."

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Roger L. Parrino Sr., said, "Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo the Department of Environmental Conservation created a proactive program to make Hoosick Falls more resilient so they can better withstand flooding in the future."

Notice of Public Hearing Pursuant to Eminent Domain Procedure Law

October 16, 2017PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoosick Falls will hold a public hearing pursuant to Article 2 of the New York Eminent Domain Procedure Law for the purpose of determining the need and location of a public project prior to acquisition. The proposed public project is the acquisition of a permanent utility easement on and over real property located off Church Street, Hoosick Falls, New York bearing Rensselaer County Tax Map No. 27.15-2-20, in connection with installation of a sanitary sewer force main as part of the Village of Hoosick Falls sanitary sewer upgrade public works project. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 6:00pm at the Municipal Building at 24 Main Street, Village of Hoosick Falls, New York. All interested persons in this matter will have an opportunity to be heard at that time and place.

Hydrant Flushing Schedule for Hoosick Falls

Hydrant flushing

October 5, 2017—The Village of Hoosick Falls Water Department will be flushing hydrants, beginning October 16th, as follows:

  • October 16th: Second and Third Wards
  • October 17th: First and Fourth Wards

If residents experience dirty water, please run you faucets until it is clear. It is advised that residents not wash clothes until after water is cleared.

As a reminder, the water coming out of our hydrant goes through the same GAC filtration process as our drinking water, so there is no concern from the Village or State regarding any contamination issues from flushing the hydrants. For more information, please see this letter from NYS Department Of Health.

PFOA Community Health Questionnaire

September 2, 2017—Recently, a new Health Questionnaire was released as part of the “Understanding PFOA Project” at Bennington College.  The survey is meant to collect information from residents Hoosick Falls, North Bennington, and Petersburg related to PFOA exposure, and is focusing on collecting information regarding the 6 adverse health conditions that were named in the C-8 Study.

Mayor Robert Allen is encouraging past and current residents to participate.  View his comments here: https://youtu.be/i-1e_VdFcis

Take the survey by clicking the following link: https://bennington.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5hjQyad1za9AFPD

For more information regarding the survey, click here: http://www.bennington.edu/center-advancement-of-public-action/pfoa-questionnaire

The Mayor's Full Statement on the Ending of the Bottled Water Program

September 2, 2017—We understand the concerns that some people continue to have regarding the possible presence of PFOA in our water.  Fortunately, the GAC filters have been operating successfully since they went online, and the finished water has always tested below the detection limit for PFOA (under 2ppt).  The bottled water program became part of the Consent Order, a legal document between the State and the Companies.  The Consent Order guaranteed additional weeks of bottled water once the permanent GAC filters were operational, and that time period would have ended a few months ago.  The companies, at the request of the several entities including NYS DEC, have extended the bottled water program a couple of times.

Even though the science tells us that the water is potable, it is sometimes hard to forget that our water comes from a deeply contaminated aquifer.  I think we are all very interested in seeing the final results of the Alternative Water Supply report, especially since our neighboring community across the state line is on their way to their permanent remedy.

Governor Cuomo Requests Major Disaster Declaration to Release Federal Aid to 15 Counties Impacted by Severe Storms and Flooding

Action Will Provide Financial Relief to Both Individuals and Local Governments Impacted by Severe Summer Storms

August 31, 2017—Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today requested that the federal government grant a Major Disaster Declaration for 15 counties impacted by flash flooding, tornadoes and unprecedented levels of precipitation during severe storms in late June and July. The Governor's request includes calls for both public and individual assistance for all 15 impacted counties. Once the declaration is granted, FEMA funding would be available to the state and eligible local governments and nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis to support debris removal, structure repairs and emergency protective measures.
Read the full press release...

EPA officially Designates Saint-Gobain's McCaffrey Street Location to the National Priorities List

July 31, 2017—The Mayor's official statement:

We are very grateful to have today's designation, and are glad to have EPA join the work already done by New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation on behalf of the community of Hoosick Falls, NY. EPA will bring additional resources and experience so that the situation in Hoosick Falls can be fully investigated and fully remediated.

PFOA, as well as PFOS and all the PFCs, create a very difficult situation for communities affected, as it bioaccumulates in the body, it doesn't biodegrade, and its toxicity has led to several of these chemicals being linked to very serious health concerns, including cancer. These chemicals are being discovered in more and more drinking water sources across the nation. I hope that our investigation and remediation can lead to a greater awareness of the dangers of these chemicals. Our experience points out the need for stronger regulations so that other communities can avoid the problems that we have experienced.

Read the official EPA announcement.

DEC & DOH Announce Preliminary Results of PFCs in Fish in Hoosic River and Thayer's Pond

July 24, 2017—The New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation announced the results of their work done measuring PFCs in fish in the Hoosic River and in Thayer's Pond. Read the full press release.

Important takeaways:

  • DOH has issued a catch and release advisory for Thayer's Pond, based on the PFC numbers of some of the fish there.  Signs will be posted around the pond the morning of July 25th.
  • The Hoosic River remains unchanged (but still has an advisory in effect for Brown Trout greater than 14" - those should only be consumed once a month).  See the complete details on river advisories.
  • We are working to get and post the data on the fish in their locations, as well as a grid on how different states classify their advisories of fish that have PFCs in them.

NYS DEC Officially Designates Two More State Superfund Sites

July 22, 2017—As DEC officials mentioned in the June 2017 Community Meeting held at HFCS, both the Saint-Gobain Liberty Street site and the Former Oak Materials John Street site have been officially designated a State Superfund site.  Click the links below for the official Public Notice documents.

Liberty Street Superfund Designation
John Street Superfund Designation

Storm Update

July 6, 2017, 6:00pm—From the Mayor: Last update for a while...

Updates include the latest on the state of emergency, some good news (Baseball/Softball fields ready for Saturday!!!), and the latest status on some regular items: flood relief, the Red Cross, the transfer station.

STATE OF EMERGENCY UPDATE: I am extending the State of Emergency for just a small portion of the Village. These locations are specific to the area of the Woods Brook that have caused the most damage: Hall Street and Spring Street, with parts of Main Street, Church Street and Elm Street included. The reason I am extending the State of Emergency here is simple: we need more time to work on the Woods Brook to make sure it can take some substantial rain. This includes working on it behind the Hall Street properties, as well as looking at/inspecting/clearing debris from some of the underground culverts—at least where it is deemed safe for us to enter. View the proclamation.

For the rest of the Village, the State of Emergency is officially lifted. I will post a link to the document once I have it on our website.

THE FIELDS ARE READY FOR SATURDAY!!! The baseball/softball fields are, after a great deal of volunteer work, ready for their tournament this weekend! It is an exceptionally impressive feat, considering that less than a week ago, the flood waters were over top the outfield fences. For all who were able to lend their time, effort, tools, and everything else—the community thanks you.

TRANSFER STATION: The transfer station will be open next on Saturday, from 8am-2pm. This is the last day it will be free. Next week, it will resume its regular Tuesday/Saturday operation schedule and cost.

DISASTER RELIEF: The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has been busy since their arrival, and between the work done already and their schedule for the next week and a half, they will have offered assistance to 12 different locations. You are likely running out of time to schedule them.

AMERICAN RED CROSS: The ARC has officially wrapped up its service to our Village. Out of 30 free cleaning kits, only 6 remain, and those are available at the Hoosick Falls Fire Department. We are very grateful for their essential service!

INSURANCE QUESTIONS: Members from the New York State Division of Financial Services will continue to offer their assistance at the Armory from 10am to 8PM on Friday and Saturday.

REPORTING DAMAGE: We will also be taking reports on damage to buildings in the Town & Village via emails – mayor@hfvillage.org with the subject FLOOD DAMGE – or phone (686-7072 x8) through Sunday. On Monday, our phone will go back to its normal greeting. This list will give the state a way to see what long term aid or programs we would qualify for.

LAST UPDATE FOR A WHILE: At this point, there isn't too much of a need for regular daily updates, so this should be the last one for several days. I want to thank all of you for spreading the word on this information, as it has really allowed many to seek out and receive the help they needed. Additionally, I am so grateful for the many little things I hear people are doing for others. You may think it isn't a big deal, but it has really made a difference for many people. It's part of the fabric of what makes Hoosick Falls so great a place.

And I want to send one final thank you to the First Responders, the Police, and the Highway, Water, and Sewer Departments. They are a huge part of how we have bounced back so quickly and gotten so much accomplished. The County and State have also shown up in droves, offering assistance and experience from so many agencies to help us with the many layers of the situation we find ourselves in, and they also deserve our profound thanks. Please know that the Village (and the Town) are working hard on the Woods Brook situation, and we are pursuing every avenue we can to come up some immediate fixes and a permanent long term solution.

Storm Update

July 5, 2017, 10:00pm—From the Mayor:

A few additional updates, including the transfer station (open on Thursday), the Immaculate Conception Church's weekend services (at St. Mary's Academy), and getting the word out to those not on social media.

TRANSFER STATION: the Transfer Station will be open on Thursday from 7am-2PM, and then again on Saturday at the normal time of 8am-2PM. These two days will be the last free days, before it returns to normal operation mode. Thanks to Chuck Prebble and the highway crew for all the work they have been doing there!

RED CROSS READY TO DEPART: a big thanks to the American Red Cross, who have been serving a few displaced residents at the St. Mary's Academy since Sunday. They will likely be heading out of there on Thursday, as the need for service has reached an end. They still have some free cleaning kits available, which include a bucket, a mop, cleaning supplies, and some other items.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH SERVICES: From St. Mary's Academy: Due to the flooding, both the 4pm and 9am Mass at Immaculate Conception Church will be held in the St. Mary's Academy gym this weekend.  Please share with neighbors and Facebook.  Thank you! :)

SPREADING THE WORD: Please consider people you know in our community who are not connected to this Facebook page or social media, and may not know about the information we have been posting. Consider passing on any of this info, including some of the services that are still being offered, such as:

  • Free residential assistance in cleaning from Northeastern Baptist College and their SBC Disaster relief (contact Ed Lucas at (603) 504-4955.
  • The Red Cross free cleaning kits
  • people from the State's division of Financial Services at the Armory, who can give some general information regarding your situation with your insurance coverage
  • reporting property damage via 686-7072 x8 or mayor@hfvillage.org with the subject line FLOOD DAMAGE.  And speaking of which:

GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES: we are still collecting information from Village and Town residents on damage. These preliminary assessments will allow the various agencies to crunch numbers to eventually see what kind of aid we would qualify for - first steps in a long process. Many of the things people are reporting will not require a visit from the assessors, so don't panic if no one shows up. Aside from this, you should still be in contact with your own insurance (if you haven't been already) to get an idea of what is covered and what isn't.

So please consider spreading the word, not just hear on social media, but to residents, family, and friends who may not know about these things.

Storm Update

July 4, 2017, 5:30pm—From the Mayor:

The latest updates include gathering damaged building information for TOWN residents as well, the state offering financial and insurance guidance at the Armory for the rest of the week (this is a big deal!!!), damage to the old Dodge building, and what is to come over the next few days.  As always, please spread the word.

First off, I want to thank the Village workers who were out doing work on today, July 4th: Niel Stowell (Village Highway Superintendent) was out assessing Greenway damage, and Mark Surdam (Town Supervisor and Village Code Enforcement Officer) spent several hours today working both positions.  Mark and I have been speaking nearly hourly, making sure that the Village and Town are working together, including getting Town information out in these updates.  Which leads me to…

TOWN RESIDENTS: ASSESSING STORM DAMAGE: Yesterday, I mentioned we are taking either phone calls/emails from residents who had damage to their building.  We are opening these same lines up to Town Residents.  These preliminary damage assessments  will help us determine our eligibility for any assistance programs. To confirm that the Village/Town knows that your house has sustained damage, you should either:

  • Call the Village office number – 686-7072 – and hit 8.  This is a mailbox that we just set up specifically for this purpose.
  • Email my account – mayor@hfvillage.org – with the subject DAMAGED BUILDING.

For Town Residents, please specify that you are outside of the Village, and remember to include your name, contact number, address, and a brief summary of the damage.  These assessments, as with previous evaluations, are being coordinated by DHSES (Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services), DEC, and DOT (Department of Transportation).  I will have more information on this tomorrow.

GOVERNOR DEPLOYS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES TO HOOSICK FALLS: The Governor recently announced that members of the Department of Financial Services will be available in Hoosick Falls (as well as in Oneida County) to provide insurance help to residents affected by the flooding.  I highly encourage anyone with questions about this process (filing insurance claims, assessing damaged property, figuring out your options) to stop by.  They will be at the Armory between 10am and 8PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and is open to both Village and Town residents.   The complete press release from the Governor's Office is at the end of this update.

FURTHER DAMAGE - BUSINESSES IN THE OLD DODGE BUILDING: I took a tour of the damage to the car detailing business and the woodworking business that are in the old Dodge building.  I was not fully prepared for the sheer quantity of ruined property and mud that was in that building.  This served as a reminder that we still have a lot of work to do.  I will post some of these pictures and story (with their permission) on social media later.

Tomorrow morning, we will hit the ground running (sprinting?) as we continue to address what we can for the immediate (which includes the general financial assessment of damages), while we plan long term for a solution.  Please continue to send questions and comments to the Village via my email address: mayor@hfvillage.org or by calling the office at 686-7072.

Read the Governor's Press Release

Storm Update

July 3, 2017 7:15pm—From the Mayor:

More essential updates, including free cleanup kits from the Red Cross, making a list of damaged properties in the Village, more times open at the transfer station (Wednesday), an update on the Catholic Church, and information regarding elected officials visiting the Village.

CHURCH STREET UPDATE: After the amazing work the Highway Department has done, Church Street is now open for traffic in both directions.  Their work has been nothing but incredible.

FREE CLEANUP KITS FROM THE AMERICAN RED CROSS: There are free clean-up kits from the American Red Cross available to any resident who needs it.  They are located at St. Mary's Academy, which has been and continues to be manned by the Red Cross, where they have been offering assistance, food, and a cot to anyone displaced by the storm.  They plan to be there at least into tomorrow, and as needed.  We are so grateful for their help and assistance!

ASSESSING STORM DAMAGE: As a Village who is facing the long road of recovery from this flood, we need to have a general understanding of the cost of damages to see if we quality for any programs or aid.  Because of this, we are looking to make sure we have a complete list of all buildings (homes and businesses) that were damaged by the flood.  These are preliminary damage assessments to assist in determining eligibility for any assistance programs.  Please note – this is for buildings inside the Village only. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VILLAGE KNOWS THAT YOUR HOUSE HAS SUSTAINED DAMAGE.  There are two ways to do this:

  • Call the Village number – 686-7072 – and hit 8.  This is a mailbox that we just set up specifically for this purpose.
  • Email my account – mayor@hfvillage.org – with the subject DAMAGED BUILDING.

In either case, make sure to leave your name, a contact number, the building's address, and a brief summary of the damage to the building.

CATHOLIC CHURCH: I have spoken with Father Tom of the Immaculate Conception Church, and I am sad to report that they have had some extensive damage to the basement of their building.  At one point, they had 8 to 9 feet of water in the basement, as well as nearly a foot of water in the church hall (fortunately it didn't go up the stairs near the front).  In the immediate, they are working with officials in the Catholic Church to get an electrical and foundation assessment, with the hopes of being open in time for Saturday's service.  However, the entire floor of the basement will need to be replaced, so it sounds like it will be some time before that portion of the church is available for use.

DAMAGE TO HOOSAC SCHOOL: From the Dean: The main entrance to the Hoosac School was completely washed away and a 30 foot gorge was left in it's place.  A mere 4 feet of land held back Tibbits pond and kept it from emptying into an already surging Hoosick River, which has been substituted by a temporary, newly created road.  cutting the campus off from emergency vehicles and regular traffic.  The main road - HOOSAC School Way - will need some serious work.

The main road is also part of a dam that was built in the 1950s to recreate Tibbits Pond.  Without the current dam which has been badly damaged, the school will lose the Pond, which has long been a local source of water and training for fire departments in the greater Hoosick area. Water from Tibbits pond has been used to extinguish many major fire me in the area.  For more information on the situation, feel free to reach out to Dean Foster at headmaster@hoosac.org.org or by phone at 686-7331.

TRANSFER STATION: The Transfer Station will be open from 8am-2PM on Wednesday.  Special thanks goes out to Chuck Prebble!

DISASTER RELIEF: Northeastern Baptist College is still offering their free disaster relief/cleanup services.  So far, I have spoken with a few residents who have taken them up on the offer, and they have been so grateful and relieved at the assistance offered.  I think that 7 people thus far have either been assisted by them or have been schedule.  It is not too late to get them involved, and it is essential to call as soon as possible so that they can schedule people and get reinforcements as needed.  Special thanks to NEBC President Mark Ballard and Facilities Manager Ed Lucas for taking this on, and to their entire crew who have helped our residents out.  If you want their help, call Ed Lucas at 603-504-4955.

ELECTED OFFICIALS: Today at 11am, a huge group of elected officials, as well as representatives from various agencies, took a 2 hour walking tour of the damage to our Village.   The group included US Congressman John Faso (who contacted us early this morning to set up the visit), State Senator Kathy Marchione, State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino and Deputy Executive Chris Meyer, DEC Chief of Staff Julie Tighe, Rensselaer County Director of Public Safety Kelly Paslow, and others (please forgive names I have missed or forgotten).  It was a good and important visit, and I know from speaking with them they were surprised at much of the damage.  They also offered some good advice about immediate and long term needs, which we are actively pursuing.  They also spoke to the media, and with many residents who came out, introduced themselves, and shared their story.

Later, we had a sit down that included many county and state agencies, members of NYS Homeland Security & Emergency Services, and Joseph Rabito, Deputy Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs.  It was a productive meeting where we began to iron out our immediate needs, and their experience and advice was just what we needed.

I cannot fully express how grateful I am to all of our visitors today, whether they be elected officials or representatives of the various county, state, and federal agencies who are helping out.  Very glad to have them here, walking our Village, meeting our residents, and seeing firsthand what we are facing.

Special thanks go out to WWTP Operator Kenny Holbrook, who guided the tour through the Village, and Steve Bradley, who not only took pictures, but supplied many of the pictures I was able to share with everyone who visited.  Additional thanks go out to Eric Wood, who took drone footage of the Woods Brook the morning after the flood, which we also showed to the group today.

If there are any further updates, I will continue to post them on Facebook and on our Village website.  Good luck, and have a great 4th of July tomorrow!

Storm Update

July 2, 2017 5:30pm—From the Mayor:

MANY UPDATES, including on road closures, water filtration, the transfer station (open tomorrow), mold prevention (extremely important over the next few days), and free disaster recovery services offered through Northeastern Baptist College in Bennington.  Please read and share.

ROAD CLOSURES IN VILLAGE: Hall Street and Spring Street will remain closed for the time being.  Church Street just recently opened (well done DPW!!!).  There are other areas in the Village that have been coned off for various reasons, including sinkholes – please stay away from these areas and use caution.  One portion of the train tracks had some wash-out, and the railroad company is actively working on it.  They are hoping to have the track working again by tomorrow afternoon (and yes, they know not to use it in the meantime).

ROAD CLOSURES IN THE TOWN: From the Town Supervisor: Tory Hill remains the only closed road at this point.  Other roads have been reduced to one lane, and they are being worked on today.  Work on Tory Hill is expected tomorrow.  Please use caution.

VILLAGE WATER SUPPLY: Thankfully, the flood did not have an effect on the well that supplies water to the Village, nor did it have any effect on the GAC filter.

POETS: From DEC: ?DEC ?staff continue to assist impacted homeowners with Point of Entry Treatment (POET) treatment systems. POETs are closed water treatment systems that should not be impacted by basement or first floor flooding. DEC staff will continue to contact homeowners with POETs in areas potentially impacted by flooding  and anyone with questions can contact DEC hotline 24 hours a day, 7days a week at1-888-459-8667.

TRANSFER STATION: The Transfer Station WILL BE OPEN tomorrow, Monday, from 7am to 2PM.  Drop off will be free and open to Village residents.  As you wait for tomorrow to come, feel free to leave things outside of your house near the road, even overnight.

PUBLIC SAFETY: The Police Station will continue to be manned, so feel free to stop by with any concerns.

DISASTER RECOVERY: Northeastern Baptist College President (and Village of Hoosick Falls resident) Mark Ballard has reached out to the community, offering free Disaster Relief, as an extension of the Southern Baptist Convention.  This can include flood recovery, mud out, and moving debris (but not actual building).  This is a FREE service that they are offering, and they have mobilized before – not just for Hurricane Irene, but more recently with flooding in Brattleboro VT.  If you are interested in this, contact Ed Lucas (Vermont Disaster Relief Coordinator) at 603-504-4955.  Please contact him asap, so that they can have an idea of how many locations will need relief.  For more information on this, you can visit http://www.bcne.net/connect/serve-or-partner/bcne-member-churches/serve-through-disaster-relief/disaster-relief-main-page

AVOIDING MOLD OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS: The Health Departments of Rensselaer County and the State have some resources available as we move to the next phase: indoor cleanup (and more importantly, preventing the growth of mold).  Mold is going to be our next serious issue, so please consider this a very big concern.  Here are some links to get more information, provided by the County and by the State.

PICTURES & VIDEOS: We are looking to collect some of your pictures and videos of the flood and its effects.  Look for a Facebook post on the "Town & Village of Hoosick Falls, NY" Community Facebook page later this evening, where you can reply to the post with your pictures/videos.  We would love to see a compilation of the very best pictures and videos from the event – we're just asking that you include your name, location of the picture/video, and approximate time/date.  Just your best few, please.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I have two final things I want to share.  First off, we as a Village have had an exceedingly strong response from the local Emergency Responders, multiple agencies within Rensselaer County, elected officials in the Village, Town, County and State governments, and countless agencies and groups for the state (even members of Homeland Security stopped by).  They have provided us a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to help manage this disaster.  We are extremely grateful for everything they have done and contributed to our situation.

Finally, there is that one thing we are all thinking…here is Hoosick Falls, with yet another water-related issue.  Here's what I say to that: through this disaster, I have seen a strength, resilience, and dedication to our community and its people that is exceptional.  Tough times have a tendency to show off true character, and our community has once again shown itself to be strong, helpful, and committed.  Well done, Hoosick Falls.  Very proud to be a resident here.

Storm Update

July 2, 2017 7:00am—From the Mayor:

Here is the latest information we have to offer on the flooding situation in the Village. Please pass it on.

ROAD CLOSURES: The attached picture maps out the road closures. They are HALL STREET, SPRING STREET, and the Southern portion of CHURCH STREET between Carey Avenue and Main Street. I hope to be in touch with Town of Hoosick officials in the near future to post a list of road closures that are outside of the Village but in the surrounding area.

SAFETY: Please do your best to stay away from these areas. We have officials from the Village, Town, County, and State on site, making a full assessment of the situation. Without question, stay away from any moving water!!

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS: At this point, we are still recommending that emergency situations be directed to 911 so that they can make their way down the chain.

FIRST RESPONDERS: We had a HERCULEAN effort from our First Responders and the various departments of our Village last night into this morning, many of whom finally went home around 6:30am this morning for a few hours of sleep. At one point, we had over 15 Fire Units involved, including from Bennington, Vermont, from Washington County, and from the very Southern ends of Rensselaer County. They all performed magnificently and selflessly. The Village Highway Department, Police Department, and Water Department has been working pretty much non-stop, and are all out currently. EMS was outstanding.

Additional thanks to out to many of the following agencies who were involved on site:

  • NYS Urban Search & Rescue - Task Force 2
  • State Fire
  • State Troopers
  • DEC
  • Rensselaer County Emergency Services
  • Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office

Special Thanks also go out to Hoosick Falls Central School and St. Mary's Academy, for opening their doors to evacuees throughout the night.

Please accept my deep apologies if I missed any! As I find out more agencies, I will add them to the list.

Additionally, we received calls from Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive, and from the office of Senator Marchione - thanks for the offers of help.

Expect more updates throughout the day as we get a full assessment of the damages and make a plan for what needs to be done next.

And if you know a First Responder or a Village or Town employee who gave up the first night of their July 4th long vacation weekend - thank them!

Storm Damage Road Closure Map

Emergency Declared

July 1, 2017—Due to flooding, the Mayor has declared a State of Emergency for the Village of Hoosick Falls.  Multiple parts of the Village have severe flooding, including over roads and in houses.  In the immediate (Saturday night), please consider the following:

  • Please refrain from unnecessary travel
  • Report any immediate safety issues to 911

We will continue to send out updates on the Village website and on the Hoosick Community Facebook page.

Emergency Notice.

Important Community Informational Meeting to Discuss PFOA Investigation

Public is Encouraged to Attend

June 19, 2017—Village of Hoosick Falls Mayor Robert Allen has announced an important meeting to update the community on the latest details of the ongoing investigation and remediation efforts in the PFOA contamination situation in Hoosick Falls. The meeting, held at Hoosick Falls Central School, will begin with an informational presentation at 6PM in the auditorium.

The first hour will consist of presentations on data from various contaminated sites in the area (McCaffrey Street, Liberty Street, John Street, and River Road), a brief explanation on the state Superfund process, and an update on the pursuit for an alternative water source.

Directly after this, the meeting will shift to the high school gymnasium and function as an availability session. The various speakers will be at their perspective tables, ready to answer any questions the community may have. This availability session format will also be offered earlier in the day, from 3-5.

During these availability sessions, representatives from the companies and various agencies will be at tables to discuss and answer questions. The following tables will be set up:

  • State Superfund Table
  • McCaffrey Street Table
  • Liberty Street Table
  • River Road Table
  • John Street Table
  • Hoosick Landfill Table
  • POET Informational Table
  • Water Supply Table
  • NYS Department of Health Table
  • Rensselaer County Department of Health Table
  • Village of Hoosick Falls Table (to pass on questions or concerns that the Village can follow up on).

For more information, contact: Mayor Robert Allen

Community Informational Meeting Regarding PFOA Updates

June 7, 2017—On Monday, June 19th, there will be an informational meeting and public availability session to update the community on the ongoing investigation and remediation efforts in the Hoosick Falls area. The meeting will be held at Hoosick Falls Central School, beginning at 6PM.

The first hour will be in the school's auditorium, and will consist of presentations on the various contaminated sites in the area (McCaffrey Street, Liberty Street, John Street, and River Road) as well as an update on the pursuit for an alternative water source.

Directly after this, the meeting will shift to the high school gymnasium and function as an availability session. The various speakers will be at their perspective tables, ready to answer any questions the community may have. This availability session format will also be offered earlier in the day, from 3-5pm.

PUBLIC NOTICE re: Legal Representation

May 19, 2017The Village Board is announcing a series of Meetings and Executive Sessions to discuss and interview candidates for the purpose of considering selection of outside environmental counsel.  There will be no decisions made at any of these meetings, and no additional business will be discussed at these meetings.

Special Meeting Schedule is as follows:

  • Monday, May 22nd at 6:15PM at the Village Hall.
  • Thursday, May 25th at 6:15PM at the Village Hall.
  • Tuesday, May 30th at 6:15PM at the Village Hall
  • Thursday, June 1st at 6:15PM, location TBD.

After advertising the need for environmental counsel, the Village received several letters from interested attorneys for the Board's review.   Each interview will be conducted in Executive Session, and no decisions will be made in Executive Session or at any of the meetings.

June 7, 2017 UPDATE: the Village Board plans to address the issue of environmental counsel during the upcoming June 13th meeting, to be held at the Senior Center."

If any additional changes or updates come, we will post them here.

Village of Hoosick Falls Receives $222,000 to Assist with Costs Related to PFOA Contamination

May 12, 2017—The New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. has given the Village of Hoosick Falls $220,000 to help cover costs associated with the discovery of the toxic chemical, PFOA, in the municipal water supply. The money comes to the village thanks to support from Governor Andrew Cuomo.

While the water supply continues to have no detection of PFOA thanks to the permanent GAC Filtration System, there is still more work to be done. Among that work is finding a way to pay for various costs incurred because of the water situation. One of those costs was engineering work provided by MRB Group.

“After the second settlement was tabled, the village immediately started looking for avenues to pay the bills,” Mayor Robert Allen said. “After discussions with members of the Cuomo Administration, the EFC was brought in to see what could be worked out. Based on the type of costs, the EFC was able to give the Village $220,000”

Based on the terms of the agreement, if the Village receives financial restitution from the companies responsible, it would pay back the EFC. There are no interest charges or time limit with this agreement. Mayor Allen said, “This has given immediate relief to our residents and us. Our small village does not have vast financial resources, and I’d personally like to thank Governor Cuomo and the EFC for their assistance.”

The Village of Hoosick Falls is working for solutions to pay nearly $1 million in legal and engineering costs, as well as losses in the water department. Among the expenses, the village has incurred over $100,000 that was owed to MRB Group. Mayor Allen said, “This money has finally allowed us to pay our engineering firm, the MRB Group.” He continued, “They have done tremendous work on behalf of Village, and it was my pleasure to personally give that check to them at our May Board Meeting.”

Ryan Colvin, president of MRB Group, said, “On behalf of MRB Group, we appreciate Mayor Rob Allen’s praise and kind words, but more importantly his trust in our team’s expertise and capability.” He added, “The entire MRB Group consulting and engineering team has enjoyed working with the Village and is proud to have played a role in addressing the significant health threat caused by the PFOA drinking water contamination. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to assist the Village in addressing this extremely important issue as well as the current and future needs of the Hoosick Falls community.”

Mayor Allen and the Board of Trustees are continuing to seek solutions that impact local taxpayers as minimally as possible. The mayor and board are concurrently working together with the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health as they continue to pursue a new water source, protect the health of the residents, and advance the economic development of the VIllage.

Mayor Sends Letter to EPA Administrator Pruitt

April 18, 2017—Mayor Robert Allen recently sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, advocating for listing as a federal Superfund Site and the creation of a Citizens Advisory Committee. Even though the Village of Hoosick Falls municipal water supply remains non-detect for PFOA and other PFCs, environmental remediation is now one of the primary focuses going forward. Federal support would be a great next step, and would be a solid addition to the work New York's Department of Environmental Conservation has already done. Click here to read the letter.

Hoosick Townwide Reassessment

DATE MISPRINT: It has come to our attention that the start date on the residential letters that were sent out reads May "2016". This is incorrect—it will not be starting untill May 2017. Sorry for the confusion.

April 7, 2017—The Town of Hoosick reassessment project is underway. GAR Associates LLC has been hired to conduct a comprehensive data verification program in order to create fair and equitable updated property assessments for the tax roll. On April 7th, letters have been mailed to commercial and residential property owners introducing the project, and giving details on how the process will work. Commercial property owners are also asked to complete the survey in their letters. Additionally, there will be a workshop on Thursday, April 13th to discuss reassessment. Seating will be limited, and people who would like to attend are being asked to register online at http://garappointments.garappraisal.com or call 866-910-1776. The location of the workshop will be announced upon registration. Additional times may be available based on number of interested people registered.

If registering for the workshop online, you will need to reply to a confirmation email before your site registration is active.

Residential letter
Commercial letter
1st Workshop Handout

Local Healthcare Partnership

March 29, 2017—Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is committed to ensuring that residents of the greater Hoosick and Cambridge area continue to have access to quality care close to home. Toward that end, they are pleased to be partnering with Twin Rivers Medical, P.C., which will begin operating out of the former Hoosick Falls Family Health Center at 16 Danforth Street on April 3rd.

Twin Rivers Medical, P.C., will be staffed by a team of recognized and respected healthcare providers. Dr. James Carroll and Melissa Rowe, NP, both formerly of Village Primary Care, and Dr. Marcus Martinez, formerly of Martinez Family Practice, will merge their practices to provide continuity of care for the community.

Twin Rivers Medical, P.C., will work closely with our team at SVHC and through our affiliation with Dartmouth-Hitchcock to guarantee patients have access to the latest technology and services. Within the next year the office will expand its services to include laboratory, imaging, and physical therapy. It is anticipated that additional primary care physicians and associate providers will join the practice to provide increased access in the future.

Current patients of both Martinez Family Practice and Village Primary Care are encouraged to continue to receive medical care at the new Twin Rivers Medical, P.C., office. Twin Rivers Medical, P.C., will participate with all insurances previously accepted at these locations.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Announced

March 15, 2017—There will be a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on Saturday, April 29th between the hours of 8:00am to 12:00pm at the Hoosick Falls Transfer Station. Residents of communities belonging to the Eastern Rensselaer County Solid Waste Management Authority (ERCSWMA) are eligible, but must call 518-687-1018 to register or fill out the online form at the ERCSWMA website. Click here for a list of accepted items. For more information, contact ERCSWMA.

Village Statement on Revised Agreement with Saint-Gobain and Honeywell

February, 21, 2017—After holding a public meeting to obtain comments and feedback, the Hoosick Falls Village Board has a revised agreement with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International whereby the companies will provide the Village with $1,045,000 for expenses related to PFOA contamination.

The Village Board will consider the revised agreement at a special meeting to be held Thursday, February 23, at the Hoosick Falls Armory, 80 Church Street, at 6:00 p.m.

The new agreement reimburses the Village for out-of-pocket expenses incurred through the first quarter of the 2016-2017 fiscal year, covers professional services of three consulting firms assisting the Village with the PFOA crisis through December 31, 2016, and provides an additional $153,000 for the Village to use at its discretion.

In return, the Village agrees not to sue either or both companies for their potential role in contaminating three existing wells with PFOA and their associated water delivery apparatus in their current configuration at the existing water treatment plant. These wells have already been retrofitted with the Full Capacity Granular Activated Carbon system which is consistently removing PFOA to non-detect levels.

The agreement has been revised to ensure the Village retains its right to pursue any other claims, such as those associated with:

  • new wells or their equipment
  • alternative sources of water
  • extensions or additions to the current municipal water supply system
  • contaminants other than PFOA
  • responding to PFOA contamination other than in, and associated with, the Village's current municipal water supply system. For example, the Village can pursue litigation relative to contamination at or emanating from the Village-owned landfill

Finally, the agreement preserves the Village's right to seek indemnification and acknowledges that nothing set forth in the agreement affects any rights and claims any third parties may have against the companies or their predecessors.

DEC and DOH Update on Honeywell's investigation at Former John Street Facility

February 8, 2017—Recent groundwater sampling by Honeywell detected the presence of the volatile organic compounds (VOC), trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (111-TCA), at the company’s former John St. facility. In response, the New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation have directed Honeywell to conduct an immediate soil vapor intrusion investigation.

These investigations are routinely completed near sites where VOCs are identified to help determine if any actions are required to protect residents from potential exposure. All homes in the identified area are part of the Village’s drinking water system. All finished water samples on this system have consistently returned non-detect levels of these compounds and testing for VOCs is part of routine operations.

Soil vapor intrusion refers to a process by which contamination beneath the ground’s surface moves into the indoor air of overlying buildings. Air sampling using specialized canisters and probes will be installed on properties within the immediate proximity facility. If any additional actions are required following the investigation, Honeywell will be responsible for the cost of all additional monitoring and mitigation efforts.

Some VOCs, which are chemicals that can easily enter the air as gases from some solids or liquids, are suspected or known carcinogens.

For more information on soil vapor intrusion, visit the NYS DOH resources here, and here.
More information on volatile organic compounds
Honeywell Hoosick Falls VOC Letter
Hoosick Falls VOC Fact Sheet
Hoosick Falls VOC Discovery Map

New York State Announces Hoosick Falls Full Capacity Water Filtration System is Fully Operational


Public water supply continues to be non-detect for PFOA and acceptable for all uses

New granular activated carbon system replaces interim system that has been providing clean drinking water since March 2016

Transition to full capacity system marks milestone in State's ongoing response to water contamination in Hoosick Falls area

February 7, 2017—The New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation today announced that the Village of Hoosick Falls' municipal water system has fully transitioned to the new full capacity granular activated carbon filtration system (GAC). The new full capacity system allows for the treatment of a higher volume of water and will ensure residents in the village continue to have access to clean drinking water.

This transition from the interim system, which was installed in March 2016, comes following six successful tests of finished water samples from the full capacity GAC. Non-detectable levels of PFOA in the Village's water supply confirms the effectiveness of the system in providing water that is acceptable for all uses. Sampling will continue to ensure the system's effectiveness as it operates independently.

The new full capacity GAC had been operating in tandem with an interim system since December 30, 2016, while sampling was conducted. The full capacity system functions like the interim system by running water through two GAC filters before entering the village distribution system. Water is sampled as it enters the system, sampled again between the first and second filters, and sampled after filtration for a comprehensive analysis. All finished water samples collected have consistently shown non-detectable levels of PFOA.

"New York State has taken unprecedented action to secure clean drinking water for residents of Hoosick Falls," said Dr. Howard Zucker, Commissioner of Health. "I applaud the efforts of the local officials who worked side by side with Department staff to ensure the activation of the full capacity filtration system. This major undertaking wouldn't have been possible without them."

"This is another significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to provide clean water to the residents of Hoosick Falls," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "We are continuing our work to hold the responsible parties accountable, fully identify the extent of groundwater contamination, and develop aggressive remediation plans. We are also conducting the second phase of our analysis for an alternate village water supply."

Senator Kathy Marchione said, "Today's announcement that Hoosick Falls' municipal water system has completed the transition to a new, full capacity GAC filtration system is truly welcome news for the entire community. The new GAC filtration system will ensure access to clean drinking water for Village residents and demonstrates the state's ongoing, significant commitment to helping Hoosick Falls move forward. I want to thank Governor Cuomo, and the dedicated men and women of our State DEC and DOH who have been working hard to assist the community and be responsive to local needs. Most importantly, I want to recognize the local residents who have been strong, resilient and committed to helping the community recover."

David B. Borge, Mayor of the Village of Hoosick Falls said, "On behalf of the Village of Hoosick Falls and all of the users of our municipal water system, I am very pleased that the full capacity GAC system has been approved by NYS and verified by multiple samplings to be consistently effective in reducing PFOA levels to non-detect. This is a major step forward for our community."

Mark Surdam, Supervisor Town of Hoosick said, "Our goal has always been to ensure Hoosick Falls has clean drinking water and having the Full Capacity Water Filtration System operational is a significant milestone in that effort.‎ I want to thank all of our partners at the state and local levels not only for working tirelessly to respond to this situation, but for holding those at the source of this contamination accountable."

Following the discovery of water contamination in the Village, DOH and DEC worked collaboratively to secure clean water for the community and hold those responsible for the pollution accountable for their actions. Through these efforts, the state has secured a legally binding consent order which details the specific actions Honeywell and Saint Gobain must take to address the contamination they caused. Included in that order is the responsibility for all costs associated with the design, installation, operation, monitoring, and maintenance of both the interim and full capacity GAC systems.

As part of the consent order, the polluters were required to provide bottled water to the residents on the village water system until the full capacity GAC is operating independently. At the state's direction, Honeywell and Saint Gobain will continue to provide bottled water at Tops for the next six weeks, while two additional rounds of confirmatory sampling are conducted. Beyond this six week window, the companies will also deliver bottled water to any residents with point of entry treatment (POET) systems that have not yet been cleared for use.

In addition to the installation of the full capacity filtration system, the State's efforts in Hoosick Falls include:

  • DEC secured the installation and service of more than 831 POET systems.
  • DOH initiated a confidential PFOA biomonitoring program for more than 2,900 residents of the Hoosick Falls area to date and retained Mount Sinai as an independent resource for residents who wish to discuss their results.
  • DOH coordinated with the Village of Hoosick Falls, Town of Hoosick, Rensselaer County and Saint Gobain to establish a bottled water program for approximately 4,500 residents of the town of Hoosick.
  • DOH and DEC have implemented aggressive sampling and testing efforts in order to both understand the extent of the contamination as well as to identify a new water source for the Village. This includes extensive sampling of the Village's soil and water supply, as well as the testing of more than 1,000 private wells.
  • DEC Issued an Emergency Regulation to Classify PFOA as a Hazardous Substance and classified the Saint-Gobain McCaffrey Street Facility as a Class 2 State Superfund Site which unlocks state resources to address contamination and respond to the community's immediate needs. Additionally, the Hoosick Falls landfill was identified as a potential State Superfund site during its investigation of contamination.
  • DEC executed a consent order with Honeywell and Saint-Gobain which requires implementation of a superfund remedial program for the McCaffrey Street and Liberty Street plants, including a provision for an alternate water supply feasibility study, which will incorporate the field work conducted by DEC. DEC executed a separate order with Honeywell on June 3, for remedial programs at the former John Street and the three River Road plant sites. DEC is providing field oversight of these remedial programs.
  • DOH and DEC have conducted more than 124 informational sessions at the HAYC3 Armory and have spoken to more than 1,600 residents in the Village of Hoosick Falls. DOH and DEC continue to staff the information sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
  • A State Hotline, 1-800-801-8092, has been established for the public to stay informed. To date, DOH has answered questions from more than 1,700 concerned residents from Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh.

As part of the comprehensive investigation of alternative water supply sources, DEC has conducted aquifer characterization and assessment field work, including exploratory borings, at several potential groundwater source locations. One potential alternate source has been identified. Over the next several weeks, DEC will conduct the second phase of the analysis to determine if the capacity is sufficient to provide the supply needed by the village. DEC will share the results of this analysis with the responsible parties as they complete the alternate water supply feasibility study. The alternate water feasibility study will be released for public comment once it is finalized.

Today's announcement builds on the aggressive actions implemented all across New York State to address water contamination issues. The New York State Water Quality Rapid Response Team has developed a national model to research, identify, and quickly address water contamination.

To enhance these efforts, the Governor has proposed the unprecedented $2 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, which will provide direct support to communities to enhance and expand drinking water infrastructure and upgrade treatment systems.

Residents in the Hoosick Falls area can continue to stay informed of the ongoing remediation efforts in the area by contacting the State Hotline at: 1-800-801-8092.

Announcement

January 24, 2017—The Village Board would like to thank the public for the comments received during the January 20th meeting on the proposed agreement with SGPP and Honeywell. The Board has directed its special counsel to discuss these issues with SGPP and Honeywell. As a result, the Village Board anticipates that revisions to the agreement will be forthcoming. In the meantime, the Village Board has prepared a document to answer some of the questions and concerns raised thus far. If revisions are made to the current agreement, or if the Village Board intends to take action on the agreement, additional notice will be made to the public.

Hoosick Falls Agreement With Saint-Gobain and Honeywell Available to Public

Village Board Set to Consider Its Approval at Jan. 12 Public Meeting

January 9, 2017—An $850,000 agreement Village of Hoosick Falls officials have finalized with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International has been posted for public review on the Village website here. The Village Board will consider the agreement for approval at a special meeting on Jan. 12, to be held at the Hoosick Falls Senior Center, 69 Church Street, from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend and provide comments on the agreement before the Board considers it for approval.

"The Village Board's priority was to ensure residents had access to clean water at no cost, which ultimately was accomplished by the state's Consent Order with the companies. We could have stopped there. Instead, the Village Board continued to demand Saint-Gobain and Honeywell cover all the additional costs and losses the Village has incurred, to ensure local residents do not bear the brunt of a situation they didn't create. To the companies' credit, they realized the financial burden the PFOA crisis has created for our small community and agreed to this unprecedented agreement. The Board is extremely proud of what has been accomplished to protect the safety and financial well-being of our community," said Village Mayor David Borge.

Approximately 40 percent, or $337,000, of the companies' payment to the Village will be used to reimburse the Village for losses sustained from decreased water and sewer revenues, costs associated with flushing Village water piping and associated repairs to water hydrants, and increased administrative and postage costs associated with several mailings to residents, advertisements and website development. The remainder, approximately $513,000, will be used to pay the Village's team of engineering, legal and communications consultants, who have been working without payment for their services for more than a year to assure the situation is appropriately communicated to the public and all issues were addressed. Specifically, MRB Engineers will receive approximately $100,000 and FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth PC will receive approximately $410,000, of which approximately $100,000 will be paid to Behan Communications, Inc., for assistance it provided to enhance the Village's public involvement program.

"It is important to remember that in the early days of this crisis, the Village had none of the resources needed to evaluate the presence of PFOA in Village water, to negotiate with New York State and the companies to protect the interests of residents, or to communicate with the public and media to ensure residents were aware of the free bottled water program, the state's biomonitoring program, and similar activities," said Mr. Borge. "The Village had to assemble a team of experts to assist us. I am certain that without their diligent, experienced and dedicated expertise, the Village would not have been in a position to successfully negotiate the agreement we are considering for approval. I am aware of no other community dealing with an environmental crisis such as this that has successfully negotiated such a valuable agreement on behalf of its residents."

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