By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong
A $1,000 argument broke out Nov. 3 at the Cold Spring Village Board meeting. Trustees Airinhos Serradas, in person, and Charles Hustis, in absentia, continued their sharp criticism of Mayor Seth Gallagher over issues involving the Special Board for a Comprehensive Plan-Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. And again the mayor continued to respond forcefully.
At stake this time: A budget supplement for the Special Board, whose fiscal 2010-11 budget is $11,000. The Special Board was seeking $1,000 more to allow Green Plan, the Comprehensive Plan consultant firm, to attend a Nov. 16th forum being held to brief the Village Board and the standing boards (Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), and Historic District Review Board (HDRB), and Recreation Commission). As he presented the request for the $1000, Gallagher said that Special Board members “have been good at spending the money. They’ve been diligent about not wasting it and really saving us as much money as possible.”
“For $1,000 at this critical time to make sure all the questions are answered properly — I don’t think it should be a problem at all,” Trustee Bruce Campbell agreed.
The resolution under consideration proposed taking the $1,000 from extra funds in the recycling program. The Village Board routinely approves such transfers from one account with a surplus to another with an unexpected need. At its October monthly meeting, it unanimously authorized 10 such transfers. However, the Special Board proposal drew fire from Serradas at the meeting. Hustis, who did not attend the meeting, wrote a notarized letter in protest.
Serradas announced that he had a list of questions regarding the Special Board and began with criticism of the $1,000 supplement. “I’m a bit confused as to why the Comprehensive Plan is coming to the taxpayers, quite frankly, and the village for additional monies,” he said. “The Comprehensive Plan does have money right now.” He recommended using funds designated for the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act analysis, or SEQRA, which would be conducted to gauge whether the Comprehensive Plan would have an adverse impact on the environment. “I think setting money aside for SEQRA is premature,” Serradas said. “The money is already there. Why not use it?”
Hustis made a similar argument in his letter. “Asking for an additional $1,000 when you have remaining funds that can surely fund a SEQRA review, as well as having a consultant there for the 11/16 meeting, is just ridiculous and a waste of the Village Board’s time and efforts,” he stated. “Use what you have left in the Special Board budget right now, meaning spend smartly and not foolishly.” In his letter, read aloud by Serradas, Hustis also asserted that “the Special Board answers to the Village Board of Trustees and they are not above the law.”
Gallagher said that the SEQRA money “is spoken for. We have a contract. It cannot be used for that” Nov. 16 meeting instead of its ascribed purpose, he said. “It’s something that has to be in there” in the Special Board account, reserved for the SEQRA analysis. After several minutes of increasingly contentious debate, Gallagher urged they move on. “I’d like to cake care of this as quickly as possible,” he said.
“Can I finish what I was saying?” Serradas asked.
“You can go on to the next point,” Gallagher said.
“No, I can’t,” Serradas replied.
“Yes, you can. You have to ask,” the mayor said.
“You’re kidding me, right?” Serradas asked. “I was not done.”
“I have not recognized you,” Gallagher shot back. “If you cannot behave, this is not going to work.”
By then they were shouting at each other and when Serradas continued talking, Gallagher informed the trustee he would be instructed to leave if he did not follow meeting protocol. As Serradas persisted, Gallagher told him to “please leave.” Serradas did not comply and Gallagher called a five-minute recess.
“I’m just looking for an amicable resolution,” Trustee J. Ralph Falloon said as the session got back underway. Serradas resumed his objections to the $1,000 allocation. In the Special Board budget, “every dollar is pretty much spoken for,” Campbell reiterated. “This is [for] work that wasn’t anticipated.” Serradas cited the $4,914 in the Special Board coffers. “I think that just tweaking this for giggles is ridiculous,” he said — provoking more outcries. They finally voted several minutes later, approving the $1,000 supplement 3 to 1, with Serradas as the lone “no” voice.
The Special Board released its draft Comprehensive Plan on Sept. 29 and held two subsequent public information sessions as well as a two-part official public hearing to obtain feedback from residents. (Since fall 2006, there have been about 25 special public meetings on the Comprehensive Plan initiative.)
Audience member Stephanie Hawkins subsequently chastised Serradas for his attitude toward the Special Board, saying his conduct could make residents unwilling to volunteer for village committees. “You’re tone has been very accusing and insulting,” she said. “You are addressing these very small things in a way that suggests you don’t have a perspective of what the important things are here. Be a little more resident-friendly, please.”
“I assume that goes for the rest of the board, right?” Serradas answered.
Again Gallagher urged them to move on. The board subsequently approved payment of bills, 3 to 1, with Serradas dissenting. However, on a resolution of support for a grant application by Scenic Hudson, which owns the West Point Foundry site in the village, the board displayed unanimity. The resolution passed with all four board members voting “yes.”
————————————————————————————————-
Editor’s Note: Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong, who covers village governmental affairs, served on the Special Board for a Comprehensive Plan for two years and her husband now chairs that board.
Go Airinhos!!!!…Airinhos is a smart and very ethical guy and I don’t care what side of the aisle he is on. Airinhos is a guy who should be in politics…a guy who serves for the right reasons
Seth Gallagher, in my opinion, is a liar and an idiot. He abuses the little power he thinks he has, lots more on that to come (I’m proudly sueing the village of Cold Spring, because of Mr. Gallagher!) History has prover time and time again, you give a little man a little bit of power…the little man abuses the power…prior to running for mayor, Gallagher accused Mayor Phillips, of stealing fuel from the village…remember that, Ya’ll? What ever came of that accusation…is Phillips a thief? Here’s another question for you all….Did Seth Claim his campaign contributions on his taxes last April? Or did he claim the taxes after I recently filled out a freedom of information request, for all filings of all candidates for the last 5 yrs…..Hey Seth…Hope you’re enjoying the CS tap water…we all know…it’s your preferred choice over bottled water…Uh…wait…what’s up with the Deer Park Water at the Village Hall and Police Station on the 2nd floor? So, the Village pays for “treated” water….you know…Quality on tap! and you all use village tax dollars to purchase deer park water…hey Seth, I think you’re not only a hypocrite..I think you’re dangerous to all who reside in Cold Spring and Nelsonville.
In response to that incredible rant by Mr. Cusick above I have a few points to make: I have attended many board meetings where I have never seen Mr. Cusick in attendance. If he considers Mr. Serradas such an “ethical guy” who “serves for the right reasons”, what exactly is he basing these judgements on? I am not calling Mr. Serradas integrity into question, but I will question his reason or motives for serving on the Village Board. I have witnessed numerous examples of Mr. Serradas hampering the Board from serving it’s purpose. Whether passing legislation or enacting it, much of Mr. Serradas obstructionism seem to be without reasonable cause or serve the residents of the village. Also, if you are going to assert such ridiculous allegations Mr. Cusick, at least participate in a positive manner. “Proud to sue the Village” means you are proud to take resident’s tax dollars away from paying for services for those residents. The next time someone wants to complain about taxation issues, remember, lawsuits cost money. And as far as your tirade regarding the Mayor as “dangerous to all who reside in Cold Spring and Nelsonville”, really? The guy who brought a balanced budget to the Village resulting in essentially no tax increase during a struggling economy is a danger? A balanced budget while the infrastructure of the village is be addressed and improved, rather than languishing as it did for so many years. Dangerous? Someone who has increased the transparency of the village… Read more »
Dear Mr. Ambrose:
Hey there Tommy Boy…You Rock!!!thanks for the comments, you sound like a real winner!
Best regards,
rusty
I stand completely with Tom Ambrose’s comments regarding Russell Cusick’s rant…Tom hits the nail right on the head.
While I don’t agree with Serradas’, and for that matter Hustis’ stands/positions on most Village issues before them, I don’t for one minute believe their motive are anything other than promoting what they think is in the best interests of the Village….
As Mayor, Seth Gallagher has moved the Village forward. From what I see, Gallagher, Campbell and Falloon have taken a pragmatic approach to the village’s problems and have got things done…I’m quite sure they disagree on lots of things, but they seem to find common ground to move forward…as a resident of the village I really appreciate it…
As for Donnie Mackey D’s comments on my rant…I couldn’t be happier that you took the time to comment…hopefully this discussion will peak the interest and or curiousity of your fellow Villagers, you know the ignorant and the apathetic, bedroom community dwellers who like ostriches, are very comfortable with their heads in the sand…those who are stupid enough to pay for water that is “treated” up on Fishkill road….and then piped through antiquated, failing water pipes (that co-mingle with failing and cracked sewer pipes)….I cannot tell you fools how many “Villagers” stopped by my dinky little art gallery in CS over the last year of so, and discussed with me the fact that their water was discolored and brown…(and not only when Greg Phillips and his peeps choose to sporadically “Flush” the pipes.)I actually did video interviews with several on the subject…youtube vido is forthcoming The truth of the matter is this….you folks in the Village of Cold Spring, are literally paying to drink your own feces, urine and whatever else lies below Cold Springs highly and historically toxic soil..toxins that remain from Maraton…Foundry….the coal Tar at the waterfront…Impelletieres old gas station….the list goes on and on and on….yep, you all know it…and with all you know….you continue to allow the kids at haldane to drink the villages putrid tap water. So there you have it, while the children at Haldane drink the Village’s “Quality on Tap” tap water….the village’s elected and appointed officals, at village hall and police, are… Read more »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnrYwk5jLQg The day to day testing, maintenance and operation of the Water Department is in the hands of Greg Phillips, who does an excellent job providing safe, clean water to the Cold Spring/Nelsonville area. NY State sets the water guidelines, the State Department of Health enforces them, and municipalities must monitor and meet them. The result is water that is both safe and good tasting, and my preferred choice over bottled water. Seth Gallagher, as reported in the PCN&R, on 1-06-2010. Village Responds to State Audit of Water Department 6-03-2009 The water and sewer section of the report identifies an estimated cost of “unaccounted water of $155,000,” based upon industry standards and conventions. The report also states that sewer billing, “based on water meter readings, thereby compounds .. . the lost water revenues with lost sewer revenues.” In commenting on the report, however, Mayor Gallagher wrote, “The village only began charging sewer customers using a charge based upon water readings in April of 2008. Of the nine billings that occurred during the period of the audit only two of those were billed using the water readings. Our calculation would lower the estimated loss in rents at closer to $17,600, or 2/9ths of the $79,000 estimate in the audit report.” Water Superintendent Greg Phillips told the PCN&R that as Cold Spring’s water supply runs through a “100 year old cast iron system,” leaks will happen from time to time. He said that as a result of the report, his department will… Read more »
“K”,
Run for village office, hey, why not? why don’t you, Katie? If you are one of the many in the Village, smart enough to pay for, but NOT drink the village’s tap water….you just might live long enough to do GREAT THINGS for your fellow Villagers.
Are you the “K” from another earlier post? Are you perhaps becoming a tad less apprehensive about letting philipstown.info’s extremely small readership know your true identity? do you have a last name,? Or are you just plain Kate, or is it Katie?…OMG this is reminiscent of a scene I did in High School, from the taming of the shrew.
I hope to see Airinhos win another term…how about you, Katie? Or Would would you rather see you pal Sloth continue to run CS into an environmental and economic abyss?
Russell Victorious Cusick
ps-to whom it may concern: my SS number is 530 75 8994
Don’t mind Rus, he’s just defending his status as “Village Idiot.” Oh wait, he’s now competing for that honor in Beacon.
Mr. McAndrew, “K”, Katie” and anyone else who happens have stumbled across this bloggy conversation…It’s me, Russ Cusick…the Village Idiot (former Village Idiot…uh, oh well, whatever..I suppose, I’m now going to have to according to Mr. McAndrew…strive for the mantle of “City” idiot…..Anyhoo, I’ve been having an ongoing discussion with Mr. Ambrose, at the link below…I think the information below might ultimately be helpful…or not, but at least, I put it out there. https://highlandscurrent.org/?p=6436 While at breakfast, this a.m. I came across this short article in the Po’keepsie Journal: It discusses NY State and infrastructure. here is the article…and if the Village of CS is smart…they’ll be the first to diligently go after funding…if, in fact there is any available. Russell Cusick says: November 19, 2010 at 12:38 am Don’t look at the glass as half empty!.Don’t look at the glass as half full!.Just shut up and drink what is in the dang glass! Mr. Ambrose; Au contraire mon ami!.Where did you get your information about Beacon and Fishkill’s poisonous water? Allow me to share with you, my new and much treasured friend!.If you happen to look at water quality data taken from the 5 yr. testing period 2004-9, you’ll surmise, as have I, that of all the “treated” water systems in both Westchester and Putnam!THE VILLAGE OF COLD SPRING, NY had the highest number different contaminants that the EPA considers to be “Above the Legal Limit”!yes, that is to say that of 198 different “treated” water systems in both… Read more »