Fire Company declines new sidewalk
By Michael Turton
It seems that any public discussion of the status of the Cold Spring Police Department by the village board is at least a week away.
Last week, Mayor Dave Merandy declined to comment on an article in The Current that quantified CSPD activities during the past two years, including the number of parking tickets, moving violations and calls for assistance handled by Cold Spring’s police officers.
At the time Merandy said he would comment on the police department at the next board meeting. However, when the board convened on Tuesday, April 26, the mayor said his comments would have to wait another week because he is in discussions with the village attorney regarding a number of CSPD issues.
Merandy said that, contrary to accusations on social media that the village board is paying little attention to the CSPD, “we are definitely interested in it” and, he said, in finding ways to “save money” for taxpayers.
Tuesday’s meeting began with a 30-minute executive session which the mayor described as dealing with “the appointment of a particular person to a particular position.” No additional information was provided when the regular meeting resumed.
Inspector moves on
Merandy announced that Kevin Donahue, building inspector for the Town of Philipstown, has resigned to take a similar position with the Village of Larchmont in Westchester County. Donahue has been conducting inspections at the Butterfield development as part of a joint agreement between the village and the town.
Merandy, a former member of the Philipstown Town Board, suggested that the Village of Cold Spring might work with the town in filling the position. The possibility of merging the two building departments has been discussed a number of times in recent years.
No new sidewalk for firehouse
While most residents and storeowners are looking forward to the completion of the Main Street Project and the new sidewalks it will include, the Cold Spring Fire Company has requested that the sidewalk in front of the firehouse at 154 Main St. not be reconstructed. Deputy Mayor Marie Early said that CSFC Chief Steve Smith expressed concern at the project information meeting held on Monday, pointing out that a new sidewalk would not provide adequate clearance under the largest CFSC vehicles as they exit the firehouse.
Personnel changes
Village Accountant Ellen Mageean has resigned. Merandy said Mageean has accepted a full-time, better paying position closer to her home. The village accountant “is a part-time position but an important one and we have to fill it quickly,” he said. Mageean has held the position since 2010.
Trustees approved hiring Russ Terio as a part-time employee working with the Recreation Commission. Terio will spend 20 hours a week mowing lawns in village parks and tending to the restrooms at Mayor’s Park and at the Main Street information booth.
In other business …
- Trustees passed unanimous resolutions approving the general fund, water and sewer budgets for 2016-17. Trustee Fran Murphy was on vacation and not in attendance.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Putnam County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. As a signatory to the plan, the Village of Cold Spring will be eligible for related grants, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Flood Mitigation Assistance Programs.
- Delivery of the pre-programmed, solar-powered pay station to be installed in the municipal parking lot on Fair Street is expected on May 18.
- The Historic District Review Board is developing a new, more user-friendly application form for residents undertaking projects requiring HDRB review.
- Trustees approved an agreement with Bart Clark P.E., Oakwood Environmental Associates, to provide engineering services for the Fair Street and Market Street sewer rehabilitation project.
- An agreement was approved authorizing InvoiceCloud Inc. to provide credit card payment services for village water and sewer bills. The system is expected to be up and running in time for July billing.
- The board approved an agreement with Munistat Services, Inc. to provide municipal finance advisory service to the village.
- New York State’s Clean Energy Standard (CES) program mandates that by 2030, half of the electricity used in the state will come from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydro. Hearings on the CES program, including public statements, will be held throughout May. The hearings closest to Cold Spring are at Kingston City Hall on May 26 and the New York State Public Service Commission office at 90 Church St. in New York City on May 31. Information, including a CES white paper and cost study, is available at www.dps.ny.gov.
