Feb. 28 and March 7 meetings
By Michael Turton
In a unanimous vote at its March 7 meeting, the Cold Spring Board of Trustees passed a law to establish a Community Choice Aggregation, a collective with other municipalities to lower the cost of electricity or select renewable sources such as through wind and solar. The only change participants see on their monthly Central Hudson bill is a line that identifies the supplier of the electricity. Residents and small businesses can opt out of the program at any time.
The CCA program is being presented to municipalities by Renewable Highlands, a nonprofit led by residents Mike Rauch and Jason Angell. Legislators in Beacon, Philipstown and Fishkill have signed on, and Wappingers Falls is considering it. CCA member municipalities can purchase electricity by the lowest price or select renewable sources such as wind and solar produced in New York state.
Rauch said that the next step for Cold Spring is to select a firm to administer the program. It will be keep a small percentage of the savings realized. He said Cold Spring residents should see savings of 5 percent to 10 percent on their bills.
In other business on Feb. 28…
- A law was passed updating the village code to reflect new water rates and cellular water meters.
- Trustees accepted the resignation of Donald MacDonald from the Code Update Committee. MacDonald cited an increasing workload at his architectural firm.
- Jeff Vidakovich was hired to assist Village Clerk Mary Saari for up to 90 days. Vidakovich, who previously assisted building inspector Bill Bujarski, will be paid $15 an hour and can work up to 35 hours per week.
In other business on March 7…
- The board will write the Village of Nelsonville and Town of Philipstown advising of anticipated cost increases for fire protection by the Cold Spring Fire Company. Deputy Mayor Marie Early said she had spoken with Bill O’Neil, who is running unopposed to become Nelsonville mayor, regarding a related bill of $2,008.
- Trustees approved a contract to enlist Putnam County to prepare the village tax rolls and bills for 2017.
