Budget hearing set for April 11
By Michael Turton
A public hearing to consider the 2017-18 Cold Spring budget will be held at Village Hall, 85 Main St., at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11. It calls for general fund spending of just under $2.1 million, with about $1.6 million raised through property taxes, an amount that falls within the state-imposed tax cap.
State law requires that the annual budget be adopted by May 1. The tentative plan is available at coldspringny.gov and copies will be made available at the hearing.
In other business …
- The village plans to write state Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and state Senator Sue Serino to urge them to reject Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to mandate that all county executives develop a municipal consolidation plan for voters to consider.
- Seven property owners along Peekskill Road and Route 9D said they will hire a consultant to recommend possible improvements to their privately owned water line. Greg Phillips, the superintendent of water and wastewater, said his department carried out emergency repairs to the line in December after it developed a 100,000-gallon-per-day leak, and residents were billed for time and materials. Phillips said the line was also repaired about 18 years ago.
- Phillips reported that work on the Fair Street sewer line should begin around May 1.
- Anne Impellizzeri was appointed to the Code Update Committee, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Donald MacDonald.
- The Altice Group and Cablevision of Wappingers Falls said it will seek renewal of its cable-television franchise with the village, which is set to expire in 2020. Last year the village received $44,000 from the agreement.
- The Planning Board has submitted a new application form for board review. Planning Board Chair Matt Francisco said the new form can be filled out electronically, includes more user-friendly language and should expedite the applications process.
- Trustees approved the Planning Board’s request to grant a parking waiver for 124 Main St. as part of the conversion of the second floor above the Silver Spoon Restaurant to a five-room hotel.
From March 16
- Phillips reported that nearly 90 percent of the new cellular water meters have been installed in Cold Spring and Nelsonville. He said the village should consider penalties for the 100 or so accounts for which owners have not arranged for the free installation. Once the installation contract expires residents will have to pay the cost of installing the meter.
- Phillips also reported that a draft report from Tectonic Engineering on design alternatives for repairs to the upper reservoir dam is expected by the end of March. He said he also is exploring ways to reduce noise from the new wastewater treatment plant building on Fair Street after complaints from neighbors. The Tree Advisory Board is selecting trees and shrubs to screen views of the plant.
