■ The Village Board on Wednesday (April 5) made final adjustments to its draft 2023-24 budget, which includes a tax levy increase of 2.4 percent, or about half the maximum allowed under a state cap. A public hearing is scheduled for April 12. A final draft of the $3.3 million budget is posted at bit.ly/cold-spring-2023-budget.
“What’s different for 2023-24 is that we’re not passing the buck on critical infrastructure issues,” Mayor Kathleen Foley said via email. “The trustees had honest public conversations about real needs, real costs for service delivery, and real financial planning to get projects started and done,” adding that the village needs a lot of work.
“We’re thinking of today and beyond,” she said. “Big picture, not just minutiae, and prioritizing quality of life for our residents.”
■ The board approved an increase in sewer rates from $1.24 to $2 per 1,000 gallons. Water usage fees will increase from $56.25 to $66.25 per assessed unit quarter. For users outside Cold Spring, mainly Nelsonville residents, the rate will increase from $84.38 per assessed unit quarter to $99.38. The water and sewer budget is funded through user fees.
■ The board passed a resolution opposing the release of radioactive wastewater from the Indian Point nuclear power plant into the Hudson River.
■ Quotes were approved as part of the current 2022-23 budget including body cameras for Cold Spring Police Department; cleaning services for village buildings and facilities; parking payment kiosks; handheld devices for parking enforcement; and replacement of vandalized lighting at the Cold Spring dock.
■ Foley announced that work on Cold Spring connection to the Catskill Aqueduct is scheduled to begin April 10.
■ The village agreed on March 29 to pay the Cold Spring Fire Co. $136,004 for fire protection in 2023. Philipstown and Nelsonville also contribute.
■ In a change to proposed regulations for short-term rentals announced on March 29, hosts would be required to offer one off-street parking space or pay a $750 fee.
■ Apple TV paid the village $5,000 to use its municipal parking lot on Fair Street and parking spaces at Mayor’s Park on March 31 while shooting late-night scenes at the Breakneck tunnel on Route 9D for its series Severance.
