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Energy Audit and Sidewalk Issues Discussed at CS Village Workshop Meeting
LWRP to hold public presentation on June 7
by Michelle Woods
Land and waterfront improvements and funding possibilities for those improvements were discussed at the Board of Trustees Weekly Workshop on May 22, 2007.
The Trustees agreed to go forward with an energy audit provided by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), designed to improve energy efficiency in Village buildings. Trustee Seth Gallagher noted that the initial audit would provide a "free feasibility report" that would pinpoint potential improvements, i.e. in using more energy-efficient lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, better insulation etc. The Village could then ask the NYPA to address those issues. Mr. Gallagher said that, if this happened, the NYPA's aim would be "to keep our utility budget as it is" as the costs of improvements would be offset by the savings made.
Trustee Karen Dunn noted a "big jump" in electricity and fuel costs and said that the Firehouse "has got to have a lot of energy issues." Mayor Anthony Phillips agreed, noting that fuel consumption this past year was "15% higher than it normally is" and that the Village Hall "has just as many issues" as the Firehouse. Dunn noted that increased fuel consumption could be attributed to the increase in usage of municipal buildings.
Ms. Dunn also suggested that the Board reconsider Village fees over the coming year for items such as building permits and tapping fees; the Mayor agreed and suggested the Board take a wide look at zoning issues and costs, highlighting and prioritizing issues to present to the public. Karen Dunn recommended that roads and sidewalks should be one prioritized issue, with Mayor Phillips arguing that "we're probably the only municipality who pays for sidewalks" and adding that perhaps homeowners should shoulder part of the costs of repair. He took the example of homeowners using rock salt over the winter months, which damages sidewalks; "someone doing that," he added "has a responsibility to replace" the sidewalk. Dunn said "it's well worth a discussion even if most people wouldn't like it," and the Mayor suggested that perhaps as the Village replaced damaged sidewalks, it could write to homeowners indicating that "the next one's on you."
"I'm not sure people want that," Trustee Seth Gallagher countered "it's a huge step," and he suggested instead that the Village should make residents aware of the damaging nature of rock salt, perhaps sending a letter out before winter to homeowners or putting up notices in the hardware store.
In a discussion about the Kent Recycling Center, Mayor Phillips suggested it may be worth using Kent for recycling; Mr. Gallagher said he would talk to them and pointed out that they may be able to recycle a wider variety of items than is possible with the current service.
Karen Dunn noted that she had met with Virtual Town Hall and that "they'll be very good and very helpful" with the upcoming Village website. She also asked for any photos of places and scenes easily identifiable with Cold Spring such as the bandstand and St. Mary's in the fall. The Board discussed the possibility of a photo contest.
In waterfront issues, the Mayor said that he had put in a FEMA application to help with Backbrook, noting that "we've had problems with it for many years" but because of the heavy rain this year, the problem was "more intense" and eligible for a FEMA application.
On June 7th at 7pm at the Firehouse, the Board noted that the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) will give a public presentation, and will be discussing "where they're coming from" in relation to the Village's Comprehensive Plan. The LWRP has awarded the Village a $50,000 grant but the Mayor noted that this cannot be used for the Comprehensive Plan though there "can be an overlap" in information. He added that the LWRP were interested in developing a boardwalk "connecting Littel Stony Point with dock lands," an idea that had been touted in the 1987 Village Master Plan. They are also interested in alternative energies and Trustee Dunn suggested they may be interested in talking about river turbines.
Finally, the Board discussed future themed workshops:
one on June 26 to discuss election practices; and one in July on Loretto Grove.
Trustee Gallagher felt it was important to "get ideas out there" as the property
is deteriorating, and suggesting that there might be a call for "proposals for
use". Board members noted that they had been approached by various individuals
interested in buying the property for private use.
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