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Cold Spring Extends Voting Hours to Accommodate Commuters and Others
Christmas Tree recycling program results in free mulch to residents
by Kevin Foley
Voters in Cold Spring Village elections will have extra time to exercise their franchise on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 after the Board of Trustees extended voting hours by changing the start time from noon to six am with the closing time at nine pm. The Trustees, acting at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, also appointed eight election inspectors at ten dollars an hour as well as designating Saturday, March 8, 2008 as the Village voter registration day. Unregistered voters must go to the Village Hall on that day between the hours of noon and five pm.
The Trustees voted the changes in response to Village residents who pointed out that commuters to New York City and others who worked changing shifts in healthcare and other employment were sometimes unable to participate in the election of Village officials. Voting will take place in the Cold Spring Firehouse on Main Street.
This year's crop of Village Christmas trees is going to be recycled under a plan announced by Mayor Anthony Phillips. The plan involves shredding the collected trees at the Highway Department garage on Fair Street with the resulting mulch made available to Village residents for use on their property. The last pickup of trees will be the last weekend of January with the mulch available the first week in February and lasting into March depending on demand.
Trustee Karen Dunn suggested residents "de-tinsel their trees" to protect the quality of the mulch.
In other business Village Treasurer Barbara Rudolph reported that notices had been sent to 17 property owners who are in arrears for taxes and fines for a total of $29,693. She said she had received only a nine-dollar payment in response so far. She noted that the state Taconic Park Commission had not paid approximately $3,600 on the waterfront Dockside property.
"It's a pain when these properties come off the rolls. It just sits there and who knows what expense we might incur. We adopted the 2007 budget in April with that parcel expected to pay," said Trustee Ed Mancari.
While Rudolph didn't know if further communication with the Taconic Commission would result in payment, she did note that recent state legislation would require payment in the next fiscal year.
In response to a question from Trustee Seth Gallagher regarding garbage collection on holiday weekends, Mayor Anthony Phillips said this was the last year Putnam County would provide a $7,500 allocation for the overtime collection. They both agreed the issue should be on the agenda of an upcoming February workshop session with the Chamber of Commerce.
On a related issue regarding an over $3,000 deficit on a street cleaning budget line, the Mayor told Gallagher residents pushing fallen leaves onto the street rather than bagging them was causing extra work for the Village street cleaning crew. "We need to educate people on bagging their own leaves," said the Mayor.
The Police Department report was made by temporary officer in charge George Kane, a full time NYC firefighter who has been filling in since the death of Sergeant Darrell Burris. Kane said that the part-time police force members "are adjusting very well." He said there were no scheduling problems for the 24/7 coverage the Department provides.
As to a recent incident on Main Street when 14 cars were scratched with a key Kane said "we have some leads and hope to solve the matter as soon as possible."
Kane said he would work with the Trustees on some communications for the Village newsletter regarding emergency procedures and safety preparations. He said he was particularly concerned that citizens understand the need to be ready to provide accurate location information when calling 911 on a cell phone. "People should start with the Village name and the county before the street name, it will save time as dispatchers determine exactly where you are,' said Kane.
Asked about the prospects of another police dog in the Department, Kane said there were no plans at this time, which the Mayor and some Trustees appeared to agree with.
The Mayor and the Trustees all thanked Kane for his service declaring he was doing an outstanding job.
The Water Department reported it continues to follow up on correction of illegal storm water connections in the Village. The Village reservoir is at 90% capacity.
Carol Casparian, chair of the Village Comprehensive Special Board reported that the long awaited Village survey would be made available later in the week at a public meeting. (See related story).
"We had hoped to have results earlier to give the Board a sneak preview but the working group is working down to the wire to get the report ready," said Casparian.
"I have to say it's a little upsetting that we are not receiving the survey report before it is released," said Mayor Phillips. "I haven't seen it myself," countered Casparian. "That doesn't matter, I have a problem with us not looking at it before the public receives it," responded the Mayor.
At the end of the meeting Casparian apologized to the Mayor and Trustees indicating that as chair of the Special Board she took responsibility for not getting them the report.
For his part the Mayor accepted her apology and said he wasn't looking to blame anyone. "It is just that we are the governing board and should see it first. He reiterated his appreciation of the work being done.
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