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Cold Spring Reduces Gasoline Usage by 120 Gallons, Further Conservation Efforts Urged
Stakeholder meetings for Comprehensive Plan Special Board scheduled
by Kevin Foley
The regular monthly meeting of the Cold Spring Board of Trustees on July 9, 2008 began on a positive fiscal note as newly appointed village accountant Ellen Mageean reported she had booked $1,263,905 in annual village property tax receipts which includes the 11.4% rate increase the trustees enacted in May. She also assured the trustees that she would pursue the highest interest rates available for village savings accounts, no doubt keeping in mind this year's budget is $1.6 million.
Referring to budget expenses Trustee Seth Gallagher mentioned that official gasoline usage was already down 120 gallons compared to the previous fiscal year but that five weeks into the new year escalating prices already projected a year-end $3,000 deficit in the current fuel budget allocation. He urged even greater conservation efforts.
Mayor Anthony Phillips, who made the otherwise routine Village Justice Court report, acknowledged the new electronic security gate now positioned at the entrance to the main Village Hall meeting room. He said it would be activated during court sessions as mandated by state rules. In addition, he said state rules would require the meeting room to be reconfigured to allow Village Justice Thomas J. Costello to enter the room from his private office. "The times we live in," commented the Mayor.
The Mayor also reported the Water Department had acquired a previously-discussed pressure reducing valve for Main Street water system repairs and that the work would probably commence at the end of July and likely take three to four days. He said there would be public notice as to the exact dates and times when water might be shut off.
The Comprehensive Plan Special Board report, also read by the Mayor, indicated that the Special Board had appointed Mike Armstrong, an advocate for the parking meterconcept, as the head of a sub-working group within its Government, Infrastructure and Public Services (GIPS) working group to assist the Village Board "in their attempt to further review traffic, parking and related issues within the Village." Four other members of the GIPS Working Group are expected to join Armstrong in his work.
The Special Board has also scheduled dates for stakeholder meetings at which members of the public from Cold Spring and surrounding areas who have an interest in the deliberations of a particular working group can provide input to the members. The dates are as follows: September 4 - Community Resources; September 11 - Waterfront and Open Spaces; October 9 - Government Infrastructure and Public Services; November 13 - Economic Development; January 8, 2009 - Village Character, History and Historical Preservation. All of the meetings will be held at the firehouse from 7-9pm.
Seth Gallagher reported that the Chamber of Commerce was seeking clarification of the process for approving who could post notices at the village information booth adjacent to the railroad tracks on Main Street. The Chamber staffs the center but the village owns and maintains the building.
"They should lease the building from us if they want control," said Mayor Phillips, who estimated maintenance costs for the village at $5,000. "Maybe they could pay half," he added.
The Mayor said there would have to be further discussion about whether businesses that don't belong to the Chamber can avail themselves of posting information at the booth.
Liz Armstrong asked from the audience whether the Philipstown government could contribute to the information center upkeep as it benefited the surrounding area as well as Cold Spring. The Mayor was quick to agree with the point. "Or the Putnam County government for that matter," said Phillips.
There was also a discussion of the adequacy of the public restrooms at the building, especially during public events such as the Sunday afternoon music concerts on the dock. "Stop using men's and women's signs and you will instantly increase capacity," offered Mike Armstrong.
Although intrigued by the idea, some of the trustees couldn't resist some good humored teasing of Armstrong about the possibility of installing parking meters in the restrooms.
The trustees next agreed to charge $500 apiece for permission for two photography production companies to shoot advertising layouts on village streets.
In 2005 the federal Department of Transportation approved a $820,000 grant for street improvements on Main Street from 9D to the railroad tracks now scheduled for 2011. In order to meet the requirements of the grant the trustees voted to commit to pay $41,000, the local share of the cost of the preliminary engineering for the project. It is hoped funds can eventually be obtained from the state to help the village pay its share.
The trustees formally adopted the recently proposed increase in fees for various Building Department permits. Residents can now expect to pay a minimum of $50 for most permits.
Mayor Phillips reported he had received a positive response from community groups towards his idea for a 2009 Community Day. He said he had asked Philipstown and Nelsonville to consider contributing funds for a fireworks display and that he asked the Historical Society and Scenic Hudson for ideas on fashioning the celebration.
Village Clerk Mary Saari, in response to an inquiry from Trustee John Teagle, said the Grove Restoration had been placed on the state registry of historic places but was still awaiting placement on the federal registry.
Mike Armstrong, who advocated the placement of a police officer to direct traffic when the farmer's market is held on Saturday mornings, raised the final issue of the meeting. The intersection of 9D and Benedict Road has been the subject of past discussion because of the confluence of so much economic activity at one place with several commercial driveways and parking lots.
"If a child gets hit it will be a terrible thing for the village," said Armstrong who made it clear he thought conditions warranted a proactive response. He acknowledged Mayor Phillips' point that additional signage and traffic cones were in place, but he urged the trustees to realize those amenities mean "pedestrians get brave but cars still don't slow down coming through there." The Mayor said they would take the suggestion under advisement and that a new crosswalk was due to be created there this summer.
The trustees then went into executive session to discuss personnel issues.
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