Stuyvesant Town Board Meeting May 14, 2009
Present: Valerie Bertram, Rozalind Gumaer, Ronald Knott, Bradlee Webster, Tal Rappleyea
Absent: Melissa Naegeli, Edward Scott, Bernie Kowalski
Pledge of Allegiance
Approve Minutes
April Meeting Minutes Approved
Read Communications
- Letter from Columbia Land Conservancy inviting board members to workshops and seeking input on future workshops.
- Letter from Kinderhook Memorial Library re: Quadricentennial speakers program
- Letter from The United Way announcing the 211 Program, which provides direct personal & professional assistance in the community
- Letter from Stuyvesant Falls Emanuel Lutheran church indicating that they will enter a float in the Quadricentennial parade
- Letter from Stuyvesant Democratic Committee offering a contribution to cover the cost of a porta-toilet for summer activities. Valerie indicated that the town will find the porta-toilet instead.
Town Clerk Report (Summarized by Valerie in Melissa’s absence)
10 - 15 participants attended first Fun Run. Thanks to Sean for providing water on the route.
Melissa is completing some job-related training.
Highway Report (Summarized by Valerie in Bernie’s absence)
Bernie requested funds for mower trailer [approximately $2100]. Approved unanimously.
Trash Day is Saturday Mary 16th – 8AM – 4PM on Sharptown Road
Lee Jamison asked about free wood chips as other towns are doing, but this is not allowed for FEMA-funded cleanup. Instead, the town chose a hauler who will take the material offsite to chip it, so they can use the space.
Dog Control Report
Dog found dog on rt9 / found owner.
Lost dogs on Rt 9 / later returned.
Zoning Board
No meeting this month; nothing to report.
Planning Board
Regular meeting rescheduled to Monday May 18th at 7PM due to the Memorial Day holiday. Pflaum/Rybka road hearing 5/18.
Greenway Committee (Report by Ron Knott)
Working on a survey letter to send to residents for further input.
Next meeting May 28th 7pm
Town Hall Committee (Report by Ron Knott)
The Garden Club is working on a memorial garden at the Town Hall.
Request to replace to tables due to wear – approved.
Request to replace two emergency lights – approved.
Rail Station Committee (Report by Marilyn Burch)
The Farmer’s Market started last Friday. Over 100 people attended, not including kids. Ron Knott repaired popcorn machine, which had been tripping the circuit. The plan is to offer popcorn every week. Marilyn provided a list of products expected at tomorrow’s market.
Movie night this Friday: Alfred Hitchcock's 39steps
Next committee meeting: Sat 5/16 at 9am at the Rail Station.
NYSDOT Grant – Valerie read a letter indicating the grant has been awarded. Next step is for the architect to put the project out to bid.
Cemetery Committee (Report by Bradlee Webster) The cemetery excavator is raising fees, and introducing different fees for different days of the week and times of the year. Brad presented the new fee schedule, which Valerie read.
Quadricentennial Committee (Report by Valerie Bertram)Several events are scheduled throughout the weekend. Partial summary:
Saturday September 19th- Peoples Parade in Stuyvesant Falls at 10am, with the fire departments, floats, period costumes.
- Pictorial stamp cancellation at both post offices.
- Kickball game
- Geology slide show at St Marys
- DJ and food at VFW 4-7PM
Sunday September 20th - Ecumenical service at Dutch Ref Church
- Lunch @ Stuyvesant firehouse
- Oral history project
- St Johns spaghetti supper
- Live music at depot from 4-9PM
- Closing Riverview St after 3PM
- Food provided by the Riverview Cafe
- Fireworks funded by Stockport & Stuyvesant Falls Hydro
Assessor's Office (Report by Cathy Knott)
Grievance Day is May 26, 4-8:30 The Assessor's Office will be open this Saturday from 9-1 The state has confirmed that the town is at 100% valuation.
Recreation Committee (Report by Roz Gumaer)
Childrens’ summer program: Will be sending out a letter with town activities calendar. Parents must call town hall by 6/30 with childrens’ names, address, phone number. Michelle will e-mail a copy of the letter to Melissa for the website. Upcoming activities: July 4th picnic at Ken Hummel Memorial Park August star walk at park Community garden kickoff in Stuyvesant Falls on 5/30. Robert Gibbs is working on seed, plant and materials donations from various sources. Two new recreation committee members were approved by the board.Litter cleanup teams compiled a summary of playground maintenance needs at Falls and Landing playgrounds.Robert Gibbs asked about getting a list of local kids activities and groups, as Kinderhook has. Historic Stuyvesant day 8/8 Ken Hummel Memorial Park dedication at Noon Informational kiosk at Falls donated by Stuyvesant Falls Hydro; dedication at 3PM Recreation Committee will provide activities at lunch, as well as children’s activities during 5K race.
Beautification Committee (Report by Roz Gumaer)
Committee has added a second member. Roz is going to ask a landscaper for input.
Old Business
SF Hydro Kiosk: Ron marked the proposed kiosk location at the Falls.
Air Monitor – The monitor is in place; still waiting for National Grid to hook it up. Ned Depew suggested that the town be more assertive in its requests to National Grid. Valerie said she would call again on Friday.
New Business
Valerie announced that a prescription discount card will be offered to all county residents, through ProAct, which is the company that the county self-insures through. If you already have a plan, you can use it for prescriptions not covered by your plan. Everyone will receive something in the mail from ProAct.
Public Comment
Ned Depew asked about the application for funds for the Schoolhouse Road bridge. Valerie said she had not heard anything yet. Ned said that a similar bridge in Schodack was repaired about two years ago, and is trying to find out more information about the repair, and the implications. Valerie said that if the town repaired the bridge, we would have to pay CSX to supervise our work. Ned replied that it is CSX’ bridge to begin with, and they should be paying for the repairs, per their contract. Ron Knott asked the board to let Tal pursue getting CSX to negotiate a solution, such as turning the land over to the town, but there was no commitment to further action.
Mark Young recognized the litter cleanup effort this year, and the impact that previous years’ cleanups have had on the overall cleanliness of the areas. Both Mark and Ron Knott thanked Sean Cummings for his efforts in organizing the cleanups.
- Compiled by Michelle Richardson
