Mayor’s Message for May 2022
Spring has arrived in Rhinebeck, bringing beautiful weather, the opening of the Farmers Market, and spring cleaning! When decluttering a house, it’s great to pass things you no longer need along to others. Garage sales, estate sales, and tag sales can be great ways to move a lot of items. The Village of Rhinebeck has a code that spells out the local regulations in Chapter 60 Garage sales. You can find all the information you need online as you plan your sale.
We got it! The Village of Rhinebeck has received $3,000,000 to upgrade the Water Treatment Plant. On Tuesday April 19th , Governor Kathy Hochul announced the state Environmental Facilities Corporation has awarded $638 million in grants to municipalities and public authorities for 199 water infrastructure projects across the state that protect public health or improve water quality. The Village applied for the grant in Nov. 2021 with a total project cost of $6,156,000.
The Village of Rhinebeck water treatment plant serves approximately 6,000 people with 25 miles of pipeline, within the Village and in the Town of Rhinebeck. The source water is the Hudson River with the water treatment plant located at 76 Slate Dock Road in Rhinecliff. It was completed in 1968 and is permitted to produce 1.5 million gallons per day of potable water. A comprehensive water system evaluation was performed by Delaware Engineering. The recommended upgrades include improvements to the water treatment plant, sludge dewatering, water tank, water mains, and other system apparatus.
The Village Board has been presented with a petition requesting that we continue outdoor dining during warm weather. John Traver, who presented the signatures, is working with the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce and others on how this could be implemented on East and West Market Street. The Board has made no decision, and is asking for more details which should be provided soon.
The Mayor and Trustees voted to adopt the Village of Rhinebeck 2022-23 budget for the fiscal year 2022-2023 from June 1st to May 31st.The total Budget is $4,561,768. In this budget, the proposed property tax rate falls from $3.15 to $3.10 per $1000 assessed value. Some highlights:
Revenues have increased year to year, with anticipated revenue increases this year from sales tax, Police contracts, Building Permit revenues, Court activity due to the backlog from Covid, and the use of a Special Prosecutor.
Additional funding for the update of the 1993 Comprehensive plan.
Major changes in Building, Planning and Zoning bringing two employees on full-time, digitizing records and records retention
Continued focus on environmental costs and revenues, including composting, brining, joint projects on NRI (natural resource inventory), GreenHouse Gas Emissions (CAPI). The Marist Landmans kill project and participating in NY State's Climate Smart Communities Program and EV charging
Included is another full-time certified WWTP (Wastewater Treatment Plant) operator and the replacement of the DPW Superintendent
Impacts due to increases in fuel and electric costs
Increases for the Mayor and Trustees with future increases that match the union negotiated percentages.
Improvements to Center St water distribution with ARP funds (America Rescue Plan), Highway Paving $’s and Grants
To meet overall expenses with user fees, a proposed rate increase from $6.00 per 1000 gallons used to $7.00 per 1000 gallons use has been calculated in the anticipated revenue. Last increase was in 2006.
The Village Board also adopted Local Law #020822-01 which regulates siting and appearance of 5G Small wireless Facilities. After taking a hard look at all of the information available to it, the Board believes that this law will protect the Village’s scenic and historic resources, while providing updated wireless communication resources to residents and visitors.
The Village Board has submitted a grant proposal of $195,330 to the 2022 Municipal Investment Grant (MIG) Program. Eligible Projects include those that improve or enhance agency capacity and capability to respond to fire and rescue operations or function to address health and safety issues, including the purchase of specialized equipment and/or capital improvements to agency buildings. The submitted grant proposal contains requests for new equipment and resources for the Fire Department, capital improvements to sidewalks and ADA accessibility at Village Hall and the Fire Department, as well as new communications equipment for the Police Department.
Kyle Eighmy has been appointed as the full-time Superintendent of Public Works effective May 9th. This is an important supervisory position involving responsibility for planning and directing the activities of the Department of Public Works. Major areas of work include monitoring work distribution, supervision of employees, overseeing the work of the department (e.g., streets, sewer, and water), and overall supervision of the administrative and operational workings of the department. The position reports to the Mayor and the work is performed under the general direction of the Mayor and/or Village Board of Trustees. Congratulations Kyle!
The New York Government Finance Officers’ Association NYS GFOA has appointed Karen McLaughlin along with Elliot Auerbach (NYS Deputy Comptroller) to represent the Downstate region. Congratulations Karen!
Colton Johnson, who most of you know, has stepped down as the Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals after 30 years of service to the Village of Rhinebeck. Colton has a long history with the Village, dating back to 1967 when he lived on Livingston Street. Thanks to his knowledge, attention to detail, and commitment to public service, he was appointed to the ZBA in the early 90’s. We all wish Colton a happy and enjoyable time and thank him for his dedicated service to the Village of Rhinebeck.
On April 30th, we celebrated Arbor Day in the Village by planting trees on East Market Street. A grant from the Frost Foundation provided for the removal of 15 Norway Maples that were badly damaged by the pruning from the utility and at risk to homes or roads with dead branches. A total of 26 trees replaced them that are better suited for the site that will flower and are beneficial to pollinators and birds and shade. The Tree Commission organized a great group of volunteers to plant the new trees along the street. Thank you to all who participated in another successful event headed by Chairperson Meg Crawford, and the Tree Commission.
If you are thinking of how else to support our environment, here’s some key dates you may want to know:
On May 14, Climate Smart Rhinebeck in collaboration with the Comprehensive Plan project is hosting a special Youth Workshop for students 8th - 12th grades. We are asking the young people to share their vision of Rhinebeck 2042 and what they'd like to see in our community. The day will include a walk through the village and an urban planning assessment. Please encourage young people you know to RSVP.
Our Joint Village/Town Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) is close to finalization. The NRI is a new collection of maps and a report that interprets the maps. We took a lot of care to emphasize climate change throughout. Thank you to the 40 people who submitted photos to illustrate the report. Now we're calling on you to review the NRI photos and vote for your favorites! The top picks will get a special thank you: a nature photography book, curated by the good folks at Oblong Books. Please vote before May 16!
Natural Resources Inventory for the Village of Rhinebeck
May 22, come to a meet up and talk compost with us at the Farmers' Market. The Compost Subcommittee was there for the wonderful opening day. We are still taking sign-ups since our bins aren't filled. Check out the video Interact Club students made on our webpage too!
https://www.rhinebeckcompost.org/
Mayor Gary Bassett