Mayor’s Message March 2024
Welcome to March, the first month of spring! Along with warmer weather, March brings Leprechauns, Easter Bunnies, Amphibians, and Rhinebeck Village voters!
The Village Board has some accomplishments to report:
The Rhinebeck Village Police Department has a new two year contract which will increase the starting hourly wage from $23/hr to $26.50/hr, and go into effect June 1st. This will benefit new hires and also reward our current officers with a base pay increase as well as additional increases for prior experience. This is an important step that will help the Department find and retain qualified officers.
We now have new stop signs at the intersection of South Street and South Parsonage. The signs will greatly improve safety for drivers and pedestrians at this busy spot. Of course it might take some getting used to, so please be aware.
Our senior citizens will be getting a bigger property tax break under a resolution passed unanimously by the Village Board. The amendment to the tax code raises the minimum income limits for those 65 years of age and over. It will go into effect for the 2024 Village tax year. Here are the percentage of exemptions based on annual income.
Annual Income Percentage of Assessed Exempt From Taxation
$34,999 or less 50%
$35,000-35,999 45%
$36,000-36,999 40%
$37,000-37,999 35%
$38,000-38,899 30%
$38,900-39,799 25%
$39,800-40,699 20%
$40,700-41,599 15%
$41,600-42,499 10%
$42,500-43,399 5%
$43,400 or more No exemption
The Village Board has also introduced a new local law which provides tax exemptions for persons with disabilities and limited income. There is no such exemption under the current Village Code, so a Public Hearing will be held at our next meeting on March 12 at 6:30PM. The law, if approved, will grant a partial property tax exemption up to 50% of the assessed value of real property for those who qualify.
The Village of Rhinebeck Climate Smart Task Force has released a plan aimed at transforming our municipal utilities into energy efficient and healthy workplaces, as well as upgrading our fleet of vehicles. To learn more: Draft CAPI Govt Ops_Climate Action Plan 2.8.24.docx
Our hardworking climate volunteers are also recommending we consider creating a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) 3.0 program. This would enable the Village Board to procure 100% renewable source electricity in bulk for Village residents if they choose to opt in. Under the terms of the CCA, we would select a nonprofit administrator to run the program which could include climate solutions such as weatherization and insulation, heat pumps, thermal networks, solar and other emerging technologies.
Not only could this give us more ways to reduce emissions, it could help cut costs as well. The board would have to hold a public hearing prior to any decision.
Trustee Bertozzi is joining the Hudson 7 as an alternate representative from the Village of Rhinebeck following a vote by the Village Board. The Hudson Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council is a coalition of seven municipalities that draw water from the Hudson River. We have become a powerful coalition in protecting the quality of the river as the member communities provide water to 106,000 residences, major regional employers, firefighting, industry and three hospitals and three colleges in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. I serve as the primary representative from our Village. Each municipality has one primary and one alternative representative
The Village has been awarded a grant of $49,500 to conduct an engineering study of the Asher Dam at Crystal Lake. The original dam was built in 1890, over the years many repairs have been completed but it is now overdue for a safety and structural assessment. Engineers will determine what structural modifications are required, as well as what repairs are needed for the valves which release the water. Thank you to Tighe & Bond for putting the application together! Grants like this one provide much needed funds for infrastructure improvements.
The complete list of NYS grant awards can be seen at:
And Crystal Lake Park will be getting an upgrade! The Board has approved a work order for the design of an ADA (American Disabilities Act) area at Crystal Lake. The goal is to create an attractive and durable area which is accessible to all. The plan is to complete the project in a cost-effective and timely way. The Village Highway Department had time last summer to remove the path, so we are ready to get construction underway and completed in 2024. The proposed improvements include accessibility upgrades to the parking area, the route and ramp to the fishing pier, and a picnic area. The fee for design and bidding is $15,750, construction oversight not to exceed $5,500.
And, to make all Village business more secure, decrease waiting time, and increase productivity, we are getting new PCs thanks to a grant promoted by NY State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha. The funding could not have come at a better time as our aging hardware and software will soon be obsolete.
The Tree Commission is busy planning for the spring tree planting which will be held on Saturday April 27th. And, in the ongoing work to keep our streets safe, the Commission is notifying residents who have a hazardous street tree to consult an arborist on how best to remedy the situation. There is an enforcement mechanism for those homeowners who do not comply.
Congratulations to George Weld for his appointment to the Commission!
And, the Rhinebeck Village General Election will be held March 19th from 12 noon until 9PM. Please vote either in person at Village Hall, or request an absentee ballot from Village Clerk Martina McClinton. Absentee Ballot applications are available at the Village Clerk’s Office, 76 East Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY or here Absentee Ballot Application. Applications can also be requested by phone at 845-876-7015 option 3. These applications must be returned to the Village Clerk by March 12, 2024 if the ballots are to be mailed and by March 18, 2024 if the ballots are to be hand delivered to the Village Hall.
I want to recognize the following Village employees for their work anniversaries.
Highway MEO Carl Delfino- 8 years
BPZ Clerk Ryan Dowden- 6 years
BPZ Records Clerk Miranda Wyant- 2 years
For anyone intrigued by the mention of Amphibians at the top of the newsletter, check out the information here and please join us:
As always, please reach out to me with any questions or comments. You can reach me by phone 845-876-7015 ext 2 at Village Hall or via email MayorBassett@Villgeofrhinebeckny.gov
Mayor Gary Bassett