Several more meetings in weeks ahead
The Village Board opened its Feb. 16 meeting by paying tribute to seven people who, at some point, were community residents. They also, as always, had a moment of silence in recognition for service members and others in harms way. The seven people remembered were Jose Matos, Grant O’Neill, Michael Lucas (who had recently turned 100), Lynn Colonell, Thomas Belladone, Ursula O’Donnell and Maureen Fleming.
Mayor Joe D’Onofrio also took a moment to recognize Highland Falls’ Willie Daniels, who recently turned 100.
Here’s some of the business they took care of at the meeting:
Police Contract: Board members voted three to two to not approve a memorandum of agreement with the Highland Falls Police Department bargaining units. D’Onofrio and Trustees Merv Livsey and Brian Aylward voted no, while Trustees Jim DiSalvo and Jim Ramus voted yes. The most recent police contract expired last June.
Snow Storage: The board authorized D’Onofrio to sign an agreement with the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District to use Fickens Field to dump snow on if needed. “We are running out of places to put it,” the mayor said at the meeting, “and our attorneys quickly worked out this arrangement in case we need it.” He thanked Board of Education President Anne Lawless and Superintendent Dr. Frank Sheboy for their cooperation.
HFFD Praise: The board recognized the new officers of the Highland Falls Fire Department, and took a minute to thank outgoing Chief Erik Smith (who is now deputy chief) for his dedication to the HFFD. “Erik has been a great chief,” the mayor said, “he brought our fire department into the 21st century with his dedication to training our members.”
ArtWalk: In a short conversation about the outdoor art exhibit the board noted the use of the village’s space had been approved for the event if it goes off as planned this spring, summer and fall.
Bills and Claims: Expenses in the amount of $74,405 were approved to be paid.
Budget Workshops: It was noted the board will meet three times in the weeks ahead specifically for budget matters — the first of those sessions was this past Tuesday (Feb. 23), the next is Saturday, Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the village’s Community (Senior) Center, and the third is March 6, also at 9:30 a.m. at the Community Center.
Board Member Comments: All of the board members gave comments about upcoming community activities, etc. From Livsey there was a reminder that all community residents should take extra precautions in the winter months to make sure emergency personnel can get into their homes if needed — sidewalks and steps cleared and salted, if needed, and plans to stay warm inside their homes if power goes out. He also reminded residents that they need to dig out an area around their garbage and recycling cans so that they can be easily accessed by sanitation workers.
You can watch: The entire board meeting, including other board member comments, can be viewed at www.highlandfallsny.org.
