Board meetings were on April 19, April 24 & May 3
At its most recent meetings the Village Board took the following actions:
Community Choice Aggregation: The board held a public hearing on and then adopted a local law allowing participation in the municipality in a Community Choice Aggregation Program. The program, which the Town Board has also adopted, will allow the community to band together to purchase energy at a lower rate. There is no cost to the municipalities.
Police Consolidation: A $28,000 contract with CGR (Center for Governmental Research) was signed for a study of the Highland Falls Police Department and Town of Highlands Police Department to identify if a consolidation can happen. Half the cost will be reimbursed by New York State.
Code Modification: The board modified the Village Code, regulating lot line changes, at the request of the Consolidated Planning Board.
Vendor Spaces: One of two vendor spaces in the municipal parking lot across from Sacred Heart was designated for Two Dogs Hot Dogs after business owner Jesse Marvin submitted a $300 bid for the use of the spot.
Bills and Claims: Bills and claims in the amount of $111,249 and $261,681 ($175,000 of that was sewer plant work for which the village has already been reimbursed by insurance) were paid.
Delinquent Payments: It was noted that there are 110 delinquent sewer accounts (totalling $75,339.72) from June and December 2020. Those bills will be relevied on the 2021-22 village taxes of those property owners. There are also 92 delinquent water accounts (totalling $31,375.68) from May and November 2020. Those bills will also be relevied onto village taxes.
Discrimination Committee: Three people, Trustee Melanie Guerrero, HFPD Detective Tom Kleveno and Deputy Treasurer Ana Sierra were appointed to the village’s Discrimination/Harassment Committee.
New Sidewalks: Mayor Joe D’Onofrio asked for patience as new sidewalks are installed in the business district of Main St. (from Webb Lane to Mountain Ave.)
Bog Meadow: Caretakers for the Bog Meadow Reservoir were appointed for the year ahead. They are Michael Slapp, James Titolo, Randy Meche and William Baran. In a related matter, Trustee Gary Phillips noted that the water level at the reservoir is very good.
Softball Field Use: The board, at a budget workshop on April 24 and again on May 3, authorized the use of the Roe Park softball field by a men’s softball league which is not affiliated with the town’s Recreation Department. The permit for use of the field was given for just one month after residents of the area lodged complaints — both in writing and in person at the meetings — about loud music, long hours, alcohol use, parking problems and more. The permit will be revisited after the one-month period.
COVID Vaccines: D’Onofrio said the village will receive 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine to distribute in the weeks ahead, from Orange County. Persons interested in getting the two shots can call Village Hall, the HFPD or the mayor.
Sales Tax Checks: The mayor reported that this year’s first quarter sales tax revenue check from Orange County was $302,776; that’s up from the first quarter 2020 check of $298,795.
Resignation: Former Trustee Merv Livsey, via a letter read by Trustee Brian Aylward, said he will not be able to fill an appointed volunteer position of ‘Program Coordinator’ due to time constraints. The appointment was made at the annual Reorganization meeting in early April.
