Mayor’s Message for April 2022
It’s officially spring and that means the annual clean up has begun in yards and public spaces in the Village. As residents clear brush, leaves and tree limbs, our crews will circle the village to pick it all up. They will work continuously from April 1st until May 15th. Please put your material for collection by the curb. We can handle tree limbs up to four feet in length and 8 inches in diameter, as well as brush and leaves. However, please no garbage, building materials, stones, lumber, grass clippings or man-made materials. Those and any other discarded materials must be picked up by commercial refuse haulers. Also, please only put out debris from your property.
The Comprehensive Plan Committee welcomed six new members to join the initial seven and Trustee Slaby reports that they have finalized the committee structure and have begun preparing for the spring listening session. The new subcommittees are: Civic Engagement and Community Values, Historic Preservation, Population and Business Ecosystem, Transportation and Mobility, and Land Use, Community Resources, and Ecological Regeneration. If you are interested in joining, reach out at “ourthrivingfuture@villageofrhinebeckny.gov”
CPC meetings are open to all, with the dates listed on its Village Webpage Comprehensive Plan — Village of Rhinebeck. The next meeting will be April 21st.
Chief Eighmy of the Rhinebeck Fire Department took delivery of the new Rescue Truck 59-55 on March 11th from Garrison Fire & Rescue Corp. The new truck replaces our old rescue truck which will be auctioned off at Absolute Auctions. The new rig has already been put to good use and just in time as the prior rescue truck was at its end of life.
The Village Board approved the addition of dental and vision coverage for all full-time employees working at Village Hall. Prior only the members of the UPSEU (United Public Service Employee Union) received these benefits.
The Board also approved allowing an update to the current email/internet policy. This new policy is to allow for and encourage people on official Village committees (volunteers) to be part of the process without encumbering their personal emails. The purpose of this policy is to define the rules and regulations for use of e-mail and Internet by full time and part time Village employees, Village officials, and to allow other users authorized by the Village Board to use Village computer equipment, software and accounts.
The Board has appointed Andrea Gellen, of Gellen Law PLLC to serve as a special prosecutor for the Village. Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady confirmed the appointment.
The special prosecutor will handle prosecution of the following:
Violations, including Penal Law violations, with the exception of violations that involve incidents of domestic violence and those occurring on school property;
Village of Rhinebeck Code violations, including Village Building and Zoning Code violations;
Vehicle and Traffic Law Infractions issued by the New York State Police, Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, New York State Park Police, Village of Rhinebeck Police, Department of Environmental Conservation, and any other law enforcement agency.
The Village Board will be voting on the proposed “Small Wireless Facilities” (5G) code at our April 12th meeting. The purpose of the legislation will be the provide a uniform and comprehensive set of standards for permitting, developing, siting, installing, designing, operating and maintaining any such facilities located in the Village:
Prevent interference with the use of streets, sidewalks, alleys, parkways and other public ways and places;
Prevent the creation of visual and physical obstructions and other conditions that are hazardous to vehicular and pedestrian traffic;
Prevent interference with existing facilities and operations of facilities presently lawfully located in rights-of-way or public property;
Ensure diligent efforts are made to preserve the unique character of the Village, its aesthetic and architectural qualities, its historic structures, sites, and cultural features.
Protect against environmental damage, including damage to trees; and
Facilitate deployment of Small Wireless Facilities to provide the benefits of reliable access to wireless telecommunications technology, broadband and 9-1-1 services to residents and visitors to homes, businesses, and schools within the Village of Rhinebeck.
The board has also concluded the workshops on the proposed 2022-23 budget and have presented it to the Village Clerk to be released to the public. A public comment and hearing will be held at the April 12th meeting. If adopted, the budget will go into effect on June 1st, 2022.
VILLAGE OF RHINEBECK Tentative Budget 2022-23 Summary
The total budget is again below the 2% tax cap with no tax increase. The budget has increased from $2,585,622 to $2,710,379 with revenues other than taxes increasing from $829,493 to $908,544. The amount to be collected in taxes went from $1,756,129 to $1,801,835 and the village assessed evaluation went from $557,709,511 to $580,776,958.
In this budget, the proposed property tax rate falls from $3.15 to $3.10 per 1000 assessed value. This budget takes into consideration increasing efficiency and productivity of our staff, and keeping all costs in line. Salaries will include a 2% increase per the Union contract. Staffing changes include adding another full-time WWTP (WasteWater operator) and the replacement of the DPW (Department of Public Works) Superintendent. Other items include:
Additional funding for a consultant for the Comprehensive plan.
Major changes in Building, Planning and Zoning bringing two employees on full-time, digitizing records and records retention and using the Municity software to its fullest.
Increased focus on environmental costs and revenues from EV stations, composting and brining.
Increases for the Mayor and Trustees with future increases that match the union negotiated percentages.
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. Added expenses include money for Flood and Erosion Control at Asher Dam (inspections required by the state), and a new police vehicle. The Fire Department's only increase is for insurance, otherwise it held the line on its budget.
WATER- We are still waiting for a full review of the water rate study done by Tighe & Bond. For this year, 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. Expenses have increased $11,032 from last year. We have applied for a grant for a Water System Upgrade.
SEWER- Sewer revenue is calculated with the use of $65,000 Fund Balance (Fund Balance is $805,548) A full evaluation of rates will be conducted when we know what the capital project will be. Additional expense for a new truck and the sludge hauling line item has increased from $35,000 to $56,000. The engineer line item increased to include $45,000 to design the capital projects for a grant application that we will apply for Sewer System upgrades that have already been awarded a 0% interest loan from NYS EFC.
The following employees had anniversaries for the Village of Rhinebeck:
Court Clerk Tricia Giacalone -15 years,
Chief Wastewater Operator Brian Baccomo -6 years,
Wastewater Maintenance Mechanic Scott Rathjen - 6 years,
Village Clerk Martina McClinton – 2 years,
Congratulations to all of you and thank you for your hard work.
I want to end this month's newsletter again by offering our hopes and well wishes to the people of Ukraine.
Gary Bassett
Mayor Village of Rhinebeck