Mayor’s Message January 2019
Happy New Year and welcome to 2019! I want to wish everyone the best for the new year. My new year’s resolution is to continue to do my utmost as a public servant in the coming year. It’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
The Village Highway Department is already at work collecting Christmas trees, wreaths, and other greenery that residents leave outside. The greens will be ground up and reused as mulch later in the year. That’s why it’s very important to make sure all the ornaments, lights and decorations are removed so they do not contaminate the mulch. Please leave your trees curbside for pickup. This is just one more way we recycle and help the environment.
The Village Police Department is always very busy during the holidays, and this year was no exception. They did a great job. They are among those public servants who stay on the job, even when many people are taking holidays. Every day of the year, our all volunteer Fire/EMS Department is standing by 24/7 to serve the Village and a portion of the Town of Rhinebeck. We are so very fortunate to have this wonderful dedicated group of people. They recently chose a slate of officers for next year, and they were approved by the Village Board at the December meeting. These are all highly qualified people who are ready to lead in any situation. Congratulations to each one of them and thanks for their willingness to serve in these vital roles:
Chief – Kyle Eighmy
Assistant Chief – Bryant Knapp
Captain – Peter Fraleigh
Captain – Todd Leary
Lieutenant - Sheldon Tieder
Lieutenant - Joe Cauda
EMS captain – Chrissy Eighmy
EMS Lieutenant. – Jeff Cotter
EMS Lieutenant – Henry de Vries
Fire Police Captain – Tim Day
Our firefighters will also soon have a valuable backup water source for fighting fires, after the Board approved a “dry hydrant” to be installed in Crystal Lake. A dry hydrant is an unpressurized pipe that reaches below the water level of the lake, and can be easily accessed should the crews need an additional source of water during a fire event.
Landsman Kill, which runs through the Village and into Crystal Lake, is going to be the subject of an in-study by college students in the Environmental Science and Policy at the Marist College School of Science. I recently met with Associate Professor Dr. Richard Feldman who will be leading this “project-based” class for seniors. They are studying how to plan for increased rain and storm water runoff in the Hudson Valley. Dr. Feldman and his students will examine policy issues, scientific needs, precipitation records, and climate projection as they study the effects of increased runoff on the lower Landsman Kill. The goal will be to develop a prediction model for when to release water from Crystal Lake in anticipation of flood events, and whether the release valves need to be upgraded to handle the volume. The class will be delivering a report to the Village. Their research and input will be of great use for us and it is so encouraging to see a new generation stepping up to tackle this serious threat we all face in the future.
And, we are into the last phase of the work to protect our Low lift Pump stations at the Water Treatment Plant from sea level rise. We approved a contract for $24,000 for this project that included the installation of 4 flood vents in the lift station, building stands to elevate the vacuum pumps a minimum of 3 feet, replacing an existing sump pump, and refinishing the basement of the pump station with epoxy paint. The painting will be done by Village Water Department employees. The project will come in below the budgeted amount.
The Village of Rhinebeck is continuing work towards becoming an Autism Supportive Community. The next committee meetIng which is open to the public will be held on January 14th at 6:30 in the Village Hall. Meanwhile, our Village staff will be learning more about autism through a program offered by Dutchess County. This will help us all be cognizant of the special needs of those on the autism spectrum and their families. With this training we will be designated as both an Autism Supportive Environment, and the hub of the Autism Supportive Community in Rhinebeck.
Once again, I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! 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 to MayorBassett@VillageofRhinebeckny.govor come to see me during open hours from 1pm to 2pm daily. Gary Bassett Mayor Village of Rhinebeck 76 East Market St. Rhinebeck, NY 12572