Mayor’s Message February 2019
To paraphrase a quote from Mark Twain: “If you don't like the weather now, just wait a few minutes.” This winter in Rhinebeck, our weather has delivered record breaking cold, unseasonal warmth, snow, and even rain, often in rapid succession. These extreme changes in temperature and conditions take a toll of our Village roads, and have kept our departments very busy. One of the challenges road crews face is the question of when it’s safest to open roads after a storm. Thanks to all of you for reading the notices we post. Your wonderful cooperation has helped us deliver better and faster clean-up. Also a big thanks to all our departments who have been in regular communication to ensure we are all working together to face these challenges. Everyone’s highest priority is your safety as we create the schedule for each storm and post that information.
The Village and the Rhinebeck Central School are collaborating on allowing an easement to allow a buried fibre optic cable connection to be installed in the right-of-way between the Middle/High, Elementary Schools. Right now, the school is seeking bids for both the design and technology. Once that work is completed, the Village will review the plans before a final decision is made.
We are moving forward on the implementation of the water infrastructure improvements for Montgomery, Platt, Chestnut, and Livingston streets. Trustee Neuneker is overseeing the planning for this project. The tentative schedule is that, following homeowner notifications in February, bids will go out in March. Those bids will be due in April, with construction to take place between May and November.
Our work with the (Hudson 7) Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council members is continuing as we submit a joint grant application to New York State for a Drinking Water Source Protection Program. Combining our efforts dramatically improves the likelihood of getting the grant. A total of 30 municipalities will receive money to protect drinking water sources.
The State of New York has informed us that Market and Montgomery Streets are considered state roads, and that will mean some changes to how we plan for special events on those roadways. There will likely be the need for a permit from the state in order to use the roadways for any activity outside of normal transportation. Activities which are classified as "special use" of a public road or facility can be organized by a municipality (a city, village, or town) or by a private entity (fire department, Legion, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club, a race promoter, running club, movie studio, etc). We are looking into what this will mean for the many events of this type that we host here in Rhinebeck, and are working closely with our local organizations to help plan for future events. Many of them rely on the use of the roads for parades, coin drops, etc as their primary source of income and we will make certain they can continue.
I recently had the privilege of presenting the “State of the Village” before the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce. I want to share some excerpts with you:
“Our businesses and residents depend on having great services by the Village. This includes highway, water, wastewater, police, fire and EMS, and all the amazing people, both employees and volunteers, who keep the Village running. The Department of Public Works which includes the highway, water, and wastewater departments are the most visible ”face of the village” on our streets. And, the work they do every day keeps the Village in good shape for residents, businesses and the visitors who contribute so much to our economy.
Keeping us safe is a priority, and over the past 12 months, the Village Police Department has responded to 1400 calls, and coordinated security for a growing list of events that bring customers to your doors. Our volunteer Fire and EMS teams answered more than 1000 calls. I want to thank them for their volunteerism and dedication to this community.
To keep our services excellent, we need to keep our financial house in order. I am happy to report that the Village ended the last fiscal year in good shape, and we have achieved our goal of keeping our existing fund balance 15-25% above the previous year's budget. We have been able to accomplish a lot without raising taxes. We added new services, repaved roads, purchased highway and police vehicles, updated our code and access through ecode, digitized our records and storage, added benefits for our part time employees, re-classified our waste water plant, installed a new flagpole at the Doughboy in the municipal park as well as adding ADA improvements to Crystal Lake Park and a new Village of Rhinebeck Website https://www.rhinebecknyvillage.org/
As we plan for the future, we have been proactive in seeking funds to allow us to make improvements while saving taxpayer money. To date we have submitted grant proposals totaling $8.3M and have already received $2.4M. Grants have been submitted to Federal, State and County for 13 projects with 7 awarded. We have the taste of victory and will continue to use this strategy to save tax dollars.
I am especially proud of the $2.2 million dollar grant we received for the Village water system. It is rare to get a grant for infrastructure, and now we are able to move forward with updating the system which provides water to residents and businesses in the entire village, and part of the Town of Rhinebeck. We can now ensure that you will have enough clean water to meet future needs.
One of the challenges we face as we plan for Rhinebeck’s future, is the threat to our clean water supply due to the changing climate. We have protected our low lift pump stations along the river, and formed the intermunicipal council, known as the Hudson 7 to tackle these issues together. Other local actions, like reducing the use of fossil fuels with the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, removing buried oil tanks, installing LED lights in all of our buildings, and long term studies on food waste and composting will all help us mitigate the destabilizing effects of climate change.
The “State of the Village” is strong. I want to thank you all for your dedication to this wonderful community. And, for continuing to work as partners as we learn from each other, share resources, and act responsibly by preparing for the future. I hope you are as excited as I am about the future of the Village of Rhinebeck. By communicating, pitching in, and working together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.“
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 845-876-7015