Mayor’s Message September 2022
It appears Rhinebeck Village has gone to the dogs! Come to our pet friendly Village Hall and meet Finley and Maggie. Finley is a micro-mini longhaired dachshund and Maggie is a Labrador retriever who accompany their owners to work. When you visit either Village Clerk or the Court Clerks’ office, they are each eager to meet new people if you would like to be introduced.
The Village of Rhinebeck has been awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant from Dutchess Country to improve accessibility for residents and visitors. We will be receiving $100,000 to cover the costs of resetting the sidewalks, constructing curb ramps with tactile warning strips. Combined with the MIG Grant announced last month this will improve access for all residents, especially seniors and those with disabilities.
The Village of Rhinebeck Police Department has been awarded $44,000 for leasing 15 Body Worn Cameras (BWC) from The Dutchess County Police Reform and Modernization Collaborative. Dutchess County has selected camera vendor Axion as using a single vendor will save time and money in the process of gathering, storing and accessing evidence. The only sticking point is that we currently use car cameras made by Motorola Watchguard which are incompatible with the Axion system. The Board is working with the County to see if we can get funding to replace the whole system. If not, the Board is planning to purchase the BWC from Motorola with $30,510 from our Fund Balance.
We are moving ahead with our annual road maintenance. This year we plan to complete paving, milling and drainage upgrades on Manor Road, milling and paving on Cozine Avenue, milling, paving and drainage on Rockefeller Lane, and milling and paving on Huntington Road. The work will be done by Peckham Road Corporation, which we selected after receiving three bids for the project. The other bids were from Clove Excavators for $178,000 and Callanan Industries for $276,315.
Treasurer and CFO Karen McLaughlin presented the Board with her report on the finances for the 2021-22 fiscal year. She reports that overall, the Village’s finances are in good condition, but also reminded us of some challenges which include:
- It continues to get harder to find and retain employees
- Aging infrastructure and equipment
- Cost and availability of supplies, equipment, and services
We have maintained adequate fund balances; we continue to monitor expenses and budget responsibly; and we are always looking for safe, viable sources of revenue, that in turn stabilize the village tax rate. Please feel free to contact Karen with any questions or comments: (Kmclaughlin@villageofrhinebeckny.gov)
To read the full report go to: Financial Condition of the Village for 21-22
The Board approved continued support for the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7) which represents the seven municipalities that draw drinking water from the Hudson River. They are the Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck. The Council is planning to hire a legal consultant and full-time Protection Coordinator. To that end, a Memorandum of Agreement adds Dutchess County as a voting member, and Ulster County as a non-voting member, with each contributing $25,000 annually for three years. The seven municipalities will each contribute as well. The Village of Rhinebeck has approved the allocation of $2,500 a year for three years. The Towns of Esopus, Lloyd and Rhinebeck are to contribute the same amount, while the larger municipalities such as City and Town of Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park will contribute $5,000 each year for three years. The MOA will need unanimous approval from all members.
Joe Phelan, Chairman for the Autism Awareness Committee gave us an overview of the report that the Committee submitted to the Thomas Thompson Trust on Phase Two of the Autism Supportive Community Project. COVID-19 posed a significant challenge to the Village of Rhinebeck’s Autism Supportive Community (ASC) project. Nonetheless, progress has continued, and the Committee plans to build on that progress in several areas:
● Infrastructure development to sustain the ASC effort
● Public forums and training to organizations and businesses
● Increasing public awareness and recognition about the ASC community
We have some important upcoming public events. Please join us:
Climate Smart Rhinebeck and our partners are hosting a series of free, public events during the week of September 18-25. We want this to be a catalyst for education, personal growth, and community connection. Check out the events and get involved: Climatesmartrhinebeck
The Comprehensive Plan Committee is hosting a meeting on September 10th at 2:00PM at Village Hall, a Community Visions and Values Meeting on October 2nd at 1:00PM at Village Hall, and on October 12th at 6:00PM at the Starr Library there will be a facilitated discussion with subcommittee Members.
On Thursday September 15th, free Citizens Preparedness Trainings will be held at Rhinebeck Village Hall in partnership with the Town and Village of Rhinebeck. These very popular programs provide participants with the tools and resources necessary to better prepare for any type of disaster. Run by the Dutchess County Department of Response, there will be a session at 2PM, and one at 7PM. September is National Preparedness month. Citizens Preparedness Flyer.
The Village of Rhinebeck has an open position for a Licensed Operator or Trainee within the Wastewater Department. Salary will be based on experience. If hired as a trainee, certification for the wastewater plant must be obtained within 18 months.
The Village of Rhinebeck Police Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Part Time Police Officer. Candidates must be presently employed, have completed an approved DCJS Basic Course for Police Officers, or be willing to attend the Police Academy.
Anyone interested in either position should contact the Village Clerk at 845-876-7015 option 3 or email mmcclinton@villageofrhinebeckny.gov
Please welcome Matthew Green who has accepted a position at the Water Treatment Plant as a Trainee and started on August 10th. Welcome Matthew!
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@Villgeofrhinebeckny.gov
I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend.
Mayor Gary Bassett