Mayor’s Message May 2023
The “Taste of Rhinebeck” was a big hit this year. A big thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for making it happen, to all of our wonderful restaurants and food vendors who donated, and to all of you for turning out to support this fun and delicious event. The Chamber is donating half of the money raised to support the Village of Rhinebeck Autism Supportive Community initiative.
This funding will continue to provide educational opportunities and training to community members, promote employment for those with autism and other neurodiversity's, and provide autism friendly family activities. And, in partnership with the Rhinebeck Lions Club, will support much needed improvements to the Rhinebeck Village Mini Park to make it accessible to all individuals, regardless of their developmental challenges. For more information, click this link: Autism Supportive Committee
As the warm weather returns to our beautiful village, residents and visitors will once again be taking advantage of the chance to enjoy sidewalk dining at our restaurants. Many of our restaurants, retailers, and residents supported Sidewalk Dining at the public hearing on April 4th. While it is currently approved for the season in 2023, the Village Comprehensive Plan Committee will be making a recommendation for a seasonal permit system to be created which would allow sidewalk dining over the long term with various permanent changes to our sidewalks and downtown streetscape.
The Village Board held a workshop and public comment session about the proposed state/federal expansion of the Rhinebeck Village Historic District. Based on input, the Board chose the year 1945 as the cut-off date for a building to be considered as contributing to the historic district. The Village’s expanded historic district map will be the same as the area currently defined by the State and Federal maps submitted in 2019. There’s much more information here; Historic District Workshop
As of June 2024 when Village property taxes are due, active members of our volunteer fire department will be given a 10% reduction on their property tax bill. The Village Board has passed a new local law, conforming with NY State law. An application form for eligible volunteers can be found here, or at Village Hall. Seventeen members of the fire department currently qualify for this deduction. For our fire department volunteers who do not qualify as they do not live in the Village, NY State provides an income tax credit of $200. As always, the Village Board is exceptionally grateful for the service of our volunteers at the fire department. These members of our community put their lives on the line for our community, and they do it to be of service. Although they receive these small tokens of our collective appreciation, the Village Board acknowledges that nothing could ever be enough for the service they provide. The Village Treasurer calculated the cost to our revenue to be a total of approximately $2,000 a year, which is less than 0.05% of fiscal year 2023 to 2024.
Summary of law: The primary residence owned by an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or ambulance service is partially exempt from general municipal taxes so long as the property owner has been such a member for three years. This exemption is further granted for the life of an enrolled member who has accrued more than 20 years of active service. It is further granted to the un-remarried spouse of a deceased member of a volunteer fire company or ambulance company having at least 20 years of active service, and further granted to the un-remarried spouse of a member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer ambulance service killed in the line of duty who had been an enrolled active member for at least five years and was receiving the exemption at the time of their death. No exemption is allowed for special assessments. The maximum amount of exemption that the Village was allowed to provide, and did, is 10 percent of the assessed value of the property. The exemption is in addition to the other exemptions that we have as authorized by state and local law.
Calling all gardeners! Now through June 2, 2023, the Village will sell mulch at a discounted rate of $30/yd and $15/yd for bulk orders of 5 yards or more. Additionally, the commercial client pick-up loading fee of $150 will be waived. Please take advantage of the:
● Free delivery to Village residents.
● $50 delivery fee within the Town of Rhinebeck, and $60 delivery fee for outside of the Village/Town.
● Deliveries outside of the Town of Rhinebeck shall not exceed a maximum distance of 25 miles one-way.
● All orders must be paid for at the Village Hall, via cash or check, prior to pickup/delivery.
The Autism Supportive Committee is happy to announce the appointment of Katelyn Davidowich to the ASC Committee. Kaitlyn, MS.Ed, is the Assistant Director of Adult Day Services for Anderson Center for Autism. Kaitlyn will be a great addition to our ASC Committee.
David Miller and Rachel Cavel have been reappointed to their respective Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals positions. We are thankful for their continued service. Additional postings for openings on the ZBA have been posted.
The following Village employees are celebrating their anniversaries; Court Clerk Tricia Giacalone- 16 years, Chief Wastewater Plant Operator Brian Baccomo- 7 years, Wastewater Maintenance Mechanic Scott Rathjen- 7 years and Village Clerk Martina McClinton- 3 years. We are grateful for all that they do for serving the residents of the Village.
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
Gary Bassett
Mayor Village of Rhinebeck