Mayor’s Message October 2023
As many of you already know, the Village of Rhinebeck has an opportunity to obtain federal grant money to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety in our school neighborhoods. In this newsletter, I am going to do a deep dive into the process, exploring long-term and short-term options as this is an issue that is of vital importance to us all. That was shown by the high turnout on September 26th for a meeting on this subject.
Every three to five years, applications open for a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Grant. We are applying for a grant under the “Safe Routes To School” program TAP-CMAQ section of TAP. This funding is available for projects that:
● Increase public safety
● Build and/or improve infrastructure for bicycles and pedestrians
● Support the Clean Air Act
● Support the American with Disabilities Act
● Reduce congestion and emissions
Trustees Ric Lewit and Vanessa Bertozzi, who are working on our application, held a meeting on September 26th to provide information to the Board and the public. The Trustees shared several village roadway studies that have been conducted over past years like the 2011 A Village Worth Walking study. The Dutchess County Transportation Committee also worked with Trustee Lewit and me on a 2022 study of the Route 9 Corridor 2022 Complete Streets Rte 9 Corridor through Rhinebeck Village.
These studies are important tools as we continue to improve safety on all Village streets, and they are also required for grant applications. The area of the Village we are focusing on in this TAP application is the area closest to our schools, where there are challenges of increased traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians during the school year. We believe that we qualify for the “Safe Routes To School” TAP funding, which would allow us to build infrastructure and improve vehicle and pedestrian traffic flow and safety for everyone traveling through that area.
At our 9/26 meeting, residents provided suggestions and ideas for ways to improve safety both in the long and short term. The federal grant, if we qualify, would not be awarded until 2024, so that is a longer term solution. There is a lot of competition among municipalities for the money. We were declined for a similar grant in 2018.
This coming week Village of Rhinebeck Police Sergeant Dunn and I will be meeting with Albert Cousins, Superintendent of Rhinebeck Central School District. The Village Board is also actively studying all possible short term improvements as we wait for the results of the application. Here is a partial list of what we are currently working on:
Focused Traffic study:
While the grant application will include a traffic/roadways study for the area, we are also working with our engineers on a more detailed study that will guide us for short term solutions. It would focus on the options available for stop signs, crosswalks, traffic management and costs. This study would review any previous traffic data collected by the Village and historical traffic data from NYSDOT and/ or the Village. We would collect current traffic data (speed, volume, vehicle classification) on South Parsonage Street and South Street and Rt.308 to better understand travel speeds, directional flows, and traffic operations. There is a federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices which provides us with valuable guidance on requirements which are consistent from state to state.
School Crossing Guards:
They safeguard school children walking across busy intersections on their way to school. They oversee and control traffic flow around schools in the morning, at lunch time, and at the end of the school day. They must meet certain physical and medical requirements, and complete required training. Municipalities can hire traffic guards and make them part of the existing police department. In doing so, they become employees of the village and covered under our insurance. In the short-term, an alternative approach is using our existing Village Police as crossing guards. Sergeant Dunn is looking into whether this can be implemented into the current schedule and budget.
4 Way Stop Signs:
We are already in talks with the State Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding the busy intersection of South Street and South Parsonage, which currently has 2 stop signs on the east and west approaches to South Street. Adding a 4-way stop at that intersection raises concerns at NYDOT that it could cause traffic backups/accidents on Route 308 (East Market Street). We submitted an alternative proposal, which would make it a 3 way stop, adding a new stop sign on the northbound side of South Parsonage. The existing one way street would remain. This idea has merit as it would force traffic to stop before turning east or west on South Street. However, that could lead to more traffic moving south on South Parsonage to avoid the stop sign. If approved, this would require an amendment to our Village Traffic Code with a public hearing.
Speed Bumps on South Parsonage:
Speed bumps have been an effective means of slowing down traffic in lots of areas and many of our residents have asked for them. With guidance from our engineers and Police, we are currently investigating how to use and regulate them effectively within the Village.
Crosswalks:
Crosswalks are meant to be an extension of sidewalks. The recommendations for crosswalk marking is to provide guidance to pedestrians by defining the paths or approaches to the intersection. In conjunction with signs and other measures, crosswalk markings help to alert road users of a designated area. New marked crosswalks alone should be ADA compliant and designed to shorten crossing distances, enhance driver warning of pedestrian presence and should not be installed across uncontrolled roadways. The crosswalks should be located so the curb ramps are within the extension of the crosswalk with detectable warning surfaces.
As you can see, even short term solutions, while they may seem simple, are not always that way if other agencies are involved. The Village Board is working together with the NYDOT, the Rhinebeck School District, various law enforcement agencies as well as other Village departments to achieve our goals. Safety is first and foremost on everyone’s mind.
At the Sept. 26th meeting, we also held a public hearing on proposals for the application of a Community Development Block Grant from Dutchess County. After discussing several ideas, the Board voted and approved the application for improvements to the Lions Mini-Park. The grant application is a collaboration of the municipality, Village of Rhinebeck Autism Supportive Community Committee, and the Rhinebeck Lions Club. The improvements will benefit park users of all ages, especially those with disabilities/neurodiversity and social/emotional needs as well as bringing the park to ADA compliance by removing and replacing physical barriers and impediments. The result will be a more physically, socially and emotionally inclusive community playground.
I am very happy to announce that the Village of Rhinebeck is the recipient of $5,500,000 short-term (5 year) interest free financing for the planning, design and construction of upgrades to the wastewater treatment and collection system. Governor Hochul announced the decision by the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors which allotted over $226.8 million low cost short term financing.
I want to recognize the following Village employees for their work anniversaries.
Water Plant Operator Trainee - Tom Mueller (1 year)
Chief Water Plant Operator - Bryan Alix (10 years)
Highway Working Supervisor - Scott Minn (28 years)
Beth Imperato, Village of Rhinebeck Police Officer, is retiring. We thank Beth for her 30 years of service and commitment to serve the Village, and as a School Resource Officer (SRO). We wish you well for your future endeavors..
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 MayorBassett@Villgeofrhinebeckny.gov
Mayor Gary Bassett