Mayor’s Message June 2024
"Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year is all about." –John Mayer.
The official beginning of summer is later this month, but we are already enjoying the beautiful weather and longer days. Our students are anticipating the beginning of summer break, and our soon-to- be graduates are making plans for their next steps.
Our streets are full of visitors who are here to enjoy our lovely village. There is a lot of vehicle and pedestrian traffic on village streets and sidewalks during this season, so please, as always, respect the right of way for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Our parks are also getting more attention just in time for summer, with the installation of the water fountain at the Mini-park and some needed cleanup conducted by the Lions Club. The water fountain was designed by students in the Rhinebeck Middle School Civics Engagement Class, taught by Mr. Henry Frishkneckt. It includes a water bottle station, a pedestal fountain and dog bowl. The students created the concept, studied the water system to find the best location and raised all the money! Congratulations to the students, Rhinebeck Science Foundation, Rhinebeck Rotary Club, and Village staff for getting it done just in time for summer. A sign commemorating those involved will be placed on the fountain.
The infrastructure improvements at Village Hall are getting closer to completion too.The water lines, sidewalks, ADA ramps, pedestrian ramps for the building and a new fire truck entrance at the firehouse are done and signed off on by Tighe & Bond Engineering. The last part of this project, starting on June 17th, is milling and paving Center Street. It should take approximately 2 weeks and the road will be closed, except for residents and emergency traffic, during this time.
The Village board approved a new local law for Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) which allows Village residents and businesses to buy into an agreement to purchase power in bulk. To learn more about the CCA please go to: Village of Rhinebeck: CCA Overview and the new local law LOCAL LAW TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATION PROGRAM IN THE VILLAGE OF RHINEBECK . The Village Board will be seeking applicants for the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Advisory Committee. The CCA Advisory Committee will assist the Board in selecting a Program Administrator who will run day-to-day operations of the program on behalf of the Village.
The Village Board also passed a resolution adopting a Local Law amending Chapter 101, TAXATION TO PROVIDE A NEW ARTICLE V of the Village code: EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND LIMITED INCOME
Our Superintendent of Public Works (Kyle Eighmy) and Village staff at Water and Wastewater, have been working diligently with Delaware Engineering on our Water Treatment Plant upgrade and the wastewater upgrade project. Both are currently under review by New York State regulatory Departments. Once approved, we can open the the projects for bids: WTP/ Drinking Water & WasteWater Projects
Daily Brush Pick Up is resuming after a brief hiatus and will follow the summer schedule of every other Monday for June, July and August:
North of East/West Market (including East/West Market): 1st & 3rd Monday
South of East/West Market: 2nd & 4th Monday
Please keep in mind that collectible materials include sand (accumulated from being spread on roads), brush, limbs (up to 4 feet in length and 8 inches in diameter) and leaves. Materials not included are garbage, building materials, stones, lumber and/or grass clippings. All material should be placed in front of the property that generated the material and should not cover any storm water drain or impede the flow of traffic.
To comply with State regulations, The Village of Rhinebeck Water Treatment Facility annually issues a report describing the quality of your drinking water. View the report or visit the Water Department Website
Our Superintendent of Public Works, Kyle Eighmy has been on the job for 2 years. Happy Work Anniversary to Kyle!
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