Mayor’s Message November 2024

With goblins behind us, and gobblers ahead of us, the changing (and falling) leaves let us know that we are fully into fall!

Remember that Early Voting is now underway!  Election Day is Tuesday November 5th!!  Your vote is your voice! To check your polling place, dates and times, go to:

https://elections.dutchessny.gov/

There is a high fire danger advisory for our area. The Town of Rhinebeck has issued an emergency order banning burning of leaves, brush, pit fires and campfires until further notice. This is due to extremely dry conditions across the northeast. Most years, the burn ban is in effect from March to May, so this is unusual.  As we all know, increasingly erratic weather patterns are challenging all of us. A reminder to please be extra careful this season when using any outdoor fire containers.

Village residents are eligible for a free compost program, thanks to the Village of Rhinebeck Climate Smart Committee. The compost program is now taking online pre-registrations for our municipal food waste program. Participants will be offered free training, and a complimentary lidded bucket for food scraps.  To learn more:

www.rhinebeckcompost.org.

The Village of Rhinebeck is now accepting bids for Water Treatment Plant upgrades. Delaware Engineering is overseeing the project which will begin in March 2025 with  completion by March 2026. Sealed bids must be submitted prior to December 19th, 2024. The project is designed so that the plant can continue operating during the renovations. A brief summary of the work to be done:

This project involves upgrades to the existing WTP. The scope encompasses general site improvements, demolition, utility enhancements, and abatement work. Additionally, it includes the construction of a new building complete with structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and HVAC. Furthermore, the project scope includes upgrades to existing treatment equipment and the provision of new treatment equipment, such as clarification units, UV disinfection units, flocculation and mixing equipment, pumps, variable frequency drive (VFD) systems, chemical feed systems, SCADA enhancements, and monitoring equipment.

Our Treasurer, Karen Mclaughlin has submitted the Village of Rhinebeck Financial Report for the fiscal year 2023-2024 to New York State. To see a copy of her report, please go to: Fiscal year 2023-2024

Highlights from the report are:

-       Completion of the Center Street project

-       Purchased new workstations and upgraded computer Operating System.

-       The Village's Comprehensive Plan is complete.

-       Increased salaries due to the increase in the cost of living

-       The Planning, Building and Zoning departments remained active and strong with revenues exceeding their budget lines.

-       State sales tax distributed by Dutchess County was up $38,352.

-       Interest earnings were up

-       Many grants were received that provided additional revenue to fund projects

-       This year's fund balance is above the Fund Balance policy’s recommendation of 25% of the subsequent budget.

The Village Board has created a Parks Committee in order to ensure that our green spaces are welcoming, accessible and safe for both residents and visitors. If you are interested in participating, please contact our Village Clerk Martina McClinton (mmcclinton@villageofrhinebeckny.gov) Preference will be given to Village residents as well as to at least one member of the Lions Club (or its successor benefactor at the Mini Park), at least one member of the Veterans’ community, and at least one member with a background in landscape architecture.

The Village Board has hired PAYCHEX, a human resource, payroll and benefits provider, to increase efficiency at Village Hall.  PAYCHEX has a long history of supporting municipalities locally and throughout New York State. Starting January 2025, PAYCHEX will be providing

-       Onboarding

- Payrolling/HRIS/Scheduling

-       Time (TAA) and Workforce Management

-       Manage Absences/Leaves

-       Dedicated professional HR Services

-       Employees accessing their own information, e.g.PTO, Vacation, Sick, LOA details.

The Village of Rhinebeck Highway Department has an open position for a Working Supervisor and an open position for a Laborer. The Working Supervisor salary begins at $28/hr and will be based on experience. The Laborer salary is $23/hr.

Full job descriptions are available upon request. Anyone interested should contact the Village Clerk at 845-876-7015 option 3 or mmcclinton@villageofrhinebeckny.gov for an application. Should you meet the requirements, an interview will be scheduled. All applications are due to the Village Clerk by 4:00 PM on Tuesday November 5, 2024.

Central Hudson has begun trimming trees and limbs in the vicinity of wires. Every Village resident should have received a notice from the company. They will only trim back to where prior cuts were made. The trimming will take a couple of weeks.

Please join me in celebrating the anniversary of our employees:

-       Wastewater Operator Trainee Andy McDermott- 1 year

 Happy Anniversary!

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

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Parks Committee Member Positions