Mayor’s Message Apil 2025
April is always a busy month in the Village, with the welcome of warm weather, peepers, and flowers reminding us that winter is behind us. Gardeners always get busy this time of year, the Rhinebeck Highway Department starts regular brush pick-up, and Earth Day Celebration will take place on April 27, 1-3 PM at Thompson-Mazzarella Park. The Town Recreation Department is planning the Town's 2nd annual Earth Day celebration and the Village's Climate Smart Task force volunteers are helping out for an afternoon of fun activities. Everyone is welcome, please put the date in your calendar!
The month of April is also “Autism Awareness Month”. Our Village Autism Supportive Committee, and its partners, continue the groundbreaking work of bringing inclusion and support to neurodiverse individuals in our community.
I am delighted to report that the Village of Rhinebeck Comprehensive Plan has received the New York Planning Federation Award for the best plan in New York State. Congratulations to Trustee Slaby, the Comp Plan Committee and all the residents who were part of this amazing accomplishment!
Please remember that there is a Burn Ban in effect in New York State, due to the threat of wildfires. The annual statewide ban started on March 16, and runs through May 14th. Since 2009, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has enforced the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities and first responders during heightened conditions for wildfires.to learn more: DEC Reminds New Yorkers: Statewide Residential Brush Burning Prohibition Starts March 16
One visitor we do not welcome in the Village is the destructive Spongy Moth which can cause enormous amounts of damage to our leaves and trees. The caterpillars will return in early to mid-May and adult moths can be seen in July. But, right now, you can start keeping an eye out for the egg masses, a dense mat of fine hairs that can be found on tree trunks, branches, and sheltered surfaces on lawn furniture and firewood.
If you find an egg mass, scrape it into a bucket of warm, soapy water and leave it overnight before discarding it in the trash. There are traps, homemade sprays and other ways to curb the infestation later in the season. I will provide updates here and you can also see this link for further details
Spongy Moth Information, Tree Commission — Village of Rhinebeck
As you know, we have been tackling the issue of flooding in the Village as we face the double whammy of more and bigger storms and outdated infrastructure. The Village Board was presented with a report on the area between Chestnut Street and Starr Drive from our engineering firm Tighe and Bond. This area was developed before the state required stormwater to be taken into account when building drainage networks. This area is part of a larger drainage system that begins east of Crosmour Drive where a small creek is conveyed through a series of swales and culverts before being discharged into the Landsman Kill. Three alternatives were presented for the board to consider, ranging from $1.0M to $1.5 M in costs. We will need to pursue grants in order to make the recommended updates to the system.
The Board also continues to pursue the grant for the hydraulic study of Asher Dam, and the repair of the drain valves. We were told this week that the DEC has approved our contract to perform the work. We can now begin the process for going out to bid.
We are continuing to review the Utility Tax Law that allows the Village to pass a 1% tax on the utilities operating in the Village. Utilities are permitted by law to pass it along to their ratepayers (similar to the franchise tax collected by Spectrum). We held a Public Hearing last month on the issue and are waiting to pursue it further until we complete this year's budget cycle. Our question is whether or not the additional money from this tax will benefit the taxpayers with better services.
The tentative budget for fiscal year 25-26 is set. The budget is under the 2% tax cap imposed by NYS with a reduction in the tax rate. It also includes a rate increase for water and wastewater fees. Currently the water rate is $7.00/1000 gallons, and the wastewater rate is $13.50/1000 gallons. The proposal is to increase the water rate by $1.00/1000 and the wastewater rate $.50/1000, with an exemption for seniors. The primary reason is the cost of replacing outdated infrastructure in the distribution system and the need to continue to make the upgrades as mandated by the State DEC. The budget includes funding for infrastructure improvements for roads, drainage and parks. The Board has also approved startup funding for pursuing the idea of creating a private/public “micro- transit” system which would serve Village residents. We will be considering the cost/benefit of several possible approaches. You will be hearing a lot more about this as our study gets underway. Our next budget meeting will be on 4/8/2025 - 6:00 PM for a Public Hearing ahead of the regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting.
At the end of each fiscal year, water and wastewater rate payers who are delinquent in paying their bills will receive a notice that any outstanding unpaid water/sewer balances as of March 31, 2025 will be added to your 2025-26 Village Tax bill. Outstanding payments must be received on or before Thursday, April 24 by 4:00PM.
It's my pleasure to announce that Martina McClinton, Village Clerk has been certified by the NYS Association of City and Village Clerks as a Registered Municipal Clerk. This designation recognizes the professional competency of Martina and is granted only after an applicant has demonstrated that they have met the high educational, experience and participatory standards established by the NYSACVC. Congratulations!
Please join me in celebrating our employee anniversaries:
Deputy Clerk Krissy Denu – 15 years
Court Clerk Tricia Giacalone - 18 years
Village Clerk Martina McClinton - 5 years
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
Gary Bassett
Mayor Village of Rhinebeck