Mayor’s Message May 2025
Welcome to Spring in the Hudson Valley aka “Pothole Season” which closely follows “Mud Season”. Potholes are caused by freeze/thaw damage to pavement during our cold weather months. Traffic then further damages the weakened pavement, leading to cracks and eventual collapse. Potholes are a significant financial issue, and safety risk for drivers and municipalities.
A little bit of “pothole trivia”: It is estimated that there are 55 million potholes in the United States”. We do not have an exact figure for Rhinebeck, but the number is shrinking every day as the Village Highway Department is out in force filling and patching them as quickly as possible. If you see one, please say something. You can report potholes you spot on Village streets at Village Hall in the Village Clerk's office.
Based on the recommendations of the (award winning) Comprehensive Plan, the Board is forming a “Complete Streets Working Group”. The goal of this group is to study ways to encourage safe, pleasant, and convenient conditions for all types of travel—including walking, bicycling, driving, and public transit — for people of all ages, incomes, and abilities. This ‘Complete Streets’ concept, which encompasses the movement of people as well as cars, will promote the health, safety, environment, and economic vitality of the Village. The “Complete Streets Working Group” shall be populated by at least one member of the Climate Smart Task Force and at least one former member of the Comprehensive Plan’s Transportation Subcommittee.
The Village got the green light from the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation to move ahead on the project to update the Asher Dam. We were awarded a grant for $49,500 to complete the engineering assessment to determine if structural modifications are necessary. Asher Dam is a Class B - Intermediate Hazard Dam on the Landsman Kill, at the outlet to Crystal Lake. Tighe and Bond has been hired as contractor for the project. We will be repairing the valves as part of this work. The total cost of the project is $75,000.
Rhinebeck Village has been preliminarily awarded $200,000 for the Lions Mini Park drainage improvements. We anticipate final approval of the Plan to come this summer as part of the 2025 Dutchess County Annual Action Plan. The grant term will run until 2027 and is eligible for a one year extension contingent upon a review of performance.
On April 8, 2025, the Village Board dissolved the Comprehensive Plan Committee and created the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee (see Resolution #04082025-01). We will be looking for members of our community who are willing and available to help the Board identify opportunities and ensure ongoing community engagement as the Village makes the Plan a living document which guides our future decision making. The members of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee (CPIC) will provide support with the Plan’s vision and help identify resources that expand what the Board has capacity to do on its own. This is a long-term commitment and we are particularly looking for folks with experience in project management and relative skills as well as those with strong community engagement and communications backgrounds.
The Board has approved the 2025-2026 budget. Every year’s budget is built upon the foundation of previous budgets. This year we had information from the Comprehensive Plan, 6 years of infrastructure development, trends from previous budgets and projects, as well as new goals and challenges. With all this input, we have to create a budget that stays under the tax cap, and addresses fiscal realities. Overall revenues in the General Fund have increased due to grants and the increase in the Fire Protection District. Naturally, expenses have also increased due to the costs of executing grants, NYS retirement requirements, costs of changes to the Zoning Code, and salaries. Then there are new initiatives such as the planned study of a micro-transit system to serve Village residents. And there are also issues that come up such as a drainage study which identified a storm drain issue at the intersection of Knollwood and Arnett Rd., where the “Safe Routes to School” and the Grasmere (Soho House) water supply will intersect.
The Water Department budget includes increases to utilities, insurance, new turbidity meters and funding for the water plant upgrade. This drove a rate increase from $7.00 to $8.00/1000 gallons used. In preparation for the much needed upgrade at the Wastewater Plant, the rate increased from $13.50 to $14.00/1000 gallons used.
The Tree Planting Committee did not let a little bad weather get in the way of planting more trees. A huge thank you to all who participated and continue to make our Village a Tree City.
And, the Village of Rhinebeck’s Composting Program featured in April’s NYCOM Municipal Matter Magazine. The official magazine of the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials, serving New York’s Cities and Villages. To get updates on the program please go to: Village Compost — Climate Smart Rhinebeck: Village Task Force
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