Mayor’s Message October 2025
As the fall season arrives, the Village of Rhinebeck is experiencing beautiful weather. Forecasters say we can expect a vibrant display of fall foliage this year, thanks to cooler temperatures and below-normal rainfall. Every season is a reminder that we live in a beautiful place.
I am continuously full of gratitude for this community of people who participate in so many ways. For instance, the pink bows and lights you can see all over the Village are to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Northern Dutchess Hospital is dedicated to raising awareness with the Light the Village Pink initiative. Everyone can learn more about it by clicking the link above.
Our Village was recognized during Climate Week in September with the award of Silver Certification from New York State, the highest award from the Climate Smart Communities certification program. A huge thank you to Trustee Bertozzi and the Village Climate Smart Task Force who have worked long and hard to bring us to this milestone. New York State’s Climate Smart Communities Certification program recognizes municipalities for helping to save energy, reduce flood risk, address extreme heat, and develop other plans to demonstrate climate leadership.
Also, the Village of Rhinebeck has been selected by NYSERDA to receive block grant money to fund a project in our community.
The Village will receive $603,273.60 in match-free funding for two phases.
Phase 1: for the Village to work with a firm to complete an energy audit on Village Hall using passive house principles (to be completed before the end of 2025).
Phase 2: NYSERDA-approved implementation measures focused on increased energy efficiency and HVAC system upgrades at the Village Hall/Firehouse located at 76 E Market ST (to be completed prior to September 2026). This is a very aggressive schedule to complete this work and subject to strict terms from the Federal Government.
We have contracted with Curtis + Ginsberg Architects LLP (Architect) to provide a Comprehensive Energy Audit and Passive House Feasibility Study for the Rhinebeck Village Hall. The money is coming from the Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG).
As many of you are aware, a Harmful Algae Bloom was identified in the Hudson River in late September. We are not “out of the water yet” and continue working round the clock to ensure that our drinking water remains safe. This is an unprecedented occurrence, and is still active in the river. Dutchess County and New York State Health officials and environmental organizations such as Riverkeeper and the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies are carefully monitoring the situation. We continue to work closely with the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7) making sure there is adequate testing of water quality, and ongoing consultation on our treatment process.
Unfortunately, climate scientists have warned that seasonal droughts such as the one we are experiencing are likely to be more frequent and intense, which means we need to assume that this could happen again. We'll continue to work with Riverkeeper and its network of partners to understand the conditions that caused this, and what we can do in the future. Thank you to our great team of people at the Water Plant, led by Chief Operator Bryan Alix for his diligence in helping to manage the plant during this challenging time. I am also so grateful for the partnership with the Hudson 7, which allows us to coordinate with other communities to protect public health and the environment. To learn more about HAB’s please go to: https://www.hudson7.org/blog
We would like to again thank the Frost Foundation for donating a shiny new speed trailer to the Village Police Department. It will be used regularly in many places throughout the Village, as well as all major events, as a reminder to keep our streets safe for everyone.
The work to repair many of those streets after the damage caused by last year’s winter weather is continuing through the fall. We will be paving the following roads, Somers, Crowell, Beach and Mulberry (between South St and E. Market), Chestnut (between Mulberry and N. Parsonage), and North Parsonage St.
Starting on October 6th, contractors will start milling (removing the old pavement), so paving can begin on October 13th (weather dependent). You can still use the roads, although there may be temporary delays and heavy equipment in the area, so we ask that you use caution if driving where the crews are working. We will put out a public notice listing the timing for each street as soon as we have it. In the meantime if you have any questions, please call the Superintendent of Public works, Kyle Eighmy, at 845-392-8026. The work should be completed this month.
Also starting on 10/6/25, Steven Bryant, will join our Highway Department as a Highway Laborer. Welcome Steven!
Happy Anniversary!
Please join me in celebrating our employee anniversaries:
Chief Water Plant Operator Bryan Alix- 12 years
Highway Mechanic Scott Minn - 30 years
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
Chair, Hudson River Drinking Water Inter-Municipal Council