State of Rhinebeck 2021
Thank you all for the opportunity to be with you (Virtually) to talk about the state of the Village. The fact that Zoom meetings like this one have become routine is emblematic of the many changes and challenges we have faced this past year. I cannot say enough about how this community has come together, even while being forced to stay apart, to bring our beloved Village through the crisis caused by the COVID19 pandemic. Each and every one of you has contributed in many ways.
We have had incredible support from Carolyn Bernitt of the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce, Town of Rhinebeck Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia, and County Executive Marc Molinaro. And I welcome Rhinebeck School Superintendent Albert Cousins, who took over during the pandemic and jumped right in to help us work on key initiatives. And, the members of our Village Board, Deputy Mayor Ric Lewit, Trustees Brant Neuneker, Vanessa Bertozzi, and Lydia Slaby have all worked overtime to respond to the crisis. Of course, the board could not have done it without our dedicated team of Village employees and our first responders who have put themselves on the line to keep all of us safe.
There are no words to express my deepest gratitude to each person who has contributed during these tough times. Every member of this community, our seniors, our children, families, schools and businesses have been impacted in some way and we have been there for each other. By working together we accomplished so much.
- We supported our first responders, nurses and doctors who were on the front line
- We worked with local food pantries and community members to make certain all our residents were able to get by, adding a food pantry for perishable goods at the Fairgrounds.
- We worked closely with Rhinebeck Responds to support residents and businesses
- We launched a very successful outdoor dining/retail expansion to allow outside service at restaurants and shops for residents and visitors alike.
- With the aid of the county we supplied over 8000 masks and sanitization to residents
- Despite the restrictions, we made certain that the Village was able to continue important traditions, like our beautiful holiday lights.
- We staggered tax payments, and removed penalties for late payments to give residents more flexibility due to financial fallout from the pandemic
We also fulfilled our commitments to long-term projects we had promised.
- Completing the water infrastructure project on-time and under budget
- Rebuilding our roads
- Protecting our drinking water, not only for us but for 106,000 people who are our neighbors.
- Obtaining Bronze level certification as a Climate Smart Community
- Review of our Village comprehensive plan with a focus on environmental issues
- Providing additional handicap parking space downtown and launching the first in the region Autism awareness community.
- Purchasing a much needed lifesaving Rescue truck for the Fire Department
So how are we doing? Our Treasure/CFO Karen McLaughlin recently released a 6 month review.
Karen’s report states that in the big picture, we, after 11 months into the global COVID pandemic, like all local governments, are faced with increasing uncertainty into 2021. We could be facing even more belt tightening. She goes on to say that as we start the 2021-2022 budget this month we will need to monitor the budgets frequently, analyze trends, make changes and anticipate issues so as not to be taken by surprise. We are fortunate to have Karen as our CFO.
With the exception of the slowdown in our courts our revenues have remained stable as before the COVID pandemic. We are fortunate that the sales tax revenues are only slightly off of predicted amounts and state funding is still in place for the next budget cycle. COVID-19 has had unexpected costs like the purchase of PPE for Police /Fire/EMS, added technology improvements for virtual meetings, and modest renovations to keep our staff safe.
Last year we adopted a fund balance policy. This policy establishes goals and provides guidance concerning the desired level of fund balance maintained by the Village to mitigate financial risk that can occur from unforeseen revenue fluctuations, unanticipated expenditures, and similar circumstances.
We must continue with careful planning to balance the fiscal effects of this past year on services and taxpayers. Our Board will continue to closely monitor expenses to keep them as low as possible while still providing good services to the community.
Over the past year, the Village of Rhinebeck has proved stable, adaptable and resilient, and we will continue to adapt to changes as required. Our commitment is to our residents, to provide high quality ongoing services and to strive to do more to protect and improve our quality of life.
Trustee Lydia Slaby has convened a task force of Village officials, restaurant managers and owners, retail owners, and residents to address the question of expanded outdoor dining for the restaurants in the Village. Although their primary goal is to think through long-term approaches, they will also examine what outdoor dining and shopping will look like in the immediate future, as COVID19 sadly continues to be a threat.
Trustee Neuneker continues his work on a draft of Phase II of the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater consolidation study that includes recommendations for needed capital improvements for both facilities. This will be part of our next budget discussions and will provide a roadmap for a multi-year capital plan.
In 2020, the NY State's Climate Smart Communities program awarded our Village a bronze level certification. We are very proud of that achievement, but our work is far from done. Trustee Bertozzi continues to lead the efforts to make our energy usage more efficient and green, and to build our resilience to the inevitable impacts of climate change. Protecting our water and ecosystem is a priority.
The Village of Rhinebeck Autism Supportive Committee is in its second full year of service to the Rhinebeck community and its visitors. The goal is to make the experiences of families with family members who are living with the challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorder more accommodating and welcoming.
In partnership with the Anderson Center for Autism, the ASC Committee has been working with members of the Village's business community and non-profit organizations to address the needs of autistic children and adults in accessing Rhinebeck. At least 57 Village businesses and non-profit organizations have pledged to do at least one thing, with many committing to more, to meet the needs of family members and individuals with autism in being better able to participate in all that the Village of Rhinebeck has to offer, especially given the unique challenges of the current pandemic.
We're pursuing cutting edge methods for managing stormwater and reducing road salt. With all our projects, we build engagement with our community: partnering with students and volunteers, free sessions with energy efficiency consultants, online documentary screenings, and more. We are also providing all of you with updated information and opportunities for involvement on our new website: climatesmartrhinebeck.org
Trustee Lewit continues to do important work on our parks and urban forest with plantings, selective pruning, and improved infrastructure, as well as seeking grant money to fund management of the Village’s landscapes and infrastructure to preserve and continue to build a greener and more beautiful Rhinebeck.
Your board of trustees continues to move forward protecting our water, rebuilding infrastructure and working towards an accessible, walkable, bikeable, and sustainable Village.
We have diligently pursued grant opportunities to help fund many of the improvements for protecting our water or improving safety on our roads and sidewalks.
With vaccine production ramping up, vaccines are becoming more accessible, and the state and county have the infrastructure in place for delivery. Even as we see the light at the end of the tunnel, we must remember the challenges of the past year.
We mourn the lives lost to the COVID 19 pandemic and offer our condolences to family and friends. We continue to honor the work of our first responders and medical workers. And, we must continue to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe until this deadly pandemic has truly loosened its grip on our community.
Working together we have proved we can do anything, and as we move into the future, we will continue to work together to manage our budgets, improve our environment, provide excellent service, and support our community. It is my deepest honor to provide you with this update and to serve you every day at this very special place we all call home.
Mayor Gary Bassett