Reporting from Monday, May 5, 2008 :

Interview Procedures

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

The town attorney said Councilperson Sammons had prepared the original draft and that he had made some revisions but none which changed her intent.  Since she was absent from the meeting and he and some TC members had questions, the matter was tabled.

Town Hall Committee

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

There was no new information to report but the need for an upgraded Town Hall of some type was recognized, either on the current site or in a new location.  Some audience and TC members had been concerned that “no town hall at all” was also an option under consideration.

Taghkanic Creek:

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

The town attorney said the consultant the town had hired to prepare a report on its water resources was going to include the Hudson water supply/creek depletion issue.  He recommended waiting for this report, scheduled to be presented at the TC’s July meeting, before investigating the matter further.

County Department of Social Services (DSS)

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

Supervisor Young reported that the County had signed a non-binding letter of intent to purchase the Ockawamick School with its 24 acres in the Town of Claverack.  She said they expected that some type of public transportation would be offered to clients residing in Hudson but nothing is definite.  She said the site offered potential for consolidating different services in one location.  She felt it would have been preferable to have kept it in Hudson but no suitable property had been found.

Supervisor’s Report

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

Supervisor Young said “there’s been some statements made” about the town clerk’s minutes of TC meetings being “brief” and that they don’t “… flesh out a lot of the comments…that are made.” As an example of what is typical, she read from minutes of a County Board of Supervisor’s Facilities Committee meeting, noting that you had no idea what some parts referred to.  She said the town clerk’s minutes are just as brief and well within what is done at the county level.  In response to audience and TC comments about the adequacy of the county minutes, Supervisor Young explained that this was the way it has always been done and that if a particular supervisor wanted to know more, it was up to them to find out.  Christine Tallackson, an audience member, said she understood there were different schools of thought on minutes, with some preferring less detail and others more.  While each type might be fine for a particular purpose, minutes are never a good substitute for actually attending a meeting and getting the full flavor of what is going on—which is why there’s always room for other types of communications such as newsletters.

Comprehensive Plan

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

The Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) has sent a draft plan to TC members for their review and consideration.  It’s posted on the town website, available in local libraries and can be purchased for $10 at the Town Clerk’s office.  The town submitted a voucher and has received the Greenway grant monies; the town’s matching contribution was satisfied by the volunteer hours put in by CPC and Subcommittee members.  The TC scheduled a public hearing for June 2, 2008, at 6:30 pm.

Cablevision

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

Councilperson Edwards said she has been in touch and the company is reportedly working on obtaining the necessary electric and telephone company approvals for use of the poles; the “build” is currently scheduled for September 2008 for the limited area which will be covered.

Assessors’ Report

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

Assessor Art Griffith reported that every primary residence saw an increase (8-12% was average) as did woodland.  The town’s STAR reimbursement is the highest in the County as a result of the assessors’ attempt to keep assessments at 100% of market value.