VALATIE–Following a public hearing last week the Village Board approved updated parking and traffic laws. The move paves the way for the board for the board to move ahead with plans for police agencies to issue parking tickets in the village.
Village Attorney Rob Fitzsimmons said at the board meeting Tuesday, October 20 that there are no major changes to the current parking law. He said that what the board has done is to get rid of outdated rules or contradictions in the law. The board did revise the schedule of fines, which are now $50 to $100 for a first parking offense. A second offense, within 18 months is up to $200 and a third will be up to $300, depending on the offense.
Mr. Fitzsimmons said he checked with the county’s court office and, even though the village does not have its own court, the board will receive the fines as long as the law enforcement officers write the ticket under the new local law. The tickets will be given out by county deputy sheriffs and state troopers.
“It’s passed, it’s on the books,” Mr. Fitzsimmons said at last week’s meeting after the board closed the hearing with no comment from the public and unanimously passed the local law.
The board is hoping to have the deputy sheriffs and troopers start giving out tickets by January. The village needs to update the signs in the village and the board plans to put the updated laws on the village’s website, www.valatievillage.com.
In a related matter at last week’s meeting, Trustee Frank Bevens reported that cameras to monitor traffic and other activities on Main Street will most likely be functional by mid-November. The village received state funds to install new equipment and Mr. Bevens said the he had filled out all the paperwork. The board had already approved the electrical work needed for the project. The Sheriff’s Office substation in the Village Hall will be able to monitor the cameras.
Mr. Bevens said he plans to do a survey of traffic signs in the village. “Signage is pretty messed up,” he said of issues, mentioning the absence of stop signs in the Holly Hills development. “Hopefully we’ll get everything legally signed,” he said.
Also at the October 22 meeting:
•The board accepted the resignation of Building Inspector Walt Simonsmeier. Mr. Simonsmeier plans to leave the position in December and the board will advertise for a new building inspector/code enforcement officer
•Village Clerk Barbara Fischer announced that the Chatham American Legion Auxiliary Post 42 is collecting items for the Adopt A Soldier Program from now through November 7. There is box for donations, which can include toiletries, non-perishable snacks, gloves, games, socks and other items, at the Village Hall. For more information got to www.operationadoptasoldier.org
•The board discussed two resolutions on climate change that the Town Board adopted Monday night. Village trustees said they plan to discuss the resolutions at their next meeting.
The next Village Board meeting will be Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m.
To contact reporter Emilia Teasdale email eteasdale@columbiapaper.com.
