Grant assists firefighters in fire prevention efforts

By DOUG LAROCQUE

Capital Region Independent Media

NEW LEBANON–It was late last year when the former New Lebanon Town Board voted to enter into a contract with the Lebanon Valley Protective Association (LVPA) to lease the former firehouse for a community center, which opened there last December. This year’s board, with three new members, has voted to enter into a contract with the LVPA to purchase the building for $375,000. The newest vote was a split decision, with board members Steve Powers and Susan Tipograph joining Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling voting in favor of the resolution, and Craig Skerkis and Elizabeth Kroboth casting dissenting votes.

During the discussion on the purchase resolution, Councilman Skerkis labeled the building a potential “money pit,” expressing worries about what might go wrong or need improvements in the not too distant future. For her part, Councilwoman Kroboth echoed many of the same concerns, and thought the building would serve both the fire company and the town best by being returned to the tax rolls through the sale to a private entity. She also returned to a previous argument, that Supervisor Houghtling had recused herself when the board considered the fire protection service contract with the LVPA and should do so once again. Supervisor Houghtling said this is a different circumstance. While the fire protection agreement did fall under the department’s fire operations, which is under her husband’s direction and control as fire chief, the sale of the building is a civil matter, governed by the department’s board of directors and in which the chief has not voice or influence. Ms. Houghtling added she had asked Town Attorney John Tingley for a legal opinion on any potential need to recuse herself, and that he stated that “she did not.” As a side note, should the supervisor have recused herself, it would have most likely been a 2-2 vote, meaning the resolution would have failed for lack of a majority of the board’s total make up which is 5 members.

For their part, councilors Powers and Tipograph joined the supervisor in pointing out many of the positives of the purchase, including enhanced youth services, the benefits it provides the Lebanon Valley Seniors, the free store along with a place for community functions and occasional dinners. Supervisor Houghtling also mentioned the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has expressed interest in renting a portion of the building for a substation. The New York State Police currently have a barracks in New Lebanon but for two years have talked about closing it and moving their location to Chatham.

One of the concerns expressed about the purchase raised in public comment was what happens if the town buys the building and there indeed turns out to be problems with it. Ms. Houghtling says the contract requires “due diligence” be performed before any closing, and if those inspections were to turn up some unexpected and hefty costs, the agreement does provide the town with an out of the purchase.

Another matter before the board at their Tuesday, September 10 meeting was the “walkable downtown” project. This includes the installation of sidewalks along U.S. Route 20 in the “downtown section” of the town. It is proposed these sidewalks be constructed using either crushed stone or compacted stone dust. It also calls for the installation of crosswalks.

A survey put forward by the town found a majority of the businesses in the area were in favor, but there is also public opposition. They questioned if sidewalks made of anything other than concrete or asphalt would hold up and were concerned about how close to the highway these sidewalks might be. Most of these improvements would be paid for with state grant monies.

The project has been bandied about between board members and the public for several months with no resolution. That looks like it might change in the new year, as all the board members agreed to put the proposal to a public referendum, which would most likely occur in January. Councilman Skerkis, who has questioned the wisdom and expense of the project in the past, was the first member of the board to pledge to follow the wish of the electorate. He told his fellow board members and the public gathered there for the meeting, he will abide by the result, even if it passes or fails by just one vote. The other four councilors expressed the same sentiment.

Also at the meeting:

*The board agreed to the purchase of a new chipper for the highway department, with $40,000 of the $54,000 purchase price coming out of town funds, and $14,000 from other sources

*The board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate with three other towns in the county for the build out of broadband services. According to Supervisor Houghtling, it will bring internet services to all parts of the town, currently not covered by broadband. The Town of Ghent is the administrator of the USDA grant

*The renewal of the insurance plans for town employees also saw board approval. Those grandfathered into certain provisions will see the town’s cost rise seven percent, while the rest of the contract increases by 13 percent. Towns all around the Capital Region are dealing with some substantial premium hikes this year

*If it’s September, it’s time for towns to start thinking about their 2025 budgets. New Lebanon is no different. The board plans up to five meetings to hammer out next year’s spending plan, with the first workshop and the presentation of the tentative budget planned for 6 p.m. on October 13 at the town hall. The remaining sessions will be scheduled after that. The last date towns have to approve next year’s budget is December 20

*The board also filled two open positions on the Board of Assessment Review. Craig Carroll was appointed to a full five-year term while Robert Weber was appointed for one-year to fill out an unexpired term of office.

The board next meets in regular session on Tuesday, October 8 at 6 p.m. in the town hall.