[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6581021,"mediaKeyId","3062604-51207f99ea81302cfe55f2222befeb14","parentId",3062604,"title","Red Hook holds public hearing on 2025–26 budget as trustees and residents press sewer funding questions","audioSeconds",1325,"startMs",129000,"endMs",1454000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3062604-51207f99ea81302cfe55f2222befeb14&start=129&end=1454","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3062604-51207f99ea81302cfe55f2222befeb14/thumbnail_129000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6581021/Rhinebeck/Dutchess-County/New-York/Red-Hook-holds-public-hearing-on-202526-budget-as-trustees-and-residents-press-sewer-funding-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581021-e8b9d144e130a1f5ca212a08be87e4dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158017&Signature=eHLD98cxNAdEgL0YL-MOPHbSzGsBdXp64t~DIaG9Er-r7ytJGD1SexiZwtsJIaDukoszVKoioSeLFwnBwNJ3kDTCViuI2xty5oK5CwzgC816n2-~BOLiLxASVxNOaEwbTZCwvZnmo38eF-Ubown8agaCrXuVbtLjM6V5mwFwSCPQ5cavg18MQ7X4XPrcMRT9VZ-MIadXDghera4Cee3J-HaxlF2bSTvlMz-M0RtrPmaSrgwquR-CjNCEG60OlGGlGKFRvskihcw1tlfNJp~k6-pIt1tUT6wFNAfgHPjpUV1RQfQ95vO5~WHl5iUSBdQiTwk1f-c~EqLBktBccz996g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Rhinebeck, NY","date","2025-04-19T21:53:48.047Z","article","The Village of Red Hook Board of Trustees opened a public hearing April 14 on the proposed 2025'26 budget, reviewing projected revenues, department expenses and several line'item changes before closing the hearing and scheduling final adoption for the board's April 24 workshop.

Mayor (speaking at the meeting) said the village's fiscal year runs June 1 to May 31 and reminded attendees that the village filed its tax'cap form with the State Comptroller's Office and must wait 10 days before formally adopting the budget. She said elected officials's annual pay is reflected in the general fund: village justice $20,000; mayor $13,620; deputy mayor $10,000; trustees $8,000 each. \"That is reflected in the budget,\" she said.

Why it matters: the hearing laid out several adjustments that could affect millage and services, including changes to workers'compensation assumptions for the fire company and significant increases in employee medical insurance costs. Trustees and members of the public focused attention on how the village allocates costs among the general, water and sewer funds.

Major changes and numbers discussed
- Fire department workers' compensation: the draft budget initially showed $65,000 (an unusually high year because of prior claims); the mayor said she reduced the assumption to $40,000 in the proposed budget (down from $65,000; $33,000 the year prior) to reflect a return toward typical years.
- Medical insurance: officials said the village covers the deductible for full'time employees and that a recent projection shows roughly an 88% increase in medical costs built into the draft budget.
- Fund balance: the village policy sets an operating fund balance target between 15% and 25% of the budget; the mayor said the village is toward the high side of that range and plans to use about $37,000 of fund balance in the coming year while remaining within the tax'cap calculation.

Questions about interfund transfers and sewer funding
Resident Kat Viega (20 Cambridge Drive) asked why the village has repeatedly transferred money from the water fund into the sewer budget (she cited $25,000 and $30,000 transfers across recent years) and whether continuing transfers mean the village should reallocate those costs or charge sewer customers more directly. \"If this seems to be a pattern that's going to continue, why isn't the budget just allocated differently?\" she asked.

The mayor responded that auditors and the State Comptroller's Office review the village's annual financial statements and that the auditor has found the transfers permissible. She said the village is still learning the true operating costs of the sewer system because the village only recently took on the Red Hook Commons wastewater treatment plant (2021), started construction in 2022 and has been operating both plants for roughly a year and a half. \"We're still learning what it costs us to run the sewer system,\" she said, adding that as the village gains better operational data it will \"right'size\" charges and could decide to charge sewer customers more in future budgets.

Timing and next steps
Trustees closed the public hearing by motion. The mayor said the board will not adopt the budget tonight because of the mandatory 10'day waiting period after filing the tax'cap and that they plan to adopt the budget at the April 24 workshop meeting unless new, significant information arrives in the interim.

Other budget notes and departmental impacts
- Union contract settlements for police and Department of Public Works (DPW) were finalized; the DPW negotiated compensation increases after adding responsibilities related to the new water and sewer systems.
- The village is tracking timing differences in contract payments (for example, the school policing contract shifted payment timing) that affect the appearance of revenues in the current year.

Ending
Trustees did not adopt the budget at the April 14 meeting; the board scheduled a formal adoption vote for the April 24 workshop after the statutorily required waiting period and additional review. Officials said they expect to make further adjustments once June actuals are known and once the village has more consistent operating data for the new sewer system.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Red Hook Board of Trustees Meeting 04/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Village of Red Hook Board of Trustees opened a public hearing April 14 on the proposed 2025'26 budget, reviewing projected revenues, department expenses and several line'item changes before closing the hearing and scheduling final adoption for the board's April 24 workshop.","taxTitle","Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, New York","taxId",62384,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581010,"Trustees approve Pride festival, Tour de Red Hook and legacy events; village to cover limited policing costs",478,3147000,3625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3062604-51207f99ea81302cfe55f2222befeb14&start=3147&end=3625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3062604-51207f99ea81302cfe55f2222befeb14/thumbnail_3147000.jpg","/articles/6581010/Rhinebeck/Dutchess-County/New-York/Trustees-approve-Pride-festival-Tour-de-Red-Hook-and-legacy-events-village-to-cover-limited-policing-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581010-2d977c68e59e254bc18b8e4da6d4cb55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158017&Signature=dRtFH7JMCkyPgXgRxY3mEeGbP13W7mfky4ThynKFhC2JdpXk1zkM8bEEgm1es2BNeFhPbUVjJS~L48Xhn77yBD3F2Upo7~GX~D-W5OUjBEr7l3Vswgt5EKFra1SsCWVsHSkWWxPV6cWH36R1a7s0-6ABtJBG34guIDKwfRvS2~Ug9jHlj9fh3vyOIX0MjqoszDtPw9ePEAt0xaqErNKqWKjzvIy~x0pvIJ5Qx09oo~qg70jpo9uA1Rc-~P5ZhrFZWSK8HQeA324MIBoLh~74irGQTQbA1CHvQb~dS7oaqjShvrUMy7zW~6AQZgxLH5~Vgo3p1xmYhRgh802u9u3cQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees approved several event permit applications and set limited conditions at their April 14 meeting, authorizing Red Hook Pride, a community bike ride called Tour de Red Hook, and legacy events including Apple Blossom Day.

Red Hook Pride (June 22)
The board gave preliminary approval for Red Hook Pride parade and festival (Sunday, June 22), agreeing to waive most village permit fees as they did last year, with an exception for picnic table rentals (the packet indicates a per'table fee). The mayor said organizers should coordinate with the police lieutenant about staging and that the village will continue to refine a fee schedule for events going forward. Trustee discussion emphasized equitable treatment of legacy and new events and the need to define the village's annual contribution to community festivals.

Tour de Red Hook (May 4)
The board approved a community bike event organized by the library and called \"Tour de Red Hook,\" subject to logistics and safety requirements. Police staffing needs were discussed: the lieutenant estimated a two'officer overtime presence (Sunday, four'hour minimums) would cost about $680. The board agreed the village would cover two officers for the event and requested the library and other partners help offset any additional costs; organizers were asked to confirm water availability and whether porta'toilet facilities are needed.

Apple Blossom Day and other legacy events
Apple Blossom Day (May 10) and other longstanding events were acknowledged and placed on the calendar; staff indicated those permits are typically routine and that fees have been waived for longstanding community events in prior years.

Public safety and logistics
Trustees asked event organizers to coordinate staging, parade routes and public safety planning with Lieutenant Hillenbrand and the Red Hook Police Department. For events that require additional equipment (tables, tents) the board asked organizers to detail needs so the village can assess wear and any replacement costs.

Votes and abstentions
The Pride permit passed on a voice vote; one trustee (Candace) abstained from that vote. Tour de Red Hook passed by voice vote with conditions noted (village pays for two police officers up to the four'hour minimum; library to assist with costs beyond that; water and sanitation logistics to be confirmed).

Ending
Trustees said they want to adopt a clearer, equitable fee schedule for events going forward and will discuss fee policy at a future workshop; in the meantime the board will continue to support community events while asking organizers to manage logistics with village staff.","Trustees approved several event permit applications at their April 14 meeting, authorizing Red Hook Pride, Tour de Red Hook and legacy events including Apple Blossom Day, and agreed to cover limited policing costs for the new bike event.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581015,"Red Hook trustees approve annual reorganization, appointments and local law formalizing committee process",964,1761000,2725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3062604-51207f99ea81302cfe55f2222befeb14&start=1761&end=2725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3062604-51207f99ea81302cfe55f2222befeb14/thumbnail_1761000.jpg","/articles/6581015/Rhinebeck/Dutchess-County/New-York/Red-Hook-trustees-approve-annual-reorganization-appointments-and-local-law-formalizing-committee-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581015-7284583ff1cf9c7cc42d37cf5b6d34b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158017&Signature=Px5J4v8KzMaW77kUCBAS~RCl~Pn4ooCVS3~r92Gk-pxOUGLqT1vnEnkhNH0-HWA9bUexq6LmAKTfj8ShMImhCnL0ujtPAJUB5Cg41nUx4sW6Puw1ZH5CwE2wpqHyt0Ok2iJEO-7L3h4SarEzdQojfL~LUVYCRmK69ilxnkj2Z~PzHDYMWdmvYR8GDCdEvzZNg6uEAwib2m8vq85TVU3vZjd2-9cL-FhK0enWqVhl1IokN6vvQsJ5~0uL4TUcjtOwaXnN9acBkG1eo892zwF5e0oxsHXWOGrnHLzwoIhU9wmMqai-A3ztNxm92qTZXtR0HEDl0~QyOH-535DCabgYiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Red Hook Board of Trustees completed its annual reorganization business on April 14, adopting a consolidated reorganization resolution that appointed officers, designated official depositories and newspapers, set the meeting calendar for the year, and outlined training authorizations for municipal officials.

The board also adopted Local Law 1 of 2025, titled a local law to adopt a new chapter 61 (standing committees of the village board) in the village code. The law makes clear that the board will establish standing committees and their functions by resolution at the annual organizational meeting or as needed during the year, rather than requiring separate local laws for committee formation.

What was included in the reorganization resolution
- Appointments named in the packet included Diana Devons as Registrar of Vital Statistics and other zoning board of appeals appointments (the resolution lists David Jeff Seegas and Martin Railing for five'year terms ending April 8, 2030).
- Banks designated as village depositories: KeyBank and M&T Bank.
- The Village designated the Daily Freeman (Media News Group) as the official newspaper for notices.
- The board approved standard federal IRS mileage reimbursement at the current rate, and authorized advance payment of routine utility/postage claims pending presentation at the next board meeting.
- Meeting schedule: regular board meetings set for the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. (with exceptions noted for October and November), planning and zoning meeting schedules set, and workshops scheduled for the fourth Monday beginning in June.

Local Law 1 of 2025
The local law clarifies that standing committees are an extension of the board's authority and that committees only have powers the board grants by resolution. The village attorney recommended the law to clarify that committee creation and termination will happen by board resolution, which the mayor and trustees said allows more flexibility than requiring a law change for annual committee assignments.

Roll call and procedural notes
Trustees voted by roll call on the committee/local law item: Deputy Mayor Carroll (Aye), Trustee Bradley Ricard (Aye), Trustee Smith (Aye), Trustee Iguacu (Aye), and the mayor recorded an aye vote. The board approved the reorganization resolution by voice vote and acknowledged the ethics and procurement codes as part of the packet.

Ending
Trustees said the reorganization and committee law are intended to update the village's procedures, bring previously informal committees into formal authorization, and make it easier to create, review and, if necessary, dissolve committees by resolution in future years.","At its April 14 meeting the Village of Red Hook board approved a consolidated reorganization resolution covering appointments, bank designations, meeting schedules, and training authorizations, and adopted Local Law 1 of 2025 to formalize how standing committees are established and authorized.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581019,"Red Hook trustees report compliance failures at sewer plants; village terminates operator and hires Delaware Engineering",203,3547000,3750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3062604-51207f99ea81302cfe55f2222befeb14&start=3547&end=3750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3062604-51207f99ea81302cfe55f2222befeb14/thumbnail_3547000.jpg","/articles/6581019/Rhinebeck/Dutchess-County/New-York/Red-Hook-trustees-report-compliance-failures-at-sewer-plants-village-terminates-operator-and-hires-Delaware-Engineering","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581019-2a5237cbba2af95f02d04531186ec016/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158017&Signature=Tm0MU6UW0T~0C7yaeRrZSsqr~jdg~0o2xUoJBwR60sgXH8bGeWi9cRo3a2xP~2kHMok2ix2NqEpSIYh9Fek0WDVgSKFpy9tf2WTI1eIAuZ~M-4DOmE~EL0xk~wh5dqGQ0xYcQDDCk7oj-lbaAJGrkBEmLWpYhnegiZzM-Gvx1zsYuHdjlzR3bAtBW5gvciGsuc40iWiGxfXMVGIiv-GKSwvKlM9FTxYOlD2eGXGc3tBvmZP0WJjPceg0CBMmQGejgGa0-aXqP2wCjyi2aX8DTXJmG9YbzcYzeGwZkuLypxVDVnFcSAx8R1B~PvNT9wOYO5BWt2RJT0rkb9aH~IBDog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village officials told the Board of Trustees on April 14 that recent lab results and ongoing operational problems have left both of the village'operated wastewater treatment plants out of permit compliance and that the village has terminated its contract with the prior operator and engaged Delaware Engineering to take over operations and begin repairs.

What officials reported
Mayor and staff summarized February laboratory data (reports were filed with the board) that show multiple exceedances at both the older Red Hook plant and the newer plant that came online during the recent expansion. The February results cited in the meeting included:
- Total suspended solids (TSS): old plant 13.7 mg/L, new plant 10 mg/L (permit limit cited as 10 mg/L).
- Ammonia (NH3): old plant 4.9 mg/L, new plant 58.2 mg/L (seasonal permit limit for Nov. 1'May 31 noted at 1.81 mg/L).
- Fecal coliform: reported at 2,420 colonies/100 mL (permit limit discussed as 200/100 mL).
- Dissolved oxygen: old plant 2.0 mg/L, new plant 2.3 mg/L (minimum cited as 7 mg/L for compliance in the report).
- Daily average flow noted for the Red Hook plant: about 36,000 gallons per day (monthly average).

Those numbers indicate concentrations well above the limits the village reported to the board. The mayor said these February results predate the operator change and that the village has been addressing mechanical and operational failures since March.

Operator change and short'term fixes
The board reported the village terminated the contract with the prior operator (identified in reports and previous meetings as C3&D) and, as of March 31, engaged Delaware Engineering to provide operator services and an immediate technical assessment. Officials described Delaware as performing a day'one assessment with multiple engineers on site and beginning steps to stabilize biological treatment, investigate influent characteristics and address mechanical problems.

Interim steps taken in March included: increased sampling, a controlled \"dump\" of mixed liquor to re'establish biological activity, use of chlorine where UV disinfection was not yet fully operating, and connection of the equalization (EQ) tank to the odor control system as ground conditions allowed.

Public reaction and trustee remarks
Several residents spoke during public comment. Paul Alomar asked whether tests were being run and whether there were improvements; an official replied that improvements are being made but that routine lab reporting is lagged and February results are the most recent formal set in the record. Longtime local resident George Beekman urged the board to consider a moratorium on any sewer expansion until the plants are reliably operating. He said an expanded system would increase long'term maintenance responsibility and risk to village operations.

Grants and planning
Officials told the board that, despite operational challenges, the village is continuing efforts to pursue grant funding for sewer expansion because grant application schedules are fixed; staff said the village can decline awards later if operations remain noncompliant. The village also reported an income survey is under way to improve chances for infrastructure funding.

What the board asked of staff
Trustees asked staff to continue frequent sampling and to post lab results and operations reports for public review. The mayor and staff said they will work to publish recent sampling results on a dedicated sewer operations page on the village website and that Delaware Engineering will produce a short'term action plan and timeline for returning plants to permit compliance.

Ending
Trustees said returning the plants to compliant operations is a priority and that the village will continue to staff the sewer operations team, keep residents informed, pursue grants as appropriate and not proceed with expansion decisions until the operational baseline is stable.","Lab reports from February showed multiple permit exceedances at both village sewer treatment plants, trustees said. The board terminated the previous operator and engaged Delaware Engineering for immediate assessment and corrective work; trustees continue to pursue grants but recognize operations must stabilize before expansion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Red Hook holds public hearing on 2025–26 budget as trustees and residents press sewer funding questions

Trustees approve Pride festival, Tour de Red Hook and legacy events; village to cover limited policing costs

Red Hook trustees approve annual reorganization, appointments and local law formalizing committee process

Red Hook trustees report compliance failures at sewer plants; village terminates operator and hires Delaware Engineering