Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Red Hook Water Board to present dollar-based rate hikes and details 2026 expenses
Summary
At a March 26 special meeting, the Town of Red Hook Water Board agreed to present proposed water-rate increases in dollar amounts — including a planned minimum charge rise from $57.33 to $70 in Q3 2026 and to $80 in 2027 — and reviewed anticipated 2026 costs and $224,000 in available cash.
The Town of Red Hook Water Board on March 26, 2026, agreed to present planned increases to water rates in dollar terms and reviewed anticipated 2026 expenses, according to the board’s minutes.
Hank Van Parys, Water Board Chairman, opened the special meeting at 7:00 p.m. and the board recorded attendance and approved the minutes from March 4. The approval motion was made by Water Board Member Greg Fildes and seconded by Water Board Member Larry Carr, per the minutes.
The board "generally agreed" to present proposed rate adjustments in dollar amounts rather than percentages, the minutes state. As an example, the minutes record a proposed change to the minimum charge from $57.33 to $70 beginning in the third quarter of 2026 (about a 23% increase) and a further increase to $80 in the third quarter of 2027. The board also agreed to supply sample bill examples — for instance, an $80 water bill — when announcing the changes, and discussed comparing the town's changes with Tivoli’s $1,300 yearly assessment.
Board members reviewed anticipated 2026 expenses and estimated line items. The minutes list communications/system costs with Smith Control estimated at $20,000 and Tighe & Bond at roughly $5,000 (combined about $25,000). Well rehabilitation was discussed with estimates around $30,000 for the rehab work, plus a pump and motor at about $20,000 and engineering/consultant costs to Tighe & Bond at about $10,000 (minutes record a suggested total near $60,000 for well-related work). Tank rehabilitation items — including a pneumatic tank, hydrant connection and tank inspections — were discussed but specific costs were not specified. Right-of-way clearing was noted around $10,000. The minutes summarize anticipated expenses as roughly $100,000 plus unspecified items.
Minutes record available cash of $224,000 and note that this balance is expected to increase during 2026; board members said they would decide later whether to add to reserves. The discussion in the minutes is recorded as preparatory and informational — the minutes do not record a formal board vote to set rates at this meeting but indicate an intent to announce proposed changes beginning in the third quarter of 2026.
Votes and formal actions recorded in the minutes were procedural: approval of the March 4 minutes (motion by Greg Fildes, second by Larry Carr) and a motion to adjourn (moved by Hank Van Parys, seconded by Greg Fildes); the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. by order of the chairman.
Next procedural step recorded in the minutes is the board’s plan to announce the proposed rate adjustments in dollar terms and to present example bills when the increases are publicized.
