Mayor’s Message May 2024
Spring is “bearly” here, and we are already hearing about bear sightings in the Village. The NY State Department of Environmental Conservation recommends that we leave them alone as they pass through the area, as they do not pose an imminent threat. However, removing your bird feeders during this season is a good idea, as they are searching for food.
The Comprehensive Plan Draft is now on the website and ready for viewing. Our dedicated Comp Plan Committee has put more than two years of work into the plan. A Comprehensive Plan, once adopted, will be a valuable blueprint which can guide our community in decision making on issues that are important for the future of the Village of Rhinebeck. It’s been a robust effort involving many people who volunteered for committees and subcommittees, and many of you, our residents, who shared your ideas, time and input. To review the plan, go to: Comprehensive Plan
Please review the plan, as the Committee is eager to hear from everyone.
There will be two public hearings:
● May 5th at Village Hall from 3-5:30PM
● May 8th at Village Hall from 7-9:30PM
You can also contribute by writing to ourthrivingfuture@villageofrhinebeckny.gov
The Committee will be accepting written comments until 5PM on May 19th.
The Village Board has completed work on the budget for the fiscal year beginning on June 1st 2024-2025 2024-2025 adopted budget. In the General fund (tax revenue) the grand total is $2,994,447. We have forecast our revenues conservatively at $1,091,439.
Setting the tax levy at $1,903,008. Exactly $1.00 under the tax cap!
Here is a list of how we prioritized the upcoming 2024-2025 budget:
- Meeting the demands to adapt to climate change was highest on our list. We are seeing unprecedented storms, detention ponds that never had water are filling up and streams are overflowing their banks on a regular basis. Instead of paving a new road we are shifting our focus to what's underneath the road and focusing on infrastructure consisting of intricate drainage systems, catch basins and streams. We will identify deficiencies and make repairs and improvements. The time is now to prepare for the future impact of climate change.
- We are increasing our building and zoning enforcement hours which means they will be here during the day instead of just evenings.
- We’ve increased funding for law enforcement in order to attract and retain officers
- We will increase salaries for those who have performed well at their jobs and grown their skills.
- And we are funding the next phase of the Comprehensive Plan as we start adopting the plan and drafting village-wide zoning changes.
On April 9, 2024, the Village Board passed a resolution approving the Bulkeley Schoolhouse Overlay District zoning code change. It was our finding that there is no potential for significant adverse environmental impact under SEQRA. The district overlay was adopted without further changes for the Village and filed with the State of NY,
The Board of Trustees has approved amending the Village Zoning Code to allow Daycare Centers within the Gateway Zoning District and the Village Center Zoning District, following a Public Hearing on April 23. The intent of the law is to meet the urgent demand for safe and appropriate childcare in the Village of Rhinebeck as was identified in the 2023 Community Needs Assessment for Red Hook and Rhinebeck. Here is the entire law: Daycare center zoning PH resolution and law.pdf
The Village Board has sent a letter to all our local elected officials: OPPOSING DELIVERY RATE INCREASES BY CENTRAL HUDSON GAS AND ELECTRIC CORPORATION. The Village Board finds that such rate increases place an undue financial burden on residents, businesses, and local governments, including the Village of Rhinebeck. To view the letter go to: Central Hudson Resolution.docx
The Village Board made a proclamation that Arbor Day be set aside for the planting of trees. Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, lower our heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife. They also provide a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products. The urban forest in our village not only beautifies our community, enhances the economic vitality of our business areas, it increases property values.
It is unfortunate to announce the resignation of Police Officer Patrick Murphy, who served in the Village Police Dept for 26 years, but we wish him well and enjoyment in his future endeavors.
Highway Laborer Quentin Connolly has also resigned and though Quentin had been with us for only a short time, he was a great addition to our team. Quentin decided to relocate and we wish him safe travels.
We would like to welcome our new Police Officer, Jaiden Campos. Officer Campos also works for the County of Ulster and is excited to join our community.
The Village of Rhinebeck has an open position for a Laborer in the Highway Department. Salary begins at $20/hr and will be based on experience. (Full job description is available upon request.) Anyone interested should contact the Village Clerk at 845-876-7015 option 3 or mmcclinton@villageofrhinebeckny.gov for an application. Should you meet the requirements, an interview will be scheduled. All applications are due to the Village Clerk by 4:00 PM on May 10, 2024.
The parking lot behind the Village Hall and Fire Dept is currently closed to the public. It will remain closed during construction work which is expected to last for approximately one month. Only Police personnel & Fire Dept members are permitted access. There is NO public access and the EV chargers will not be available. Additionally, there is no parking on the east side of Center St, from the entrance of the Town Hall parking lot to East Market St., to allow for emergency vehicles to safely exit. Please be aware that the municipal lot across the street IS open and the EV chargers in that location are available. Please contact the Village Clerk for any questions.
As always, please reach out to me with any questions or comments. You can reach me by phone 845-876-7015 ext 2 at Village Hall or via email MayorBassett@Villgeofrhinebeckny.gov
Mayor Gary Bassett