VOORHEESVILLE — Play and planning were the key topics at January’s village board meeting on Tuesday.

A committee working on a new playground for the elementary school wowed the board with a preview of two videos that will be shown Friday at a school talent show.

The first featured elementary students, en masse, singing a song that is familiar to Voorheesville parents with kids now in their 30s. The song was used to promote the original playground, built 25 years ago. After the students, with coordinating hand gestures, melodically spelled out the word “Voorheesville,” they sang about their need for a playground to the tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” including the appeal, “Make our dreams come true.”

The second video featured interviews with school and community members, many of them reminiscing over the way everyone came together to build the 1991 project. The video ended with poignant interviews with kids; as the credits rolled, the sounds of kids shrieking in joy could be heard.

Jaime Chismark, who heads the  playground committee, said that Margie Salt of Park Street Playground, the vendor, will be on hand at the talent show to reveal the plans and show pieces of the equipment. (See related story and editorial.)

Chismark also went over donations received so far as well as planned fundraisers for the $200,000 project, which is to be built in three days by community volunteers in the spring of 2018.

“We appreciate the enthusiasm,”  said Mayor Robert conway.

Comprehensive plan

The board heard that the comprehensive planning commission has met twice since it was formed in December and is “on track” with its work, the mayor said. The commission’s February meeting is scheduled for the 15th. The 14-member committee is being advised by Nan Stolzenburg, a planner who has worked with many local communities.

The commission has surveyed village businesses, Clerk Treasurer Linda Pasquali told The Enterprise, and a meeting is planned for Feb. 16 at the Voorheesville firehouse so that the commission members can listen to ideas from and about businesses in the village.

Another session is planned for tonight, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. in the village hall so that the commission can hear from cultural groups, Pasquali said.

This will be the village’s first comprehensive plan. The village board decided a master plan was needed after two controversial matters packed village meetings earlier this year: One is Stewart’s plan to build a gas station and convenience store on Route 85A where Smith’s Tavern now stands; Stewart’s is proceeding with its application before the village’s planning commission. The other was a proposal to adopt a planned unit development district. This would have allowed St. Matthew’s Church to build a 40-unit apartment complex on the seven-and-a-half vacant acres next to the church on Mountainview Street.

Faced with public outcry, the board set aside the planned unit development bill and decided instead to proceed with a master plan. The commission is expected to complete a draft and hold a public hearing within 10 months after which the trustees will study the plan and hold a second hearing.

The board on Tuesday went into a closed session for half an hour to discuss contracts but took no action. After the Enterprise was re-admitted to the meeting room, the board discussed zoning issues. Conway said there were problems in Salem Hills because most of the houses had single-car driveways and garages, and now many households have more than one car, and parking on the street isn’t allowed.

Currently, Pasquali told The Enterprise, there are no zoning requirements for vehicles parked in someone’s yard other than the limit that no more than 30 percent of a lawn can be paved.

During the board’s discussion, Trustee Florence Reddy asked Conway, “Do you like the trailer parked in front of your house?”

“I don’t like it,” Conway responded.

He also said, “It’s quality of life issues but how far do you go?” He noted property owners have rights to use their property and likened it to saying, “Don’t raise your kids that way.”

Richard Reilly, the village’s attorney, said such zoning issues should be considered by the comprehensive plan commission. Deputy Clerk Treasurer Karen Finnessey suggested residents could be questioned about such issues as part of a survey that the comprehensive planning commission will be drawing up.

Other business

In other business at recent meetings, the board:

— Heard from Department of Public works Superintendent Brett Hotaling that one of the village wells is having issues and he is getting quotes for repairs. He also noted problems with the previously repaired grinder pump at Severson Manor. The annual maintenance fee paid by the homeowners’ association is $180 and, at the board’s Jan. 11 workshop, Reilly agreed to research the agreement to change the amount;

— Answering a request from the fire department to change statement frequency for the Length of Service Award Program to avoid fees, authorized Penflex and Glens Falls Bank to make the statements semi-annual; and

— Heard condolences offered by the mayor to the families of Mary Jane Reh, Warren Schliekenrieder,  Bob Andrews, Charles Carson, and Kevin McAleavey.