VOORHEESVILLE — The village board applauded Richard Straut at its Tuesday meeting after it was announced he had officially won the seat to which he was appointed in the uncontested village election.

Trustee Straut told The Enterprise his goal is to continue the work he’s already started — on water, sidewalks, and helping to develop a comprehensive plan for the village.

The village has received a grant for roughly $830,000 from the Capital District Transportation Committee, he said, to extend its sidewalks. Design will begin this year and the sidewalks will be built in 2019.

A committee of volunteers, working with planning consultant Nan Stolzenburg, has held focus groups with cultural groups in the village, with business leaders, and with government groups. The committee is on schedule, Straut said, and is holding a community visioning session on Wednesday, April 5, at 7 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church; all residents are encouraged to attend.

Since current village water sources are close to railroad tracks — all three wells are within 200 yards of the tracks in the Grove Street area — and there is concern about a spill from tankers transporting oil or other contaminants, Voorheesville has been looking for a new well.

“We found water,” said Straut, “but not water we can tap into. The geology was not cooperative. We have to keep looking for a good well site. We’re regrouping with our consultant.”

Also on water, the board held a public hearing on March 15 about raising the rates for water at which time Deputy Mayor Richard Berger said the increase is needed for future infrastructure repairs and replacements.

The new rates, which go into effect on June 1, start with a $200 minimum, paid in advance, for the first 20,000 gallons used. Village residents who are eligible for the 50-percent senior-citizen property tax reduction may pay half the minimum charges.

After the first 20,000 gallons, the rate is $3.25 for up to 70,000; then $3.50 for 70,001 to $145,000; then $3,75 for 145,001 to 220,000 gallons; then $4.00 for 220,001 to 295,000; then $4.50 for 295,001 to 370,000; then $5.00 for 370,001 to $445,000 gallons; then $5.50 for 445,001 to 520,000. Then $6.00 for 520,001 gallons and over.

Property owners outside of the village who use Voorheesville water will pay double those fees.

Also, payments made 60 days after the billing date will include a penalty of 10 percent of the unpaid bill and that amount will increase by 5 percent of the unpaid bill on the first day of the month following, and each month afterwards.

“We had to start to generate funds we need for improvements as we go forward,” Richard Reilly, the village’s attorney,” told The Enterprise of the need for the increases. The board researched water rates of other municipalities, which were higher than Voorheesville’s.

“It’s good to be ready,” said Reilly. He noted that work was currently underway to map the underground water lines to make it easier to shut off portions next time there is a break.

Plea for veterans

The board heard Tuesday from James M. Ader, veterans service officer from the Albany County Veterans Service Bureau, who has been making the rounds to municipalities in the county to register veterans. (“Veterans bureau runs tour to up registration in county,” March 23, 2017).

“I need your help,” Ader told the board. “We have 20,000 veterans in Albany County. Thus far, we’ve identified 1,800. I’m not even at 10 percent.”

Veterans who register are eligible for benefits but Ader said, even if they don’t want benefits, they should register to help Albany County receive more federal aid.

“All vets graduate from boot camp with a hard head,” said Ader. “I need help finding these guys and gals...I need them to register. With each registrant, we get more help for the vets that really need it...They’re always ready to help others,” he said of veterans.

When Ader told the board he isn’t allowed to advertise, Mayor Robert Conway suggested he set up a booth at Voorheesville’s Memorial Day parade.

“That’s my crowd,” said Ader, adding, “My work is accredited by the American Legion.”

He also stressed that he is willing to come to veterans if they “don’t want to parallel park” at his office at 162 Washington Ave. in Albany.

Ader came to the meeting with his wife and 10-year-old daughter who were going for for ice cream afterward as it was his birthday.

Other business

In other business at recent meetings, the village board:

— Heard Tuesday from Brett Hotaling, superintendent of public works, “Pump number three is up and running, which is good news.”

Hotaling also reported that the roof on the new pavilion at the start of the rail trail has been completed; the pavilion has a roof in the shape of a witch’s hat, reminiscent of the train station that once stood near the site. A few “odds and ends” remain, Hotaling said; trees will be planted, and benches and picnic tables will be added;

— Scheduled a reorganizational meeting at 6 p.m. and a budget hearing at 6:30 p.m., both on April 3 at Village Hall, and also set a stormwater public hearing for April 25;

— Noted the Methodist Church will hold an Easter egg hunt in Hotaling Park on April 9;

— Approved two vendor permits — one for Brian Collis who operates a Mr. Ding-a-Ling ice-cream truck, and another for Alexander Fegley, a salesman for Vivint Solar who will be going door-to-door looking for business;

— Rescheduled, because of a snowstorm, the Voorheesville Planning Commission hearing on the special-use permit application for Stewart’s Shops to build a convenience store and gas station where Smith’s Tavern now stands on Route 85A. The hearing will be held on April 11 at the Voorheesville Elementary School;

— Learned from Trustee Jack Stevens that the town of New Scotland had not yet completed payment to the Voorheesville Area Ambulance Service because of a discrepancy in the amount owed. The payment needs to be completed in order for the merger with Delmar to move forward. The village of Voorheesville is now served by the Albany County Emergency Medical Services, and volunteers from Voorheesville who want to continue their work are merging with the Delmar squad; and

— Heard from building inspector Glenn Hebert that he had contacted the insurance representative about cleaning up the property on Nancy Lane where a house burned.