Teens must pay for felled trees

VOORHEESVILLE — The village board debated this month how best to teach two wayward teenagers a lesson. William Smith, superintendent of public works, informed the board at its Nov. 24 meeting that at least two trees on village property on Grove Street had been cut down by the teenagers who had just learned how to use a chainsaw.

“It was two kids trying to be macho and trying to see who could cut down trees quicker, and one kid needed money for payment on a four-wheeler,” Smith told the board.

After some debate about whether or not to involve the police, the board agreed to first follow up with the parents of the boys.

“We sent a letter to the tenants in the building next door, asking them to make restitution for the damage,” said Mayor Robert Conway.  Conway said the fine includes the cost of a face cord of wood, along with the replacement value of the trees and the cost of labor for the village to take down neighboring trees that had also been damaged by the boys.

When asked if the village had handled such matters before, without involving police, Conway said no.

“I don’t think anytime before we’ve had an opportunity,” he said. “We’re not talking about adults. Any time we have the opportunity to deal with a less formal basis, we’d like to pursue that avenue first. If it’s not a success, we would have to take a stronger approach but we’re not looking to embarrass them on this issue.”

Other business

In other business, the board:

— Approved a request by Francis Bossolini, partner of Ingalls & Associates, LLP and an engineer representing both Claude Rodrigue and Fiske Construction, to name the cluster-style housing development on the 23-acre parcel of land on Maple Avenue “Quail Run.” Fiske Construction bought the property from Rodrique this fall and closed on the sale last month.

 When the board met before the official meeting on Nov. 24, it discussed the request with Bossolini. Mayor Conway concluded the discussion by saying that, while the board did not have any problems with the name Quail Run, he “didn’t remember ever seeing any quail in that area.” A nearby apartment complex on Altamont Road is named Pheasant Run.

Quail Run will have nine double-unit buildings on a single street for a total of 18 new housing units, which will be connected to the village’s sewer system;

— Heard from Trustee David Cardona in the pre-meeting that preliminary budget discussions among himself and Clerk Treasurer Linda Pasquali and Deputy Clerk Treasurer Karen Finnessey have shown that the gap between this year’s budget income and expenses will be difficult to span. Cardona said that next year’s county sales tax revenues for the village could drop by over $120,000 over the course of next year. Mayor Conway replied that, while the second half of the year may show a soft rebound, “We should plan for the worst and hope for the best.” Cardona said he would report more specific numbers at the January board meeting;

— Heard from Mayor Conway that the village extends its condolences to the families of Peter Altieri, Daryl Farley, John Fredette, William Gillenwalters, and Aggie Tucker. “It’s been a tough week in the village,” said Conway, “and there were a lot of years in the village represented there. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all their families”; 

— Heard from Superintendent Smith that leaf cleanup will be completed by Dec. 4. Smith also said that the treatment facilities in the village, Sewer District #1 and Pleasant Street, were found to be in satisfactory condition after being inspected by a representative from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation;

— Heard from Trustee William Hotaling that the planning board approved Purity Hair Salon for a site plan review for a sign. The zoning board of appeals also approved a three-foot front-yard setback variance at 26 Circle Drive and a double-facing hanging sign for Purity Hair Salon; and

— Heard from Bill Garvey of Menands during the public comment portion of the meeting that he had given the board copies of a planning guide for budgets.