Village lengthens appeal window for police officers
By Ginny Privitar
CHESTER — The Village of Chester approved a longer appeal period for police officers in disciplinary hearings.
Following an Aug. 12 public hearing, trustees agreed to lengthen the appeal period from 30 to 60 days.
In other business
Police vacancy filled — Part-time officer Gene Iannuzzi was moved to full-time from the Orange County Civil Service list on July 17 to fill an existing vacancy created by the resignation of Officer Luke Fremgen.
Halloween Parade and Party — Chester's annual Halloween Parade and Pary is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, at B&B Farms on Greycourt Avenue. The parade will start at 2 p.m., followed until 5 p.m. by the community party on Vadala Road.
Parking regulations — Parking regulations are being enforced in the Black Meadow area. The town has posted signs on Old Black Meadow Road leading to United Parcel Services (UPS), restricting parking to vehicles under 10,000 pounds. Future complaints from UPS will be referred to the town police.
No parking signs were installed on Black Meadow Road where the village line begins, to Leone Lane, on both sides of the street.
Speed trailer — A speed trailer was deployed on Hudson Street on July 9 and 15 and Aug. 10 in response to residents' complaints about speeding vehicles. The tracking device recorded some vehicles traveling at high speed, but 85 percent of the tracked vehicles were traveling at an average speed of 35 mph.
New pistols — The police department has begun to replace its older 9mm pistols with new .40 caliber pistols.
New dump truck — Trustees approved the purchase of a new dump truck, and accepted a $81,627 bid from the Route 23 Automall LLC.
Drainage pipe replaced — The water department, with the help of the fire department, replaced 300 feet of pipe between 77 and 82 Main Street. The old line consisted of different types of materials — clay tile, ductile steel, and galvanized steel — in different sizes, which contributed to the drainage problem at that location. The galvanized steel had rotted from the bottom.
In other work, the water department did exploratory digs to locate the Ts on the water main at the corner of Miller Drive and Kerner Drive, and Oak and Elm Streets. The following week the department installed three main line valves at each location where there were no valves previously.
Walton Lake Dam — Water Supervisor Tom Becker said he has done as much repair work as he can on the Walton Lake Dam culvert. The village now needs engineering services for work that needs to be completed by 2015, he said. The county has been working on Class C dams, which are the most damaged. Walton is a Class B, one step down. Village attorney Ian Schlanger will send a letter to the county about the matter.
Red-tinged water — Resident Gordon Shehab said he has occasionally seen red-tinted water coming out of the faucet and asked about its cause. Becker replied that well sources include more iron and manganese, which can add a red tint to water. "We’re running our well sources a little more” to keep within monitoring requirements, he said.
Homeless Animals Day — Aug. 17 was proclaimed Homeless Animals Day to increase public awareness of the need to spay and neuter pets and avoid overpopulation. Low-cost spay and neuter information is on the village website: www.villageofchesterny.com.
Treasurer's report — Trustees approved a request by treasurer Angela O’Neill to adjust certain sewer bills. O'Neill also told trustees that outdated village computer equipment was put up for bid at the auction site govdeals.com.
Construction continues — Construction work continues at various sites, including the former Bodles Opera House and the Dunkin Dounuts’ new structure at 78 Brookside Avenue. Trustees granted building inspector John Orr’s request to attend the annual New York State Building Officials Conference Sept. 11-13 in Lake George.
Conference — Village Clerk Rebecca Rivera will attend the New York Conference of Mayors in Saratoga Springs Sept. 9-13.
Part-time position opens — The village court is seeking a part-time clerk. For more information visit the village's website.