Hoosick Town Board reorganizes, discusses infrastructure, recreation costs and solar projects

HOOSICK FALLS — The Town of Hoosick Town Board held its 2026 organizational meeting Monday, Jan. 12, at the Hoosick Armory, followed immediately by its regular monthly meeting, with all board members present.

Town Supervisor Eric Sheffer presided over the meeting alongside Deputy Supervisor William Hanselman, Councilpersons Gerald McAuliffe and Jackolyn Houghton, and newly appointed Councilperson Chris Bettis. Also in attendance were Town Attorney Ryan P. Pezzulo, Town Clerk Holli Cross, Highway Superintendent Paul Hoag, and members of the public and press.

Highway Superintendent Paul Hoag reported extensively on recent and upcoming road and bridge work. He reviewed the response to the Dec. 29 ice storm, provided an update on the installation of new LED streetlights, and said the town’s new roadside mower remains at the dealer. The board discussed placing the town’s old mower up for auction once the new equipment is delivered.

Hoag also updated the board on work along Ford Road, where new culverts are being installed, and outlined expected traffic impacts from the upcoming Cottrell Road Bridge Project. Safety concerns were raised regarding a railroad crossing, including the possible installation of two stop signs and a red signal.

Recreation expenses were another major topic. With Recreation Director Ashley St. Onge absent, Sheffer briefed the board on operations at the Reynolds/Gilchrest skating rink. Board members discussed declining usage numbers and the rising hourly cost of staffing and maintaining the rink. Ideas included reducing labor expenses and seeking sponsorships from local businesses or organizations to offset the cost of free skate sessions. Planning for spring and summer recreation programming is also underway.

Under old business, the board reviewed several local solar projects currently being handled largely through code enforcement and noted that the town’s comprehensive plan update with the Hudson River Greenway is nearing completion. Continued discussion also focused on the CHA rink project and the need to update Google Maps listings for town roads.

The Hoosick Town Board approved a full slate of committee assignments, appointments, and resolutions to set town operations for 2026.

Committee assignments named Councilperson Gerald McAuliffe to Fire and Rescue, Deputy Supervisor William Hanselman to Highway, Councilperson Jackolyn Houghton to Street Lighting, Councilperson Chris Bettis to Insurance, and Town Supervisor Eric Sheffer to Web Page and Communications. Supervisor Sheffer also appointed Hanselman as deputy supervisor, Rae Granger as town bookkeeper, and Rick Ferrannini as town historian. Town Clerk Holli Cross appointed Virginia Blinstrub and Cassandra Marbot as deputy town clerks, while Highway Superintendent Paul Hoag appointed Charles Thurber as deputy highway superintendent.

The board adopted several annual resolutions, including designating the bulletin board in the Hoosick Armory lobby as the town’s official posting location, naming Pioneer Commercial Bank and KeyBank as town depositories, and designating The Eagle Press as the official newspaper for 2026. The board approved retaining Trainor Pezzulo & DeSanto PLLC as town attorney under an annual retainer of $15,600 with a $200 hourly rate, and appointed Brian Lyda Sr. as planning board attorney and Diana DeSanto as zoning board attorney, each at an annual salary of $5,955. Sheffer was named the town’s official delegate to the 2026 Association of Towns meeting, with Hanselman designated as alternate.

Additional resolutions appointed Hoag, Thurber, Sheffer, and Hanselman to the Highway Department Safety Committee and authorized the town to remain with the New York State Municipal Workers’ Compensation Alliance through the end of 2026, at an estimated annual cost of $59,874.

Earlier this month, the board held a special meeting on Jan. 1 to appoint Chris Bettis as town councilperson and swear in Sheffer as town supervisor, Hanselman as deputy supervisor, McAuliffe as councilperson, Hoosick Town Justice Tom Restino, Town Clerk Holli Cross, and Highway Superintendent Paul Hoag.

Councilperson Bettis reminded residents of two upcoming informational meetings regarding the Hoosick Falls PFOA settlement, scheduled for Jan. 21 at Hoosick Falls Central School and Jan. 22 at the Hoosick Armory.

Routine reports were received from the town clerk, assessor, and code enforcement officer. The board also approved internal budget transfers and discussed improving communication and community engagement, including scheduling workshops for all town boards as a 2026 planning check-in.