Mayor’s Message March 2026
The old saying that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” appears to be spot on for us here in Rhinebeck Village. At least about the lion part, and according to forecasts, it is supposed to warm up soon, so maybe the lamb will show up. And, remember, daylight savings will start on March 8, so we have that to look forward to.
Two days before that, March 6, is Employee Appreciation Day!
I have the honor and privilege of working with the wonderful village employees. Many of them do not get to take snow days, as they keep the village running efficiently for the benefit of all of us. The Highway staff have had a very long winter and worked many late hours to make sure our roads were clear and safe. Our Water and Wastewater employees keep a low profile, but are here every day to keep our systems running. And we cannot forget our Village Police and all of our Volunteer Fire/EMS personnel. Let us all honor them for their hard work, professionalism and service.
The Village Board has approved a grant application for a Level 3 Fast Charger to be added to the existing Level 2 Chargers in the municipal lot. This upgrade would fill a critical need in our electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Residents and visitors could access fast charging while they are in the village center for business, shopping or dining. Our application is for one L3 Charger at a total cost of $165,000, with a 10% match from the Village. If approved the grant would come from the New York State DEC: Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Grants Program. Projects under this grant program are to be geared toward providing ZEV infrastructure for public use. Municipalities can receive up to $250,000 for individual facilities. The DC fast charger will be installed in the Village's central municipal parking lot which is open year round and has no restrictions. Assuming a May 1st grant award, construction and turn-on is anticipated for October 1st, 2026.
For the past twelve years, the Village of Rhinebeck and the Town of Rhinebeck have shared computer servers that provide data storage, firewall security, local and remote data backup, as well as fiber optic internet access for all of the workstations in both Village and Town Halls.
The two buildings are connected by an overhead fiber optic link that crosses over Center Street. The computer server and internet connection technology is currently located on the stage at Rhinebeck Town Hall. However, an audit found security issues, temperature regulation issues, and the potential of water leaks in the current location.
Not only that, but the Town could use that space for employee offices (they are currently housed in the basement).
A solution has presented itself, which involves some re-arranging in both Town and Village Halls. We are planning to remove an old outdated oil furnace out of the basement at Village Hall and create a safe temperature controlled place for the servers. Then, the Town can create office space on the stage where the servers were housed.
The Village has applied for an New York State Efficiency Grant: 2025-2026 Local Government Efficiency Grant Program | Department of State to pay for the relocation of the server and fiber link for internet access. The grant will cover the cost of the relocation and the necessary re-wiring to allow for the servers to be moved. The estimated cost of the project to relocate the servers to the village hall basement, adjust the wiring as needed, and provide security cameras is estimated to be $20K to $25K.
The Village Board has approved outdoor dining for 2026. In the future, we hope to have the new zoning code in place, so we no longer need a “one-off” regulation every year. The 2024 Village Comprehensive Plan has recommended that a seasonal permit system should be created to allow sidewalk dining over the long-term with various permanent changes to our sidewalks and downtown streetscape. The Village Board has authorized the Building Department to issue permission for restaurants to offer outdoor dining adjacent sidewalks from April 10, 2026 until November 2, 2026.
We are about to begin preparations for the 2026-2027 Village Budget process. Village CFO Karen McLaughlin reported that our current budgets are on target for this point in the year:
- Planning/Zoning/Building includes the grant budget for the Zoning Code Update, it appears way under budget. However, aside from the Zoning Code Update, these departments have been keeping their expenses down.
- The court was hit with several prior year expenses, for which a budget amendment will be presented for correction. Other than that, they are on track for the fiscal year.
- Police expenses are high due to an unforeseen replacement of the septic system at the station totalling $51,886.
- Parks, Trees & Asher Dam included the engineering work for Lions Mini Park drainage and Asher Dam hydraulic inspection and valve work.
- The Fire Department is on course to stay within budget.
- Highway department expenses are at 80% of the budget due to extreme weather conditions; this includes snow removal, sand and salt. Paving was done on several streets totaling $477,446, of which $236,279 is allocated from Fund Balance and $241,167 will be reimbursed from NYS CHIPS funding. Drainage will be the next big item to tackle.
- Water and Sewer budgets for equipment, supplies and contractual services appear on track for slightly more than the halfway fiscal year point.
Note: Although our roadways currently look to be in good shape, winter, snow removal and plowing are far from over. Salt is in short supply and inflation means the cost has risen 23% this year. Spring clean-up has not started yet. Similarly, the Water and Sewer departments are slightly below the percentage needed to finish the year under budget barring any unforeseen employee overtime. And next year will be a challenge with the Water Treatment Plant Upgrade and the Waste Water Treatment Plant Improvement projects nearing completion. The Principal and Interest payments for the long-term debt will need to be added to those annual operating budgets and require an assessment of future rates.
We are looking for people to join our Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals! One person on each board rotates out every year. We are eager to invite those who are interested in these volunteer positions to let us know. It’s vitally important that residents have a say in the decision making that affects our Village. If you are interested in serving as a Board member, or Alternate, to let us know. More information about the boards and the responsibilities of members can be found on the village website.
People call me about all sorts of things, but recently one issue has my phone ringing.
And, that issue is dog poop. I know the cold weather is tough on dogs and their owners, but please everyone remember, that poop does not decompose when frozen, and it will defrost and make a mess on our sidewalks when spring finally arrives. So please pick up after your pooch!!
I am going to end on a happier note…wishing a Happy Anniversary to these employees:
● Building Planning & Zoning Clerk Ryan Dowden - 8 years
● Officer Peter Palen - 23 years
As always, please reach out to me with any questions or comments. You can reach me by phone 845-876-7015 ext 2 at Village Hall or via email MayorBassett@Villgeofrhinebeck.gov