Mayor’s Message April 2026
April is Autism Awareness (or Acceptance) Month, dedicated to raising awareness, promoting inclusion, and fostering acceptance for people with autism spectrum disorder. Observed throughout the month, it features focusing on providing resources, embracing differences, and connecting people to services. The Village Autism Supportive Community Committee continues its work to make the Village a welcoming, engaging and inclusive destination for autistic and neurodivergent people. Please join us for at Upstate Films for a free community screening of the wonderful and heartwarming film called “Autism the Musical” followed by a panel discussion:
If you are interested in joining the committee, here is some further information.
Volunteers are very welcome!
On April 14th there will be a public hearing on the tentative budget proposal for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The result of our budget process is a bare bones budget with no fluff or fillers, which stayed below the tax cap. We maintained the commitment to our employees for increases in wages and added two shifts/week for Police foot patrols in the Village. There is also funding for lowering the speed limit to 25MPH and creating a Pattern Book to streamline the building permit process. To view the budget go to: Tentative Budget
This year’s budget was particularly challenging due to increased costs of retirement, wages and medical insurance. The Village pays 85% of employees insurance premiums, and 100% of the deductible. Inflation is hitting us hard in these areas, as well as increasing costs for materials and fuel. Part of the process is hearing from every department and considering their requests as well as input from the community.
Some of these requests were handled with increased urgency to apply for grant funding and, in some cases, collaboration with other State and Federal agencies.
Throughout the budget process, we closely monitored the Fund Balance for the upcoming year to make certain that it remains between 15-25% of the 2026-2027 budget. If our figure of $3,467,007 is approved, the new threshold will be $520.051 - $866,751.The Fund Balance is the net position of village assets at any given time.
Total General fund budget will increase from 25-26 by 1.013% to $3,467,007 with a projected decrease in revenues by 1.32% to $1,454,380. The tax rate will change from $2.46/1000 to $2.51/1000.
We are currently considering an increase in the rates for Wastewater from the current $13.50/1000 Gallons to $14.00/1000 gallons. The waste water fund expected revenues and expenses are $1,076,924 each accounting for the increase of $.50/1000 gallons. The primary driver of the increase will be the start of the EFC loan payment in 2027, which covers the replacement of outdated infrastructure, and more upgrades mandated by the State of New York.
The Water Fund's expected revenues and expenses are $1,255,478 not accounting for any anticipated revenues from Locust Hill and Soho. The water rate remains the same at $8.00/1000 gallons.
We have applied for two additional grants. We are requesting funds for the Chestnut Street Flood Mitigation Project from the FY27 Schumer Congressionally Directed Spending Request Grant. And for the Village Hall renovations, we have requested funding from State Senator Hinchey’s 2026 Crest funding program.
In early May, the New York State Department of Transportation will be paving Route 308 from the fork in the road to the red light in the Village center. We were able to get a commitment from them for an additional crosswalk at Parsonage Street and East Market which will connect with our Safe Route to School project. We have also requested they paint the existing crosswalks at Center Street and East Market.
I am providing a link to a study conducted by the Hudson 7, the group of municipalities who source their drinking water from the Hudson River. It’s about a potential emerging issue which we will be monitoring in years to come. Rising sea levels are pushing saline water from the ocean, called the “salt front”, further up the river with more frequency.
Already, during certain drought conditions, water treatment plants issue advisories to alert those on low-sodium diets that their water contains elevated sodium levels, and these episodes often correspond with an increase in complaints about the changing taste of tap water. Another issue we are facing due to climate change.
An Advancing Salt Front is Impacting Our Drinking Water
Be Part of the Earth Day Effort!
The Town is hosting the 3rd Annual Rhinebeck Earth Day celebration at the Thompson-Mazzarella. There’ll be a big tent and a food truck, wildlife shows, hands-on activities, and “recyle-a-palooza”.
Saturday, April 25 from 1-3:30pm
Free and family-friendly, Zero-waste (BYO water bottle)
The theme this year is Recycle-a-palooza!
We are challenging the community to start collecting these hard-to-recycle items and bring them out to the event. Let’s see how much our community can gather!
● Clothing swap
● Used plastic wrap/film for the NexTrex Challenge
● Dead batteries
● Rotary Club used bike donation
● Brown paper grocery bags and food pantry donations for Red Hook Responds
Brush Pickup in the Village begins on April 1 (no joke) and runs through May 15. It will start up again on October 1. During summer (June–September), pickup occurs on a bi-weekly schedule based on location, 1st/3rd Monday north of East/West Market; 2nd/4th Monday south of East/West Market.
With the threat of fires everywhere, New York State announced a burn ban. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14.: DEC Reminds New Yorkers: Statewide Residential Brush Burning Prohibition Starts March 16
Happy Anniversary!
Please join me in celebrating our employee anniversaries:
● Police Officer Darren Bondar- 22 years
● Court Clerk Tricia Giacalone- 19 years
● WW Maintenance Mechanic Scott Rathjen- 10 years
● Police Officer Kyle Jennings- 8 years
● Village Clerk Martina McClinton- 6 years
As always, please reach out to me with any questions or comments. You can reach me by phone 845-876-7015 ext 308 at Village Hall or via email MayorBassett@Villgeofrhinebeck.gov