Smoking is prohibited in Saugerties on the village beach and in parks, but there are no signs posted to indicate that this is the law. In fact, the village does not have a law on the books prohibiting smoking — in particular marijuana — on village-owned property. “I looked in our books, and we have a law against smoking that incorporates the village offices,” said trustee Terry Parisian at the village board meeting of May 20.
While he could not find a smoking ban on the village beach or in parks, Parisian said, the New York State Clean Air Act covers municipalities for smoking and vaping. “Wherever tobacco is prohibited, marijuana is prohibited,” he said. “My question is, do we have it properly posted so that people are aware of that?”
The beach should definitely be posted, mayor Bill Murphy said. Parisian said he would add Tina Chorvas Park, Seamon Park and the playground, saying he has had many complaints about marijuana smoke in the parks and playground. “Here’s the thing; it’s illegal to smoke in parks, but it’s legal to sit on Main Street and smoke marijuana,” Murphy said.
Seamon Park is often used for large events, and it would be impossible to stop smoking there, trustee Vincent Buono said. Trustee Andrew Zink asked whether it would make sense to expand the policy to include the beach and parks.
Parisian said it would not be necessary to enact a village law, because New York State law already allows us to enforce it. The law does specifically require that the areas where smoking is prohibited must be posted before it can be enforced.
Murphy said he and Kevin Brown would check to see where additional posting is needed and see that it is properly posted so smoking bans can be enforced.
Saugerties village authorizes county collection of unpaid taxes
The Saugerties Village Board, for the second time, voted to approve an agreement with Ulster County to have the county collect outstanding village taxes.
The village board agreed several months ago to turn over unpaid taxes to Ulster County for collection, but the county wanted a more formally worded resolution, which the village board voted to approve at its regular meeting on Monday, May 20.
Under the agreement, unpaid tax collection will be handled by the county, rather than the town.
“Obviously, this makes things easier for us, rather than us chasing people,” said mayor Bill Murphy. “This is only going forward, so anyone who currently has delinquent taxes is still on the books for us.”
Village treasurer Paula Kerbert said tax bills will be sent out by the end of May. The payment is required by June 30; penalties are assessed after that date. Taxes that are still unpaid by October 31 are turned over to Ulster County for collection. While Kerbert said the county takeover relieves her of the job of chasing people down to collect taxes, the county system does not allow for the individual installment payment system she has been using in Saugerties. While a relatively small number of residents were on that system, it was effective in getting taxes collected. Residents will still be able to split the tax payment in two, she said.
The new system does not cover taxes that are now due; the first taxes to fall under the new system will be those in the next fiscal year.
Fire department appointments approved
The new Saugerties fire chief is Chris Mason. The first assistant chief will be Chris Wade.
The village board approved both appointments at its regular meeting on Monday, May 20.
Mayor Bill Murphy said the position of second assistant was left open until a member becomes qualified to take the position.
Arts Commission grants
The Saugerties Arts Commission is offering grants to organizations that offer free art programs or art instruction. The grants, paid for out of the commission’s budget, are called “Gratitude Grants,” deputy mayor Jeannine Mayer said at the village board’s regular meeting on May 20. Applications will be available on the arts commission website. The award is coming out of the arts commission’s budget. Any organization that gives free art programming or free art events to people, like Arm of the Sea Wednesdays or Jazz at the Beach, would be examples. Applications will be available on the organization’s website.
Bridge lighting needs repair
Depending on when a motorist crosses the bridge over Esopus Creek in Saugerties, the bridge lighting may look fine, or a section on the southeast corner may be dark. Village trustee Terry Parisian raised the question of the missing lights at a regular meeting of the village board on May 20.
The light was damaged in a recent storm, said mayor Bill Murphy, and it goes on and off at irregular intervals. It has a short circuit in it, he said. A repair has been arranged, with a repairman using a lift. “I don’t want any of our guys climbing up there,” Murphy said.
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