BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM -- The Potsdam village board of trustees and mayor will convene tonight and are expected to accept the planned retirement of its longtime director of planning and development.

The board will also consider several other items of business, including surplus vehicles and budget modifications, and will hear four presentations on projects and other issues.

Notably on the agenda, the board is expected to approve a resolution accepting the retirement from Fred Hanss, Director of Planning and Development effective June 13.

Hanss’ career spanned 20 years with the Village of Potsdam, securing grants and funding for a variety of village projects, and has most recently been heavily involved with the village's Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects.

The board is also expected to vote to authorize Village Treasurer Erica Russell to levy delinquent water fees in the sum of $107,105.53, and delinquent sewer fees in the sum of $111,177.87 and delinquent trash/accounts receivable in the sum of $16,291.68. The total delinquent fees to be levied are $234,575.08.

Village officials will also consider declaring the Department of Public Works’ 2011 Ford Econoline 350 Van, with a 5.4 L motor with 89,248 miles, and 2021 Ram 8’ truck box, including bumper and tailgate, as surplus equipment. The board is further expected to authorize the Clerk to advertise for bids to dispose of the vehicles.

The village board of trustees will hear four presentations as well. Scheduled to speak are:

• Sterling DePaul of Barton & Loguidice with an update on the Stormwater Management Study;
• Victoria Duley, Executive Director and Jamie Cecilia, Director of Lending from the AEDC, Adirondack Economic Development Corporation;
• Matthew Higgens, Water/Wastewater Project Manager, Anastasia Thomas, Architect/Business Development Manager and Derrick Burgess, Civil Engineer from LaBella Associates with a summary of the Village’s water treatment plant and water tower evaluation project; and
• Village Treasurer Erica Russell, presenting on Maximizing Utility Efficiency in ERP Pro 10.

Two personnel hires will be voted on:

• the appointment of Evan Drummatter, Norwood, to the position of Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee, starting Tuesday, May 20, at a rate of pay of $29.46 per hour and with a probationary period not to exceed 1 year; and
• the appointment of Mary Grow, Brasher Falls, to the position of Part-Time Planning and Development Program Assistant (Civil Service title Secretary I) at a rate of pay of $23 per hour, retroactively effective Mary 16. This appointment begins with a temporary schedule of up to 35 hours per week for a three-month period, not to exceed August 16, unless further authorized by the Board of Trustees.

Trustess and the mayor are expected to approve the recent election of the Potsdam Fire Department's new slate of officers. Voted in were Chief Mark Bradish, 1st Assistant Chief Dan McGregor, 2nd Assistant Chief Jay Bradish, and 3rd Assistant Chief Jason Farnsworth.

The board will also consider directing Mayor Alexandra Jacobs Wilke to enter into an agreement with LaBella Associates for architectural and engineering services for the renovation of and addition to the Pine Street Arena and Sandstoner Park as part of the Village of Potsdam Sandstoner Park Recreation Center Design Project. This work will be funded through a grant by the NYS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, Project #C1002628.

Two resolutions will come before the board tonight regarding Potsdam Summerfest.

First the board will consider the temporary suspension of the provisions of Local Law 124-7 of the Village of Potsdam Municipal Code regarding the consumption or possession of open containers.

This suspension would be in effect on Market Street, from Main Street south to Elm Street, during the dates of July 10-12, during the operating hours of the Potsdam Summerfest.

Additionally, the suspension would apply on July 11 in Fall Island Park during the operating hours of the Potsdam Summerfest.

During these times and within these locations, individuals would be permitted to possess and consume alcohol in clear cups purchased from nearby businesses.

Second, a resolution temporarily suspending the provisions of Local Law 168-19 of the Village of Potsdam Municipal Code regarding time-limited parking. This suspension would be in effect during the dates of July 10-12. All other parking regulations will remain in effect.

Finally the board will vote on a resolution declaring June as LGBTQ Pride Month in the Village of Potsdam. The village plans to raise the Pride Flag in recognition of this declaration.

Help St. Lawrence County Stay Connected!

We’re glad you read this article reported by the staff of NorthCountryNow.com.

If you haven’t done so already, please consider subscribing to ensure you have full access to all the news and info about St. Lawrence County.

Your subscriptions make it possible for us to provide trustworthy local news, promote our many community events, and encourage community dialogue.

Please click here to subscribe today!