Village Board Notes: Webb Street Converted Into One-Way, Revenue Issues Debated

members debated safety aspects of the conversion of Webb Street to a one-way street and considered ways to increase revenue at its regular meeting Monday night.

Webb Street, which leads into the point where First and Main streets meet, recently became one-way heading west from First Street. The street has been marked and a one-way sign is in place. However, some members of the said they were concerned over access to the area and being able to respond to emergencies in a timely manner.

Mayor David Nyce told Chief Ken White that members on the way to the firehouse should follow regular protocol and obey the one-way designation,  but called to an emergency, it would be understandable for a member to respond in the quickest way.

Trustee Mary Bess Phillips explained to White that the insurance company was concerned with congestion in the area. Traffic patterns have changed and Phillips said many people were using Webb Street to avoid going through downtown and the area had become dangerous.

Renting Out Village Property

With a 2 percent  budget increase cap looming in Albany, Trustee Christine Kempner said she wants the village to expand its revenue generating sources. Kempner favors expanding and wants the village to move forward on proposals for and the

Better marketing of Mitchell Park's harbormaster building for small events is another improvement Kempner would like to see. Events are currently held there about three times a year, but with cross promotion at the county level, more people would rent the facilities, she said.

“If we start generating small fees here and there, we’ll be in a better position,” Kempner said.

Tax Bills Are Coming

Treasurer Charlene Kagel said property tax bills are going out,  but slowly. With new people in the treasurer’s office and a single-use computer license to contend with,  distribution of the bills will most likely be completed during the first week in June, she said.

Trustee Phillips said she wanted the public to be aware of the situation because many people are used to seeing tax bills during the third week in May. Nyce pointed out that in the last couple of years the bills have been going out during the first week of June.