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RateBoard puts Pfister first
Village officials honor former trustee who ran for election behind slogan “Athens First”
By Susan Campriello
ATHENS — Chris Pfister was out fertilizing the lawn by the Athens firehouse, spreading mulch and visiting the site of the future Fourth Street kayak launch Wednesday evening while the Athens Village Board meeting was starting a few blocks away.
Pfister’s last term as Village Trustee came to a close Monday night. Although Pfister chose not to seek reelection, he will still be involved with Villiage initiatives including the flower project and the kayak launch.
Mayor Andrea Smallwood read a letter from Fire Department Chief John Greco that thanked Pfister for his hard work over the last eight years.
“We were fortunate to have a dedicated person be willing to put 100 percent into making Athens a place to be proud of and making Athenians proud of our heritage,” the letter read.
Greco thanked Pfister in the letter for continuing the flower project, for working to fix the Village’s sewer system and for helping the department get a new firehouse and truck during tight financial times.
Pfister stuck to his former campaign slogan of “Athens First,” Greco wrote.
Smallwood, Trustee Herman Reinhold and newly elected Trustee Bob June passed a resolution to formally thank Pfister for his eight years of service in Athens. Trustee Tom Sopris and Trustee Tim O’Leary were not in attendance.
Reinhold noted that in addition to serving on the board and as Deputy Mayor, Pfister volunteered to work on the new zoning plans and the street festival. Pfister and his wife, Carol, have supported the flower project, which the Village gets complimented on, Reinhold said.
Pfister will continue to work on the flower program as a volunteer and will oversee the completion of the Fourth Street kayak launch, projected in May.
Smallwood announced that the Village attorney has drawn up documents that will allow Pfister use of a Village vehicle when transporting flowers and other project materials.
Smallwood will present a plaque to Pfister at a later date.
Pfister said Wednesday night that he appreciated comments made by Greco and the Village Board, saying he was equally proud of the Fire Department and his very diligent co-board members.
“Everything I’ve accomplished I’ve done through help from fellow board member and the mayor,” he said.
Water
The board talked about a recent depletion in water reserves due to a water hydrant flush Monday night.
Smallwood said she had been notified by work crews that there was a problem with a valve and that filters had been activated and the water in the system holding tank had been drawn very low.
“We were down a lot of water,” she said.
Members of the board will soon be taking a tour of the water plant, Smallwood said, to see what work on the treatment plant still needed to be completed.
She said that because the system is still new, there are still some kinks to be worked out.
River events
The board also discussed some upcoming Quadricentennial events that will take place along the waterfront.
The Onrust, a replica Dutch ship and a flagship for the River Day flotilla, will dock in Athens on Thursday, June 11 and remain until Friday, June 12. School children will have a chance to board the ship during its visit.
Smallwood said the Village will need police officers to direct traffic while the boat is docked. The Village will also need temporary public restroom facilities, she said.
She said she would approach the Fire Department about putting their boat, flying a Quadricentennial flag, in the water June 11 to help patrol the waterfront. The U.S. Coast Guard and Sheriff’s Department, she said, will patrol the river.
The board discussed ideas to welcome the ship with a band or a fire siren blast. June suggested that the Village could give the ship a sendoff, as well.
Athens will celebrate Flag Day on Saturday, June 13, possibly with a band concert.
A ferry will run to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26.
Reinhold and Smallwood discussed whether a PT boat from downriver might be able to come to Athens that weekend, as well. Reinhold said that the boat owners could give free rides to veterans and other interested visitors could buy tickets for longer tours.
And, on Sunday, Aug. 2, Athens will participate in the Hudson Quadathlon race. The events begins with a run from Greenport across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to Catskill, a swim across the Catskill Creek, a bike ride to Athens and concludes with a “paddle” to Hudson.
To reach reporter Susan Campriello, please call (518) 943-2100, ext. 3333, or e-mail scampriello@thedailymail.net.
By Susan Campriello
ATHENS — Chris Pfister was out fertilizing the lawn by the Athens firehouse, spreading mulch and visiting the site of the future Fourth Street kayak launch Wednesday evening while the Athens Village Board meeting was starting a few blocks away.
Pfister’s last term as Village Trustee came to a close Monday night. Although Pfister chose not to seek reelection, he will still be involved with Villiage initiatives including the flower project and the kayak launch.
Mayor Andrea Smallwood read a letter from Fire Department Chief John Greco that thanked Pfister for his hard work over the last eight years.
“We were fortunate to have a dedicated person be willing to put 100 percent into making Athens a place to be proud of and making Athenians proud of our heritage,” the letter read.
Greco thanked Pfister in the letter for continuing the flower project, for working to fix the Village’s sewer system and for helping the department get a new firehouse and truck during tight financial times.
Pfister stuck to his former campaign slogan of “Athens First,” Greco wrote.
Smallwood, Trustee Herman Reinhold and newly elected Trustee Bob June passed a resolution to formally thank Pfister for his eight years of service in Athens. Trustee Tom Sopris and Trustee Tim O’Leary were not in attendance.
Reinhold noted that in addition to serving on the board and as Deputy Mayor, Pfister volunteered to work on the new zoning plans and the street festival. Pfister and his wife, Carol, have supported the flower project, which the Village gets complimented on, Reinhold said.
Pfister will continue to work on the flower program as a volunteer and will oversee the completion of the Fourth Street kayak launch, projected in May.
Smallwood announced that the Village attorney has drawn up documents that will allow Pfister use of a Village vehicle when transporting flowers and other project materials.
Smallwood will present a plaque to Pfister at a later date.
Pfister said Wednesday night that he appreciated comments made by Greco and the Village Board, saying he was equally proud of the Fire Department and his very diligent co-board members.
“Everything I’ve accomplished I’ve done through help from fellow board member and the mayor,” he said.
Water
The board talked about a recent depletion in water reserves due to a water hydrant flush Monday night.
Smallwood said she had been notified by work crews that there was a problem with a valve and that filters had been activated and the water in the system holding tank had been drawn very low.
“We were down a lot of water,” she said.
Members of the board will soon be taking a tour of the water plant, Smallwood said, to see what work on the treatment plant still needed to be completed.
She said that because the system is still new, there are still some kinks to be worked out.
River events
The board also discussed some upcoming Quadricentennial events that will take place along the waterfront.
The Onrust, a replica Dutch ship and a flagship for the River Day flotilla, will dock in Athens on Thursday, June 11 and remain until Friday, June 12. School children will have a chance to board the ship during its visit.
Smallwood said the Village will need police officers to direct traffic while the boat is docked. The Village will also need temporary public restroom facilities, she said.
She said she would approach the Fire Department about putting their boat, flying a Quadricentennial flag, in the water June 11 to help patrol the waterfront. The U.S. Coast Guard and Sheriff’s Department, she said, will patrol the river.
The board discussed ideas to welcome the ship with a band or a fire siren blast. June suggested that the Village could give the ship a sendoff, as well.
Athens will celebrate Flag Day on Saturday, June 13, possibly with a band concert.
A ferry will run to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26.
Reinhold and Smallwood discussed whether a PT boat from downriver might be able to come to Athens that weekend, as well. Reinhold said that the boat owners could give free rides to veterans and other interested visitors could buy tickets for longer tours.
And, on Sunday, Aug. 2, Athens will participate in the Hudson Quadathlon race. The events begins with a run from Greenport across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to Catskill, a swim across the Catskill Creek, a bike ride to Athens and concludes with a “paddle” to Hudson.
To reach reporter Susan Campriello, please call (518) 943-2100, ext. 3333, or e-mail scampriello@thedailymail.net.
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jimaura wrote on Oct 29, 2009 2:19 AM: