Message from the Mayor: Hunting, Audit, Harvest Moon, Project Share Thanksgiving, Deep Sky, New Store
Posted on: November 7, 2018 - 11:45pm
Fellow Residents,
We have made progress on a couple of issues that have been in the public eye, as well as have a couple of other items worthy of mention.
Hunting Law
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This Tuesday night, the Board discussed adding teeth to the current regulations that restrict hunting in Village Parks by passing a Village law with substantial fines for violators. Currently, Village regulations allow the Police to evict hunters in the woods, but beyond that, imposed no fine: posted signs warn that no hunting is permitted. However, several weeks ago, a couple of incidents resulted in lockdowns of children in Hillside Elementary (one involved the sighting of a presumed hunter entering the woods with a bow and arrow, and another involved reports of loud noises that may or may not have been gunshots). This provoked widespread concern, and the Board decided to review increasing the sanctions on hunting by passing a law that could impose a more substantive disincentive. After discussion, the Board has asked the Village attorney to return with language for a law that will prohibit hunting in village parks and impose fines beginning at $250 on those caught doing so. This language will be posted, public comment taken, and then reviewed by the Board before a decision is made to vote on this.
Comptroller’s Audit Review
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Two weeks ago, the Village Board received the findings of an extensive Comptroller’s Audit carried out earlier this year (HERE). We began the process of reacting to this this audit Tuesday evening with a commentary by the Village’s auditor, who had reviewed the Comptroller’s findings; it was followed by the Board’s review of the Village Manager’s proposed draft high-level plan to respond to each of the findings. Trustee Armacost will be issuing a more detailed report summarizing the Village’s response to the findings next week. Briefly, the village’s auditor stressed that the Comptroller’s findings included no negative commentary on the core financial state of the Village, including the size of our fund balance, the way we calculate trial balances, or the controls around the processing of the Village’s finances; what operational and IT recommendations the audit identified included no malfeasance and were readily addressable.
The Board is focused first on ensuring that additional external controls in the form of periodic operational, IT and HR audits are put in place that go beyond the annual financial audits so as to provide periodic checks and reviews on our policies and procedures. Secondly, we want to address the audit findings with appropriate additions to existing policies, procedures, and systems to improve our controls which we expect in place with a matter of a couple of months. We have taken pride in the fact that independent annual financial audits have found little over the last ten years, and we look forward to strengthening that management further for all aspects of our operations.
Harvest Moon Ball - Saturday, November 10th
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This tradition involves a night of jazz, song and dance, featuring the HHS Jazz Band & high school song troupe The Madrigals. It’s this Saturday from 7-9:30 and is held this year in the Cochran Gym. (Lindy-Hop, Salsa & Mambo lessons will be offered from 6 to 6:45) An eclectic combination of Jazz, Latin, Swing, Big Band and Funk is on offer, as is also a harvest taco buffet and soft drinks. $10 Students/Seniors • $15 Adults and FREE for vets in honor of Veterans Day. Tickets available at the door or at the Farmers’ Market.
Project Share Thanksgiving Dinner
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This annual event, in its 29th year, is now only two weeks away. This tradition offers a full Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings, served by student and local resident volunteers, to upwards of 800 people who are brought to the festively decorated High School gym. It is entirely paid for by donations, and they are still quite short of where they need to be to make this happen for these many needy people. Please, help by clicking HERE and give generously because you can, because it literally puts food in the mouths of those who have little, and because it is an entirely appropriate way to mark the season..
Deep Sky Over Hastings – Friday, November 16th
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Mark your calendar for Friday November 16th from 5:30–8:00 to join a team of amateur astronomers for a family stargazing party as we hope to capture views of Mars, the Moon, globular clusters, and other deep sky objects. Professional telescopes will be available. Bring a blanket and snacks and come early to set up a spot at Draper Park. Weather permitting (rain date the next day): please check the Hastings Historical Society Facebook page for updates.
Another New Store Opening
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The Leah Ervi Design studio, an interior design firm, is opening up shop at 578 Warburton. Grand Opening is from 6:30 to 8:30 on Friday, November 16th.
Finally, remember that this Sunday is Veteran’s Day, and a brief and dignified ceremony will be held at 11AM in front of the VFW hall in honor of those who have served in response to the call of our nation.
Sincerely,
Peter Swiderski