Cornwall-on-Hudson Fire Department Chief Charles Quinn reported to the Village Board last week that the fire department’s insurance company has written the department a check for $223,000 for the fire truck (Engine 412) involved in an accident a few months ago.

Quinn said while the damaged truck’s engine turns and “sounds beautiful,” it won’t pump water. The next step will be to get a cost for repair or replacing it. The department has found a possible replacement for Engine 412 – a 1,500-gallon per minute Pierce that is in service in Mount Sinai on Long Island. Mount Sinai anticipates delivery of its new vehicle in October, which is when the old rig will become available.

There’s a verbal agreement, but no documents have been signed to purchase the rig.

In other business from last week’s business meeting of the board:

Tree preservation law. A public hearing was held during the Board of Trustees’ recent business meeting. The law, which mirrors the Town of Cornwall’s, applies to the removal of trees as part of any commercial land development activity, clearing activities, and/or clear-cutting requiring approval from the Planning Board. It does not apply to single or two-family homes.

Only two members of the public spoke regarding the draft law. Doug Land, a Scenic Hudson Land Trust board member and village resident, spoke in favor of the law while former trustee Barbara Gosda said it didn’t go far enough to ensure the planting of trees.

The law does include language requiring the development of a tree replacement plan as part of site plan approval on a project. Applicants who are unable to fulfill the intent of the plan will be authorized, by the Planning Board, to pay into the village’s tree protection and replacement fund, which has yet to be established.

The public hearing remains open.

EV charging stations. The village has received five bids from companies which install electric vehicle charging stations. The board agreed to narrow its focus on two locations - in the municipal parking lot and Donahue Memorial Park – with two plugs at each. The purpose of these would not be to replace someone’s at-home charger, but rather allow visitors of each location to top off their vehicle.

The village’s procurement policy requires selecting the lowest bidder, Integra. The next step is to reach out to the company to ask if they have a prepared contract the village’s attorney can review.

Pro-housing. Following up on its discussion regarding Governor Kathy Hochul’s “Pro-Housing Communities” certification program, Gagliano said he has no problem signing the pledge based on advice from counsel. He said the village would be boxing itself in by not signing on because communities which don’t will not be eligible for certain grant funding.

Gagliano said the village can’t afford to take itself out of the running for the few grants it’s actually eligible to receive.

Fee schedule. Two years ago, Deputy Mayor James Kane, Code Enforcement Officer Manny Carmona, and attorney Joe McKay met to go through the entire building permit fee schedule.

The fees were eventually updated after many years, but the village started receiving complaints regarding some of the fees being excessive. Carmona revisited the fee schedule and then met with Kane, eventually reducing 20 to 30 of the fees. A resolution was approved to modify the fees and bring them in line with what the town charges.

Part-time officers. The board approved the hiring of two new part-time police officers, bringing the department’s total back up to nine. While the officers work their own shift, they also fill in when one of the three full-time officers takes a vacation, or the village needs additional law enforcement during a special event. Steven Bunt worked for the Town of Cornwall, but also the City of Newburgh. Bryan Gayton previously worked for the New York City Police Department and is still full time with the Town of Wallkill. The officers were sworn in on Sept. 20.

Decorative train. Jocelyn Calabretta donated to the village the train she once used to decorate the front of her home for the holidays. Gagliano suggested putting lights on it and placing wrapped presents in the back and staging it at the bandstand, possibly on the River Avenue side.

Bulk pick-up. A popular time of year, bulk pick-up will take place on Oct. 21.

Tree lighting. The town and village will be holding separate tree lighting ceremonies this year to make it easier on residents who want to attend both, but don’t want to rush to get from one to the other. The ceremony will take place on Nov. 30. Photos with Santa are planned for 3 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Donahue Farm. Hot chocolate and donuts will be served.