Town Board March meeting
Two questions about water and sewer districts were asked at the start of the March 9th meeting. An Ellis Hollow Road resident asked: if the cost per household of the a water and sewer district for Ellis Hollow Road exceeds the NYS Comptroller's guideline, will the town seek residents opinions about proceeding with the formation of the district. Although exact costs are not yet available, it seems likely that the cost will exceed the Comptrollers guidelines and the sense of the Board is that residents opinions will be sought regarding how to proceed. A Lower Creek Road resident asked if the new Pinckney Road water and sewer district covers the area indicated in the Comprehensive Plan. It does not. It only covers the commercial area along Route 13 near Pickney Road.
Highway superintendent, Jack Bush, asked for, and the Board approved, an amendment to the January resolution authorizing purchase of equipment. The cost of a ten wheel dump truck with snowplow, estimated in January to be less than $135,000, is now expected to cost up to $165,000. Additionally, the purchase of a single axle dump truck with snow plow, up to $70,000 was authorized. I believe this replaces the pick-up truck with plow ($25,000) in the January resolution. By delaying replacement of the grader, the higher cost of the snowplow equipment is well within budget.
Mike Hattery reports that the Public Safety Committee of the County Board is looking at improving the sheriff's road patrol and the jail board out costs. Martha Robertson reports that the Community Justice Alternatives to Incarceration Advisory Board (CJATIAB - can you believe that's an acronym?) is studying why the jail population is so high at this time. Martha also reports that there are 75 applicants for deputy administrator in Steve Whicher's office. Irene Stein is retiring and the County is looking for a new director of the Office of Aging. Finally, the county is examining allocation of funding for Beautification available through the room tax. It is expected that each town will receive $4,000 - $5,000 this year or next, targeted to beautification projects around gateways to the county.
Andy Scriabba, Town Engineer, reported on the proposed Pickney Road water and sewer district and preliminary results of the Ellis Hollow water and sewer district study. Scriabba reiterated the need for a masterplan for the new town hall site. (See Environmental Planner's plan described below)
Jennifer Dube, Recreation Coordinator, submitted fundraising guidelines and reported that parents and coaches have agreed to authorize the Recreation Coordinator to supervise funds raised by the Friends of Dryden Youth Football and Cheerleading and the Co-ed Softball Fun League.
Town Attorney, Mahlon Perkins, reports that the proposed telecommunications tower ordinance has been reviewed and is ready to be submitted to a public hearing. A hearing has been scheduled for the next Town Board meeting, April 13.
Henry Slater, Zoning Officer, reported on a proposed ordinance to specify qualifications of electrical inspectors. The proposed ordinance has received strong support from the NY Board of Fire Underwriters. A public hearing has been scheduled for the next Town Board meeting, April 13.
Environmental Planner, Dan Kwasnowski, submitted a proposal for a process to solicit public input for a plan for use of the land surrounding the new Town Hall site. The plan calls for the formation of a Town Parkland Advisory Board which will host community workshops in April and May to develop a draft map and plan. The draft plan would be available for further review and revision through June when a final map will be prepared for presentation to the Town Board in September.
There was discussion of improved recruitment and training in the Etna Fire Department. In light of difficulty recruiting volunteers in all fire departments, there was discussion, but no action, regarding a possible tax break or fuel allowance for volunteers.
After discussion of all items on the printed agenda, the Board went into Executive Session to discuss a real estate transaction.
Highway superintendent, Jack Bush, asked for, and the Board approved, an amendment to the January resolution authorizing purchase of equipment. The cost of a ten wheel dump truck with snowplow, estimated in January to be less than $135,000, is now expected to cost up to $165,000. Additionally, the purchase of a single axle dump truck with snow plow, up to $70,000 was authorized. I believe this replaces the pick-up truck with plow ($25,000) in the January resolution. By delaying replacement of the grader, the higher cost of the snowplow equipment is well within budget.
Mike Hattery reports that the Public Safety Committee of the County Board is looking at improving the sheriff's road patrol and the jail board out costs. Martha Robertson reports that the Community Justice Alternatives to Incarceration Advisory Board (CJATIAB - can you believe that's an acronym?) is studying why the jail population is so high at this time. Martha also reports that there are 75 applicants for deputy administrator in Steve Whicher's office. Irene Stein is retiring and the County is looking for a new director of the Office of Aging. Finally, the county is examining allocation of funding for Beautification available through the room tax. It is expected that each town will receive $4,000 - $5,000 this year or next, targeted to beautification projects around gateways to the county.
Andy Scriabba, Town Engineer, reported on the proposed Pickney Road water and sewer district and preliminary results of the Ellis Hollow water and sewer district study. Scriabba reiterated the need for a masterplan for the new town hall site. (See Environmental Planner's plan described below)
Jennifer Dube, Recreation Coordinator, submitted fundraising guidelines and reported that parents and coaches have agreed to authorize the Recreation Coordinator to supervise funds raised by the Friends of Dryden Youth Football and Cheerleading and the Co-ed Softball Fun League.
Town Attorney, Mahlon Perkins, reports that the proposed telecommunications tower ordinance has been reviewed and is ready to be submitted to a public hearing. A hearing has been scheduled for the next Town Board meeting, April 13.
Henry Slater, Zoning Officer, reported on a proposed ordinance to specify qualifications of electrical inspectors. The proposed ordinance has received strong support from the NY Board of Fire Underwriters. A public hearing has been scheduled for the next Town Board meeting, April 13.
Environmental Planner, Dan Kwasnowski, submitted a proposal for a process to solicit public input for a plan for use of the land surrounding the new Town Hall site. The plan calls for the formation of a Town Parkland Advisory Board which will host community workshops in April and May to develop a draft map and plan. The draft plan would be available for further review and revision through June when a final map will be prepared for presentation to the Town Board in September.
There was discussion of improved recruitment and training in the Etna Fire Department. In light of difficulty recruiting volunteers in all fire departments, there was discussion, but no action, regarding a possible tax break or fuel allowance for volunteers.
After discussion of all items on the printed agenda, the Board went into Executive Session to discuss a real estate transaction.
Labels: Town Board Meetings
posted by Mary Ann at 8:50 AM
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