TOWN OF HUME
JUNE 13, 2007
A regular meeting of the Hume Town Board, Allegany County, New York was held on
June 13, 2007 at the Town Museum, 10842 Claybed Road, hamlet of Hume. Supervisor Craig Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM, and he led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Officials in attendance were: Supervisor Craig Smith; Council members Robert Beil and Dennis Ricketts; Highway Superintendent Ron Paulsen; Water/Sewer Superintendent Dana Potter; Attorney David Pullen; Historian Rondus Miller; and Clerk Sondra MacEwan. Councilman Bryce Bower was absent.
Councilman Ricketts moved that the minutes of the May 15, 2007 meeting of the Town Board be accepted as presented, and Councilman Beil made the second. 3 ayes, 0 noes.
Superintendent Ron Paulsen reported that the highway crew has been working on the streets in Wiscoy, and on Wiscoy Mills Mills Road.
Chip sealing on Daley Road and Dutch Hill Road is expected to begin next week.
Superintendent Paulsen has been in contact with the NYS Department of Highways about the change of Liberty Street to a dead end street. The state is proposing a “green space” between the end of Liberty Street and it’s intersection with State Route 19. Superintendent Paulsen will meet with state representatives at the site.
Historian Rondus Miller reported that many donations to the Museum have recently been received. She showed a top hat and leather hatbox that belonged to Bill and Inez Stekl, along with a photo showing Mr. Stekl wearing the hat at the Centennial.
She exhibited one of the signs, a collage of old newspaper ads, prepared for the River’s Edge Restaurant. The restaurant is also making placemats using the ads.
The copying of old Northern Allegany Observer newspapers continues.
The Crochet Club met at the Museum on June 12, 2007. They are assembling a granny-square afghan as a community project.
Ms. Miller questioned the whereabouts of benchmarks from the New York Geological Service that were removed during construction on Emerald Street. No definite answer could be provided.
Fillmore Central School fourth grade classes toured the Museum, and enjoyed a bus tour to sites of historical interest within the Town of Hume.
The lock on the Museum door will need to be repaired or replaced.
Layne Christenson has completed the annual inspection and maintenance at the Water Plant.
A section of sidewalk, approximately 200 feet in length, on the west end of West Main Street will be replaced this summer.
Superintendent Potter reviewed applications for the position of part-time summer laborer, and made his recommendations.
Councilman Ricketts moved that Steven Benedict and Alek Potter be hired as part-time summer laborers for the water, sewer and sidewalk departments. Councilman Beil seconded. 3 ayes, 0 noes.
Councilman Ricketts moved that any water and sewer bills remaining unpaid on September 10, 2007, be relevied to the 2008 Town and County tax rolls. Councilman Beil seconded. 3 ayes, 0 noes.
Helen Allshouse make a complaint about trash on properties in Hume and the presence of troublesome youths in the hamlet area.
Supervisor Smith offered to speak to the New York State Troopers about increased vigilance in the hamlet.
Ms. Allshouse was instructed to contact the Town Clerk for forms for property maintenance complaints.
Supervisor Smith opened the Hearing at 7:30 PM, and Attorney David Pullen briefed those people attending on the history of this part of the Water Improvement Project. Engineer Carl Schoenthal was introduced, and was available to answer questions from the Board and the public. Five persons were in attendance when Supervisor Smith opened the floor for questions and comments.
Responding to questions from the attendees, Supervisor Smith explained that the extension was necessary so that the water lines installed during the construction phases of the project are included in the district. Councilman Beil clarified this by stating that the Board decided to extend the district to the hydraulic capacity perimeters in order to avert some future costs should development occur. There are no plans at this time to lay any new water lines.
The consolidation of the district is meant to officially bring together the former Village District, the two Hume districts and the extended district.
Both Gary Gayford and Brad Gayford were concerned about development plans, and how much input the public would have on any future development. Attorney Pullen said that only those persons being added to a district would have a vote on that issue. As a corollary, any costs involved in extending lines would be born by the person(s) requesting the extension. No costs would be charged to existing customers, and no one in the new district areas would see a cost unless they hooked into the system.
Brad Gayford asked why the Town of Hume had connected to the Houghton water supply. It was explained that a backup source of water was a condition of the grant funding, and that the Houghton Interconnection proved the most feasible option.
After these discussions, Councilman Beil moved, and Councilman Ricketts seconded, a motion that the Hearing be closed. 3 ayes, 0 noes. The hearing was closed at 8:40 PM.
By consensus, the Board requested that Bond Counsel prepare the paperwork authorizing the extension and consolidation. This will be considered at the next meeting of the Board.
The Office of Court Administration stated that the local justice court must be held within the township. Attorney Pullen will further inquire about possible legislative changes that would allow the relocation of the municipal court.
Councilman Ricketts moved that a Public Hearing be held on July 11, 2007 at 7:30 PM to hear any interested party on the subject of the proposed Weight Limit Law. (Local Law #1 of 2007) Councilman Beil seconded. 3 ayes, 0 noes.
Supervisor Smith announced a Planning and Zoning School on July 26, 2007, and made the registration form available to Board members.
The Northeast Allegany County Coalition will meet at the Museum on June 21, 2007 at 7:00 PM.
Any Board member wishing to attend the LPGA tournament may see the Clerk for ticket information.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant application for work on Cold Creek has been submitted.
Additional paperwork to obtain the final funding on the River Project was submitted.
Supervisor Smith proposed that a playground equipment representative submit a layout and plan for the Fillmore Park. Implementation of any plan could be done in annual segments.
Clerk Sondra MacEwan told the Board that the present policy of requiring a $100.00 deposit ($50.00 reimbursable) was proving a hardship for some area organizations, and she requested that the Board consider amending present policy for these non-profit groups.
Councilman Ricketts moved that not-for-profit organizations with the proper 501-C-3 identification not be required to pay reservation fees for the Fillmore Park Pavilion. Councilman Beil seconded. 3 ayes, 0 noes.
Gary Gayford strongly suggested that the Pavilion be opened during Memorial Day observances.
Councilman Beil moved that the reports of the Supervisor and Town Clerk be accepted as presented, and that the bills be accepted for payment. Second by Councilman Ricketts. 3 ayes, 0 noes.
(General - $3654.07; Highway - $75396.62; Lighting - $1116.59; PH 2 Water Project - $3926.56; Water - $3023.46; Sewer - $1415.62)
MISC.
Supervisor Smith will contact Jubilee management concerning their installation of gas pumps in regards to the storm drains and leftover dirt from the excavations.
Mike Fish remains concerned about the Genesee River. Superintendent Paulsen has a meeting set with Wayne Green from Allegany County on this subject.
Councilman Ricketts moved that the Board enter executive session to discuss personnel, and Councilman Beil seconded. 3 ayes, 0 noes. The Board entered executive session at 9:15 PM and returned to open meeting at 9:20 PM.
Councilman Ricketts moved that the meeting be adjourned, and Councilman Beil seconded. 3 ayes, 0 noes. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Hume Town Board will be July 11, 2007 at 7:00 PM at the Museum.
Respectfully submitted,
Sondra MacEwan
Town Clerk