TOWN OF HUME
A regular meeting of the
Hume Town Board, Allegany County, New York was held at the Town of Hume Museum,
10842 Claybed Road, Hume, New York on January 14, 2009. Supervisor Craig E. Smith opened the meeting
at 7:05 PM and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Officials in attendance: Craig Smith, Supervisor: Council members Dennis Ricketts, Bryce Bower, Daniel Miler, and Robert Beil; Attorney David Pullen; Highway Superintendent Ron Paulsen; Water and Sewer Superintendent Dana Potter; Historian Rondus Miller; and Clerk Sondra MacEwan.
Councilman Ricketts moved that the minutes of the December 10, 2008 meeting of the Board be accepted as presented. Councilman Bower seconded the motion. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
The
Board reviewed the list of appointments and designations. After editing,
Councilman Beil moved that the appointments and designations list be adopted
for 2009. Councilman Miller seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Lester Hershberger appeared before the Board to request that the Town reopen a section of abandoned road leading to property he had purchased. The property was formerly known as the Witt farm.
Supervisor Smith explained the procedures for reopening abandoned roads, including the costs to the requesting party. Superintendent Paulsen told the Board he did not see a benefit to the Town or the taxpayers in reopening that road. The Board concurred.
Attorney David Pullen further clarified the issue for Mr. Hershberger, and answered his questions about right-of-ways.
Historian Rondus Miller reported that the furnace is being installed at the Museum.
Rondus Miller and Nancy Gillette spoke to the Allegany County Legislature about the history preservation group and their calendar project.
In an Email, Chris Ernst of E&M Engineers told Supervisor Smith that the DEC was expected to soon mail a comment package about the Town application for a permit to remove gravel from Cold Creek.
Supervisor Smith reported that no word has been received on the Hazard Mitigation Grant application.
He also announced a presentation on January 16, 2009 about the Genesee River Wilds, a project to develop activities and access on the Genesee River.
At 7:30 PM, Supervisor Smith opened the only bid for Fuels for 2009. The bid was from Rinker Oil.
Diesel #2 $1.8025/gal
Diesel #1 $1.8325/gal
Unleaded $1.2750/gal
Councilman Beil moved that the bid from Rinker Oil be accepted, and Councilman Ricketts seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Superintendent Paulsen responded to questions about sand and salt use. He said that to date the Highway Department had used about 2400 ton. On an average, the Highway Department uses 3000 ton of sand and salt per year. There has been no difficulty obtaining the material.
Supervisor Smith passed along compliments to the Highway Department for their care of the roads and snow clean up.
Supervisor Smith outlined a problem with NYS Retirement System contributions and service credit affecting employee Lanny Clark.
The Retirement System informed Mr. Clark that no contributions or service time had been recorded for him for a period in 1979 to 1980. In order to gain his full retirement benefit, Mr. Clark owed over $900.00 (the original amount plus compounded interest.) The Town was ordered to deduct these funds from future payrolls.
Mr. Clark asked the Board to redress this error.
Councilman Miller moved that the Town compensate Lanny Clark for the omission in contributions, and Councilman Ricketts seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Councilman Beil moved that the Town Attorney be authorized to prepare the metes and bounds descriptions of Lighting District #1. Councilman Ricketts seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Clerk Sondra MacEwan told the Board that Allegany County is seeking grant funds for the implementation of a countywide tax collection database. Several advantages to the Town were noted, should the funding become available, including a reduction in software and software maintenance costs.
Clerk MacEwan also reported on the Town’s application for a grant to establish an inactive storage room. It was determined that the required weight bearing capacity of 300 pounds/square foot could not be met on the second floor of the Museum. Focus for the site shifted to the cellar of the Museum.
James Tamarro of the State Archives met with the Clerk, Historian and Grant Writers on two occasions to inspect the sites and to give advice. He said that the records storage room must have a concrete floor, but that such a floor was not fundable under the grant.
The deadline for the application is February 2, 2009.
Councilman Miller moved that the Town of Hume approve the application for a Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund grant for development of an inactive records storage facility, and that the Town provide the funds and/or labor for the construction of the concrete flooring for such a facility. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Councilman Bower moved that the Town advertise for applications for the position of Substitute School Crossing Guard. Councilman Ricketts seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Councilman Miller moved that the reports of the Supervisor and Town Clerk be accepted as presented, and that the bills be approved for payment. Councilman Bower seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
(General -- $22192.93; Highway - $23043.74; Sidewalks -- $10.38; Lighting -- $1458.93; Sewer -- $2509.98; Water -- $3082.89)
Councilman Miller moved that the meeting be adjourned, and Councilman Beil seconded the motion. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Hume Town Board will be February 11, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Museum.
Respectfully submitted,
Sondra MacEwan,
Town Clerk