TOWN OF HUME
FEBRUARY 10, 2010
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 13, 2010. At 7:00 PM, Supervisor Dennis Ricketts called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Officials in attendance included: Supervisor Dennis Ricketts; Council members Bryce Bower, Christopher Austin, Gregory McKurth, and Daniel Miller; Water/Sewer Superintendent Dana Potter; Highway Superintendent Kevin Peet; Historian Rondus Miller; Town Attorney David Pullen; and Clerk Sondra MacEwan.
Councilman Miller moved that the minutes of the January 13, 2010 meeting of the Board be approved as presented. Councilman Austin seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Robert Ferris addressed the Board about vehicles parked on Town streets that make travel hazardous for vehicles, pedestrians, and snow removal equipment. The Board concurred that problems existed.
There are laws already in the Town records that forbid parking on Town streets between the hours of midnight and 7:00 AM from December 1st to April 1st. The ability to enforce the law is the problem.
The Board agreed to request that the State Troopers enforce the local law. Copies of the law documents will be given to the Troopers.
Supervisor Ricketts asked Mr. Ferris if he would contact the necessary officials at the Friends in Christ United Methodist Church about a possible shared use of their new parking area. Mr. Ferris agreed.
Bob Walker presented a new package of insurance coverage for the Town of Hume. With coverage levels remaining the same, he could predict a premium savings of about $6000.00.
Councilman Bower moved that the premium and policies outlined by Walker & Marshall Insurance Group, using the Prime Insurance option (option B), be approved. Councilman Austin seconded the motion. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Historian Rondus Miller has done the layout and writing for the first draft of the proposed Town newsletter. It will be called The Bee after a very early newspaper in the Town of Hume.
The newsletter will be available only by “pick up” at local merchants and the Town office.
Residents are encouraged to contribute to future editions.
Superintendent Peet told the Board that he expected delivery of the new Ford truck within a short time.
He asked the Board for permission to sell an unused grader wing on the Internet.
Councilman McKurth moved that the grader wing circa 1994 be declared surplus, and Councilman Austin seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Councilman Miller moved that the Superintendent be authorized to sell the grader wing on the International Auctions Internet site. Councilman Austin seconded the motion. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Superintendent Peet related his desire to have a bucket truck in the department. He outlined the possible uses for his department as well as the Water/Sewer department, and stressed the improved safety derived from a bucket truck.
Councilman Miller moved that the Superintendent be authorized to purchase a used bucket truck with a cost not to exceed $7000.00. Councilman Bower seconded. 4 ayes, 1 no. Councilman Austin was the dissenting voter.
Discussion moved to the upkeep of sidewalks after Superintendent Peet told the Board about complaints that sidewalks were not being maintained in the hamlet of Hume. Issues involved districting, costs and the establishment of responsibility under State and local law. Attorney David Pullen was directed to research the subject.
Superintendent Dana Potter thanked the Highway department for their help in the demolition of the old barn.
Summer construction plans for sidewalk rehabilitation and replacement centered on East Main Street. These plans will be further refined for an upcoming meeting.
Superintendent Potter and his deputy Jim Mills will attend training sessions in Houghton on March 24, 2010.
Fillmore Central School contacted the Town about a possible shared fuel storage facility to serve the school, Town, and fire companies. Town and school officials met. There are grant funds available to study the feasibility.
Councilman Austin moved that a Resolution to Apply for a New York State Local Government Efficiency Grant (Res 2-A-10) be adopted, and Councilman McKurth seconded the motion. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Under the application, the Town would be eligible for up to $26000 for the study with a 10% fund match.
A citizen’s complaint about unlicensed vehicles on a town property was turned over to Code Enforcement Official Clair Beeman.
A District I Legislators’ meeting will be held in Centerville on February 22, 2010. Supervisor Ricketts plans to attend.
An updated list of grant applications, both granted and still in process, was received from J. O’Connell & Associates, Inc., and handed out to Board members.
Councilman Gregory McKurth explained the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control 2010. Funds could be used to institute erosion control measures in Cold Creek. The grant is a 75-25 matching grant funded by the USDA. The application deadline for pre-proposals is due March 2, 2010.
Councilman Miller moved that the Town of Hume authorize the pre-proposal application for the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion, and Councilman Austin seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
To strengthen the work of the Planning Committee as it nears completion, Councilman McKurth moved that the Town extend the agreement with the Steinmetz Planning Group until July 1, 2010. Councilman Austin seconded the motion. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Councilman Miller moved that the Town request from HUD an extension of the grant termination date to July 1, 2010. Councilman Austin seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
The Board tabled discussion about dedicating a portion of Route 19 in the Town in memory of decorated WWII veteran Almond Fisher.
The Board audits of the records of the Supervisor and Town Clerk have been successfully completed.
Clerk Sondra MacEwan told the Board that the collection of taxes has been slow with only 62% collected to date.
The Building Inspector’s Annual Report was handed out to the Board.
Councilman Miller moved that the Board enter Executive Session to discuss pending negotiations. Councilman McKurth seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes. The Board entered Executive Session at 9:00 PM, and returned to open session at 9:20 PM.
Councilman Miller moved that the reports of the Supervisor and Town Clerk be accepted as presented, and that the bills be approved for payment. Second by Councilman Austin. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
(General -- $12298.01; Highway -- $18681.39; Water -- $3518.61; Sewer -- $3220.93; Lighting -- $1526.62; Fire Protection -- $77610.26; Planning -- $1010.00)
Craig Hodnett requested that the Board investigate line-of-sight issues at the corner of Prospect Street and West Main. Superintendent Peet will inspect the site and check regulations on right-of-ways.
Councilman McKurth moved that the meeting be adjourned, and Councilman Austin seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Hume Town Board will be March 10, 2010 at the Town Museum.
Respectfully submitted,
Sondra MacEwan,
Town Clerk