TOWN OF HUME
APRIL 8, 2009
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 April 8, 2009. Supervisor Craig E. Smith opened the meeting at 7:00 PM and led
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Officials in attendance: Craig Smith, Supervisor: Council members Dennis Ricketts, Bryce Bower, Robert Beil, and Daniel Miller; Highway Superintendent Ron Paulsen; Water and Sewer Superintendent Dana Potter; Historian Rondus Miller; and Clerk Sondra MacEwan.
Councilman Miller moved that the minutes of the March 11, 2009 meeting of the Board be accepted as presented; Councilman Ricketts seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
Bids for asphalt and construction materials were opened and tallied on April 6, 2009 at 10:00 AM. Bids were received from Midland and Suit Kote. The tally sheet was presented to the Board.
Councilman Ricketts moved that the lowest bid in each category be accepted, and Councilman Bower seconded. 5ayes, 0 noes.
Councilman Ricketts moved that the Town of Hume hold a 2009 White Goods Clean Up Day on Saturday, May 16, 2009, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Councilman Miller seconded. 5ayes, 0 noes. White Goods only will be accepted at the Town Sheds.
Councilman Bower moved that the Town of Hume accept the proposed 150-hour internship of Eric Richter at the Town Museum. Councilman Beil seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Compensation for the internship will be discussed at a later meeting.
Historian Rondus Miller invited the Board to attend a History Preservation Roundtable presentation on April 23, 2009.
Old ledgers and books found in the cellar of the Mason’s Building have been moved to the Museum. Some school records date from 1822.
The newspaper-copying project continues. Don Barber has been using the copied papers to compile a history of the Hume Baptist Church.
The cement floor has been poured in the cellar at the Museum. This project led to talks of a timeline and financing for further upgrades, including insulation, to the cellar.
The annual inspection of the Waste Water Treatment Plant was done by the NYS DEC in March 2009. “The treatment plant is extremely well operated and maintained and is in compliance,…” it reported.
The Board commended Superintendent Potter for the excellent report.
Superintendent Potter reported that he expected the system-wide flushing of hydrants to be finished on April 9, 2009.
Supervisor Smith and Superintendent Potter will meet to discuss budget figures in conjunction with a planned repair of sidewalk on West Main Street.
Supervisor Smith met with State DOT representative Tim Timbrook. Mr. Timbrook approved the location of a designated crosswalk area on Main Street near the Community Bank driveway entrance. The State will apply the stripes, but the Town will need to do the sidewalk accessibility work on curbs.
Dennis Thomas has done some soil work on the Town ball field. Superintendent Potter asked for approval to do a clean up in the area of the bleachers, and the Board assented.
Superintendent Potter hopes to have information on a new mower for the May meeting.
The Town of Hume received a permit to do remedial gravel work in Cold Creek. The permit, with its stringent requirements, was copied to all Board members and department heads.
E&M Engineers suggested that a pre-construction meeting be held with the Town, Chris Ernst, the DEC, and any possible contractors before any work starts.
The period for calling a permissive referendum on the proposed lighting district will expire on April 17, 2009. Formation of the District will be on the May Agenda for the Board Meeting.
Two proposals for compilation of the Town of Hume Comprehensive Plan were received. One proposal ($34980.00) was from the group of Steinmetz Planning Group, Mr. Kier Dirlam, and MRB Group. The second proposal ($33930.00) was from Stuart J. Brown Associates, a division of LaBella Associates.
Councilman Bower moved that the Steinmetz-Dirlam-MRB proposal be accepted, and Councilman Beil seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
The 2009 Town and County Tax period ended on April 1, 2009, and funds were reconciled with the Allegany County Treasurer’s Office on April 6th. The collection rate was 88% of the total warrant.
Allegany County has received a grant to implement an Internet based tax collection system that will be in place for the School Tax collection period.
Councilman Beil audited the fiscal records of the Town Clerk and Town Supervisor on April 8, 2009, and found the records to be in order. He commented that, where an error is noted and corrected, a written explanation should be appended.
Larry Tonaus filed his intent to renew the Liquor License of the Fillmore Hotel.
At the March meeting of the Board, the Town Clerk requested a hike of the fee for Returned Checks. Subsequently, Thomas Bower challenged the wording of the policy and the amount of the fee.
After consultation with the attorney’s office, new language redefining the policy and restating the fee was prepared. Councilman Ricketts moved adoption of the new policy language to supersede proceeding policy, and Councilman Miller seconded. 5ayes, 0 noes. Policy adopted.
Policy to Charge a Processing Fee by Holder of Dishonored Check
Section 1. That pursuant to the provisions of New York General Municipal Law section 85 and New York General Obligations Law section 5 –328, the Hume Town Board sets the fee to charge for dishonored checks at the amount charged by the bank or depository, plus twenty dollars ($20.00), the maximum amount allowed by law.
Section 2. This policy shall take effect immediately.
The 2009 Government Conference sponsored by Southern Tier West will be held at Houghton College on May 6, 2009. Please turn in reservations to the Town Clerk as soon a possible.
Councilman Ricketts asked about the IDA hearing concerning Intergrow Greenhouses. Supervisor Smith reported that there had been a small turn out, but that comments were favorable.
Superintendent Paulsen will investigate reports that there is erosion on the River By-pass.
A meeting was held at the FCS athletic fields to discuss erosion concerns. Superintendent Paulsen and Supervisor Smith attended.
Councilman Ricketts moved that the reports of the Town Clerk and Supervisor be accepted as presented, and that the bills be accepted for payment. Councilman Miller seconded the motion. 5 ayes, 0 noes.
(General --$9661.69; Highway -- $17836.12; Fire Protection District -- $174.52; Lighting District -- $1226.04; Sewer District -- $18541.96; Water District -- $3328.55)
Councilman Ricketts moved that the meeting be adjourned, and Councilman Miller seconded. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Hume Town Board will be May 13, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Town of Hume Museum.
Respectfully submitted,
Sondra MacEwan,
Town Clerk