February 14, 2018
HARTSVILLE, NY – Local attorney Peter Degnan was in attendance to observe the meeting and he will be fulfilling some duties previously done by David Pullen who resigned.
Also at Wednesdays monthly Town Hall meeting, a public hearing was held and the amending the current Dog Law immediately followed. The new law will raise dog license fees from $8.50 to $10 for spayed and neutered dogs and from $16.50 to $18 for unsprayed or unneutered. According to Deputy Town Clerk Carole Bowles, the bulk of this money stays right in the town with only $1 to $3 going to the state per license. Also planned in the near future is a dog census.
The January books were reviewed [audited] by each board member and all placed their signatures of approval on them. Also it was announced that Sothern Tier Central will be conducting two free classes that would be very beneficial for local governments. The first is on Tuesday, March 6th in Corning that will inform and discuss accessing grant funding from USDA-RD and the NYS Environmental Facilities Corp, and the second will be in Hornell March 8th discussing Planning and Zoning Board introduction, and Hot Button Land Use Issues.
Then the board went into a lengthy executive session to discuss a personnel issue pertaining to a certain employee. Upon returning from executive session the board discussed road use, procurement, and procedures under old business. Under new business Laura Snow was appointed to the vacant assessor’s position. Also discussion was held about the possibility of putting up a town information website like many small communities already have. Important dates, announcements, Town Hall hours are just a few of the things that could be readily available to residences.
Some important speakers will be attending future meetings to discuss wind farming. Steuben County IDA head Jamie Johnson speaking March 14th , and Jack Zigenfus from Cohocton the guest speaker on April 11th. The board also plans to present and discuss a pro wind letter to the Dept. of Public Services. A motion was passed to write the letter in support of wind development.
And finally the Environmental Emergency Services is again asking for donations. The town gave $100 in 2017.
John Bowles, Carole Bowles, and Peter Degnan
