Author: Brendan Doran

July 10, 2017

HORNELL, NY – According to Mayor Shawn Hogan, it’s Consolidated Funding application time in which local governments have to submit applications for grants for various projects they plan on undertaking.

Some of the grants the city will be going after are a $20,000 Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant. The Mayor said the city has been informed by the DEC that they will have to add another step in treating wastewater fluent with ultraviolet light. This step will further disinfect the water before it enters back into the environment.

“This isn’t a cheap deal,” said the Mayor, “You’re looking at a $1.5 to $2 million dollar project and they expect us to be in compliance by 2018.”

Also the city plans on doing more trenchless technology in which a hired contractor goes into major trunk (sewage) lines throughout the city and blows a hard plastic like substance throughout the pipe to reinforce it. Hogan hopes that this will greatly reduce situations like what happened on Erie Avenue a few years back that turned out to be a major expense/inconvenience for city residents.

The mayor also said he has his fingers crossed in hopes of receiving a $10 million DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) grant. That went to Elmira last year and according to Hogan there is some major competition for it. He continued, “We will be going up against communities such as Watkins Glen and Ithaca, and we should know something hopefully by the end of the month.”

July 4th, 2017

CANISTEO, NY – The village of Canisteo will soon be debating whether to move forward with a program to place banners along Main Street honoring local veterans.

According to Mayor Monica Recktenwald, the Village Hero’s Banner program would be funded by the individual families and be of no cost to the village. Recktenwald said the banners could be seasonal from May to September or year round, whatever the board decides on.

The program is currently running in the villages of North Hornell, Bath, and Canaseraga just to name a few.

Also in discussion was the future of the village’s old fire truck that has recently been replaced. The board is now considering bartering the truck for services to the local Boces after numerous deals to sell it have fallen through. Boces students would do labor projects around the village in exchange for the truck. “At least we will get something for it,” said the Mayor, “It’s better than just giving it away.”

And finally it was announced that the summer recreation program will be starting July 10th and running until August 18th mornings at the Elementary School. According to Trustee Tim Harkenrider, over 68 kids have signed up and more are expected as the program progresses.

June 20, 2017

HORNELL, NY – 9th Ward Alderman and Deputy Mayor John Buckley kicked off his summer campaign tour by greeting residents on the porch of Steve and Erin Shinebarger’s on Crosby Street Tuesday evening.

Buckley, who plans on visiting all 10 wards throughout the city this summer, greeted residents and answered any questions they had about his future plans for the city if he is elected.

So far, no candidate has officially announced running for the position other that John Buckley. According to Buckley, candidates affiliated with a party have until mid-July and independent write-ins have as long as August to officially run.

Also taking place was an official an announcement and endorsement for local dentist Steve Shinebarger to take Buckley’s place and run for 9th Ward Alderman.

Buckley said his next weekly stop will probably will bring him to the 6th ward with the date and time to be announced.

June 19, 2017

HORNELL, NY – Three resolution went before the Common Council meeting Monday night and were approved.

The first resolution authorized the Mayor to submit a CFA (Consolidated Funding Application) for various sewer repairs throughout the city. CFA was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. Local Governments use the CFA to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker and easier.

The second resolution allowed St Ann’s Academy to retroactively seek tax exempt status. Although they are currently recognized as tax exempt, they were not in their initial move to their new location and are seeking reimbursement for that year from the Hornell City School District. According to the Mayor, they are owed around $4800 that they originally had to pay.

The last was a bond resolution to allow the city to seek $3 million in a grant and $3.8 million in a no interest loan for the water treatment plant renovations. The total cost of the project is comes in around $6,870,000.

June 19, 2017

HORNELL, NY – The Hornell Youth and Recreation committee met on June 6th and a number of proposals were discussed. According to committee head Jim Bassage, Hornell was charging 25 cents for city residents and 50 cents for non-residents. Both admission fees have been changed: Hornell residents will now pay 50 cents and non-residents will pay a dollar.

Also discussed were the salaries of the summer staff employees. A possible raise could be coming their way for 2018.

According to Mayor Shawn Hogan, summer employees are not on the states minimum wage scale but on federal which is still $7.25 an hour.

“We only get a little over $1000 aide for pool, playgrounds etc., and it cost the city taxpayers well over $50,000 a year to run them,” explained the Mayor, “If the raise comes before me I would support it, but the city has a limited budget and I would rather see more kids employed making less money than fewer making more.”

June 15, 2017

HORNELL, NY – DPW Head Mitch Cornish, filling in for Mayor Hogan at the monthly DPW meeting, updated the board on milling and paving taking place in the city. “We have started milling Seneca Street, and then we will raise structures and hopefully get paving around the 26th. The big holdup in paving is the fact that AL Blades is booked for 96 straight days so we will have to work with them on scheduling.”

With the completion of all parking lot renovations, the school district has sent a request to City Hall to return Red Raider Drive into a two-way traffic. That currently runs from Adsit to State Streets. That request will have to go in front of the Law & Ordinance Committee with final approval coming from the Common Council. Cornish said he and the Mayor see no problem with that at the moment.

Water Treatment Plant head Len Fucci reported that the week of July 3rd they will be holding a kickoff meeting with Labella Associates for the upcoming plant renovations with a workshop to follow.

Water Pollution Control plant Chief Rich Dunning announced they have just gotten notification from the DEC that they are going to be required to put in a system of ultra violet disinfection.

And finally the following outdoor events were approved to take place in the city this summer:
Senior Corvette Day-June 30th
Salon 96 Annual Run-July 4th
Association Block Party-July 29th (weekend of Gus Macker)
Association Cash Bash-August 12th

June 14, 2017

HARTSVILLE, NY – For the second time in as many weeks the Hartsville Town Board could not agree on the hiring of a Town Clerk. Town Supervisor John Bowles abruptly adjourned the meeting before it officially even started saying, “I guess this meeting is over.”

One person in attendance questioned why the Deputy Town Clerk was not assuming the role in which Bowles replied that because the way people are acting she probably does not want anything to do with these meetings either.

Bowles wanted to again go into an executive session to discuss the appointment of a clerk but board member Tom Dobell was against that. “It’s no use John,” said Dobell, “Nothing has changed since the last meeting and it would be pointless.” Bowles then suggested appointing a temporary clerk and again the board was against that saying that appointing a temp clerk every meeting is not a solution to the problem.

Bowles announced he had received another application/resume for the clerk’s position but Dobell shot that down because the candidate lacked experience. “John you know how I stand on this, I want someone with experience or were not moving forward.” The board has already had several candidates apply without a unanimous agreement on any of them.

June 13, 2017

ARKPORT, NY – Ken and Sherrill Isaman officially announced Tuesday evening that both will not be seeking re-election for a term starting Jan 1st. 2018. Ken, who has diligently served the board for 28 years, said he hoped that during his tenure things have gotten better. “I hope someone, preferably a qualified candidate, runs for my post and picks up where I left off,” said Isaman, “It’s really not an easy job.” Isaman concluded, “There is a lot going on within our district and I wish the next supervisor the best!”

Sherrill Isaman will be retiring after 30 years of service as Town Clerk, and has already been schooling a replacement. Sharon Aims, who has recently been hired as Deputy Town Clerk, will be seeking the full time position of Town Clerk come November elections. “She’s already the tax collector, and proven herself well, so she has my full support,” stated Mrs. Isaman.

After a push by board member Ron Kennell the roof on the Town Hall building will finally go up for bids for replacement after months of procrastinating. It was a consensus agreement that the town go with a complete tear off and shingles to save money as opposed to a metal replacement.

Planning board Chief Joe Dick gave an update on the progress of Simmons Rockwell’s new Nissan dealership, and also said that he’s being approached by an anonymous real estate developer about a multi-unit apartment dwelling within the town.

June 12, 2017

CANISTEO, NY – The BOE appointed a familiar face to the superintendents post vacated by Jeremy Palotti. Paloti, who will be heading to Hornell in the same position, became the Canisteo Greenwood Superintendent 5 years ago replacing Jeffery Matteson.

Chris Roser, longtime resident of the Canisteo Valley and familiar face in all the local school districts, will assume the position July 1^st through December 31^st. Roser’s over 40 years of service in the education field include:

Hornell High School Superintendent 1990-2000

Greenwood Superintendent 2000-2004 (up to merger)

Avoca Superintendent 2004-2008

Lewiston-Porter Superintendent 2008-2015

Roser, who just recently retired living between Greenwood and Andover, said he was more than happy to help out the district as they need some time to appoint a good fit for their district.

Interim Canisteo-Greenwood Superintendent Chris Roser

June 12, 2017

CANISTEO, NY – At Monday evenings monthly Board of Education meeting 7 employees were officially recognized for retiring with a combined 182 years of service in the educational field.

Retiring are as follows:

John Danmiller – 27 years as a Science Teacher.
Jenny Mooney – 18 years as a Library Aide.
Christine Butler – 29 years as the School Nurse
Rebecca Suttemier – 18 years as a Reading Teacher
Patty Kelly – 22 years as a Teacher’s Assistant
Chris Conklin – 31 years as a Music Teacher
Seth Burton – 30 years as a Mechanic/Bus Driver

A short break was taken after the beginning of the meeting to have cake and hear a short biography on each teacher.

From left to right – Christine Butler; Chris Conklin; Rebecca Suttemier; Patty Kelly; Seth Burton

June 12, 2017

CANISTEO, NY – The town of Canisteo approved a bid to replace the roof on the Town Hall. Local contractor Bill Weakland was the low bidder at $11,338. The deal includes a complete tear off and shingle replacement. Bids received for a metal roof were substantially higher so the board passed on that option.

Also the board voted to have a franchise agreement with Spectrum (old TWC) on a possible 15 year agreement. The last agreement was for a 10 year period. A public hearing is necessary on the matter so one was scheduled for July 10th at 7pm.

After much debate, a resolution was finally passed to sell the old roller for $18,900. Part of that money will be used to purchase a new Brine tank (around $7,500) and the rest will go into a fund toward the future purchase of a new truck.

And lastly Marguerite Wells from Invenergy was present to update the board on the Canisteo Wind Project, and also to announce upcoming open houses that should answer any questions residents may have. Those will be held on July 18th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Troupsburg Fire Hall, and July 19th from 10am to 12pm at the Canisteo Legion.