Staff reporting

Organizational Meeting:

Roger Parker was appointed chairman of the assessors.  The position was challenged by the other assessor and the board went into executive session to makes its decision.  The assessors office reported that they are beginning to photogragh residents properties.  An ad will be issued to appoint a new assessor to replace Dan Wilber.

Clifford Fitch was appointed the planning board chairman.  Two members submitted their resignation from the board citing the lack of any substantiative purpose as the current regulations only provide “rubber stamping” approvals of subdivisions. James Deuvall resigned the position of chairman in December. 

Board member Pete DeJong wishes to spend town funds, to advertise resident participation,  to start the entire comprehensive plan over.  The board has never answered why the previous plan was discarded after 18 months of effort, resident input and public hearings.  Nor have they explained why they made no changes to the previous plan prior to submitting it to the county.  After the county approved the plan with modifications, the town board voted down the plan without discussing one point within the plan.  A full account of the meeting can be read at post entitled “A Drift”.  The previous plan included three pillars regarding the overarching future development withn the town;  1)protect the natural beauty, open space and agriculatural basis of the town, 2) institute measures to  ensure fair and equitable taxation for services and 3) encourage home-based, local and agricultural businesses.  What would an entirely new comrehensive plan provide differently.

Highway department had several breakdowns in the first month though the timing was not totally unexpected due to the age of the items.  The old pickup required a new “rear end”.  The department also plans on constructing a salt shed at the locartion of the current salt pile.  The design will follow the existing plancommissioned by the department with the exception of a cement pad.  If a pad is required, asphalt will be used.  The department intends to purchase the materials now and start contruction in the spring.  Department personnel will construct the shed themselves.  A brief discussion of using state funds was entertained.  The department has five operating trucks and services 14 seasonal roads.

A letter from Senator Seward reqarding the possibility of constructing a monument to veterans was read. 

A resident requested that the town adopt a “special tax district” to pay for the transfer station fee.  A special district would assess a flat fee on all residents instead of folding the fee into the general fund which disproportiately charges residents based on the assessed value of their property.  The resident pointed out that instead of paying approximately $40 per year for the transfer station, he was paying approximately $160 per year and never even uses the transfer station.  Since this service is not infrastructure maintenance based, this seemed unfair and unequitable.  The board did not discuss the issue and took no action, stating that perhaps they could do something next year.  The board used the same response last year to the same request.   

The board paid ex-assessor Dan Wilber for the instruction textbook and two days of travel expense for a course he did not complete as he was elected to the town justice position.  If he had completed the remaining day, the entire course would have been reimbursed by the town.  No ill-intent was perceived by the assessor who was agreeable to any reimbursement, if any, from the town.  It was noted that the textbook could be used in the assessor’s office and for other members going tot he course.

Town Board will continue to meet on the second Tuesday of each month.  The Daily Star remains the only option as the official newspaper of recording.