May 11 Meeting
This months meeting was attended by Supervisor Dick Howard, Trish Grover, Mike Scott, Shawn Dunmire, Dick Kozlowski, Michelle Dunbar, Alice Dunbar, Curt & Sue Rung, Jean Howard, Theresa Baldwin, George Johnson (Richardson & Stout Insurance), Jon Reitz and myself.
The meeting started with George Johnson explaining the town’s insurance to the board members and making necessary changes to the policies. Mr. Johnson presented the board with a check for $1,257.00. The way I understood the explanation for this check was it was a dividend check and the town should receive one for the next couple of years. Mr. Johnson also suggested to the board as a result of recent incidents in other towns that the board increase the policy on “Employee Dishonesty” from $10,000 to $25,000.
A motion was made to transfer $1,598.00 from Contingency to the Garage Contractual to cover the overage on the new garage doors that were installed last month. This passed with no opposition.
Supervisor Howard then went on a tangent about how he wished someone would please explain the town budget to him and what all the accounts are. Michelle did a very good job explaining to him that the State sets the accounts and that all of these figures have to be reported to the state not only by her but also by the Town Superintendent. There is a purpose for all of these accounts. Curt Rung then proceeded to explain to Mr. Howard the difference between contractual and salary. SCARY!!!
A motion was made by the board to close the Steuben Highway and General savings accounts and transfer them to the MBIA where they would earn interest.
The board approved the Town Clerks report but on a side note I would like everyone to know that this is the 6th YEAR that the taxes did not balance and as of the date of this report they are still not balanced with the County. The tax collectors balance their taxes with the County the first week in April. For anyone that is not familiar with the collection of taxes, these are computerized now.. When a tax payment is received the tax collector brings up the tax bill on the screen, tax collector marks it paid. At the end of the day, the tax collector would then print out a report of that days payments. That report should match your deposit. Boom you are done. At the end of the tax season all your deposits should match her totals from
Curt has turned in a CHIPS claim of $35,029.88 to the state for reimbursement and has gone through 11-tons of cold patch so far this year.
Alice stated that the she received a letter from the state and the town is at 100%. The Enhanced Star is $60,100 and the Basic Star is $30,000. Grievance day is Tuesday, May 26th from 5 to 9.
Mike Scott reported he spoke to the lawyer handling the Mosher property and it is still in the hands of their lawyer. In the mean time, another month of paying to have the septic tank pumped at the town hall.
The town board hired Clark Patterson Engineers to handle the paperwork for the Windmills. There will be a public hearing in July on this project. I will let you know of the date.
Motion was passed to give the donation of $400/each to the Summer Soccer League and the Youth Program at the Library. This money is already in the budget for these programs.
It was also suggested that they give the museum the $500 that is budgeted for them. Mr. Howard seemed to have a problem with this money going to them. He felt that the town was giving away too much money and that this appropriated fund should go to Don Cady instead for mileage. For anyone who isn’t aware, Don Cady is the Town Historian though I’m not sure when he was actually appointed.
I hope everyone has a great and safe Memorial Day Weekend!!!!!
Thank you to all the veterans who have served our great country and kept it safe. We are now in the midst of some ver trying times. Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
It’s the time of year when we start thinking about changes in our government – hopefully this time we can elect a highway superintendent that can keep his campaign promises. I don’t know about other roads in the town, but our roads were in better shape before they ‘fixed’ them this year. Waste of our taxpayer dollars.
The Supervisor should be confused, on more than one issue with the goings ons in this little township. Speaking of an increase in employee dishonesty insurance, all one has to do is read the last state comptroller report as he questioned why there were no records for gas used, mileage, keys for everyone,etc. I do believe that employee dishonesty should be dealth with more severely than now exists….Anyone, including any superintendant/supervisors with their hand in the wrong place should have that hand removed! It amazing how lax the board/supervisor have been when considering the worst than substandard job that is being done on the township roads, especially when considering the raise given to the superintendant upon threats of resignation. If the man can’t do it…GET SOMEONE WORTHY OF THE JOB, yes, folks there are qualified folk out there that can dig a ditch, birm a road, put in the right size sluce pipe and lay down a suitable base that is graded properly…DUH! Doesn’t anyone on the board have any brass? Don’t take anymore whitewashing from the Super….what hogwash! Why is the “Seasonal Road” on Dimmick in better shape than the remaining 3/4 mile stretch….hard feelings from those in charge will not change things, just do your job, and get professional in your business!
We agree that some of the elected and appointed representatives in the Town of Wirt need to move on. However, in our opinion the Highway Superintendant isn’t one of them.
Go to meetings. Get involved. Encourage others to consider participting where they might be able to do the town some good.
There is a pile of dirt on the Dimmick Road at the intersection with Barnes. It’s been there since 5/18. The sluice pipe was plugged so I cleaned it out (when do I expect MY paycheck for that work !?!). I left the dirt pile with a cone and flag so it would be noticed. The superintendent and members of the town crew have driven by several times, but do you think anyone has stopped to remove the pile of dirt – or even inquire about it? Maintenance of the town roads – that’s their job, not mine.
I don’t blame you. I would contact him, and if that doesn’t get it done I’d go to the next town board meeting which should occur on Monday, June 8th @ 7:30 PM.
I see that my former comments were edited and whomever is in charge of that department chose to exclude them in there entirty. All fine and well if this were a socialist enviornment, but last I checked we were still clinging onto what is left of our once stable Democratic system. If this comment is allowable, and within the guidelines of what is deemed acceptable, please note that Mr. Hoshal is not the only resident on Dimmick road who thinks the roadwork by the town superintendant is not up to par in comparison to other townships within a 25 mile radius. I have dilligently paid my taxes to Wirt, for nearly 20 years well realizing that I never get my monies worth when considering that the road I reside on has caused me many, many dollars in auto repairs as a result of the sub-standard condition that are in a constant of disrepair.
My cousin was the town superintendant for Portville for 26 years, I also have an aquaintance that has worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportion for over a decade. When visiting me and the topic of Dimmick and Zimmer Roads and there poor condition of the subject roads is raised, they both shake their collective heads and say “how do they get away with it, the ditches, the birm, the base, whew.” The key question here is who exactly is in charge of how the subject roads are maintained? Is it the Town Supervisor, the Board, Mr. Rung, or all three concerns? This may be a lead for those who do not know the answer to jump on board and see that a satisfactory job is done to insure the township taxpayers and any soul traveling the Dimmik and Zimmer Roads that they need not fear for their lives, the ruination of their vehicles or just because those traveling roads in this township deserve roads that guarantee some semblence of safety. Why because it is only sensible!
Two years ago Mr. Rung came to my house asking for my support in his bid for Town Hwy. Superintendent. I told him of the problems we’d had with the maintenance of Dimmick Rd. He agreed it was time to change things.
Last year the town graded our road and carved a ditch in front of our house; after that we had water in our garage! Debris – leaves, silt, huge rocks, even trash – had been graded into the road.
We spent over $1400 on sluice/ditch work to remedy what the town had done. A letter requesting reimbursement of our expenses was submitted to the Town Board. Photos were included to document the road conditions. We never heard from the Town – not even a PHONE CALL about the claim for reimbursement.
The same type of road maintenance was done this year – the ditches are full – no wonder our roads are falling apart.
Attend a Board meeting !?! I can’t – I work 2nd shift. Would there be any point anyway?
I’m willing to bring it up if you want. Just let me know.
Great post! Just wanted to let you know you have a new subscriber- me!
Brent,
No comments are ever edited. I did change servers and in the process some comments and posts were lost in the transition. I’m sorry if yours was one of them.
Lea
Mrs. Rung came up 6/1/09 at 1:30 pm taking pictures of the dirt pile on the Dimmick Rd. (intersection with Barnes Rd.). What for ?- Her husband has seen it; he’s driven by several times but just ignores it. She was cussing at me and said we were the only people to complain. I know that’s not true – alot of others have given up. Mrs. Rung also said people like us should move. Guess that’s her solution – run off the people who expect Mr. Rung to do his job. Maybe he should look for a different job.
Mr. Hoshal,
Could your wife possibly attend the town board meeting Monday @ 7:30 PM? We (watchdogs) would be glad to try to help if you wish.
To Wirt Watchdogs -
Mrs. Hoshal doesn’t want to attend a board meeting – she’s given up. She doesn’t think the Board or the Supt. care about the taxpayers. Elected officials (and all employees) should just do their jobs! After the chaotic budget meeting she attended last year, she doesn’t think you can fight them.
If we need to fight them, we will. We are taxpayers there. Until the day comes when some semblance of organization is restored there, we will fight them on issues involving money and services due us. Let me know.
Dear Leray, I am remiss on not posting an apology in a prudent manner, in reference to my second, E mail, as a reader told me it could not be found on the “When in Wirt” site…I checked it out and realized that it was indeed there, and I do thank you for allowing the “freedom of speech” amendment to remain standing in this new “Change” world that has America on it’s knees. Why is our “elected leader” literally begging for forgiveness from our enemies for fighting terrorism and tyranny where and when we see life and freedom in peril. I am a realist and do not think that the U.S. can continue remaining the world’s police force.
I do realize that we are sinking into 3rd world status, what with Japan, Russia and China apparently holding the purse strings (massive borrowing on the part of the U.S.) holding huge segments of valuable real estate here in the “land of the free”, all the while our “own” federal, state county and town politicians continue loading huge tax burdens upon the fractured finances of the nearly emprovished tax-paying townspeople for services that are at best “low-grade” (particularly he local roadways). It is well past the time to Cut the fat, (5-star schools in a 1 star county) release the incompetant workers on te town payroll and refrain from telling those who complain about local govnerment; “TO MOVE”, but of course the local “move” cry is just an echo that echoes from Albany daily to businesses and residents who can no longer adhere to the economic chaos that is pinnacle here in the “Vampire State”. As the Russian Premier stated in the mid-sixties (translated) “We will bury you, without firing a shot”! Some change.
This is from Mrs. Roger H.:
The Town of Wirt’s Highway Superintendent at his finest?!?!
Mr. Rung doesn’t seem to care about doing the job he was elected to do – a job that pays him a good salary with benefits. And it appears that he can’t be shamed into doing his job even when someone else does part of it for him.
In mid-May Roger H. cleaned out a plugged sluice pipe to protect the already inferior condition of the road we live on and – more importantly to us – to protect our property. The pile of dirt from the sluice was not IN the road and was clearly marked with a cone and a stake. The Town Highway Supt., employees of the highway department, and even Mrs. Rung, drove by the pile. No one bothered to inquire why it was there and the town employees made no attempt to do their job and remove the dirt pile.
In the early afternoon on Friday, June 5th, a NYS Police Officer made a visit to our home. Mr. Rung had reported Roger for creating a hazard on a public road. The dirt pile could not remain at the Barnes/Dimmick intersection.
The dirt pile has been smoothed down so when it rains it can wash back into the “ditch”, and plug the sluice, and wash over the road…
Just how to you fight this insanity?!?!
~Mrs. Roger H.~
Mrs. H.
The question is; How do you fight insanity that neither motivates or inspires one to do his or her elected job? As you fully realize that in your own position as a salaried wage-earner, that if your performance record is any less than satisfactory with little or no attempt at improvement is realized, you would be seeking new employment in this shrinking job market.
It is the sole responsibility of companies, organizations, institutions, civic concerns and such that their appointed superiors monitor and evaulate employees, and make positive “changes”, ergo seperating the wheat from the chaff.
I harbor no ill will for anyone who is earnestly trying to improve upon his/hers job performance, and extends the courtesy of having a civil conversation and earnestly attempts to explain why little improvement in the subject Dimmick Road has been accomplished in many, many years.
I for one realize the road conditions did not appear overnight, and that there has been a long line of previous Town of Wirt Superintendants that have travelled these less than satisfactory roadways with very little positive results. (Believe it folks, there are ways to properly build and maintain roads….it has been done….take a drive out of Wirt….see for yourselves)
And yes, I have continually heard the standard answer, “He is doing a good job with what little he has to work with”. G-o-l-l-y Sargent, why is it then when I travel most neighboring roads under the care of other townships (that also have limited budgets) I find that my eye-teeth don’t rattle out of my head and my kidneys don’t screem and my vehicle does not need constant re-aligment.
If the highway superintendants friends or relatives were to tell me that if I didn’t like the roads, “To Move” their ears would still be ringing to a beat that would make them welcome rap music as a lullaby.
I have lived at this address on and off for nearly 20 years; paying my share of the taxes. Taxes that should have seen these roads permanent and properly paved. particularly by the fact alone that Dimmick and Zimmer roads are very heavily travelled roads as they provide a short cut to Wellsville as well as a direct route to Breezy Point camp ground, plus a school bus route.
However, year after year we suffer huge stony, bankrun dumped on them or dirt packed into pot-holes that get kicked out by the first car or truck or a good down-pour.
Reasons I hang in here. Because I enjoy the natural beauty, solace, and the good folks who call this land home. Nary a single homeowner should be threatened by any concern that depends upon the local taxpayers to pay their way. Honey….not lemons. I do not personally dislike anyone to the point of causing them to lose their means of employment. What I do dislike is the lack of services on my road that cost me needless bills from the mechanics and has a REAL potential of causing serious accidents and huge lawsuits that would have this township in a dire situation.
When I was less than satisfied with the former Town Highway Superintendant I called the then Town Supervisor; Mr Rung and informed him of my displeasure with having to bump and grind my way on Dimmick and Zimmer Roads year after year. He told me that if I wanted to have decent roads “Vote for Me” in the upcoming election. Unfortunately, although I do pay my “fair share” of tax dollars to this township, I am not allowed a vote because I have another residence. This might answer any questions that might arise as to why my face has not made any board meetings, and besides, I am sure the board members would only be bored with hearing the same continual complaints….that continually remain unresolved. Good luck neighbor…and Mr. Rung, when the road improvement goes up…..the signs come down. Peace
Imagine my surprise when I got home yesterday afternoon and found the ditch across the road FULL of water. A “town employee” poked around for several minutes with a pole – diagnosing the problem? – then he left. When he returned a few minutes later, he had a shovel with him (!) and used that to dig around in the dirt, and unplug the sluice, so the ditch could drain…
Isn’t that what Roger did so many weeks ago as a preventive measure? Seems like “town employee” could have saved himself some work in the water-filled ditch yesterday if he’d have hauled away the pile of dirt last week. ~ Mrs. Roger H. ~
Glad to hear the problem was taken care of even though it shouldn’t have come to that.
It is kind of funny how some of the people who complain the most about taxes complain the most about how bad there roads are. The town only has so much money for gravel, Ditching, plowing Etc. The last year Jack was in Office the wellsville end of the Barnes in our town was nearly unpassable with my car which sits very low. Jack fixed it. Kurt has also done improvements. You sound like the kind of people who would build a home by a pig farm then after living there a year expect the farmer to do something about the smell. I will agree no town official should tell anyone who complains to move, but at the same time you have accept the disadvanges of living on a back road when you build a home there.
To one who obviously does not pay enough in taxes to the township and is perfectly satisfied with substandard services. Sure I complain, that is my right for a taxpaying citizen. I have never received or expected to receive a handout from the county, my monies for over 45 years have gone to support the county and its dependents. I live on a “backroad” because folks like you can’t prevent it, leastwise not yet. I do however expect my “backroad” to be passable 24/7, safe 100% of the time (families, school children and maybe even you travel these “backroads” and I wish no harm to anyone who travels these “backroads” that are generally in disrepair. My taxes even support in part your fire department, which is a good thing, and I extend my thanks to all who give of their time and sweat to assure the citizens of Wirt that they will be there in case of an emergency. As far as the pig farm comment, I for one have enough foresight to rationalize as to where I choose to live or build, however when I do travel outside of the confides of my “backroad” I have notice that there are some places within the township that would make a pig farm appear rather acceptable by comparison. Barnes road is no trip to Paris, but if you travel the section assigned to the Town of Scio you will note a marked difference. Enough said, but I welcome another weak rebutal.
Interesting posts. I just found the site and will make sure I continue to re-visit it in the future. . . . But the reason I am posting is because I would like to introduce myself, I just purchased a seasonal residence on Blaine Rd and will be spending time there, looking forward to meeting the neighbors. Can someone tell me who the electric supplier is for Wirt?
Welcome Karl! The electric supplier for the town is RG&E.
I actually live at the bottom of the Blaine Road. We have the farm right on the corner. Feel free to stop by and introduce yourself sometime.
Learay, I will stop by! what side of the road are you on? I come in from the 34 (W. Notch) side. Im 7484. . . . If anyone has any idea how i can get rid of the steel junk that was left on the property, please feel free to let me know. I was hoping that someone would want it for scrap metal but i cant find anyone who will take it away. I dont have a dump permit yet for the county so i am bringing everything back to Niagara County and disposing of it here – and thanks for the info!
HMM. I called RG&E, they are telling me that Wirt is in their service area but that they have no customers or meters on Blaine Rd. guess I’ll have to drive out there to get the meter number. Somehow I knew they were going to say that – lol.
Karl- I just emailed the #’s to you. Gary went up and got them for you.
Karl,
Try Paul at 585)928-2072.