“When you throw dirt, you lose ground”  ~ Texan Proverb

This month’s meeting was attended by Trisha Grover (Acting Town Supervisor), Mike Scott, Shawn Dunmire, Dick Kozlowski, Michelle Dunbar, Curt & Sue Rung, Paul Sadler, Theresa Baldwin, Barb Hetzel, Mark & Gayle Dorrett, Jon Reitz, Larry Bedow, John Dunbar, Andy Fisher (George & Swede) and myself.

I have to say Bravo to Trisha Grover!  This was the most organized meeting that I have been to in 3 years.  I would also like to thank the town board for handing out a copy of the abstract to all who attended.  It was a nice change to know where the money is being spent.

Andy Fisher of George & Swede presented the board with a quote for a new 3 1/2 yard wheeled-loader (Hyundai).  The board is looking into leasing the machine at $14 an hour.  The town runs the current loader an average of  600 hours a year.  This would be a cost of $8,400.00 for the year.  This machine will have a full warranty.  This would actually end up being a savings to the town when you figure the costs of a new machine along with the repair costs once the warranty runs out.    This will be considered as the board works on the 2010 budget.

Mr. Rung reported the following:

• Sand/Salt hauling bids were opened

Jim Scott- $5.47
Maybee Enterprises-  $5.22
West Side Sales-  $3.95

• Repairs to Truck 3 & 4 were completed- new torsion bar installed
• All trucks and trailers are inspected
• Ditching was done on Hydetown Road
• Attended a FEMA meeting in Belmont
• Worked on getting bids for new loader

Mr. Rung requested a resolution transferring $3,000 from DA5142.1  to DA5130.4.  This transfer will cover the repair costs for the ‘85 Autocar that was just purchased.

Mr. Sadler reported 6 building permits for a total of $411.90.  He has two dogs in his kennel.  Mr. Sadler also met with the representative from Ag & Markets for his inspection and everything passed.

The board requested Jane check into getting the phones through Time Warner and to see if that would save on the phone bills.

The Code Enforcement Law was passed with the following change:  Page 3- Section 4- Paragraph A- Size of a shed changed to 144 square feet or 12′ x 12′.

Ms. Grover read a letter from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M Kolb asking people to please check out www.reformny.org and sign his petition supporting the Constitution Convention.

The bills paid this month were- General Account:  $2,866.46    Highway Account:  $13,894.74

The Fireman’s Budget Hearing is set for Tuesday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m.

The Town’s Budget Hearing is set for the following Tuesday, October 27 at 6:00 p.m.

Next board meeting is November 9 at 7:00 p.m.~ Hope to see you there!

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!!!!!

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Howard at 7:32 p.m. by Mr. Howard with the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes from last month were approved after a couple of corrections were made. The minutes should read: “Mr. Robert Dunbar complained that he could not get the minutes within 2 weeks of the board meeting. The board replied Jane is doing what we told her to do. After some discussion it was decided that Jane WILL make the minutes public WITHIN two weeks with the word “Draft” on top of the paper”. The other change was that $200.00 will be paid to Kevin Hamilton not the Utopia Cemetery Association.

Public Comments:

Larry Thompson addressed the Board about the property located beside his property on the Watson Road that is owned by Jack Dell of North Tonawanda. Mr. Thompson stated that this is the 3^rd or 4^th time that he has addressed the board concerning the abandoned junk camper trailers on the property. Mr. Thompson spoke to Paul Sadler, Code Enforcement Officer, prior to building his new home and was informed that the trailers were in violation of the Junk Law that was adopted in 1965 and they would be taken care of. This is now 2 years later and they are still there. Mr. Sadler stated that he has sent Mr. Dell a certified letter but it came back unsigned. Mr. Dunbar stated that under the law that is enough proof to prove than an effort was made to contact a person and that he should proceed with the next step. Want to take bets on whether or not Mr. Thompson will have to go back to the board? My bet is that he will.

Theresa Baldwin requested that a cigarette butt container be placed outside the town hall so that everyone doesn’t have to look at the mess. Mr. Scott asked Curt if he would get a bucket with some sand and place out there.

Fred Tompkins, Mayor of Richburg, made a request that some of the town’s gravel be moved back by the town barn on Mill Street. The village plans on milling the street and paving it this summer. They would like it below street level. Curt stated he would get that done.

Fiscal Report: The fiscal report was approved once changes were made.

Town Clerk Report: Jane reported that the taxes balance this year. (What she failed to do was to give a big “Thank You” to the Town of Bolivar and Alma Clerks for all their help in making this happen) and that she collected 83% of the taxes for the Town “The Most in the County per Terry Ross”. Funny I thought the big “atta boy” should go to the town of Independence for collecting 93%.

Curt Rung presented his highway report and stated that the Clair Carrier Road had been ditched from one end to the other. Mike Scott thanked Curt for doing actually finishing a road that was started.

Assessors Report: Alice handed out her assessor’s report.

The General Bills were approved to be paid with the total amount of $4,032.07. They were all approved with the exception of the National Fuel bill which is still not correct.

The Highway Bills were approved to be paid with the total amount of $32,483.92.

At the close of the meeting, the Board passed a resolution to proceed with the NY CLASS program.

Town Budget as of May 12, 2008

Highway Superintendent Report May 12, 2008

Assessor Report May 12, 2008