Supervisor’s Annual Report

 

  • Town’s Zoning Update Committee presented a draft of a new zoning law for the Town.  Following a public informational meeting, questions regarding the layout and several sections of the law were posed.  The Town Planning Board, Zoning Officer, Town Board and Zoning Board of Appeals is reviewing the draft and will be developing sections to be added to the current law as amendments.  These amendments will address several key areas that the Town has limited with the use of a land use moratorium, and include adult uses, junk yards/vehicles and wind turbines.  The goal of the amendments, as with all of our town zoning, is to allow property owners the maximum freedom of use of their property while protecting neighboring owners enjoyment of their own property.

 

  • A new collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the Highway Department employees was negotiated and approved, and will be effective for a three year period – 2007 to 2009.

 

  • The Town has extended their current agreement with Time Warner Cable for cable television service on a temporary basis, while investigating the feasibility of adding addition areas to the current service delivery area.  Information has been obtained from Time Warner on the potential number of units in each area and estimated costs.  During the winter months, Town Board members will be contacting targeted areas regarding interest in obtaining cable service.  It is estimated that it will take several years to develop all the feasible areas, through the use of franchise fees paid to the town.

 

  • Since 1949, Cowlesville residents have been seeking help to get good quality and quantity water.  In November, Cowlesville Water District residents began hooking into the public water supply system.  As of December 31st, over 40 homes and businesses were connected and receiving water from the Erie County Water Authority via the Town of Marilla and the new Water District.  I would like to acknowledge the assistance and hard work of Judy Brown, Clerk, Rick Jensen, Highway Superintendent, Dianne and Jerry Savakinis, Water Department Operators, the Town Board members, Kandi Wittmeyer, Assessor, Chatfield Engineers, R. Myers Inc., contractors, the Gov. Office for Small Cities, Congressman Reynolds, the ECWA, the Town of Marilla and the residents of the District.  The cooperative work of all parties has resulted in a safe and reliable water supply for District residents. 

 

  • Engineered drawings on restroom facilities for the Town Park were completed and reviewed by the Board members.  Materials will be purchased and volunteer labor solicited, with plans to construct in 2007.  Thank you to Councilman George for obtaining the engineering work.

 

  • Although bridges are county property/responsibility, the Town has been impacted and will be working on the issue of replacement of two bridges that serve our residents – Tooley Road Bridge and Cotton Hill Road Bridge (in the Town of Attica).  Both bridges were “red-flagged’ by the NYS Dept of Transportation for deterioration and unsafe/unstable conditions.  Through joint County/Town efforts,  state funds from Senator Volker have been obtained to fund work on the Tooley Road bridge, estimated to cost between $300,000 and $400,000.  Solutions to both situations are likely to take several years, with the main priority remaining safety to the residents and those using the bridges.

 

  • The Town sponsored a series of musical concerts held at the Town Museum, Town Hall and Town Park in July, in conjunction with the Historical Society, celebrating “A Musical History of Bennington.”  Local groups such as Youth Recreation, Cowlesville FD Ladies Auxiliary, and the Society provided refreshments.  Funding for the concerts was obtained through a grant from the Arts Council of Wyoming County’s Decentralization Grants Program. Over 200  residents attended the four concerts, and they asked for future concerts.

 

  • New York State adopted legislation requiring that Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals members receive yearly training in topics related to the issues they handle for municipalities.  Several members received training through local workshops presented by the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council and the Wyoming County Planning & Development Office.  Additional sessions and alternative training options will be explored throughout 2007 to meet these requirements without placing a burden on our Board members.  Our local Board members contribute their time, knowledge and good judgment to address issues that affect our daily lives, and we are grateful for their service to the Town.

 

  • Due to the “Help America Vote Act’ adopted by Congress following the problems of the prior presidential elections, changes will be going into effect with voting in our county/town during 2007.  The county will be assuming more responsibility for the election process – ownership of the machines and contracting with the individual election inspectors.  Currently, they are in the process (state-wide) of reviewing voting machine options and deciding on what machines will work best for the voters, as well as ensure that records will be secure and confidential, and will be able to be verfied in the case of a recount.  As 2007 progresses, we anticipate more information will be shared and decisions will be made in time to make the whole process smooth for everyone involved.

 

  • Two successful Scrap Metal and Tire Day collections were held again at the Town’s Transfer Station in May and October.  Each year, many residents take the opportunity to dispose of junk items from their property.  Questions on the disposition of computer equipment and other potentially hazardous materials have resulted in meetings with a reputable company interested in working with our town (and others) to meet this need.  We hope to have a process set up in the Spring of 2007 for the safe disposition of these materials and other electronic items.

 

  • There were two Eagle Scout projects in the Town in 2007.  They included work in May at Memorial Park behind the Historical Society, with landscaping and repair work to the gazebo completed by Eagle Scout candidate Brent Millet of Lancaster Troop #25.  Matthew Hawley from Elma Troop # 325 designed and completed landscaping work in the late Fall at the Town Park to improve safety for those using the swing set.

 

  • The Annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony took place again at the Cowlesville Cemetery, with a parade of veterans, Scout members and the Attica Marching Band.  The ceremony annually honors the memory of departed veterans from our township, and is coordinated by the Historical Society.