Proposed Great Valley Road Repair Bond Law Tabled
Proposed Great Valley Road Repair Bond Law Tabled
The Great Valley Town Board has decided not to require road repair bonds for logging jobs after receiving assurances that the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation will keep town roads in mind when letting bids on state reforestation tracts.
The DEC responded in winter to complaints of road damage in the area of a Wadsworth Logging Co. operation to remove pine timber from state forest lands in Thorpe Hollow. Town Supervisor Dan Brown said Thursday that the job was stopped and the deadline for removal was extended. The operation will resume when conditions dry up.
"The state didn't understand weight limits for town roads [but will place conditions in future timber bid contracts]," said Brown, who added the town has always had a good working relationship with the heavy haulers and would like to avoid the additional work road repair bonds would require.
Monday night's scheduled public hearing (May 9th) and drafting of the road bond law were set aside after a report from Deputy Supervisor Gerry Musall.
Musall, who presided over the meeting in the absence of Brown, then asked for input on a proposal to combine courts with the Town of Humphrey at the anticipated retirement of Humphrey Justice John Luzier. The process would require Great Valley and Humphrey to dissolve their courts and form a new one serving both communities, which board members said they would rather not do.
Brown later commented that he hopes the topic stays on the table because combining courts could bring additional state compensation for the program and open eligibility for more grants.
The Board agreed to form a committee to assist Code Enforcement Officer Rich Rinko as he prepares to address property management violations involving junk and debris. Rinko said he would like the committee to meet one or two times a month and help prioritize enforcement and identify properties in need of attention. He said he will sign off and enforce violations and he foresees no legal obstructions. Committee members were not immediately named. Property management is covered under state law and also in the town's zoning ordinance.
The Planning Board/Zoning Board of Appeals are holding meetings twice a month to work on the Comprehensive Plan Update. The next meeting is May 25th at 6:00pm and is open to the public.
Planning Board Chairman Chris Schena reported that the Planning Board/Zoning Board of Appeals has denied in a 3-2 vote an Ellicott Street owner's appeal for a setback variance for a 14x14-foot structure that was built in the hamlet of Killbuck without a building permit.
The Board took several steps to maintain facilities and update landscaping. It was agreed to hire Julie's Flower Box of Ellicottville to weed, trim, edge and mulch three plots and the sign around the Town Hall, as well as the Great Valley Memorial Park. In the future the Board will also be looking into refurbishment of the sign, which was described as "weathered." Several pointed out that the Memorial Park landscaping had been maintained in the past by the donated efforts of the Great Valley Fireman's Auxiliary. Also accepted was a $2,200 bid from BJ's Carpet Cleaning to clean and repair the interior floors of the Town Hall.
It was then reported that work is continuing on the design of the planned Town Hall addition to accommodate the food pantry, which could be a mirror duplicate of the current building, to form an L-shape.
The go-ahead was also given to add another row of commemorative bricks to the wall at the Memorial Park. A minimum of 10 bricks are needed and the public may purchase a block for $95 through August 31st. Blocks will bear the names of veterans and/or community members and may be installed in late 2022 or early 2023.
The six-week Summer Youth Program will begin July 11th and run four days a week. The Board named Michaela Pierce of Great Valley to direct the program. Pierce introduced herself and described many years of involvement and employment with the program.
The May 9th meeting was held in honor of former Holiday Valley Director of Marketing Jane Eshbaugh, who retired May 1st after holding the job for 41 years. Brown said he sent a letter lauding Eshbaugh, who "always made sure Great Valley had use of the Holiday Valley pool and money for Youth Program."
The public was reminded that use of the Killbuck Park Pavilion may be used at no cost to town residents. The town leases the park from the Seneca Nation. It boasts two ball fields, a large pavilion, a stage, a barbecue facility and a kitchen to accommodate take-out fundraisers.
Musall provided Supervisor Brown's update on the Willoughby School historic marker at the property of Charlie and Patty Smith. He said the cost will be $1,200 to $1,300. The Smiths will be asked to help with wording of the marker.
Finally, Highway Superintendent Jack Harrington reported there is an old fire truck and tractor owned by the Town and stored in the Town barn. At his suggestion the Board approved sending the equipment to the Teitsworth Auction and looking into the purchase of a small equipment trailer.
The Board will next meet at 7:00pm on June 13, 2022.