Gilboa To Order A New Truck

GILBOA  – With the restrictions placed on diesel truck sales by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Gilboa Town Board members are hoping to buy some time in the truck production queue by ordering a diesel chassis to be outfitted “down the road”. New York State has adopted the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) to move forward with a regulation that will require manufacturers to produce and sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission (electric) trucks and buses starting this year through 2035. They must sell the E-vehicles first, before they can place orders for other vehicles.

The problem may be affordability for local highway departments and the fact that meeting the quota may lead to a backlog in the production line of electric vehicles. With school districts saying  the manufacturers can't meet the requirements, Gilboa officials believe it will buy some time until all the issues have been ironed out and it will allow them to stay on track with vehicle replacement. Supervisor Alicia Terry said the oldest truck in the fleet is a 2007, which is 18 years old, and they have a 2009 and 2011 truck, which are both starting to age out. 

The town budgeted for the replacement of the 1994 John Deere mowing tractor and a 2007 tractor used to cut brush. They will forgo the purchase of the second tractor to purchase the Freightliner truck chassis. They will budget to outfit it the following year, which will keep them on their truck replacement schedule.

In his report, Highway Superintendent John Wyckoff said it seems they have done nothing for the past five weeks except to plow snow. His crew did paint the Eager Beaver equipment trailer, re-stained the boards and made some minor repairs. He said it looks like new and would like to put it in the March auction at Eklund's Farm Machinery with a $7,500 reserve. The trailer is a 2003 and is sitting behind the town highway garage for anyone wanting a sneak peak. Board members approved the auction and the reserve.

Town Clerk Linda Wyckoff has a DCals printer and three others that just don't work. Board members approved her getting rid of all the printers as junk. She reported that the Municipay online payment program is working well for this year's tax payments.

Board members approved the contract for her to update the Williamson Law Book software.

The town attorney is looking into why there is icing along the eaves of the newly refurbished highway garage. With the "quirky" winter weather of late, Superintendent Wyckoff noticed something unusual along the eaves that shouldn't be there. The new siding and roof at the highway garage is completed, however, there is concern over the moisture and what is causing it. The town attorney will look into the issue.

Supervisor Alicia Terry, in her report, said the town is still looking for a Summer Youth Program Coordinator.

She said the bid documents are ready for replacement of the salt shed roof. The town is looking to put a new metal roof on the building with a March 6 date for bids to be opened to hopefully make an award at the March 10 meeting.

She said the old store at the intersection of Guinea and Mace Road is scheduled for demolition by the county Department of Public Works. The old Mackey Store is being held up by a single, small diameter tree. Terry said the county took possession of the building in 2010, for the purpose of demolishing the building, which threatens to collapse into the roadway.

She also reported on an incident that occurred in the parking lot of the town hall recently and the dispatch of an emergency medical services call. One call was placed to 911 by the town clerk from the town hall landline. That call went to Schoharie County 911. Another woman phoned from her cell phone and that call went to Delaware County 911. Terry said officers from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection precinct across the road from the town hall stepped in to help the woman who had collapsed in the parking lot until an ambulance could arrive. The Blenheim stationed ambulance was on another call and the second ambulance for Schoharie County responded from Berne, which took an hour. She said it drives home the need for radio communications and dispatch between the two counties. The woman is doing fine, she reported. 

Terry is now seated on the county's Radio  committee and last month discussed dispatch and EMS with Bill Sharick, a commissioner with the Stamford Fire Department. 

The annual financial report for the town of Gilboa has been filed and she made the final payment on the installation of backup generators at the town hall and highway garage.

Lynn Hait, justice for the town of Jefferson, is serving as town justice for the town of Gilboa until a new justice can be elected.

The next meeting is set for March 10 at 6:30 p.m.. She is hoping NYSEG officials will be present at that meeting.