Jefferson Sets Hearing On Amended Wind Law

JEFFERSON –  With few comments on the updated Unsafe Building Law, members of the Jefferson Town Board approved it and set a hearing for the revamped Wind Energy Law for April 11 at 7 p.m...

Code Enforcement Officer Rich Irwin explained the need to update the town's Unsafe Building law to bring it into compliance with the state regulations, by changing verbiage and the entity that would hear complaints. The existing law is more than 20 years old and a notice of violation, according to state law, should go before the town justice court and not the town board. He explained the process and said the old hospital building is currently in the queue and is awaiting a response from the building's owners. It has been deemed an unsafe building and owners must remedy the situation or the building can be removed.

Jefferson Historian Ingrid Zemin reported she has received a family bible that dates back to 1774 and involves the Goodenough family. She is working on interpreting the handwritten notes, etc, and will keep the town board updated. 

Don VanValkeburgh reported that the Heritage Committee has met with volunteers and vendors, with a number of vendors expressing interest in the 2024 date. The Jefferson Historical Society will again provide Blues Maneuver as entertainment on the evening of the event. Ads are being taken for the Heritage Day booklet and a barbecue has been slated for May 25 to raise funds for the celebration. They are still seeking people to do or help with children's activities on the green. The next meeting will be held on March 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Town Hall.

In his report, Highway Superintendent Ray Hendrickson said Comprehensive Highway Improvement Program CHIPS funding is being cut. He is hoping it gets worked out in the upcoming state budget negotiations.

Crews have been cleaning up inside and outside the shop and trees have been cut on the town green. They have been working on Higgins Road, doing the shoulders, and working on the water issues.

He was given permission to seek quotes on the drag box to be used with the grader. He was also given permission to seal the basketball court on the green and to line the court.

The issue of people walking their dogs on the town green and not cleaning up after them was raised once again and Rich Irwin said dog owners can be cited. Names will be provided. "If you know who is doing it, there is a law," said Irwin. Signs erected on the green asking pet owners to pick up after them have been to no avail.

The Green Committee has received estimates to remove the old maple tree stumps, which must be done before new trees may be planted. There is one area where they will not be planted, due to drainage issues. They do hope to plant more trees, this spring, according to Councilman Ken Cole. They have received a $6,000 grant from the Schoharie County  Soil and Water Conservation District.

He also reported the Catskill Revitalization Council is preparing to resume work on the tracks from the Arkville station. A previous grant, for the line to Highmount must be completed. While they intend to do work on the line to Roxbury, he said they must complete the previous grant.

Board members approved a $750 estimate from Chris Twible to remove the stumps on the green. 

Bids for lawn mowing were rejected and it will be rebid, with several contractors submitting bids, however, they were in different formats, making them difficult to compare. The advertisement will be reworded so that everyone is submitting bids in the same way.

Board members also approved the Shared Service contract with the county and others and it was agreed more security is needed at the town hall. The town will look at a buzz-in system to admit people having business at the town hall and the cost to have additional cameras installed. The beefed-up security is related to incidents that have occurred at the county and town levels.

The meeting opened with a presentation by Bill VanWormer of NBT Insurance and a representative for NYMER. He explained the insurance policy line by line. The costs have increased, but not substantially.

Supervisor Peggy Hait said the county is looking to add new security at the county office building, with a serious incident occurring just last week.