Summit Hears Comp Plan Update

SUMMIT — The July minutes and supervisor’s report was approved with several updates fro the town board.

The following departments submitted written reports. The board members had no questions or concerns about any of them.

Highway Superintendent, Jim Dibble, reported they are currently mowing the abandoned cemeteries and roadsides.

Youth Director, Lori Baratta, reported that the summer programs are going well and inquired about making her position a four-year term instead of appointing yearly.

Dog Control Officer, Jillian Smith, answered and investigated a few loose dog calls. Clerk VanValkenburg mentioned she is working with Jillian to update dog license records ie: dogs that are no longer in Summit or need to be re-licensed and is looking into Jillian getting connected to the town's Williamson computer program.

Code Enforcement Officer, Jesse Wilcox, is keeping up with open building permits, filing paperwork, and issuing one new building permit.

Assessor, Dave Jones, reported that this is a quiet time of the year, so they will be going out on the road inspecting parcels from the roadway. NYS Taxation and Finance is sending out letters to property owners who are delinquent on their property taxes.

Historian, Karen Cuccinello, reported that she is giving a slide show program “Hamlets of Summit” at the Summit Community Center on Friday Night Coffee Hour in the Charlotteville Schoolhouse on August 16th, met the Gardiner Foundation Semiquincentennial Summer Fellowship Program intern for the last time and is starting to proofread the Summit Farms book.

John Meaney, of the planning board, and John Foote, of the board of appeals, reported no activity.

Clerk VanValkenburg mentioned to Supervisor Vroman my inquiry about getting some sand/crusher run on the boat launch/beach; he apologized that he forgot to ask Jim about it.

The town Facebook page was tabled until the September meeting.

The Revitalization Committee did not meet in July but some of the sub-committees did meet. Next meeting September 4th.

Clerk VanValkenburg reported that the archives grant is completed and Allison submitted the final paperwork.

Clerk VanValkenburg created a “Welcome to Summit” informative letter and will send it to new residents and leave some at the post offices.

Meeting open to the public. The only comment was asking if Supervisor Vroman could speak louder.

The public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan opened. John Foote, chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, opened with part #1 of the plan; an overview, vision, and goals of the plan. He then discussed some of Part #2; background information- existing land use and mentioned possible future uses. Examples such as a well-planned campground or senior housing were mentioned as possibilities for Summit. Supervisor Vroman touched on Part #3 land use planning. The Board approved Parts 1-3 but will leave the public hearing open for the September 18th board meeting to discuss Part #4 comprehensive plan goals and objectives. Supervisor Vroman encouraged people to email, write or call him with questions or concerns about the plan. Mailing address: POB 132, Summit 12175, email summitclerk@midtel.net and phone 518-287-1430. The whole plan is on the Town of Summit website SummitComprehensivePlan2024_2.pdf (schohariecounty-ny.gov).

Most of the comments made from the floor were positive support for the plan, and hope that the board will approve it. One person commented that even though the survey had a good percentage of participation (there were 1,104 surveys sent out and 356 responses) there is still a substantial percentage of Summit residents who did not make their opinions heard.

The Board thanked John Foote and the Comprehensive Plan Committee, who met numerous time over the last three years, for their hard work on composing the plan.