Arcadia Town Board Meets
By John Zornow

The February 10 Arcadia Town Board meeting opened with Supervisor Dom Bartucca asking for public comment.

Mary Jane Healy asked the board for explanation of resolutions about the town's healthcare policies. She wanted to be provided with information about who is eligible and who receives benefits. Councilman Gary Grant agreed that the town's personnel "manual" was confusing and needed updating. He suggested that his draft of a new policy would clear up confusion and asked Ms. Healy to await this draft that would outline more clearly, the town's regulations for group health insurance coverage. She agreed to this.

Representatives from the Marbletown Fire Department spoke about their frustration with the quality of water at the firehouse. They indicated that once again, their water had failed to test as safe. Supervisor Bartucca informed them that he had contacted Senator Nozzolio's office, and a meeting will be held at the firehouse to deal with the situation.

Ange DeJohn thanked Councilman Diamond for the letter that he wrote to the Courier-Gazette explaining his position as to why he took the position on the health insurance issue. Diamond stressed that the letter was his opinion only, and tried to explain to Mary Jane Healy why he felt as he did towards the issue.

The board discussed whether or not the attorney should be present at all meetings. Supervisor Bartucca felt that if the attorney is not needed at a particular meeting, then it saves taxpayer money to not have him there. Saracino agreed that there were times when his presence was not required, and suggested that a procedure be set up to minimize his time at meetings. It was suggested that the agenda be faxed to him as far ahead as possible. Councilman Grant felt that the decision to have or not have the attorney present should be a board decision.

Discussion was held concerning the ongoing complaints of water and well water pollution being alleged by Calvin Dulmage of the hamlet of Mudmills. Town attorney David Saracino said that the town health officer, Dr. Chang, is not qualified to test water quality. Saracino reminded the board that in 1992, test results were negative, and recently in October of 1997, no violations were found on the site.

Saracino, in stressing that the town is not ignoring the problem, announced that a joint effort of several departments of the D.E.C. will be visiting the Pullen junkyard site in the near future.

Supervisor Bartucca reported that he had received a petition from residents of the Blue Cut Rd. area from Patterson Rd. to Rt. 31 asking to have the area's speed limit change from 55 to 45 m.p.h. This matter has been turned over to the state for a recommendation.

A lengthy discussion was held concerning the town's responsibilty to provide code enforcement services to the residents. It was agreed that tasks were not getting done due to the lack of a code enforcement officer when needed. Deputy clerk Diane Allerton was on hand to explain that complaints about junk cars, signs, and other situations were not being addressed in a timely manner.

Supervisor Bartucca felt that with the spring season coming soon that the town should act now to fill the position with a qualified person devoted to the town. Councilman DeJohn agreed that something should be done. He felt that the town was not getting enthusiastic cooperation from the village on this matter. Town attorney Saracino indicated that the problem would get worse, due to the fact that village code enforcement officer will be only part-time as of next summer.

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