Our Hometown
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 Arcadia Town Board The Arcadia Town Board met on January 13. The subject of health insurance was brought up by Councilman Mike DeJohn. He reported on contact that he had with the New York State Association of Towns. The Association indicated that a resolution made in December by the board was improper, due to the fact that it went against policy that was already in place. The December resolution was to provide outgoing Supervisor Tom Healy with paid health insurance for a period of 12 years. DeJohn reminded the board that, according to the resolution dated 1981, Healy is not qualified for the coverage. He then informed the board that according to the NYS Assn. of Towns, it would be illegal to single out any one person for special treatment. DeJohn cited an example of a former Arcadia Town Justice who, when told that he was not qualified for insurance, threatened to sue, and could still do so, if this board does not act according to proper procedure. After discussion, DeJohn offered a resolution to rescind December's resolution; this was seconded by Councilman Diamond. The vote of the board was DeJohn - yes; Gary Grant - no; Brenda Westcott - no; Dom Bartucca - yes; and Diamond - yes. The vote to rescind the resolution was carried 3-2. Supervisor Dominic Bartucca appointed an advisory committee to assist with his efforts to seek input from the residents of the town. Six residents, from both the village and outside the village, were appointed: Steve Austin, Rod Graybill, Phil Marvin, Jim McBride, Gary Wells and John Zornow. Supervisor Bartucca stressed that the committee does not have decision-making powers and will not replace or interfere with residents' rights to personal contact with elected town officials. Nonetheless, Councilman Gary Grant called the committee 'scatter gun' and said he felt that it becomes a second town board. The board voted to retain MRB Group again this year to provide engineering services for the town. Bartucca had made an effort to change to a local firm or at least 'bid out' engineering services in order to save money. Councilman Grant moved to retain MRB, indicating that they had provided good service in the past, and were actually a local concern. Councilwoman Westcott seconded the motion, which was carried 4-1. Grant added that it was Malone of MRB who had convinced Newark to sell water to Arcadia residents. Water - the lack of it and too much of it - dominated the discussion for much of the rest of the meeting. Bartucca reported on his efforts to provide water to the outlying areas of Fairville and Marbletown. Several residents of both areas were at the meeting to support this. Bartucca asked the board for permission to transfer funds from a contingency account to hire Stuart Brown Associates to prepare applications for Small Cities Grants totaling $800,000 to bring water to these proposed areas. The board voted unaminously to hire the firm, with the understanding that the grant applications are good for three years of grant awards. Bartucca reported that initial surveys of residents in these areas have produced only positive response. The flood: Town resident and businessman Rick Nichols spoke to the board about recent problems on his properties with flooding and lack of sewers. He reminded the board that when the village annexed the Wal-Mart area, his property, as well as others on Rt. 31 East, were left out. After describing his situation, the board advised him of three options: 1. Apply for annexation. 2. Permissive service area. 3. Set up sewer district. Nichols stated that annexation was probably the best alternative, and the village was in the best situation ever to handle it. Highway Superintendant David Harder talked about a situation on Budd Road, where the flow of water is causing a problem with ditches along the east side of the road. He indicated that there was not much that could be done to alleviate the residents' concerns. Bartucca asked if it was possible to fill the ditch with rock, and Harder said he will look into doing this. Copyright © 1998 |
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