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CITIZENS FOR
SPAFFORD: December 20, 2003
10 AM- Noon @ Town Hall
Reports given:
Report #1: Trash Trucks on Rt. 41
"The wheels turn slow on the trash truck issue."
Frank Moran said that...'The stumbling block is George Pataki....The concern for the
water supply among these politicians does not exist.' ...'There are a lot of communities with the same problem.'
Frank said he thinks we (his task group) should work with the Tri-County
Water Assn. Barry
Kahn said he thinks that railroads are the way to go.
Frank read from a NY Times (3/15/03) article regarding NYC ("Upstate Place in the
Country is Sought for the City's Trash", 3/15/03) moving trash in sealed container by
barge.
Joyce Barnett asked that this be posted to the
Bullett. Moran stated he didn't think most people used the internet.
Frank said he was concerned that barges would move through the upstate canal system
and directly affect our area.
"A Hot Topic"
Frank said moving trash by truck is expensive, and under review in many other
communities in the Upstate area.
One example he cited was a flyer from CCCC
-- Concerned Citizens of Cattaraugus County. Source: www.concernedcitizens.homestead.com
Additional read: Skaneateles
Watershed website
Joyce Barnett asked that Frank keep the group informed on a monthly basis. She suggests
drafting letters to legislators and groups to keep us informed. (i.e. "If you're doing any
lobbying this year we would be interested in helping.")
Frank spoke about opening the weigh station on Rt. 41. Vic Sayko stated the inspection
station is presently used approximately 3 times a year (This is for all trucks, not just
trash trucks).
Report #2: Comprehensive (Master) Plan
Vic Sayko said his work on the Grange building restoration project has taken much of his
time, and unfortunately was unable to devote time to this report.
Joyce Barnett has obtained a copy of Cazenovia's master plan; she stated she liked it, and
felt it is similar to our town's needs. She also stated she plans to obtain Tully's. ...' to see
what other towns have done.'
Vic Sayko asked Frank Moran about previous impact studies on truck traffic. He
suggested contacting SUNY ESF to ask students to study our situation in Spafford as a
paper. There was discussion of possible local persons with connections to ESF we might
call upon for help with this. (Bob Werner, Bill Porter, and one other man whose name
they were unsure of)
Report #3: Communications
"You people in Spafford need to get together and stop fighting."
Joyce Barnett said it is important to keep communications open. She said she had been
asked to speak about the grant issue for the Grange building, and a meeting is pending
Dec. 30th with Joyce Barnett, Bill Vinzant, Susan Underwood, and Liz Rogalia to smooth
over some possible rough spots and clear the way.
Joyce has spoken with Jim Murphy in a phone conversation, and he assured her he has no
intention of holding up the grant. She said 'the grant is at the final "check-off point."
[This is the Economic Development Initiative grant, $89,000. Questions have been
raised about use of these funds, and how the money would pass through from the Town
to the SAHS]
Talk turned to grange renovations, specifically replaciing the furnace. Vic Sayko stated
that although the need is there, replacing the furnace may be cost prohibitive ($30,000).
Frank Moran suggested a service contract to regularly check the furnace status. Phil Clark
stated there is nothing wrong with the oil burner right now. Vic Sayko said "we are under
the gun, as there is talk of a Valentine Day gathering again this year." Frank Moran said
he "doesn't want to be an alarmist," but he has seen great damage occur to buildings that
go without heat for just a few days." Lauri Clark stated that Linda Sanders and Johanna
check the building daily, and are keeping a close watch.
The name of the committee was voted to be "Citizens For Spafford."
Report #4: Barry Kahn
Barry spoke to Warren Darby, the Undersherriff. Stated that he'd like to see an "Adopt A
Highway" sign somewhere on Rt. 41 by the Citizens For Spafford.
He said he talked to the DOT about adding a "Trucks to Seneca Meadows" sign atop the
existing sign off the Binghamton (?) exit. Barry is worried about imminent accident
causing irreparable damage to 3 watersheds. Barry wants to go to some presentation in
Cicero. Linda Sanders asked Barry to obtain copies for all of us, so we can read and
absorb all the information to decide.
Richard Malcolm talked about Conservation easements. He spoke with Andy Zepp, from
the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Mr. Zepp is willing to come speak to us, perhaps in March.
The Trust buys the land, to preserve open spaces.
CITIZENS FOR SPAFFORD:
November 15, 2003
At the first public
hearing held November 15th at Spafford town hall about 20 residents
gathered chairs in a circle, and introduced themselves. While some said
they'd like to see continued clean up in Borodino, others said they 'want
to be part of excitement and change.'
Spafford Party
councilor-elect Joyce Barnett chaired the meeting. "As we've gone
around the room, I'm hearing we all want the same thing. Overwhelmingly,
the group's interest has been in developing an overall master plan."
Barnett said she heard: the need for more open communication in town
government, a desire to preserve our community, and concern for zoning and
safety issues.
Hands raised to form
three "task groups" to research solutions:
-
Banning
trash trucks on Rt. 41
-
Develop a
master plan for Spafford
-
Communications
Barry Kahn said,
"I'd like to see an Adopt a Highway program implemented."
Johanna Frittelli said "we all want a store" (in Borodino).
Some people expressed concern over applying changes to zoning laws
that may hurt small businesses and older citizens. "We should be
careful, and have flexibility."
Councilman Bill
Vinzant suggested that individuals make a presentation to the town board,
and keep the board informed of their monthly progress. "Almost
nothing is changed due to a collaborative effort by the board. Change is
almost always due to individuals." Vinzant said it won't be easy.
"You'll need an outline, maps -- assemble your knowledge of what is
there. Then invite the board to cooperate."
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