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Poland Property Destroyed By Fire Discussed At Recent Meeting

POLAND — The town of Poland Board discussed ongoing matters and future projects during their recent meeting.

One resident asked if there had been any progress on cleaning up a property, which was destroyed by a fire. Some work has been done, but the property seems to be in limbo. Code Officer Alan Gustafson said he did not know if a sale agreement had been finalized. Highway Superintendent Larry Mee noted that he had received a copy of a dig order for the gas company to remove service to the property. He felt that was a step in the right direction.

Under old business, Councilwoman Kathy Stanton told the board she was going to reach out to members of the accessibility committee to schedule an April meeting. She is planning to attend an Appalachian Regional Commission grant meeting with Southern Tier West in the Fredonia Tech Incubator in Dunkirk. She thought the crosswalk work and downtown roadwork projects that were part of the strategic plan could be partly funded by a grant from ARC. Stanton said that STW would be able to help the town with the application. Since Route 394 is in need of work now, it might be a good time to coordinate a project with the state. Stanton noted that projects would have to start in 2018.

Town Clerk Bonnita Wallace said tax collection has been going well. The last day payments can be taken at the town hall will be Monday, April 3. Wallace stated that Dog Control Officer Brian King has announced a rabies clinic for Saturday, April 8, from noon-2 p.m. at the highway department building on Grubb Hill Road.

Highway Superintendent Larry Mee said they had just reached the 80 percent of the salt that they have to purchase with the order they would receive the next day. There was about $17,000 in the bills for salt. Repairs for the trucks for the month amounted to around $7,000. Councilwoman Stanton noted that the repair facility had charged for test-driving the truck after making repairs. One of his workers would be out for the rest of the winter following surgery.

Mee noted that there had been 155 inches of snow as of that date at his department, which was more than all of last year. Town roads have been holding up well. Mee did not see many problems.

Supervisor Kelly Snow said the recommendation from the county planning group meeting was that any variance request should go to the planning board before the zoning board. The planning board will have regular meetings, so there should be no real delay for any projects considered. Councilman Terry Walker thought the town should look into what is happening with the property next to the park.

Tests that were run by the company considering purchase of the property found the ground contaminated 15 feet down, and water below it also contaminated. If the property would come up for tax auction, he wondered if the to town should use their right of first refusal, and add it to the park, since it would not entail a major building project.

Gustafson informed the board that he was waiting for information from Ag and Markets about the situation on Cobb Road, and would forward it to Webb as soon as it comes. He is working on the deadline for closing out on some construction projects. A permit for demolition has been applied for by owners of a burned house on Route 62. More research will be done on the Second Street property.

Mee asked about the Falconer transfer station hours being cut again. They are now closed to the public on Friday. County legislator Ron Lemon stated that they examined their system, and that was one of the lowest usage days by the public. Another resident noted that Ellery was closed as well, according to their phone message. The public would have to go to Fredonia. Mr. Lemon said he would ask about that, since he had been told it was open.

Supervisor Snow noted that she had funded the highway department HSA fund. The audit report would be submitted by the end of the month.

Town Historian Rebecca Lindquist’s report stated that she and Cathy Kimball were still working on the wall displays on the history of the town. She has completed text for the display but they are working on the layout. A display of ladies from the town in their finery is currently on the wall in her office. Work in continuing on different scrapbooks for town families.

The next regular town of Poland Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m. in the town hall. Supervisor Snow will be available at 5:30 p.m. to meet with residents about their concerns. The public is encouraged to attend.

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