KENNEDY - The first Town of Poland Board meeting of 2012 saw town Supervisor Kelly Snow presiding and several issues discussed. Under legal business, Highway Superintendent Larry Mee wondered if part of Doloff Road could be "abandoned" to the landowner who owns the property on both sides of the road in that section.
The owner had approached Mee on the subject. Town Attorney Paul Webb said that since the person owned the land on both sides, he thought it would be possible. There would probably have to be a public hearing on the matter. The issue has arisen because, even though the road is closed, there is still a bridge on one end that the state inspects.
They have flagged the bridge after their recent inspection. The town now has to respond. The county engineer inspected the bridge and determined that it was sufficient for the load it is posted for. Therefore, the town is all right for the present. The only way to get rid of the liability would be to give the road back to the landowner. Webb said he would check up on the issue.
A second matter Mee brought to the board concerned a letter from the DEC concerning the Dry Brook Creek and the stream embankment project from the Kimball farm down to Mee Road. Kimball has applied to the DEC for a permit to take gravel from the stream. The DEC has stated that Kimball can only have a permit if the town gives him permission in a written letter.
Webb said the decision would be up to the board. Mee then stated that if the town is going to give its written permission, the letter should state that Kimball is responsible to maintain the buffer strip, since the town has been given the responsibility for the apron by the state.
Mee said the board should drive out and take a look at the area before the next meeting so they understand the issue. Superintendent Snow suggested the matter should be tabled until the next meeting, so board members can inspect the area.
Mee noted that the DEC had always done a yearly inspection to make sure the blanket is being maintained, but that for some reason it has now been several years since the last one. Councilman Terry Walker said that he felt the town had the most to lose in this situation if the blanket is not maintained properly. He told fellow board members that he has seen some areas that have deteriorated in recent years, and this could lead eventually to damage to the road.
Snow said she would contact the DEC representative who sent the letter, and let them know the issue had been brought up at the board meeting. She would also ask about the lack of yearly inspections.
Councilwoman Kathy Stanton gave an update on the town hall project. She said that tentative plans were to see if they could get some help with grant writing efforts, and to possibly get it on the ballot again this year, while the data for the project is still timely.
Under new business, Supervisor Snow stated that currently the HSA accounts are held at Mellon Bank. These are the only accounts with that institution. Some highway department employees have felt that it takes a long time for the accounts to be funded. She said she met with a representative of M&T Bank about the possibility of that bank taking over the account. The representative also offered to meet with employees about their concerns. Ms. Snow said having the account with a local bank would give the town a local person to deal with, and also make it easier to transfer funds.