GERMANTOWN–Thanks were the order of the day at Monday’s last regular Town Board meeting for 2011, along with citations for service to the town.
And garbage.
Making his monthly report to the board, Highway Superintendent Richard Jennings noted that town highway crews have been picking up “a lot of trash.” More than the usual litter, the garbage has included a couch, a pegboard, deer carcasses, doors, and even full, county refuse bags. “They’ve paid for the bag, then they just dump it,” he said.
No particular location has become a dumping ground; the refuse has been found throughout the town. Mr. Jennings asked that residents call the Highway Department when they see trash so that it can be picked up promptly. “A couple of inches of rain on a couch and it weighs a ton,” he said.
In other business, the board:
*Approved without objection the purchase of a 2012 three-quarter-ton Ford F250 general-purpose pickup for $32,133. The truck cost was included in the town’s 2012 budget, but there are funds for it in the 2011 budget. The money saved in 2012 will roll over to the General Fund, said Supervisor Roy Brown
*Approved without objection the “surplusing” of a 1993 dump truck. Another town may buy it
*Approved without objection having a Coarc student work two hours a week for the Highway Department for approximately two months in a mentoring/work situation. Kevin Jones of Coarc will accompany the student at all times. There is no cost to the town; Coarc insures the student
*Discussed with Sewer Department Superintendent George Sharpe the December 15 breakdown, due to an electrical problem, that led to a fire in the emergency generator at the wastewater treatment plan. With the generator out for repair, the plant has no emergency backup, but Mr. Sharpe said a portable generator was not immediately necessary, as the repaired generator should be returned this week
*Learned from Germantown Economic Development Committee chair Corinne Curry that ARTspace is researching several ideas for its new home, since Otto Leuschel of Otto’s Market is transforming the first ARTspace into Germantown Variety, due to open in the spring. Central House, the six-room inn on Main Street, is booked “almost every weekend” for spring and summer 2012. All present were asked to save the date of April 21, the first GEDC Moveable Feast
*Learned from Supervisor Brown that four responses had come in to the request for proposals for sidewalk repair. After review, two finalists will make a presentation to the Sidewalk Committee. The project is on schedule to break ground in spring 2012
*Learned from Mr. Brown that the new parking law is in final draft form ad is available in the town clerk’s office for review by residents. The board will take it up at its January meeting
*Supervisor Brown gave Deputy Supervisor Austin Sullivan the citations the town had received from the Rip Van Winkle Tobacco-Free Coalition and from the office of Assemblyman Pete Lopez (R-127th), in thanks for Mr. Sullivan’s efforts in keeping the town’s parks, playgrounds and ball fields tobacco free
*Mr. Brown gave certificates of appreciation to Jeremy Smith for his four-year (one term) service on the board, and to Graceann Lamberta, for her eight years (two terms) of service on the board
*Confirmed the following dates: Friday, December 30 at noon for the year-end meeting; and Wednesday, January 4, at 6 p.m. for the annual reorganization meeting. Monday, January 16, at 7 p.m. is the next monthly board meeting.
About 30 people attended Monday’s meeting, which Mr. Sullivan videotaped for the community channel on Gtel cable TV.