CANAAN–The Town Board at its January 14 meeting confirmed just 50 residents have purchased recycling permits. Discussion focused on the transfer station and its recurring problems like massive potholes.
Kovanta is selling the property and keeping a second in Pittsfield due in large measure to an Industrial Development Agency (IDA) loan. A purchase of the Canaan transfer station is in the works, though not yet closed, by a national company that owns landfills nationwide and manages waste recovery and recycling programs throughout the country.
Also last week the board unanimously approved the appointment of David Patzwahl as deputy supervisor for 2019 and approved scheduling of an audit meeting on February 11 at 6:30 p.m. ahead of the regular board meeting.
The NYSEG LIME contract for $6,500 is progressing with installation of LED lights in and outside Town Hall. It is estimated the lights will save the town from $1,200 to $1,300 annually.
Highway Department Superintendent Bernie Meyer and the board discussed a variety of road maintenance, equipment, and safety issues, including:
• Cost of $100,000 per mile for hot mix paving and the need for an additional $150,000 for current projects
• Increased truck and vehicle service costs, which spike after seven years and management of vehicle purchases to maintain “one of the most modern fleets in the county”
• Impact of heavy rains with ruts on many roads and innumerable nuisance stones requiring 500 tons of spring fill and 800 tons of sand and salt
• Ongoing preventive maintenance of trucks, e.g., $1,300 for steering box, water pump and hoses on #8; new brakes on #12, and broken chain on #7 spreader with a full load of sand. Fire hose was deployed to remove the sand
• Near completion of the Bristol Bridge project, plus a bid for services and materials being published February 15 and bid opening on March 4
• Safety of having a dotted line in a 35 mph zone in East Chatham as well as the danger of a 55 mph zone in front of the Canaan Post Office, with cars turning in. NYSDOT will be asked about rationale.
The Canaan Town Board will hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday, February 11 at 7 p.m. at Canaan Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.