CANAAN–Nearly 25 town residents attended the February 10 meeting of the Town Board to hear the good news that the state Department of Transportation intends to complete repaving of state Route 22 from just north of Tremper Property Association where it completed 2 miles last summer southward to the I-90 interchange.
The board also announced the town Highway Department will be paving 10 intersections along the route, piggy backing on the DOT contractor, Callahan, for approaches at all 10. The Canaan repaving should begin in early summer.
Nothing was reported at the meeting on Route 22 north into New Lebanon.In the wake of the crowded January Canaan meeting, residents asked questions about services for people the federal governments calls Unaccompanied Alien Children and about the future of the Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth. The questions remain unanswered.
The Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services reports that over 50% of its primarily not-for-profit shelters nationwide care for fewer than 50 children, who spend less than 50 days on average at the shelters and do not integrate into the local community.
Berkshire Farm closed its Therapeutic Residential program last month and residents want to know whether the remaining Residential Program will be next to go. Requests for information have gone unanswered locally and nationally.
In other business at the meeting:
• Canaan Supervisor Brenda Adams reported on positions open, including: Zoning Board of Appeals clerk, county Environmental Management Council (EMC) representative, Meals on Wheels drivers, and Recreation Committee member
• The board discussed a new county law requiring vaccinations for all camp staff and volunteers.
• Supervisor Adams has been assigned to several county Board of Supervisors committees: County
Government, Board of Elections Oversight Committee co-chair, Health & Human Services, and Insurance
• The board approved resolutions and the presentation of posthumous Certificates of Appreciation to families of the late Michael Fabiano and the late Ralph Moshimer. Both were described as having exemplified the spirit of rural life in Canaan and for their community ties, community service, long marriages and strong family ties
• Enforcement of the town dog law was discussed. The town animal enforcement officer covers several towns, but going forward, a Sheriff’s Office deputy or State Police officer will be called as needed
• A statewide ban on plastic bags takes effect March 1 and collection of bags for those who need them, particularly seniors, is being planned at Town Hall
• Highway Superintendent Bernie Meyer noted our mild weather and its impact. The Highway
Department has used 475 tons of sand with the last storm exemplifying the challenge of rain, freezing, snow, more rain, slick roads. Canaan is well beyond last year in its use of sand.
• The Highway Department received approval to estimate the costs for construction of a storage shed for a variety of equipment and tools
• The state DOT and the CSX railroad now agree that Flint’s Crossing by the truck stop along Interstate 90 is dangerous. Signs measuring 2’-by-3’ will be installed warning truckers of “No Parking” and “No Standing,” and those prohibitions will be rigorously enforced.
After a public comment period, the board retired into Executive Session to discuss a legal issue.
