Submitted by Chris Rossi for Hamilton Town Council
(Hamilton, NY – Jan. 2015) The January Hamilton Town Council meeting served as the annual organizational meeting, with appointments made to various positions and committees. Among the appointments were:
- Deputy Supervisor and Budget Officer – Peter Darby
- Highway Superintendent – Bert Glazier
- Town Clerk/Tax Collector/Registrar and Records Management Officer – Sue Reymers
- Secretary to the Supervisor/Bookkeeper – Brynley Wilcox
- Town Attorney – Steve Jones
- Codes Enforcement Officer – Donald Forth
- Dog Control Officer – Larry Butts
- Constable – Mike Donovan
For a complete list of appointees, please visit the Town of Hamilton website or call the Town office.
Town Clerk Reymers reported that town tax collection through the County is going smoothly. Reminders will be sent out after March 1, with a $2 fee.
Madison County is implementing a new phone system through Finger lakes Technology Group. The Town may have the option to participate in the program, creating a more efficient phone system while saving money on phone and internet service. The Town will explore further to see if this is a cost effective and implementable project.
Justice Haight gave his end of year report on criminal, civil, vehicle, traffic violations and misdemeanor charges, which generated $6,015 for the Town. He did 42 arraignments in 2014, many for Brookfield and the Village of Hamilton. The Town Council thanks Justice Haight for his dedication and willingness to serve the Town of Hamilton as well as the Village of Hamilton and surrounding areas as needed.
The creation of an ambulance tax district to support emergency medical services in the Town of Hamilton was the focus of much of the meeting. The Town currently contracts with The Southern Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corp (SOMAC), a local non-profit organization, to provide these services. The public raised questions about the need for this option and, if other possibilities had been explored. Town Council members explained that possibilities ranging from creating a regional ambulance service to hiring a professional service were considered, but none were found viable.
Vinny Farone, President of the SOMAC Board reported that they are hiring a new Operations Manager who will be paid to work both as a paramedic and a manager. The Town Board will continue to work with SOMAC to ensure that high quality emergency services are provided to our residents in a cost effective manner. A public hearing on the proposed Ambulance Tax District will be held on Wednesday Jan. 21 at 5:30 pm at the Court House at 60 Montgomery St., Hamilton.
The Hamilton Town Council meets on the second Thursday of the month at the Town of Hamilton office at 16 Broad Street in the Village of Hamilton at 7 pm. Our next regular meeting is Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 pm. We invite and encourage you to join us.
For more information, visit www.townofhamiltonny.org.