Submitted by Chris Rossi for Hamilton Town Council
(Hamilton, NY – June 2015) Members from local village governments and the public attended the May meeting of the Hamilton Town Council. News from Hamilton Village included a message from the members of the Hamilton Historical Commission, who are holding a reception on June 6th at 3:30 pm in the Hamilton Library Community to honor John V. Atanasoff. A Hamilton native whose father was a Colgate student, Atanasoff is credited with inventing the first electronic computer at Iowa State College between 1937-1941.
Sue Reymers, our Town Clerk, reported that the Town has submitted requests to Senator Valesky’s office and Assemblyman Magee’s office for funding for two town projects. Financial assistance is being sought for building a much-needed salt shed at the highway garage. Not only is this structure required by the DEC to prevent run-off into Sangerfield Creek, but it will also save the town money by preventing loss of salt. The Town is also requesting funds to create energy-efficient, and thereby cost-saving, renovations to the newly purchased town office at 38 Milford Street.
The Town of Hamilton’s annual report to the NYS Comptroller’s office has been completed. Bookkeeper Brynley Wilcox informed the meeting that the 2014 Annual Update Document (AUD) is available for public viewing at www.OpenBookNY.com
The meeting discussed the results of the Ambulance District referendum. The district did not pass, so Town and Village taxes will be used to collect the funds needed to contract for ambulance service. Questions were raised about what SOMAC’s current budget was, and what actions were being considered to keep costs and taxes low. The Ambulance Service Community Working Group (ASCWG) is working with SOMAC to explore and identify ways to ensure the best possible service at the most moderate cost to tax payers. The Town Clerk and Bookkeeper are working with SOMAC to identify data to help with that discussion. A recent speaker at an ASCWG meeting told the group that unlike fire protection, the Town is not required to ensure that there is local ambulance service. The Hamilton Town Council believes it is a moral obligation to ensure that our community has good affordable 24/7-ambulance coverage, and continues to work towards that goal.
Town Councilmember Rossi gave an update from the Comprehensive Plan Committee. A draft of the plan will soon be ready for review by the Town Council, followed later by public information meetings around the Town.
The Partnership for Community Development (PCD) has signed a 3-year contract with the Town, Village and Colgate. They are hiring a new director who will be leading work on bringing new business and housing to the area. The goals are to increase our tax base (which will lower taxes), add jobs, and improve the overall quality of life in our community.
Madison County is once again taking a lead in green energy initiatives. Supervisor Shwartz, who serves on the County’s Energy and Public Utilities committees, shared news about a public solar energy initiative by the County. The 10 Megawatts of energy generated will be sold to local municipalities, colleges and businesses. The project will reduce energy costs and improve the County’s carbon footprint.
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, June 11 at 7 pm. We invite and encourage you to join us.
For more info visit www.TownofHamiltonNY.org.