Submitted by Chris Rossi for Hamilton Town Council
(Hamilton, NY – Oct. 2015) The October Hamilton Town Council began at its now standard time of 6:30. At 7 p.m. a public hearing was held for the Introduction of a Local Law to Override the Tax Levy. This law, which was approved by the Town Council, allows the Town to override the .73 percent Tax Cap imposed by New York State for 2016. Increases in the cost of doing business, including employee health care expenses, make it impossible for Hamilton, as well as other municipalities, to comply with the Tax Cap.
The public hearing for the 2016 Hamilton Town Budget will be held on Thursday Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Hamilton Public Library Community Room.
Attendee Regina Silvestri read a message on behalf of herself and her neighbors, expressing their concern over the expansion of WG Critical Care, LLC, located on the corner of Spring and Payne streets. Residents were concerned about possible zoning violations and an increase in truck traffic and noise. Note – A week after these concerns were heard at the October Town Council meeting the Town of Hamilton Planning Board denied issuing a special use permit for the expansion.
Highway Superintendent Glazier reports that the contractors will be erecting the new salt shed at the end of October. Work is moving forward with the goal of having the salt pile moved and covered before winter weather.
Senator David Valesky visited Hamilton on Sept. 22. Town Clerk Sue Reymers accompanied the Senator, along with other community members, as he toured the Earlville Library and the Skate Park. The group was joined in Poolville by Supervisor Shwartz and members of the Poolville Community Center, where they discussed the history of the building and its current use.
The visit included a stop at our new Town Office at 38 Milford St. (under renovation) and concluded at the Airpark/Airport. The Senator’s visit better acquainted him with the Town’s projects and areas where his support could help improve and preserve community assets.
At their September meeting, the Ambulance Service Community Working Group (ASCWG) hosted guest speakers Bill Acee and Jansen Casscles, representatives from Sherburne’s ambulance service, who spoke about their business model.
SOMAC also gave a financial report and shared information about the improvement in services over the past year. Since making changes in staffing and transfers, response time has dropped by over 5 minutes for a current average of 3 minutes for all 911 calls. This positive change is appreciated by patients as well as by our local fire departments, which depend on a quick response by SOMAC. Next steps for ASCWG include reviewing the information and recommendations gathered over the last year and creating a report to share with the public.
The Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) hosted informational meetings and a public hearing in September. Comments on the draft Comprehensive Plan were gathered both at the meetings and in writing. The CPC will use that community input to edit the plan before submitting it to the Town Council for review.
Supervisor Shwartz and Superintendent Glazier attended a countywide emergency training program, with the goal of putting an emergency plan in place for our Town. Shwartz, a member of the county non-profit committee, also reported that the County is working on its budget and will likely grant a 2 percent increase in funding for non-profits groups that provide services to all county residents.
Nov. 3 is Election Day. Hamilton Town Supervisor, two positions on the Hamilton Town Council, and Madison County Judge are on the ballot. Please exercise your right to vote.
More information at https://www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/board-elections/home
Please note, the Hamilton Town Council now meets at 6:30 pm. The Hamilton Town Council meets on the second Thursday of the month at the Town of Hamilton office at 16 Broad St. in the Village of Hamilton.
The next regular meeting is Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 pm. We invite and encourage you to join us.
For more info visit www.TownofHamiltonNY.org.