Submitted by Chris Rossi for Hamilton Town Council
(Hamilton, NY – Nov. 2015) The November meeting of the Town Council was opened with regular housekeeping – approval of minutes and claims for payment.
Highway Superintendent Bert Glazier shared the good news that the walls for the new salt shed at our highway garage are in place, and the remainder of the construction should be done by the end of November. The Town has submitted a Salt Shed grant request for $255,000 to the DEC to help offset the cost of construction.
The Town Council has heard concerns from residents about unsafe speed limits on some of the local roads, including Payne and Spring streets. Clerk Sue Reymers and Superintendent Glazier will compile a list of roads of sufficient concern to warrant a Speed Study from the (state Department of Transportation) NYSDOT. Upon completion, the DOT will determine if a speed reduction or change is needed. If approved, the Town or County can impose lower limits.
Vinny Faraone spoke on behalf of SOMAC, reporting that their audit and tax returns have been completed. Student volunteer numbers are up as SOMAC is sponsoring EMT classes at Colgate University. SOMAC is also rebuilding its community volunteer base and looking for local volunteers to assist in a variety of ways –driving or staffing an ambulance, assisting in fundraising, grant writing, and more. Rebuilding the volunteer program with both students and community members is key to keeping the cost of service down and keeping efficiencies up! Please contact SOMAC if you are ready to help.
The Town of Lebanon has approved an ambulance agreement with the Village of Sherburne. Part of the area formerly covered by SOMAC may now be served by Sherburne, with a potential change in response time due to distance. Lebanon residents who border on Hamilton may want to check with the Lebanon Town Office to determine who is their ambulance provider.
Supervisor Shwartz reported that Hamilton is not the only town wrestling with how best to ensure ambulance service. Madison County is also looking at emergency service concerns for towns and villages across our region, and has commissioned a study of the problem to be completed in mid 2016.
The Partnership for Community Development hosted a meeting with its principle partners—the Town of Hamilton, Hamilton Village, and Colgate—to create a 2016 work plan. Projects include improving broadband throughout the town, strengthening the marketing of the Village Airpark, increase availability of senior housing stock in Hamilton, and grant support for the Poolville Community Center.
The proposed 2016 Town budget was adopted and the fire contracts for the Villages of Earlville and Hamilton were approved. The 2016 Town budget can be found on the Town website.
The Hamilton Town Council meets on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Town of Hamilton office, 16 Broad St. in the village of Hamilton. The next meeting is Thursday, Dec.10 at 6:30 p.m. We invite and encourage you to join us.
For more information, visit www.TownofHamiltonNY.org.