By Chris Rossi
The meeting opened with Hamilton Area Anti-Racism Coalition representatives submitting a request that the town adopt a resolution against hate and intolerance. The village of Hamilton is in the process of amending a similar resolution at the urging of HAARC, which they had adopted years previous. The resolution presented to the town council expresses the inclusive values of our community and expands on those already expressed in the town’s comprehensive plan.
The request was tabled until the March meeting for full consideration by the board.
The highway crew made 45 runs between Jan. 11 and Feb. 14, 2019. To date, $56,073.74 has been received from the county for plowing. While not out plowing and sanding, the crew built a new sand screen, saving the town close to $10,000. Highway Superintendent Florenz reported that the crew is now required by the state to take excavator training, which has been scheduled.
NAPA now has a battery center at the town garage, ensuring fully charged batteries for all of our vehicles.
Colgate’s annual gift to the town of $86,133 was received, as anticipated in the budget. The town’s 2018 AUD is ready to be submitted.
Welcome new dog control officer Gordon Baker. Clerk Reymers reported that there are new methods for getting lapsed dog license renewals up to date and getting non-licensed dog owners into compliance, as all dogs in the town must have a license.
Code Enforcement Office Mark Miller has been busy with new home construction permits and renovation permits. The February planning board meeting was rescheduled due to weather and will meet again March 12. This has delayed some applications—call the town office for details.
Historian Jack Loop submitted a detailed account of activities for 2018. The report, which is filled with interesting Hamilton history, is available on the town website.
The town office building committee is working with the architect on finalizing construction documents, which will be ready to go to bid soon. The goal is to break ground in May.
Recreation and Youth Committee representative Mary Dinski attended the meeting at Hamilton Central School concerning a student who brought a gun to school. Representatives from law enforcement, the school and the school district took questions from the community. Concerns about additional mental health services, as well as increased security measures including school resource officers, were discussed and are being considered. Dinski also attended a meeting of the , which is focused on drug, alcohol and vaping issues. They discussed the potential impacts of the legalization of marijuana on the town and what can we regulate to keep our community safe.
The Partnership for Community Development is hosting a presentation by the Hamilton Climate Preparedness Working Group March 5 at 6 p.m. at the Colgate Inn. Members of the group from the town and village of Hamilton and Colgate University will speak about our joint efforts to build local climate resiliency.
One of the provisions of the town of Hamilton comprehensive plan is to hold a yearly review of its goals and actions. Over the course of 2018 the town has acted on updating laws and initiating policies recommended in the plan. The work will continue in 2019, including updating and editing the zoning law, making it easier to navigate. The comprehensive plan is available on the Town website.
The Hamilton Town Council meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the village courthouse in Hamilton; the next regular meeting is March 14. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
For more information, visit townofhamiltonny.org.
Editor’s note: Chris Rossi is a member of the Hamilton Town Council.