Petersburgh Town Board Action – Lewis Hollow Road To Reopen

by Alex Brooks
At The Town Board meeting on Monday, Petersburgh Highway Superintendent Ray Harrison said he was about ready to re-open Lewis Hollow Road, which had been closed because wires knocked down by trees felled in the weekend storm were lying in the road.
Other Road Problems
Local attorney Nancy Hewitt read two letters from her neighbors on the subject of winter sand put on the roads for traction in icy conditions later becoming a health hazard in the form of dust. One letter was from Bill Alston, who lives on Dayfoot Road near Hill Hollow. He said there are thick clouds of dust around his house on warm spring days. He often has to hide indoors to escape it, and he is concerned about the health effects. The other letter was from Dr. Charles Rohrs, who lives on the paved section of Hill Hollow Road near Alston and Hewitt. He said the sand which is being kicked up has a high silica content and can give people who breathe it a lung disease called silicosis.
Some on the Board were surprised to hear that this problem continues as in previous years. Bill Seel said he thought the problem had been dealt with when the Town installed the salt shed and resolved to use salt and washed sand on the paved roads.
The subsequent discussion focused on sweeping up the sand, when it should be done and with what equipment. The Board agreed to continue seeking solutions to the problem.
Website Up
Petersburgh Town Supervisor Peter Schaaphok said the Town’s new web site is up and running. It was designed by Bob Phelps of Hoosick and can be found at www.petersburgh.org. Schaaphok invited everyone to have a look.
Stewart’s Grant For Youth Programming
PVMCC President Susan Nelsen announced that Stewart’s Shops has given it a grant of $1,000 to support teen programming at the Veterans Hall. It will be used to hire Program Leaders to run teen nights and other teen events. Nelsen remarked that Stewart’s has been a great supporter of youth programs in Petersburgh, this being the third grant from them for youth.
Forest Legacy Program
The Board received a request for a letter of support for the designation of the Rensselaer Plateau for special consideration as part of the Forest Legacy Program.
The Forest Legacy Program was created in 1990 as part of the Federal Farm bill passed that year. It is a federal grant program aimed at keeping forests intact through purchase of conservation easements or sometimes fee purchase of lands to be included in State Forests. Participation by forest landowners is entirely voluntary.
The Board was not sure exactly what it would mean if the Rensselaer Plateau were to be designated. Bill Seel said he was concerned that this designation may put restrictions on what people can do with their land. Ray Broadwell said, “I’m not in favor of this at all.” The Board decided to take no position on the designation.
A public information session on the proposed designation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, at 6:30 pm at the Tamarac High School Library on Route 2 in Brunswick.
Preventing Violence In The Workplace
The Board considered a resolution on violence in the workplace. Supervisor Schaaphok said this resolution was brought to the Town by its insurance provider but it is based on a New York State law. Schaaphok said he thought the Board had to pass it to maintain their insurance. Town employees must have annual training on prevention of violence in the workplace and an annual review of incidents and policies. The Board passed the resolution.
Health Insurance Woes
Schaaphok said the Town’s health insurance provider has raised the premiums significantly, and the Town is looking for alternatives to keep the costs down. Bill Seel passed around some information about other options, and Teresa deWaal, who is a health insurance broker and a local resident, described some of the alternatives. The Board decided to have a meeting between the Board and the highway crew, which is covered by the insurance, to discuss which plan is best.
Other Matters
The Board renewed the annual contract with Ed Jones to have him mow the cemeteries and the lawns around the municipal buildings and also agreed to hire him to mow the Town Park. The Board was pleased with the way Jones had kept the lawns over the past year.
The Town received a letter from Peter Schaaphok resigning from the Board of Assessment Review. The Town is looking for someone interested in filling the vacancy thus created. The Board appointed Callie Crisp as Secretary to the Board of Assessment Review, replacing Barb Snyder.
The Board appointed Kathy Share to finish the unexpired term of Margaret Weinland on the Board of Trustees of the Petersburgh Public Library.
The Board then discussed revisions to a 1993 law concerning garbage and scheduled a public hearing on the revisions for 6:30 pm on Monday, April 19.
The Board then went into executive session to discuss “two legal issues.”