By Denise Wright
The January 16th monthly meeting approved $35,709.01 in the general fund and over $24,390.16 from the highway fund to pay the monthly bills. The annual fee for a new program was mentioned during the bill report for residents to be able to pay for their dog licensing online. The Town Clerk said the system still needs to be implemented because they are waiting on a credit card machine. Once the system works, residents will still have to bring updated rabies certificates into the office to be validated.
The transfer station reported an annual income of $92,415 which is down from the $99,283 from the year before. It was concluded that residents purchased fewer permits and bags. Also, the difference could be attributed to seniors having a discounted price. The transfer station is proud to announce that they have started the paint can program again now that they have a lockable storage facility. This program is available during regular hours at no cost to residents. They only stressed making sure it is discarded paint and nothing else. Supervisor Roder commented that the program is a good service, free of charge for all residents.
The fire district proudly reported that the ambulance has seven emergency medical technicians but hopes to recruit more for the fire side of the house. A new tax break for emergency service workers with two years of service was mentioned, but there will be more discussion on it on the local level once the County approves it.
The Library and Youth commission have been holding popular teen nights. They are hoping to do some fundraising to support the events and would love to have residents sponsor a night. In February, they hope to hold a safety cell phone use seminar with the help of Cornell Cooperative Extension. Information will be publicized when it gets confirmed.
Supervisor Roder mentioned that the Town had submitted a grant application for assistance with bridge maintenance. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) notified the Town that the application was received along with 17 others. The hope is to work on three bridges, one of which is the Madden Road Bridge.
After the Amended Land Use Regulation Law from 2014 was approved, the Board approved using Dog Control Officer Maggie Banker’s space as a dog shelter for Stephentown. Banker, who has worked with Stephentown for approximately four years, has a facility on Saddleback Ridge Road in Nassau which is described as a comfortable place that can take numerous dogs for the year 2023 as long as the Town can verify her insurance.
The next Town Board workshop meeting is scheduled for February 13, and the regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 20, at 7 pm, at the Town Hall on Grange Hall Road.