HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 Enfield-Town-Government-Newsletter-Fall-2010.pdf1
Town of Enfield
168 Enfield Main Road http://townofenfield.org
September-December 2010 Newsletter
Enfield Town Boards
Meetings are held in the
Community Building, 1st floor
Town Board: 2nd Wednesday, 6:45pm
Town Supervisor
Roy Barriere 277-3843
Deputy Supervisor
Jean Owens 273-5682
Town Council Members
Stephanie Gaynor 272-8384
Chris Hern 276-5033
Jean Owens 273-5682
Debbie Teeter 277-4547
Planning Board:1st Wednesday, 7pm
Virginia Bryant, co-chair 387-9376
Jim McConkey, co-chair 387-9830
Mike Carpenter 277-4204
Ann Chaffee 272-6460
Steve Givin 273-7434
Calvin Rothermich 272-5930
Keith Smith 272-5304
Town Offices
Town Clerk 273-8256
Alice Linton, Town Clerk
Sue Thompson, Deputy Town Clerk
Town Office/Clerk Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 3 pm - 6 pm
Highway Department 272-6490
Barry Rollins, Highway Superintendent
Town Highway Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 6 am - 2:30 pm
Town Court 273-0363
Justice Poole: Monday, 5:00 pm
Justice Varricchio: Thursday, 5:00 pm
Code Enforcement Office
Community Building, 2nd floor
Code Enforcement 277-0266
Alan Teeter, Code Enforcement Officer
Carl Staley, Code Enforcement Officer
Code Enforcement Office Hours:
Monday, Thursday & Saturday 8:30-11 am
Wednesday 8:30 am-12 pm & 5-8 pm
Town Historian
Sue Thompson 272-6412
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company
Art Howser, Chief 272-8757
Roger Lauper, Deputy Chief
Ben Giles, 2nd Assistant Chief
Kirk VanDee, Captain
County Legislators
Report from the Supervisor
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, the State Environmental
Quality Review (SEQR) process for the proposed new highway facility has
been reviewed and approved by the Board. The Bond Resolution for the
project was approved by the Board in July. This is subject to a permissive
referendum. If the resolution is petitioned to go to referendum, there will either
be a special vote or it will be placed on the ballot at the general election on
November 2nd.
Also as mentioned in the previous newsletter, the Town Board had
determined completeness of the Wind Farm application in April, commencing
the SEQRA process. In addition, the Town has declared its intent to act as
Lead Agency. A Draft Scoping Document has been prepared by Labella
Associates and Harris Beach. Once the 30-day comment period has ended
(8/15/10), all comments from interested and involved agencies, including the
public, will be compiled to produce the final Scoping Document for the Wind
Farm project.
The Town is very fortunate to have received additional funding from
the County. During the past few months, we have been awarded 3 grants to
assist with some of our programs:
• The Enfield Beautification Committee was awarded a total of
$1,800 for local beautification projects. This grant was from the
Tompkins County Community Beautification Program.
• The Enfield Community Council has been awarded a total of $1,700
to help fund the 2010 Harvest Festival. This grant was awarded by
the Tompkins County Tourism Planning Board.
• The Enfield Celebrations Committee was awarded a total of $500
for miscellaneous events, such as the Enfield School anniversary.
This, of course, would not have been possible without the extra time
and effort devoted by our committee grant writers, and Tompkins County.
Thanks!
On a related note – Committees – we are still in need of
representatives to serve on the Tompkins County Youth Board, Recreation
Partnership, and the County Environmental Management Council. If anyone is
able and interested in serving in one of the three remaining vacancies, please
let me know.
Starting in 2011, the responsibility of dog licensing will be transferred
from the State to each municipality. Due to this mandate and in an effort to
improve our dog census records, the Town Board approved the hiring of a Dog
Enumerator, Regina Leonard. To avoid any penalties, please license your
dog(s).
As we all know, volunteers are the heart of this Community. We are so
fortunate to have so many individuals who take time out of their busy schedule
to help their neighbors and community. As a small token of our appreciation,
the “Volunteer Recognition Program” was instituted at the August Town Board
meeting. At least once per quarter, a volunteer will be recognized as the
“Volunteer of the Quarter”. The selected individual(s) will be nominated by the
Dave McKenna
Enfield/Newfield
564-7243, dmckenna@tompkins-co.org
Jim Dennis
Enfield/Ulysses
387-4058, jpd821@yahoo.com
Continued, page 2
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News from Code Enforcement
It's been a busy summer for building in
Enfield. There have been eight new homes
started this year with at least three more in
the works. Looks like we may be well over
our average, which has been 8-10 new
homes per year over the last few years.
The recent news in building is it looks
like New York State has completed new
building codes for 2011. New York has a
policy of updating building codes every 3
to 4 years to help keep up with new
technology and energy conservation. The
State updated codes in 2003, 2007 and
now 2011. The new codes should take
effect in January 2011, so any permit
issued before then will still be only subject
to the 2007 version.
Also, a reminder if you are considering
a project please give our office a call with
questions regarding the building permit
process. We are always glad to answer
questions about the necessary
requirements and to assist in any way we
can. We can be reached Monday,
Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
mornings or Wednesday evenings at 277-
0266.
Alan Teeter
Code Enforcement
Highway Department Newsletter Report - Summer 2010
Summer has been a busy time again for sure; lots of ditch digging
and brush cutting have been keeping the guys and me busy. Some dirt
roads have been sprayed with Magnesium. This is not only to keep the
dust down, but in some cases it is also to help stabilize the roads.
Magnesium provides a solid foundation to build from as we continue to re-
build and maintain our roads here in Enfield. Money is also saved by using
Magnesium, which can be used (eventually) to provide a stone and oiled
road which is a more permanent solution.
Just as an informational point; road construction is a process -
don't give up on us! When we start it, we will finish it! As some people
may have already heard me say, “You have Destruction prior to
Construction and finally Completion.”. Wait for the end result and I really
think you will like what you see (and feel) as you go down our roads. But
you can always still call me with questions at any time.
And along those lines, work has begun (and in some cases almost
finished up) on Rothermich Road and Harvey Hill Road. The guys have
worked hard on these roads, and we think these have been needed
improvements, and hope you feel the same. The bridge project on Enfield
Center Road is due to start soon, so be on the lookout for this.
The Town has purchased a new backhoe which has already
proven to be effective and Increased work production. Using the backhoe,
instead of the excavator, in the replacement of many culvert pipes allowed
us to continue ditch digging jobs with the excavator - just one example of
increased efficiency.
As we start into fall, wood chips and fill are still available for any
resident that may want some. Just give me a call at the office and if we are
working in your area we will drop some off. And as winter also approaches,
mailbox specifications are available from me at the Highway Department
or at the Town Hall.
In closing, enjoy the last days of summer and the beginning of fall,
we will be seeing you working on the roads and in the early morning hours
as winter begins. As always, let me know of any concerns you have - and
don't forget to wave to the everyday heroes that work on your roads day in
and day out. They help ensure that you and your loved ones get where
you're going. I feel they are a great group of guys with many diverse
talents.
Buddy (Barry) Rollins, Sr.
Enfield Highway Superintendent, 607-272-6490
“Roads are Enfield’s path to the Future”
Town Historian’s Report, Fall 2010
Sue Thompson, sdt1@cornell.edu/272-6412
Our Municipal Historians Group of
Tompkins County (MHTC) have been
learning more on “house histories”. I hope
to have at the September 25th Enfield
Harvest Festival some of the new “house
history cards” we have been working on.
Our first Enfield Elementary School
Reunion on June 4th was a great success.
People came with many memories to
share. We are hoping to hold another
reunion next year (smaller version).
Last but not least, in regard to the Civil
War Commemoratives events in 2011 we
are looking for diaries and letters from the
Civil War period (1861-65) from those who
went off to fight or those who remained at
home. If you have any of this information
and would like to share please let me
know.
A little history: I was contacted by a
relative to Peter Van Dorn, of the Van
Dorn Tavern, corner of Mecklenburg and
Van Dorn Roads. He is looking for
relatives of this family to contact; if you
want to contact him give me a call or send
an e-mail. He has a really nice picture of
Van Dorn’s corners on the web:
http://waitefamilyofbrooklyn.blogspot.com/
2010/07/van-dorn-tavern.html
Report from the Supervisor (continued from page 1)
public and selected by the Town Board. If the nominations become
overwhelming, the recognition program may increase to once a month.
Please take time and nominate someone you know who continually
volunteers their time for the benefit of the Town and its citizens.
Nominations can be sent to either the Supervisor or Deputy Supervisor,
and must be submitted at least one week prior to the Town Board meeting.
Last, but not least, don’t forget to visit our new and improved
website - http://townofenfield.org/content. Please take time to visit the
website for meeting minutes, committee reports, agendas, etc… Our
Town Board meetings are normally held on the 2nd Wednesday of every
month, starting at 6:45 pm. As always, if you have any questions or
concerns about any of the issues presented to the Town Board, please
contact any of the Town Board members.
Respectfully,
Roy Barriere, Town Supervisor
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From the Town Clerk
The Town Clerk’s office continues to be a busy
place. Many residents have renewed their dog’s
license this summer and some residents have also
licensed their dog for the first time. Our dog
enumerator is finishing up the job of visiting all
residences in Enfield. If the enumerator left a green
brochure in your door and your dog is already
licensed you don’t need to do anything. If you
received the brochure and have not yet licensed
your dog, please do so right away. We’ll need proof
of rabies vaccination and, if applicable, proof of
spaying or neutering. The SPCA will begin issuing
tickets this fall, so please don’t delay.
In August, Deputy Town Clerk Pat Dougherty
retired. We wish her all the best and thank her for
her years of service to the Town as Deputy Clerk
and also as Town Councilperson. Sue Thompson
has stepped in as the Town’s new Deputy Clerk.
Please welcome her the next time you stop at our
office.
Just a reminder that hunting and fishing
licenses can be purchased at the Town Hall during
our regular hours of 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Monday
through Thursday. By purchasing your license in
Enfield, a portion of the fees remain in Enfield. If
you purchase your license in another town or city,
Enfield will not receive any of the fees.
And finally, be sure to check the town’s website
www.townofenfield.org frequently for new postings.
Dates and times of special meetings will be listed,
along with copies of Board meeting minutes.
Alice Linton
Enfield Town Clerk
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company Inc.
In March of this year the Enfield Volunteer Fire Company (EVFC) took delivery of a 2010 Pierce Arrow XT
Pumper. The apparatus was purchased thru Tyler Fire Equipment in Elmira, NY and was constructed at Pierce’s main
plant in Appleton, Wisconsin. Funding for the purchase was secured with low interest, tax exempt rates from M&T Bank.
The new Pumper replaced a solid (but aging) 1990 Pumper. The purchase is part of the EVFC twenty year replacement
plan. The 1990 Pumper was recently sold to a fire apparatus broker in Missouri after several attempts to sell it locally
failed. There is not a huge market for twenty year old apparatus in the United States and most of these units are sold
outside of the States. Only these apparatus brokers have the expertise in making these transactions.
The new Pierce XT Pumper is a very welcome piece of apparatus to our current fleet. The 1990 Pumper was
used primarily as a water supply Pumper and back up to our 2001 American LaFrance Pumper if on another call or out
for maintenance. Its usage was limited due mostly to its size and lack of compartment space. That meant the American
LaFrance was running on most all fire calls as well as motor vehicle accidents. With the addition of the New Pierce XT
Pumper those duties can now be equally divided.
The EVFC, in conjunction with area businesses, will once again be putting together a 2011 community calendar.
These calendars are mailed to residents in the Town of Enfield free of charge as a public service and quick reference to
our local businesses. To help us continue this in the future, we encourage residents when calling or speaking with these
businesses to mention the calendar as your resource for calling them. Business advertising provides a good share of the
calendar costs and this will help us in our efforts to continue to provide the calendar in years to come.
We would also like to thank the many residents that support and donate to our annual mail solicitation. This
program has been a huge success over the years and has allowed us to purchase many pieces of equipment that we
normally would not have funds for.
The EVFC will not be holding an Open House this year at the Fire Station. Poor attendance over the last few
years was the determining factor in this decision. However, not to worry - the EVFC plans to increase its presence at the
Enfield Harvest Festival with fire prevention materials and tips, apparatus displays, and possibly some demonstrations.
Dennis G. Hubbell
President, Enfield Volunteer Fire Company
New “Job Central” Job Search Site Links
Job Seekers and Potential Employers
Tompkins Workforce New York alerts residents to a new state
job bank, launched by the New York State Department of Labor,
to make job seekers’ career search easier and help businesses
find qualified candidates. At the new “Job Central” web site, at
http://www.laborny.jobs, job seekers can access more than
84,000 posted jobs, with the number of posted positions
continuing to grow.
“This new job search site has received favorable feedback
from job seekers and businesses,” says Diane Bradac, manager
of the Tompkins Workforce New York Career Center. “It is an
efficient and no-cost avenue for businesses to post their
vacancies and connect with job seekers. New jobs and
information are posted daily. If customers need internet access,
they are welcome to use the computer lab at Tompkins Workforce
New York or the Tompkins County Public Library.”
Bradac notes job seekers can post resumes and scan job
openings, while businesses can post job openings and view
resumes to find qualified candidates.
For job seekers, the new site:
- Enables people to search job listings by key word or location;
- Alerts them to the latest job postings as often as they choose;
- Allows them to post resumes;
- Provides the option to let employers view their resume.
For employers that register, the new site:
- Enables businesses to search thousands of resumes from a
qualified talent pool;
- Automatically adds jobs listed on business web sites to the job
bank;
- Expands company exposure by posting their jobs across the
country via Labor Department partnerships.
For more information on the new job bank service, contact the
Tompkins Workforce New York Career Center at 607-272-7570,
or stop in at the Center in Center Ithaca, 171 East State Street/
Martin Luther King Jr. Street, Ithaca.
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Dates to Remember
September
1 Planning Board Meeting
Community Building, 7 pm
1 Volunteer of the Quarter
nominations due
8 Town Board Meeting
Community Building, 6:45 pm
October
6 Planning Board Meeting
Community Building, 7 pm
13 Town Board Meeting
Community Building, 6:45 pm
November
3 Planning Board Meeting
Community Building, 7 pm
10 Town Board Meeting
Community Building, 6:45 pm
December
1 Planning Board Meeting
Community Building, 7 pm
1 Volunteer of the Quarter
nominations due
8 Town Board Meeting
Community Building, 6:45 pm
Town of Enfield
168 Enfield Main Road
Ithaca NY 14850
ATTENTION: PROPERTY TAXES 2011
Residents of Enfield will notice changes on their 2011 property tax bill
that they receive just after January 1, 2011
The sales tax distribution to Enfield residents (Enfield’s share of sales tax
revenues collected in Tompkins County) will be credited to the Tompkins County
portion of our property tax bill instead of the Town of Enfield property tax portion. It
will appear that Town of Enfield property taxes have increased dramatically and
Tompkins County property taxes have decreased dramatically. In actuality, it is a
wash.
The Enfield Town Board voted unanimously for the sales tax credit to be
applied to our Tompkins County property taxes instead of the Town of Enfield’s
property taxes. The resolution reads in part as follows:
Whereas, sales tax revenues in the present economic climate are not
increasing and potentially may suffer continued decreases, and
Whereas, sales tax revenues because of the present economic climate are
unstable and unpredictable, and
Whereas, this places basic services provided by the Town of Enfield to it's
residents in an insecure position, and
Whereas, the Town of Enfield is presently unable to realize property taxes on
State of New York property located within the Town because of taking the
sales tax credit, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
The Town of Enfield opts to no longer take the sales tax directly and authorizes
it to be applied as a credit to the Tompkins County tax distribution.
This action will not cause any increase in your total property tax bill. If
you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Town Supervisor or a
Town Councilperson.