HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 Enfield-Town-Government-Newsletter-Spring-2012.pdf1
Town of Enfield
168 Enfield Main Road http://townofenfield.org
April 2012-June 2012 Newsletter
Enfield Town Boards
Meetings are held in the
Community Building, 1st floor
Town Board: 2nd Wednesday, 6:30pm
Town Supervisor
Roy Barriere 277-3843
Deputy Supervisor
Jean Owens 273-5682
Town Council Members
Chris Hern 256-5033
Vera Howe-Strait 273-1413
Ann Rider 277-3478
Debbie Teeter 277-4547
Planning Board: 1st Wednesday, 7pm
Virginia Bryant, co-chair 387-9376
Mike Carpenter, co-chair 277-4204
Ann Chaffee 272-6460
Steve Givin 273-7434
Calvin Rothermich 272-5930
Marie Van De Mark 277-4383
Dan Walker 387-6394
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
Code Enforcement Office Hours:
Monday thru Thursday 8:30-11 am
Wednesday 5-7 pm
Town Historian
Sue Thompson 272-6412
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company
Art Howser, Chief 272-8757
Roger Lauper, Deputy Chief
Kirk Vandee, 1st Assistant Chief
Ben Giles, 2nd Assitant Chief
Shawn Lauper, Captain
County Legislators
Report from the Supervisor
It is with great sadness I write about the passing of a close friend to
many - Dave Owens. I know this is old news to most, but for those who hadn’t
heard, one of our long-time residents of Enfield and a truly dedicated
employee of the Town’s Highway Department passed away earlier this year.
He will definitely be missed by many. Due to his initiative to always help those
individuals in need, whether through volunteering at the Enfield Fire Company,
the Enfield Food Bank, or what have you, he was awarded posthumously the
Town’s “Volunteer of the Month” in February.
A lot has happened since our last newsletter, most of which has to do
with unconventional (high volume hydraulic fracturing) gas drilling. This has
been the most controversial and divisive issue I can remember this Town
having to deal with. First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has taken
the time to help organize and/or attend the various presentations the Town has
hosted on the issue of gas drilling; to write the Town Board on their concerns
and opinions; and to attend the Town Board meetings, comment sessions, and
public hearing, to voice their concerns and opinions. Also I would like to thank
the folks from ENSAW (Enfield Neighbors for Safe Air and Water) for their
efforts in keeping the Town Board focused on doing what it needs to do to
protect the Town’s environment. Several measures are being reviewed to put
in place to protect the Town, if and when the unconventional gas drilling
industry comes to Enfield. The Town Board and the Planning Board are
currently in the process of updating the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, updating
the Town’s Site Plan Review Law, adopting a Road Preservation Law, and
planning on an aquifer study in order to adopt an Aquifer Protection Law; some
of which has been under review for the past year or so.
During the summer of 2011, the Town’s financial books along with the
“Employee Handbook” and employee benefit package, underwent an
extensive review by the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC). First of all, the
review proved to be very helpful. It gave me a better understanding of the
overall budget process, especially dealing with fund balances (savings) and
planning for the future. In addition, modifications were made to the 2012
budget based on their recommendations. The main reason for the review was
due to how funds were recorded on the budgets going back to 2009. There
was also a question about funds allocated for transfer to the reserve fund (for
Dave McKenna
Enfield/Newfield
564-7243, dmckenna@tompkins-co.org
Jim Dennis
Enfield/Ulysses
387-4058, jpd821@yahoo.com
Annual Spring Household Clean-Up coming in May!
Tuesday May 8th - Saturday May 12th
12:00 - 6:00 pm Tuesday - Friday, 7:00 am-12:00 pm Saturday
At the New Highway Garage, 475 Enfield Main Road
· No Refrigerant/Freon
· Tires on Rims ONLY—no Rimless Tires
· No construction or hazardous materials or recyclables
PLEASE NOTE: This is for HOUSEHOLD Clean-Up ONLY– NOT for the
disposal on large amounts of debris from apartment buildings, multi-year
accumulations, storage building clean-outs, etc. Town officials reserve the
right to turn away anyone bringing a larger-than-typical amount of material.
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the highway facility), not being transferred. The main reason for not
transferring funds in 2010 was to allow those funds to be available for the
new highway facility, if needed. As it turned out, those funds were not needed
for the highway facility, and they remained in the fund balance for future
needs.
This report has created quite a stir and I clearly understand,
especially after comments like “the Board does not properly manage Town
finances by ensuring that budgets are reasonable and accurate” or “the
Supervisor does not have a comprehensive understanding of financial
management, especially in relation to fund balance”. However, the issues that
OSC had were very much inflated in their report. The Board and I responded
to this report, which also included a “Corrective Action Plan”. Both the
Examiner’s Report and our response are posted on the Town’s website. If
you do not have internet access and would like a copy of the report and/or
response, please contact the Town Clerk. Feel free to call me or any of the
Board members if you have any further concerns or would like clarification.
The new highway facility is completed and we are all moved in. If you
didn’t have a chance to tour the facility during the Open House or during any
of the presentations we held in the facility, feel free to contact the Highway
Superintendent for a tour.
We still have one committee position vacancy. We need someone to
represent the Town on the Recreation Partnership Committee. This
committee deals with youth programs for the County. If you are interested or
would just like more information, please contact Councilperson Ann Rider.
As of the 1st of the year, we have a new Bookkeeper – Mary Cornell.
Pat Podufalski has served as the Town’s Bookkeeper for over 20 years.
Towards the end of 2011, Pat decided it’s time to call it quits. I, for one, truly
appreciated the time Pat has devoted towards maintaining our financial
books, to include payroll and all other aspects associated with bookkeeping.
She also agreed to stay on and train Mary for a couple months, to include
filing her final annual report. Thanks, Pat, for your years of service!
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
6:30 pm. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about any Town
issues, please contact any of the Town Board members.
Respectfully,
Roy Barriere, Town Supervisor
News from Code Enforcement
With an early spring upon us it
looks to be a busy year for building in
Enfield. After a slow start, calls are
coming in every day with questions
about buildings and permit
requirements. Many questions involve
what does or does not require a permit.
In general, regular repairs or
maintenance do not require permits.
This would include new siding,
replacement windows, replacing
heating equipment and re-roofing or, in
other words, repairing or replacing what
you already have. A permit is generally
required to add something new such as
an addition, a new porch/deck or doing
anything structural to a building such as
moving walls or adding a new window
or door.
Another common question
concerns the new laws on smoke
detectors and CO detectors. These are
now both required in existing homes as
well as in new construction. These can
be battery operated in homes that do
not have permanently wired ones. If
you have questions regarding the
placement of detectors please give me
a call as placement can vary from
home to home.
I am also the lead contact person
for Subdivision Approval and Site Plan
Review processes. Although both Town
laws have been around for some
time, not many people know that
approval may be required from the
Planning Board for either process. The
Planning Board has been updating the
Site Plan Review law recently and
although some changes have been
made to the old law the new version is
much clearer and tries to reflect the
nature of Enfield. If you have any
questions about either process give me
a call and I can usually give you an
answer - if not I’ll find it for you.
With the building season upon us I
am out in the field more and in the
office less. If you need to get in touch
with me it's best to call in the morning
to see when I will be available; I can
generally accommodate your schedule.
I will also continue to be in the office
Wednesday evenings from 5-7 p.m. for
those who can't make it in during the
weekday.
Alan Teeter
Code Enforcement
277-0266
Town Beautification
The Enfield Town Beautification Committee has submitted a 2012
budget request to the County Beautification program, which is funded through
tourism money. We are excited about continuing the improvement of our
visual impact to the community, both residents and tourists.
We have received positive comments about the improved Memorial
Garden in front of the school. The Park & Ride at the corner of Route 79 and
Route 327 was quite well maintained last year, with the Town dumping gravel
in the washed out areas both last fall and this spring. Our Park & Ride is filled
to capacity because the one in Mecklenburg closed last year. We also placed
a bike rack which is very well used.
Some of the funding received will employ two Enfield youth part time
over the summer. While the work is hard at times, they learn a lot of basic
horticultural and landscaping skills.
We plan to get the south-end “Welcome to Enfield’ repositioned and
the base planted. We will replicate the established sign on the north-end and
take some of the grasses from this bed for planting in the new bed. Daylilies
and other shrubs will be donated by Ann Rider.
Our committee consists of Debbie Teeter, Helen Hetherington, Larry
Stillwell, Linda Stillwell and Ann Rider—other community members are
welcome to join, even if it’s just for one afternoon’s activities!
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From the Town Clerk
As of the writing of this article, it
seems that spring has certainly arrived.
If you are thinking you might want a
fishing license, please remember that
you can purchase yours at the Town
Hall. Also, if you’re getting a new dog,
be sure to obtain a dog license. You can
stop at the town hall, call and ask us to
send you a form for licensing, or print
the dog license form from our website:
www.townofenfield.org.
A rabies clinic will be held at the old
highway facility (the same place as in
past years) sometime in May. You can
call our office for the date, or look for a
listing in local newspapers.
Our office hours will continue to be
Monday through Thursday from 3-6
p.m. If those hours aren’t convenient for
you, give us a call at 273-8246 and we’ll
be glad to open the office at a time that
works for you.
Alice Linton, Town Clerk
Sue Thompson, Deputy Town Clerk
From the Highway Department
It’s been a mild winter, and with that people have commented that the
Highway probably saved a lot of money. Partly that is true, however because
the ground did not freeze solid and between the plows (the few times we did
plow) and the wheel ruts, we will have to do repair work. So the extra money
that we saved will be put back into rebuilding our dirt roads.
Also with the winter being mild it gave us time to move into the new
Highway garage. The New Highway garage has had its own set of quirks that
are still being worked out, but the guys and I are enjoying the bigger work
areas. Feel free to stop by visit and look around during office hours which
remain the same from 6:00 am-2:30pm.
The town will be holding spring clean up at the new Highway building the
second week of May.
Some of the projects for this summer are South Van Dorn Rd between
Enfield Center and Gray Rd. And others as they come our way. Ditching,
shoulder cutting, brush as always. Call the Highway if you would like fill dirt or
wood chips and we will put you on the list when we are working in your area.
Or you can pick up your own wood chips across from the Town Hall/Old
Highway building.
Enjoy this weather and we’ll see you on the roads.
Buddy Rollins, Sr.
Enfield Highway Superintendent
272-6490
Need a Space to Meet?
The Enfield Community
Center is available for Enfield
community events and activities,
and has tables and chairs
available. To reserve space, or
report a problem with the facility,
contact Chris Hern at 256-5033.
From the Enfield Town Historian
Sue Thompson
Our Municipal Historians group is finishing up the Tompkins County
Religious Structures of Tompkins County book. I helped take pictures of all
the Town of Ulysses churches. If you want to see a unique church take a trip
over to Waterburg and see the Methodist Church (now privately owned). It’s a
beautiful building.
George Boyer, professor of economic history at ILR at Cornell
presented the MH Group with information on the Tompkins County Civil War
Commission's program called Adopt a Soldier. He presented the process of
research and discussed what we might learn from information available here
and on the Internet, and how to teach others. If anyone wants to research a
family civil war soldier and needs help let me know.
I recently had a request regarding the Newman family on Bostwick
Corners. Otho was a blacksmith in the early 1940's and had a horse farm in
the 1930's. Otho came with his family from Ohio. There were three brothers
and one sister. While researching the family history I found this rather
humorous article in a 1919 newspaper; I don’t know the ending sentence$
Malodorous Case for Enfield Jury
A Jury Trial in Enfield today will decide whether mistaking a skunk for
a raccoon is a serious affair, according to Attorney J. J. McGuire, who
represents Albert Newman, the man who made the mistake. Mr. McGuire
says that three young men, Charles Bower, Frank Lanning and Albert
Newman, properly armed and duly licensed, in the Open Season for coons,
went out by night to hunt these fur-coated beasties. In the dark, however, it
came to pass that a small animal took refuge under a culvert and was
pursued there from by Newman's dog. Now the time was not the open
season for the species of American multiline carnivores of the genus Mephitis
less elegantly known as Skunks, and so, according to his attorney, Newman
is accused of hunting said carnivores out of season. The prosecution will' be
represented by Attorneys E. M. St. John and M.S. Halladay. April 18, 1919
Ithaca Daily News
Planning Board Activities
The Planning Board recently
welcomed newest member Marie Van
De Mark and looks forward to working
with her. Marie is a life-long member of
the Enfield community and Enfield
business owner.
The Board wrapped up its work on
updating the Town’s Site Plan review
law and has passed it on to the Town
Board and Town Attorney for comment
and review.
The Board is now beginning to work
on reviewing and updating the Town’s
Comprehensive Plan, which will be a
time-consuming task. This process will
include the opportunity for community
input, so think about what is important
to you and where you think the Town
could make improvements or changes
for the better.
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Dates to Remember
April
4 Planning Board Meeting
Community Building, 7 pm
4 Volunteer of the Month
nominations due
11 Town Board Meeting
Community Building, 6:45 pm
May
2 Planning Board Meeting
Community Building, 7 pm
2 Volunteer of the Month
nominations due
8-12 Spring Clean-up (pg 1)
At New Town Barn
9 Town Board Meeting
Community Building, 6:45 pm
TBA Rabies Clinic (pg 3)
Highway Garage, 6:30 p.m.
June
6 Planning Board Meeting
Community Building, 7 pm
6 Volunteer of the Month
nominations due
13 Town Board Meeting
Community Building, 6:45 pm
Town of Enfield
168 Enfield Main Road
Ithaca NY 14850
Volunteer Recognition
Volunteerism runs strong in the Enfield Community; here’s a “Thank You” to our
most recent Volunteers of the Month:
February 2012: Dave Owens
I am writing to nominate Dave Owens to be recognized as Volunteer of the Month (or
Quarter, as appropriate) in the Town of Enfield. I suspect that others may share my sentiments
and write similar nominations. It is my honor to be one of those writers.
It is with great regret that I didn’t write this letter prior to Dave’s passing. As you well know,
Dave would help anyone do anything; period. Dave had a huge heart, and many of the
residents of Enfield know that first hand. From the Enfield Fire Company, to the Enfield Food
Pantry and more, Dave gave countless hours of assistance; often sweaty, back-breaking
assistance, and never complained or asked for anything in return.
Dave’s volunteer work ethic was an inspiration to me, and I will miss that, and so much
more. I know others share those sentiments. It is with that in mind that I ask you to forward this
nomination to the Town Board of the Town of Enfield for their action, and recognize David H.
Owens posthumously as Volunteer of the Month. Thank you for your consideration.
Greg W. Stevenson
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for our community? Submit
a letter of nomination for Volunteer of the Month to Roy Barriere at the Town Hall by
the first Wednesday of each month for consideration.
Helpful Tompkins County Web Sites (all begin with http://www.):
Government: co.tompkins.ny.us
Legislature: tompkins-co.org/legislature
Assessment: tompkins-co.org/assessment
Board of Elections: tompkins-co.org/boe
Clerk: tompkins-co.org/clerk
Health Department: tompkins-co.org/health
Highway Department: tompkins-co.org/highway
Solid Waste: recycletompkins.org