HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-January-March-Town-NewsletterEnfield Town Boards
Meetings are held in the "
OF
Towof Enfield `
Community Building, 1st floor
Town Board: 2nd Wednesday, 6:30pm
Municipal NewSlel ler
Town supervisor
Ann Rider 277-3478
168 Enfield Main Road
ann-rider@townofenfield.org "
http:/Itownofenfield.org 0 !
Vera Howe -Strait
Town Council Members
January -March 2016
Virginia Bryant 387-9376
Mike Carpenter 277-4204
Henry Hansteen 727-3746
Report from the Supervisor
Michael Miles 387-3175
Happy New Year!
Planning Board: 1st Wednesday, 7pm
Chair, Dan Walker 387-6394
First, we must say good-bye to Vera Howe Strait, who has served our
Ann Chaffee 272-6460
Steve Givin 273-7434
community as Councilperson for the last four years. Vera wants to devote more
Calvin Rothermich 272-5930
time to her family and do some personal things that have been put on hold
Red Poney Carpenter 279-2372
while she has"served. We are going to miss her gentle but pointed questions,
Henry Hanstein 727-3746
her quick wit and her unfailing cheerfulness. Thankfully, I still get to see her
around town and she has promised me that I can still use her as asounding
Town Offices
board. Thanks so much for your dedicated service to our community. Second,
welcome Michael Miles, our newly appointed Town Councilperson! Michael is
Town Clerk 273-8256
filling the vacancy created by Beth McGee's resignation on September 30.
Alice Linton, Town Clerk
Michael willserveuntil the end of 2016; meanwhile, in November, this position
Sue Thompson, Deputy Town Clerk .
will be up for election to fill out Beth's term. Michael and/or any other person
Town Office/Clerk Hours:
Monday -Thursday, 3 pm - 6 pm
can run to fill this position. We are very happy to get -Michael's listening ear,
thoughtful comments and studied consideration. Plus, I hope, as a extra bonus,
Highway Department 272-6490
a little IT help..... Third, welcome to our newly elected Councilperson Henry
Barry Rollins, Highway Superintendent
Hansteen_ Henry is 6 -long time resident of Enfield, retired from Cornell, and an
Town v Office Hours:
excellent listener. ! very much look forward to working with this high caliber
Monday -Friday: 6 am - 2:30 pm
y-Frid
Board in the coming years.
Town Court 273-0363
The State Comptroller's Office told me in November that Enfield
Justice Poole: Monday, 5:00 pm
taxpayers are eligible for the State property tax rebate because the 2015 Town
Code Enforcement Office
budget was under the tax levy set by the Governor. Enfield taxpayers will not
Community Building, 2nd floor
be eligible for a rebate in 2016 because the Town Board was not able to keep
Code Enforcement 277-0266
the rate under the tax levy set by OSC and they did not accept our plan of how
Alan Teeter, Code Enforcement Officer
we were going to keep the tax rate under the set -tax -levy. Enfield joined with
Code Enforcefnent Office Hours:
other municipalities in the County to make this plan. The entire plan was
Monday thru Thursday 8:30-11 am
rejected._ We are appealing that decision but the appeal process is not very
Wednesday 5-7 pm
evident so this process is very slow with little guidance being given.
In"October and November, several concerned citizens voiced
Community Bldg, dwnstrs 882-9958
opposition to the Black Oak Wind Farm going forward. In an effort to hear and
Town Historian
try to better understand resident's concerns, the Town Board held a special
Sue Thompson . 272-6412
meeting on December 17. Jeff Shepardson from the Community Dispute"
Enfield Volunteer -Fire Company
Resolution Center moderated the meeting doing quite a good job of making
Roger Lauper, Chief 272-8757
sure all sides were heard and that it was a safe place for all people to speak.
Larry Stilwell, Deputy Chief
There appear to be 5 concern areas: real estate values, set back distances,
Kirk VanDee, 1 st Assistant Chief
health .issues including noise, the Good Neighbor Agreement that was offered
Alan Teeter, 2nd Assistant Chief
close neighbors and road usage and repair. On hindsight, "1 think there should
Tony Carlisle, Captain
have been an "additional area: advantages. This is also an important part of the
Count Legislators
Y
equation and a consideration that the Board needs to consider and weigh. The
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Board will be discussing our process going forward_ One suggestion that was
given was forming an Advisory Board to the Wind Farm Law. The charge of this
Jim Dennis
board is not yet solidified but could include mediating differences between
Enfield/Ulysses
residents and the Wind Farm and researching the areas of concerns and
387-4058, jpd821 @yahoo.com
advising the Town Board on these matters. Anyone who is interested in serving
the Town in this capacity, please contact michael-miles@townofenfield.org. We
Dave McKenna
will be deciding in the next month our method of selection of this committee
Enfield/Newfield
and let you know how to formally apply for this committee. "
564-7243, dmckenna@tompkins-co.org
Continued on page 2
Report from the Supervisor
Continued from page 7
It's been a busy year, what with razing the old
Town Hall; trying _to get the Park and Ride in a
permanent location (maybe January or
February), putting together a" Town emergency
plan (almost" completed for public comment),
selling excess Town property (done), getting the
Town Hall painted (that will have to wait until
2016), trying to get the new highway building -
assessed to make it more energy efficient- (still in
the early stages) and hiring a well driller and
getting the wells dug for the Aquifer Study (one
more to-do in the spring), I must say I have more
than exceeded my paperwork quota for 12
months. More -to come in 2016, however,"
because Government just requires a lot of"paper
work if you want to get anything done.
Happy New Year!
Ann S. _Rider; Supervisor
From the Code Enforcement Office -
2015 was a busy year for the town with,
building and also solar installations. We had a"
total of eight new homes, conventionally built as
well as doublewides and modular's on
basements." There were also three mobile
homes -replaced with newer models on new
foundations. We- also had 23 soIarinstalIations:
mostly roof.mounted with a couple of ground
mounted, and one " solar farm" located on
Mecklenburg Road. This is a newer concept .
where people who don't have enough land or a
sunny location such as a wooded lot or a home
that doesn't have _a south facing roof can buy"
into a solar_farm where they own panels on "
leased land. This one will serve approximately
23 households around the county. This may be
the way of the future as there are already plans
for a larger farm also to be located in Enfield. As always if you have any -questions about
these projects or building projects on your
property feel free to contact me by phone, e-mail
or just stop in. Have a safe and happy new year.
Alan Teeter
Code Enforcement Office
607-277-0266
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company
2015 Call Responses
We had a total of 326 calls: 19 fires of various
types, 187 EMS" calls, 20 MVAs, 8 hazardous
condition calls; 42 service calls, 32 mutual aid
-
calls, 12 good intent calls, 4 false alarms, and 2
severe weather calls. Thanks to all of our
members for their hard work last year.
From the Highway Superintendent
Winter Newsletter 2015
Off to an easy start of winter, as December has been very
mild so far. We got to catch up on some our summer work. The
new 2016 pickup with plow is in service, replacing the 2003, which
was in the 2015 budget for $50,000.
This ended up costing approximately $42,000 for the
complete package, plow, lights and all. The Highway plans on
keeping the 2003 fora shop truck. This truck will be used instead of
using the one ton or the two tons trucks for errands and lighter
work. It is in pretty rough shape, however we will use it as long as
it keeps running, as re -sale value would be very low. We will save
money using it in this way, and we don't have to worry about the
dependability factor.
This time of year it is important to remember the mailbox
policy. Hopefully with this gentle weather you have had some time
to check out your mailboxes. As always mailbox requirements can
be found at town hall or on line. As well as the winter parking
law. No parking in the right of way, during winter months.
I want to remind everyone that all roads that are subject to
black ice. Speed is always a factor. Slower speeds (especially on
hills), will keep your car on road ___ you out of the ditch.
Phone calls are always appreciated for roads conditions/
concerns. Just a reminder there -is still wood available for the taking,
at the Town Highway Barns. As well as -still taking calls for wood
chips and ditch dirt.
want to thank all the guys forthe work they did this year,
as well as Newfield, Ulysses, Tompkins County, the Town -of Ithaca
and Cornell Local Roads. We hope you had Happy Holidays and
have a great new year., See you out on -the roads.
Buddy Rollins
Enfield Highway Superintendent
607-272-6490
From the TownClerk
By now all residents who own property in the Town of
Enfield should have received their tax bill; -unless they have an
escrow account with a bank or mortgage company. This year you
will once again be able to look up your tax bill information on-line by
going to www.townofenfield.org and clicking on the "tax collection"
tab. You will be able to see if your tax payment has been processed,
print copies of your bill or receipt, and look up prior year's bills. For
anyone who doesn't have access to our website, we are still glad to
provide information when you call our office.
In January we will have extended hours as_follows:
Mondays 3-6 Thursdays 9-12 and 3-6
Tuesdays 9-12 and 3-6 Saturdays 9-12
Wednesdays 3-6 =
Our February and March hours will be Monday - Thursday
from 3-6 p.m. Throughout the year if our hours don't work for you,
please give us a call at 273-8256 and we'll be glad to accommodate
your schedule.
Stay warm and safe this winter. -
Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk
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Enfield Town Historian — Sue Thompson
have been publishing my Throw Back Thursday history articles since June. I hope you are enjoying them
(www.t9wo9fenfield.orci) as much as I am_ Thank you to everyone who has responded -with their own information on the
articles. Do you have a photo of a past event bldg., etc. of Enfield you would like to share? Email the photo to
historian(_townofenfield.orq. and I'll feature it in an upcoming article_
Don't forget to check out -the Laserfiche public document site on our town web site to read all the historical"
documents. I am adding to the list all the time. I am working on adding more Town Board minutes and old town
newsletters_
Thanks to everyone who shared their "spirit" stories with me at the Enfield Harvest Festival in October. I'd love
to hear any stories you would like to share)
1 attended the Region 10 Association of Public Historians meeting in October at the History Center in Ithaca. It
was a great meeting on learning how to read deeds and wills for historical purposes. The Tompkins County Municipal
Historians group is still working on the rewrite of our "Touring the Towns of Tompkins County, New York". The History
Center in Ithaca featured in an exhibit on Rumsey Cemetery. They are inviting local municipal historians to set up an
exhibit on their town and what they are known for such as, Groton — Iron Bridges and many businesses. Any
suggestions for the Town of Enfield?
News from Tompkins County Governrhent
A Message from Maureen Reynolds, Tompkins County Clerk. County Clerk and DMV Ready to Chat!
The Tompkins County Clerk's Office is located in the Tompkins County Courthouse at 320 N. Tioga St. and
the Department of Motor Vehicles is conveniently located of 301 Third Street in the Hancock Plaza - and now, we are
available to chat and answer your questions online)
Both offices are known for our fast=moving lines, quick turnaround of documents, friendly and helpful staff, and
ease of access — either in person, phone or online. Our goal is to provide excellent service to our customers.
• Need a copy of -your deed?
• Renewing your driver's license?
• Transferringa pistol permit?
Planning -to travel abroad and need a passport? "
How may we help you?
Maureen Reynolds, Tompkins County Clerk
• Need a notary?
• Starting a business?
• Have a question about court records?.
• Researching your family history?
Flu Vaccinations Available at the Tompkins County Health Department
Protect yourself and your community from the flu and get vaccinated! There are many opportunities for flu
vaccination including health care provider offices, pharmacies, and the Tompkins County Health "Department. Everyone
over the age of six months should be vaccinated -every year against the flu.
Flu vaccination is the best protection against the flu — it protects you and limits the spread of flu to others. These
include infants under the age of 6 months who "are too young to be immunized and those who are immunocompromised
such as people who are receiving cancer treatment_
Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) is providing flu vaccinations at its locationat 55 Brown Road
across from the airport. There is plenty of free parking. Flu vaccinations will be available at the Health Department
beginning, October 6. Appointments are necessary for all clinics and can be made by calling the Health Department at
607-274-6616.
Flu vaccinations will also be available to"the public on Tuesday, October 13 from 9:00"a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at
Lifelong, 119 West Court Street. Call TCHD at 274-6616 to make an appointment.
Most health insurance plans cover -the cost of an annual flu vaccination. At the Health Department, there are no
out-of-pocket costs if you have one of the following health insurance plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, Total
Care, Fidelis, Medicare Part B and Medicare Managed Plans: Secure Horizons, Today's Options, and Medicare Blue.
However if you have a health insurance plan other than those listed above, you will have to pay the cost of the
flu vaccination _at the time of your appointment. The Health Department will provide a receipt that you may submit to your
insurance for reimbursement.
The cost is $35. Cash and checks accepted; no credit or debit cards.
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Town of Enfield
168 Enfield Main Road
Ithaca NY 14850
Enfield Town Web Site — www.townofenfield.orq Dates to Remember
January
We hope you have been enjoying our new Town Web
Site. Just a reminder if you are holding a public event please 8 Planning Board Meeting, Community Bldg, 7 pm
send me the information and I can place it on the web site: 8 Volunteer ofthe Month nominations due
13 Town Board Meeting, Community Bldg, 6:45 pm
(susan-thoiT)pson(aD-townofenfield.ora) February
3 Planning Board Meeting, Community Bldg, 7 pm
A few sites to check on the "Top Menu" Of the Website: 3 Volunteerofthe Month nominations due
10 Town Board_ Meeting, Community Bldg, 6:45 pm
• With Tax season coming up you can check on your taxes
March
under Tax Collection.
• "Resources" Documents Public Laserfiche, you can do 2 Planning Board Meeting, Community Bldg, 7 pm
your own "historical research" With the many town 2 Volunteerof the Month nominations due
documents we have placed there. s Town Board Meeting, Community Bldg, 6:45 pm
• "Throw Back Thursday". weekly historical articles under
"News" on the top menu. Need a Space to Meet?
The Enfield Community Center is
Don't forget to sign up to receive the "posting" notices available for Enfield community events
from our website! and activities, and has tables and chairs
available. To reserve space, or report a
problem with the facility, contact the Town
Clerk for the appropriate referral.
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Ilo,