Friday, July 14, 2017

TOWN BOARD MEETING - "We are Not Alone...!"

TOWN BOARD – Regular Meeting (July 10, 2017 /Town Hall)
Sometimes it’s just worth going to the Board meetings to watch Salka during the “Public Comment” session.  Just loses it and turns hostile usually when anyone questions his lack of action on a subject that has dragged on for years without resolution.  Like so many other subjects such as “the well”, this time the DELTA ROAD AGREEMENT set him off. 

As you may recall, back in the “No Frickin’Frackin’” days, the Board contracted with DELTA  ($7,900) to provide the Town  with a road survey and,  more important, a ROAD USE AGREEMENT to protect the Town from road damage expenses caused by heavy industrial vehicles (such as windmill-parts trucks, logging trucks, etc.).    Monday night, under questioning during public comment, Salka admitted it was “decided” to stop paying Delta; their services were no longer needed; the town had stopped paying their bill. …..So, how much did we already spend and get nothing for it?   

WE ARE NOT ALONE…. Having problems with the INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS.   Hwy Super Paul Owens reported that the problems have been attributed to the manufacturers' engine modifications to meet Federal regulations.  The Board noted that other Towns in the program have also experienced mechanical problems with their INTERNATIONAL trucks.  Fortunately, Brookfield now has five trucks back on the road for the first time since March, according to Owens.  Dewitt Head noted the same experience with the newer generation of school buses. 

HIGHWAY & OTHER matters: A two page ROAD MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE was handed out; tractor brakes are being fixed.  Waiting for the County to take down the tree on Gorton Lake Rd.; Weed Harvester is on Gorton Lake for the next few days.

PARKS:  Dewitt Head reported vandalism on the basketball court necessitating a $9,000 fence around the court. Otherwise, a busy summer with PARTY IN THE PARK (North Brookfield) scheduled for July 29. 

FAIR – AG GRANT: Jeff Mayne announced the Madison Co. Fair has received a grant which must be spent on an agricultural expense only, ex:  upgrade/rewiring the barns!?? No indication of amount. They are deciding where to spend it.

HISTORICAL:  Perk Stalter update on the Society’s activities and presentation by Mary Murray, widow of noted local artist Ralph Murray. 

DAVE MAINE – was wished well.  He was scheduled for a heart operation the following day, Tuesday. Hope all went well, Dave!

WELL Mystery – UPDATE: The Board acknowledged that a survey does exist. The ISSUE: is the Town Hall’s water supply on FLICK’s property? According to Mayne, the well head was cut off and buried.  They need the surveyor to come back and locate the well on the survey map. Eyeballing the location, it appears to be right on the property line.  Jeff Mayne said he has called the surveyor numerous times with no response.  You would think there would be an easement on the deed.. or this “issue” has been addressed in the past.

ATTENDANCE: Very small turnout – 3 residents.  Full Board: Salka, Mayne, Head, Walker & Abrams; Sherri Peretta - Clerk and Paul Owens - Highway