Sheila McMichael

The board reviewed several GML 239 referrals, including a zoning law repeal and replacement in the Village of Rushville, a moratorium on commercial solar collection systems in the Town of Benton, and a short-term rental regulation proposal in the Town of Italy. Additionally, the board considered special use permits for a machine shop and a sign installation in the Town of Benton, as well as site plans for home construction and demolition projects in the towns of Middlesex and Jerusalem. Administrative updates included upcoming LULA and regional planning training sessions.

The board reviewed several GML 239 referrals, including a town-wide solar energy local law for Starkey, a new comprehensive plan for Potter, and a special use permit for a short-term rental in Penn Yan. Additionally, the board considered a site plan for a grocery store expansion, a flag lot definition deletion for Barrington, a special use permit for a single-family residence in Middlesex, and a special use permit for an automotive and farm machinery repair shop in Jerusalem. The board also received updates regarding solar farm projects, upcoming training sessions, and a notice of intent from the Village of Penn Yan.

The Zoning Board reviewed several area and use variance applications. Key discussions focused on side and front setback requests for various properties, including retaining wall projects, shed placements, and residential home construction. The board addressed concerns regarding nonconforming lot coverage, the need for proper site staking, and the importance of valid building permits. Several applications were approved with conditions, while others were tabled for additional information, including site staking and clarification of variance measurements.

The meeting included the audit of claims, involving payments for General, Outside Village, Highway DB, Capital, Sewer, Water, and Branchport Light funds, along with August utility payments. The Supervisor's Report for August 2021 was accepted, noting ongoing flood washout repairs and plans to bid the crossover pipe replacement project on Italy Friend Road. Two public hearings were conducted: one concerning Proposed Local Law B of 2021 (Tax Cap Override), which was subsequently adopted (Local Law No. 2 of 2021), and another regarding Proposed Local Law C of 2021 (Cannabis Opt-Out), which was also adopted (Local Law No. 3 of 2021). Key actions included approving the DOT road inventory for Parker Road and Prosser Road, authorizing attendance for Water/Sewer Department personnel at the Finger Lakes Water Works Conference and an EPA virtual workshop, and scheduling a public hearing for October 20, 2021, regarding proposed improvements to the Keuka Park Consolidated Water District. The Board also appointed James Bird to the Board of Assessment Review and scheduled the 2022 Tentative Budget Workshop. Furthermore, the Board addressed a compliance issue regarding pre-employment physicals for a Court Clerk and set the hourly rate for the full-time Deputy Clerk, followed by an appointment to that position.

The organizational meeting focused primarily on establishing appointments, official designations, and setting initial financial parameters for the Town. Key resolutions adopted included setting regular Town Board meeting dates for the third Wednesday of each month, designating the Chronicle Express as the official newspaper, and naming official depositories for the Town. Appointments were made for the Town Attorney, Town Engineer, Safety Officer, Budget Officer, Deputy Supervisor, Bookkeeper, Code Enforcement Officer, Rabies Control Officer, and Town Historian. Salary structures were established for elected and appointed officials, and hourly rates were set for various employee roles, including Highway and Town Hall staff. The Board also established standard fees for fire and safety inspections, approved mileage reimbursement rates, set petty cash limits, and defined official holidays for 2009. The Town Board Committee assignments for 2009 were accepted, and it was noted that the annual accounting of the Supervisor's and Town Justice's books would occur at the January 21st meeting.