The first meeting of the New Year for the Glenville Town Board was an unusually brief one that approved 40 resolutions. The positive start to 2008 includes the appointment of several new positions, but mostly the renewal of agreements already in place for the town.
Supervisor Frank Quinn began the meeting with a public hearing on authorizing fire protection services to be furnished by the Village of Scotia fire department. The agreement is known as Fire Protection No. 4 , and states that Scotia will provide fire protection in this district of Glenville for $329,130. The cost is up 4 percent from last year, which raised some concerns from board member Mark Quinn.
`I remember last year there were certain line items and costs that were a little high, and we questioned them. I would much rather see the numbers from the mayor of Scotia or the fire chief before approving this resolution. I think we owe that to our taxpayers,` said Mark Quinn.
Supervisor Quinn said he had not formally asked for those numbers from Scotia and said it is a standard agreement, with the numbers not raising any red flags for him.
Newly elected board member Chris Koetzle said he would have been uncomfortable with not passing the resolution, as it would leave that district without protection from the village until next week.
`I am uncomfortable with tabling this resolution just to wait for dollar figures. If we don’t have protection in that area, even for a week, and something should happen, the possibile liability will be much more costly,` said Koetzle.
`I have no problem with the service from Scotia, I just remember when we originally met began this agreement back when (Michael) McLaughlin was mayor there were questionable items. I would prefer to table the item until we meet with an official from Scotia,` said Quinn.
The board passed the resolution by a 3-to-2 vote, with Supervisor Quinn saying that he would follow up with Scotia to see if they can discuss the 4 percent increase.
In staffing, the board approved James McFarland to the position of municipal storm water officer; George J. Phillips as comptroller for a two-year position; and Koetzle as the representative on the Scotia-Glenville Advisory Board, replacing Mark Quinn.
Mark Quinn also suggested the board change the time of the meetings to begin at 7 p.m. instead of the current 7:30 p.m. start time.
`In light of our marathon sessions, I think it would better serve our residents to start at 7,` said Quinn.
The board passed a resolution 4-to-1 to keep the 7:30 p.m.time. The next town board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 16.“
