A steady snowfall, frigid temperature and slick roads did not deter the New Scotland Town Board from holding its scheduled organizational meeting, with a plow continuing to clear the parking lot at Town Hall minutes before it started.
Town Supervisor Tom Dolin, town board members Douglas LaGrange and Daniel Mackay, and Highway Superintendent Ken Guyer were sworn in Thursday, Jan. 2, in front of a few residents. The four incumbents, along with incumbent Town Clerk Diane Deschenes, faced no opponents in bids to keep their posts. Before adjourning the organizational meeting, board members reflected on goals for the new year, with many unfinished projects eyed for completion.
Edith Abrams, who during the meeting was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a four-year term, applauded the town board’s efforts last year.
“I think most of the residents are happy, (and) they are satisfied with what you guys are doing,” Abrams said. “You kept below the cap, and you made the running of the town much more professional. … I think we have done away mostly with what one would call the ‘old boys network.’”
Abrams then asked the board to share what their hopes were for the new year beyond “the normal business.”
LaGrange pointed to finalizing zoning issues surrounding the intersections of routes 85 and 85A, formerly home to the Bender farm, which previously stirred controversy about how the area should be commercially developed.
Tropical storms Irene and Lee struck a few years ago, but Dolin said there are two projects left to tackle damage from the storms. He said he aims to complete the repairs this year along Countryman Road and Krumkill Road with Federal Emergency Management Agency funds fueling the work.
Dolin also wants to complete and turn on the taps for customers within the recently created New Salem Water District this year.
“That is going to be a challenge, but we hope to get it done by November,” Dolin said about the water district.
The district generally encompasses the hamlet of New Salem and will bring water service to about 170 homes. The district will be connected to the Bethlehem Water District pipeline along Route 85, with a 30-year intermunicipal water supply agreement reached between New Scotland and Bethlehem.
An uptick in inquires for new residential subdivisions could ease the tax burden on homeowners. Dolin said getting all the applications through the approval process will be a challenge because most face problems getting access to water.
The town also hopes to tackle improvements previously discussed for the town highway garage.
Board member William Hennessy revealed his intentions to establish an economic development advisory committee “early in this year.”
“My hope is to be able to incorporate all hamlets in the town in this; not just focus on certain areas,” Hennessy said. “The Village of Voorheesville may or may not be a part of that. … That will be a while now before we determine that because they are a separately incorporated entity.”
LaGrange said the biggest challenge for the town’s ongoing and upcoming projects have been finding funding sources to help complete work.
“All of these things have taken a long time because of our constraints of the tax cap and our desire to keep our taxes within a comfortable level,” LaGrange said.
The next scheduled Town Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at New Scotland Town Hall.