Happy New Year everybody!

I attended today's Town Board meeting where an interesting and enlightening discussion about Accountability broke out.  Surprisingly, it came near the end of the meeting and was prompted by Mr. Silva questioning a Consent item to adopt the town hiring policy.  It seemed like an innocuous item until he delved into it, eliciting responses from Mr. Tommasone, an exchange with Mr. Mertz, and a response from Mr. Signore.  I don't think Mr. Della Villa weighed in, but I could be wrong...I'll have to listen to my tape.  (I've adopted taking my own minutes electronically in 2008 rather than rely on FOIL.)

I think I'm inclined to agree with Mr. Silva despite understanding the arguments put forth by the others.  There's a tricky fine line in there and on principles, I think they are all in agreement on the objective, though it's the approach being taken that is unlikely resolvable.  Basically, Mr. Silva's approach is that of a business...which I like and understand.  I think you can achieve the accountability as he describes...the other members argument would essentially relieve Department Heads of accountability.

Anyway, very interesting exchange that I would encourage you to catch on the replay.

Another item on today's agenda is worth noting.  Resolution 29.08 was to authorize the Supervisor to buy and prepare a bond for the replacement of police vehicles.  That was the whole description of the resolution by the way.

WHAT?  This is a bonding issue, people.  I don't take exception to what the bond was supposed to be for but PROCEDURALLY it was scary.  Rightly, Mr. Mertz questioned the procedure (not the intended use of the bond) for such a resoultion.  No bond amount provided either.  Anway, the resolution was thankfully tabled until January 29th after Mr. Mertz raised objection.  Also worth catching on replay.

I found it amusing during Mr. Mertz' objection that he was standing on correct procedure and wanted more detail and discussion...I couldn't help think, Hey, how about a public hearing on New Year's Day?  (Cheap shot -sorry.)

To my understanding, if residents have to pay for a BOND, for whatever reason, the residents must vote on it first. So perhaps that is what they will end up doing. This will be an interesting watch. First to see if the proposed bond will be up for a vote to the people and second to see how the cops will favor this move since it is a RPD contract year.

Quoted from bumblethru

To my understanding, if residents have to pay for a BOND, for whatever reason, the residents must vote on it first. So perhaps that is what they will end up doing. This will be an interesting watch. First to see if the proposed bond will be up for a vote to the people and second to see how the cops will favor this move since it is a RPD contract year.

It'll be interesting to get an answer to this, as I thought it would "only" take a vote of the council with a supermajority voting in favor.  With the town council the size that it is, that would be a minimum of a 4-1 vote.  Which is a very good possibility, if things go as they were with the prevvious administration, splitting along party lines.  I hope that the 2 new councilmembers act as a voice for the people and don't just vote the way their party expects.

It will be interesting to say the least. I just remember how Joey 'abstain' Guidarelli, a conservative, was appointed to the town board by Buchannan. And Joey sided with the dems. So nothing would surprise me anymore. I'm not toooo concerned about Della Villa, but I am with Silva. Although he is the lone dem, it will be interesting.

There is no doubt in my mind that the bond will eventually pass...probably unanimously.  It's for police equipment and was previously discussed last year but was delayed.  Nonetheless, Kevin correctly points out that it only takes a supermajority vote (4-1) to pass.

I thought there was grant money from the feds and the state for the so-called homeland security and patriot acts......blah blah blah,,,,it was an election issue used to scare us into voting for 'safety'.......

SHOW ME THE MONEY TRAIL....... AND....SCREW THE BOND!!!!!! >

See,,,when money gets thrown about by government(lottery or otherwise) there are ALOT of hands out to collect alot of money for not much of any return......

Accountability involves living up to the deadlines you impose.  I'm reasonable.  I'm also flexible.  There are one million reasons why a deadline might be breached.  Makes forecasting that much more important...be realistic with the deadlines you set.  Make them achievable.  I'm reminded of something Rudy Guiliani used to say:  Underpromise and overdeliver.

Anyway, Spring is around the corner and off the top of my head, I'm trying to recall what the Town Board has promised by way of deadlines.

Hamburg Street progress slated for "Spring"
Rotterdam Junction water tank slated for "Spring"
Next input phase Exit 26 CDTC study slated for "Spring"
Horizon Blvd drainage work slated for "Spring"
Of course, the perpetual "Spring" promise for Masullo Estates relief

Also, grievance day is in Spring so I wonder what plans, if any, might be in store to alleviate problems of the reval before then

"Spring" is vague enough and covers a pretty wide scope so I guess the Town has at least the first part of underpromise down in that regard, but they seem to have an awful lot on their plate.

I fear that the results will look more like Overpromise and Underdeliver, especially with new police contract negotiations looming.

Spring.  I can hardly wait.

Michael, the Town Board never really specified the spring of what year these things were to be started.

2009 for the roundabout....the rest are a bunch of bones thrown by our well-servicing metroplex and county.....with a bunch of meetings and politics to blow the masses about- just for fun.....

Forget the metroplex. Tomasone was correct when he said that this town has a republican majority and the dems don't like that. So guess what folks.....it appears that we are on our own. I say we should be hammering those county legislatures at every meeting that we can attend!

I revisited the "issue" of what I perceive and have argued are violations of NYS Environmental Law on the land that was subject to a Positive Declaration during tonight's Public Privilege of the Floor.  For those that recall, that determination has been routinely skirted, along with numerous illegal burning occurrences.

Specifically, my rant tonight was more about accountability.  The access point that the Planning Commission was concerned about and said couldn't be a road without their say so, has turned into a road nevertheless.  Unauthorized and improper.  Trucks routinely and regularly enter and exit through the deforested section directly opposite my home.  The Town Board assured me that could never occur because there is no curb cut.  I'll bear that in mind next time I witness the trucks coming and going.  It's a joke!

Anyway, I took the opportunity to blast them again as I intend to do periodically until the matter is resolved properly.

Quoted from Michael

Accountability involves living up to the deadlines you impose.  I'm reasonable.  I'm also flexible.  There are one million reasons why a deadline might be breached.  Makes forecasting that much more important...be realistic with the deadlines you set.  Make them achievable.  I'm reminded of something Rudy Guiliani used to say:  Underpromise and overdeliver.

Anyway, Spring is around the corner and off the top of my head, I'm trying to recall what the Town Board has promised by way of deadlines.

Hamburg Street progress slated for "Spring"
Rotterdam Junction water tank slated for "Spring"
Next input phase Exit 26 CDTC study slated for "Spring"
Horizon Blvd drainage work slated for "Spring"
Of course, the perpetual "Spring" promise for Masullo Estates relief

Also, grievance day is in Spring so I wonder what plans, if any, might be in store to alleviate problems of the reval before then

"Spring" is vague enough and covers a pretty wide scope so I guess the Town has at least the first part of underpromise down in that regard, but they seem to have an awful lot on their plate.

I fear that the results will look more like Overpromise and Underdeliver, especially with new police contract negotiations looming.

Spring.  I can hardly wait.

Ah, Spring!  Looks like the Town is batting 1.000...I guess Shadow was right...they never said which Spring.

They should just state what they mean---"I'll keep talking as long I get paid and until the next guy/gal comes along, then I'm outa-here, glad to have met ya."----sorry Michael.....I feel for you, really.........this is ludicrous >

Quoted from Michael

I revisited the "issue" of what I perceive and have argued are violations of NYS Environmental Law on the land that was subject to a Positive Declaration during tonight's Public Privilege of the Floor.  For those that recall, that determination has been routinely skirted, along with numerous illegal burning occurrences.

Specifically, my rant tonight was more about accountability.  The access point that the Planning Commission was concerned about and said couldn't be a road without their say so, has turned into a road nevertheless.  Unauthorized and improper.  Trucks routinely and regularly enter and exit through the deforested section directly opposite my home.  The Town Board assured me that could never occur because there is no curb cut.  I'll bear that in mind next time I witness the trucks coming and going.  It's a joke!

Anyway, I took the opportunity to blast them again as I intend to do periodically until the matter is resolved properly.

I followed my address with an email to the Supervisor, the Highway Superintendent, and the Public Works Coordinator concerning this matter.  Can anyone hear the same crickets I do?