Business is Routine in Jefferson

JEFFERSON  – Members of the Jefferson Town Board received a review of their insurance coverage from Bill VanWormer of NBT Insurance and representative for NYMER. The town will increase its liability by $2 million, to gradually increase it to proper levels and move to increase deductibles to $2,500. The costs of the policy has increased, but not substantially.

Bonnie Bailey provided her town historian report. She said the timeline ofJefferson's history is now linked to the town's website. A one-page description and history will be uploaded to the site soon. She continues to review newspaper clippings, photos, diaries, keepsake boxes, year books, histories and other historical items that have accumulated in the historian's office over the  years. The Hometown Heroes Banner program is ready to go. Application forms and guidelines will be available at the Jefferson Town Hall, the Jefferson Historical Society, the Jefferson Post Office and on the town's website.

The Jefferson Heritage Day Committee did not meet last month but will meet Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the town hall.

Highway Superintendent Ray Hendrickson was not present due to illness, but mostly the town crews have been plowing and sanding. New radios have been installed in the trucks and are working good.

Supervisor Peggy Hait, who asked to place the recycling shed out for bid, due to interest in the building by three different people, reported no bids were received. Those interested who were contacted, did not place a bid.

The new generator has been installed at the town hall and is working through apps. It needs to be connected to the others.

In other business, board members approved paying for the Williams Law Book software.

A pair of resolutions were approved for a crosswalk to be installed across state Rt. 10 near Castle Mountain Road at the request of Oorah Inc., due to the pedestrian traffic during the summer. Councilman Don VanValkenburgh  voted against the resolution saying there are no sidewalks there for the pedestrians. He said there are numerous tractor trailers traveling through there daily. He believes it is a liability to the town. The issue will move on to the state Department of Transportation.

Board members approved a resolution supporting  an immediate review of electric delivery charges, demanding improved cost controls and transparency and authorizing formal complaints to the New York State Public Service Commission regarding the escalating cost of electricity. It seeks to encourage towns to approach the issue with the state Public Service Commission, NYSEG, the governor the state Legislature and neighboring municipalities served by NYSEG in a coordinated action. 

Hait told board members that the PSC is seeking to remove towns from oversight for battery storage facilities. Large-scale lithium-ion storage projects often face local opposition regarding proximity to schools and fire safety concerns. The facilities are driven by the Governor's green energy initiatives.