Kortright Will Redo Mowing Bids, Apply For Housing Rehab Grant

BLOOMVILLE - Members of the Kortright Town Board spent a good portion of their meeting weeding through the various item bids for highway materials and decided to re-advertise the mowing bids in a different way. They also approved a public hearing for the April 20 meeting to hear comments on a housing repair grant.

Highway material bids were awarded to four different bidders, including Heidelberg Materials (formerly Carver), M & M, Gerster and Seward Sand and Gravel. Next year the town will produce a spread sheet to  make the process easier.

The mowing bids were too difficult to figure out exactly who the lowest bidder is, based on the way the bids were received. The town will adjust the specifications so everyone is bidding in the same way and they will be able to charge mowing back to the water and sewer facilities.

Beverly and John Rockefeller, of the Bloomville Pride Committee, were present to outline plans for the coming year. "I have written a letter to make the connection with the town board about what we plan for the coming season at the town field,” she said. Signs have been purchased along with fill for some areas of the field. They also plan to fix the slide, once they determine exactly what needs to be fixed. They are awaiting better weather to get it all done. A port-a-john will also be stationed at the park from April to October. There are plans for a pickle ball court and they have written a grant to help with the cost. 

They plan to have the Memorial Day community picnic on Memorial Day, a lawn sale day with a date to be determined, apple pressing on October 4 and the community lights event in December.

John Rockefeller reported teams will be using the ball field and if there is a third team, it will be for the women. "We are very pleased with the people that have been using the field and it has worked out pretty well. We will come to the board if we have something happening. We have two big signs, one where everyone comes in and one  on the tennis court. Scheduling for the teams begins early in the year and we try to schedule so there is only one team." He said others also like to use the fields. He also said he would mow the fields, if the town could hire someone to weedwack. “I don’t mind doing the mowing and it sometimes needs to be done more than once a week,” he said.

They do have plans for playground equipment, but they need to  bring someone in to help them determine what they want and what it will cost. Heather Lutz has been working on the playground project. 

Antonia Besculides, executive director of the Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council (WCCR) was present to offer grant possibilities. The previous grant undertook a successful home repair grant, with five homes completed. She said there are still 12 others on the waiting list and she believes the town will have no trouble showing a need or applying for a full $500,000 grant. It would be a federally funded Community Development Block Grant. The grants are awarded based on safety and health improvements to help keep seniors in their homes and to make them safe. 

Board members approved making the application through the WCCRC in the amount of $500,000 for housing rehabilitation. The WCCRC will administer the grant at a cost of $4,600, payable by the town. A public hearing will be held April 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kortright Town Hall. The grant must be submitted in June and if it is unsuccessful, she said they would reapply without additional cost to the town.

Comprehensive Highway Improvement Program Funding, truck repair and what roads to repair all fell under Highway Superintendent Harry Craft’s highway report. The town approved payment to a person who was able to assist with the CHIPS process and to get it filed for reimbursement. 

Board members also approved a contract to pay for the water well study with professional services provided by LVDV and  Hanson VanVleet Hydrogeologic Consultants. The town must find a source for a backup well to meet state Department of Health recommendations. The study was made on property already owned by the town and the town and consultants are looking at ways to fund the project.

Board members also approved formal authorization for the repair and restoration s of headstones at Stone Cottage Farm/McLaury Cemetery and to apply for grants to help with the project.

The next Kortright Town Board meeting will be held April 20.