Stamford Has Tentative Council Seat Appointment

By Liz Page

STAMFORD – Supervisor John Kosier invited Phylis Hillis to fill out the remainder of the year for her late husband, Rod Hillis, who served the town of Stamford for 18 years on the town council. His daughter, Julie Seachrist has also expressed interest to run for his vacant seat, with three years remaining in his term.

Kosier called Mrs. Kosier during last Wednesday's regular meeting, saying it was the fitting thing to do. He called her from the board meeting to ask her to serve and she said she would attend the June meeting to see if she thought she could serve in her husband's stead. "I'll give it a whirl. I'll do my best," she told Kosier.

Hillis passed away just after the April meeting of the town board. He was first elected to the board in 2012 and was re-elected again just last fall. 

"He will be greatly missed," said Kosier. "He knew a lot about highway equipment and he was always a great help."

In other business, board members agreed to adopt a resolution in June to have property owners pay for the driveway culverts that the town will install. Board members established a permit system for siting of new driveway culverts at $250 to cover the cost of the time for the highway superintendent. However, the culverts are expensive. It was agreed the property owner should pay the cost of the culvert pipe initially, with the town responsible thereafter.

Board members accepted the resignation of John Lamport from the town's Assessment Review Board. Lamport cited health issues. Ken Grant was appointed to the board.

Kevin Rinehart reported that the town will receive nearly the same amount in CHIPS funding for the current year at $254,349. The town has already spent $48,000 on stone in prep for the coming road maintenance season with the paving of Davis and McGregor Roads. He has also allotted 11,114 for the grader patch for the crossroads and other spots. He said the town could still write off time, machinery, and equipment rental or they could carry over $49,000 to the next year.

Board members also discussed spraying the sides of town roadways and Town Clerk Ruthanne Van Buren said she has received a few phone calls from people who wanted to be scratched from the spraying list.

Although Rinehart said there is nothing toxic in the spray, the discussion was leaning toward only spraying near guardrails and posts that are difficult to mow. 

Judy Stewart was present and she said she is opposed to spraying. Her goats nibble at the edge of the roadway as they cross it to the pasture. "I would be concerned," she said. "There are steep banks on my property and I would be concerned about erosion and flies," she said. She mows as much along the side of the roadway along her property as she can.

Additional research on the issue indicates there is possible erosion when the grass is completely eliminated by spraying.

The town was discussing it as cost saving and an easier way to get the job done.