Town Board Meeting on 9-25-2008

THE BUDGET.  After months of preparatory work, last night was the first presentation of a complete (draft of the 2009 budget.  We had a walk-through presented by Town Supervisor Cunningham and Town Comptroller Judi Kehoe.  Bethlehem, like the rest of the Capital Region is presented with a list of hard choices.  I invite everyone to check out the town website on Friday when the budget should be posted.

HOLDING THE LINE ON AMBULANCE COSTS.  Steve Kroll from Delmar Ambulance Corp came to talk about changes to billing for ambulance services.  They have been pursuing the ability to do charge-backs to health insurance so that they can avoid increasing taxes collected for ambulance services.  It looks like that will be a successful effort - so kudos to them for that.  Its a real benefit to taxpayers and will result in savings while still saving lives.

CREATING A SAFER WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR EMPLOYEES AND SAVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS.  We approved action to replace flow transmitters at the New Salem Water Treatment Plant - which will lead to safer conditions for workers and visitors at that facility.  We also rejected a separate contract where only one bidder came back with a bid because their bid was too high.  Its another example of how town government is working hard to protect the taxpayer.

RESEARCHING INNOVATIVE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY PRACTICES.  We approved a feasibility study to look at the possibility of creating a a hydroelectric generation facility inside the Town water system.  With the escalating cost of energy this system would help reduced town energy purchases and help moderate costs.  That would be a net benefit to town taxpayers and town operations.  Half of the cost for the feasibility study will be paid by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) .  This is another innovative way that the town is looking at to utilize current town infrastructure to our best advantage.

NOISE ORDINANCE.  We appointed two more people to the Town Noise Ordinance Task Force -- me, Mark Hennessey, and Chris Hanifin.  We are expected to accelerate the development of the an ordinance.  It has taken over a year for the development to get to where it is now.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS.  We funded a feasibility study for a new Thruway entrance on the south end of Selkirk.  This action would be taken in lieu of the green space absorbing Selkirk Bypass and it shows the town's committment to Economic Development that respects town residents and the environment.  I pointed out and Joann Dawson concurred that this study is only informational.

During the budget briefing, Town Supervisor Jack Cunningham pointed out that VISTA is moving forward and that a ground breaking is expected for later this fall.