Budget approved at Perrysburg Town board meeting

The Perrysburg Town Board approved the 2013 town budget at its Oct. 8 meeting. Total appropriations are $1,427,568, with estimated revenue of $743,887.

Treasurer Cindy Lauer said this budget includes $94,599 of available fund balance. The amount to be raised by property taxes is $589,082, which is a decrease of $64,770 from the current year. The budget is subject to approval by the state Comptroller.

Lauer said that as a result of the dissolution of the Village of Perrysburg, the town will receive $75,477 from New York State under the Citizen Empowerment Fund offered to municipalities as an inducement to consolidate. She said this should continue as long as the state Legislature budgets for it, and the revenue side of the 2013 budget reflects that amount. However, should the state discontinue these payments, this amount would be offset by transferring money from existing fund balance. Lauer said that 70 percent of the state money has to be applied to townwide funds and fire districts, not special-use districts, such as for lighting and garbage pick up. It is intended to reduce local property taxes.

Code Enforcement Officer James Pacanowski issued three building permits in August and two in September, with two more undergoing review. He continues making property maintenance inspections throughout the town. He attended a seminar in Jamestown on vacant, abandoned or neglected properties, and one in Ellicottville on Aug. 17 regarding new DEC regulations of wood-burning devices. He also attended a conference of State Building Officials in Verona on Sept. 13.

Water Superintendent Robin Clark said that recent rainfall has helped increase the water supply in the central water district. “Things are picking up a little,” Clark said. Still, he recommends that the fire department haul water when answering fire calls rather than rely solely on the hydrants. He said the supply from the newly refurbished “village wells” on Route 39 has improved water quality, resulting in less dependence on chlorination.

Clark said a pump in the sewer system’s lift station is being repaired. A new check valve will be installed and the old one will be repaired and kept as a spare. He said that installation of a guide rail on Route 39 near Jolls Road by the New York State Department of Transportation will be moved a little bit to the north so as not to interfere with the existing sewer main.

Supervisor Dennis Stopen said the town received a letter from the federal Environmental Protection Agency saying that the town can no longer haul municipal water to fill wells in the event of a drought. Their concern is the possibility of contaminating a well from an unsanitized tanker truck. However, fire departments can still transport water to fill swimming pools, he said.

Highway Superintendent Daniel Stang said his department has finished roadside mowing for the season and is preparing equipment for winter duty. They have done some ditching along Pudding Lane Road and taken down hazardous trees along Eaton Road, Water and Chestnut streets in Versailles, and on Route 39 at Markham Drive. The board authorized Stang to purchase a new stainless steel sander, and to declare the old one as surplus and scrap it.

Town Justice Lori Dankert closed 30 Vehicle & Traffic Law cases, four penal law cases and four animal control cases in September. A total of $4,410 was reported to the state comptroller.

Dankert applied for $16,662 from the New York State Justice Court Assistance Program to improve courtroom security.

Town Clerk Tamara Utley collected $5,674.20 in September, of which $1,280.54 was the town’s share. She set up online banking with the town’s official banks, Community Bank and Evans National Bank.

In other business, the board:

• Approved payment from the following accounts: General Fund, town-wide, $10,234.91; Highway Fund, town-wide, $13,311.57; Gowanda Prospect Street Water District, $322.94; Perrysburg Central Water District; $62,868.03; Special Residential District, including waste disposal, $580; Special Sewer District, $893.70; and Versailles Water District, $1,893.42. There was an additional bill of $10.42 paid for welding supplies.

• Sent a letter regarding updated water and sewer agreements between the town and Village of Gowanda.

• Announced Halloween “Trick or Treat” hours from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

• Learned that Assessor Mary Bailey completed a course in blueprint reading, earning six credits toward her continuing education.

The next regular Perrysburg Town Board meeting is Monday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the town hall, 10460 Peck Hill Road.