High-tech security in Town of Persia

The Town of Persia is going “high-tech” to protect critical data stored on computers in the town clerk’s office.

The town board approved a resolution at their Aug. 9 meeting, at the request of Town Clerk Denise Trumpore, who said the backup system “will provide peace of mind from any disaster” that could result in loss of data. This includes damage from fire, water, power surges, hard-drive crashes, and more.

The board voted to purchase a secure on-line backup recovery system from BAS Software for a one-time setup fee of $95 and a $14.50 monthly charge. Trumpore said the system will protect municipal data concerning licenses issued, transfer station tickets, and other transactions. Tax records are backed up by the county, Trumpore said.

Supervisor Melvin LeBar said that an audit of the late Town Justice Adolph Namlik’s records has been completed. Councilwoman Linda Boats praised Court Clerk Karen Smith for a “very professional job” of recordkeeping. Councilwomen Paula Schueler and Gloria Tomaszewski audited Trumpore’s books and said they also were done in a very professional manner, and were well documented. LeBar said that a final State Comptroller’s audit of the previous town clerk’s books showed an additional shortage, which has been received and deposited, settling that account.

Highway Superintendent Daniel Ackley said several town roads were paved with oil and stone in recent weeks. These include Hawkins, Valentine’s Flats, Forty and Skinner Hollow roads, and part of Point Peter Road. The highway fund expenses included $42,845.02 for road oil, $5,704.06 for stone, and $14,117.51 for blacktop for Nash Hill and Persia roads. Ackley said the town will receive about $31,000 in CHIPS money from New York State. He said the town provided some equipment to the Town of Dayton for road paving under a shared-services agreement. Ackley said he will contact some tree trimmers to work on an old tree in the Broadway Cemetery.

Tomaszewski attended a joint planning and zoning board meeting July 16. They discussed hydraulic fracturing of natural gas wells and are contacting other area municipalities for information on implementing a moratorium on “fracking” in the town, pending further review of the data.

Assessor Mary Bailey will attend a one-day course entitled, “New construction based on blueprints and specs.” It is paid for by the Chautauqua County Assessor’s Association. Bailey will receive six continuing education credits for completing the course.

In other matters, the board:

• Approved payment from the following accounts: Highway Fund, $63,814.65; and General Fund, $9,847.66. Clerk Trumpore reported 147 transactions in July, with $1,776 collected, of which the town’s share was $595.06. Court fines and fees forwarded to the State Comptroller totaled $3,537 for June and $3,730 for July.

• Heard Clerk Trumpore say that hunting licenses go on sale at her office on Monday, Aug. 13.

• Approved a resolution authorizing Judge Arnold Andolsek to apply for a New York State Justice Court Assistance grant due in September.

• Appointed Carol Sheibley to the Gowanda Ambulance Board.

The next regular Persia Town Board meeting is Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Persia Town Hall, 8 West Main Street, Gowanda.