Bovina Organizes For 2024

911 Call Summary, Comprehensive Plan Survey Available

By Mary A. Crisafulli

BOVINA - The Bovina Town Council held its organizational meeting on Jan. 3 where several appointments and designations were made.

Appointments and designations are as follows:

Councilmember Evelyn Stewart-Barnhart was appointed as deputy supervisor.

The Mountain Eagle will serve as the official publication.

Delaware National Bank of Delhi and Wayne Bank are the official banks for the town.

Allyson Philips of Young, Summer Law Firm was appointed as town attorney.

Christa Schafer was re-appointed as bookkeeper and budget officer.

Town Clerk Cathie Hewitt was appointed as executor of vital statistics and Community Hall scheduler.

Dale Downin was appointed as code enforcement officer.

Ed Weber was appointed as dog control officer and driveway inspector. Weber was also appointed to the planning board for a five-year term.

Ray LaFever will serve as the town historian.

Dr. Michael Freeman will serve as town health advisor.

Carrie Hewitt Choquette was appointed as planning board representative, deputy town clerk, and deputy court clerk.

Larry Karam was appointed to the zoning board of appeals for a five-year term.

Councilmember Jillienne LaFever will serve as the transfer station/playground advisor.

Councilmember Evelyn Stewar-Barnhart was appointed to the Audit Committee and as Finance advisor.

Councilmember Marni Greenberg was appointed to the Audit Committee and as Planning Board liaison.

Dominic Gullow will serve as the highway advisor.

Supervisor Tina Molè was appointed as the buildings advisor.

The town board meetings for 2024 will take place on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Community Hall. The November meeting will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. due to the state legislation regarding the town budget.

The planning board monthly meeting will take place on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Community Hall.

In other business, the Chief of Bovina Volunteer Fire Department provided council members with a review of 911 calls for 2023.

There were a total of 97 emergency calls in 2023 including 16 fires, 33 EMS, 13 motor vehicle accidents, 12 service calls - which included downed trees - three station coverages, and three home/business alarm activations. Total hours volunteer firefighters spent on calls was 523 hours. Volunteers also spent roughly 676 training hours and 1,100 hours for meetings and other assemblages. Volunteers requested mutual Aid on 14 calls including one brush fire and several EMS calls. The department was called for mutual aid 37 times - mostly for fires.

In addition to the call review, the Chief reported that the squad would like to purchase an automated CPR machine for about 20,000. The machine provides full compressions for longer periods, reported the Chief. Volunteers have to rotate after about four minutes of providing CPR. The department has responded to a few heart-related calls over the last few years. Taxpayers will receive a letter requesting donations for the purchase.

The fire department is offering a free CPR class on Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. The class is not a certification.

Councilmember Marni Greenberg announced the availability of the comprehensive plan survey. A comprehensive plan is a policy document used to guide the growth and development of a jurisdiction and unify common goals. The plan can then be used when applying for grants, or when in opposition to state or federal regulations. The Comprehensive Plan Committee has been developing the survey over the past year which will include questions in categories including demographic, quality of life, business development, and government services. The survey will be mailed to Bovina residents on Jan. 16. A digital version will also be available at bovinany.org. Community input is an essential part of the development process and the committee encourages all those 18 years or older to complete the survey.

In other business, the council approved remaining bills for 2023 including general fund of $11,236.89, water district of $1,460.54, and highway department of $9631. The council also paid bills for January including general fund of $3,445, lighting district of $93.89, water district of $85.86, and septic of $380.42.

The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m.