By Mary A. Crisafulli
BOVINA - Bovina Town Council members discussed much-needed cemetery clean-up work and a recently conducted speed detail at the regular meeting on Apr. 9.
The council reviewed bids received for clean-up and tree removal in the town's five cemeteries including Bovina Road Cemetery, Reinertsen Hill Cemetery, Cape Horn Cemetery, Maple Ave Cemetery, and the NYS Highway 28 Cemetery. However, council members agreed the bids were too different in scale to make a reasonable decision. The RFP (request for proposal) required bidders to identify which trees required removal throughout the cemeteries.
Councilmember Evelyn Stewart-Barnhart noted that one of the bids is for the removal of 16 trees in the NYS Highway 28 cemetery while the other is for three trees at that location. "I don't understand how they can be so different and how we can fairly bid them," she said.
Councilmember Marni Greenberg suggested a board member go to the cemeteries and mark off which trees require removal and have the RFP resubmitted.
Stewart-Barnhart and Councilmember Dominic Gullow will mark dead trees requiring removal.
The council agreed the biggest issue is two large maples and one white pine tree at the Bovina Road cemetery.
Supervisor Tina Molé reported Delaware Opportunities will continue to maintain by mowing throughout the summer season once clean-up is completed. This saves the town $7,500, Molé said.
In another discussion, Molé reported on a speed-detail conducted by the Delaware County Sheriff's Office. At the March council meeting, residents expressed concerns about speeding in the town.
During the speed-detail the Sheriff's department issued 14 tickets to seven defendants, meaning some individuals received more than one ticket. Two individuals were pulled over speeding on NYS Highway 28 while five were found speeding in the hamlet. The highest speed was clocked at 45 miles per hour. The Sheriff noted that he does not believe the town has a speeding issue, but that due to narrow roadways, it can often appear as though a car is speeding. The department will come back to do a secondary speed-detail.
In other business:
Highway Superintendent Edward Weber reported a tentative schedule for summer repair of Miller Avenue, East Bramley Mountain Road, Mountain Brook Road, and a portion of Sawmill Road between Cape Horn Road and Beaver Road.
The highway department staff will start a four-day work week on April 15. Weber expects the work week to continue like this until October unless unexpected snow occurs earlier.
Code Officer Dale Downin reported one building permit, three construction meetings (one for the school), six inspections, and one c/o letter in March.
The planning board will review the recommendations of Downin including the development of regulations for campgrounds, short-term rentals, and solar panel battery storage.
The council approved purchase of a gate for the transfer station for $329 with installation to be conducted by the highway department.
Councilmember Jillienne LaFever reported the Delaware Academy Central School District has offered the old playground equipment to be installed at Bovina playground. LaFever said some of the equipment would not fit at the Bovina park and some of it is too worn, but there are some pieces worth consideration. Molé is working to secure grant funding through the O'Connor Foundation for the park restoration project.
Town Assessor Joseph Gifford will retire in early June. Molé reported the position will be extremely difficult to replace. Gifford is the assessor for Delhi, Colchester, and Hamden, reported Molé.
Molé reported the county is in support of the Bovina 5K to be held on May 6.
Council members approved the monthly bills of $17,344.17 for general bills, $117.89 for lighting district, $1,904.64 for water, $10,569.51 for septic, and $27,131.51 for highway.
Council members entered an executive session to discuss clarification on a particular individual's salary.
The next regular town board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, May 14 at 6 p.m.
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