By Liz Page
GILBOA – Members of the Gilboa Town Board heard the highlights of a highly successful Summer Youth Program and heard complaints about code enforcement and what neighbors on Lawrence Mountain Road consider unhealthy living, during their meeting on Monday.
Nelta Miller gave a very enthusiastic report of her first year as Summer Youth Program director for Gilboa. She said there were 31 regular campers, three from the town of Blenheim. There were four paid counselors and four junior counselors to help. The Schoharie County Youth Bureau also came once per week to involve the kids in canoeing, hiking, field games and crafts. They all enjoyed the pizza party at the end, sponsored by the towns of Gilboa and Conesville. It was a first for the pizza party and Miller said the kids loved it. She said they only had one day when camp wasn't held due to the weather. She said she enjoyed watching the kids progress in swim lessons, with all but five advancing to the next level. She had fun as well and thanked the town for supporting the program. Supervisor Alicia Terry thanked Miller for taking over the program and allowing Sue Morkaut to retire.
Tomi Tompkins was present to ask town board members if there was anything they could do regarding the lack of response from Brian Caron, the town code enforcement officer, to those seeking permits and inspections. "He needs to do something differently," said Tompkins, who is a town resident and a COE for two other towns. "I don't know why people keep calling me, but they do." said Tompkins. He said it isn't fair to people who are waiting for inspections to continue a project for them to wait weeks for a response. "It would help if he would just get back to people in a timely fashion," he said. He provided examples of people waiting for a certificate of occupancy or being held up waiting for an inspection for weeks.
Supervisor Terry said it is not the first time the town board has heard concerns. She said there are a number of things they are trying to balance out and she said CEOs in other towns are also very busy. She said there is one property that demands his close attention. She said communication could be improved. She said she and the town clerk receive calls as well. "There is no good answer," said Terry. "If he would return phone calls and answer emails, it would eliminate a lot of the complaints," said Tompkins.
Bill Rickett was present to question the health issues regarding his neighbors on Lawrence Mountain Road who are living in trailers on the property since their home burned last March. He said they are getting water from a hose in the ditch and he has no idea what they are doing with their human waste. "It's nasty out there. There is no septic at the trailer and they are getting water out of the ditch. It's a health issue." The wind blows toward his house and he can smell the remnants of the burned down home which is still there and has never been removed. "They have four camper trailers they are living in and there are two vehicles with no plates. Dennis (his other neighbor) and I have to goby it every day. I'm coming here for help."
He was told he must make a written complaint for the CEO and the county Department of Health in order for any action to be taken.
The budget process is beginning, according to Terry. She reported that the town will receive $205,000 from Schoharie County to provide hot mix for Wyckoff Road, which is being used as a detour for Flat Creek Road. She said she has not heard anything in regard to repairs on Flat Creek Road, with easements still needed from some property owners..
The Rt.30 Scenic Byway will be reviewing locations designated for the town of Gilboa on Sept. 9.
The town has moved the October meeting to October 15 at 6:30 to avoid Columbus Day. The budget hearing will be opened October 30 at 6:30 p.m. and will remain open through the regular town board meeting on Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day.
Councilwoman Dottie Pickett suggested having representative from the electric company come to a meeting to explain the challenges they face and why the lights go out so often.
The town hall is now hooked to a generator, which went into service last Friday after installation was completed last Thursday.
The generator at the town highway garage will not be hooked up until the roofing and siding have been installed.
The next meeting is set for Sept. 11.
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