Town Property To Be Surveyed

Tax map of the Bovina Town owned property housing the highway department salt shed and transfer station along New Road.

By Mary A. Crisafulli

BOVINA - At the March monthly meeting the Bovina Town Council agreed to seek quotes to have a boundary line survey conducted on the roughly 65 acres surrounding the transfer. Councilmember Evelyn Stewart-Barnhart was absent.

The property, bordering New Road, is being explored for potential logging, sale, or subdivision. The town has received many complaints from the public regarding the potential logging of the area often used by locals for hiking. Council members have been clear the discussion is research-based to account for town assets.

Steve Roberts provided Supervisor Tina Molè with suggested surveyors which she will reach out to.

The logging idea was proposed following the rejection of a grant application to update the existing playground through the O'Connor Foundation. Councilmember Jillienne LaFever, tasked with heading the project, has reapplied for the O'Connor grant. She previously reported the foundation rejected the first application due to overages in the foundation's annual budget. LaFever expects to be awarded the grant in this round and is exploring other funding opportunities. Unfortunately, LaFever reported the $20,000 Community Foundation grant was denied.

In other business

Due to the freeze-thaw weathering and degradation effect on roadways, the council approved the seasonal closure of roadways for vehicles above 4 tons. Highway Superintendent Edward Weber expected the following roads to be included - New, East Bramley Mountain, Bramley Mountain, and Lee Hollow.

A public hearing for a special use permit for a restaurant along Main Street is set for March 17. The applicant has space for six vehicles, will not serve alcohol, and the business is located in a residence.

Weber reported the need to remove a large fallen rock along Brush Hollow. "Hopefully the neighbors will let us bury it on their lawn," he said.

The Bovina Fire Department will host a recruitment open house on Sat. April 26 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

A bid for lawn mowing services from Ed Rossley was accepted at $9,000 for town properties and $4,800 for the septic areas from April 15 until Nov. 15.

Councilmembers paid monthly bills of, $9,217.24 for general, $2,415.60 for the water district, $6,683.08 for sewer, and $27,073.80 for the highway department.

The next monthly meeting is scheduled April 8 at 6 p.m.