by Erin Hogan and Alex Brooks
The spot light in the Petersburgh Town Board meeting on June 21 was on the proposed water district law revisions. The law was passed after much discussion about the revisions and other issues with the water district. There were complaints from the public regarding the quality of the water, the way it is tested and about Water District Superintendent Todd Stradinger. Supervisor Schaaphok agreed that sometimes the water district gets overlooked. Over and over he expressed his wishes to get a group of the public back together as a water district committee. He explained that the water district is not at the top of his mind, especially since no one on the Board lives in the water district. and he apologized for that. He said because of this, “[we’re] Operating on hearsay; we need a committee.” The Supervisor also expressed great concern about how the hydrants are being used, and he made it clear that in the future, the law will be followed.
The major changes in the law are the addition of a $250 charge if you don’t have a working meter and a provision giving the Town Board authority to adjust water district rates by resolution without having to pass a whole new law. Schaaphok said this would be done in consultation with Water District patrons, probably by calling a meeting when the Town Board feels rates need to be adjusted.
Schaaphok listened to all of the complaints about the water district but pointed out that this law basically addressed financial aspects of the water district only and the other issues would have to be addressed separately. He once again emphasized the need for a water district committee.
Before the law was passed, Bill Seel asked the public if they were happy with the revisions. Tammy Dunlop pointed out that the revisions that the public asked for at the public hearing were incorporated into it, and people were generally happy with it. As was shown by the many complaints expressed at this meeting, there is still a lot to be addressed in the water district, but this law is a step in the right direction.
Immediately after the law was passed, an additional resolution was passed. Because Todd Stradinger is having medical difficulties, any meters that need to be put in before the July 1 billing deadline, may not be done in time. In order to save folks from the $250 charge that comes with having a broken meter or no meter, the resolution provides an extension until August 1 to get a working meter.
Dog Control Law
A Public Hearing was held on the proposed Dog Control Law, but no one offered any comments. The Dog Control Law was later passed by the Town Board. The full text of the law is posted on the town web site at www.petersburgh.org. It is a violation of the law to allow a dog to be “at large” or to engage in habitual loud barking howling or whining, to cause damage or destruction of property, to chase or intimidate people or to chase vehicles. “At large” means unleashed while the dog is not on the owner’s private property and is not under the owner’s immediate supervision. The law provides for fines up to $250 for the first violation and $500 for subsequent violations.
Issues With Youth
Also on the new business agenda, is more trouble with the Petersburgh youth. The Board is very troubled about how to deal with the latest issue – troublemakers tearing up the Petersburgh field with motorbikes. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done unless the perpetrators are caught. Bill Seel suggested calling the Sheriff but a deputy can’t sit and watch the field so until there is someone seen, there’s not much that can be done. Townsfolk are asked to keep their eyes open.
Highway Superintendent Raymond Harrison reported that the highway crew has been mowing and raking the Town roadsides and fixing the grader. The grader had a $700 fix on the bucket’s hydraulic cylinder.
Next Supervisor Schaaphok brought up that perhaps the Town might want to have an emergency plan in place in case of disaster. He suggested having stockpiles of supplies or maybe storing cots in Petersburgh Town Hall. Bill Seel said that the County has programs in place for that and that most people live in Petersburgh “because they can take care of themselves, and it shouldn’t be a huge issue.” Supervisor Schaaphok said that he would table the idea for now. Seel said, “If something’s going to happen its going to happen, plan or no plan.”
Last, but certainly not least, Supervisor Schaaphok wanted to let the public know that on Saturday, June 26, at 12 pm at the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home there is a memorial for Hilda Allen, a previous Town Clerk and Town Historian. He said that she was a “fountain of knowledge.”