Northampton Town Tidbits
July/August 2009
By Supervisor Linda Kemper
Visit us at www.townofnorthampton.com
E-MAIL: nhpton1@frontiernet.net
GIRL SCOUT COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Girl Scouts, with assistance from their dedicated parents, have worked very hard at planning, planting and maintaining a community garden behind the Bradt Building. They have planted fruit trees, flowers and vegetables. The garden is beginning to flourish, now that we finally have some nice weather. The fruits of their labor are being donated to needy families. The girls will be planning an event for the community to get together and sample their “goodies” sometime in August when the veggies mature. Watch for the date and please join them in support of the girl’s creative project. Stop by and take a look at the garden and the messages that the girls have written on their bandanas around the garden.
BLUE STAR MEMORIAL BY-WAY MARKER
On July 4th, the Sacandaga Garden Club hosted a dedication ceremony of the first Fulton County Blue Star by-way marker on the lawn in front of the Bradt Building. The Blue Star memorial program of the National Garden Club began in 1945 to honor the men and women who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces. “Blue Star” refers to the flags displayed in homes and business denoting a family member in the military; no marker may bear an individuals name. Thank you to the ladies of the Garden Club for bringing this memorial marker and tribute to Northville. Stop by and take a look!
DEC AND HRBRRD PROPOSED RULES
As most are by now aware of, the Governor’s office did not approve the proposed rules as submitted by the DEC and HRBRRD. For over three years, we have been aggressively fighting this issue. We repeatedly asked the District for accountability, public participation, and clear and concise rules. What we got was secrecy, arrogance, confusion and chaos! While we await word as to what the next step will be, one thing is for certain; the Lake Community stepped up to the plate and “kicked butt”. We needed your help and everyone jumped into high gear with a massive letter writing and phone call effort. While the rules were stopped in the Governor’s office, this issue, by no means, is not over. The Sacandaga Protection Committee is now well organized and funds are being collected to work toward protecting the interest of the Lake Community. The Town of Northampton, along with the neighboring Towns of Broadalbin, Mayfield, Day, Edinburg, and the Intercounty Legislative Committee of the Adirondacks supports and endorses the work of the Protection Committee. “Town Hall” meetings for updates from the Sacandaga Protection Committee will be sponsored by Broadalbin on July 27th, at BP School and by Northampton on August 24th , at the Northville School.
Thank You to everyone who spent endless hours in organizing, distributing information, attending meetings, along with letter writing and phone calls to our State representatives. Keep it up!!
ZONING COMMISSION UPDATE
The newly formed commission has been working with consultants CLA/Riverstreet and the Fulton County Planning Department. A public informational meeting on the process of updating our zoning and discussion on anticipated time frames will be held at the Northville Central School on Wednesday, August 12th at 7:00. The public is urged to attend and to participate in the process as we proceed forward with completed draft versions. Public Hearings will be held when we are further into the process of compiling the drafts.
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT OFFICER
The town is still seeking persons interested in assisting the Code Enforcement Officer with enforcement of the Town’s Property Maintenance Law. Duties include inspections, record keeping, responding to complaints & issuing citations and court appearances when necessary. This is a part time position on an “as needed” basis, hourly pay and mileage reimbursement. Please send letters of interest and qualifications to Town of Northampton, PO Box 479, Northville, attention Linda Kemper, Supervisor. We plan to interview and hire someone shortly to fill this vacancy.
GARBAGE REMINDER: For Monday pickup, Garbage should be placed in clear garbage bags and placed inside an enclosed container in order to prevent scavengers from scattering the garbage.
NOTES:
Keep informed; our Town Board minutes are available on the web site.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
-July 25th , Historic Tour, Fish House
-July 27th, Sacandaga Protection Committee Update Meeting 7-9 pm, Broadalbin/Perth School
-August 12th, Zoning Informational Meeting, CLA/Riverstreet, 7:00 pm @ Northville School
-August 14th, GSLA annual meeting 7:00 pm, Bradt Building
-August 19th, Town Board Meeting 6:30 pm, Bradt Building
-August 24th, Sacandaga Protection Committee Update Meeting 7-9 pm, Northville School
-August 26th, Town ZBA 7:00 pm, Bradt Building