Northampton Town Tidbits

September 2009

By Supervisor Linda Kemper

Visit us at www.townofnorthampton.com

E-MAIL: nhpton1@frontiernet.net

Where did the summer go??  We’re almost to Labor Day, and we finally get summer-like weather……go figure!!  Just a few odd ‘n ends to cover this month while we proceed with the Budget sessions at the County and Town levels and try to anticipate the State’s next set of games in shifting their tax burdens over to us.

BUS SERVICE AND GLOVERSVILLE TRANSIT

As everyone is now aware, the Gloversville Transit ended the Northville run in December of 2008, citing lack of participation and this run being one of the largest “lost revenue and costly” runs as the reason, even after adding the Amsterdam connection.  They originally had asked for $5,000/year (up from less than $800), but ultimately decided to end the run, regardless, with possibly doing a reduced schedule after taking a “time out” for a year to explore alternatives and time to conduct a “cost-benefit” analysis.  The Town had budgeted for the run, and had asked the Transit to provide the number of participants using the run that would justify the substantial increase.  We had contacted other potential providers for the service, unsuccessfully, since the lack of participation ultimately increasing the high costs of operation, is a huge deciding factor.  I later found out that the Gloversville Transit had also been negotiating, and signed a contract, with the Residential Health Care Facility (“the Infirmary”) to be included in the bus run for $5,000/year for 2009.   If they ultimately dropped the Northville run in order to provide service to more individuals and seniors with the Residential Facility run, than that is OK and understandable, as that run would have appeared to have been a greater benefit to our seniors and to the general public as a whole. 

After speaking with Residential Health Care Facility administration and staff, apparently the new bus run has also had poor participation with their rider ship numbers, perhaps the time spent on the bus is too long?  It’s anyone guess why there is little participation.   The Health Facility is not planning to re-new the Transit bus contract for next year for that reason.  Hopefully, the Gloversville Transit will take another look at the Northville run, even if it is reduced to operate for less days per week.  We’ll continue to work on providing a bus service back into Northville.

SACANDAGA PARK WATER AND SEWER

The Town had applied for, and recently received a pre-development planning grant from the USDA for the Sewer  ($12,500) and for the Water ($9,400) projects.  Applications are being completed to submit to the USDA for additional monies under their pre-development program.

While these amounts are small compared to what’s needed, it all helps.  We are working on completing the water portion of the engineering study in order to meet the annual listing deadlines to qualify for the 2010 Stimulus funds.

THANK YOU, JANET AND LINDA, our resident “flower girls”

Special thanks to Janet Rudd for again taking on the task of planting flowers and the maintenance of the flower planters and gardens at the Town Hall this year.  This year, Janet had a volunteer “helper”, Linda Goodrich.  Together, with their passion for gardening and each other’s help in determining the sometimes-tricky difference between a perennial and a weed, they did a magnificent job in bringing new life and new perennials in addition to the annuals to the planters and into the park.  They also planted flowers in the planter by the bridge and Rt. 30 under the “Welcome to Northville” sign. If you see Janet or Linda, let them know that you noticed and appreciate the work that they have, and continue to do.  THANKS AGAIN to both of you. 

BATCHELLERVILLE  BRIDGE :  The bridge is now one-lane traffic with traffic lights at each end; anticipate additional delay time when  planning for your traveling needs.

NOTES:

-The Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7^th for the Labor Day Holiday, regular      pick-up for the Town will be Tuesday.

-Keep informed; our Town Board minutes are available on the web site. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

-August 26^th, Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals 7:00 pm, Bradt Building

-September 6^th, Ring of Fire around the Sacandaga Lake, Dusk

-September 6^th & 7^th, Bass Masters Weekend Tournament at Northampton Campsite

-September 9^th,  (tentative) Candidates Forum at the NCS Auditorium 7:00 pm

-September 9^th,  School Starts

-September 10^th, Zoning Commission work session 5-7:00 pm, Bradt Building

-September 15^th, Primary Elections Polls, Open Noon – 9 pm , Bradt Building and Fish House

-September 16th, Town Board Meeting 6:30 pm, Bradt Building