Tonight (2020-12-28) was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.
Rescheduled from last week, although the reason wasn’t stated. Reading between the lines, I would speculate flu concerns were the cause, but I’ll freely admit that is wild speculation.
Everyone was calling in, instead of all in the same room. I think this produces better audio quality overall, but I’m sure it negatively impacts the Board’s ability to interact. Although, there is a degree of fairness that the public’s interaction with the Board is the same as the Board’s with itself.
As implied above, overall audio quality was decent. Not amazing, but a world of difference in comparison to the previous Zoning Board meeting. I would speculate this is because everyone has their own microphone. I’ll suggest the Village uses the same approach for the next ZBA meeting, but not tonight as their email system is apparently changing and rejected my mail.
Hyde Park was mentioned. Mostly an aside, acknowledging the difficulty in repairs and that the issue is being worked on.
According to feedback from the public, the recently mailed newsletter went over well. Good to hear after the work that went into it. I think sticking it on the website as well has value.
Upcoming Zoning Board agenda items were mentioned. In particular the likely future office in 12 Monroe Street and the continuation of Wolfsberger Park. Rick affirmed that they would take the necessary time to work through the process, doing their due diligence, but that they would be continuing on. I’m sure I’ll have more to say when these meetings roll around.
Training of fire fighters will be starting up again. Apparently this was on hold on the Counties side, another side effect of the panic. Great to hear training will be happening, because fires sure don’t care about disease. Life goes on, including accidents.
There was a public hearing for the annual tax cap override law. As usual, more a formality then anything else. Side effect of the tax cap law, all but mandating this step as part of prudent budgeting.
Covid vaccines are starting, at least for fire and ambulance staff. Sounds like it will be a while before all the local members get their turn. Yet, as mentioned above, the need for the services continue. Have I mentioned that this panic is worse then the disease?
On that note, Rick applauded the County for their assistance throughout this situation. Good to hear, I’m glad to know the municipalities are working well together. Yet it comes across to me like hearing about the great job keeping the sky up, despite it not falling (at least no more then any other year).
On the topic of falling, roof repair at 47 North Main is complete. The resident has moved back in, but business cannot open. That there was an executive session to discuss legal issues shows I’m not the only one that thinks there may have been government overreach in this situation. I don’t know all the details, but I wish the resident well in this undertaking.
I do find it interesting that the name of the resident and business owner isn’t said. At least when this topic is discussed. When she steps down from the Conservation Board (which is clearly completely unrelated), she can be named, and all good things are said. When her property is declared ‘unsafe’? Nope, Mary is an address.
New signs for the various parks are being considered. No decision tonight, as there were questions and more information is needed. But Rick was kind enough to model the samples at the Village office.
While the ambulance agreement with the Town is continuing, there was discussion about the future. In particular, a desire to simplify the process as parts of the contract/finances can be confusing. To be clear, no one said anything against the service or it’s management. In many ways this was nothing new, as the Town and Village have been talking about the ambulance for quiet some time. Although tonight did outline a more formal process going forward, with at least rough dates for steps to take.
And as has become standard, the January and February meetings will be off pattern. As I’ll likely mention when we get to them, I think this is less then ideal. Having said that, at least it’s predictable well in advance.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the December 28, 2020 meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.
Agenda was not available anywhere I could find. Perhaps it will be on the Village’s website in the future, perhaps not…