BOVINA - The Bovina Highway Department was permitted to enter into a lease contract for a 66-inch Milton Cat roller compactor. The machine is used for three to four months of the year to compress and smooth roadways. The lease will be for a roller with roughly 50 hours on it at $4,200 a month. Highway Superintendent Edward Weber will request use of State CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program) funds for the rental.
Prior to the decision, Councilmember John Ciccone advocated for repairing the 20-year-old roller. The machine has caused issues, prompting Weber to request a lease agreement. Ciccone said, after research, that he believes it is worth the town's effort to see if repair is a viable option.
“If we can get another five years out of it, it’s better than selling it for peanuts,” he said, adding it could save the town money.
The council ultimately determined a rental would be necessary in the meantime.
Public Concerns
Resident Dick McIntosh approached the board with several concerns.
One major concern council members agreed on was the need for a reassessment.
Bovina has roughly 1,000 parcels, with the most recent equalization rate of 13.25%.
Supervisor Tina Molé and Councilmember Dominic Gullow agreed that a reassessment is needed. However, both raised concerns about costs.
The town would need to hire a firm to conduct the reassessment, said Molé, which could cost upwards of $100,000.
The two noted that the board is looking into the issue.
McIntosh asked the board to seek assistance regarding a weekday speeding incident in Bovina Center. He noted the issue times as 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Molé said she would seek assistance from the county sheriff.
McIntosh was also disappointed that the board did not send him a proposal for timber sale of the town-owned property along Bovina Center-South Kortright Road. The town hired a Watershed Agricultural Council certified forester.
Other Business
The following monthly bills were paid: $42,530 for general, $132 for lighting, $2,224 for water, $5,238 for septic, and $18,058 for highway.
The annual water report was accepted by the New York State Department of Health. The report was mailed to all district users and is available for viewing at the town clerk's office.
The code officer conducted nine inspections and issued two pre-construction permits in March.
The average water usage for March was calculated to be 7,560 gallons per day.
Culvert repair along Brush Hollow Road is completed.
The planning board is reviewing zoning regulations for updates.
Roger Bolles was hired at $20 an hour to assist with mowing roadsides.
Weber reported that nearly 50% of the road salt budget has already been spent.
Following an executive session, the board voted to award Highway Department employees a $600 clothing allowance in addition to providing five t-shirts annually. The town will also provide one jacket. Employees will continue to receive $250 annually for the purchase of steel-toe boots.
Councilmember Jillian LaFever was absent.
The next regular Bovina Town Board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m.
