Supervisor Newsletter- James C. Merrick takes pride in preparing the content in each newsletter, the cost and time allows the distribution of such news letter be done generally twice a year. I hope you enjoy the information and helps you better understand what the Town of Groveland is all about.

November 2009

GROVELAND NEWSLETTER,

JIM MERRICK, SUPERVISOR

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Wow where did the summer go! Hope it was enjoyable to you all. It is that time of year again to bring you up to date on our town and county news.

Town: We have our hands full trying to hold our tax rate during these continued economic times. The 2010 Budget will have a slight tax increase from $3.61 to $3.70 per thousand. This is due to the decrease in Livingston County sales tax, plus a decrease of revenue fees on the Justice Court side. On the expense side we have a 20% increase in health insurance, fuel prices are still high, retirement costs continue to climb and replacement parts are much to expensive! I have inserted a portion of our town budget for your review.

Town Hall: We are still waiting to hear about the status of our grant request to help renovate our town hall, the State keeps making more cuts from funding projects. I have recently sent letters to Senator Cathy Young and Senator Dale Volker, to help fund this necessary improvement for our court and hall. We can only cross our fingers and wait patiently. If you see a sign “Please excuse our Dust” you will know we got the full grant.

Ambuscade Park:  We did not receive the grant for the Ambuscade Park, but looking to summit for the next round.

The pavilion is available to reserve through the Town Clerk for any occasion. The summer dates book quickly!

Lake View Cemetery: Those who visit the cemetery have noticed some improvements to the driveway, gates and grounds. Thank you for those many compliments.

We certainly had enough rain this summer that made it challenging to keep up with trimming and mowing. If anyone needs information on already purchased plots or if you are interested in purchasing plots, please contact Greg Adamson at 739-0696. 

Groveland Fire Department: The have done a super job on the remodeling and construction of their complex. It has made their breakfasts even more enjoyable. The breakfasts are held the second Sunday of each month through March. Stop down to see all their hard work and you won’t go home hungry after one of their breakfasts.

Groveland Highway Department:

We have been successful in the purchase of 2- Ten wheel Dump Trucks & Plow equipment for $85,000. These trucks have about 80,000 miles on them. Replacement cost for 1 new truck would have been over $200,000.

Greg continues to monitor the government surplus items to help keep our costs minimized. Thank you crew for another productive year.

We are in the process of a possible 3 year union contract for the highway employees.

Art has done a great job doing our roadside ditching.

Barber Hill Road has been cleared and prepared for new top coating in 2010. Nice job!

Ethan Moore and Cindy Dennison had their hands full keeping up with the cemetery mowing with all the rain. Thank you both!

The Highway crew had their hands full working for the County Highway Department, along with the town work.

Conesus Lake: The Town Board has taken an active role in the effort to making the lake stabilize, with all the rain this season the lake level has been a problem. However, Groveland is in support of Pledging “Be Lake Friendly” resolution, which asks all residents and their guests to be diligent with materials, waste, debris, fuel etc. etc. that can be harmful to the lake. Do not feed the ducks and geese, knowing they add harmful nutrients to the lake. To see the Pledge in its entirety, contact our Town Clerk, Sandra Bean or go to the Conesus Lake Association - Laker News @ www.conesuslake.org

At both the Town & County level we continue to search for grants and member item monies to help maintain the lake.

Our $180,000 grant for Conesus Lake roadside ditches was completed by the State. The Town Highway Department will complete our portion in 2010.

I want to thank the Conesus Lake Association and all other organizations for the many tours put together for a show and tell program. Despite the many rainy days, I hope everyone had a wonderful summer on the lake.

County Level: Our new County Administer, Ian Coyle is doing a great job!

The County Highway crew has been busy working on the Pioneer Road Bridge and with the reconstruction of Geneseo-Groveland Road. The Geneseo- Groveland Road is a 2-year project. The total cost is approximately 1.3 million dollars, of which we received the total amount in stimulus monies. It almost makes it worth all the detours

The jail impact debt was accurate at the 6% increase in the boarding out of 40 inmates would still have the same impact on our budget. We wind-up with a new jail that can house 189 inmates by building and nothing to show for our boarding out 40 inmates and the possibility of the number 40 going up to 80 to 100 inmates.

I have enclosed a portion of the county budget for your review.

Points of Interest:

• A new bridge has been completed on Rte. 258. Sorry for the inconvenience while the work was in progress.
• Pioneer Bridge is nearly completed. We also received almost $50,000 from Senator Cathy Young to help repair this bridge. 
• I want to thank the Halley Allen Legion Post 1341 for the donation of flowers that were planted by Greg & Sandy at the Veterans Memorials located at the Town Hall and the Ambuscade Park. There were truly beautiful.
• The 2010 census will take place soon and census employees may come to your home. Please be diligent and remind all family members that the Census Bureau staff must have Photo ID in order to give information to. In other states people are posing to be with the census bureau and getting information for identity theft.
• The Farmland Protection Plan is going very well. Craig Phelps and the Advisory Committee are making the process go smoothly. Hope you all come to the on-going meetings. Check our website for meeting dates and minutes. www.grovelandny.org
• We are now receiving $71,480 from American Rock Salt for in-lieu-of taxes. American Rock Salt Company is the largest producing salt mine in the U.S. and 2^nd in the World. They employ 300 workers; have a 17 million dollar payroll. 85% of employees are from Livingston County, many from Groveland, Geneseo, and York area. They pay $360,000 a year to Geneseo school district, $71,480 to us and we receive $50,000 to $70,000 in host benefits. They are in the process of building new office and maintenance buildings.
• Betty Sanderson is “fully” retiring sometime during the 2010 Tax Collection as the Deputy Town Clerk. Thank you Betty for your many, many years of service. I welcome new comer Kimberly Burgess as the new Deputy Town Clerk. Welcome aboard!
• Thank you Department Heads and Employees for doing your part in spending less in these difficult times.
• A deep sense of loss was felt with the passing of Kenneth “Jake” Partridge; resident, businessman, respected farmer, councilman, husband and father. My condolences to the entire family.
• With the recent elections I would like to welcome John Driscoll in January as the newest Councilman. John has done a great job as Chairman to the Planning Board and I look forward to working with him on the Town Board.
• DEC has passed a new NO Burning Law that went into effect 10/14/09. This includes no burning barrels and even farmers are not exempt with this new law. To read the full regulations go to: www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/54540.html
• The town website is up and running. Our Town Clerk, Sandra Bean is the Administrator to keep costs down. Minutes and information continues to be added on a regular basis. Feel free to call if you have any questions or comments on how to improve it. Take a look at it by logging on to www.grovelandny.org
• If you are someone who reads this newsletter and are not on the mailing list, and would like to be. Please call the Town Clerk @ 243-1750.

In closing, I want to thank all our staff for continuing to do a great job which makes my job easier knowing that we have wonderful people working at the town. With that kind of support we will get through these difficult times.  With that said, our Town & County is in good financial shape.

Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

Jim

Previous newsletters can be viewed here:

• Feb 2009
• 2008 newsletters