Notes From Last Week

It's been a while since I did one of these and I missed it. I may be the only one. When I write up meetings or other events I attend I try to stick to the facts without any personal comments. Although we don't receive many comments we try to leave it up to the readers to draw their own conclusions on the reports. We strive on being accurate on what actually went on and what was said.

Seems we were getting bogged down on just reporting meetings or trying to promote different events. Right now we got about six things to write up and we'll eventually get to them. We have been taking time out to do a weekly calender for Wellsville happenings. If we know about them we'll put them in the calender. Sorry, we decided not to include the different Class of ?? meetings. With the All-Class Reunion coming up there are so many of them at different times and different places we're afraid of missing some.

Speaking of the Class meetings we would like to say thanks to all those that do support local, in town businesses to have their meetings at their restaurants. In today's economy even if you only get a cup of coffee your patronage is greatly appreciated, supporting Wellsville businesses.

Wellsville's Zoning Board President Jack Call got "toasted" in the MJ last week for nearly cancelling a Zoning variance hearing when he thought he hadn't complied with the Sunshine Law. That's the law that spells out the notification requirements for meetings of public bodies we tax payers support. He was finally convinced by the newspaper reporter that the law's requirements had been complied with.

Talking to Mr. Call later on we found out he was thinking more about the notification of the general public instead of just those that requested to be notified of such meetings. In Wellsville the Zoning Board does not have any regular scheduled meetings. In line with Mr. Call's thinking a variance hearing is held to give the public a chance for their input before a decision on the variance is made. His feeling is that there should be some sort of notification put out before any such meeting. We have to agree and got the feeling it will be published before there are any more meetings. Attaboy Jack...

Last week's Council Meeting was a disturbing one for us for several reasons. If you go by the attendance at the Council meetings you could easily think there's not many that really cares what goes on with our Village government. It's rare to see more than a handful of citizens attend a meeting. What was more disturbing was that Council went into four Executive Sessions behind closed door with nary one thing mentioned about any of them after returning. The law requires that a reason be given before adjourning behind closed door. They were ready to adjourn for the first one and didn't even know why they were going into a closed session.

Three other things that disturbed us was the "nothing to report" for the Finance, Sewage and Personnel Committees. We've remarked before we think the financial condition of the Village should be a regular item at least once a month. How much did we take in last month, how much did we spend and what did we spend it on should be public knowledge. Some do care and many more would have a better understanding of why such things as paving aren't getting done. What the status on the balance of the STAG funds being held up by the EPA?

The Sewage Committee continues to be quiet and yet just a few weeks ago they were all upset with the Sewage Treatment Plant having two digesters full of sludge once again. They were looking at a $90,000 bill to have them emptied once again. United Water said they would try to help using the drying beds to the max but the weather hasn't been conducive to drying out the sludge. We've had a lot of rain since then. What's going on there?

We've seen a contractor working on sewer lines again. It was announced about the scoping of sewer line trouble spots but nothing has been said about why the jet rodding machine is seen being used once again. It goes on and on... Construction at the Sewer Plant was suppose to begin sometime in June.

It was announced at least three meetings ago that Personnel had something to report on the Village union negotiations but they were holding off until everyone was present at a meeting. If there is a quorum present why hold off? The Village spent a lot of money to have a consultant negotiate a new contract. What's the deal?

Finally, there was a letter in yesterday's ER about the "speed trap" on Route 7. We're guessing it was written by someone pinched breaking the law by speeding. The letter's author said "we deserve better". Those officers patrolling the four lane are being paid from a grant to do just that. If it wasn't for the grant there would be less police coverage for our town. If you obeying the speed law you have nothing to worry about.

ole nib