A public hearing was held on Tuesday, September 9, to allow comment on a proposed Town of Webb ordinance dealing with access to communication towers on McCauley Mountain.
The ordinance would charge a fee to companies with equipment on the mountain to offset town costs related to maintaining that equipment.
Non-profit agencies with equipment on McCauley, including emergency service providers, would not have to pay the fee, according to the board.
The board expects to vote on the ordinance at a future meeting.
Following the public hearing, the board opened its regular monthly meeting for September.
Councilman J.B. Herron requested that the board continue with efforts to discuss the needs of the Town of Webb Health Center with St. Elizabeth’s. Supervisor Ted Riehle said he has reached out to Bob Scholefield, who is no longer in charge of our facility. Since St. E’s merger with Faxton St. Luke’s Hospital, which took place last spring, Brad Crysler has been placed in charge.
Riehle said he shared some of our concerns with Crysler, who asked for a little time in addressing them, since restructuring is still under way for the new Mohawk Valley Health System.
“They’ve got some ideas they’ve been tossing around,” Riehle said. “Hopefully we’ll have another doctor by the end of this month.”
Riehle said he is expecting some positive things from the new medical group.
Councilman Herron emphasized the need of the community to support the local health center. That is the best way to encourage an expansion of its services, he said.
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John Bauer has notified the Town of Webb of his resignation from the Snowmobile Trail Department. Supervisor Riehle acknowledged his service to the town and spoke of his skills as an employee in wishing him well in his future endeavors.
Councilman J.B. Herron offered words of appreciation, also, and wished Bauer good luck in his new employment opportunity in Florida.
In response to a query by Councilwoman Mary Brophy Moore, Supervisor Riehle updated the board on the project to replace the second navigation dock (the shorter of the two) at the Old Forge lakefront.
The work is scheduled to start the week after Columbus Day and is expected to be completed at the beginning of December.
Councilwoman Kate Russell requested that Supervisor Riehle confirm with the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) that they will have workers on hand to continue manual regulation of traffic on Route 28 at the McKeever Bridge.
Russell said she expects attention to traffic flow to be necessary the weekend of September 12 through 14, due to two major events in the Fulton Chain region:
Old Forge will be hosting the Annual Drill School of the Old Forge Fire Department.
On Saturday, Inlet will be hosting participants in the One Square Mile of Hope breast cancer fundraising event.
The board resolved to open the restrooms at the Old Forge Beach for an additional week to allow use by participants in VIEW’s Annual Running Colors event to be held on Saturday, October 18.
Use of the facility was requested by Jim Connerty of View, who said it will also be used as a changing area.
Running Colors is a 5K road race that starts and finishes at the lakefront.
Councilwoman Kate Russell reported that signage for the Eagle Bay Welcome Center and Town of Webb Professional Offices are in their final stages of production and will hopefully be completed, delivered, and positioned at their locations by the end of the month.
Dana Pashley’s hiring was approved by the board. He will be working at the Department of Public Works as a Mechan-ical Equipment Operator.