by Jay Lawson

The Town of Webb Board held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 10.

Supervisor Ted Riehle reported that a letter had been received from two South Shore Road property owners, who requested that the Town of Webb assist with a road hazard caused by parked vehicles across from the Red Dog Tavern.

They said the parked vehicles create an obstructed view for them when pulling onto the South Shore Road. 

“On busy nights, it gets congested,” Riehle said.

Supervisor Riehle said the Board has discussed the problem with Police Chief Ron Johnston, who recommended a 100-ft. No Parking zone on each side of the shared driveway.

This would be the equivalent of five car lengths, he said.

Councilwoman Kate Russell asked for specifics about the number of posted signs and their placements.

She said she wants to ensure that the section of road doesn’t become littered with excessive amounts of no parking signs.

Supervisor Riehle said he could acquire more details on what the project would entail.

The South Shore Road is a county road, so Herkimer County would do the sign installations. The county is on board with the action once a resolution has been adopted by the Town of Webb, Riehle said.

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The Town of Webb adopted a resolution to advertise for fuel bids for unleaded gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil for 2016. Bid specifications are on file with the Town Clerk. Any bids received are to be opened on December 21 at 5:30 p.m.

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The Town Board authorized clean up work requested by Town of Webb Highway Superintendent Casey Crofut at the Park Avenue lot acquired earlier this year by the town.

“The town had gotten permission to cut down some dead trees a number of years ago, pull some stumps, and make for better snowplowing in the winters,” said Supervisor Ted Riehle.

Riehle said that Crofut had contacted some local tree companies for removal of trees that are dangerous.

The lot is intended for parking use eventually, according to Riehle.

“[Crofut] is not putting in the parking lot, but he’s just starting to prep the area. The parking lot itself is something a future board is going to have to decide on,” Riehle said.

Audience participant Fred Trimbach said there is one large tree on the property, and he asked if it would remain standing.

Riehle said the tree is fairly healthy, and that it is his expectation that it can be saved.

Councilman J.B. Herron said that a drainage system needs to be considered also, to divert some problem runoff.

“Casey and I talked about drain issues,” Riehle said. “He felt he could easily take care of that with some large drywells. But that’s a discussion for future boards. [The present task] is just cleaning…and clearing.”

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Supervisor Riehle said the Town purchased ten Holiday Lights that are expected to be installed on utility poles along Main Street this winter. National Grid is installing convenience outlets to provide the electricity, he said.

The lights, which are in the shape of snowflakes, will be attached using a simple bracket system, according to Riehle.

This has been a signature project of Councilwoman Kate Russell, and Riehle said he anticipates that the beautification lights will enhance the village in time for Christmas on Main Street.

On a similar note, Councilwoman Russell said the Winter Hanging Baskets would be made by volunteers on Tuesday, November 17th, weather permitting, and installed on Main Street utility poles.

The quantity will be about 35, and they will be spaced to coordinate with the Snowflake Lights.

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Supervisor Riehle presented the Town of Webb Board with an updated version of the Ambulance Corps agreement that would have the Town of Webb funding $200,000 of the employee costs for round-the-clock staffing of Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Technicians, to be administered by the Corps in Webb.

The board was urged to review the contract and contact Town Attorney Richard Frye with any questions.

The agreement was provided by the Ambulance Corps and is acceptable to the Ambulance Corps, according to Supervisor Riehle.

Attorney Frye noted that he might have authorized the agreement slightly differently had he drafted it, but that as long as it satisfies the requirements of the state, it should be sufficient.

Frye said his hesitancy relates to the fees and the party whose function it is to collect them.

The town will not be collecting the fees for the ambulance service, he said.

“The town will not be involved in that at all, according to this agreement,” he said.

But, Frye conceded that there is no standard when it comes to these agreements.

“There are all sorts of different contracts. I’ve seen a lot of them,” Frye said.

The Board arranged through Terry Lehnen, who was acting on behalf of the Ambulance Corps, to conference with members of the Corps at a Monday, November 16th meeting of the board.

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Councilwoman Kate Russell inquired about whether to add “No feeding of geese and ducks” to the “No feeding bears” ad that screens at the Strand Theatre.

She asked for confirmation that the feeding on geese and ducks is actually illegal and would result in a $250 fine.

Audience participant Bill Brooker said that, though the feeding of geese and ducks is discouraged by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), violators would not be ticketed for doing so.

Supervisor Ted Riehle said he would contact the DEC for additional information.

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Councilwoman Russell requested that the Board authorize the advertising of available positions for Town of Webb Justice Court Bailiffs.

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Councilman James B. Herron Jr. extended a public thank you to the community for his 8 years of service on the Town Board. He acknowledged that he came up short in his bid for reelection.

“We only know of one winner at this point; it’s Barb Green [for Town Council]. I’d like to congratulate her. I’m anxiously awaiting to hear the results of who becomes our supervisor and second councilman. Whoever it is, I wish them luck,” Herron said.