July 2nd Town Board meeting (con’t)

NEW BUSINESS

• Supervisor Collins announced that the Town has been asked to accept transfer of a cemetery property “and remaining assets of the cemetery trust” from the estate of Richard Hogeboom that is located near Crellin Park. Based on an initial look at the property, he and board member Werwaiss estimated at least 40 graves on the property, some in major disrepair. Collins said that exploration is ongoing to determine the advisability of the conditions of transfer stipulated by the trustee, and to clarify what this ownership would require of the Town. He will report back at an upcoming meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Regarding the proposal to change the FOIL process and officer: a member of the public said that there would be problems with a change in the FOIL process and FOIL officer due to NYS regulations that disallow this. She gave specific information to the Board in support of this opinion. She agreed to send links to the information to board member Werwaiss at his request. 

Public comment on the possibility of building an ice skating rink at Crellin Park was mixed, with one person saying the ice rink could be a boon to economic development for the Town, and establish new partnerships to support Town services. Repeated concerns about potential costs for building and maintenance of such a facility surfaced; as did support for limited research to allow the Board to determine the overall feasibility of exploring the project more extensively. On the other hand, support for the basketball court option came from a consideration of the relative estimated costs and anticipated local use of the facility. 

Comments of the draft Code of Ethics included: consider a shortening of Board of Ethics terms for members; a request that a finding of ethical violation be disclosed to the public; opinions supporting no change in the ethics law, and disapproval of local/town residents serving on the board of ethics; concerns that this process would be “divisive” and partisan; disagreement as to whether this would be a problem; support for a local ethics law, and for an ethics board made up of local residents; question as to the necessity for the change in law and process.

The next regular Town Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 pm at Town Hall. The public can attend in person or join by Google Meet or phone. Information is available on the Town calendar for the date of the meeting.

A video of the July the 2, 2026, meeting is available here.