Water still a hot topic in Milo

MILO—Water in its many forms continues to dominate meetings of the Milo Town Board. On Jan. 20, councilmen heard a report from engineer for the town Wayne Ackart who presented information on the latest saddle failures in Water District 1. The two recent failures of parts that connect the water line were the latest of several that have failed over the past few months. Last year it was determined that saddles in some areas of the district had extensive rusting which led to failure. Wholesale replacement was discussed at that time. However, the cost of such a project as well as the fact that it is unknown how extensive the problem is led to the practice of watching for failures. Yates County Economic Development Center is coordinating requests for project funding for a program that has been proposed by President Barack Obama and saddles for Water District 1 is one of two projects that will be requested.

Ackart said there is a leak, which he termed, “not big,” in the system. Some valves were scheduled to be closed Jan. 21 to assist in pinpointing the location of the leak. 

In other business: 

• Supervisor John Socha told the board that the town received an unexpected bill for water testing for Himrod Water District. The two bills received from Midstates Laboratory in Clifton Springs totaled more than $1,500 and the total budgeted for such testing is $2,700 annually. 

• Councilman Earle Gleason asked the board if there would be any action on town property tax exemptions for Cold War veterans. He said the town may wish to see if they can determine the number of veterans there are and the impact on taxes if the exemption is offered. It was suggested that veterans who served in the period from Sept. 2, 1945 through Dec. 26, 1991 call the assessor’s office to inform them of their interest. The Milo assessor’s office can be reached at 536-4688.

• Water in its frozen form was also mentioned by Highway Superintendent Phil Strong who said, “We need a break on our snow control and materials.” This winter has already required massive amounts of time and materials for snow control. The board approved Strong’s request to advertise for a tractor and mower for the upcoming season.

• Councilman Dale Hallings said the Comprehensive Plan Committee is nearing completion on its work and is discussing scheduling of a public hearing on the plan. The zoning board is continuing to work on the furnace law and it will be sent to the town planning board when it is in the final form.

• Two appointments were made by the board. Bill Laffin was appointed chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals andDoug Martini was named to the Yates County Planning Board. Martini’s name will be submitted to the Yates County Legislature for confirmation.

• The board approved a $25 yearly permit fee for the recently approved Games of Chance.

• A special meeting was scheduled at at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Himrod fire house for the purpose of opening and awarding bids for the Himrod Water District 1 and Extension. There will also be two public hearings, the first at 2 p.m. to modify the plan and report and the second to raise the funding ceiling for the district in the event that it is needed in the additional amount not to exceed $310,000. This could raise the total from $1.87 million to a maximum of $218 million. Seventy-five percent of the $310,000 would be covered by grant funds. Socha said he is guessing the bids will come in low. He said the town has already had 30 inquiries about the project.

• The board approved upgrading software that will include planning and zoning in the amount $3,070.

• An executive session to discuss personnel matters followed the meeting. The next regular meeting of the Milo Town Board will be Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in the town office on Main Street in Penn Yan. The meeting date was changed due to the President’s Day Holiday.