Dresden will consider smoke-free parks

DRESDEN—Helen Dunlap, representative of the Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes, asked the Dresden village board to considering adding a smoke-free policy for public playground areas, during the Wednesday, May 1, board meeting.
Dunlap explained she was interested in seeing the village’s playground marked as a smoke-free location. The coalition has already worked with Penn Yan and Dundee to get public areas designated as tobacco free. Dunlap said the focus is not on people smoking, but on reducing the exposure of smoking to children. She added if a municipality does create a policy, the coalition will provide the signs to be placed in the parks for free.
The board said it would consider a tobacco free policy. Dunlap was suggested to contact Torrey because the town also operates a park.
In other business:
• The board transferred $5,000 to the playground fund to purchase wood chips. The board will also review the costs of purchasing and constructing a swing for the playground. Mayor Bill Hall said residents have been asking for a swing set for several years. He estimated the village could buy one for less than $200.
• Trustee Mike Snyder said the village could install a new storage building at the water tank site for less than $2,000. The board approved the purchase, which will include volunteers building it. The condition of the existing structure was previously discussed by the board. A resident asked what happened to the previous plans for the building at the April meeting.
• Resident Hilda Welker asked for the board’s permission to have a certified tree trimmer cut branches off a tree that are on the power lines. Hall said it is actually New York State Electric and Gas’ responsibility to trim those branches.
• Property owner Phil Brock asked who is responsible for the former oil rig in the lake. Hall said the Army Corp. of Engineers is in charge of it. He added previous comments about the condition of the rig have gone unanswered. Brock called it a “navigational hazard.”
• Superintendent of Public Works Brian Ellis said hydrant flushing will take place between May 13 and 17.
• Code Enforcement Officer Brian Quackenbush reported he received three building permits last month.
• The board approved the fiscal year-end meeting for Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m.