Dundee votes to abolish justice position

DUNDEE--The village trustees voted to abolish the Dundee justice of the peace position Tuesday, Dec. 11 at the board's regular December monthly meeting.
The abolish motion passed as the village has lost between $1,300 and almost $8,000 annually over the past eight years to keep a justice position in Dundee. Currently, the Dundee Justice Paula Seely works one day per week, for two hours, at a cost of $383.33 per month. Seely will continue her term until March of 2020.
Dundee Mayor Fred Cratsley said he thought having the justice in Dundee has been admirable, but the expenses are just more than the village can afford. Cratsley said he thinks residents will find the town of Starkey court workable.
Additional items from the meeting:
• The board congratulated Our Town Rock's Caryl Sutterby on the addition of The parade to Dundee's Touch of Christmas celebration. Eighteen floats traveled from Dundee Central School to the Dundee Historical Center on Saturday, Dec. 8.
Sutterby attributed the idea of the event to Taylor Howell, OTR Reads and Writes Coordinator, saying, "Taylor, for years, has wanted to do some type of thing to make it more of a small-town Christmas celebration."
"I loved to see the community and how it embraced the parade," said Trustee Judy Duquette.
Cratsley also thanked Woodtex for donating the shed used during the photos with Santa.
• Dundee resident Camille LoParrino spoke to the board with the idea she and her husband, Charles, have to donate American flags to the village for display around the town. Charles was honored for his service in the United States Army with one of the Hero street flags hung in Dundee, and he now wishes to "pay it forward" in a patriotic way.
• Mary Cornish of the Dundee VFW Auxiliary announced the VFW will be offering a free Christmas dinner Dec. 25. Dinner is open to anyone interested. The doors will open 3 p.m, with dinner starting at 4 p.m. Interested individuals should call Mary at the VFW to register.
• Cratsley spoke on the Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) updates, stating he is expecting to the have the drawings for the village plans by Friday, Dec. 14. Sheila Hess, CEO of CC Environmental and Planning in Rochester, is under contract to design the six informational panels required by the grant. The feasibility of installing solar lights throughout the village is also being researched.
Upcoming meetings and public hearings, to be held at Dundee Village Hall, 12 Union St., Dundee:
• Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019 at 6 p.m.: Dundee planning board.
• Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, 7 p.m.: Village board meeting. Public hearing for vehicle and traffic laws regarding Brown Boulevard and Hannah Lane will also be conducted.