Village: Utilities slow with emergency response

    DUNDEE—When NYSEG maintained a facility in Penn Yan, response time to emergencies in Dundee was generally timely. Since NYSEG closed their facility in Penn Yan, emergency response time has increased dramatically.
    Dundee Fire Chief Ray Miller spoke to the village board about the problem during the meeting of the village board on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Miller cited a recent accident in the village to emphasize his concern. A motorist was trapped in his vehicle following an accident. The vehicle hit a power pole and wires fell on the vehicle. Miller said the man was trapped for two to three hours until utility workers removed the wires. Miller said, “I don’t think it is fair to our people. If someone was injured in an accident in similar circumstances, valuable time would be lost.”
    Miller said village coverage by NYSEG is split. At this time, he does not know where crews that do respond to Dundee are based. Some crews that have responded to village calls have come from Horseheads and others from Geneva or Hammondsport.
    Village Trustee Larry Howell said he would like a meeting with NYSEG. Mayor Fred Cratsley Jr. commented, “We will update letters to NYSEG to express out concerns. There is no reason we should be waiting for NYSEG for multiple hours.” Miller said NYSEG will meet with the Dundee Fire Advisory Board, but no date has been set for the meeting.
Efforts to contact NYSEG for their comments on the problem were unsuccessful.
    In other business: MiIler spoke to trustees about the Union Street parking lot. Miller said the lot needs to be milled and drainage fixed. Water is coming into the buildings. Streets Superintendent Andy Howell agreed, commenting, “By next year, something definitely needs to be done.”
    • Trustees agreed to allow Miller to purchase a high band radio for the chief’s vehicle. The cost is estimated at $600 to $700. Changes in transmitting between use of high and low bands is a problem.
    • Trustees approved expenditure of approximately $20,000 for a slip line on Gobbel Street.
    • Cratsley told the board Dundee Rotary Club wants to purchase a bench for the Spring Street playground in memory of Claude Lane. The preferred color for the bench is red.
    The next meeting of the Dundee village board will be at 5 p.m.  Tuesday, Sept. 27. The meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13 was canceled due to Primary elections. Meetings of the Dundee village board are in the village office on Union Street.