Jerusalem town board 7/21/10

Meeting: The Jerusalem town board met for approximately two and a half hours, July 21.
Attendance: All town council members were present. Twenty members of the public were in the audience.
Action: Removed references about acceptance of bank letters confirming liability coverage for members of the Mennonite community who do work for the town.  The town has learned members of the Mennonite community must have liability insurance.
• Approved an agreement with the Yates County Planning Board for elimination of certain minor land use referrals.
Discussion without action: The town received the budget for sewer and water from the village of Penn Yan. If the rates have been increased, the town can raise rates. In prior years the town had to wait six months to increase rates when necessary.
• The board reviewed zoning on the Route 54A corridor. 
• Brian Zerges asked the board if the name of Aumick Road could be renamed because there are no residents with that name on the road and he owns many of the properties there. Councilman Ray Stewart said the matter will be discussed in committee.
• A draft law written by town Attorney Phil Bailey on vegetation and weeds will be sent to committee. The matter had been discussed at the June town board meeting.
• Heard a presentation on Giant Hogweed from Cornell Cooperative Extension master gardeners Annette Toaspern and Linda Davis.
• Heard concerns about contamination of water from town resident Bonnie Curbeau. The town is talking with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding possible sources of the problem.
• Heard an update on gas well drilling from resident Peter Gamba.
• The board learned addressing letters have been sent to East Bluff Drive residents as far as 740 East Bluff Drive.  Yates County Board of Elections  sent residents of the entire road  postcards containing voting information.
• The town submitted an application to the Community Development Block Grant fund for a hamlet plan covering Branchport.
• Resident Joe DeGeorge offered to purchase flags to help beautify the town near Branchport. No action was taken during the meeting.
Appointments/resignations: Art Carcone was appointed to Deb Koop’s unexpired term on the town planning board.
Upcoming meetings: The next meeting of the Jerusalem town board will be at 7 p.m., Aug. 18.