Starkey suffers power outages

    DUNDEE—During the meeting of the Starkey town board on Thursday, Aug. 4, Supervisor Richard Burcaw spoke about a power outage from July 21. He stated approximately 340 hook-ups in the town were affected.
    The number is large in relation to the total number of hook ups in the town. Burcaw said this has happened time and time again. A New York State Electric and Gas representative told Burcaw the company is looking at replacing transformers. Burcaw said there is a tremendous amount of commercial growth in the town. He said, “Nothing is being done in terms of equipment. It is mind boggling that the equipment is antiquated.”
    A question from the audience during the meeting produced extensive discussion. Board members were asked their stand on hydrofracking. This process of extracting gas from shale has been a topic of interest and concern for the past year.
    Councilman Fred Shoemaker said, “You may think the board may have some say. The state gives us no option. We want to say no about fracking in the state. The roads are the only thing we have a say about.” Burcaw said he is more concerned about natural gas storage in Reading. Burcaw emphasized this is his personal concern.
    Code Enforcement Officer Brian Quackenbush said the planning board would like to know what the board thinks about events allowed at Black Rock Speedway.
    The board discussed a food truck that is not in compliance with town law.
    The next meeting of the Starkey town board will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8.