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March 30, 2007

From the desk of Your Councilwoman, Lisa Sluberski

Click here to download this letter in PDF format.

Town of Rush, N.Y.

Spring 2007

Dear Rush Residents,

Since I have just completed my first year as your Town Board representative, I would like to give you a report of the year and how I perceive things are going.

I started 2006 with a three day training class for newly elected town officials sponsored by the Association of Town of the State of New York.

I was appointed the liaison for both the Recreation Department and Zoning Board. Due to work requirements, former board member Luther Keyes was unable to attend a majority of meetings so I took it upon myself to attend all the Planning Board meetings as well. I made a report each month at the Board Meetings about all three departments.

In May 2006, I met with the Highway Superintendent Steve King, who explained to me the Highway Department operations.

In August, I started participating in meetings with the Monroe County Health Department regarding POD (Point Of Dispensing). The purpose of POD creation is to have the ability to immunize the entire county of Monroe within a 48 hour period should the need ever arise.

The Town Board also started workshop meetings regarding the Town budget. I asked many questions and was surprised by the lack of budget questions from other town board members. I was also very surprised by the lack of respect shown in the questions that were asked to some department heads. It was quite a learning experience and I hope to be able to contribute more and improve the process this budget year. The good news is that the rate at which our taxes are applied stayed the same as the previous year.

In early February 2007, I attended the Association of Towns training session/annual meeting in New York City. This was another great learning experience, which increased my awareness of the open meetings laws. I have been concerned about the lack of discussion at board meetings regarding agenda items. It has been suggested to me several times that, if I have any questions about agenda items, I should call other board members to discuss the issues prior to the meetings. This is a potential violation of the open meetings law. I can only assume if discussion is not happening at official meetings it is being conducted by phone calls or other casual gatherings of board members. I don’t believe this is what the residents of Rush want from their town government.

As reported in the Henrietta Post recently, the board has voted to sell Hart’s field. I am opposed to this. Two residents of Rush who, in good faith that it would be used for recreational purposes, donated a portion of this parcel of land to the Town of Rush. Communities all across America are clamoring to try to preserve open space and we are selling it. Is it under utilized at this time? Yes. But I believe that could easily change. The approximate yearly cost to maintain Hart’s field is $3,500.00. The town spends that much on getting the carpets cleaned in the town hall! Now, with the BOCES School closing at the end of this school year the character on the west side of town will be changed forever. I do not think the sale of Hart’s field is a wise choice at this time.

There has also been an informal presentation for a large 250 - 400 home development along Rush-West Rush Road in the valley opposite Stonybrook Road. I believe this very high-density development would not really be helping our tax base but would instead be a burden due to the increase in town services required along with the potential to add students to the school district. As early as 3/16/07, a good portion of this area was under water, which would make this a bad site for such a large project. I have also been concerned about the way that the back yard of the Town Hall is being developed. My biggest concern is that there is not, nor has there ever been enough consultation with the community and department heads in regards to the layout. Case in point a children’s playground on a traffic circle. It seems to me an inappropriate place for a playground.

On a positive note, the Town Board is now investigating some improvements to the Dam in town on Honeoye Creek. This has the potential to be a very positive attribute to our town. I’m looking forward to finding out all the options for this area. I would like to encourage each of you to take the time to attend a Town Board, Planning Board or Zoning board meeting. I know all our lives are busy but that is the best way to stay informed about your community.

Please feel free to call me with questions or concerns anytime. I will do my best to answer your questions or find the answer for you. My phone number is 533-1840 and my email is Lisa@townofrush.com. Please visit the Town’s website www.townofrush.org and the Rush Democratic website www.rushdemocrats.org for more information including community pictures and videos from town events.

Sincerely,
Lisa Sluberski
Rush Town Council

Click here to download this letter in PDF format.

Posted by gmadore at March 30, 2007 1:27 AM