Wayne County Life

SUBMITTED by Vicky Daly, Village of Palmyra (8-Apr-2010)

Conversation with the Mayor
Vicky Daly
5 April 2010

Most of my adult, wage earning life was spent in a school library, Midlakes specifically. I must say, though, that the decision to leave classroom teaching, high school English, was the result of a number of lengthy substitute sessions for Martha Hanson, Pal-Mac’s high school librarian. I did not dislike classroom teaching, I just liked library better and it was decision time for my permanent certification.

One major thing I learned from Martha, in addition to the day-to-day procedures, was that you are never done. One project may be winding down, but others, many others, are at different stages of completion, but, if the library is well used, there is always something happening, something in the works. Neat libraries and library offices indicate that there is little happening. I take solice in that as I look around my sometimes embarrassingly not neat office, because I believe the same thing holds true in a community. Or, then again, maybe this is rationalization.

Since the first of the year, the village’s major thrust has been budget. At the same time, however, other major projects have been in process and the 5 April 2010 board meeting illustrates that fact. At the meeting the board approved the contract with F. Rizzo Construction for the reconstruction of Canandaigua Street / Route 21 in the village. Utility work by NYSEG has been completed and the road work itself is expected to begin in late April 2010. The start of the Canandaigua Street project will trigger the beginning also, of the sidewalk construction and reconstruction funded thorugh the Safer Routes to School grant, also on Canandaigua Street. Watch for the date of an informational meeting in the near future.

At that meeting, the board also moved one step closer to going to bid for repainting the water tank. There will be some modifications to the piping system within the tank, but this is really a maintenance item. We also approved the purchase of new, updated radios for the highway and building and grounds crew, as required by federal mandate. A federal grant, through the county, will fund the greater portion of the costs for the fire department. The mutual aid contract was approved as were four year contracts between the village and the police and DPW unions.

Reports were shared on the huge successes of the Pirates Ball, a fundraiser to support Pirates Weekend in August 2010 and Taking Flight Over Palmyra, our first annual kite flying day at the fairgrounds. We were reminded of the Palmyra Bird Fest in the Village Park on 8 May 2010; the Preservation Conference on 24 April 2010 at the high school; the Library Luncheon on 12 April 2010, and the 25 April 2010 Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Hall--which will benefit Team Cain Bentley in the Stroll for Strong Kids on 5 June 2010.

Not finished, but still under discussion, are changes in our procurement policy, sidewalk snow removal, the alcohol ban in village buildings, and ambulance service consolidation. I have no doubt that before the board meets on 19 April 2010, additional topics will be added to the list. We are never done.

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