From September 15-17th, I will be attending the New York State Association of Counties Fall Seminar in Buffalo. This year’s theme is “Growing a Better New York”. The seminar will include a series of programs and work sessions designed to support county governments with handling budget issues and the changing economic environment.
There will be an Electronics, Pharmaceutical, and Household Hazardous Waste Collection program on Saturday, September 25th at the Wayne County Highway Department, 7227 Route 31, in Lyons. This event is sponsored by the Western Finger Lakes Solid Waste Management Authority, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and WayneNet. Please check advertising in local papers for a list of what materials are acceptable and what materials are not. Fees apply for monitors ($5), television sets ($10) and microwave ovens ($10). You are asked to contact the Solid Waste Authority to make an appointment at 1-800-724-3867 or 946-7650 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
There was a public hearing on Thursday, September 9th regarding proposed changes to the local law governing recycling. The current recycling program has been in place approximately 20 years and has been under review by the Board for approximately a year and a half. The program is funded through the sale of recycled materials and a subsidy from the county government. The county subsidy fluctuates year-to-year depending on the value of recycled materials.
Curbside collection is handled by the Western Finger Lakes Solid Waste Management Authority. Recycled materials picked up by the Authority go to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), located on Route 88 in Arcadia. Five trucks used for the curbside collection need to be replaced.
The MRF is twenty years old. The MRF will be in need of repairs and updating in three to four years, the cost of which could cost millions of dollars. Almost all of the needed improvements to the MRF will likely have to come from taxpayers.
The Board of Supervisors listened to 16 speakers, all who spoke in favor of keeping the current County funded recycling program. Following the public hearing a vote was taken on a request to have the full Board vote upon a resolution to adopt a local law amending the existing law that established the current system of collecting recyclables in the County. The two-thirds vote required to pass this request was not reached, and the resolution regarding the new law will be voted upon at a future meeting.
In another attempt to keep the public involved on County decisions, a public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. This hearing is to receive public input on the continuance of the Community Home Health Agency (CHHA). The CHHA is operated through the County’s Public Health Office and offers in-home health care to assist residents who are recovering from surgery or serious illness or injury. Supervisors have been reviewing this county operation for the past several years and through financial audits and professional input believe the future of the CHHA needs to be decided. Some Supervisors are concerned that home health care services are available through the private sector and can be provided at no additional cost to service users or by way of tax subsidy. Again, this is another opportunity the Board is taking to listen to our residents.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21st at 7:00 p.m. Our Board holds a minimum of four night Board meetings a year in the hope to encourage public participation and attendance.
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