Wheatfield Town Board holds first 2019 meeting

By David Yarger

Tribune Editor

Monday night, the Town of Wheatfield Town Board met for its first regular meeting of 2019. The meeting was rather light, but brought up some reoccurring topics from 2018, specifically a change in code with regards to Summit Mall opportunities and the town’s proposed switch to LED lighting.

In regard to LED lighting, Councilman Curt Doktor offered his opinion on one of the sample LED’s at the Town Hall campus. In the parking lot, near the back, there is one bright white light, compared to the standard lights the town has used for some time. Doktor was pleased with the 96-watt sample, which he said compared to a 250-watt high-pressure sodium light.

“It’s a brighter light. It actually emits the same amount of light of other high-pressure sodium’s, but, just because it’s a lighter light, it’s a little bit of a different look. I think it actually is as nicer light. … It feels like it gives off more light, which I think is a good thing. So, from what I’ve seen, I think we should definitely proceed down the path of LED’s.

“We’re getting two more samples set up here on campus, so we can get some samples on the street,” Doktor said.

Doktor added that the samples will be installed within the coming weeks.

The Town Board also approved a motion to install an LED street light at the intersection of Forest Parkway and Townline Road.

On Dec. 17, the board held a public hearing regarding a change in code, which would help attract economic development in the town – most notably, the Summit Park Mall. The change would allow for assembly of previously prepared materials and allow companies with an interest to exceed five employees. Previously written, the code limited allowed for the assembly of materials, but not to exceed five employees.

On Monday, the board issued a negative declaration in accordance with the state environmental quality review and adopted the change to allow more employees.

Supervisor Don MacSwan said the mall has received interest, most notably the Sears location, and he said it could be a good thing for the town.

In other news:

•Recreation Director Mike Ranalli announced that registration for T-ball and coach pitch baseball and softball continues from now until March 22. Additionally, Ranalli said the annual recreation booklet will be in the mailboxes of residents anywhere between 10 and 14 days.

•The Town Board authorized Wendel, the town’s engineering firm, to begin the SEQR coordinated review process for a 53-acre subdivision application from DJC Land Inc. between Shawnee and Townline roads, north of Slusaric Road. The subdivision proposes 73-single family residential lots.

The motion was just an approval to begin the SEQR process and not a nod to begin any work on the subdivision.

The Town Board referred the application back to the Planning Board for their continued review and potential resolution of issues and concerns with the project.

•Councilman Larry Helwig announced a few changes in the recycling guides handed out to residents by Modern. Helwig alerted residents not to put food and beverage containers – “like cardboard soy milk or cardboard juice containers.” – in the recycling totes. Helwig added that, even though it’s not listed in the new guide, plastic buckets and plastic furniture are still accepted.

In addition to recycling, Helwig announced the town received a reimbursement around $120,000 for the Fairmont Park trail.

•The next Town of Wheatfield Town Board meeting is at 7 p.m. Jan. 21.