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YMCA program folds in Wheatfield

by jmaloni
Thu, Dec 13th 2012 08:30 am

by Susan Mikula Campbell

The YMCA has asked to terminate its recently approved agreement with Wheatfield to use the town's Youth Center and gyms during daytime hours, effective Dec. 31.

Town Supervisor Bob Cliffe explained Monday that the YMCA had started a latchkey program, but did not have enough students to afford to hire staff and pay the town for use of the building. Promised programs for senior citizens had not yet begun.

Councilman Gil Doucet asked that the town check to see that the YMCA had paid the monthly rate to the town as originally promised and whether any damage was incurred for which the town should be reimbursed. "They signed a contract with us," he said.

Town Attorney Robert O'Toole suggested a meeting be set up with YMCA officials to discuss the contract and whether senior programs were still on the table. The YWCA, which also presented a proposal for Youth Center use, could also be contacted.

"I think they got in trouble because they had a late start, and I think there were some busing issues," O'Toole said.

He indicated that the town did not have official numbers from the YMCA, but daily enrollment figures probably were under 10 students.

O'Toole added that he did not believe the YMCA's summer program at the Youth Center will be affected by this cancellation.

Recreation Director Ed Sturgeon said he would like to be part of any meeting set up on the matter and suggested the Recreation Department might be able to offer some senior programs. He also noted that the town should at least be reimbursed for the cost of getting the license for the YMCA to offer the before- and after-school program.

In other matters:

•The board cancelled its second December meeting and will next meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 2 for its reorganization meeting.

•Three public hearings were scheduled to be held prior to the board's regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14.

At 6:45 p.m., a public hearing will be held on rezoning for the Cody development at 3423 Lockport Road at Shawnee Road, allowing the addition of a car wash at the rear of the Bailly's business.

At 7 p.m., a public hearing will be held on the update of the comprehensive master plan. Cliffe said some minor adjustments have been made, including the incorporation of some ideas by the town's green space group.

At 7:15 p.m., a public hearing will deal with the Planning Board's recommendations for an airport overlay district. This would involve the area at the end of Walmore Road and part of Lockport Road.

•The matter of residents, especially senior citizens, receiving mailings from an out-of-town company advertising waterline insurance came up again as it did last summer.

O'Toole said the chances of this type of insurance being needed are "pretty slim," which Rich Donner, water/sewer superintendent, confirmed. Donner also noted that his father, who is a senior citizen and lives next door to him, gets the mailings, but he does not.

•Building Inspector Joe Caturia noted that many residents are getting flood insurance letters from their banks. He advised residents to check with his office before doing anything, because they might potentially avoid the cost. Information on flood insurance also will be placed on the town's website.

•The board authorized Wendel Duchscherer Architects and Engineers to proceed with providing engineering service and support for sampling and testing nutrient levels in creek water upstream of Forest Lake where growth of materials in the lake has been excessive.

•The board approved the hiring of Mike Corbi as a part-time basketball coach and the hiring of Jim Ball as a part-time laborer.

•The meeting was adjourned, at the recommendation of Councilman Art Gerbec, in memory of the passing of former town water/sewer department employee and town resident Ed Kasprzak.

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