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Elba town board

After 33 years on Elba's zoning board, Balonek calls it a day

By Gretel Kauffman

F. Peter (Pete) Balonek of Elba was honored Monday night at the Elba Town Board meeting for his 33 years of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals. The instructor at SUNY Brockport and locally renowned strawberry farmer served as chairman of the ZBA for the past 15 of those years. 

He is retiring so he can spend winters in Florida.

Town Supervisor Lucine Kauffman presented him with a plaque and a hug, saying, "We may be able to fill your vacant position, but we'll never find anyone to replace you."

Balonek described his time serving on the board as "interesting."

"The most challenging part," he said, "is when you're emotionally involved. Once there was, I guess you could call it, a neighbor confrontation, and I had to be the mediator. So that was difficult."

"He's a good guy, a fair guy," said Wade Chamberlin, town council liaison to the ZBA.  "He's a good leader. He'll be hard to replace."

Elbans turn out for heckler-free Town Hall meeting

By Gretel Kauffman

Ninety-plus Elbans turned out Tuesday night for a town hall meeting in the Elba Central School auditorium. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information and solicit input from the community on which services residents believe are important. 

Town Supervisor Lucine Kauffman opened the meeting by giving an overview of the tentative 2010 budget and tax rates as well as those of the previous five years. Highway Superintendent Allan Totten provided information on highway maintenance costs. Town Councilman Bill Hynes explained that the town transfer station operates at a yearly loss and asked for feedback from residents regarding its future. 

The vast majority of questions were directed at Eric Wies, an engineer with Clark Patterson Associates, and Tim Hens, Genesee County Highway Superintendent. Citizens inquired about the process of forming water districts to hook up to the Monroe County Water Supply. Wies and Hens gave an overview of the Genesee County Water Project and step-by-step details on how residents can form water districts.

Kauffman said she was pleased with the turnout. 

"We gave the town residents a lot to think about tonight. We have many important issues facing us. I'm glad we got the dialogue started, and the town board is looking forward to more participation from the residents."

Elba Town Board to have open meeting 9/15

By Gretel Kauffman

The Elba Town Board will be having a town hall meeting at 7:30 PM on the 15th in the Elba Central School auditorium. 

The town board will be there to answer questions from the community and get residents' input on the 2010 budget. Specific topics will include the transfer station, highway maintenance and the shared court facility. Other topics include the county water project. 

For more information contact Town Supervisor Lucine Kauffman at 757-9921. The school is located at 57 S. Main St.

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