Motorists beware,
someone is sabotaging the roadways

by Mary Pankow

     Debris and dumping of paint, roof sealer and other products were the main topics of conversation at the Aug. 9 Town of Perrysburg Board meeting.

     At the previous meeting, Highway Superintendent Charlie Leight notified the board that someone had thrown paint cans and thinner on the west end of Plank Road. The same culprit - or a copycat situation - is compounding the problem. Roof sealer has been added to the mix.

     Aside from the illegal dumping, someone has been opening the cans and spreading the contents all over the road. This is creating a dilemma for motorists using Plank Road.

     Debbie Sutherland is one such victim of the debris dumping.

     While traveling along Plank Road, she drove through roof sealer, a product not meant for cars and not easily removed. Sutherland called the State Police who in turn contacted the Department of Environmental Conservation. A DEC representative investigated the situation and the town highway crew cleaned up the road mess.

     Although the highway superintendent contacted the DEC back in July when the paint, thinner, etc. were first discovered, Leight was told it could take up to 30 days for a DEC rep to respond.

     Not wanting to contaminate the crime scene, the highway department left the cans of substances where they were. After the second round of dumping and DEC input, the road was finally able to be cleaned up.

     The town will be contacting the DEC to inquire why nothing was done when Leight initially contacted them.

     Leight is particularly incensed over the situation because dumping is on the rise. Plank Road is not the only roadway that is being “trashed.”

     “People are throwing things all over the place,” Leight intoned. The highway department is encountering many incidents of people disposing of garbage and unwanted items such as old tires on many of the roadways.

     Those who witness these acts or suspicious behavior are urged to call the police.

     Supervisor Myrton Sprague agreed that the situation is definitely getting worse.

     In addition to speaking with the DEC, the town will also contact Senator Pat McGee’s office regarding the problem.

     In other matters, the board:

  •   Read a report from the Perrysburg Volunteer Fire Company that noted the company responded to 129 calls in 2003; 44 of those calls were inside the village while 85 calls were outside.

     The fire company has responded to 78 calls to date for 2004.

     The board then proceeded to approve a 5 percent increase in the fire contract, an annual event.

  •   Was told by Justice Jonette Taber that motorists are not yielding to emergency vehicles. When a driver sees the flashing red lights, they are to pull to the side of the road and stop. This is the rule for oncoming traffic and for those just ahead of an emergency vehicle, such as a fire rescue truck, etc.
  •   Was informed by Code Enforcement Officer Jim Pacanowski that the questionable brush pile referred to at the previous meeting was in fact just brush and no roofing materials were imbedded in the pile.

     Also, Pacanowski continues to work on code violators.

  •   Read the justice report that noted the following cases: Justice Jonette Taber - eight vehicle and traffic, two penal, three ag and market and three dismissed, for a total of $855; Justice Connie Johnson - 11 vehicle and traffic, four penal, one environmental conservation and two dismissed, for a total of $1,352.50. Total amount sent to the state comptroller’s office was $2,207.50.
  •   Agreed to send a letter (to Jamestown) requesting an increase in New York State Police patrols and speed checks.
  •   Was told by Highway Superintendent Charlie Leight that County Line Road is under scrutiny for county line designation. The road needs to be surveyed so that a line may be established to indicate boundaries.

     County Line Road is the only roadway not deeded in the town.

     In order for the roadway to be brought up to standard, the rights-of-way must be established.

     Leight also said the highway garage roof will soon be coated, estimates on heaters are forthcoming and a box basin will be installed on Prospect Street in the washout problem area.

  •   Announced the town is working with Environmental Facilities Corporation for Versailles Water Project funding.

     To date, the town has spent $21,874.17 on the project, broken down as follows: Attorney Gregory Yaw - $5,337; Engineer Mark Alianello - $12,547.05; contingencies - $185.12; Wetlands Study - $750; and archaeological survey - $3,055.

  •   Agreed to hiring Attorney Yaw to request that the state and City of Buffalo sign off on the JN Adam property.

     The next Town of Perrysburg Board meeting is Monday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. in the town hall.