by Richard Westlund

     At the public hearing on Community Development Block Grants, the Collins Town Board set priorities on its requests with a filtration system for the Collins Center water system as the top priority. Second place was a consideration with Gowanda for a water line replacement from Erie Avenue to Armes Court. The third priority was given to the Rural Transit Service. There were no representatives from the general public in attendance.

     Three persons - Dan Hankey, Bill Stickney and Mike Eddy - addressed the board with their request for allowing the local snowmobile club to have passage across the town park for their trail. They gave reassurances on the insurance coverage they carry as part of the statewide snowmobile organization to protect the town from liabilities.

     The board is expecting to rule on their request at its next meeting after they have reviewed the insurance situation.

     In other matters, the board:

   •  Approved the extension of lighting district #1 in Collins Center, with the addition of a new street light on a sharp bend on Mill Street, which is a school bus pick-up point for school children.
   •  Approved the contract between the Town of Collins and the Collins Fire Company regarding fire protection and associated emergency services for Bagdad.
   •  Deferred approving a similar contract with the Gowanda Fire Company regarding Rosenburg to allow them to reach an agreement on some issues.
   •  Agreed to extend the purchase agreement on the Howard Gabel property for one year, thus allowing them access for the tentative project of furnishing the state prisons with water.
   •  Set a public hearing on the 2005 town budget for Monday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Collins Town Hall.
   •  Approved a resolution to be sent to Erie County legislators and the county supervisor regarding the fact that they have no legal authority to charge towns for sheriffs’ patrols, and also that the town has a contract in place for the payment to the town for plowing county roads during the coming winter.

     The next regular meeting of the Collins Town Board will be held on Monday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Collins Town Hall.