by Richard Westlund

     Collins Supervisor Ken Martin recently received a letter from state Legislator Dale Volker that he read to the Collins Town Board. In the letter Volker explained that, according to a recent court ruling, the manner in which the state budgets have been formed has been unconstitutional.

     Volker said that the court ruling stated that the Legislature has no right to amend or change the governor’s budget as presented. They can lower or limit provisions but that is all. It is unconstitutional for them to amend or change it. It would appear that this could have a considerable effect on budget timeliness and gubernatorial influence.

     Fire District Commissioner Paul F. Carlson addressed the Collins board explaining the firemen’s plan to install emergency gas-fueled electric generators at the Collins Center and Collins fire halls. He said these would be invaluable in making the fire halls capable of serving as public shelters in a case of wide-ranging power outages. There are no such facilities in either hamlet at present. There is a small generator in the Collins Fire Hall but only big enough for minor utility use.

     The fire company has arranged to begin work on the installation in the Collins Center Fire Hall at a cost of $5,800. Carlson stated that while they have the funds for the Collins Center project, they would also like to complete the project in Collins at the same time, but need additional funds. He is asking the town if they can find a means to support the project in Collins. They need an additional $6,300 for the Collins part of the job.

     Carlson said that they have sent letters requesting assistance to state and county governments but received no definite replies.’ Supervisor Martin told him that the town council would consider his request and give him an answer soon.

     Highway Superintendent Joe Gernatt reported that Collins has received 22.25 inches of snow so far in the month of January. They have had some success in capturing five beavers from the beaver dam that is threatening Rich Road and the water level of the dam has gone down.

     Water Maintenance Chief Dan Stroud brought to the board a discussion on the possibility of installing drive-by water meters. He explained that it takes him a week to read the meters in the town, but with a drive-by system such as that used by the power company, he could read all the water meters in less than a day. This would also allow more options to the town such as monthly rather than quarterly water billing, with smaller bills each period. This might make for easier payment by clients. It was further discussed, and decided that on delinquent water bills unpaid past the due date, which is the 20th of the month, they will no longer send out a second billing. Any water bills still unpaid at the end of the year are simply added to the delinquent party’s Erie County tax bills.

     In other matters, the board:

   •  Passed a resolution allowing St. Aloysius R.C. Church to sell raffle tickets in the Town of Collins.
   •  Passed a motion to spend an additional $570 to include the L.K. Painter Center in the appraisal of the town’s fixed assets being done by Industrial Appraisals Inc.
   •  Reminded all that at the next meeting there will be a public hearing at 8 p.m. on the proposed Right to Farm law for Collins.

     The board then adjourned the regular meeting and went into a workshop meeting to discuss the pros and cons of the Erie County Water Authority’s proposal to bring Erie County water to the Southtowns, including Collins.

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