Dayton planning survey results in;
snowmobile trail designated
by Karen Blake
Planning Board member Nancy Hintz reported to the Dayton Town Board Tuesday that the Planning Surveys sent out to town property owners and residents have been received and results compiled. She related that the Planning Board members were very pleased that over 50 percent of the 800-plus surveys had been completed and returned. (Survey results are on file with the town clerk, and surveys can still be turned in.)
Hintz said the surveys “will help us to know what people really want in our community,” and the survey results can be incorporated into a Comprehensive Master Plan for the Town of Dayton. She commented that this also “gave a lot of people a place to air complaints” and make suggestions.
The next step will be updating the Zoning Map, which may take a while to do, Hintz said, stating that “as we go along, we will be able to decide what should be done;” for example: incorporating old “handshake” agreements into law.
Hintz noted the surveys indicated “people like living here, they want to live in rural areas, they don’t want a lot of regulations, and don’t want to live in a city.” She also stated that the survey has nothing to do with property taxes, as some people were concerned. “It is a way to let the town know what people want the community to be,” and having a Comprehensive Master Plan will enable the town to be eligible for grants, she added.
Town Supervisor Tom Chupa again thanked Hintz for initiating and working on the project.
In another matter, after discussion continued from the public hearing last month, the board approved a local law designating the use of Bentley and Dye roads as part of the snowmobile trails.
Mark Gibbs, representing local snowmobile clubs, was on hand to answer questions and concerns from residents living along the snowmobile routes. These included noise, especially during the night, damage to property, liability of residents and/or the town, and if trails would be used for other purposes, such as 4-wheelers, or horses, etc.
It was explained that the town was the entity that had the authority to make the designation that was requested by the snowmobile clubs. Neither the town nor landowners would be liable unless they do something to cause an accident, or if they were charging a fee to use the land.
Gibbs said that with the designation, the club can do more to get snowmobilers off private property, posting signs indicating trails, putting up orange fences if there is a problem, “quiet” signs and/or “speed limit” signs in areas near residences to help with noise, etc. (Anyone having problems can call him at 257-9471.) To deal with “maverick” snowmobilers, usually not members of the clubs, running on private property, it was suggested to “Post” the land and to call the county Sheriff’s Department, which, Gibbs said, has snowmobile patrols.
He also explained that Bentley and Dye roads would be part of the 17-mile trail from Cattaraugus to South Dayton. He commented that Bentley Road has been used for years to get from one side of the swamp to the other, and legally they can travel 500 feet along the roadway now. Gibbs noted they cannot use trails until after hunting season, or if there is less than three inches of snow. A problem this year is that snow has been sporadic and everyone came out at one time when there was good snow.
In other business, the board appointed Kathy Hagner as the new dog warden, effective March 1. She can be reached at 532-2015, and also is dog warden for the Town of Perrysburg. She will be doing the town dog census. Dog Warden Wally Ward submitted his resignation last month.
Hagner advised dog owners of the new state law requiring rabies shots and dog licenses to correspond. Important changes in rabies vaccination requirements: “Effective Jan. 15, 2006, no dog license may expire after the expiration date of the dog’s rabies vaccination. If your dog is due for a rabies vaccination booster during the next year, you must have it boostered now in order to have a full year license. If you choose not to have your dog vaccinated now, you will still need to pay the full annual fee and you will need to renew your dog license again after it has been vaccinated.”
The board also appointed Nathan Smith to the Zoning Board of Appeals due to the resignation of Bob Hintz.
Frank Watson, Town of Dayton building inspector and code enforcement officer, reported he issued two demolition permits: to demolish a barn on Mosher Hollow Road, and the small house on the lot on Route 62 for the new fire hall. The board voted to wavier the demolition permit fee for the Dayton Volunteer Fire Company.
Watson noted there is a public hearing of the Town of Dayton Zoning Board of Appeals on Feb. 28 at the town hall beginning at 7 p.m. to hear requests:
• From Robert and Susan Robe for special-use permit removal of telecommunication tower antennas, etc.
• From Bryan Davis for variance to permit garage outbuilding at 11697 Townline Road (7:20 p.m.)
• From AD-A-SIGN for a variance and a special-use permit for outdoor advertising sign on property owned by him at U.S. Post Office, 9593 Route 62, Dayton (7:30 p.m.)
• From Mark Smith for a special-use permit for new gas pipes and hook-ups from existing gas well to outbuildings (7:45 p.m.)
Town Assessor Bob Busekist’s report included his efforts to get valuations for the settlement of the Norse Pipeline property assessments. Busekist has also given a deadline of March 1 to the Time-Warner Company for finalizing assessment values for the trunkline that runs along Route 62 and Route 322 into South Dayton. He also noted that a hearing in Buffalo on Rural Revitalization’s request for an exemption on their apartments in South Dayton has been postponed to March 21.
• The board opened bids to sell the old heater, fuel oil, pipes and pump. They accepted the high bid of $126 from Brian Taber.
The next Dayton Town Board meeting is Tuesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. in the town hall.