OBSERVER Photo by J.M. Lesinski. Pomfret Town Clerk Allison Dispense (seated, at the head of the table) discusses the details of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) Conference with the town board Wednesday. Dispense was one of only two receipients of a scholarship in the Northeast area that goes towards covering her attendance cost.

A cellular phone tower planned for the town of Pomfret required an amendment to its lease, moving the tower slightly, after securing a permit from the zoning board. The Pomfret Town Board approved the amendment at its latest meeting this month.

“Before we finalize it, there’s an amendment to what’s been approved already, specifically the amendment changes the location of the tower,” Supervisor Donald Steger stated. “It’s still going to be as far back as it was, but it’s going to be centered in the property versus on one side.”

The tower won’t be leaving the property, Steger assured attendees. “It’s back far enough that it’s not going to effect the current activities of the highway superintendent,” Steger explained. “Except maybe he’ll have to clear the western property line for a roadway. They already received the permit and defended the permit from the zoning board, so they’re ready to go, and in their opinion we need to approve this amendment.”

Before passing the amendment, Steger also noted the provisions and benefits of the current lease. “(Bluewire) They’re going to pay us $228 a month for the tower and the first carrier,” Steger said. “And then that will double with any additional carriers than go on for the term of the lease, which I believe is 15 years.”

Steger went on to add, “Then because Bluewire was going to be the initial carrier, they have offered the town six cell phones with unlimited talk and text and one gigabyte at no charge, and have offered to connect the tower to town barns, the town hall and the cemetary with no charge wireless connection. Those were the perks offered in the initial contract, we’re not changing the terms of the lease, simply just changing the location of the tower.”

Attorney Jeffrey Passafaro also commented, “The lease was previously approved after they went through all of the other approvals with the town planning and zoning.”

Following the approval of the amendment, Highway Superintendent Jude Gardner provided an update on a clean energy grant for the town, regarding the installation of two new electric car charging stations. The grant, which at a previous meeting was quoted at $4,000, will go towards the expendatures once the town reaches it’s fourth “high impact action item” as outlined on NYSERDA’s website.

“$1,038 for the two chargers, we’ve got to get a compliance sign that’s $107, and the electric, our guys can run it (for) about $407,” Gardner stated. “The only thing we have to do is get it inspected, but it should be very minimal.”

The board approved the purchases, and also established the location of the charging stations, which are expected to be installed sometime this summer. “I’m going to put both at the town barns,” Gardner said of the charging stations’ placement.

In other news from the meeting, the board approved additional repairs suggested by Gardner for the Forest Hill Cemetery maintenance building, totaling $4,050.

Councilwoman Ann Eckman read from a correspondance with Partners-in-kind, regarding two events they’re holding. “I received a letter on behalf of the supervisor and Town of Pomfret council. Partners-in-kind of Chautauqua county is celebrating its ‘Cool to Be Kind day’ on Saturday May 25, 2019. Their intention is to construct, paint and deliver ten benches throughout Chautauqua county.”

The benches are entirely free to the town; with one sighted for the Barker Street playground, and the other at Russell Joy Park, in the upper-level off Howard Street. “The purpose of the benches is to improve the community and gain awareness for Partners-in-kind,” Eckman also noted.

The board approved the benches, pending Gardner’s approval of the installation process, and the board’s final say on the images/messages on the benches. The board also approved Partners-in-kind’s ‘Touch-a-truck’ event, to be held Saturday, May 4 at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds, pending Gardner’s approval of the date.

“It’s a family fun event, a hands-on experience designed to allow everyone to touch and explore trucks, but to also interact with the individuals that drive and operate them,” Eckman said of Touch-a-truck. “The unique community event will give families the chance to fulfill those childhood curiosities, while learning and interacting with the businesses in our community.”

Town Clerk Allison Dispense was awarded a $600 scholarship to help her attend the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) Conference in Birmingham, Alabama this year. “There’s only two given for District 1, which is New York state and all of New England,” said Dispense of the award. “I was one of the two…I was really happy.”

Steger also made an official proclamation, declaring May 6-10 as Municipal Clerk’s Week. “I will make an official proclamation that we, in the Town of Pomfret, name the first week in May, the 6-10, as Municipal Clerk’s Week in the Town of Pomfret.”