Residents will be polled about schedule
Lake Santeetlah – Residents and property owners of the Town of Lake Santeetlah will be surveyed to see if they are happy with the time that their town council meets – 5:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month.
The current board switched the meetings to 5:30 p.m. from daytime meetings.
Town council member Diana Simon raised the topic during the March 10 meeting, saying she has heard from “a lot of people” who are unhappy with holding meetings at the dinnertime hour.
The council voted 3-2 to survey the town’s population, despite Mayor Connie Gross’ opposition and belief that a survey would produce unreliable results.
“What a mess,” Gross said. “I’ve seen this go astray.”
Member Tina Emerson cast the swing vote, along with Simon and member Jim Hager. Member Ralph Mitchell voted with Gross.
Emerson said she researched the issue and found that most municipalities have boards and councils that meet with start times of between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. One meets at 9 a.m. and one alternates with meetings of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Hager said some Lake Santeetlah citizens have dietary requirements that make it difficult for them to break their dietary routines, while some care for aging parents who have their own dinnertime schedules.
Hager suggested that meetings be held Saturday mornings – similar to the time frame when the council holds its budget planning meetings, which he said results in “tremendous participation.”
Staffing would be a problem with Saturday morning meetings, since virtually the entire town staff attends the meetings and don’t normally work Saturdays.
Simon made the motion and Hager seconded it. It is at this point when contentious issues result in a 3-2 vote – with Simon and Hager voting in the minority – but this time, Emerson sided with them.
“I think we should ask and see what people have to say,” she said, adding that she prefers the dinnertime meeting hour.
“I don’t know how we would make it fair,” Gross replied.
A resident identified by the Zoom screen name S. Robinson said she has experience with polling and offered to provide free assistance.
“Be prepared if you get a response you don’t want,” she advised.
In other matters:
* Dock fees: Staffing issues at Brookfield Renewable – which owns Lake Santeetlah and dam – has resulted in delays sending out and processing dock permit invoices, said Ashley Thomas.
Thomas normally focuses on dam safety and has been filling in, responding to “five or six or eight” backlogged permits a day.
“It’s a bad time for an employee to go missing,” he said.
Part of the problem is staffing issues, but another problem is tracking down new property owners.
“We’re trying to figure out who paid and who hasn’t,” he said. “There’s a big of a mess with paperwork.”
Meanwhile, all dock permits will remain valid, he said.
Property owners with docks on the lake can get more information by emailing inquiries@brookfieldrenewable.com.
* Support for firefighters: Mayor Gross said she would host a Santeetlah Fire Department Appreciation Day. The volunteer department is specially equipped to respond to Town of Lake Santeetlah fires and as a result the average homeowner saves $600 on homeowner insurance, Gross said. Details will be worked out.
* Water and road maintenance: The town was advised to develop a
capital improvement plan, so that it can apply for grants to improve maintenance of the town’s water system and road maintenance.
* Surplus Polaris Ranger: The town will look at selling its seldom-used Polaris Ranger, which it would sell to the highest bidder.
Hager advised that ethics rules forbid council members or their spouses from financially benefiting from town business.
Jack Gross, the mayor’s husband, wondered if he would be forbidden from bidding on the Polaris.