A Year of Accomplishments
Published: 12/31/2003
As hard as it is to believe, it is time to look at 2003 in perspective. I would like to close the year by reviewing some of the goals that we achieved this year.
I believe the biggest success by far was the approval of the library referendum. With a large turn out, the referendum passed 2,896 to 1,173 which means that over 70% of our residents supported the library project. We thank all of you who voted on this matter.
The library project allows us to accomplish a number of community improvements. Naturally it provides an opportunity for us to improve a seriously inadequate situation with our library. The old Star Market has served us well but the new library will provide the type of services this community wants and will be proud of.
The library project also provides the benefit of a major capital investment in our village center. Not only do we keep one of our major anchors in the Village, the project will also improve parking in the State Street section of the village. The Town Board and I believed very early in this discussion that the village location was critical to a successful vote. We now believe that this investment will help ensure the stability of the village.
Not only did we provide a long-term solution to the library, but we have also provided long-term answers to our facility needs for the relocation of the Court and the establishment of a Senior Citizens Center. We have entered into a lease arrangement for both of these facilities at 3750 Monroe Avenue which we believe provides a good alternative to building additional facilities as well as providing good central locations for these town services.
I am especially pleased to deliver on my promise to the Senior Citizens of this community to provide them with a Senior Center. We are one of a few communities who do not offer such a service and believe it is long over due. I especially look forward to the day we open.
The opening of King's Bend Park is another major accomplishment for this year. The idea for this park originated from a resident who rightfully pointed out that we did not have anything in our parks that supported picnic areas or facilities for family or neighborhood gatherings.
We opened the park in September thanks to the hard work and dedication of our town staff who accomplished most of the improvements in-house. The park contains two enclosed and heated lodges one of which has a capacity for 50 people and the other has a capacity for 99 people. Each has a gas fireplace, and a kitchen galley with stove and sink supported by ample counter space and outlets.
The lodges have been booked on a very regular basis and we have received rave reviews from those people who have used them. Reservations are currently being accepted for 2004 from Pittsford residents. Beginning in January, reservations will be accepted from both residents and non-residents. For more information about reservations you can go to our website www.townofpittsford.org or you can call 248-6280.
The adoption of the operating budget for 2004 is another success story. The bottom line is that the tax rate will increase by 0.67% which means the average taxpayer will pay an additional $4.18 in increased town taxes next year. This budget was especially challenging since we face significant increases in NYS Retirement, medical benefits, utility costs and insurance. We are pleased that we could provide a budget that held the line on tax increase while also maintaining the quality of our town services.
Having the PGA Championship here this summer provided a great opportunity to promote and market Pittsford to a national audience. On the last day of the tournament, the announcers were raving about the tournament, the golf course and Pittsford. Thousands of people were exposed to our community and all walked away with a very positive impression.
Our Comprehensive Plan identifies a number of intersections in town that need improvements. Over the years we have been successful in completing a number of these in the Tobey Road, Stone Road corridors. This year we saw the completion of the intersection of Tobey, Calkins and Mendon Center Roads. As you know, there was an issue with how Calkins Road and Mendon Center Road intersected. There was also a very bad sight distance problem with the intersection of Tobey Road and Mendon Center Road.
The construction of these improvements went as smoothly as any project I have ever seen with the exception of the traffic signal that was planned for the new intersection at Tobey and Calkins Road. For a number of reasons this was not coordinated very well and won't be installed util February or March of 2004. In the meantime a four-way stop has been established to improve safety at this new intersection.
I am very thankful for the support and trust our organization receives from Pittsford residents and I pledge I will work hard to continue to represent you in a fashion you expect of me. I wish all of you the brightest and happiest Holiday season and a New Year filled with hope and joy.
Other Supervisor columns are available here.