Hammond fills three planning board seats 

HAMMOND – Three appointments to the town planning board were made Monday as the Hammond Town Board held its annual organizational meeting in the town hall.

Steven Demick was reappointed for another five-year term, Thomas Chapman joined the planning board for five years and Sheila Beamish was appointed to fill a one-year vacancy.

Mr. Chapman will replace Frank Valerio, who did not seek reappointment, and Mrs. Beamish will serve the final year of Allen Dunham’s five-year term. Mr. Dunham’s health is restricting him from finishing his term, according to Town Supervisor Ronald W. Bertram.

While Mr. Chapman has publicly expressed his anti-wind stance, both Mr. Demick and Mrs. Beamish have signed wind leases with Iberdrola Renewables, Inc.

Frederick A. Proven, also a member of the town’s wind committee, was again appointed chair of the planning board.

Of the over 30 appointments, policies and designations made Monday evening, only one – the appointment of Syracuse-based law firm, Mentor, Ruden, & Trivelpiece, P.C. – was questioned by any member of the board.

Town Councilman James E. Langtry said he felt a more local attorney would be less expensive and suggested that the board research cheaper alternatives.

“Right now, all of our tax dollars are getting shipped right down to Syracuse,” he said.

The board agreed to add the language, “or another attorney as needed,” to the appointment of Mentor, Ruden, & Trivelpiece, P.C.

Also adopted was a town procurement policy, which Mr. Bertram said was “a way to ensure the same process is followed on every purchase” the town makes.

Guidelines of the policy include:

* All purchases of supplies or equipment which will exceed $10,000 in the fiscal year or public works contracts over $20,000 shall be formally bid pursuant to General Municipal Law (GML), 103.

* All purchases of between $5,000 and $10,000 require written quotes from three vendors; between $2,500 and $5,000 require written quotes from two vendors; purchase less than $2,500 are left to the discretion of the purchaser.

* The lowest responsible proposal or quote shall be awarded the purchase or contract unless written justification proving a bidder other than the lowest is in the best interest of the town.

* Efforts will be made to obtain the required number of quotes and these efforts will be documented. However, the inability to obtain the required number of quotes shall in no event be a bar to the procurement.

* Several circumstances were outlined when proposals or quotes will not be necessary, including emergencies.

* The policy will be reviewed annually by the town board at its organizational meeting.

Regular town board meetings will remain on the second Monday of each month at 7:15 p.m. at the town hall, 17 North Main St.

Mr. Bertram made a motion to hold special meetings on the last Monday in January, February and March, if necessary, in order for the board to review suggestions made by the wind committee in regards to the under-moratorium wind energy law. The motion passed unanimously.

The Hammond Town Board meets next on Monday, with a special meeting set for Jan. 31 for wind energy review.