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NOTICE OF NEXT BOARD MEETING
The Farmington Town Board will meet next on March 9th at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 1000 County Road 8 in Farmington. Agendas are generally posted on this site the Friday before each meeting. For information about an agenda item, contact the Supervisor's Office at (315) 986-8193.

WANTED: A FEW GOOD RESIDENTS
FARMINGTON – More than 50 youngsters and their parents turned out at the Lodge at Mertensia Park in December to meet Santa Claus and his wife, who were on a break from the North Pole.
The event included plenty of hot cocoa and cookies to be decorated by guests. It was deemed a success by its organizer, the town of Farmington’s newly minted recreation director, Mark Cain.
But he needs the public’s help.
The Town Board is looking for seven Farmington residents to serve on its recently created Recreation Advisory Board. The unpaid, volunteer board will look at ways to expand the town’s current recreation offerings and assist Cain in organizing events. It will also:
· Make recommendations for capital and operating budget items
· Look for ways to work collaboratively with neighboring communities
· Help in the selection and development of parks and facilities
· Seek out revenue sources for the expansion of parks and trails
The Town Board in late December passed a resolution officially creating the Advisory Board. It replaces a Recreation Commission that was disbanded by the town in keeping with the recommendations of a parks and recreation Master Plan that was created last year.
Advisory Board members will be appointed by the Town Board. Three members will serve for two years, two members will serve for three years and two members will serve for four years.
Anyone who wishes to serve on the Advisory Board should write a letter of interest with general biographical information to Town Supervisor Ted Fafinksi at 1000 County Road 8 in Farmington, 14425.
Questions may be directed to his office at (315) 986-8193 or to hfarming@rochester.rr.com.

TOWN CLERK ANNOUNCES EXPANDED HOURS:
A dog census, or enumeration, recently got underway in the Town of Farmington so local officials can get a more accurate number of pet pooches and ensure that all of them are licensed as required by the state.
Anyone needing to renew or obtain the proper dog license now has a more convenient means of doing so at the Farmington Town Hall. Recently seated Town Clerk Michelle Finley has just expanded her office’s business hours for the convenience of local residents.
Starting this month, the Town Clerk’s Office is open from 8 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. The extra hours on Wednesdays are especially geared for those who’ve found it tough to get to the Town Hall in the past, whether it’s because of work or other daytime commitments.
And the expanded hours are not just for dog licenses: Finley and her Deputy Town Clerks, Tammy Means and Jennifer Grattan, will also be on hand to assist with marriage licenses, handicapped parking permits, hunting licenses and all other matters they normally attend to.
Anyone with questions may contact Finley at (315) 986-8100.

Web site, work in progress:
Please review our entire web site and provide your suggestions so we can make this an even greater place to visit. We have plans to add all 2009 Board minutes (Conservation, AG, Recreation, & Historical). We will add a "SENIORS" section after the 1st of the year and will add more information to the Town Clerk and Building/Planning/Zoning web pages.
Sign up for our e-mail list: Fill out the information on the left side of this page to get e-mails, add your e-mail address, check all blocks or just the Town departments that you are interested in getting information from. Fill in the security block then hit the sign up button. That's it
Thanks to the Farmington Staff for their work on this new web site and a special thanks to Farmington resident Stephan Schmidt for his on hands support! Peter Ingalsbe / Michelle Finley
2010 TOWN BUDGET MESSAGE:
The 2010 Town Budget was approved at the November 10th Town Board meeting. (Resolution #278-2009) The 2010 Tax Rate has been reduced from the current rate of $1.187 to $1.066 / per thousand for the General Fund and Highway Funds. (-10.12%) The Drainage District Tax Rate was reduced to $0.315 / per thousand. (-6.04%) Most Water Districts and Lighting Districts also saw Tax Rate reductions for 2010.

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An Evening with Santa
Maia Winnergren, 6, was among the dozens of children who turned out for the town Recreation Department's "Evening with Santa" at the Lodge at Mertensia Park Friday, Dec. 18. Santa and his wife arrived amid much fanfare - on a Farmington fire truck with lights flashing and sirens sounding. One by one the litttle ones hopped on Mr. Claus's lap and told them their Christmas wishes as Mrs. Claus watched on. When they were finished, they received a candy cane. In addition to seeing the big guy, the children got to frost their own cookies and enjoy hot cocoa served up by Town Clerk-elect Michelle Finley and Mark Cain, the head of the recreation department. The town looks forward to offering future events for local residents at the recently opened Lodge.
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Welcome to our Web site!
A MESSAGE FROM THE TOWN SUPERVISOR:
We are excited about the new web site which will become the Farmington Town Information Center! Special thanks to Councilman Peter Ingalsbe and Town Clerk Michelle Finley for making all this happen. Transparency in government is a way to build trust and government at the local level is the closest to the people. This web site will bring local government closer to town residents, business and visitors.

Take 10” and Help Farmington Get What it Needs for the Next 10 Years
In March 2010, more than 130 million addresses will receive a 2010 Census form by mail or hand delivery. The 2010 Census will document the changes in our nation since the last decennial census in 2000, and tell us how we’ve evolved as a country. Because census data affect how more than $400 billion in federal funding is distributed to tribal, state and local governments, the census also will frame the future of our country and our community for the next 10 years.
During Census 2000, the mail participation rate was 72 percent as of the April 2000 cut-off. About $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation. For these and many other reasons, we must work to encourage everyone’s participation in the census.
Here’s what you should know about the 2010 Census:
It’s easy. One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. The individual in whose name the housing unit is rented or owned should complete the form on behalf of every person living there, both relatives and nonrelatives.
It’s important. Census data are used to reapportion seats in Congress and ensure proper district representation in state and local governments. Information from the census helps determine locations for child-care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers.
It’s safe. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Finally, the most efficient way to respond to the 2010 Census is to complete the form as soon as it arrives and return it in the postage-paid return envelope. Census workers will visit households that do not return forms to take the count in person.

HELP ENSURE A FAIR ASSESSMENT REVIEW
FARMINGTON – Town officials are looking for a Farmington resident to fill a vacancy on a board that plays an important role in the system of checks and balances on the local government level.
The position is a five-year term on the town’s Board of Assessment Review. The five-member board is made up of citizens from all walks of life. Its duty is to review assessment challenges filed by property owners in the formal grievance process.
The board’s aim is to arrive at a fair and impartial decision for each property owner. Members are tapped by the Town Board and do not include Assessor Donna LaPlant or staff from her office.
Generally, the Board of Assessment Review meets annually, on the fourth Tuesday in May at the Farmington Town Hall, 1000 County Road 8. Training is provided and members receive a modest stipend for their service.
“This is an excellent opportunity to give back to your community and make sure your fellow residents are well-served,” said LaPlant.
Anyone interested in serving on the board should submit a letter of interest with general biographical information to Supervisor Ted Fafinski by Feb. 17, 2010.
For more information, contact the supervisor’s office at (315) 986-8193.


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