Town of Farmington, NY Official Website - Supervisor News Releases

Supervisor News Releases

Press Release Aug 10,2010

Report on the progress of the Highway Campus: The Town Planning Board recently approved the subdivision of the 45 acre, Hook Road lot where we hope to build a new highway garage complex. It’s located north of the Collett Road intersection. Some residents who were not following the progress of this project over the past several months asked some good questions worth a reply for all.

Why do we need a larger highway garage? The simple answer is growth. There are more roads and subdivisions, which means more area for the highway department to take care of, particularly in the winter when our plow trucks are busy. Over the next several years, at the current rate of growth, we will likely add two snow plowing routes. Our current facility lacks the room to accommodate not only the growing fleet of trucks needed to maintain the roads and store salt.

Why not expand at the current site? Engineering studies indicated we would have drainage problems if we expanded there. Runoff could pose a threat to the adjacent Town Park. In addition, any expansion would require the addition of sewer lines, which would cost thousands. The current site also lacks the space for a larger salt storage building. The town loses money when it cannot store salt.

Why was the site on Hook Road chosen? Because it was in close proximity to the needed sewer facilities and near the current highway complex. The site offered the necessary space needed to accomodate the garage and salt barn with room for possible expension in the decades to come (history tell us that the price of land never goes down over time). The site is not far from the current facilities and is centrally located. As an added bonus it’s also adjacent to the railroad line, should the need ever arise for salt or equipment delivery via train.

What will happen to the current Highway facility? The new highway garage project will probably not be completed until early 2012. The western portion of the current building will be partially rennovated to provide for a larger Town Court facility; our case loads have increased significantly and we are out running out of sufficient space in the Town Hall. The east end of the highway building will be used for our parks maintenance department, which is now dealing with space constraints in the transfer station.

How will you pay for all of this? The Town Board has been saving for these anticipated projects for the past 15+ years with some windfalls as a result of Video Lottery Terminal revenues from the state. We hope to be able to complete much of the rennovations without any impact on the tax levy.

Here are a few other updates for Farmington residents:

Sales tax revenue: Second quarter sales tax revenue is up slightly from the same period in 2009, but down from the same period in 2008. We received the check just a few weeks ago. It’s good news, but we’re still not up to where we were in 2008. Economic recovery is a slow process and, as many of you know ,it will take several years for us to see an appreciable difference - regardles of what Washington tells you.

NEW polling places: The Ontario County Board of Elections has designated the Lodge at Mertensia Park as a polling place for Election Districts 5, 6 and 8. This will alleviate the congestion at the Town Hall. The new polling place will be in effect for the Primary Elections on Sept. 14, 2010, along with the new voting machines. As an aside, since Primary day falls on the second Tuesday in September, the Town Board meeting had to be moved to Wednesday Sept. 15 and the Planning Board moved to Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010. This proves that nothing in government is simple or easy.

Memorial Day

Town honors those who served

FARMINGTON – The public is invited to attend a Memorial Day ceremony

at 8 a.m. Monday, May 31 in the North Farmington Friends Cemetery.

The gathering will take place at the flagpole in the area behind the church at

the corner of County Road 8 and Sheldon Road.

The brief ceremony to honor veterans will be officiated by Town Supervisor

Ted Fafinski, who served in the U.S. Air Force. Several public officials and

community leaders are expected to attend.

“This is among our nation’s most important holidays as it pays tribute to the

men and women who have put their lives on the line for the many freedoms we

enjoy as United States citizens,” said Fafinski.

“It is my hope that those who cannot attend a ceremony such as ours in

Farmington will at least pause from their weekend celebrations to remember

our veterans.”

Anyone with questions may call the Supervisor’s Office at (315) 986-8193.

Press Release: March 2, 2010

Your 10 minutes is invaluable!

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.

Press Release: Feb. 14, 2010

Town Water and Sewer chief honored

Farmington Town Supervisor Ted Fafinski presented a plaque to Jim Crane, the head of the Water and Sewer Department, at the recent Town Board meeting, recognizing the 2009 Engineering Excellence Gold Award.

The award was made by the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York to the MRB Group for its Farmington Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project.

The treatment plant serves residents and businesses in the towns of Victor and Farmington and the northern portion of the town of Canandaigua. Work at the plant was done to meet residential, commercial and industrial growth, and has improved the water quality, air quality, and the economic health of the region. At the same time, energy use at the facility has decreased markedly.

James R. Gresens, president of MRB Group, who has worked with the town on the project, accepted the award from ACEC during an awards ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Fafinski said the plaque is now hanging at town hall.

Press Release: Feb. 4 2010

Beat the winter break blues with a free movie

Imagine if raindrops were replaced by food!

That’s exactly what happens on the small island of Swallow Falls in the 2009 hit movie “Cloudy with a chance of meatballs.” The movie’s main character, Flint Lockwood, becomes famous after he invents a food processor that turns water into entrees. The trouble is, he accidentally launched it into space during a test run, and it begins to rain hamburgers.

Local residents will be able to watch the movie at a special showing at the Lodge at Mertensia Park on Mertensia Road in Farmington on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 1:30 p.m.

Popcorn and juice will be served up at this free event organized by Farmington Recreation Director Mark Cain. The viewing was scheduled during February recess to offer local children and their parents a free and fun way to fill the time.

Anyone with questions or wishing to volunteer to support the programs of the community’s expanding recreation program should contact the office of Town Supervisor Ted Fafinski at (315) 986-8193 or e-mail hfarming@rochester.rr.com.

January 29,2010

WANTED: A few good residents!

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.

Cain hopes it is the start of many more such community programs for kids and grown ups alike.

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.

December 14, 2009

Town launches new Web site

Residents wondering what their elected officials are up to now have an easy means of finding out, right at their fingertips.

The town of Farmington has just launched a new and vastly improved Web site that features everything from agendas for upcoming board meetings and minutes from previous sessions to contact information for government leaders and information on community events.

The site, www.townoffarmingtonny.com, has been up and running for a few weeks. It is the product of a months-long undertaking by Town Board member Peter Ingalsbe, Town Clerk-elect Michelle Finley and Farmington resident Stephan Schmidt.

Schmidt, a computer whiz, generously donated his time to launch the site. There’s no fee to the town for the site’s first year of operation.

“The site opens local government to our citizens and quite frankly, the rest of the world,” said Town Supervisor Ted Fafinski. “For a long time we had a ‘static’ Web site that just gave basic information. We searched for the best venue to bring the kind of information people wanted to them.”

In fact, Ingalsbe spent months checking out Web sites for municipalities across the state before coming up with a plan for Farmington. Schmidt took most of the photographs of local places of interest for the Web site. The site allows residents to register their e-mail addresses to receive regular updates from the town. The hope is to also provide regular updates for the town’s new Recreation Office, which will be based in the Lodge at Mertensia Park and headed up by Mark Cain. Already posted is information about the “Evening with Santa” at the lodge this Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.

The site remains a work in progress. Town officials hope to add minutes from the 2009 meetings for all of the town’s various boards as well as a section specifically for senior citizens. Town department staffers are being trained to provide regular updates on the site.

“We’re always open to suggestions to help make this Web site the best it can be,” said Fafinski.

For more information, contact Jessica Youngman in the town supervisor’s office at (315) 986-8193.

Dec. 9, 2009

Celebrate the holidays with Santa

Have a youngster with a Christmas wish to share with Santa?

Mr. Claus and his wife will be on hand at the new Lodge at Mertensia Park from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18 for “An Evening with Santa.”

Town residents are welcome to attend the free event where cookies and hot chocolate will be served.

Not only is it a chance for the little ones to meet Santa and pose for pictures (bring your camera), but it’s also an opportunity to check out the lodge, which opened in the park on Mertensia Road this past May. The future home of the town’s Recreation Department, it’s available for special events and will be used for various community functions like Santa’s visit.

For more information on the event, contact Jessica Youngman in the town supervisor’s office at (315) 986-8193. For more information on renting the lodge, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (315) 986-8100.

Update from Town Supervisor Ted Fafinski
Nov. 12, 2009

2010 Farmington Town Budget: The budget was adopted at the November 10, 2009 Town Board Meeting. The Tax Rate will go DOWN to $1.066 per thousand from $1.187 this year. After the Public Hearing the town board found a way to cut an additional $20,000 from the preliminary budget to bring the tax rate down even more.

HAIL AND FARWELL; Farewell to Councilman Rudy vanderVelden who decided to “retire” early and resigned effective October 31, 2009, in order to enjoy their new winter retirement home and spend more time with family. Rudy contributed to the town heading up many projects: Chairing the all hazard mitigation plan for Farmington which the State of NY finally approved for all of Ontario County, He oversaw the construction of the permanent records storage vault along with climate controls for the records stored there, working with Councilman Mike Casale on the Town Board Public Safety and Town Operations / Human Resources Committees. We wish Rudy and Diana well in their retirement.
Hail to Councilman Elect Steven M. Holtz or Weigert Road who the town board appointed to fill the remaining two months of Rudy’s un-expired term, at the November 10, 2009 Town Board Meeting. Steven attended all the 2010 Budget Workshops in preparation for his new roll. He will serve on the same town board committees that Rudy served on. Steve will begin his elected term on January 1st 2010. We anticipate that all the 2010 elected Officials will take their oaths of Office immediately following the December 22,2009 Town Board meeting.

TRANSITION PLAN TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE: In discussion at the November 10th town board meeting – the board asked the current town clerk to come up with a transition plan to ensure continuity of that office. Based on that discussion I appointed the Town Operations Committee to work with the outgoing and incoming Town Clerks in formulating a plan for transition and “hand off” of responsibilities. The Town Board Town Operations Committee (Casale/Holtz) will update the board on the progress. Councilman Ingalsbe expressed his concern about moving forward pointing out that there were 33 working days left before the actual transition.

CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY TO THE SUPERVISOR: The Town Board created a temporary training position for the Confidential Secretary to permit the smooth transition of that position on Jan 1, 2009. That position serves at the pleasure of the Town Supervisor and is a civil service exempt position and has many functions that affect every employee in the town. I anticipate filling that position by December 7, 2009.

RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD: The Town Board will be transitioning from the Recreation Commission to a Recreation Advisory Board based on the Recreation Master Plan recommendations of Passero and Associates that was completed in 2008. The advisorary board will have more defined duties that will be expanded to facilitate improvements in the town’s recreation programs over the next several years. We anticipate needing some town residents who are interested in our Parks, Expanding our Trails and Recreation Programs. If you have served on the Recreation Commission and want to continue on the Recreation Advisory Board or are just interested in getting involved in the Recreation Advisory Board please submit a letter of interest to the Town Supervisor’s Office. Your letter should tell why you are interested in serving, what qualifications you would bring to the board and most importantly how much time each month are you willing to devote to the position if appointed. This is a rare opportunity to make things happen in a growing community.