Facilities & Communications
August 2, 2017
NOT APPROVED
Members Present: C. Jessup, D. Fanton, K. Graves, A. McGraw,
D. Root, N. Ungermann, C. Crandall
Others Present: L. Ballengee, T. Boyde, B. Budinger, S.
Burt, P. Curran, K. Dirlam, S. Grusendorf, M. Healy, K. Hollis, R. Hollis, K.
Hooker, T. Miner, B. Riehle, T. Ross, D. Scholes, T. Shaw, P. Stockin, R.
Swarthout, M. Washer, R. Whitney
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Facilities
& Communications Vice-Chairman Charles Jessup at 2:02 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
The Facilities & Communications Committee meeting
minutes of July 5, 2017, were approved on a motion made by Legislator Root,
seconded by Legislator Ungermann, and carried.
Allegany County Telecommunications Development
Corporation Appointments
The Chairman of the Board plans to re-appoint John Margeson
of Scio, New York, and Michael Johnsen of Dalton, New York, as members of the
Allegany County Telecommunications Development Corporation for a two-year term
effective October 1, 2017, and expiring September 30, 2019. This request was
approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Fanton,
and carried. Prepare Resolution.
The Chairman of the Board plans to re-appoint Philip Curran
of Alfred Station, New York, and Dwight Fanton of Wellsville, New York, and
appoint Brent Reynolds of Alfred Station, New York, as members of the Allegany
County Telecommunications Development Corporation for the remainder of a
two-year term effective immediately and expiring September 30, 2018. This
request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Graves, seconded by
Legislator Root, and carried. Prepare Resolution.
Broadband Update
Legislator Phil Curran stated Chris Siracuse of Tel-Star
Communications was set up at the County Fair and had a lot of activity, adding
he’s a go-getter and will make a difference. Legislator Fanton asked if Alma
tower is operating. Lieutenant Shawn Grusendorf stated it is up and has power;
however, a signal cannot be sent until the Bolivar tower is up and running.
County Attorney Thomas Miner stated they are waiting on the property owner of
the Bolivar tower location to sign the contract and send it back, adding the
owner is an attorney out of Buffalo, and they have contacted him multiple times
but he’s not holding up his end of the deal. Attorney Miner continued had they
known this would be the case, they would have recommended the tower location be
somewhere else, adding it’s extremely frustrating and if they continue to make
no progress he recommends they put out a press release to make the County
residents aware of what is actually holding up the process. Chairman Crandall
stated the Legislators involvement with the last mile provider has been very
indirect and when people approach them with questions regarding how to sign up,
they need to have a contact person to refer them to. Planning Director Kier
Dirlam stated he has been referring everyone to Allegany County
Telecommunications Development Corporation Executive Director Ryan Cool.
Legislator Hopkins asked that Mr. Cool’s information be sent out so potential
customers can be referred to him. Legislator Root asked if his information is
available on the website. Legislator Graves stated if it’s not, it should be
added. Mr. Dirlam stated his hope is that in September when our portion of the
project is complete, they can hold an event where they officially handover the reigns
to the Allegany County Telecommunications Development Corporation. Mr. Dirlam
continued that he has spoken with Tel-Star regarding this. He is very excited
about it and while he has been doing some PR, he doesn’t want to push too hard
until the system is completely up and running.
Tronetti House Update
Public Works Deputy Superintendent Dean Scholes stated the
code enforcement officer has completed her inspection and has also identified
some other structures that will need to be taken down. They have had
discussions and hope to put out a Request for Proposal to bundle the
demolitions together to save on costs, adding they will also need to find a
source of funding and it won’t be cheap.
Third Floor Project
Public Works Deputy Superintendent Dean Scholes stated the
general contractors have been in and begun their materials list and expect work
to begin this month. Legislator Root asked if they know the end date for the
Third Floor Project. Mr. Scholes stated phase one should be complete by
mid-January. Mr. Scholes stated the elevator work has begun, and there will be
times where it will be loud and inconvenient, and he appreciates everyone’s
patience while they are working through it.
