Highlights of the June 11, 2020 Town of Alfred Board Meeting
Dan Acton, Supervisor
College Reopening Plans, Sports Complex, Sidewalk, and More
Once again, the Town Board convened its monthly meeting using Zoom, with the hope that soon meetings will be held in person. A variety of topics came before the board, the first of which was to approve a storage addition to be constructed at the Bicycle Man on State Route 21. Also, the Code Enforcement Officer will be issuing a building permit for an 80-foot tower at the NYSEG substation. The stated use of the tower is to communicate with employees; the permit prohibits the use of 5G broadcasting from this tower.
The town has participated in regular meetings with representatives of AU, ASC, Houghton College, village, county, and local hospitals to develop coordinated plans for bringing students back to campus in the fall. Currently AU is planning on the fall semester ending at Thanksgiving; Alfred State has this as a contingency. Health protocols discussed include bringing in foreign students two weeks early so they can be isolated upon arrival. Daily protocols would require students to answer several questions in order to begin their day such as their temperature, exposure to an infected person, and recent travel. A negative reply would send them to the health center. Classrooms, dining, and living facilities would be set up to provide social distance, sanitation, and face coverings.
When the topic of AU’s proposed sports complex arose, the supervisor indicated that he suggested to AU they consider another site, specifically the reclaimed Buffalo Crushed gravel mine. A tour was made with an AU representative to point out the advantages of this site. Their expectation is that they will not be moving forward on the project for perhaps 6 to 12 months. Hopefully they will give this option serious consideration.
Finally, the supervisor reported on a recent meeting with engineers regarding the proposed sidewalk along State Route 244. Apparently, DOT is requiring a 3-foot grass section along the sidewalk. The supervisor indicated that this would not be supported by the community or the Town Board since it would extent beyond the current footprint of the travel lane and shoulder. The engineers are going back to DOT to communicate our position.
