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Town reports: grant for salt shed, housing concerns tied to Medina Business Park pitch
Summary
Town staff reported building-permit activity, a grant application for a salt shed, and higher-than-assessed recent home sale prices; Gabrielle Barone of the Orleans EDA briefed the board on Medina Business Park marketing and urged the town to consider Pro Housing Certification.
Town staff and outside partners delivered department updates and a public-comment briefing at the Aug. 19 Ridgeway Town Board meeting that touched on permitting, seasonal services, capital needs and local economic development.
Code Enforcement Officer Jason Raduns reported six building permits issued in July, twelve permits closed and one sound complaint; he said he continues to send junk-violation letters and is preparing a fire-prevention checklist for nonresidential uses that may require annual inspections. Raduns also said he attended training in Hartland and recommended trainer Mike Hartman for zoning and planning board training requirements. Raduns noted a court matter (Thaine) was ongoing and that he will return to court on Monday.
Assessor Cecchini told the board her office has fielded numerous calls about the STAR and Enhanced STAR tax-exemption programs and that recent Medina-area home sale prices have been running approximately $30,000 to $60,000 above assessed values. Highway Superintendent John Olinger reported routine water sampling, dead-end flushing, culvert replacements and mutual aid to neighboring towns. Olinger said he submitted an application with the Soil and Water department for a grant intended to cover 75% of the cost of a new salt shed.
Town Clerk Hannah Hill said the office has started selling licenses for the new hunting season; she reported fewer in-person visits now that residents can buy and print paper licenses at home. The minutes also record that Town Hall had newly installed furnace and air-conditioning units.
During open session, Gabrielle Barone of the Orleans Economic Development Agency (Orleans EDA) presented new marketing materials and a website for the Medina Business Park. Barone said a very large project could be coming to the park and encouraged the town to look into becoming "Pro Housing Certified" to prepare for potential housing demand; Village Trustee Diana Baker offered to help, saying the Village of Medina recently completed that certification.
A brief discussion between CEO Raduns and Councilman Toussaint addressed farm labor camps and whether current zoning regulations cover them; minutes record the zoning question but no formal directive or zoning amendment was made.
The board later met in executive session for legal advice and adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
