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Some things refuse to stay buried.
Though the Brant Town Board has refused to consider changing a law to allow landfills in the area, residents continue to press for more information on the subject.
It was standing room only as over 50 residents attended the Brant Town Board meeting, Tuesday, Nov.14 , with many of them speaking out about the landfill.
A letter, which was written by six local people, was sent to the residents of Brant requesting them to attend this meeting to show they are interested about learning more about the landfill and reestablishing the Landfill Evaluation Committee which was disbanded in September.
"All we want is to hear both sides of the proposal," said Linda Crouse, one of the authors of the letter. "All we want is to let everyone say what they wanted to say and hear what needs to be said."
At the July board meeting Robert A. Gerhard III of Derby gave a presentation on creating a solid waste management facility on about 1,000 acres of industrially zoned land on Cain Road by Hammond Road.
Gerhard requested the board members to consider changing a law that prohibits privately owned landfills.
In August the board set up a committee to review the facts of the proposal which was to originally consist of Council Member Ellen Bowman, Town Attorney John Grennell, the town engineer, a Planning Board member and a member of the community.
At that time people in the audience signed a list asking to be part of this committee, which was scheduled to hold its first meeting in September.
At the September board meeting the committee was disbanded before it held its first meeting and the board unanimously agreed to not consider changing the law to accommodate Gerhard's request.
Since then residents on both sides of the issue, along with others who just want more information have bombarded the board members with requests and threats.
"We were set in this position to listen to both sides of this," said Council Member Leah Mirusso. "I resent it that there are people out there that have said we are being paid off; when we are doing the best we can for the residents."
Superintendent Samuel J. Chiavetta Jr. told the residents the decision to disband the committee was made because they had decided there would be no change in the law.
Crouse asked Grennell to look into what it would take to get a non binding referendum for the residents to vote on it.
Grennell said he would look into it and try to have an answer by next month.
Chiavetta told the residents that they were welcome to meet and discuss the issue but they would not be reforming the committee.
In other business the board adopted its 2001 Brant budget which has an overall tax rate decrease in a 4 to 1 vote with Bowman dissenting. This is the third consecutive year the tax rate has decreased.
General tax decreased from $3.70 per $1,000 in assessed valuation to $3.30. Part town increased from no tax last year to 4-cents per $1,000 this year. Highway decreased from 52-cents per $1,000 to 51-cents and fire protection increased from $1.72 per $1,000 to $1.81. Street lighting decreased from 43-cents per $1,000 to 34-cents.
"I voted against the budget because I'm against the 3 percent increase in salary for all elected officials," said Bowman. "I will not take my increase but will turn it back to the town."
The board also set a public hearing on a special use permit request by Joe Reynolds for a used car lot on Route 20 for 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Dec.12.
The board decided to table a request from Farnham Mayor Terry Caber Sr. to adopt a resolution supporting the "Home Rule" request with regards to abolishing the Village of Farnham Justice Court.
"We should wait until we have confirmation from the village that they have already passed their resolution first," said Mirusso.
The village has been without a court justice since the resignation of Village Justice David Wasmund last summer.
The next regular scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Dec.12 at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall.