By PETER FLIERL
CANAAN – Supervisor Brenda Adams and the Canaan Town Board launched 2024 with a perfunctory moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance followed by approval of minutes for meetings on December 6, December 11, and December 26. The Columbia Paper was named the Paper of Record for the Town of Canaan in 2024.
The year kicked off with 49 resolutions taken five at a time to organize town government for the coming year, from a variety of appointments and human resource policies to tax reductions for qualified veterans, elderly, and disabled residents. The board passed unanimously an increase in payments for use of town charging stations to $4.25 per hour, which reportedly is $0.35 per hour less than neighboring charging stations. The impetus for the change was residents leaving their vehicles for extended periods.
The board unanimously passed a resolution calling for the creation of a new position at Town Hall, namely, a Confidential Assistant to Town Supervisor, a support needed, welcomed, and appreciated by Supervisor Adams. The board next unanimously passed a resolution naming Christine Wemple, a current Highway Department employee, to the position of Confidential Assistant to Town Supervisor.
David Patzwahl led a discussion about the transfer station, affectionately known as the dump by frequent users, reporting on growing use and abuse by non-residents. Volume was up 14 tons in December 2023 versus December 2022 with a total of 585 tons at $85 per town. Persons without stickers were mentioned and vehicles with seemingly large loads are a concern. Remedial measures were discussed with some tightening up anticipated.
The board approved use of ARPA funding to purchase generators for both Town Hall and the Town Garage from B & D Electric. Finally, the naming of Vandenberg Road or Vanderburgh Road is being considered and responses are coming in. Residents are encouraged to get in their two cents soon, no later than late March or early April.
