Brookfield: From Town Hall

By Honna Bowen

(Brookfield, NY) The following are the draft minutes of the October town of Brookfield Focus Group meeting held Thursday, Oct. 15 at town hall.

Attendees: John Salka, Jim Visentin, Honna Bowen

Topic: FOCUS GROUPS – Continued

Basically reviewed the pros/cons of interviewing FOCUS GROUPS;

A business plan approach: identify the component parts of the Town’s operations; interview members and community groups (the “Focus groups”) for experience, insight & recommendations.

Starting with EMERGENCY SERVICES, a vital component of the community; facing regulatory and membership challenges that threaten Volunteer Fire Depts. across the State. It is hoped that the interviewing process will develop mutually benefiting cooperation and communication.

Need to be proactive in helping the organizations that are vital to the community and facing particularly difficult challenges in the near term.

As a first step in the Comp Plan process, these interviews will serve as an “educational” basis/background – educating the Town Board and the Community.

Also discussed were needs to address:

REAL PROPERTY TAXATION; and FINANCE.

GAS DRILLING REGS and PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT;

THE BCPC does not want to over-step bounds — information gathering sessions w/ objective:

(1) educating – board & community

(2) expertise – working with the experts in their area

(3) cooperation – NOT consolidation; mutual assistance – Town, community & organizations

“Keep it Simple” – agreed need to keep simple: questionnaires, PR pieces, etc. (ONE PAGE).

Discussed benefits of bringing community together over special interests;

With budget cuts, need to cooperate and rely upon the community and

Town gov’t to work together;

Committee turnout has been dwindling; it is hoped that more people will attend and are encouraging anyone interested to attend. Hoping that as we focus on special areas, it will attract additional community interest.

Discussed possibilities for Brookfield and the Trail System as a result of the $1 Million Equine Alley project. Salka to tour Trail System w/ Ray Cross (Morrisville College President) and Valesky’s office next week.

AGREED: To wait until AFTER elections to move forward with

Focus Group interviews;

AGREED: To start with Fire Dept interviews as a first run; Salka to speak with Eric Bugbee to get his feelings/feedback; currently looking at just sitting down with the Captains

(individually or as a group TBD)

AGREED: Need to set up a TIMELINE / MILESTONES to keep moving along.

AGREED: Jim Visentin to draft a year-end summary of Comp Plan progress.

Minutes To Disseminate shortly after meetings;

Agenda Would like additional members’ inputbers’ input

Brookfield: From Town Hall

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