DANSVILLE, NY — The Dansville Village Board was presented with the 2009 final reports for both the fire and ambulance departments.
During 2009, the fire department responded to 313 calls with rescue calls being more prominent than fire. Fire loss for the village was estimated to be $141,950 for the year.
The Dansville Ambulance was dispatched to 1,175 calls and responded to 1065. About 56 percent of those calls were located within the village.
In addition, both fire and ambulance held recruitments during the year. The fire department has twelve new recruits and the ambulance has eleven of their 12 still riding with the group.
The village board thanks both organizations (along with the police department) for all of their time and effort protecting the community.
Difficulty meeting state mandate
Though the state has mandated the use of electronic fingerprinting by police, there are a number of agencies that are believed to be unable to comply.
Since the machine costs $35,000, the Sheriff’s Department is the only department in the county to own the mandated equipment.
As a result, the Dansville Police Department would have to travel to Geneseo in order to fingerprint all of their criminals.
Due to the cost and time associated with such travel, the police department plans to continue using paper prints. During this time, the department will also continue investigating ways to come in compliance with the state mandate.
Street lights throughout the village
Village Administrator Keith Petti, has been in contact with NYSEG regarding non-working street lights within the village. NYSEG maintains 543 lights while the village maintains 50 lights on Main Street. The village board also encourages residents to contact the village clerk should they notice a street light out.
Neighborhood meeting
The Village of Dansville held their monthly Neighborhood Initiative meetings on Tuesday, Dec. 29. Residents who braved the cold weather in order to attend were updated on current village news.
Trustee Kirk Walker provided attendees with new information on the village’s proposed sex offender law. The proposed law has been given to the village attorney for review.
If passed, the law would restrict sex offenders from coming within 700 feet of the schools, parks, public youth centers, and sports fields within the Village of Dansville. In addition, the village attorney is researching the penalty aspect of the law.
Prior to becoming official, the village board would likely review the law again and hold a public hearing where residents could express their opinions. A public hearing is required before a local law can be enacted.
Village Administrator Petti also informed attendees that a sewage study is being conducted to determine whether the wastewater treatment plant should be renovated, or if a new facility needs to be built (and where). The plant was last renovated over thirty years ago.
At the meeting, attendees also received word that the West Herr property on Maple Street has been purchased.
Lastly, the Dansville Police Department is in the process of conducting a sidewalk survey throughout the village. As time and weather permits, officers are evaluating the condition (good or poor) of every sidewalk in the village.
The next Neighborhood Initiative meeting will be held on the last Tuesday of January at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall.
Other news
• The Department of Public Works is currently picking up brush and Christmas trees.
• The next Neighborhood Initiative meeting will be held January 26 at 7pm in the Town Hall. The informal meetings are an open forum for the community to discuss issues with some members of the village board.
• The Exit 4 sign is expected to be replaced this week. The sign was originally destroyed after it was struck by a car.