Purchase this image
B y Derek Liebig
The Hampton Town Board selected a former member of the Granville School Board to fill a vacancy on the board after one of its members resigned last month.
Tammy Taran was unanimously selected to serve the remainder of William Lawrence’s term.
Lawrenceresigned last month, citing health reasons. His term was set to expire in at the end of the year.
Taran, who is an active member of the Granville Lions and served on the Granville Board Of Education for more than a decade was one of two residents who threw their hats in the ring for the vacant seat at last week’s monthly board meeting.
Dave O’ Brien, a former member of the Granville village board, also sought the position.
Supervisor Don Sady said both candidates would make a great choice and each was qualified to serve on the board.
However, in the end, the board selected Taran, who was given little time to savior the victory, moving from her seat in the audience to the trustees table.
O’Brien is expected to run for the office of supervisor this November.
Sady said at this months Washington County Board of Supervisors that he does not plan to run for office, saying it was “time for a break” after 14 years of public service.
He said his schedule has working long hours and he would like to spend more time with a soon to be expected grandson.
In other matters, chairperson Bonnie Hawley said the planning board will begin to discuss a comprehensive plan for the town during their August meeting.
She said they are hoping to integrate agriculture and food link, which connectsWashingtonCountyfood producers with potential clients inNew York City, into the plan, citing the counties renewed emphasis on agriculture in their own plan.
The board is hoping to contact local farmers in an effort to solicit their input on the matter.
The Board of Trustees also scheduled a formal public hearing at7 p.m.on Aug. 17 to discuss whether the town board should abolish the elected office of highway superintendent and make it an appointed position or keep it an elected position as it is currently.
Sady said the matter is nothing new and has been thrown around by different people in the community for the last six or eight years.
“The public continues to bring it up and we wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t consider it.”
He said the meeting would be chance for the public to comment on the situation and for the board to weight the pros and con’s of both sides before coming to opinion.
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Sady said.
The board also approved opened bids for an old used highway department truck.
They reviewed nine bids and ultimately chose the highest bid, selling the truck to Tim Aldous for $6,850.
The next meeting will be held at7 p.m.on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
Comments
Read more in this week's Times in newsstands now or click here to read right now with our e-edition.
