Ogdensburg mulls providing gas to residents

OGDENSBURG — Mayor Steve Ciasullo said, during the Ogdensburg Council meeting Jan. 9, a representative from Elizabeth Town Gas would like to review the possibility of providing gas to more Ogdensburg residents.
Currently, a gas main provides gas to Main St. and borough buildings.
Ciasullo continued, around two years ago, there had been similar opportunities, but there was not enough response. He hopes to discuss new incentives with a representative, along with other council members, before the next council meeting, Jan. 23.
Regarding Heater's Pond Dam, Ciasullo said, the state has 90 days to review the armoring paperwork before issuing a permit. He added, after the borough receives approval, the tentative dates will begin September 2017 and end May 2018.
Councilman Peter Opilla noted a state letter regarding “addressing pylons.”
Ciasullo responded, he will contact the engineer for updates and answers.
Opilla next reported, he will provide capital numbers regarding 2017 water projects at the budget meeting.
The next budget meetings will be: Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. and Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m.
Councilman George Hutnick read a VFW post 10152 letter asking for support to buy and install an appropriate grave marker for member PFC Robert Arthur Bulmer, killed in action in Vietnam on Aug. 14, 1968. However, the VFW recently noted, the goal had already been met due to word of mouth and private citizens covering all costs.
Hutnick said Bulmer was an Ogdensburg resident, who graduated from Franklin High School in 1965. He was then drafted at the age of 19 and killed in action as an army paratrooper in the 101st Air Borne Division, three weeks after arriving in Vietnam. Currently, he is buried in the Franklin Cemetery without a headstone.
Estimates for the project are $3,000 to $3,500, with the VFW pledging $1,000.
The council unanimously approved the 2017 list of Ogdensburg Volunteer Fire Department officers, members, and drivers.
Police Sergeant Joseph Sanfilippo reported the third 2016 grant, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” took place from Dec. 9 – through Jan. 1, 2017. He noted, the borough received $15,000 in 2016 grants, and the police department completed 300 hours of overtime, with the council agreeing to pay the difference in overtime for the last two grants. He further explained, the normal cost would have been $20,000. In conclusion, he added, there were: over 600 car stops, over 300 summonses issued, and 22 arrests, including: drugs, DWI, suspended drivers, and warrants.
Ciasullo reiterated, Sanfilippo had done a great job, along with the chief and other officers. He specifically explained, Sanfilippo had “gone after the grants and made them happen,” thus, helping the borough, residents, police department, and making everything safer.
Sanfilippo said, the new grants are not yet available, and he checks frequently. Also, after he finds another grant, he will follow the same process. He believed the last state check would arrive during the second week of Jan., because the review was almost finished.
Councilman David Astor reported the Ogdensburg First Aid Squad did not receive an automated oil delivery from Allied, thus, resulting in oil clogging the boiler when trying to pull everything from the bottom. The repairs cost $286.
Astor added, the squad should not pay for the repairs but the borough because ultimately it was the borough's mistake. In addition, he instructed Department of Public Works Supervisor Chris Ross to manually check oil levels on or near the 15th of each month, even though an automatic delivery contract exists.
Astor noted, their new provider, Finch, delivered oil, along with an emergency call charge.
Councilman Anthony Nasisi suggested the council review the oil cycle and invoices.
Astor said, he will call the Chief Financial Officer for more information.
In the meantime, the council unanimously tabled all Allied invoices.