To the editor:
After reading last week’s letter to the editor (“Negativity no longer a mainstay on Lysander Town Board,” Aug. 24), I felt it was necessary to offer a different perspective of our new town board. I do agree that our new town board has made strides to look and act more professional in the public eye, but the public should be able to see them working for our community.
I have attended almost every town board meeting and work session this year. I believe the town board was asked twice this year about recording work sessions until it finally occurred. While our new town supervisor has extended the public comment period, which I applaud, he has recently asked that all questions be addressed to the entire town board, not individual town councilors or department heads. From what I have seen, the rest of the town board usually sits quietly as questions are asked. This is unfortunate to me because a town board meeting is one of the few times you can publicly see your entire town board working for the community, and it would be nice to ask about their own views or the way they voted on an issue.
I was disappointed to find out at the Aug. 22 meeting that our town supervisor has no plans to have our codes enforcement officer or the dog control officer give the reports that they used to give at previous town board meetings. Many other department heads give reports as needed at town board meetings. It was nice to know how many permits were being issued and the value of the development going on in Lysander from the codes office. It would also be nice to know if we had an issue with dog control since moving it to more of a part-time position a few years ago. These are all services our tax dollars pay for, and I feel the public should see the work of these departments.
Another thing I have noticed is that a great deal of latitude is being given to the town supervisor to make decisions on behalf of the town board. I understand our town board is all from the same political party, but seeing projects move freely with little input from the entire town board, like the latest incentive zoning proposal to add an additional 120 homes to the Collington Pointe development off of Route 370/Patchett Road, I am unsure if the previous town supervisor would have been given the same leeway by the town councilors.
I have questioned our town board, regardless of political party, for the last five years and will continue to do so if I feel a decision is not in the best interest of the residents of Lysander. In closing, I ask the residents and taxpayers of Lysander to try and attend the town board meetings and work sessions when possible, because sometimes appearances can be deceiving.
Kevin Rode
Lysander
