News

Community News - Check out Hector's new COMMUNITY web site. A FREE community list for anyone who wants to join. It is open to everyone in the community for the purpose of sharing news, information, items for sale, and for general discussions. Email your community messages to HectorNY@yahoogroups.com . This is a Family-Friendly website, people of all ages are welcome.

Current Issues - **NEW Groups formed

**Citizens for Agricultural and Rural Responsibility - A group of Hector citizens, concerned about the use of sewage sludge in our neighborhood has formed the group CARR, and will have another meeting to inform the citizens of this issue and to get their support for action to prevent the future use of sludge in the Town of Hector. The second public information meeting is May 22 at 7:30pm, Mecklenburg Fire House. Sludge is treated sewage from city wastewater plants. Some farmers spread sludge products (called "biosolids") on their fields for organic content and/or as a substitute for lime. The main reason farmers use sludge is that it is cheap. Sludge contains human waste, as well as anything that goes into city sewer systems, household cleaning products, medications, industrial chemicals, hospital waste, and disease organisms.

**The Seneca Lake Byway, Inc. - Presently the group has meetings on the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month at the Finger Lakes National Forest Headquarters. All meetings are open to the public. The group hopes to get the route, which runs from the Hector line through the village of Lodi in Seneca County, designated as a scenic byway in order to: Protect the economic and aesthetic interests of the residents of both towns; Enhance business enterprise, e.g. agriculture, winery, Bed & Breakfasts, restaurants and recreation; Improve the safety of roadway/byway access for autos, bicycles and walkers; and Provide incentive for more timely highway maintenance, as well as State and Federal grants. The process has been in the works for 5 years. The proposed Byway was first mentioned in the Schuyler Comprehensive Plan as a recommendation to increase the economic development of Schuyler County. For more information contact Chris Kimball-Peterson, Director 387-4990 or clkp329@aol.com.

Local work by members of the Friends of the Finger Lakes National Forest group and the FL Forest Watch Congress: Join the group if you are interested.

Town Hall Latest News –

Hunting Licenses - 2008-2009 Licenses are available August 18, 2008; no changes in fees; ask for information on NEW Junior Hunting Big Game for ages 14 & 15 regulations; Deer Management Permits must be applied for by October 1st.

A reminder about the Hector Recycling Program:  OPEN:  Saturdays Only 9:00am to 1:00pm.  NO drop-offs unless the recycling staff is present.  We accept: newspaper, junk mail, cardboard, plastic, tin, glass, and aluminum. For full details view our flyer (PDF File).

2007 Yearly Water Quality Report now available (PDF file)

The Extension of Water District No. 1 was accepted and is being worked on.

Local Maps for Proposed Systems - Map2   Map14 (jpg formats)

Changes have been made by the USDA, Agriculture & Markets, for dog licenses.  Effective June, 2006 rabies vaccinations must be valid for at least 30 days past license renewal date.  Jane Ike, Hector Town Clerk, is recommending that any owners that have dog licenses which expire in the next few months should check their rabies vaccinations to be sure that they are good for at least 30 days past date of renewal and if not, they should get an updated vaccination prior to renewing the license.  Schuyler County Public Health (535-8140) arranges free rabies clinics at least once every quarter.  If you need more information or have questions, give Jane a call at 546-5286.

Cell Tower Issue Info - The town unanimously passed a Local Law of 2005, establishing a limit on all structures above 199 feet AGL.  Contact Town Hall for more info.

Upcoming Community Meetings - meetings coming up.....

2008 Tax News - TOWN OF HECTOR LEGAL NOTICE (PDF file)
The Town of Hector Town Board passed a resolution on May 13, 2008 that may be subject to permissive referendum, authorizing the Supervisor to negotiate an agreement with the Schuyler County Real Property Tax Agency for the purpose of providing annual assessment services for the Town. Dated: May 15, 2008

Quarterly Newsletter - Hector Happenings - If you would like to volunteer to help write articles for the Town newsletter, please contact Jane M. V. Ike at the Town Hall.

Local Weather - NOAA Link

Family News - Contribute your family news to the Hector Community News column which prints in the Watkins Review & Express Newspaper each week; email the Hector Community News editor.