Reflections on 2006

While anxiety and frustration seem to run very high on a state and national level at the ineffectiveness of government, our little Village continues on its path of constant improvement. 2006 seemed like it was a bit of a down year for the Village Board. There was so much leading up to the Sesquicentennial year and then all the activities in 2005, we kind of caught our breath this past year. When we sit down and look back at the entire year, however, it may have been slow compared to previous years for the Board, it was anything but ineffective.

I’m sure the employees don’t feel it was a slow year. They were as busy as always completing projects and working on improvements behind the scenes that many people would never know about. These are the special projects worked on during the year:

• Reviewed the Employee Handbook.
• Reviewed a Deferred Compensation Plan for employees – there is a large unfunded liability that the Village will have to pay when employees retire. This plan will help fund that so that it won’t hit the budget all at once.
• Met with NYSERDA and reviewed Alternative Energy sources and costing options.
• Contracted with a Grant Writer.
• Took down the old Fire Station on Exchange St and cleared it for additional parking downtown.
• Installed a thermostat at the community center to help cut energy costs, which has saved considerably on utility bills.
• Reviewed multiple Transfer Station options and have settled on one that we believe will be efficient.
• Replaced the Water Main on Clearview Drive, South & Needham Avenues.
• Hired new DPW employee to fill a vacant position
• Worked with the Chamber to keep the website updated.
• Approved the purchase of a Quick Response Fire Truck for the Fire Department.
• Painted Village area at PCC with the help of many volunteers.
• Tree planters installed downtown.
• New banners downtown.
• Approved new roof for sewer plant.
• Church St Extension Sewer completed.
• Adopted prescribed laws regarding Code Enforcement per NYS.
• Hydraulic Model of Water System was completed.
• Completed repairs on Sewer Plant
• Cell Tower Contract Extension
• Time Warner Cable Contract Extension
• Submitted Grant Proposals

These were all in addition to the normal, everyday work by the employees of maintaining the Village and the Board’s normal work of maintaining the finances and administrative issues related to the Village operations.

Looking towards 2007

• Sign Ordinance - This is very important subject that will affect many businesses in the Village. We expect to have a public hearing in February on it. Please make sure you’re watching for details. We want to work with businesses as much as possible on this before we adopt the updated law.
• Transfer Station - We expect to bid out this project in the spring and begin work this year on improving and enhancing the operations.
• Comprehensive Plan - The Town and Village Boards and Planning Boards are committed to adopting the Comprehensive Plan early this year. Please watch for more details.
• William Street - The William Street bridge between Main and Ontario Streets will be replaced by the County this year, with an assist from our crew. This is a very big project that will look great when it’s complete.
• Sidewalks and Streets - We will need to resurface areas where we have worked on water lines the past couple of years. And, we are going to begin replacing and repairing sidewalks. A priority list is being worked on.
• Reforestation - We will continue to work on replacing trees in areas where we have had to cut them.
• As budget pressures continue, we are reviewing that process and are looking at multi-year budgets so that we are always planning into the financial future, not just for the current year.

At the beginning of this newsletter, I mentioned the frustration people feel over government. I often refer to the entire country being in a rather sour mood. When that happens, little things become big things. Issues get blown out of proportion and everyone is afraid to get things done. No one wants a finger pointed at them for doing the wrong thing or not doing the right thing.

I wish I could hold our community up to these institutions as an example. As you know, things are not always rosy here in Phelps. We go through our struggles: politically, economically and personally. The character of the community is demonstrated in its response to these struggles. Just this fall, I’ve been a part of two unfortunate situations that I walked away from being amazed at the character of the people of this community. We hosted a military funeral here for a young man killed in Iraq whose father lives in the Town. The community pulled together to give him a proper thank you. I attended the funeral as a representative of the community and was proud of the dignity demonstrated. Recently, one of our seniors at Midlakes was killed in a car accident. I attended the memorial service as a neighbor and friend of the family, as well as a parent and as a representative of the community. The auditorium at the high school was full because the community cared so much. Not only did the parents in both situations demonstrate their own character, but the community as a whole did also.

These are extreme cases, but in every day life, despite our differences in backgrounds, lifestyles and opinions, we all work together, play together and live together and get much good work done. I don’t know about you, but I think Albany and Washington could use a dose of small town character.

So, if you’ve read my newsletters in recent years, you know I like to rally the community, be the cheerleader and remind us how good we have it. I also like to challenge everyone to do more and be better than we are.

My challenge to myself and the community as a whole is to continue to be the example. Many may not know it, but we have become the envy of many surrounding communities. Others have noticed that Phelps is not the butt of the joke anymore. It’s not the redheaded stepchild any longer. Other communities’ leaders have noticed the change in attitude, the change in appearance and the increased services. As a community, we need to re-commit to continuing on that path, despite the fact that it might mean change. It might mean more work.

The challenge is to continue to demonstrate that hard-working character that has brought about the change. It is easy to look back and say, “we’ve done good”. It’s not as easy to add onto that sentence, "but, we can do better."

Every organization I’ve talked to in the past year has been concerned about burn-out, and they’re seeing less volunteerism. That may be a result from everyone collecting their breath after the Sesquicentennial. It’s time to re-commit, however, to each other as a community, not just when tragedy strikes, but every day. People often feel like something must have happened in Phelps’ past because of some difficult attitudes. We can’t worry about that any longer. We need to continue to move forward. Why shouldn’t Phelps be the best?

We can’t wait for others to do it for us. If there are activities and service that you’d like to see continue or new ones started that are run by volunteers; if you think there could be better utilization of what we have offer; if you think there is something we’re doing that can be done better; if you think we’re missing something; step up. Don’t wait for others to do it. Offer your time and energies. Show your character! We have a unique opportunity to be everything we want to be.

There is a group of people working on a plan to continue to push Phelps’ prosperity into the foreseeable future. It is going to present a unique opportunity for growth and betterment, without compromising our small town character. When you start hearing more about it, please be supportive and work with the group. Share your opinions and ideas. Take advantage of the opportunities. Let’s look to the future together and then build it together.

On behalf of the Village Board, the Village Employees and everyone associated with the Village of Phelps, thank you for the opportunity to serve our community and best wishes for a prosperous 2007! Let’s show our character.