GLOVERSVILLE – The Common Council recently named Christine Benson to the Recreation Commission, putting an end to a matter involving the filling of the vacancy.
Earlier this month, city officials were split on how to fill the last seat on the seven-member Recreation Commission after member Jared Hammond resigned. Mayor Dayton King announced during the Aug. 27 council meeting Hammond resigned because he couldn’t commit as much time as he would like. King made a motion to appoint city firefighter Bill Rowback to fill the seat, but it was defeated. Council members said they voted against King’s nominee because the city previously promised Benson the position.
The vacancy issue came up again Tuesday night, kicking off the council meeting at City Hall. King said he thinks the commission should have seven to nine members.
“First, it was hard to get people, now we have some interest,” King said.
The mayor said the council could wait until the next meeting to fill Hammond’s vacancy, but the council took action and approved Benson.
In other council business Tuesday night:
Assessor Joni Dennie noted that by now, city residents should have received a letter from the state urging Basic STAR recipients to renew for the property exemption option.
“This is just a one-time renewal with the state.” she said.
Dennie said the state will conduct a session on the STAR renewal process from 6 to 8 p.m. today at City Hall. The public can also renew at that time, she said.
Transit Manager William Walrath said his department has undergone some scheduling changes, including a bus run to the new Walmart Supercenter.
“That seems to working out well,” he said.
First Ward Supervisor Robin Wentworth said street lights at the new Walmart traffic circle have been on constantly “for weeks,” inquiring whether the city is paying that bill.
King said he would get an answer for Wentworth.
Walrath also reported the bus run changed to include a stop at the Microtel hotel on Route 30A in Johnstown. Microtel is a new site where some Fulton-Montgomery Community College students are living this semester.
