THE PITTSFORD MESSENGER Town of Pittsford Community Report

Volume 9 • Issue 3 Autumn 2002

Pittsford Supervisor’s autumn report One of the lessons we have learned from the The improvement to Kings Bend Park September 11th tragedy is the importance will be primarily completed by Town force of families and community. These are the beginning this year with a planned opening stabilizing influences in a world that has in the fall of 2003. (Look for details of this become fast-paced and often hard to exciting development on page 2.) understand. The on-going discussions relative to our As a community, we have tried to keep Library and Community Center are also our focus on the importance of family and vital components of the quality of life for fellowship. We have endeavored to plan our community. Earlier this year the Town town-wide events and activities that provide Board received recommendations from the opportunity for families, neighbors and resident groups who had spent considerable friends to come together collectively as a time looking at these two facility issues. Bill Carpenter community. We hope that you were able to In response to the Pittsford School Supervisor join us for some or all of the 2002 events District facilities issues, which we all agree including the Summer Concert Series, are critically important, the Town Board has Please consult your recycling Positively Pittsford, The Parade decided to table further review at this time brochure for a schedule of and Pittsford Celebrates. of our own facility needs. It is anticipated lawn debris pick-up in your On Saturday, October 26th we will that in the next few months we will renew neighborhood and a how-to sponsor a new event—A Family Halloween our public discussions on the Library and guide for proper recycling. Fest—in partnership with St. John Fisher Community Center. The Lawn Debris Recycling College. Our objective is to provide families As we head in to fall each year, our Town Brochure is mailed in the with young children (ages 3 - 10) with a safe highway department gears up for the tremen- spring to all town residents. and positive Halloween experience. Trick or dous task of collecting and recycling the Copies are available in the treat stations, a haunted house, and a kids- truckloads of leaves that fall on Pittsford lawns. Town Hall, 11 So. Main St. in-costume parade are just some of the fun activities that are planned. Look for event details on the back page of this newsletter. We’re listening for your ideas Another town-wide initiative we are In an effort to have all citizens of Pittsford involved in developing a proud to announce is the improvement of comprehensive communications plan for the Town, the Communications Kings Bend Park. This park, to be located Steering Committee is asking for your help. on Jefferson Road, is being designed to A survey to assess the Town’s current communications is being promote family and neighborhood gather- developed by the committee. Please look for the survey in October and ings. Amenities will include two enclosed complete the form. Pittsford residents are highly encouraged to visit the picnic shelters as well as outdoor picnic Town’s website at www.townofpittsford.com and complete the on-line tables and barbecue areas. version of the survey. The inspiration for the development of Surveys and drop boxes will be located at the Town Hall, Spiegel Kings Bend Park came from the 2001 Community Center, the Pittsford Community Library, and at Town Community Forum listening series. Residents Board meetings. We thank you for your help. who participated in the series pointed out the need for town facilities that promote www.townofpittsford.com family or neighborhood gatherings. 2

Dog licenses Town facilities Please make sure your dog is properly licensed and is Town approves site for family park wearing all registration and rabies tags. The ecently, the Pittsford Town Board The total cost of improvement of this Pittsford Animal Control authorized the development of a park will be approximately $425,000. Much Department picks up R new family-use park which will be of the work will be done by the Town. Phase several unlicensed and called Kings Bend Park. The park will be I of the project will be completed this year untagged dogs each year. developed on land currently owned by the to include grading, utilities and preliminary By New York State law, the Town located on Jefferson Road. work in roads and parking areas. Phase II is Animal Control Officer is Kings Bend Park is being designed with scheduled for completion in August 2003. required to bring unlicensed social gatherings, outdoor cooking and Kings Bend Park is an historical reference and untagged animals to the seating, leisure walking and fishing in mind. to the original Erie Canal, which followed Pittsford Animal Hospital Two enclosed shelters will be constructed on Jefferson Road and then made a bend heading until someone claims them. the location to house indoor family func- north behind what is now Pittsford Plaza. The first offense for an tions and furnished with restrooms and Town Historian Audrey Johnson says, unlicensed and untagged cooking areas. The goal is to open the park “In earlier days, canal goers referred to this pet is $60.00 by fall 2003. location as ‘Kings Bend’ because a man Stop by the Town Hall Kings Bend Park is located on 15 acres named John King once owned the property to properly license and on the north side of Jefferson Road, midway adjacent to the bend.” register your pet today! If between Sutherland and Clover Streets. The The central location and ease of accessi- you have any questions site features a large pond, improved in 1985 bility will make Kings Bend Park an attrac- about registering and as a storm-water management facility, which tive spot for socializing or leisure activities. licensing your pet call provides an attractive setting for the new park. Greg Wegman, Pittsford Animal Control Officer, at 248-6240. Lawn debris collection Loose branch/brush removal Candlelight Night Will continue through October 31 Mark your calendars! Join us for our annual holiday Leaf pick-up and removal celebration—Candlelight October 28 - December 14 Night—on Tuesday, Containerized and bundled grass, December 3, 6 - 9 p.m. weeds, leaves and cuttings The Pittsford Village Will continue through December 27 Business Association will sponsor seasonal festivities Please consult your recycling brochure for including caroling, horse- a schedule of lawn debris pick-up in your drawn carriage rides, and a neighborhood and a how-to guide for visit from Santa. Many proper recycling. For more information village stores extend their about the 2002 loose branch or leaf pick- normal shop hours on this up service, please direct your calls to the special evening and greet Highway Department at 248-6270. visitors with traditional treats. Come, sample a cup of hot cocoa at the corner Town Supervisor Bill Carpenter welcomes kiosk and take a stroll newly-appointed School District Superin- amidst the many beautiful tendent Mary Alice Price to Pittsford. The holiday decorations. two community leaders met for lunch and an informal discussion of mutual interests. 3

Town activities and events Senior Citizens 2002 Christmas tour The Buffalo Bills on parade Where: New York City When: Dec. 12-15 he 2002 Buffalo Bills pep rally and dren on the street as he passed by. From a Cost: $1,035 pp parade drew record crowds nearing distance you could hear the fans chanting, (double room) T9,000. The pep rally included Head “Drew! Drew!” Coach Gregg Williams, new starting Whether you are a Buffalo Bills fanatic Tour package includes: quarterback #11 Drew Bledsoe, the 2002 or a late summer night stroller, there was • Round trip transporta- rookies, the , and team mascot something for everyone. Musical entertain- tion via deluxe fully “Billy Buffalo.” Also seen were ment equipped motorcoach veterans Alex Van Pelt, Peerless included the • 3 nights at the Helmsley Price, Eric Moulds and Travis Webster Windsor Hotel (58th St. Henry. All Buffalo Bills High School and Sixth Avenue) participants were escorted up marching • Ticket to the Christmas Main Street in locally-owned band and Spectacular Show at antique and convertible cars. the Pittsford Radio City Music Hall The Town added to this Firemen’s • Ticket to the award- year’s parade experience with Band. The winning Broadway Golden musical, “Thoroughly Lions youth Modern Millie” football and • 3 dinners Scholastic • Circle Line boat tour of Football teams also participated in the rally. Manhattan Island Hosting the evening’s festivities were • Guided Lights Tour of radio personalities ‘Tony and Dee’ and Midtown to view Town Supervisor William Carpenter. The Rockefeller Center and community-wide event brought Town holiday window displays Board members Sandra Zutes, Henry • Free time for shopping Marini, John Higgins, and Karen Green, and sight-seeing Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle and • Services of a professional NYS Assemblyman Koning Day Tours tour Joseph Errigo director together with • All hotel taxes, baggage many faithful handling, and gratuities Bills fans who for the motorcoach confetti streamers which were came to support driver and tour escort launched 60 feet into the air the popular • Optional purchase of from atop the stage as Town western NY trip cancellation/ Supervisor Bill Carpenter National interruption insurance introduced the Bills’ Head Coach Football and crowd favorite Drew Bledsoe League A $200 per person deposit to the podium. Both shared their team. To must accompany your excitement with the spectators see more reservation. Final payment about the upcoming season, their pep rally is due October 23. new uniforms and their training camp and Please contact the in Pittsford. parade Pittsford Senior Citizens As Drew made his way through the photos, log on office at 248-6235 for crowd to the stage, he was seen giving to the Town website at more information. high-fives and handshakes to the chil- www.townofpittsord.com. 4

New York State property tax relief Enhanced STAR program modifications

he New York State legislature has enacted changes in the way the Assessor’s Office will T administer the STAR program. The application process has been modified in the following ways for those with Enhanced STAR (residential property owners over 65 with limited income). • There will be an annual cost-of-living adjustment to the income limit for Enhanced STAR. The adjust- ment will be based upon the applicable Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. For 2003 the income limit will be $62,100. • The income tax year to be used for STAR has been standardized. Applications for the Enhanced STAR exemption on the 2003 assessment roll will use 2001 income. Applications for the 2004 assessment roll will use 2002 income, and so on. You no longer have the option of choosing years, as was the case in the past. • The Enhanced STAR renewal process will allow resident owners to: 1) report income directly to the Assessor’s Office, or 2) authorize the Assessor to have income verified by the State Department of Taxation and Finance (starting in 2004). NOTE: If you choose option 2, you must file a traditional application in 2003. At that time you will inform the Assessor’s Office that you would like to authorize the State to verify your income starting with your 2004 renewal. The new law requires that the Assessor must send you a card annually; to inform you of the income level, reminding you that the State Department of Taxation and Finance is verifying your income, and that you must notify the Assessor if your primary residence has changed or if there has been an ownership change.

The Assessor’s Office will mail a renewal application to those who presently have Enhanced STAR. Follow the directions and make your choice on income verification. All applications must be filed by March 1, 2003. For those of you with Basic STAR (under 65 years of age and/or with income over the program limit) you do not have to renew your exemption unless your status changes. 5

Town communications Town to develop a new and improved plan for information sharing

n essential part of quality communication is not only the ability to speak, but also the Aability to listen. With that said, the Town of Pittsford, in response to feedback from last fall’s Pittsford Community Forum, has formed a volunteer steering committee to develop a comprehensive plan to improve communications between Town government and its citizens. This committee, formed in June, is comprised of residents and professionals of the Pittsford community who have interest, knowledge, or work-related experi- ence in the communications arena. Serving on the committee are Keith Bullis, Dan Draper, Mike Ginestre, Jerry Gurev, Carolyn Hunt, Bill Rhinehart and Delores Rose. Town Supervisor William Carpenter, committee liason, is working diligently to provide the necessary background the committee needs to complete this project successfully. The committee’s objective is to establish an association among the Town of Pittsford, residents and community partners to provide easy, reliable, and timely access to critical town information. During the committee’s initial review, an evalua- tion was made of all existing Town communication tools. The committee also assessed what audiences these tools reach, including residents, businesses, community partners, and the media. Currently, the committee is looking at strategies to improve these communication tools. The final stage of the project is to develop a comprehensive communications plan for the town, with completion slated for the end of this year. Once the plan is drafted, implementation is scheduled to begin in early 2003. At this time, the Steering Committee continues to gather information, conduct interviews with residents, speak to various community organizations, and decipher how their findings will influence and shape their decisions in the months ahead. Look for the Communications Survey due out in October. Your thoughts and ideas are an integeral part of the committee’s evaluation of the strength and effectiveness of town communications. 6

Town Family Halloween Fest A frightfully fun celebration you won’t want to miss!

he Town of Pittsford is proud to announce a “spooktacular” new family event. Designed as a safe alternative to late-night trick or treating, the T gathering is planned with children and youth ages 3 - 10 in mind. Activities will include a children’s haunted house, a costume parade, trick-or-treat stations, halloween stories, musical entertainment with seasonal games, crafts, and MORE! There will be something for everyone - goblins, ghosts and mere mortals, alike.

Come to the Student Life Center at St. John Fisher College on Saturday, October 26. Parking will be available in Lot A/B with shuttle service drop-off at the doors of the Student Life Center. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and will conclude at 7 p.m. Various Pittsford organizations and youth groups will be on hand to provide a fun and enjoyable Halloween experience for the whole family.

No admission will be charged. However we ask that you bring a canned good donation for the Pittsford Food Cupboard (one item per person). Don’t forget your costume! A costume parade led by Roscoe the Fire Safety Dog will start at 6 p.m. sharp.

For more information about this event, please call the Town Communications Coordinator at 248-6229. Updates are also available on our website at www.townofpittsford.com (click on “Community”).

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE

Town of Pittsford PAID 11 South Main Street Pittsford, NY 14534 Permit No. 33 Pittsford, New York 14534

Supervisor William A. Carpenter

Town Council Sandra F. Zutes Henry F. Marini John J. Higgins Karen W. Green

THE PITTSFORD MESSENGER