Village of Odessa Newsletter: Winter '10

The following information is included in the Winter 2009-10 newsletter issued to Odessa residents by the Village of Odessa clerk's office.

Village of Odessa
E-Mail: Villageofodessa@stny.rr.com
Spring 2009 Newsletter

Address:
300 East Main Street, PO Box 103
Odessa, NY 14869

Telephone:
(607) 594-2100

Office Fax:
(607) 594-4282

Dept of Public Works:
(607) 742-9601

Fire Dept.:
(607) 594-2157

Office Hours:

Monday – Friday
8 am – 1pm

During the Month of June
For Tax Collection purposes the Village Office will be open
Thursdays 1pm-6pm

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Village Board Meeting

The Village Board will be meeting at 7:30pm on the 3rd Monday.
Members of the public are welcome.

Newsletter Distribution

In order to cut costs the Village Board has decided to cut back on the distribution of the newsletter. The Village will still be producing a quarterly newsletter; however it will be distributed the following ways:

Posted on www.odessafile.com

E-mailed to you: if you would like the newsletter e-mailed please send your request to villageofodessa@stny.rr.com. This will come as a word document attachment.

If you do not have access to a computer the Village will still mail out the newsletter to those that call the Village office and request it.

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DPW Garage Phone number

As of July 1st the DPW phone number 594-2533 was discontinued. If you need to reach DPW during business hours you may call 607-742-9601.

.PLANNING BOARD NEWS

Planning Board Meetings are the first Monday of each month at 7pm in the Municipal Building.

VILLAGE OFFICE CLOSED

The Clerk’s office will be closed to observe the following Holidays

December 25 – Christmas Day
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 18 – Martin Luther King
February 15 Washington’s Birthday

BRANCHES

The Wood Chipper has been put in storage for the winter; brush will be picked up again starting April 1st.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

SIDEWALKS

Village ordinance states that all sidewalks must be cleared of snow within 24 hours after a snow storm. This is for the safety of our school children as well as residents.

CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP

The DPW will be picking up Christmas trees. Please make sure the tree is free of all ornaments and tinsel. DPW asks that the trees be placed along the side of the road.

SNOW REMOVAL

DPW would like to remind residents that plowing or snow blowing snow into the village streets is illegal. Please keep on your property.

. ATTENTION SNOWMOBILERS

The Snowmobile Club has changed the route; it no longer runs in front of the Post Office and through the Village. PLEASE do not ride snowmobiles in residents' yards and on sidewalks. We had a few incidents last year in which residents were nearly run over and several lawns were made a mess. Thank you.

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CODE ENFORCEMENT
Bud Kibbe, CEO
731-3339

Did you know?
…Most construction activities with your home, business and public buildings require building permits. Also The 2007 Building Codes are now online at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/ls-codes.html located in the middle of the page.

…In 2005 New York State Department of State requested ALL municipalities to adopt a new local Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code Law http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/draftmodelLL1203.htm by January 1st 2006. In the new law it specified when Building Permits are required and gave exceptions for when they are not. It comes from the Title 19 NYCR&R (New York Codes Rules and Regulations) 1203. The new Law used language, i.e.

…Building Permit shall be required for any work which must conform to the Uniform Code and/or Energy Code, including but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of a building or structure or any portion thereof, and installation of a solid fuel burning heating appliance, chimney, or flue in any dwelling unit…

Hence a building permit is essentially required for everything barring few exceptions. It is best to contact your local Code Enforcement Official prior to undertaking projects because there are certain triggers that require one to go beyond the scope of the initial project (found in Appendix J of the Residential Building Code), such as, furnace replacement requires a carbon monoxide detector be installed if one is not present. Another example is, ANY Building Permits issued for “Interior” work requires smoke detectors to be installed in all bedrooms, one outside the general sleeping area, at least one per floor and a carbon monoxide detector on each sleeping floor and any floor level that has a combustible device. For example, a furnace in the basement and a propane or gas range on the first floor and three bedrooms on the second floor constitutes three carbon monoxide detectors and at least six smoke detectors. The smoke detectors shall be interconnected and hard wired with a battery backup, there is only one exception, which would have to be approved by the Code Official. These detectors must be powered by an ARC Fault breaker.

There is a common myth that a Building Permit is not required if you are repairing…not true in most cases, especially if it is structural (ex. stairs, porches, decks), electrical (ex. adding branch circuit, electrical panel/service upgrade), heating, plumbing and mechanical systems, hot tubs and pools (regardless whether it is permanent or storable).

Remodeling, especially kitchens and bathrooms…there are additional requirements from what has already been mentioned. All kitchen receptacles require GFCI protection, not just counters and sink area. The same is true with bathrooms. Both situations require dedicated circuits.

Fire Inspections are required every twelve months for places of assembly, restaurants, theaters, arenas, churches, etc., and every thirty-six months for all other buildings with the exception of one and two family dwellings for which fire inspections are not required at all, but most municipalities, including ours, will provide this service to you should you request it.

The Building Codes are for the protection of the general welfare and health of the community.

On behalf of Chip Seager and myself…Thank you for the support you have shown us.

BUILDING PERMITS IN THE VILLAGE COST $1

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NEWS FROM THE ODESSA
RIDGE RUNNERS

ODESSA HOSE & CHEMICAL
Centennial - May 4, 2010

WE NEED YOUR HELP

As we prepare for our 100th anniversary, and continue to maintain an accurate history, we are asking for our community’s assistance in gathering information, newspaper clippings and memorabilia, but especially need dates and photos, if possible, of former fire chiefs.

Odessa’s First Fire Chief - Roger Lynch

NEED DATES & PHOTOS FOR THE FOLLOWING

Lewis Ervay - Lyman DePew - LeGrand Couch
Warren Lyon - Phineas Catlin - Alfred States
Warren States - John VanBuskirk - James Darling
Minor Leonard - Clifford Rounds - Eugene Gardiner
Donald Riley - Jerry Harrington - David Maine
Dwight Westlake

It is winter time again and the Odessa Fire Department would like to provide everyone some important winter safety tips:

Is Your Smoke Alarm Working?

No matter what time of the year it is, a smoke alarm is the single most valuable lifesaving device you can have in your home. An operable smoke alarm will cut nearly in half your chances of dying in a fire.

While 97 out of 100 homes have a smoke alarm, more than 33% of these homes are not protected because the smoke alarms don't work.

REPLACE THE BATTERIES TWICE A YEAR! If it's hard for you to remember to replace them ...try doing it when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.

Carbon Monoxide..A Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas.
Nicknamed "the silent killer," carbon monoxide is totally undetectable by human senses. Since carbon monoxide is a by-product of incomplete combustion, any fuel-burning appliance, vehicle or tool that is inadequately vented or maintained can be a potential source of carbon monoxide gas. People are at an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter months. Well-insulated, airtight homes (primarily newer construction) and malfunctioning heating equipment can produce dangerously high and potentially deadly concentrations of carbon monoxide. Protect yourself and your family by purchasing and installing carbon monoxide detector alarms. A properly working carbon monoxide detector alarm can provide an early warning, before deadly gases build up to dangerous levels.

FUEL CONCERNS: Keeping warm in your home should fuel concerns for the safety of your family. During the months of December, January and February, home-heating equipment (central heating units, portable and fixed space heaters and fireplaces) is the second leading cause of home fires.

The major causes of home heating fires are poorly maintained systems, placing space heaters too close to combustible items and flaws in construction and installation of the heating units.

SAFELY HEAT YOUR HOME BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES:
• Have a qualified technician install all new equipment.
• Have a qualified professional inspect your equipment annually. The inspection will ensure that the system is maintained in proper working order and identify any parts that require repair or replacement.
• Schedule regular cleaning of your boiler, furnace and hot water heater, including the chimney and chimney connectors.
• Have your wood-burning stove or fireplace, including the chimney and connectors, inspected every year by a professional.
• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of fireplace openings to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out.
BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP, BE SURE YOUR FIREPLACE FIRE IS OUT!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding fire safety, contact the Odessa Fire Department at 607-594-2157. The Odessa Fire Department would like to wish everyone a safe and happy winter season.

--John Jelliff, Fire Chief

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Chimney Fire Safety

Chimney maintenance for wood burning appliances.
Chimneys are one of the most common locations of residential structure fires in New
York State. The Chimney Safety Institute of America reports that creosote accumulation is the leading cause of chimney fires. A chimney that is dirty, blocked or is in disrepair can inhibit proper venting of smoke up the flue and can also cause a chimney fire. Nearly all residential fires originating in the chimney are preventable. An annual chimney inspection by a qualified chimney sweep can prevent fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
To keep your home safe from chimney fires follow these guidelines.

Be Prepared - Know what to do in case of fire. If you suspect a chimney fire, evacuate your home and call 9-1-1

COMMUNITY NEWS:

The Fire Department will be hosting two events as follows:

January 16, 2010 - DISH TO PASS/FAMILY GAME NIGHT – 6:30 p.m. Dinner – Games to follow

February 13, 2010 - RELAY FOR LIFE – Spaghetti Dinner

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Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library

Felting with Karey Solomon - Saturday, January 23, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.

Learn felting basics with local felter, Karey Solomon. Sign up at the library, or call 594-2791
Sponsored by the library and a QuickArts Grant from the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and Finger Lakes, Inc. administered by the ARTs of the Southern Finger Lakes

Preschool Story Book Hour

Continues on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. All preschoolers and their parents or caregivers welcome! Stories, songs, a simple craft, and light snack .

* NOTE: There will be no story hour on Tuesdays Dec. 29, January 5 or 12.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2010 from your library

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VILLAGE ORDINANCE NO. 48
CONTROL AND SEIZURE OF DOGS
Summary: All dogs, while off the owner’s premises, are to be restrained by a leash or by accompaniment and control of the owner or other responsible person. The Schuyler Sheriff’s department is authorized to seize and impound any dog not so restrained or controlled found off the owner’s premises. Every dog so seized shall be impounded at the Schuyler County Pound.

When walking your dog please be considerate of your fellow residents;
If your dog has gone to the bathroom on a neighbor’s property, please clean up after your dog.
THE Village and your NEIGHBOR thank you!

GENERAL VILLAGE NEWS

VILLAGE RECYCLABLE PICKUP

Recyclables are picked up in the Village of Odessa on the second Monday of each month. This is done very early in the morning. It is suggested that recyclables be put out on Sunday evenings. If you would like a brochure on what is and is not picked up, please contact the Village office.

Garbage service is not provided by the Village.

VILLAGE JUSTICE

The Town of Catharine office on Grant Road handles ALL of the Village of Odessa’s court proceedings. You may contact the Town at (607)594-2273.
COURT IS HELD MONDAYS FROM 11am to 1pm.
Town of Catharine hours are Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 9am to 2 pm and
Wednesday 4pm to 7 pm; the office is closed on Fridays.

LOOK FOR MAYOR PIERCE’S MONTHLY ARTICLE ON THE ODESSA FILE!

OFFICE PHONE: (607) 594-2100
OFFICE FAX: (607) 594-4282

VILLAGE DPW SUPERINTENDENT

VILLAGE DPW MUNICIPAL WORKER. Eric Wheaton

VILLAGE GARAGE PHONE (607) 742-9601

FIRE CHIEF: John Jelliff
FIRE DEPT. PHONE: (607) 594-2157
FAX: (607)594-2469

EMGENCENCY CALLS 911

CODE ENFORCEMENT: Bud Kibbe
PHONE (607) 731-3339 (cell) (607) 739-5217 (home)

VILLAGE JUSTICE: Contact Town of Catharine @
(607) 594-2273

VILLAGE ATTORNEY: Timothy Mattison
(607) 734-5204

TAX ASSESSOR: Bev Morley
(607) 535-8118

BOARD MEMBERS

Mayor: Keith T. Pierce Home (607) 594-6344

Deputy Mayor: Rita Decker Home (607) 594-2661
Work (607) 535-7760

Trustees: Shawn Crane Home (607) 594-2536
Robin Thoman Home (607) 594-3703
Peggy Tomassi Home (607) 594-3598
Clerk-Treasurer: Kristi A. Pierce Home (607) 594-6344
Deputy Clerk: Kay Collins HOME (607) 594-3812