By Carla Kolbe

Express Editor

MAYFIELD — The town council split on approving two separate resolutions proposed by Fulton County at last Thursday’s monthly meeting.

Unanimously approved was the support of the county’s hazard mitigation plan.

Mayfield, with assistance from Tetra Tech, has gathered information and prepared it for the mitigation plan.

Code enforcement officer Michael Stewart worked with town officials to draft a plan for potential weak areas in the town such, as flood prone areas, or highways.

“You need to have a plan in place in order to even apply for federal grants, should something happen within your municipality,” Stewart said.

According to the plan’s guidelines, the goal is to identify projects that can reduce damages from future natural hazards. The plan will include a risk assessment and a hazard-mitigation strategy.  

To date, the county has identified flood, severe storms, severe winter storms, and earthquakes to be natural “hazards of concern” to be addressed in this effort.  

The study will focus on existing and future buildings, infrastructure and critical facilities that might be impacted. Critical facilities include shelters and hospitals; infrastructure includes power-generation facilities, water utilities, roadways, railroads and communication systems.

In another matter, the council voted against Fulton County’s highway maintenance efficiency study. The study would evaluate how roads and bridges are maintained by the county, and each of its towns and villages.

Fulton County is preparing a grant application from the state Local Government Efficiency Grant Program to perform the study. County board of supervisors chairman Michael Gendron has asked all the county’s municipalities to join in support.

A long discussion ensued, featuring concerns about the local road maintenance, and whether or not the county would do the same job for the local residents as the town of Mayfield Highway Depart-ment does, if they were appointed that assignment.

“This study may very well ask towns and villages to take over all responsibilities of bridge and roadway maintenance, generating revenue in our town,” Mayfield Supervisor Richard Argot-singer said.

A motion was proposed by Councilman Vince Colleti, and seconded by Supervisor Argotsinger. Council members Steve VanAllen, Charlie Morrison and Tom Ruliffison  voted against the idea.

“I have concerns with tax applications to Mayfield residents,” Argotsinger said. “Here was an apparent opportunity to look into the possibility of saving town residents money at no cost to them, and it was turned down.”

The grant would be no cost to the taxpayers. The study is estimated at $100,000, with Fulton County applying for a $90,000 grant. The remaining 10 percent was already approved to be paid with tobacco tax money. If the grant is not approved, there will be no study.

“The grant application would look better with all municipalities supporting the study,” Argotsinger said.

In other news, Argotsinger asked the town’s animal control committee to look into ideas for a possible wild and exotic animal law for the town to develop. Trustees VanAllen and Morrison are on the committee.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has a list of animals considered wild and exotic, and Argotsinger would like feedback on how the town should handle future issues dealing with these animals.

Nicole Costa reassigned as town beach director. This early assignment will allow Costa and the board to address beach issues such as permits and summer recreation programs before summer.

Doug Kampfer was named caretaker for Mayfield’s  Union Rural Cemetery for the coming year.

The next regular meeting of the Mayfield town council is Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. in the Mayfield Municipal Building.