Murray launches town newsletter

As a way to spread the news to residents about what is going on in the Town of Murray, Supervisor Hank Lehning initiated the idea of a townwide newsletter. The first newsletter was delivered to readers of Suburban News West Edition the last week of October.

"We're hoping to do a quarterly newsletter," Lehning said after the Fall 2003 issue went to press. "We're doing this as a way to get more information out to the community."

The first edition of "The Murray Newsletter" offered readers a bit of background information on the town and its elected officials, discussed meeting times, dates and where the regular meetings are held.

Readers were given a bit of a history lesson on the town's water districts by letting them know that the first district was established in 1979. The 11th district is in the process of being approved and it is hoped that construction will begin late this fall. "Our goal is to create a townwide water district as a means of obtaining financing for completion of water mains in the balance of the town," Lehning said.

New town hall construction plans, the newsletter tells readers, has been put on hold until the end of the year.

The newsletter features an "Assessor's Corner" that gives residents information on the STAR tax exemptions and how they affect annual tax rates. Officials in the assessor's office are also available to answer questions from taxpayers on the STAR program. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The assessor's phone number is 638-5255.

Town Historian Marsha DeFilipps writes a column in the newsletter letting everyone know that the town is in the planning stages for its 200th anniversary party. The historian is seeking historical data on genealogies of people, events or scenes of the area that will be compiled into a book.

Lehning said additional copies of the newsletter are available by calling the clerk's office at 638-6570. "We're looking for input and feedback on what people want to see in the newsletter."