Hilton Mayor Bill Carter looks over past year's accomplishments, toward new year

Leaning back in his desk chair at his office on Henry Street, Hilton Mayor Bill Carter took a moment to reflect on the accomplishments over the last year and give a glimpse into the village's future.

Carter has been at the helm for four years now and is intending to run for re-election in April.

For Carter one of the most exciting changes is that as of June 2001 the village has been debt free.

This was done by paying off the Post Office mortgage in less than half of the scheduled time. This also benefited the taxpayers by saving more than $100,000. "Whenever we are debt free we can use the taxpayers' money more effectively for projects," said Carter.

The village has also completed Phase II and begun Phase III of the Hojack Lane project.

"This has proven to be an asset by diverting bus traffic and helping industry," said Carter. Carter added that he hopes Hojack Road will serve to attract businesses into Hilton. He has had three inquiries since September. "To attract companies today you have to have incentives," said Carter.

The village was also able to take steps to help both residents and local businesses by creating a municipal gas utility. The village implemented the natural gas utility with 900 residential, commercial, and school sign ups. While this project was not without some software glitches, and scary moments as a result of Enron's sudden bankruptcy, it has been a cost cutting tool for the village.

"We've estimated that a family of four can save between $100 to $125 a year with commercial businesses saving hundreds a month," said Carter. Carter is currently looking into the possibility of starting a village municipal electric utility.

The village has also been recognized for planning ahead. Hilton recently won the 2002 Urban Design for Excellence Award from the American Institute of Architects Rochester for a redesign of Main Street they created with Barkstrom & LaCroix Architects.

The village has also administered and inspected the reconstruction of sidewalks adjacent to state roads and begun construction of new Department of Public Works facility.

With this fiscal year coming to an end May 1, the village is already looking ahead to what can be done during the next fiscal year.

Carter said it is too early to have any definite plans, but he does hope to continue many of the existing projects while looking into some other much needed renovations. Brook Street, which runs behind the library, is in need of repair to upgrade the road and improve drainage. The village is also looking into the possibility of reconstructing the parking lot behind the south side of Main Street and repair the drainage and concrete behind the north side.

The village is planning to use a grant to make the second floor of the Community Center handicap accessible. Carter said the village has also applied for a grant to construct a new bridge and make other upgrades to West Avenue Park.

The village may also revisit the rollerblading/skating dilemma. Carter said the village tried to take advantage of the town's skating park by busing village youth to the park, but characterized the effort as "not a huge success."

As complaints continue to come in from local businesses regarding skaters, Carter is hopeful that the village has found an undisclosed area in which to put a park. Carter said the village will create a conceptual plan to construct a skateboard park.