Brockport's Farmers Market to be a model for others
From dawn until mid-afternoon on Sundays, shoppers and farmers alike filled Market Street in Brockport for the weekly farmer's market during the growing season. Trustee Carrie Maziarz was the driving force behind getting the market up and running the first year and keeping it viable the next. From fruits to vegetables to flowers, coffee and baked goods, there was something on the "menu" to tempt most palates and the market fed upon the "buy local campaign" championed by elected officials.
Maziarz said at the November 20 board meeting that she had been asked to come and speak in March at the Farmers Market Federation on how to start a farmer's market. "The Federation wants to use what we did here in Brockport as a model," she said.
In other matters the board:
- Heard from resident Linda Borrayo who said she hoped the funds earmarked from General Electric under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding would be used to effect upgrades and improvements in areas affected by contamination from GE. "The money should be spent in this neighborhood to help the people who suffered the most," she said.
- Heard from Trustee David Wagenhauser with a resolution to switch the village's electric carrier to Energy Coop of New York which is based in Buffalo. "We can save close to $4,000 a year by switching and we have virtually nothing to lose by making the switch," he said. The motion passed unanimously.
- Village officials commended the police department on it annual Appreciation Dinner - a fundraiser and a time to recognize those who serve on the police force and with the Explorers. Police Chief Daniel Varrenti said close to $2,000 was raised at the dinner and the money would be divided between the Explorers and to purchase Christmas gifts for residents at the Beikirch Care Center, as was done last year.
- The police department responded to 10,611 calls this year to date. The fire department responded to 812 fire calls year to date and 1,581 ambulance calls. Fire Chief Laurence Vaughan said the department is averaging 7.4 calls per day.
