The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

THOSE PRESENT:

William Dugan III, Supervisor
Darwin Snyder, Councilman
Lynn Odell, Councilman
Jim Frisch, Councilman
Mark Jordan, Councilman
Ken Kabelac, Aurora Village Planning Bd. member
Jim Chase, Aurora Village Trustee
Ken Zabriskie, Aurora Village Trustee
Jeri Vargo, Aurora Village Trustee
George Ferenthal, Aurora Village Trustee-elect
Rose Marie Belforti, Town Clerk
Nancy Yann, Aurora Village Clerk

OTHERS PRESENT:

Art Myers, Poplar Ridge Road Aurora
Debbie Brooks, Cherry Ave. Aurora
Dave Brooks, Cherry Ave. Aurora

An informational meeting was held in response to the information given Supervisor Bill Dugan regarding a potential hog farm startup on Poplar Ridge Road, just west of the Ledyard Town Hall, with the purchase of land by Alvin Kurtz from Bruce Driscoll of Black Rock Road, Ledyard.

Bill Dugan informed the Town of Ledyard Board and Village of Aurora Trustees that Greg Driscoll, Bruce Driscoll's brother, called him on this matter Saturday March 27, 2004.

Greg Driscoll stated that he is his brother's financial adviser, and wondered if the town would be interested in purchasing development rights to the property involved in the potential hog question.

Bill Dugan responded that he would poll the Town Board and the Village of Aurora Trustees, as the issue impacts both town and village, to see if there would be any interest in this endeavor. Since the execution of the contract of sale would be imminent, Bill Dugan asked for 10 days to take a poll and initiate action if there was a positive response.

The meeting was advertised by the Clerk of the Village of Aurora, and posted in the kiosk at the Post Office in Aurora.

Discussion of various aspects of the problem followed with the Town Board members and Village Trustees participating. Bill Dugan reported that in conversation with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets it became apparent that this approach was unique in that it attempted to avoid confrontation, both in real time and in the courts. The representative from Ag. & Mkts. was extremely interested and offered assistance in settling the matter.

When it became apparent that there was no support for this initiative among the Ledyard Town Board members and the Village of Aurora Trustees, Bill Dugan polled the all the officials present for their feelings on the matter, and all, unanimously, expressed negative reactions.

Bill Dugan then asked the entire group for ideas and directions on alternative actions, and Darwin Snyder suggested having a conversation with the potential owner of the property, Alvin Kurtz, would be a good starting point, to determine if he knew the scope of negative impacts on his neighbors.

Bill Dugan asked for a committee to speak to Mr. Kurtz. Jim Frisch and Lynn Odell volunteered, and indicated they would act in the next two days.

Bill Dugan then set another meeting date for the following Monday, April 5, 2004 for a follow-up on the status of this matter.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rose Marie Belforti,
Ledyard Town Clerk