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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Town Board Meeting - Need Advise
        
(Message started by: UN solved on Jun 14^th, 2007, 12:26pm)

Title: Town Board Meeting - Need Advise
Post by UN solved on Jun 14^th, 2007, 12:26pm

Well...it looks like I'll be going to my first town board meeting soon. ( I'm waiting for a call back to be put on the agenda ).

My parents bought their house in 1962. They've lived here, worked here, and paid their taxes every since. The house is in a nice area. It's on a quiet, dead-end street. The only problem is, there are street lights on the first half of the street only. It's really dark down on their end at night without any street light. My mom wants a street light put up very soon.

Since my mom is now almost 75 years old, I'll be the one taking this request to the town board. I plan on creating a petition for the residents of the street to sign.

Is there anyone who has any advise on how I can get this done. ( I'm just beginning on this today )

Thanks - UNsolved

Title: Re: Town Board Meeting - Need Advise
Post by Paul98 on Jun 14^th, 2007, 1:16pm

Just go to the town board and state your case. They probably will not want to invest the $ for 1 person so other neighbors of hers should add their voice.

If that fails it is easy enough to install a sodium vapor light with a photocell and timer so it dosn't run all night long.

-P.

Title: Re: Town Board Meeting - Need Advise
Post by BarbaraD on Jun 14^th, 2007, 2:02pm

First you have to get on the agenda. Put your request in writing to the city secretary with the date of the meeting and what you're going to speak about. Then get a confirmation on your request (otherwise they probably won't let you speak).

Get your petition in order (in writing) and get everyone on the street to sign it. Anyone of voting age needs to sign the thing.

Have your speech prepared (keep it as short as possible, but put in all your points -- and be sure to bring up the age of your mother - that's a selling point). If there's been any crime in the area in the last few years that's a selling point. Give solid reasons for the light being up. Write them down so you don't forget anything.

Get as many people as possible to go with you to the meeting. Numbers DO matter.

I've found out over the years that the press can help a lot. If the meetings are not covered by the press -- call them and ask that they be covered. You'd be surprised how much that helps with decisions.

Good luck.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Town Board Meeting - Need Advise
Post by midwestbeth on Jun 14^th, 2007, 2:12pm

I agree with Paul about just going and stating your case. Keep it sort and simple hopefully they will be reasonable and grant your request.

But if they are not reasonable, I would have a few things to back your case.

Signatures of all residents wanting the lighting on a petition.

Copies of real estate taxes of everyone that lives on that section of the street. This is pubilc record and available either online or at your county corthouse. The taxes paid should be used for proper lighting as everyone elses is who lives on that street.

If you are denied I would consider going to the press and making it a saftey issue.

Good Luck,

Beth <who lives on a dead end country road and fells like the neglected redheaded stepchild>

Edited to add: and what Barbara D said ;)

Title: Re: Town Board Meeting - Need Advise
Post by karma on Jun 14^th, 2007, 3:25pm

If you want to cut through all the crap and just get it done or if the board drags their feet, Solar powered lights are available, reasonably priced and don't need a wired connection. Just dig a hole, pour about 1/2 yard of concrete with anchor bolts, bolt it in place and you have light.

Title: Re: Town Board Meeting - Need Advise
Post by DonnaHar on Jun 14^th, 2007, 3:28pm

If there is a home owners association, she should have access to the bylaws, etc. A petition should be taken around to the other home owners. The bylaws should spell out how many home owners it takes to call a special meeting. In my case, it is 10%. The board must honor this according to the statutes of the state she lives in.

The petition must say what you want and how it will be achieved....such as the fact that it is a safety issue....that she is receiving less protection than the rest of the neighborhood, and how the matter can be achieved....ie: an addendum to the bylaws. The bylaws should spell out how many home owners it takes to call a special meeting. In my case, it is 10%. The board must honor this according to the statutes of the state she lives in. If there is a majority vote for more lighting, the board must comply, or you can go to a mediator provided by the state.

A special meeting notice will be posted in a conspicious place and no matter how many people attend, the majority rules. A quorum is not necessary.

You can find your states statutes by searching Yahoo.

Title: Re: Town Board Meeting - Need Advise
Post by Callico on Jun 14^th, 2007, 4:53pm

A few years ago we got two lights added to our block by just going to our alderman and presenting a petition, signed by neighbors in the area, to her. the hardest part was getting her to return phone calls. We didn't even have to go to the City board. that is what you pay your aldermen or council people to do.

Jerry

Title: Re: Town Board Meeting - Need Advise
Post by Luke63 on Jun 15^th, 2007, 4:37pm

hey Michael......my utility company put a street light for me at my place...i just have to pay a service fee every month..like 9 bucks for it......in florida we call it a security light to the utility company...u try them yet?????