We hear too much about the bad news, here is some good news for the season.

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He’s done this since 1992.

In 1992, the Worcester Wreath Company found themselves with an excess of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Seeing an opportunity to make a boyhood dream a reality, efforts to do something special with those wreaths began in earnest. With the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery, a section which received fewer visitors with each passing year.

Most years, groups of Maine school children combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

In 2006, Wreaths Across America was started. In creating Wreaths Across America, it was the wish of Morrill and Karen Worcester to bring children and Veterans together, as the ideal way of expressing appreciation for the past, present, and future sacrifices our Veterans (and their families) make for this country.

For those not able to attend the placement of the wreaths, there will be a Moment of Silence at Noon EST on Saturday, December 15, 2007, where people all across the Nation will stop and share a silent thank you, to all those who serve, to all we’ve lost, and to their families who will be without loved ones this holidays.

Both the Arlington Wreath Project and Wreaths Across America profess no political or religious agenda - but rather wish to remember and honor our veterans during the holidays - a time of traditional family gatherings - and teach our children that we are able to do so, in peace, because of the many sacrifices made by our military men and women.

The Brant Town Board met on Tuesday, December 11, 2007. Councilman Jeff Gier was absent.

Councilman John Chiavetta amended the minutes of the November Board meeting to include the comment made by the Board that Kirk Ritz’s

Councilman Elect Dan Kujawinski addressed the Board regarding a letter he had received concerning a problem with the Town’s payroll. Supervisor Leonard Pero responded that the current Board is aware of the problems and have been addressing them with Mr. John Greenan at the Civil Service Department. The Civil Service problems in the Town have been going on for a very long time and efforts are being made to clear up all the problems without immediately unemploying current workers which would disrupt Town business and adversely affect some long time employees. Pero stated he would ask Greenan to put in writing that the Town is working on addressing problems with the Civil Service Department.

Debbie Ritz asked why the Town’s 2008 Budget was not passed as presented. The Preliminary Budget was discussed at a Public Hearing and then amended to address concerns brought forward at the Public Hearing by the residents and the council members. The Final Budget did not need to be brought to the public before being passed by the Board. Several positions (Town Justice Aides) were listed in the Final Budget that are not actual positions at this time. The positions were listed in the Budget as "title holders" for the funds as the Board works with Civil Service to rectify personnel/payroll problems. Before the positions would be filled, Civil Service will have to approve the job title, the positions/job titles will have to be created in the Town and appropriate (Civil Service approved) procedures would be followed to fill the positions.

The Board was asked to look into the 4 hour annual training mandate for the Planning and Zoning Appeals Board members and the possibility of opting out of the training. A recent seminar attended by one board member gave him no useful new information.

Kirk Ritz asked why the supervisor doesn’t advertise positions that are available for appointment each year during the Re-organizational meeting. Mr. Ritz suggested that more Town residents might offer their services to the Town if they were aware of the positions.

During the Public Hearing on the Time Warner Franchise Contract, questions were asked about the possibility of cable

coverage being extended to the entire Town. Sharon Hanson of Time Warner said cable service depends on linear mile house density (usually 20 homes per mile; Brant’s 1998 agreement listed 35 homes per mile). A survey would be conducted, should take approximately 10 days, to determine the current home density in a particular area and see if it is feasible to install cable for more areas of the Town. If there are fewer homes than usually required by density, a petition with names and addresses of homes in that area that would subscribe to the service may influence the installation of the cable system.

The Board approved the 10 year franchise contract which provides the Town with a 5% fee income to the Town, up from 3%.

John Arrigo questioned why donations could be made to the Town’s Memorial Park to have name plaques added to clock tower. Arrigo believes that the park should be to honor veterans and that the Town cannot solicit funds.

Supervisor Leonard Pero announced that Solar Liberty, Inc. has agreed to install a solar panel system for the Brant Fire Department. This system will be paid for by a grant and cost the Town nothing. In addition, the system will save the Fire Department money on its electrical utility bills.

The next event in the Town’s Speaker Series will take place on Saturday, January 12, 2008 from 10am to noon at the Senior/Community Building. The topic will be Making Ends Meet - Credit Card Debt. The speaker will be from the Cooperative Extension Service. There is no charge for the event and everyone is invited to come and learn how to handle credit card debt.

Received a letter from the County Health Department regarding the well at the Town Park. The water testing indicates the ground water is under direct influence of surface water. The Town will bring in Emhke Well Drilling in to look at the well casing to help determine what steps need to be taken to remedy the situation.

In other matters, the Board:

• Approved the request to purchase a client server network for the Town’s computers, up to $3500.00. The money is to come from the 2007 budget. Cost of the installation of the server will come from the 2008 budget.

• Approved the repairs to the Mack Truck for a cost estimated at $1375.00

• Tabled the vote on capping the Town’s portion of employee health care insurance costs for further discussion. The idea has been mentioned in the Town’s Employee Handbook.

• Authorized Supervisor Pero to sign the contract with the Village of Farnham to continue water service for three years. The original contract was for 10 years and was extended for one year when the Board was investigating the possible change to service from the Erie County Water Department. The change is not economically feasible.

• Approved the appointment of Jennie Alessi as part-time police officer. Ms. Alessi is highly qualified and recommended by Chief Felschow.

• Accepted the resignations of two Planning Board members.

• Set the annual Re-organizational Meeting for Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 7pm. The Swearing in of the newly elected councilman, Dan Kujawinski and Vince Fullone, will take place at 6:30pm

• Set a Public Hearing for January 8, 2008 at 8pm to hear comments on proposed Wind Power Legislation.

• Set a Public Hearing for January 8, 2008 at 8:30pm to hear comments on the proposed extension of Veterans’ Tax Exemption. The extension would include veterans of the Cold War era (September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991)

• Reported that the New York State Department of Transportation again turned down the Town’s request for a speed reduction on Versailles Plank Road but approved the reduction in speed on Old Lake Shore Road.