DUNDEE—The meeting of the Dundee village board Dec. 9 was marked by the presence of dozens of members of the village fire department who attended the meeting to express their concerns about the deteriorating relationship between the two organizations that share the same building on Union Street. Changes in practices of ordering and paying for certain items for the fire department appeared to be at the heart of the matter. After fire department members had an opportunity to speak about the situation, a meeting between the two village fire commissioners and the fire chief and first assistant chief was scheduled.

In other business:

The board heard an update on the Health Status Improvement Project from Public Health director Lauren Snyder. She told the board that the goal is to figure our what people can do to be healthier. She said just 10 percent is associated with health services, the rest is where people live, their jobs and other considerations.

Wastewater treatment plant operator Howard Sautter said he had been approached by representatives of Chesapeake regarding disposal of water used in testing the new line. Sautter said he doesn’t think the village has the capacity to handle the volume of water that would be sent to the plant and also has concerns about heavy metals that could be in the water. The board agreed the village would not accept the water from Chesapeake.

Ken Knudson of engineers Barton & LoGuidice reported on village wells as part of the Flex Tech grant. He presented board members with a draft document that summarizes current usage of power and water, improvements and payback periods, asking members to provide him with comments after they have studied the document. Also discussed with the cover of the sludge tank that needs replacement. Knudson outlined the timeline of that project.

Planning board chairperson Pamela Miller reported a proposed project on McLaren Drive that was planned by ARC has been put on hold because the agency lost state funding for it.

The board discussed the proposed change for senior citizen tax exemptions. Mayor Craig Prior said the board needs to discuss and take action on it. Prior said he had spoken with assessor Tony DeStephen who said the change would add approximately three cents per $1,000 of assessed value of property. Following discussion, the board approved granting the change in exemption.

Streets superintendent Andy Howell updated the board on some concerns at the historical society building and the village barn.

Prior said there has been one interview for the post of crossing guard and a second will be scheduled later.

The board heard some good news connected with disposal of brush. Prior said US Salt would pick up the pile and take it to their facility, chip it and get rid of it. The village has no way to dispose of brush and the last time the village had brush chipped, the cost was $3,500.

Trustee Judy Duquette said there were no new Christmas decorations purchased this year. The village received grant funds in the amount $500 and $100 from Frontier Telephone last month. She said she will try after Christmas to see if there are some on sale. Duquette checked on the price of a new swag to hang over Main Street and found out they cost $1,400. Decorations for light poles cost at least $300 each.

Dundee village board will meet in the village hall on Union Street at 7 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009.