Here are the highlights from the December 16, 2008, Town of Canandaigua Board meeting.

The Board started with an executive session dealing with personnel and litigation issues.

Public Hearings:

• There was a hearing on a local law setting fees and procedures for appointments of Town legal counsels, engineers, and consultants. A vote on the law was tabled to a special Board meeting on December 18, 2008, at 12:00 PM, to give Board members time to review comments from the Planning Board and others. [Note: The vote and opening another public hearing on this issue was moved at the special Board meeting on December 18, 2008, to another special Board meeting to be held on December 30, 2008, at 5:30 PM.]
   
• There were separate public hearings held for the lighting, water, and drainage districts for the Amber Meadows Subdivision. The lighting and drainage district hearings were closed and both resolutions for their formation passed. The water district formation hearing was continued to a special Board meeting set for December 30, 2008, at 5:30 PM, due to a procedural issue involving an inter-municipal agreement with the city.
   
• The public hearing on the proposed code of ethics for Town officials and employees was continued from the last meeting. The new law passed with an amendment to eliminate the section prohibiting political party officers from serving either as elected or appointed officials in the Town government.

Privilege of the Floor: A representative from the Center for Governmental Research gave a brief description of the services the Center could offer the Town if the Town Board decides to do a needs assessment to determine if the Town should continue to hire a part-time contractor as Town Planner or hire a full-time Director of Development.

Supervisor's Report: The Supervisor has hired a new bookkeeper and is searching for a new Office Specialist to replace the two individuals who resigned this month.

Planning Department Report: The Planning Board Chairperson offered the Planning Board's assistance should the Town Board choose to conduct a needs assessment for a Director of Development.

Parks and Recreation Committee Report: The Trails Committee hopes to have a Trails Master Plan prepared for the Town Board's review and approval by April 2009.

Resolutions:

• The resolution to authorize the County to reactivate the job title of Director of Development passed. This resolution was a necessary step in order to allow the Town to fill this position if it sees the need. The Board members agreed to have Councilperson Brant request a formal proposal from The Center for Governmental Research to conduct a needs assessment to determine the best direction for the Town's planning services.
   
• The Board also adopted new Site Design and Development Criteria. This document outlines the Town's infrastructure requirements for new development.

Bill Payments: The Board approved the bills as presented.