The Marshall Town Board had its first in-person meeting this month since the stay-at-home order was issued by New York state.
This meeting featured everyone in masks, and chairs were positioned six feet apart. There were no April or May meetings; Supervisor Andy Williams explained that each Board member came in the Town office separately to audit bills, approve minutes, and review Board packets which contain committee reports and other information pertinent to the Town business.
There were also three requests for housing grants which were approved.
The June 9 meeting was opened with moments of silence for Councilman James Peck and Bill Koren, both of whom passed away in May. Due to the untimely death of Peck, there is an opening on the Marshall Town Board. Several people have indicated an interest in that position.
Peck was elected last November, so whoever is appointed would fill out the first year of his term until Jan. 1, 2021. If someone decides to run for the seat in November, he or she would complete the three-year balance of Peck’s term.
Town clerk Mary Blunt will see that a letter of intent will appear in the Waterville Times. Attorney Bill Getman said filling that seat does not have to be a priority because only three people are needed for a quorum, but it is a good idea to advertise to be certain that at least three Council members are always attending.
A proposal was made from the Brothertown Indians of Wisconsin via the Marshall Historical Society that the Indian graveyard on Brothertown Road be cleaned up and preserved. A request was made to the Board for the Highway Department or any volunteers to help with the project.
Getman volunteered to go up to see what needs to be done. Councilmember Bob Blunt said the Indian graveyard should be treated like any other small graveyard in the Town, and should be maintained.
The Brothertown Indians were among the first settlers of the Town of Marshall in the late 1700s. Honoring their dead, Blunt said, would mean...