BUSTI - The Busti Town Board and the Busti Hamlet Development Group have more in common than cooking and serving hot dogs at this Saturday's annual town picnic.
Both groups are led by Jesse Robbins, who is the town's supervisor and the Busti Hamlet Development Group co-chairman. Robbins was first elected to the Busti Town Board as councilman in November 2009, and took office in 2010. Then he was elected supervisor in 2011, and took office in January.
The Busti-Hamlet Development Group was formed in 2008, with the ambition to improve the hamlet portion of the town of Busti. Residents began meeting and pooling ideas for ways to pump life into their community. Robbins was one of the founding members of the group.
Robbins said he is still learning his way as the town's new supervisor.
''It has been pretty good, so far. There are a lot of different hats you have to wear, and some I didn't realize I had to and some I did,'' he said. ''We've got a lot of little projects done, and we're continuing to work on bigger projects, as well. The bottom line is, we're trying to make the town a better place to live, and we're not trying to spend too much money to do it.''
Robbins said there are a lot of similarities between leading the Town Board and the development group.
''The first thing is, I think I'm very lucky. I have a bunch of good people to work with,'' he said. ''The board is excellent to work with. They are very knowledgeable and work very hard. With the hamlet group, the people are just so willing to help. It is interesting to watch that group come together when they are working on a project.''
Robbins said he has enjoyed meeting new people, and listening to town residents share their thoughts on the community.
''Everybody has an idea, and I've learned a lot from listening to people the past couple of years,'' he said. ''When you take the time to listen to people, they're usually helpful.''
Robbins said the next group project the Busti Hamlet Development Group is working on is raising money for benches and lighting in the five-corners area of the town. The location for the benches and lighting has not been decided, yet.
The Busti Hamlet Development Group usually meets the third Thursday of each month, either at the Busti Fire Department or at the Victorian Hall.
BUSTI TOWN PICNIC
The annual Busti Town Picnic will be held Saturday at the Busti Historical Society Pavilion, next to the Grist Mill and Museum. The picnic is open to all Busti residents, families and friends. Anyone attending is asked to bring table service and a dish to pass. The Historical Society will provide tables, chairs and beverages.
The Hamlet Development Group and town of Busti are cooking and serving hot dogs at the picnic. The picnic has been moved to a Saturday, but the 6 p.m. starting time remains the same.
The Old Dawg Bluegrass band will perform. The mill will be open for people to view the progress of the machinery restoration project.
The Busti Town Picnic dates back to 1908.