recreation

APRIL 2004 TOWN BOARD MEETING
	Town of Berkshire Public Hearing—Site Plan Review Local Law #2-2004 April 13, 2004—Page 1 The Town of Berkshire Town Board held their Public Hearing in the Town Hall. Meeting called to order at 6:45 PM by Supervisor Hartwig. Members present were: Dennis Whittaker, Albert Warner Jr., John Ceurter, and Trudy Bentley. Also present was Karl Spoonhower, Sup’t of Hwys. No interested taxpayers appeared to be heard for or against the Local Law #2-2004. Motion to adjourn the Public Hearing at 7:00 PM was made by Dennis Whittaker, seconded by Trudy Bentley. Carried. Town of Berkshire Regular Meeting April 13, 2004 Supervisor Hartwig called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 PM with all board members present opening with the pledge of allegiance. Approval of minutes from March 9, 2004 meeting: Correct the General Warrant due to an addition of a bill to voucher 17, making the total of the General Warrant to read $358.94. Typographical error in the amount of the checks sent to the Co. Treas. for Tax payments correct amount to read $180.000.00. And the correct amount of the Bookkeeper warrant is $7,305.22. Motion to accept these corrections was made by Albert Warner Jr. Seconded by Trudy Bentley. Carried Co. Legislator—Dick Harrington— 1. Presented to the Town Board from the County Legislators a “Journal of Proceedings”, this was left with the Town Board, 2. Howland Bros./HUD no proposal yet on a sale. 3. Bids are out for Gaskill Road, Brown Road Bridge work, and the Court house extension. 4. Talcott Street Bridge ahead of schedule-should be done before school starts in the fall. 5. Has information on Tioga County Environmental Protection Council, will e-mail to Supervisor. Privilege of the floor: George Swaney announces his candidacy for the County Legislator race in the fall. George Hoffmier says he heard that the Town Highwaymen were ringing each other time cards. The men were present and denied this and so did the Superintendent. Questioned as to where he heard this and the answer was the “feed store.” Karl said the public could come and see the time book any time there was a question about his employees. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS: 1. Planning Board Minutes for Feb. were passed and let for filing. 2. Letter sent to Vanderpool about letting his insurance lapse back in October. Stop work on the Coal Building. REPORTS: A. Co. Planning Board—George Swaney—held the County meeting in Berkshire in March. B. Highway Dept--.Karl Spoonhower—Don’t have anything. C. Code Enforcement—Joe Ceurter—Read report for March and left it to be filed. D. Planning Board—George Swaney—Soil and Water Conservation analysis—work with Health Dept. and do Berkshire for well checking. Planning Board concerned about wells and septics in town, lots are close May not be any problem but there may be. Testing will be done. E. Clerk passed report and sent the Treasures office a tax check for $60,000.00. Town of Berkshire Regular Meeting April 3, 2004—Page 2 F. Justice Report—Slow month-- report left to be filed. G. Assessor—Taxpayers are complaining that the assessor doesn’t return calls, and that they did not get their “Star Exemption”. She has returned calls and the Star Exemption doesn’t have to be filed each year—they have one form out that the information is picked up off the State Income Taxes, If you filled it out. H. Committee Reports—Trudy Bentley has the Justice done and the Bookkeeper is next. John is working on an tool inventory listing, also needs to update all the machinery and equipment for insurance purposes. I. Supervisor—Passed the cash flow report, also the only CD update. Burning of the Coal Building—has Fire Dept. said they’d do this? John to check with Fred on it. Trooper status—one patrolman is expecting and working in Ithaca, The other trooper stationed here is on active duty with the US Army. Someone on the Board is to check on the status of coverage in the local barracks. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Roller bid selection: The bid was let to Beck Equipment of Preble for a 1999 used Superpac with 924 hours for the sum of $46,400.00. The motion was made by Trudy Bentley, seconded by John Ceurter, to accept this bid. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Carried. This doesn’t fall under permissive referendum per our lawyer. Capital Reserve Money Market, Motion to transfer the money ($46,400.00) was made by Trudy Bentley, seconded by John Ceurter. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Carried. Transferred $46,400.00 to DA 5130.2 from Fund Balance (capital reserve money market.) 2. Site Plan Review Local Law #2-2004 Public hearing was held prior to the regular meeting, at point of vote by Board, Commercial Buildings only. Motion by John Ceurter seconded by Trudy Bentley to accept the Site Plan Review Local Law #2 –2004 as presented. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Carried. 3. Town wide Clean Up May 3-8. Will be run the same as last year. Supervisors to post fliers on this and put it on the e-mail for those whom have computer access. NEW BUSINESS: A. Variance Request—Gary Fairlie lost his home to a fire and needs to place a new home on this lot. Has a ¾ acre lot. Requests a variance for this. The Town Board granted this request. Motion by Albert Warner, Jr., and Seconded by Dennis Whittaker. Carried. B. Resolution—Justice Court Improvement Grant-- Charles Brundza has applied to NY State for a grant to help furnish the courtroom. About $3600.00. Trudy Bentley made the motion, seconded by Dennis Whittaker to pass this resolution. Carried. C. Excess Equipment Sale—Supervisor has drawn up an ad for the sale of excess equipment, bids to be opened on May 11, 2004 meeting at 7:00 PM. Can be sold as a package or by the item D. Adopt-a-highway date is May 1, 2004, Starts at 9:00 AM at the Highway and work north of at the Post Office and work South. WARRANTS: General Fund #20-23 $279.03, Bookkeeper $3,734.30 and Highway #42-56 $52,160.55 Motion to pay as audited was made by Trudy Bentley, seconded by John Ceurter. Carried. Motion to adjourn at 8:10 PM was made by John Ceurter, Seconded by Trudy Bentley. Carried. Respectively submitted: Constance M. Liddington, Town Clerk.

Town of Berkshire

Public Hearing—Site Plan Review Local Law #2-2004

April 13, 2004—Page 1

The Town of Berkshire Town Board held their Public Hearing in the Town Hall. Meeting called to order at 6:45 PM by Supervisor Hartwig.

Members present were: Dennis Whittaker, Albert Warner Jr., John Ceurter, and Trudy Bentley.

Also present was Karl Spoonhower, Sup’t of Hwys.

No interested taxpayers appeared to be heard for or against the Local Law #2-2004.

Motion to adjourn the Public Hearing at 7:00 PM was made by Dennis Whittaker, seconded by Trudy Bentley. Carried.

Town of Berkshire

Regular Meeting

April 13, 2004

Supervisor Hartwig called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 PM with all board members present opening with the pledge of allegiance.

Approval of minutes from March 9, 2004 meeting: Correct the General Warrant due to an addition of a bill to voucher 17, making the total of the General Warrant to read $358.94. Typographical error in the amount of the checks sent to the Co. Treas. for Tax payments correct amount to read $180.000.00. And the correct amount of the Bookkeeper warrant is $7,305.22. Motion to accept these corrections was made by Albert Warner Jr. Seconded by Trudy Bentley. Carried

Co. Legislator—Dick Harrington— 1. Presented to the Town Board from the County Legislators a “Journal of Proceedings”, this was left with the Town Board, 2. Howland Bros./HUD no proposal yet on a sale. 3. Bids are out for Gaskill Road, Brown Road Bridge work, and the Court house extension. 4. Talcott Street Bridge ahead of schedule-should be done before school starts in the fall. 5. Has information on Tioga County Environmental Protection Council, will e-mail to Supervisor.

Privilege of the floor: George Swaney announces his candidacy for the County Legislator race in the fall.

George Hoffmier says he heard that the Town Highwaymen were ringing each other time cards. The men were present and denied this and so did the Superintendent. Questioned as to where he heard this and the answer was the “feed store.” Karl said the public could come and see the time book any time there was a question about his employees.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:

1. Planning Board Minutes for Feb. were passed and let for filing.

2. Letter sent to Vanderpool about letting his insurance lapse back in October. Stop work on the Coal Building.

REPORTS:

A. Co. Planning Board—George Swaney—held the County meeting in Berkshire in March.

B. Highway Dept--.Karl Spoonhower—Don’t have anything.

C. Code Enforcement—Joe Ceurter—Read report for March and left it to be filed.

D. Planning Board—George Swaney—Soil and Water Conservation analysis—work with Health Dept. and do Berkshire for well checking. Planning Board concerned about wells and septics in town, lots are close May not be any problem but there may be. Testing will be done.

E. Clerk passed report and sent the Treasures office a tax check for $60,000.00.

Town of Berkshire

Regular Meeting

April 3, 2004—Page 2

F. Justice Report—Slow month-- report left to be filed.

G. Assessor—Taxpayers are complaining that the assessor doesn’t return calls, and that they did not get their “Star Exemption”. She has returned calls and the Star Exemption doesn’t have to be filed each year—they have one form out that the information is picked up off the State Income Taxes, If you filled it out.

H. Committee Reports—Trudy Bentley has the Justice done and the Bookkeeper is next. John is working on an tool inventory listing, also needs to update all the machinery and equipment for insurance purposes.

I. Supervisor—Passed the cash flow report, also the only CD update. Burning of the Coal Building—has Fire Dept. said they’d do this? John to check with Fred on it. Trooper status—one patrolman is expecting and working in Ithaca, The other trooper stationed here is on active duty with the US Army. Someone on the Board is to check on the status of coverage in the local barracks.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Roller bid selection: The bid was let to Beck Equipment of Preble for a 1999 used Superpac with 924 hours for the sum of $46,400.00. The motion was made by Trudy Bentley, seconded by John Ceurter, to accept this bid. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Carried. This doesn’t fall under permissive referendum per our lawyer.

Capital Reserve Money Market, Motion to transfer the money ($46,400.00) was made by Trudy Bentley, seconded by John Ceurter. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Carried. Transferred $46,400.00 to DA 5130.2 from Fund Balance (capital reserve money market.)

2. Site Plan Review Local Law #2-2004 Public hearing was held prior to the regular meeting, at point of vote by Board, Commercial Buildings only. Motion by John Ceurter seconded by Trudy Bentley to accept the Site Plan Review Local Law #2 –2004 as presented. 5 ayes, 0 noes. Carried.

3. Town wide Clean Up May 3-8. Will be run the same as last year. Supervisors to post fliers on this and put it on the e-mail for those whom have computer access.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Variance Request—Gary Fairlie lost his home to a fire and needs to place a new home on this lot. Has a ¾ acre lot. Requests a variance for this. The Town Board granted this request. Motion by Albert Warner, Jr., and Seconded by Dennis Whittaker. Carried.

B. Resolution—Justice Court Improvement Grant-- Charles Brundza has applied to NY State for a grant to help furnish the courtroom. About $3600.00. Trudy Bentley made the motion, seconded by Dennis Whittaker to pass this resolution. Carried.

C. Excess Equipment Sale—Supervisor has drawn up an ad for the sale of excess equipment, bids to be opened on May 11, 2004 meeting at 7:00 PM. Can be sold as a package or by the item

D. Adopt-a-highway date is May 1, 2004, Starts at 9:00 AM at the Highway and work north of at the Post Office and work South.

WARRANTS:

General Fund #20-23 $279.03, Bookkeeper $3,734.30 and Highway #42-56 $52,160.55 Motion to pay as audited was made by Trudy Bentley, seconded by John Ceurter. Carried.

Motion to adjourn at 8:10 PM was made by John Ceurter, Seconded by Trudy Bentley. Carried.

Respectively submitted: Constance M. Liddington, Town Clerk.