APRIL 2005 NEWSLETTER
	*SPONSORS* As we begin our sixth year with the Berkshire Quarterly newsletter, remember that the sponsors listed here pay for our distribution and printing costs, saving your tax dollars. You can thank them best by using the goods and services they provide. *HIGHWAY NEWS* While the long, cold and snowy winter has taken its toll on the snow removal budget and equipment, the good news is that we have received disaster relief funds from The Federal Emergency Management Agency because of record rainfall and resultant damage associated with Hurricane Ivan last fall. As a result of the additional funding, we should be able to provide much needed repairs on some roads and ditches as well as continuing with the major reconstruction and upgrade programs. This year we plan to pave Ballou Hill Road and the remainder of Ford Hill. Some repairs are required on the paved portion of Akins Rd. and a fresh topcoat of oil & stone will be applied. Payne – Marsh Rd. is also in need of major work. The bridge on Letter “S” Rd. is scheduled for replacement. The Highway Dept is planning to begin as soon as weather permits. Garage doors are up and concrete floor was poured in 3 bays in the Highway garage addition. The remaining concrete floor will hopefully be completed this spring. Some Equipment is scheduled to be replaced in the next couple of years according to the long range equipment plan. The Highway Committee will be reviewing the status with the Superintendent and recommendation(s) will be presented to the Town Board. *NEW BUSINESS* Tioga County has settled with Precision Woodcrafters of Indiana regarding the buildings and property of the former Howland Brothers project on Rt. 38 at the old Eastman School site. Precision will retain the largest of the four buildings which includes the Berkshire Furniture Store. The remaining three buildings were returned to the County Industrial Development Agency and have been leased to Tioga Hardwoods of Nichols. Mr. Kevin Gillette, owner of Tioga Hardwoods says that the Berkshire facility will be used to expand his operations. He plans to employ eight or nine workers in Berkshire almost immediately and within the next year expand that number to about 20 employees. *RT. 38 CLEANUP* The semi-annual Adopt-A-Highway cleanup along Route 38 will take place on Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. We will meet at the highway garage and at the Post Office. Please consider donating an hour of your time to make our Town look that much better. Call Skip Hartwig at 657-8678. *TOWN MEETING* New York State Assemblyman Gary Finch, who represents the Town of Berkshire in the State Assembly, will conduct a Town Meeting here in Berkshire at the Town Hall on Saturday, May 14^th at 2:30pm. Be sure to stop by and meet your representative, perhaps hear some of his views and ask him questions about your interests or concerns. *TOWN WIDE TRASH COLLECTION. The Highway Department will collect trash during the week of April 25^h. If you are age 65+ or handicapped, you may schedule curbside pickup by calling the Highway garage, 657-2705, by noon on Friday, April 22. Curbside pickup will take place Monday, April 25. All materials must be in place by 6 a.m. on the 25th. Metal (including appliances) must be stacked separately. You must call 657-2705 to schedule a pickup. Everyone else must bring eligible materials to the highway garage on Route 38. Collection times will be as follows: Thursday, April 28, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Friday, April 29, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, April 30, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. TIRES* will be accepted with the following restrictions: passenger vehicle tires - $1.00 each. Tires on rims $2.00 each. Light truck tires $2.00 each, rims extra. Large truck and tractor tires will be accepted and since we are charged by weight, the price will be determined by the Highway Superintendent. The following items will not be accepted: batteries, toxins or chemicals, paint, flammables, household garbage or recyclables. Tioga County has a year-round Hazardous Waste disposal program, call 763-4449. Information is also available from the Barton Transfer Station at 565-8130. *HISTORY BUFFS* This year’s theme for Heritage Day ( September 14^th) is Main Street – Berkshire. Ideas, help and new members always welcome. Visit us on the fourth Monday of the month, 7pm at the Town Hall. *NEW ASSESSOR* Please note that the Town of Berkshire has a new Assessor. Christina Raison was appointed by the Town Board in February. She will be at the Town Hall on the first Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7pm. She can be reached at 748 2717. Her mailing address is 18 Railroad Avenue, Berkshire. *TAX ASSESSMENT GRIEVANCE DAY* This year’s date for the Board of Assessment Review (Grievance Day) is Friday May 27^th from 4 to 8pm at the Town Hall. If you have a question or a problem with your 2003 assessment, first contact the Assessor, Christina Raison, 748 2717 or see her at the Town Hall on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. If you do not resolve your problems with her, you may file a grievance with the Board. You are not required to appear in person before the Board, although it helps if you do. In any case you must complete the grievance form and get it to the Board by May 27^th. Forms can be mailed, care of the Board of Assessment Review, to 18 Railroad Avenue. KATHI’S KORNER Hello everyone…..Skip has agreed to give me some space in each newsletter to give a you a “snapshot” of what has happened at our Town Board Meetings .First I would like to encourage all of you to attend these meetings. They are informative and give all of us an opportunity to know what is happening in our town government. It gives everyone a chance to voice their opinion on issues that affect our town and taxpayers. As resolved in the January Meeting; all Berkshire Town Board Meetings will be held on the 3^rd Tuesday if each month at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall. Town Board Workshops (topics of discussion can range from invoices to Resolutions that may be on the next meeting agenda, etc) They are held at 4:30 PM the Thursday preceding the Town Board meeting. The “Tioga County Courier” was designated as the “Official Newspaper” for the Town of Berkshire…this is the paper where all Legal Notices and Special Meetings will appear. All members of the Town Board have been verified as electors. Appointments have been made for all required positions. If you do not know who your Board Members or town officials are, check our Website - berkshireny.com Election workers will receive an additional 50 cents/hour and the Chairman of the Election workers $ 1.00 . In each monthly meeting there are reports from County Planning Board, Highway Superintendent, Code Enforcement,Town Clerk, Dog Control, Town Justice, and Supervisor. Good news! We have received FEMA money to help us with damages done from storms last year. In the February meeting there were many taxpayers in attendance concerned about the lack of response from the current Assessor. Town Supervisor Skip Hartwig indicated he too was concerned and discussions resulted in the Town Board’s decision to replace the current assessor and hire a new one. This has been completed and Town Board and new assessor are trying to resolve all questions and problems that have arisen. Discussion was held regarding Road Preservation Local Law Draft. This draft was to resolve careless use of roads by land owner and contractors. March Meeting: (Public Hearing) This meeting was also well attended by the people of Berkshire. Many people had serious issues with the local law and voiced their concerns to the Town Board. It was decided that the Law be “tabled” at least until the attorney could review it. The regular meeting was also well attended. There were discussions regarding some highway equipment. No decision made at this meeting to purchase any new equipment. The Highway Superintendent was going to get some estimates to repair. Many residents were there to promote interest in their ATV club. They were requesting access to some of our roads. The ATV club is well organized and already have gained legal access to many private properties. Skip was invited to attend one of their meetings. Questions again were asked about the results of the “audit” done by the Comptrollers Office. Skip explained that they have not received the results. This is sometimes a long tedious process. This kind of sums up the 1^st quarter’s meetings. I again invite all of you to attend the meetings. They are informative and it is your right to attend the meetings and if you have concerns, inform our town representatives. TOWN WIDE EMAIL LIST Want real time info on just about anything significant that happens or is scheduled in and around Berkshire? The list is confidential. As a protection against personal use and spam, messages will be sent out as Blind Carbon Copies so the entire list will never be sent to all recipients. We have about 140 addresses on the list so far and have been using it successfully for three years. Comments on the information provided and the use of the list have been very positive. We encourage feedback and comments. Legitimate messages will receive answers if warranted. Send comments to the Town email address berkshireny@htva.net. To get on the list or to change an email address, contact Dennis Whittaker at dfw7@citlink.net or 657 8354.To get items or notices circulated on the system, contact Skip Hartwig at skhartwig@frontiernet.net. *LIBRARY NEWS* April 10 - 16, 2005 is National Library Week. Please come to visit the Berkshire Free Library during that time, especially if you've never been here! Sign up for a library card and see what's new in books, audio books and video tapes for adults and children. We have ordered a selection of Large Print books, as part of a grant from the Tioga County Senior Citizens Foundation. They should be arriving within the next two weeks. We already have a large selection of Large Print books, as well as a Rotating Collection from the Finger Lakes Library System. Remember that if there is a book, audio book or video tape that you would like and the Berkshire Free Library does not own it, we may be able to order it for you from the Finger Lakes Library System. There is no charge for any of our services. The library is located at the corner of Route 38 and Jewett Hill Road, next to the fire station. Our hours are Tuesday, noon - 5:00PM; Wednesday, 1:30 - 7:00PM; Thursday, 1:00 - 5:00PM; Friday, 3:00 - 8:30PM and Saturday, 9:00AM - 2:00PM. Please call 657-4418 during those hours, if you have questions. *HELPERS* Many thanks to Telessa Bean who does our layout, and Dennis Whittaker who manages the sponsor terms and finances. *CALENDAR OF EVENTS* April 10 – 16 National Library Week April 19 Town Board Meeting 7pm April 22 Fish Fry, Fire Hall 5pm till? April 25 - 30 Townwide Trash Collection April 25 - History Buffs, Town Hall 7pm April 26 - Planning Board, Town Hall 7pm May 14 – Town Meeting, Assemblyman Gary Finch, Town Hall 2:30pm May 17 - Town Board, Meeting 7pm May 23 – History Buffs, Town Hall 7pm May 24 - Planning Board, Town Hall 7pm May 27 - Grievance Day, Town Hall 4-8pm June 21 - Town Board Meeting 7pm June 27 – History Buffs, Town Hall 7pm

SPONSORS As we begin our sixth year with the Berkshire Quarterly newsletter, remember that the sponsors listed here pay for our distribution and printing costs, saving your tax dollars. You can thank them best by using the goods and services they provide.

HIGHWAY NEWS While the long, cold and snowy winter has taken its toll on the snow removal budget and equipment, the good news is that we have received disaster relief funds from The Federal Emergency Management Agency because of record rainfall and resultant damage associated with Hurricane Ivan last fall. As a result of the additional funding, we should be able to provide much needed repairs on some roads and ditches as well as continuing with the major reconstruction and upgrade programs. This year we plan to pave Ballou Hill Road and the remainder of Ford Hill. Some repairs are required on the paved portion of Akins Rd. and a fresh topcoat of oil & stone will be applied. Payne – Marsh Rd. is also in need of major work. The bridge on Letter “S” Rd. is scheduled for replacement. The Highway Dept is planning to begin as soon as weather permits.

Garage doors are up and concrete floor was poured in 3 bays in the Highway garage addition. The remaining concrete floor will hopefully be completed this spring.

Some Equipment is scheduled to be replaced in the next couple of years according to the long range equipment plan. The Highway Committee will be reviewing the status with the Superintendent and recommendation(s) will be presented to the Town Board.

NEW BUSINESS Tioga County has settled with Precision Woodcrafters of Indiana regarding the buildings and property of the former Howland Brothers project on Rt. 38 at the old Eastman School site. Precision will retain the largest of the four buildings which includes the Berkshire Furniture Store. The remaining three buildings were returned to the County Industrial Development Agency and have been leased to Tioga Hardwoods of Nichols. Mr. Kevin Gillette, owner of Tioga Hardwoods says that the Berkshire facility will be used to expand his operations. He plans to employ eight or nine workers in Berkshire almost immediately and within the next year expand that number to about 20 employees.

RT. 38 CLEANUP The semi-annual Adopt-A-Highway cleanup along Route 38 will take place on Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. We will meet at the highway garage and at the Post Office. Please consider donating an hour of your time to make our Town look that much better. Call Skip Hartwig at 657-8678.

TOWN MEETING New York State Assemblyman Gary Finch, who represents the Town of Berkshire in the State Assembly, will conduct a Town Meeting here in Berkshire at the Town Hall on Saturday, May 14^th at 2:30pm. Be sure to stop by and meet your representative, perhaps hear some of his views and

ask him questions about your interests or concerns.

TOWN WIDE TRASH COLLECTION. The Highway Department will collect trash during the week of April 25^h. If you are age 65+ or handicapped, you may schedule curbside pickup by calling the Highway garage, 657-2705, by noon on Friday, April 22. Curbside pickup will take place Monday, April 25. All materials must be in place by 6 a.m. on the 25th. Metal (including appliances) must be stacked separately. You must call 657-2705 to schedule a pickup. Everyone else must bring eligible materials to the highway garage on Route 38. Collection times will be as follows:

Thursday, April 28, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.,

Friday, April 29, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.,

Saturday, April 30, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

TIRES will be accepted with the following restrictions: passenger vehicle tires - $1.00 each. Tires on rims $2.00 each. Light truck tires $2.00 each, rims extra. Large truck and tractor tires will be accepted and since we are charged by weight, the price will be determined by the Highway Superintendent.

The following items will not be accepted: batteries, toxins or chemicals, paint, flammables, household garbage or recyclables. Tioga County has a year-round Hazardous Waste disposal program, call 763-4449. Information is also available from the Barton Transfer Station at 565-8130.

HISTORY BUFFS This year’s theme for Heritage Day ( September 14^th) is Main Street – Berkshire. Ideas, help and new members always welcome. Visit us on the fourth Monday of the month, 7pm at the Town Hall.

NEW ASSESSOR Please note that the Town of Berkshire has a new Assessor. Christina Raison was appointed by the Town Board in February. She will be at the Town Hall on the first Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7pm. She can be reached at 748 2717. Her mailing address is 18 Railroad Avenue, Berkshire.

TAX ASSESSMENT GRIEVANCE DAY This year’s date for the Board of Assessment Review (Grievance Day) is Friday May 27^th from 4 to 8pm at the Town Hall. If you have a question or a problem with your 2003 assessment, first contact the Assessor, Christina Raison, 748 2717 or see her at the Town Hall on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. If you do not resolve your problems with her, you may file a grievance with the Board. You are not required to appear in person before the Board, although it helps if you do. In any case you must complete the grievance form and get it to the Board by May 27^th. Forms can be mailed, care of the Board of Assessment Review, to 18 Railroad Avenue.

KATHI’S KORNER

Hello everyone…..Skip has agreed to give me some space in each newsletter to give a you a “snapshot” of what has happened at our Town Board Meetings .First I would like to encourage all of you to attend these meetings. They are informative and give all of us an opportunity to know what is happening in our town government. It gives everyone a chance to voice their opinion on issues that affect our town and taxpayers.

As resolved in the January Meeting; all Berkshire Town Board Meetings will be held on the 3^rd Tuesday if each month at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall. Town Board Workshops (topics of discussion can range from invoices to Resolutions that may be on the next meeting agenda, etc) They are held at 4:30 PM the Thursday preceding the Town Board meeting.

The “Tioga County Courier” was designated as the “Official Newspaper” for the Town of Berkshire…this is the paper where all Legal Notices and Special Meetings will appear.

All members of the Town Board have been verified as electors.

Appointments have been made for all required positions. If you do not know who your Board Members or town officials are, check our Website - berkshireny.com

Election workers will receive an additional 50 cents/hour and the Chairman of the Election workers $ 1.00 .

In each monthly meeting there are reports from County Planning Board, Highway Superintendent, Code Enforcement,Town Clerk, Dog Control, Town Justice, and Supervisor.

Good news! We have received FEMA money to help us with damages done from storms last year.

In the February meeting there were many taxpayers in attendance concerned about the lack of response from the current Assessor. Town Supervisor Skip Hartwig indicated he too was concerned and discussions resulted in the Town Board’s decision to replace the current assessor and hire a new one. This has been completed and Town Board and new assessor are trying to resolve all questions and problems that have arisen.

Discussion was held regarding Road Preservation Local Law Draft. This draft was to resolve careless use of roads by land owner and contractors.

March Meeting: (Public Hearing) This meeting was also well attended by the people of Berkshire. Many people had serious issues with the local law and voiced their concerns to the Town Board. It was decided that the Law be “tabled” at least until the attorney could review it.

The regular meeting was also well attended. There were discussions regarding some highway equipment. No decision made at this meeting to purchase any new equipment. The Highway Superintendent was going to get some estimates to repair.

Many residents were there to promote interest in their ATV club. They were requesting access to some of our roads. The ATV club is well organized and already have gained legal access to many private properties. Skip was invited to attend one of their meetings.

Questions again were asked about the results of the “audit” done by the Comptrollers Office. Skip explained that they have not received the results. This is sometimes a long tedious process.

This kind of sums up the 1^st quarter’s meetings. I again invite all of you to attend the meetings. They are informative and it is your right to attend the meetings and if you have concerns, inform our town representatives.

TOWN WIDE EMAIL LIST Want real time info on just about anything significant that happens or is scheduled in and around Berkshire? The list is confidential. As a protection against personal use and spam, messages will be sent out as Blind Carbon Copies so the entire list will never be sent to all recipients. We have about 140 addresses on the list so far and have been using it successfully for three years. Comments on the information provided and the use of the list have been very positive. We encourage feedback and comments. Legitimate messages will receive answers if warranted. Send comments to the Town email address berkshireny@htva.net. To get on the list or to change an email address, contact Dennis Whittaker at dfw7@citlink.net or 657 8354.To get items or notices circulated on the system, contact Skip Hartwig at skhartwig@frontiernet.net.

LIBRARY NEWS April 10 - 16, 2005 is National Library Week. Please come to visit the Berkshire Free Library during that time, especially if you've never been here! Sign up for a library card and see what's new in books, audio books and video tapes for adults and children.

We have ordered a selection of Large Print books, as part of a grant from the Tioga County Senior Citizens Foundation. They should be arriving within the next two weeks. We already have a large selection of Large Print books, as well as a Rotating Collection from the Finger Lakes Library System.

Remember that if there is a book, audio book or video tape that you would like and the Berkshire Free Library does not own it, we may be able to order it for you from the Finger Lakes Library System. There is no charge for any of our services.

The library is located at the corner of Route 38 and Jewett Hill Road, next to the fire station. Our hours are Tuesday, noon - 5:00PM; Wednesday, 1:30 - 7:00PM; Thursday, 1:00 - 5:00PM; Friday, 3:00 - 8:30PM and Saturday, 9:00AM - 2:00PM. Please call 657-4418 during those hours, if you have questions.

HELPERS Many thanks to Telessa Bean who does our layout, and Dennis Whittaker who manages the sponsor terms and finances.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 10 – 16 National Library Week

April 19 Town Board Meeting 7pm

April 22 Fish Fry, Fire Hall 5pm till?

April 25 - 30 Townwide Trash Collection

April 25 - History Buffs, Town Hall 7pm

April 26 - Planning Board, Town Hall 7pm

May 14 – Town Meeting, Assemblyman Gary Finch, Town Hall 2:30pm

May 17 - Town Board, Meeting 7pm

May 23 – History Buffs, Town Hall 7pm

May 24 - Planning Board, Town Hall 7pm

May 27 - Grievance Day, Town Hall 4-8pm

June 21 - Town Board Meeting 7pm

June 27 – History Buffs, Town Hall 7pm