Berkshire
Town Newsletter
Berkshire
Town Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1
January 2002
| Outcome of Elections, Town Office Contacts, Schedules | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The coming of the New Year begins a new term
of office for most of the Town Government. Here is the new list, with schedules and phone numbers. Town Supervisor Ronald (Skip) Hartwig 657-8678, (h) 657-8418 Karl Spoonhower 657-2705 Bill Simmons 657-8678 Ann Buck 656-8757 PO Box 568 Owego, NY 13827 Connie Liddington, 657-8131 12421 St. Rte 38, Berkshire, NY 13736 |
Town Justice Janet Jordan 657-8018
Brad Walker 657-2567 Joseph Ceurter 849-3593 James Lacey 657-8274 657-8684, 657-8030 Michael Simmons, Chief: 657-2727 687-1010 2nd Tues. of every month, 7:30 P.M. Planning Board Meetings 4th Tues. 7:00 P.M. |
Inside
this issue:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property Data Collection 55% CompleteThe Town Board has contracted with the Assessor for property data collection over a three year period. At this point the task is about 55% complete. The on site data gathering focuses on improvements (structures). The assessor, Ann Buck, and/or an assistant, Steve Dorsey, will be measuring exteriors, photographing and requesting a walk-through of the interiors where room counts and quality and condition of the structure (not furnishings) are determined. It is in your best interest to permit the walk thru because if refused, by law, the assessor must assume the highest practical standard which could adversely affect you in the event of a revaluation. |
Plans for New Fire Station Have BegunThe Berkshire Fire District has entered into a contract with QPK Design Architecture Engineering and Site Planning of Syracuse, NY to assist in the design and site planning for the replacement of the current fire station. The current fire station is in need of repairs, renovation, and expansion. After meeting with engineers over the past year it was determined that the most cost effective way to increase the space of the fire station, while making repairs and meeting OSHA, NFPA, state and local codes, would be to replace the current station rather that attempt to construct additions and repair the failing building. As plans develop and cost as well as funding options become available meetings will be held to keep the public informed of this project. |
Fire Dept. Announces Line OfficesAs a result of the annual election of the Berkshire Fire Department the following members assumed their respective line offices on January 1st, 2002. Chief, Michael Simmons 1st Assistant Chief, 2nd Assistant Chief, Dean Belden 3rd Assistant Chief, Brett Welch 4th Assistant Chief, Ambulance Captain, |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life Saving Equipment Comes to
Berkshire The Berkshire Fire Department Emergency Squad and State Police Satellite Office have initiated a program in which the troop car assigned to Berkshire is equipped with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), which will be dispatched to any EMS call that could be or result in a cardiac arrest. Both troopers assigned to the Berkshire Satellite Station received CPR & AED training at the State Police Academy in Albany. This program will allow the rapid response and defibrillation of patients prior to the arrival of EMS units. Soon the emergency squad will be providing Advance Life Support (ALS). The ambulance crew currently has one state certified paramedic and plans to add two more paramedics in the first quarter of this year. Along with the certification of these individuals as the highest level of Emergency Service Providers that NYS provides, appropriate ALS equipment and drugs will be carried onboard the Berkshire Ambulance. This type of program is rare in communities of our size and population and is the equivalent of the services provided in urban and metropolitan areas of the U.S. In 2001 the Berkshire Fire Department responded to 217 calls for Emergency Medical Assistance and 47 fire and rescue calls. The fire department also provided EMS coverage for several motorcycle sporting events, Heritage Day festivities and race, school sporting, events and the World Trade Center disaster. In addition to fire and rescue calls, the department provided coverage at the Tioga Speedway races, Heritage Day, Newark Valley Depot Days, and regular emergency traffic details in Berkshire. Watch the signboard in front of the fire department for upcoming events and fundraisers. |
Mobile Home Law Changes In December the Town Board passed a new Local Law governing the installation of mobile homes. This Law updates and replaces the 1995 ordinance. Significant changes are the reduction of concrete pad thickness from eight inches to four, a clarified definition of seasonal occupancy, and the mandatory removal of old mobile homes no longer used as residences. The last change is aimed at a handful of abandoned mobile homes that are not only unsightly, but potential health and safety hazards. The Code Enforcement Officer will tour the Town and those having an unoccupied mobile home that is reasonably maintained, not a potential for health and safety hazards, and used for purposes other than raising animals, will be granted an automatic variance by the Town Board. You may view the new law in its entirety on our Website, www.berkshireny.com. Berkshire Residents Light Up the Holidays For the second year we have conducted a Holiday Library Offers Books Beyond Its Walls & More If you’re looking for your favorite book and it’s not in our library, ask Marleta or Lena how to order it from an area library. Our library also offers computers with Internet access and printing capabilities, a copier, magazines & newspapers, books on tape, and videos. Get your free library card today! |
Sponsors
Newsletter Update and Contacts This quarterly newsletter is still being provided without using tax dollars, thanks to our sponsors. We have room for upcoming events and items of interest to the community, but we do not always know about them in time for publication. We need your input. Our staff includes Dennis Whittaker as sponsorship manager, 657-8354, Vickey Beaver, calendar & layout 657-8626 or vickeya@excite.com, Suzy Ryan, editor 657-8673, and Skip Hartwig, 657-8418.  |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highway Happenings A panel of Berkshire citizens, along with the Highway Superintendent and Supervisor recently conducted a biennial review and update of a long range plan to substantially improve and pave the Town roads. The priorities were the result of a year long study by the original committee, taking into account such factors as traffic counts, population, current condition and types of usage. To see where your road stands contact the Highway Superintendent or Supervisor. Winter is roadside brush clearing season for the Highway crews, weather permitting. Instead of spreading the wood chips on the roadside, The highway folks are now stockpiling them on the Town property on Ford Hill Road near the former Town Dump site. These chips are for your use – so help yourself. Have trouble getting rid of your old Christmas tree? Bring it to the Highway garage and we will grind it up. Please do not discard them along roadways. Not only are they unsightly but often cause blocking of ditches and possible drainage problems resulting in additional work and expenditures. |
Library Hours Community Spotlight The Berkshire History Buffs Meetings are held in the Fire Hall on the 4th Monday of each month at 7:30PM. Contact Bill Simmons, President, for more information at 657-2662 The Berkshire-Richford-Speedsville Food Pantry offers groceries for anyone in need. Pantry needs all kinds of non-perishables and money for meat. Located in the basement of the Berkshire Congregational Church. Open Mondays 6:30 - 7:30PM and Thursdays 2:00 - 4:00PM. In an emergency call Jo @657-2563 or Joan @ 657-2501. Berkshire Congregational Church Youth Group A warm thanks to the group of young carolers for brightening the holidays for the residents of Berkshire. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarterly Calendar
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||