Town of Berkshire

Regular Meeting

February 15, 295

Page 1

 

     The Regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Berkshire was held on Februay 15, 2005 in the Town Hall.

     The meeting was called to Order at 7:00 by Supervisor Hartwig and opened with the Pledge of Alligience.

      Board members present were Dennis Whittaker, Albert Warner, Jr. John Ceurter, Trudy Bentley.  Also present was Karl Spoonhower, Supt. of Hwys.

      Trudy Bentley, seconded by Albert Warner, Jr, made approval of Minutes of Jan. 18, 2005.  Carried.

     County Legislator Richard Harrington was absent.

      Privilege of the Floor: There were many taxpayers in attendance.  They were concerned about the Assessor not showing up on Monday evening to help with their exemptions.  There is a resignation coming from the assessor Dorsey.

                Discussed terminating Mr. Dorsey if the Town Board will replace him, hopefully a new assessor will be able to pick up the exemptions.  Supervisor had resemes from Village of Waverly and T own of Newark Valley.  They have been talked to about our problem, and are willing to do the job..

 

                                                Communications and Petitions:

 

1.        Co. Planning Board Meeting will be held in the BerkshireTown Hall on March 16 at 7:30 PM.  Public encouraged to attend.

2.        Summer Youth Program (Richford, Berkshire and Newark Valley) proably will be active again this year.  Can’t meet at The High School because of construction.                       

 

Reports:

 

A.      Co. Planning Board—Charles Dowdell – absent

B.       Hwy. Dept.—Karl Spoonhower—nothing to say

C.       Code Enforcement—Joe Ceurter—read report and left it to be filed

D.      Planning Board—Jim Lacey new Chairman absent

E.       Clerk –passed her report and has given the Supervisor the final payment of $250.431.00 and sent  a check to  the County Treas. For $139,000.00.

F.       Dog Control—Albert Warner Jr.  no report

G.       Committeee Report—Trudy finished with in house audit on the Town Clerk and Tax Collector for last year.

H.      Justice—passed his report and left it to be filed.

I.         Supervisor Hartwig: passed out an updated CD report and cash flow report The FEMA money that is coming has to be monitored on how it is spent.

Old Business:

 

1.        County Planning Board— hasno member from Berkshire.

2.        Road Preservation Local Law Draft presented and discussed—careless use of roads by landowner or contractor—Prior to working a permit and bond must be obtained.  If necessary use of Bonds to make repair to road.

Accept Draft as presented was made by Trudy Bentley Seconded by Dennis Whittaker.  Roll Call Vote: Hartwig-aye, Whittaker-aye, Warner nay, Ceurter-aye, Bentley-aye.  4 Ayes- 1 nay, Carried.

Advertize for public hearing.  Public hearing will be on March 15, 2005 at 6:30 PM, in the Town Hall.

 

                                                                New Business:

 

1.        Townside Trash Collection—Policy & Dates—Have ready for next meeting.  Tires?

Will work on the handling of these.

Town of Berkshire

Regular Meeting

February 15, 2005

Page 2.

 

2.        Assessor:  Stephen Dorsey will be resigning on Feb. 28, 2005.  Read this thru E-Mail to Supervisor.  No resignation received by the Town Clerk.  He needs to send a letter stating his resignation.

Supervisor got some resumes on assessors and talked with them about doing Berkshire’s Assessments.

One assessor is from Village of Waverly and the other is from Newark Valley.  The Newark Valley assessor is familiar with our system and will help us out.  The Waverly assessor is not familar with our system therefore making it more difficult to take right over.  Afte discussing this with the Board

Trudy Bentley makes the motion to terminate Stephen Dorsey as of Feb. 15, 2005 and Appoint Ms. Christina Raison Assessor from Newark Valley as of Feb. 15, 2005.. The term will be temporay for 6 months at end of that time the Board can appoint to fill out term or not appoint. 5 ayes 0 noes.  Carried.  She will be in the Town Hall on Feb. 22 and March 1 Hours of 6-7 PM each night.  Advertise in Pennysaver and Legal Paper.

3.        Highway Funds to Cap. Reserve:  Put $1000.00 (received from sale of Mack) into Capital Reserve

        From Fund Balance transfer $15,000.00 to Capital Reserve.  Total of $16,000.00 into Capital Reserve. 

        Motion Made by Supervisor Hartwig., seconded by Dennis Whittaker to make the transfer.  Carried,

 

 

                                                                Approval of Warrants:

 

                General  #15- 28   $19,243.71

                Highway #14 – 27 & #29 –32  $9,799.72  (Voided #28 ).

                Motion to pay aaudited was made by Trudy Bentley, Seconded by Albert Warner, jr.  Carried

 

             

         Motion to adjourn at 8:04 PM was made by John Ceurter, seconded by Trudy Bentley.  Carried

 

 

 

Respectively Submitted;

 

 

Constance M. Liddington

Town Clerk