JULY 2006 NEWSLETTER
	Newsletter July 06 Neighbors Helping Neighbors Update “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is looking for volunteers in the Berkshire and Richford area to join our efforts to help improve the lives of those living in our communities. We were inspired by a group in the town of Nichols who have formed a group of volunteers trained to provide various services for their citizens. With the help of the Decker School of Nursing and the Rural Health Network of SCNY, we recently conducted a community survey to help us figure out what help or services would improve your lives. We were able to survey 266 Berkshire and Richford citizens to help us in this determination. Most felt they were prepared for an emergency, though we were not too specific on the extent of an “emergency.” The biggest challenges perceived were unmet transportation needs, the lack of financial resources for many, and distance from adequate health emergency care. Senior citizens have unmet needs ranging from help with household chores to grocery shopping and transportation needs. Social interaction opportunities like classes, dances and play programs for kids, and special help for young parents were also listed as community needs. Close to half of those surveyed indicated a willingness to become part of Neighbors Helping Neighbors! We are now working on getting our organization and projects started in response to community needs. This project is being led by your neighbors in conjunction with The Rural Health Network, Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership, the Decker School of Nursing and the Community Care Network of Nichols, as well as the Richford Congregational Church and the Hubbard Center in Richford. Our next meeting is July 26^th at the Richford Congregational Church at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to get involved or would like more information, please contact Janice Merrill, 657-2687 GOODBYE JOE. Joe Ceurter retired from his duties as the Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Berkshire on June 30^th. He has served Berkshire and the Town Board as C.E.O. for nearly eight years. Since his appointment in November of 1998, Joe has spent many hundreds of hours in classrooms all over New York State for his initial training, the NYS conversion to the International Code and frequent updates. Besides his normal duties of overseeing building code compliance, he has been assigned oversight and policing tasks for many of our Local Laws and Ordinances. He faithfully kept the Town Board updated on all his activities both with written reports and verbal presentations at all the monthly Board meetings. We thank Joe for his dedicated service as Code Enforcement Officer and wish him well in his retirement. NEW CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: Mike Dopko will assume the duties of Berkshire CEO starting July 1. Mike is currently CEO for the Town of Maine (where he will continue to maintain his office) as well as CEO for Union Springs and Port Byron. Mike brings to Berkshire a great deal of experience in code enforcement and he has all the latest training needed. He is also active at the State level as Vice-Chair of the NYS Flood Plain Storm Water Commission. Mike can be reached at 862-3334, and will be scheduling appointments in Berkshire for Wednesday afternoons. TOWN BOARD NEWS: Minutes of Town Board meetings are posted on the www.berkshireny.com website, but these minutes are not official until approved by the Board at the subsequent meeting. Be sure to check subsequent meeting minutes for changes to the prior months minutes. April 18: The planning Board, represented by the Chair, Jim Lacey, is working on a revision to the Junk Car Ordinance, trying to make it easier to deal with repeat violators. Cemetery & park mowing contract has been awarded to Vandenbergs for the 2006-mowing season. The Board approved Justice Brunza filling in for the Richford Justice until a replacement for Justice Paul is found. The Board approved spending up to $500 for QuickBooks software to provide backup to the current accounting system. Joe Cuerter is retiring as CEO on July 1, 2006. Advertisement for a replacement will be posted on the STBOA website (site for Code Officer news). May 16: Kenneth Ceurter approved to fill the Planning Board vacancy. Michael Dopko appointed as Code Enforcement Officer effective July 1. Akins Road sluice pipe replacement will require road closing, likely the third week in July. June 20: The Planning Board is working on an update to the Junk Car Ordinance, which will make it more difficult for repeat offenders to circumvent the rules. A public hearing will be announced for August. The mobile home ordinance is also being updated to allow the Town to remove abandoned units. Joe Ceurter will issue a notice of noncompliance to Interstate Auto for failure to install a fence around the auto staging yard as required in the variance issued several years ago. A resolution was passed requiring all approved vouchers be added to the warrant so that the Board has the opportunity to audit the vouchers before payment is made. The State of NY has determined the Berkshire Equalization Rate to be 4.5, the lowest in Tioga County. Rom McKewen stated that this rate puts Berkshire residents at a disadvantage when paying County and school taxes. There are also many incorrect assessments in Town. Cristina Raisen, Berkshire Assessor, has requested a reassessment be done and a 100 equalization rate be achieved. The cost of this work needs to be determined prior to any reassessment being done. A variance was granted to John & Lillian Hoffmier to allow the sale of an existing lot with a home that does not have the Code required road frontage. DEC OIL & GAS LEASE SALE: The new York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced final plans for he State to lease oil & gas development rights on 19,250 acres of land in seven counties. Informational & public comment sessions were held in June 2006, and DEC has prepared a response document, soon to be available at http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dmn. In Tioga County, Oakley Corners has been either removed from the sale or has added surface entry restrictions. Fairfield, Robinson, Anderson & Ketchumville oil & gas development rights remain for sale. HIGHWAY NEWS: The new gravel pit in Richford is open and as this letter is being written we are preparing a rented screen for use in the pit where two men will work full time until enough gravel is screened for the next several years. Major road projects planned this summer include reconstruction of Dimon Hill Road and Shirley Road with paving scheduled for 2007, and a coat of oil and stone for Turkey Hill Road and N. Ketchumville Road from Hartwell to Letter “S”. The Town has purchased a new front-end loader – a New Holland – under the State bid contract. Delivery is expected in early August unless a delivery delay is caused by the shortage of commercial tires. More self-help work is scheduled on the new Highway garage addition with the construction of a maintenance pit and the completion of the concrete floors. If time and funds permit, electrical wiring and insulation will follow. HERITAGE DAY: The 20th annual Berkshire Heritage Day will be held Sept 10 this year. Events include an old fashioned tent church service, chicken BBQ at noon, parade at 2:00, Bucky Moon music, Civil War reenactment, a large raffle and the usual arts & crafts displays. The library/museum will be open and there will be a quilt show in the Methodist Church. Howland’s Honey will be the honored business for this year’s event. Be sure to mark your calendars for this very special day in your Town. TOWN OFFICIALS & MEETINGS: Town Board Meetings 3^rd Tuesday, 7:00pm Planning Board Meetings 4^th Tuesday, 7:00pm Supervisor: Lillian Hoffmier 657-8678 h 657 2769 Hwy Superintendent: Karl Spoonhower 657 2705 Town Board: Audrey Payne, Dennis Whittaker, Trudy Bentley, Albert Warner: 657- 8678 Planning Board Chair: James Lacey 657-8274 Assessor: Christina Raison, 217 4350 18 Railroad Avenue, Berkshire, NY 13736 hours 1st Tuesday 6-7pm Town Clerk: Connie Liddington 657-8131, 12421 St. Rt 38. hours M-F 6-8pm, Sat 10am – 2pm Justice: Charles Brundza, 657-8601; 18 Railroad Ave. Berkshire, NY 13736. Court 1^st Monday at 7:00pm & 3^rd Monday at 5:30pm. Dog Control Officer: Albert Warner, 657-2620 Code Enforcement: Mike Dopko 862-3334 Fire Chief: Mike Simmons 657-2727 TOWN WIDE EMAIL LIST This list is used to disseminate information of significant happenings in and around Berkshire such as major projects, meetings, fundraisers, public hearings, new or proposed legislation, etc. We have 145 addresses on the list so far and have been using it for three years. It has proven to be an increasingly effective way to get near real time communications to the people in Town who receive email and wish to be on the list. The program also serves as an excellent way to receive feedback. As a protection against personal use and SPAM, messages are sent out as Blind Carbon Copies so the entire list will never be sent to any recipients. Comments on the information provided and the use of the list has been very positive. To be placed on the list or to change an email address, contact Dennis Whittaker at dfw7@citlink.net or 657-8354. SEPTIC SYSTEMS & TCHD: By code, Tioga County Health Department is required to review all New Alternative Septic Plans. The fee is $228 for the review. Each CEO will review the plans for New Conventional Systems and Total System Replacements. If the CEO requests TCHD review of Conventional & Replacements, the fee is $128. All system repairs will be referred to TCHD, and the fee is $50. TCHD will provide design services for new septic systems or replacements for a fee of $425. Private engineering service is still an available option. For a complete fee schedule, contact your Code Officer or TCHD at 687-8700. BERKSHIRE FREE LIBRARY NEWS: Summer Fun for Kids “Books: A Treasure” is the NYS Summer Reading Theme this year. Come in all summer long to participate in Independent Reading with incentive prizes. Volunteer Lisa Michaud will again lead a special program for K thru grade 6 the week of July 31 to Aug 4 from 10 to Noon. We’ll have fun with Jewels, Pirates, Treasures in Nature, Dress-up, and a Pizza Party. Historic Photos Visit local people and places of days gone by. Photos from the late 1800’s through the mid-twentieth century and digitally restored by Ray Hunt are now on display at the library. Ray and area Town Historians received grant funding as well as local donations toward this on-going project. Museum A hand-cranked bread maker, hand woven wool blanket, and fancy needlework handbook are just part of a display featuring “The Life of a 19^th Century Berkshire Woman” complied by Curator Nancy Reddy. Good News/Bad News You may have noticed it a little cold at the library recently. Unexpectedly, the library’s furnace needs to be replaced at a cost of $2,500 to $2,700. The trustees have been getting estimates and looking for possible funds. The good news is that it is July not January! Adult Computer Instruction The Computer Instruction program taught by Georgianna Horvath of Literacy Volunteers of Broome/Tioga Counties has ended for this year. Forty-six adults participated, many in more than one topic, over the seven-month long program. Their learning goals varied from personal use to job skill enhancement to small business record keeping. The program was funded by grants from the Tioga County Senior Citizens Foundation and the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation of Owego. Up-coming Summer Events Thanks to all who stopped for the recent book & plant sale, which netted $240. Save room for Homemade Pie & Cornell Ice Cream at our annual August social And, of course, the big book sale and displays at Berkshire Heritage Day and Richford Potato Fest in September. Library Hours: T 12 – 5, W 1:30 – 7, Th 1 – 5, F 3 – 8:30, S 9 – 2. Located at the corner of Route 38 and Jewett Hill Rd. 657-4418 bfl@htva.net REAP Update The Tioga County REAP program has recently been awarded a USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant for $50,000.00 to set up a year- long training on community and economic development. The “Sustainable Tioga Project” aims to build the capacity of local elected officials, business owners and other key community stakeholders in Tioga County New, York to revitalize the local economy and improve the overall quality of life. The Sustainable Tioga Project will be a part of REAP’s recently established Community and Economic Development Institute. This intensive and hands on training program will teach a core of local leaders from both the private and public sector the essentials of well planned, well integrated and well coordinated approach to community and economic development. This approach is an alternative to the traditional strategies often pursued in rural communities. Graduates of the program will be equipped with the tools and information to spearhead implementation of innovative community and economic development strategies. REAP is seeking participation in the hands on training from all areas of the county, including the Richford/Berkshire area. For more information, please contact Dennis Whittaker, REAP Community Representative for the Town of Berkshire, 657-8354 or Larisa Gryczko Avellaneda, REAP Executive Director, 687-8258.

Newsletter July 06

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Update

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is looking for volunteers in the Berkshire and Richford area to join our efforts to help improve the lives of those living in our communities. We were inspired by a group in the town of Nichols who have formed a group of volunteers trained to provide various services for their citizens. With the help of the Decker School of Nursing and the Rural Health Network of SCNY, we recently conducted a community survey to help us figure out what help or services would improve your lives. We were able to survey 266 Berkshire and Richford citizens to help us in this determination.

Most felt they were prepared for an emergency, though we were not too specific on the extent of an “emergency.” The biggest challenges perceived were unmet transportation needs, the lack of financial resources for many, and distance from adequate health emergency care. Senior citizens have unmet needs ranging from help with household chores to grocery shopping and transportation needs. Social interaction opportunities like classes, dances and play programs for kids, and special help for young parents were also listed as community needs.

Close to half of those surveyed indicated a willingness to become part of Neighbors Helping Neighbors! We are now working on getting our organization and projects started in response to community needs. This project is being led by your neighbors in conjunction with The Rural Health Network, Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership, the Decker School of Nursing and the Community Care Network of Nichols, as well as the Richford Congregational Church and the Hubbard Center in Richford.

Our next meeting is July 26^th at the Richford Congregational Church at 7:00 p.m.

If you would like to get involved or would like more information, please contact Janice Merrill, 657-2687

GOODBYE JOE. Joe Ceurter retired from his duties as the Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Berkshire on June 30^th. He has served Berkshire and the Town Board as C.E.O. for nearly eight years. Since his appointment in November of 1998, Joe has spent many hundreds of hours in classrooms all over New York State for his initial training, the NYS conversion to the International Code and frequent updates. Besides his normal duties of overseeing building code compliance, he has been assigned oversight and policing tasks for many of our Local Laws and Ordinances. He faithfully kept the Town Board updated on all his activities both with written reports and verbal presentations at all the monthly Board meetings. We thank Joe for his dedicated service as Code Enforcement Officer and wish him well in his retirement.

NEW CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: Mike Dopko will assume the duties of Berkshire CEO starting July 1. Mike is currently CEO for the Town of Maine (where he will continue to maintain his office) as well as CEO for Union Springs and Port Byron. Mike brings to Berkshire a great deal of experience in code enforcement and he has all the latest training needed. He is also active at the State level as Vice-Chair of the NYS Flood Plain Storm Water Commission.

Mike can be reached at 862-3334, and will be scheduling appointments in Berkshire for Wednesday afternoons.

TOWN BOARD NEWS: Minutes of Town Board meetings are posted on the www.berkshireny.com website, but these minutes are not official until approved by the Board at the subsequent meeting. Be sure to check subsequent meeting minutes for changes to the prior months minutes.

April 18: The planning Board, represented by the Chair, Jim Lacey, is working on a revision to the Junk Car Ordinance, trying to make it easier to deal with repeat violators. Cemetery & park mowing contract has been awarded to Vandenbergs for the 2006-mowing season. The Board approved Justice Brunza filling in for the Richford Justice until a replacement for Justice Paul is found. The Board approved spending up to $500 for QuickBooks software to provide backup to the current accounting system. Joe Cuerter is retiring as CEO on July 1, 2006. Advertisement for a replacement will be posted on the STBOA website (site for Code Officer news).

May 16: Kenneth Ceurter approved to fill the Planning Board vacancy. Michael Dopko appointed as Code Enforcement Officer effective July 1. Akins Road sluice pipe replacement will require road closing, likely the third week in July.

June 20: The Planning Board is working on an update to the Junk Car Ordinance, which will make it more difficult for repeat offenders to circumvent the rules. A public hearing will be announced for August. The mobile home ordinance is also being updated to allow the Town to remove abandoned units.

Joe Ceurter will issue a notice of noncompliance to Interstate Auto for failure to install a fence around the auto staging yard as required in the variance issued several years ago.

A resolution was passed requiring all approved vouchers be added to the warrant so that the Board has the opportunity to audit the vouchers before payment is made.

The State of NY has determined the Berkshire Equalization Rate to be 4.5, the lowest in Tioga County. Rom McKewen stated that this rate puts Berkshire residents at a disadvantage when paying County and school taxes. There are also many incorrect assessments in Town. Cristina Raisen, Berkshire Assessor, has requested a reassessment be done and a 100 equalization rate be achieved. The cost of this work needs to be determined prior to any reassessment being done.

A variance was granted to John & Lillian Hoffmier to allow the sale of an existing lot with a home that does not have the Code required road frontage.

DEC OIL & GAS LEASE SALE: The new York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced final plans for he State to lease oil & gas development rights on 19,250 acres of land in seven counties. Informational & public comment sessions were held in June 2006, and DEC has prepared a response document, soon to be available at http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dmn.

In Tioga County, Oakley Corners has been either removed from the sale or has added surface entry restrictions. Fairfield, Robinson, Anderson & Ketchumville oil & gas development rights remain for sale.

HIGHWAY NEWS:

The new gravel pit in Richford is open and as this letter is being written we are preparing a rented screen for use in the pit where two men will work full time until enough gravel is screened for the next several years. Major road projects planned this summer include reconstruction of Dimon Hill Road and Shirley Road with paving scheduled for 2007, and a coat of oil and stone for Turkey Hill Road and N. Ketchumville Road from Hartwell to Letter “S”.

The Town has purchased a new front-end loader – a New Holland – under the State bid contract. Delivery is expected in early August unless a delivery delay is caused by the shortage of commercial tires. More self-help work is scheduled on the new Highway garage addition with the construction of a maintenance pit and the completion of the concrete floors. If time and funds permit, electrical wiring and insulation will follow.

HERITAGE DAY: The 20th annual Berkshire Heritage Day will be held Sept 10 this year. Events include an old fashioned tent church service, chicken BBQ at noon, parade at 2:00, Bucky Moon music, Civil War reenactment, a large raffle and the usual arts & crafts displays. The library/museum will be open and there will be a quilt show in the Methodist Church.

Howland’s Honey will be the honored business for this year’s event.

Be sure to mark your calendars for this very special day in your Town.

TOWN OFFICIALS & MEETINGS:

Town Board Meetings 3^rd Tuesday, 7:00pm

Planning Board Meetings 4^th Tuesday, 7:00pm

Supervisor: Lillian Hoffmier 657-8678 h 657 2769

Hwy Superintendent: Karl Spoonhower 657 2705

Town Board: Audrey Payne, Dennis Whittaker,

Trudy Bentley, Albert Warner: 657- 8678

Planning Board Chair: James Lacey 657-8274

Assessor: Christina Raison, 217 4350 18 Railroad

Avenue, Berkshire, NY 13736

hours 1st Tuesday 6-7pm

Town Clerk: Connie Liddington 657-8131, 12421

St. Rt 38. hours M-F 6-8pm, Sat 10am – 2pm

Justice: Charles Brundza, 657-8601; 18 Railroad

Ave. Berkshire, NY 13736. Court 1^st Monday at

7:00pm & 3^rd Monday at 5:30pm.

Dog Control Officer: Albert Warner, 657-2620

Code Enforcement: Mike Dopko 862-3334

Fire Chief: Mike Simmons 657-2727

TOWN WIDE EMAIL LIST This list is used to disseminate information of significant happenings in and around Berkshire such as major projects, meetings, fundraisers, public hearings, new or proposed legislation, etc. We have 145 addresses on the list so far and have been using it for three years. It has proven to be an increasingly effective way to get near real time communications to the people in Town who receive email and wish to be on the list. The program also serves as an excellent way to receive feedback. As a protection against personal use and SPAM, messages are sent out as Blind Carbon Copies so the entire list will never be sent to any recipients. Comments on the information provided and the use of the list has been very positive. To be placed on the list or to change an email address, contact Dennis Whittaker at dfw7@citlink.net or 657-8354.

SEPTIC SYSTEMS & TCHD: By code, Tioga County Health Department is required to review all New Alternative Septic Plans. The fee is $228 for the review.

Each CEO will review the plans for New Conventional Systems and Total System Replacements. If the CEO requests TCHD review of Conventional & Replacements, the fee is $128.

All system repairs will be referred to TCHD, and the fee is $50.

TCHD will provide design services for new septic systems or replacements for a fee of $425. Private engineering service is still an available option.

For a complete fee schedule, contact your Code Officer or TCHD at 687-8700.

BERKSHIRE FREE LIBRARY NEWS:

Summer Fun for Kids

“Books: A Treasure” is the NYS Summer Reading Theme this year. Come in all summer long to participate in Independent Reading with incentive prizes.

Volunteer Lisa Michaud will again lead a special program for K thru grade 6 the week of July 31 to Aug 4 from 10 to Noon. We’ll have fun with Jewels, Pirates, Treasures in Nature, Dress-up, and a Pizza Party.

Historic Photos

Visit local people and places of days gone by. Photos from the late 1800’s through the mid-twentieth century and digitally restored by Ray Hunt are now on display at the library. Ray and area Town Historians received grant funding as well as local donations toward this on-going project.

Museum

A hand-cranked bread maker, hand woven wool blanket, and fancy needlework handbook are just part of a display featuring “The Life of a 19^th Century Berkshire Woman” complied by Curator Nancy Reddy.

Good News/Bad News

You may have noticed it a little cold at the library recently. Unexpectedly, the library’s furnace needs to be replaced at a cost of $2,500 to $2,700. The trustees have been getting estimates and looking for possible funds. The good news is that it is July not January!

Adult Computer Instruction

The Computer Instruction program taught by Georgianna Horvath of Literacy Volunteers of Broome/Tioga Counties has ended for this year. Forty-six adults participated, many in more than one topic, over the seven-month long program. Their learning goals varied from personal use to job skill enhancement to small business record keeping. The program was funded by grants from the Tioga County Senior Citizens Foundation and the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation of Owego.

Up-coming Summer Events

Thanks to all who stopped for the recent book & plant sale, which netted $240. Save room for Homemade Pie & Cornell Ice Cream at our annual August social

And, of course, the big book sale and displays at Berkshire Heritage Day and Richford Potato Fest in September.

Library Hours: T 12 – 5, W 1:30 – 7, Th 1 – 5, F 3 – 8:30, S 9 – 2.

Located at the corner of Route 38 and Jewett Hill Rd. 657-4418 bfl@htva.net

REAP Update

The Tioga County REAP program has recently been awarded a USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant for $50,000.00 to set up a year- long training on community and economic development. The “Sustainable Tioga Project” aims to build the capacity of local elected officials, business owners and other key community stakeholders in Tioga County New, York to revitalize the local economy and improve the overall quality of life. The Sustainable Tioga Project will be a part of REAP’s recently established Community and Economic Development Institute. This intensive and hands on training program will teach a core of local leaders from both the private and public sector the essentials of well planned, well integrated and well coordinated approach to community and economic development. This approach is an alternative to the traditional strategies often pursued in rural communities. Graduates of the program will be equipped with the tools and information to spearhead implementation of innovative community and economic development strategies. REAP is seeking participation in the hands on training from all areas of the county, including the Richford/Berkshire area.

For more information, please contact Dennis Whittaker, REAP Community Representative for the Town of Berkshire, 657-8354 or Larisa Gryczko Avellaneda, REAP Executive Director, 687-8258.