Town of Berkshire

Public Hearing – Road Preservation Local Law No. 1-2005

March 15, 2005

Page 1

 

The Public Hearing was held on March 15, 2005 in the Town Hall.  Meeting called to order at 6:30 PM by Supervisor Hartwig.

 

 Board Members pesent were: Dennis Whitttaker, Albert Warner, Jr., Trudy Bentley.  Absent was John Ceurter.

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

 

The Road Preservation Local Law No. #1-2005—This law is to help preserve the roads in the Town and keep them from being disrupted by large equipment.  To do this a Bond is to be put up, held by the Town Board, when job is finished the Hwy. Sup’t is to check on the condition of the road, if no damage then he bond is returned to the contractor/landowner.  If damage is done then the bond will be used to cover the cost of repairs.  The Hwy. Sup’t has the control of this decision.

 

Many taxpayers appeared and had their say against this becoming a law Most thought that the State has a law why not enforce it in the Town.

 

A petition containing 66 signatures against having this local law was presented to the Town Clerk to be filed in the Clerk’s office on 3-12-05 at 1000 hours.

 

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

 

 

 

Town of Berkshire

Regular Meeting

March 15, 2005

Page 1.

 

 

 

The regular meting of the Town Board was held in the Board Room following the Public Hearing.

 

Board members were in attendance as at the Public Hearing.

 

Meeting called to order by Supervisor Hartwig opening with the pledge of allegiance.

 

Approval of the minutes from Feb. 15 meeting: Dennis Whittaker pointed out an error—the amount of money paid to the Town should read $250,431.00.  I had typed $250.431.00.  Motion to accept these minutes with the correction was made by Trudy Bentley seconded by Dennis Whittaker.  Carried.

 

Couny Legislator—absent

 

Privilege of the Floor—How come a local businessman didn’t get the chance to make repairs on the town pickup. It was fixed out of town.  Town paid for the repairs, Answer-- No insurance  $500.00 deductable.  Windshield not covered.

 

                               

 

 

Town of Berkshire

Regulsr Meeting

March 15,2 005

Page 2

 

                                                Communications and Petitions:

 

A.      County Planning Board meeting at Berkshire on March 16, 2005 at 7:30 PM.

B.       Berkshire Planning Board Minutes of November 2004 were passed and left for filing.

C.       Assemblyman Gary Finch will be at the Town Board Meeting on May 14, 2005

 

  Reports:

 

1.        County Planning Board—C Dowdell—absent

2.        Highway Dept.—Agreement to spend Highway Funds was give to Supervisor to look over at next workshop meeting before signing.

3.        Code Enforcement—Joe left repot home but gave it anyway.

4.        Planning Board –Jim Lacey—will be looking at old laws to be updated or what ever.

5.        Clerk report passed and a penalty check for Februaray in the amount of $575.04 was given to Supervisor

6.        Dog Control—no report

7.        Committee reports—nothing to report

8.        Supervisor—Passed updated CD list and a Cash Flow.  Our assessor needs to convert from the present system to  “RPS System”.  Motion to have the switch was made by Dennis Whittaker seconded by Trudy Bentley.  Carried.

Greivance Day will be May 27, 2005.                                                                                                      Tioga Hardwoods, Inc.  Owner Scott Snyder of Owego, will be using 3 of the 4 buildings. (Formally Howland Bros.)            

 

                                Old Business:

A.      Planning Board Appointments: George Hoffmier and Tim Pollard have been nominated to fill vacancies on the Local Planning Board.  Motion to approve terms of 5 year and 4 year as such;

Appoint George Hoffmier term to expire 2010 and Tim Pollard term to expire in 2009 was made by Supervisor Hartwig seconded by Trudy Bentley.  Carried.

 

B.       Road Preservation Local Law Draft: We can approve, disapprove or table this law The Board decided to have the legal issues examined and modified by the Attorney for the Town.  Superviosr to check on it. Trudy Bentley made the motion to table the law and hold another meeting on it seconded by Albert Warner, Jr. 4 Ayes 0 Nayes.  Carried.

C.       Bid Openings—Lawn Care—Dennis Whittaker has received two (2) bids on lawn care from:

1. Bret Welch
2. Scott Albrecht.

The low bidder was Bret Welch.

D.      Trash Collection—Week of April 25.  Same requirements as last year.  Will be advertized by the Highway Dept.

 

New Business:

 

1.        ATV Local Law—Supervisor doesn’t want ATV’S to run on Town Roads—The ATV Club is a tight run operation they are asking permission to cross a Town Road to get from Point A to Point B.  Will be monitored by the Club etc.  Bill Truman, Lew Warner are ahead of this Club. It has become a large growing Club.  April 14 2005 Meeting at the Town workshop at 4:30 to talk about this.  Looking for

 

 

 

 

Town of Berkshire

Regular Meeting

March 15, 2005

Page 3

 

2.         Safety.  There will be a meeting at TSI on Re. 38 if any one is interested.

3.        New Loader—Sup‘t. of Hwys. Is looking to purchase a new Loader old one has 7000 hours on it.  Wants to purchase this soon.  Old one in need of repairs.  A Taxpayer asks how much it would cost to

make repairs. The Sup’t. Doesn’t know.  Tony Marzalino would work up a figure on these-- repair bill vs the cost of a new one. And get it to the Supervsor

 

 

                                Approval of Warrants:

 

Highway  #33-44  $12,778.88

General #29-41  $4,500.26

 

Motion to pay as audited was made by Trudy Bentley, seconded by Albert Warner, Jr.

Carried.

 

Motion to adjourn at 8:45 PM was made by Trudy Bentley, Seconded by Albert Warner, Jr.  Carried.

 

 

 

Respectively Submitted:

 

Constance M. Liddington

Town Clerk