recreation

MAY 14, 2002 BOARD MEETING
	TOWN OF BERKSHIRE REGULAR MEETING MAY 14, 2002 THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN OF BERKSHIRE TOWN BOARD WAS HELD ON MAY 14, 2002 IN THE TOWN HALL. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:30 PM, WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY SUPERVISOR HARTWIG. MEMBERS PRESENT WERE: RICHARD ODOM, WILLIAM SIMMONS, JOHN CEURTER AND TRUDY BENTLEY, ALSO PRESENT WAS KARL SPOONHOWER SUP’T. OF HWYS. CONDOLENCES TO JOE CEURTER ON LOSS OF HIS WIFE. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 9, 2002, MEETING WAS MADE BY RICHARD ODOM, SECONDED BY JOHN CEURTER. CARRIED. CO. LEGISLATOR TODD SMITH REPORTS: A.THE COUNTY HELD A DEBATE WITH MR. OUSBY (PRECISION WOODCRAFTERS ) ON THE HUD GRANT RESULTS—STILL ON HOLD DUE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. B. THE COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING SITE IS MOST LIKELY TO BE AT 231 MAIN ST., THERE HAVE BEEN MEETINGS AROUND THE COUNTY AND THE RESULTS AND COMMENTS ABOUT THE LOCATION WERE CATALOGUED. NOTHING DEFINITE AS YET. PARKING PROBLEMS, CONSOLIDATION OF OFFICES WITH IN A FEW BLOCKS IS THE GOAL. C. COUNTY IS GOING TO REPOSESS PROPERTY AT THE “V” INTERSECTION ON FORD HILL AND GLEN RD.—DOES THE TOWN HAVE A USE FOR IT? “NO VALUE TO THE TOWN.” MOTION BY SUPERVISOR HARTWIG SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM TO LET THE COUNTY HAVE IT. CARRIED. D. COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD HAD A 27% INCREASE—TOWNS BUDGETED AT A 15% INCREASE. COUNTY LOCKED IN WITH BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD. COUNTY CAN’T SERVE AS A BANK ON THIS , NO PROVISIONS TO COVER CLAIMS. HOLDING MEETING TO REVIEW THE SITUATION AND MAYBE RAISE THE RATES TO EACH TOWN. MAYE HAVE TO CUT SPENDING IN OTHER AREAS TO COVER THIS. OTHER COMPANIES HAVE BEEN LOOKED INTO. JOHN CEURTER ASKS—CAN THE SQUAD GET WORKERS COMP. THROUGH THE COUNTY? NOT PROBABLE-SELF SUPPORTING KARL ASKS WHEN WILL REJMER ROAD BE DONE? NOT SURE WILL GET BACK TO HIGHWAY WITH ANSWER. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – IRV HAND NOTHING TO ADD. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS: 1. PLANNING BOARD MINUTES FOR MARCH WERE PASSED TO BE READ AND FILED. 2. PLANNING BOARD BY-LAWS, AN UPDATE WAS PASSED TO THE BOARD AND LEFT FOR FILING. 3. MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT POLICY—CAN’T USE OTHER INSTITUTIONS FOR BANKING DUE TO LACK OF ENOUGH INSURANCE COVERAGE PROTECTING THE TOWN MONEY. PER STATE COMPTROLLERS OFFICE. 4. CABLE TY SEMINAR AT BINGHAMTON REGENCEY HOTEL ON 6/6/02 8:30 –2:00 REGISTER BY 5/23/02. 5 TOWNS AND TOPICS BOOKLETS WERE PASSED TO THE BOARD. 6 SENATOR LIBOUS (LETTER ASKING FOR FUNDS TO HELP RENOVATE THE TOWN HALL) WAS TURNED DOWN DUE TO THE 9-11 TRAGEDY. REPORTS: A. COUNTY PLANNING BOARD—GEO. SWANEY—ABSENT B. HIGHWAY DEPT.—CLEAN-UP WENT WELL, WERE A LOT OF TIRES TURNED IN. NEXT YEAR WILL PUT A LIMIT ON THEM. SUGGESTIONS FROM HELPERS WERE TURNED IN AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BEFORE ANOTHER CLEAN-UP. A LOT OF STEEL WAS TURNED IN. RMS CRUSHING GRAVEL. C. CODE ENFORCEMENT: JOE READ REPORT AND LEFT IT FOR FILING. REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE FORM MARK TOMPKINS ON N. KETCHUMVILLE RD. CONCERNING A DOUBLE WIDE TRAILER. BOARD VOTES TO LET MARK KEEP TRAILER UNTIL JUNE MEETING AND NOT ISSUE ANY TICKETS AS YET. TABLED UNTIL JUNE MEETING. D. PLANNING BOARD—JIM LACEY TURNED IN THE SITE PLAN DRAFT TO THE BOARD TO BE REVIEWED FOR LOCAL LAW. E. CLERK PASSED HER REPORT ALONG WITH PENALTY CHECK FOR APRIL TAX COLLECTION. F. DOG CONTROL—BRAD HAD A JONES RD. ON LAST REPORT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORD HILL RD. G. JUSTICE REPORT—NONE. H. COMMITTEE REPORTS—NOTHING NEW AS YET. I. SUPERVISOR’S REPORT—PASSED UPDATED CD LIST, BUDGET LOOKS GOOD. LETTER FROM GOV. PATAKI STATING THE NEW INTERNATIONAL BUIILDING CODE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON 7-1-02. LETTER TO HUD-- CONTACT EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT—STATE MONEY TO NOT INCREASE THE INTEREST RATE. ASKS BOARD TO SEND LETTER AS WRITTEN. MOTION MADE BY WILLIAM SIMMONS , SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM. CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS: RTE 38N TRASH CLEAN-UP DEADLINE: WASHBURN’S MUST CLEAN UP BY 7-1-02. TICKET WILL BE ISSUED THEN, THEY WERE TOLD BY CODE ENFORCEMENT ABOUT OUR CLEAN-UP DAY. DIDN’T SHOW. FRANCHISE AGREEMENT—HAEFELE TV—TOWN SUPERVISOR IS ASKING FOR COMMISSION FEES FROM THE INTERNET CABLE BUT STATE SAYS NO COMMISSION FROM THE INTERNET CABLE. BERKSHIRE WANTS 5% BUT WILL ASK FOR 4% COMMISSION FROM CABLE TV AND A TEN YEAR CONTRACT. SEND TO HAEFELE TV FOR APPROVAL. MOTION TO DO THIS WAS MADE BY RICHARD ODOM, SECONDED BY TRUDY BENTLEY. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS: 1. JUSTICE GRANT RESOLUTION WAS DRAWN UP BY SUPERVISOR TO HELP GET ITEMS FOR JUSTICE COURT( BENCH ETC.) TRUDY BENTLEY MADE THE MOTION , SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM TO SEND IN THE REQUEST. CARRRIED. 2. B A R DATE CHANGE / REAPPOINT FRANK KUNIK TO ANOTHER TERM OF 5 YEARS. EXPIRING IN 2006. MOTION BY RICHARD ODOM, SECONDED BY TRUDY BENTLEY. CARRIED. 3. APPOINTMENT OF PART TIME CLERK FOR HIGHWAY DEPT. WILL BE 4 HOURS A WEEK TO FILE, DO PAYROLL, LIST WARRANTS. THE RATE WILL BE $10.00/HOUR. NO BENEFITS. UP FOR REVIEW AFTER 3 MONTHS. MOTION BY JOHN CEURTER, SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM. CARRIED. SALARY TO COME FROM GENERAL FUND. 4. RAISE FOR JIM FRENCH FROM $8.00 TO $9.00/HOUR—MOTION MADE BY TRUDY BENTLEY, SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM. CARRIED. 5. BALLFIELD PROPERTY INTRUSIONS—TOWN PROPERTY IS BEING USED BY LANDOWNERS BORDERING THE BALL FIELD. THIS NEEDS TO BE STOPPED, HAS BEEN SURVEYED. SUPERVISOR WILL CONTACT THESE PEOPLE AND GET IT STRAIGHT. KURT BRENNAN DID PART OF THE BALL FIELD BUT NOT ALL OF IT. WILL CORRECT HIM ON THIS. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: BOOKKEEPER $3,085.43, GENERAL FUND #12- #16 $227.83 AND HIGHWAY #72-#94 $25,265.31 MOTION TO PAY AS AUDITED WAS MADE BY WILLIAM SIMMONS, SECONDED BY JOHN CEURTER. CARRIED MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY JOHN CEURTER AT 9:20 PM, SECONDED BY WILLIAM SIMMONS. CARRIED. RESPECTIVELY SUBMITTED: CONSTANCE M. LIDDINGTON TOWN CLERK.

TOWN OF BERKSHIRE

REGULAR MEETING

MAY 14, 2002

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN OF BERKSHIRE TOWN BOARD WAS HELD ON MAY 14, 2002 IN THE TOWN HALL.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:30 PM, WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY SUPERVISOR HARTWIG.

MEMBERS PRESENT WERE: RICHARD ODOM, WILLIAM SIMMONS, JOHN CEURTER AND TRUDY BENTLEY, ALSO PRESENT WAS KARL SPOONHOWER SUP’T. OF HWYS.

CONDOLENCES TO JOE CEURTER ON LOSS OF HIS WIFE.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 9, 2002, MEETING WAS MADE BY RICHARD ODOM, SECONDED BY JOHN CEURTER. CARRIED.

CO. LEGISLATOR TODD SMITH REPORTS:

A.THE COUNTY HELD A DEBATE WITH MR. OUSBY (PRECISION WOODCRAFTERS ) ON THE HUD GRANT RESULTS—STILL ON HOLD DUE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

B. THE COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING SITE IS MOST LIKELY TO BE AT 231 MAIN ST., THERE HAVE BEEN MEETINGS AROUND THE COUNTY AND THE RESULTS AND COMMENTS ABOUT THE LOCATION WERE CATALOGUED. NOTHING DEFINITE AS YET. PARKING PROBLEMS, CONSOLIDATION OF OFFICES WITH IN A FEW BLOCKS IS THE GOAL.

C. COUNTY IS GOING TO REPOSESS PROPERTY AT THE “V” INTERSECTION ON FORD HILL AND GLEN RD.—DOES THE TOWN HAVE A USE FOR IT? “NO VALUE TO THE TOWN.” MOTION BY SUPERVISOR HARTWIG SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM TO LET THE COUNTY HAVE IT. CARRIED.

D. COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD HAD A 27% INCREASE—TOWNS BUDGETED AT A 15% INCREASE. COUNTY LOCKED IN WITH BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD. COUNTY CAN’T SERVE AS A BANK ON THIS , NO PROVISIONS TO COVER CLAIMS. HOLDING MEETING TO REVIEW THE SITUATION AND MAYBE RAISE THE RATES TO EACH TOWN. MAYE HAVE TO CUT SPENDING IN OTHER AREAS TO COVER THIS. OTHER COMPANIES HAVE BEEN LOOKED INTO.

JOHN CEURTER ASKS—CAN THE SQUAD GET WORKERS COMP. THROUGH THE COUNTY? NOT PROBABLE-SELF SUPPORTING

KARL ASKS WHEN WILL REJMER ROAD BE DONE? NOT SURE WILL GET BACK TO HIGHWAY WITH ANSWER.

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – IRV HAND NOTHING TO ADD.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:

1. PLANNING BOARD MINUTES FOR MARCH WERE PASSED TO BE READ AND FILED.

2. PLANNING BOARD BY-LAWS, AN UPDATE WAS PASSED TO THE BOARD AND LEFT FOR FILING.

3. MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT POLICY—CAN’T USE OTHER INSTITUTIONS FOR BANKING DUE TO LACK OF ENOUGH INSURANCE COVERAGE PROTECTING THE TOWN MONEY. PER STATE COMPTROLLERS OFFICE.

4. CABLE TY SEMINAR AT BINGHAMTON REGENCEY HOTEL ON 6/6/02 8:30 –2:00

5 TOWNS AND TOPICS BOOKLETS WERE PASSED TO THE BOARD.

6 SENATOR LIBOUS (LETTER ASKING FOR FUNDS TO HELP RENOVATE THE TOWN HALL) WAS TURNED DOWN DUE TO THE 9-11 TRAGEDY.

REPORTS:

A. COUNTY PLANNING BOARD—GEO. SWANEY—ABSENT

B. HIGHWAY DEPT.—CLEAN-UP WENT WELL, WERE A LOT OF TIRES TURNED IN.

NEXT YEAR WILL PUT A LIMIT ON THEM. SUGGESTIONS FROM HELPERS WERE TURNED IN AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BEFORE ANOTHER CLEAN-UP.

A LOT OF STEEL WAS TURNED IN. RMS CRUSHING GRAVEL.

C. CODE ENFORCEMENT: JOE READ REPORT AND LEFT IT FOR FILING.

REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE FORM MARK TOMPKINS ON N. KETCHUMVILLE RD.

CONCERNING A DOUBLE WIDE TRAILER. BOARD VOTES TO LET MARK KEEP TRAILER UNTIL JUNE MEETING AND NOT ISSUE ANY TICKETS AS YET. TABLED UNTIL JUNE MEETING.

D. PLANNING BOARD—JIM LACEY TURNED IN THE SITE PLAN DRAFT TO THE BOARD TO BE REVIEWED FOR LOCAL LAW.

E. CLERK PASSED HER REPORT ALONG WITH PENALTY CHECK FOR APRIL TAX COLLECTION.

F. DOG CONTROL—BRAD HAD A JONES RD. ON LAST REPORT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORD HILL RD.

G. JUSTICE REPORT—NONE.

H. COMMITTEE REPORTS—NOTHING NEW AS YET.

I. SUPERVISOR’S REPORT—PASSED UPDATED CD LIST, BUDGET LOOKS GOOD.

LETTER FROM GOV. PATAKI STATING THE NEW INTERNATIONAL BUIILDING CODE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON 7-1-02. LETTER TO HUD-- CONTACT EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT—STATE MONEY TO NOT INCREASE THE INTEREST RATE. ASKS BOARD TO SEND LETTER AS WRITTEN. MOTION MADE BY WILLIAM SIMMONS , SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM. CARRIED.

OLD BUSINESS:

RTE 38N TRASH CLEAN-UP DEADLINE: WASHBURN’S MUST CLEAN UP BY 7-1-02. TICKET WILL BE ISSUED THEN, THEY WERE TOLD BY CODE ENFORCEMENT ABOUT OUR CLEAN-UP DAY. DIDN’T SHOW.
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT—HAEFELE TV—TOWN SUPERVISOR IS ASKING FOR COMMISSION FEES FROM THE INTERNET CABLE BUT STATE SAYS NO COMMISSION FROM THE INTERNET CABLE. BERKSHIRE WANTS 5% BUT WILL ASK FOR 4% COMMISSION FROM CABLE TV AND A TEN YEAR CONTRACT. SEND TO HAEFELE TV FOR APPROVAL. MOTION TO DO THIS WAS MADE BY RICHARD ODOM, SECONDED BY TRUDY BENTLEY. CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. JUSTICE GRANT RESOLUTION WAS DRAWN UP BY SUPERVISOR TO HELP GET ITEMS FOR JUSTICE COURT( BENCH ETC.)

TRUDY BENTLEY MADE THE MOTION , SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM TO SEND IN THE REQUEST. CARRRIED.

2. B A R DATE CHANGE / REAPPOINT FRANK KUNIK TO ANOTHER TERM OF 5 YEARS. EXPIRING IN 2006. MOTION BY RICHARD ODOM, SECONDED BY TRUDY BENTLEY. CARRIED.

3. APPOINTMENT OF PART TIME CLERK FOR HIGHWAY DEPT. WILL BE 4 HOURS A WEEK TO FILE, DO PAYROLL, LIST WARRANTS. THE RATE WILL BE $10.00/HOUR. NO BENEFITS. UP FOR REVIEW AFTER 3 MONTHS. MOTION BY JOHN CEURTER, SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM. CARRIED. SALARY TO COME FROM GENERAL FUND.

4. RAISE FOR JIM FRENCH FROM $8.00 TO $9.00/HOUR—MOTION MADE BY TRUDY BENTLEY, SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM. CARRIED.

5. BALLFIELD PROPERTY INTRUSIONS—TOWN PROPERTY IS BEING USED BY LANDOWNERS BORDERING THE BALL FIELD. THIS NEEDS TO BE STOPPED, HAS BEEN SURVEYED. SUPERVISOR WILL CONTACT THESE PEOPLE AND GET IT STRAIGHT.

KURT BRENNAN DID PART OF THE BALL FIELD BUT NOT ALL OF IT. WILL CORRECT HIM ON THIS.

APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: BOOKKEEPER $3,085.43, GENERAL FUND #12- #16

$227.83 AND HIGHWAY #72-#94 $25,265.31 MOTION TO PAY AS AUDITED WAS

MADE BY WILLIAM SIMMONS, SECONDED BY JOHN CEURTER. CARRIED

MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY JOHN CEURTER AT 9:20 PM, SECONDED BY WILLIAM SIMMONS. CARRIED.

RESPECTIVELY SUBMITTED:

CONSTANCE M. LIDDINGTON

TOWN CLERK.