SPONSORS As we begin our fourth year with the Berkshire Quarterly newsletter, remember that the sponsors listed here pay for our mailing and printing costs, saving your tax dollars. You can thank them best by using the goods and services they provide.
HIGHWAY NEWS The long, cold and snowy winter has seriously depleted the snow removal budget. The good news is that we are eligible for disaster relief from The Federal Emergency Management Agency because of a record snowfall on Jan 3 & 4. We have applied to FEMA and hope for a reimbursement of approximately $10,500.
-The harsh weather delayed construction of the second phase of the extension of the highway barn, but with that nearing completion we will soon start clearing the roadside brush that was generated during the New Year ice storm. We will dump the chips on the Town property on Ford Hill Rd. so help yourself. - Our suppliers have forecast the price of the liquid asphalt that we use to pave the roads to double from last years cost. This may seriously impact the amount of this year’s resurfacing.
NEW BUSINESS The
restaurant and gas station on the corner of Depot and Main Street will soon be
reopening under new ownership. We are very glad to have this facility once
again and wish the new owners the best of luck.
RT.
38 CLEANUP The semi-annual
Adopt-A-Highway cleanup along Route 38 will take place on Saturday, April 26 at
9 a.m. We will meet at the highway garage and at the Post Office. Please
consider donating an hour of your time to make our Town look that much better.
Call Skip Hartwig at 657-8678.
HEALTH NOTES A Diabetes support group meets at the Berkshire Congregational Church on the last Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm. This gathering, sponsored for people with Diabetes by people with Diabetes, is supportive and informational as well as a fun way to keep up to date on related issues. For more info contact Ruth Stoughton, 657-4479.
TOWN WIDE TRASH COLLECTION. The Highway Department will collect trash
during the week of May 5th.
If you are age 65+ or handicapped, you may schedule curbside pickup by
calling the Highway garage, 657-2705, by noon on Friday, May 2. Curbside pickup
will take place May 5 & 6. All materials must be in place by 6 a.m. on the
5th. Metal (including appliances) must be stacked separately. You must call
657-2705 to schedule a pickup. Everyone else must bring
eligible materials to the highway garage on Route 38. Collection times will be as follows:
Thursday, May 8, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.,
Friday, May 9, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.,
Saturday, May 10, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The following items will not be
accepted: batteries,
toxins or chemicals, paint, flammables, household garbage or recyclables. Tioga
County has a year-round Hazardous Waste disposal program, call 763-4449.
Information is also available at the Town Hall or the Barton Transfer Station
at 565-8130. TIRES will be accepted with the following restrictions: 15
inch or smaller - $1.00 each. Tires on rims $2.00 each.(limit 8 per household).
Depending on available space more may be taken on Saturday but only with the
approval of the Highway Superintendent. 16 –17 inch tires $2.00 each, rims
extra.
HISTORY BUFFS This
year’s theme for Heritage Day ( September 14th) is Main Street –
Berkshire. Ideas, help and new
members always welcome. Visit us on the fourth Monday of the month, 7pm at the
Town Hall.
TAX ASSESSMENT GRIEVANCE DAY This year’s date for the Board of Assessment Review (Grievance
Day) is Friday May 30th from 4 to 8pm at the Town Hall. If you have
a question or a problem with your 2003 assessment, first contact the Assessor,
Ann Buck, 656-8757 or see her at the Town Hall on the second Monday of the
month from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. If you do not resolve your problems with her, you
may file a grievance with the Board. You are not required to appear in person
before the Board, although it helps if you do. In any case you must complete
the grievance form and get it to the Board by May 30th. Forms can be
mailed, care of the Board, to 18 Railroad Avenue.
BRAG The
Berkshire Resident Action Group is currently undertaking some major projects.
The library sidewalk construction, lighting and landscaping has a great start.
We are awaiting a little better weather to reseed the lawns and actively
seeking funding to complete the project. The third annual Heritage Day Race is
well into the planning phase. We can always use good suggestions and really
need all the help we can get in seeking sponsors for the event. Contact and
Race Director is Fraser Williams, 657-2742. BRAG is attempting to revitalize
its meetings, stressing creativity and diminishing the routine humdrum. If you
have any thoughts on how best to do this please contact me at 797 0066 or email
Tvrprman@aol.com, or better yet stop in at our next meeting
on Wed. April 23rd, 7pm at the Town Hall. Best to you, Scott Phillips, President.
FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS A. J. Hanson has replaced Rodney Russel as 4th Assistant Chief of the Berkshire Fire Department. The Fire Company and Emergency Squad, Inc. officers are: Michael Simmons -------- Fire Chief Delbert Armstrong -----1st Assistant Chief Dean Belden ---------- 2nd Assistant Chief Brett Welch ------------ 3rd Assistant Chief A. J. Hanson ------------4th Assistant Chief
Dale Johnson – President, Emergency Squad
Help us help you. Make certain your 911 numbers are clearly visible
from the road in both directions even on a dark and stormy night Just minutes
wasted searching for a residence can be critical. *There has been considerable vandalism to the pavilion. If you
witness the vandals please notify the Sheriff, 687 1010, the State Police 657
8030 or a member of the Fire Dept. *
Help to prevent
grass and forest fires. Don't burn brush on windy days, and NEVER leave a fire
unattended! *We are always looking for new members to join our dedicated volunteers.
Monthly meetings are the first Tuesday of every month, 7:00pm, at the Berkshire Fire Station.
FLOWER BARRELS Last
year more than 30 wooden whiskey half barrels in which were planted Purple Wave
Petunias attractively adorned the Town. With proper care they are spectacular
throughout the summer and early fall. If there is sufficient interest again
this year, BRAG has a committee willing to acquire and deliver. Assuming we can
find a source for the barrels, the cost for barrel, potting soil and flowers
should range between $35 and $40. If you already have a barrel, soil and
flowers expected to be $15 or less. Last years soil will work and
flowers should only be $6 or $7. If you are interested call Kathy Hartwig, 657
8418 or email skhartwig@juno.com.
TOWN WIDE EMAIL LIST Want real time info on just about anything significant that happens or is scheduled in and around Berkshire? This confidential list is at the disposal of only 3 people (Brag president, Fire Chief and Town Supervisor). As a protection against personal use and spam, messages will be sent out as Blind Carbon Copies so the entire list will never be sent to all recipients. We have over 75 addresses on the list so far and have been using it for six months. Comments on the information provided and the use of the list have been very positive. We are now encouraging feedback and comments. Legitimate messages will receive answers if warranted. Send comments to the Town email address berkshireny@juno.com. To get on the list or to change an email address, contact Dennis Whittaker at dfw7@citlink.net or 657 8354.
HERITAGE DAY RACE The 3rd annual Berkshire Heritage 15K Road Race will be held on September 14 as the first activity of Heritage Day Festivities. This year there will be an added attraction of a one mile "Fun Walk" for the families of Berkshire. Get ready, September 14 is coming real soon!
HELPERS Many thanks to Telessa Bean who does our layout; Dick Odom for finding all our sponsors and Dennis Whittaker who manages the sponsor terms and finances.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 20 - Pancake Brkfst Fire Hall 8am noon
April 22 - Planning Board, Town Hall 7pm
April 23 - BRAG Meeting, Town Hall 7pm
April 25 - Fish Fry, Fire Hall 5pm till?
April 28 - History Buffs, Town Hall 7pm
May 5 - 10 Townwide Trash Collection
May 13 - Town Board,Town Hall 7:30pm
May 16 - Spaghetti Dinner Berkshire Methodist Church, 5-7pm
May 27 - Planning Board, Town Hall 7pm
May 30 - Fish Fry, Fire Hall 5pm till?
May 30 - Grievance Day, Town Hall 4-8pm
June 10 - Town Board, Town Hall 7:30pm
June 21 – History Buffs, Town Hall 7pm