Town of Berkshire

Preliminary Budget Hearing

November 11, 2003

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     The Town of Berkshire held the 2004 Preliminary Budget hearing in the Town Hall, on November 11, 2003.  Supervisor Hartwig called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

     Members present were:  Richard Odom, William Simmons, John Ceurter and Trudy Bentley.  Also present was Karl Spoonhower, Sup’t. of Hwys.

     The budget was discussed and no interested taxpayers appeared to be heard for or against the 2004 budget.

     The meeting was left open while we started the regular meeting, just in case taxpayers appeared

 

 

 

Town of Berkshire

Regular Meeting

November 11, 2003

 

     The regular meeting of the Town of Berkshire was held on November 11, 2003 in the Town Hall,

Supervisor Hartwig opened this meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 PM.

     Members present were:  Richard Odom, William Simmons, John Ceurter, and Trudy Bentley.  Also present was Karl Spoonhower, Sup’t of Hwys.

     Approval of the October minutes was made by Richard Odom, Seconded by Trudy Bentley.  Carried.

     County Legislator—Richard Harrington—absent.

     NYS Archives—Susanne Etherington—Talked about the fact that the Town Clerk had contacted her since the October meeting concerned over the fact that keys will be let out to other departments to the records vault.  Ms. Etherington suggested that they (the Town Board) secure off an area for each department and  also draw up a letter stating  what they (the Key Holder) can do as far as records are concerned and  have them sign this to make it documented.

     Privilege of the Floor—Albert Warner asks about the Dog Control Officer and how come he could pick up a dog and take it to Stray Haven with out notifying the owner of the dog first.(dog had name of owner on the collar.)  Supervisor had no answer, but would speak to Brad Walker DCO.

 

                                                Communications and Petitions:

 

1.        Tioga County Pesticide Drop Off Day will be 11-14-03

2.        Letter from Fire Chief—Emergency Squad/New Fire Station.  Will keep for files , will be an open issue for a while.

 

Reports:

 

A.      Co, Planning Board—Geo. Swaney-absent.

B.       Highway Dept.-Karl Spoonhower—Has sanders ready to go, got end of garage closed and almost ready to hang doors.  The roof capped.  Electric is set.  Will be doing the curbs at the Library  (weather warming) next week. Labor donated by Highway Dept., material paid for by the Library. Board has no objections to them doing this work.

C.       Town Clerk—passed her report.

D.      Planning Board—Geo. Swaney-absent.

E.       Code Enforcement—Joe Ceurter-absent.

F.       Justice Report—absent-no report.

G.       Committee reports—neither group had any comments.

H.      Supervisor reports—Passed updated CD listing. And the Cash Flow report—no grave over budget  situation.  Don’t have a lot of extra money either.

 

Regular Meeting

November 11, 2003

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                                                                Old Business:  

 

1.        Budget 2004—The need to make DA5120. Bridge C. E.  to read $7,000. And to make DA5110.4  

General Repair C E to read $46,000.   The motion to approve the Preliminary Budget as presented with the above changes was made by William Simmons, seconded by Richard Odom.

Roll Call Vote:  Odom-aye, Simmons-aye, Ceurter-aye, Bentley-aye, Hartwig-aye. 5 ayes 0 noes.

       Carried.

                No tax increase as far as Town Tax Rate.

 

                                                                New Business:

 

1.        Excess Dog Funds—each year the County returns back to the Towns a percentage of the collected dog funds (originally from our dog funds that we pay to the County), but Stray Haven is in need so will give our share to them.  Supervisor Hartwig presented  the  following resolution to the Town Board:

(copy given to each board member.)

Motion to approve this resolution as presented was made by William Simmons seconded by Trudy Bentley.  Carried. 

2.        Addition to Highway Garage discussed under Karl’s report.

Motion to purchase 5 garage doors and hardware was made by Trudy Bentley, seconded by William Simmons.  Carried  Cost of new Doors !350.00 each from Greene’s.  Not to e paid for until done!

 

                                                Approval of Warrants:

     

       Bookkeeper $4284.84

       Highway  #193-#216  $18,929.71

       General Fund #38-#46  $1084.78

     

      Motion to pay as audited was made by Trudy Bentley, Seconded by John Ceurter.  Carried

 

      MEETING POLICY:  Supervisor does both Planning and Conducting of meetings—Doesn’t like surprises.

 

Motion to adjourn was made by John Ceurter at 8:30 PM, seconded by Richard Odom.  Carried

 

 

Respectively Submitted:

 

Constance M. Liddington