by Erin Hogan and Alex Brooks
At the July 20 Town Board meeting in Petersburgh, Adam Griswold reported that the Petersburgh Rescue Squad has found a new ambulance. This ambulance is “virtually brand new” according to Griswold. It’s a 2005 diesel with 18,000 miles on it. The Rescue Squad already put a nonrefundable deposit down on the ambulance that is located in Clifton Park. Griswold said the $100,000 price is a bargain.
Griswold said the old ambulance is “little by little deteriorating.” It has 52,000 miles on it and is 17 years old. Its siren recently gave out and was repaired with “a quick fix.” The Rescue Squad has taken it to many mechanics to try to get it back in shape, without much luck. Griswold said it’s “definitely time” to get a new ambulance. Board Member Amy Manchester said the new ambulance “is great.” She is very excited and enthusiastic about the new vehicle.
The Town will be helping to pay the cost of the new ambulance. The exact terms are not set in stone yet, but Supervisor Peter Schaaphok said he thinks the Town will probably pay the Ambulance Squad $10,000 per year for providing ambulance service in the Town.
Highways
The Superintendent of Highways Ray Harrison gave his report. He said that culverts are being cleaned and changed and washouts have been being fixed. He has also looked into pricing on a salt shed for the Town but has not come up with any concrete numbers as of yet. Schaaphok asked him to keep working on it.
PVMCC
Next the Petersburgh Veteran Memorial Community Center took the spotlight. Schaaphok had met with the directors to continue the discussion on the User Agreement. Schaaphok envisions a role for the PVMCC similar to the way the Town Library Board of Trustees operates. He expects the Town to pay for maintaining the building and have the PVMCC in charge of organizing and implementing the activities there, although if funds from the rental of the building continue to go to the PVMCC, some of that money may need to go to the Town to help defray the expenses of the building. Many details remain to be worked out, and discussions are ongoing.
The PVMCC Board of Directors also submitted a report to the Town Clerk thanking recently retired Town Supervisor Mason Hubbard for all his work, advice and cooperation with the PVMCC.
There was also a reminder that the Town wide tag sale will be taking place Saturday, August 22, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Town Pulls Its Funds From Bank of America
The Town of Petersburgh discussed again what to do about being hit with so many fees from Bank of America. The Town has tried to work out a better deal with the Bank without much success, and the fees are exceeding the interest at this point. There was talk again at this meeting about switching to Pioneer, which has no fees. Grafton also has had accounts with Pioneer for over three years and has never had any fees, it was said. The biggest problem with Pioneer is the distance. No one really wants to have to travel to Troy so regularly to do their banking. The idea of keeping some accounts at Bank of America and the major ones at Pioneer was thrown out on the floor, but that idea was left for dead. Peter Schaaphok said that he was “kinda disgusted with it” at this point. Bill Seel pointed out that gas for driving to Troy was cheaper than the fees that Petersburgh has gotten from Bank of America. By the end of the discussion it was decided to leave nothing in the Berlin accounts with Bank of America and just move to Pioneer. Schaaphok said he is “not altogether thrilled” about having to do all the Town’s banking so far away. He clearly is annoyed at the Bank of America for charging what he considers to be “exorbitant” fees, and he mentioned the long history of Petersburgh doing business with that Bank when it was the Taconic Valley Bank and even afterwards when it was owned by Fleet Bank and others.
TV Cable Franchise
The Board resolved to renew the TV Cable franchise with Charter Communications.
Water Usage Is Up
Todd Stradinger submitted a note to the Board saying that a lot of water is being used and so he is going to check houses to make sure that they have properly working meters. Then he is also making plans to install new ones.
A letter was received from the Berlin Fourth of July Parade Committee thanking the Board for their contribution to the committee.
Mill Yard
After all business was taken care of Supervisor Schaaphok called an executive session to discuss the Mill Yard issue. An abandoned and deteriorating building there, known locally as “The Shirt Factory” has become a safety hazard, and the Town has sought bids from contractors to take it down. Schaaphok said the project has “run into some problems concerning the contractors and State requirements which can’t at present be discussed publicly. After 25 minutes of discussion the Board returned and said that the issue is tabled until more information is received. Schaaphok said, “We are taking no action” on the matter, which he said has become “a real headache.”