….Continued from last week
by Kieron Kramer
The June 9 Berlin Town Board meeting was the first meeting for Richard deLeon Jr. who was appointed in the May meeting to fill the seat held by Richard von Schilgen, and he hit the ground running. De Leon had familiarized himself with the issues before the Board and made contributing comments during the meeting. He was warmly welcomed by Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger at the beginning of the meeting and by Allan Yerton later in the meeting. During comment time deLeon said, “Thank you to the Board for putting me here and to the townspeople for allowing me to sit here. I hope I can do a good job for everyone, and I hope I can get out and speak to everyone individually in my short time here.” Jaeger replied, “Thank you for being willing to serve.”
Bly Hollow Dogs
What is it with Bly Hollow Road and dogs? Dog Control Officer Doug Goodermote reported that he had removed a pit bull bitch and her ten pups from a house at the top of the hill on Bly Hollow Road. According to Goodermote, the owner had been convicted of animal abuse in the past and was under a court order not to have pets again. A neighbor noticed that she had the dog and pups and told on her to the County Sheriff who called Goodermote, and they went to get the dogs. The dogs had to stay at Goodermote’s kennel for a day. In that time the Berkshire County Humane Society found foster care for them, and Goodermote took them over to Pittsfield. “They are nice dogs,” Goodermote said, “nothing wrong with them.”
The lady on Airport Road who was under a Berlin court order to install a fence to restrain her German shepherd was back in court in the last month and was ordered to finish the fence which was now 75% built, Goodermote said. He was confident she will finish the wooden stockade fence by the Court’s new deadline (which was June 15). “Or the dog will leave town.”
The renewal of the kennel contract, which is required by Ag & Markets regulation, was approved by unanimous vote. The cost for Goodermote to provide kennel services to the Town is $200 per year.
Painted Plows
Highway Superintendent Jim Winn reported that all the plows have been cleaned painted and put up for the summer except for one wing that still has to be painted. The Highway Department has been grading and gravelling, he said, and the salt contract authorized last month has been signed. Jaeger said he had received several verbal praises for Winn for the work done in Cherry Plain. Winn said, “We have Stephentown to thank for that.”
Youth Commission Ready To Go
Tammy Osterhout reported that the Youth Committee’s summer programs are ready to go. The rec program will begin July 5 at the Seventh Day Baptist Church. The forms needed to join the Swim Program are on the Town website (http://berlin-ny.us/) she said. They can be downloaded and filled out and mailed to Osterhout at her new address, 20 Park Avenue in Berlin. The swim program will run from August 8 to August 19. The bus will leave promptly from the Berlin Fire House at 9:30 am so participants must check in at 9, Osterhout said. The bus will return at 1 or 1:30 pm.
Osterhout has high hopes about how to use the $5,000 left to the Youth Committee by Margaret Kinn. For years Berlin kids were taken to the Schaghticoke Fair for a day with all expenses paid. The Kinn gift, she hoped, can be used to reinstate that fun trip. Osterhout would also like to take kids to Water Slide World in Lake George. The Kinn bequest may take some time before it is received, however.
Osterhout announced that a parent has recently volunteered to help with the Youth Committee. She said she also wanted to have a bicycle day but needs to contact the Sheriff’s Department first about safety issues. She said that helmets are required for riders up to the age of 13. This comment brought to light a near tragic accident that was narrowly averted two weeks before this meeting. According to Supervisor Jaeger, a little girl rode her bike into Route 22 near Stewart’s, getting all the way to the midline before turning back. Jaeger said that only fast action by school bus driver Mike Centanni of Cropseyville, who was able to swerve the large vehicle and miss the little girl, avoided what probably would have been a fatal accident.
Workshop
Supervisor Jaeger reported that at the workshop the Town met with a forester who will inspect the Town’s 120 acre lot on Comstock Hollow Road. He charges $20 per acre to do this. Jaeger said he would like to develop a management plan for the lot so the Town can harvest and sell lumber “every so often.”
At the workshop the Board voted to purchase tax collection software for Tax Collector Pam DeShane to use. The software costs $540, and at this meeting Board Member Sheila Hewitt wanted to confirm that the purchase was in progress so that DeShane could learn the software and get it up and running by January 1.
Water Running Smoothly
Leonard Clapp reported that “everything is going smoothly” in Water District #1 and that a copy of his renewed Water Supervisor’s license has been given to the Town Clerk. Jim Winn reported that “all is quiet” in Water District #2. He has not proceeded further in installing a water meter at the Berlin Elementary School. Jaeger said that the Town will install a water meter at the school because it is one of the biggest water users in Town.
Swimming Pool Regulations
Code Enforcement Officer Allan Yerton reminded the public that the swimming season has begun and the State swimming pool regulations are in effect. People should pay attention to them, he emphasized. Even inflatable or portable pools must have a fence around them if they are 24 inches deep or more. Pools 52 inches deep or more must have a lock on the fence and a motion alarm.
Yerton reported that the debris from the condemned house on North Main Street that was razed last month by the County has been removed. He also said that he had issued a permit for a fireworks display, and “It was a real good show.” It was a birthday celebration. Board Member Sheila Hewitt said, “That was awesome; the best he has done.”
As Chairman of the Town Assessors, Yerton said that the hearing of grievances is all done. “It was pretty painless this year,” he said.
Vic Lewin, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, said that a “special permit” had been issued for Palmer Apparel on North Main Street. There has also been an informal inquiry about a gravel mine that would need a special permit.
Ivan Wager did not attend the meeting so there was no report on the disaster plan or the transfer station.
Sheila Hewitt pulled three bills from the to be paid list because of a blank voucher, discrepancies on the vouchers and missing invoices. The Board then voted to pay the rest of the bills.
Board Member de Leon reminded the public that there is a fund-raiser on June 26 for a third-grader at Berlin Elementary School with a tumor on her optic nerve. He said, “It would be nice for the town to come together on this.” Cans for donations are located in various places around town.
Allan Yerton said that there is a farmers market from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday and 12 to 4 pm on Sunday on Brimmer Junction Road.
Community Day
It was announced at the end of this meeting that the Berlin Fire Department is planning a Community Day for July 23. The Department had hoped the event would correspond with the gladioli in full bloom; originally they wanted to call it a Gladioli Festival. Sharon Clapp said the idea is that the chicken meal, the vendors and the events, along with the blooming gladioli beds, will draw new people to Berlin. The Fire Department hopes to make this an annual event.