Berlin Town Board Action – Berlin Adopts Comprehensive Plan

by Thaddeus Flint
The Town of Berlin adopted its Comprehensive Plan at the September 8 meeting of the Town Board. And just in time, it seems. The plan, which passed unanimously (with the exception of Council Member Jim Saunders who was not present), could prove useful when the Town prepares its applications for FEMA relief from the recent Hurricane Irene and the floods of last week.
The fallout of these storms became the center of the night’s discussions. Town Supervisor Robert Jaeger explained how FEMA would be touring the town in the next week looking for information about flood damage.  He stated that anyone who had damage should make sure they contact the local FEMA office, located at 127 Blooming Grove Drive, in Troy, to file a claim. This should be done even if residents had insurance coverage. FEMA will also be looking at the extent of damage to the Town’s roads and bridges.
Highway Supervisor James Winn detailed how the storms had damaged some seven culverts, two bridges, and miles of road. According to Jaeger the cost of the storm damage could be somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000. “Hopefully we can hook up with FEMA to pay for it,” he said.
Town Council Member Sheila Hewitt said that on a recent trip she took to Vermont after the storms she noticed that every river and stream seemed to have a piece of excavating equipment in it, clearing them before another storm could come along and do even further damage. “If New York State would just let people into their brooks, we wouldn’t have all these problems to begin with,” she said. Jaeger then pointed out that, at least temporarily, the State of New York might actually agree with her. The Department of Environmental Conservation had sent out an email stating that for 30 days they would be waiving the need for permits for work in stream and river beds. “If there is a threat to life, limb, property, or business,” said Jaeger, “do whatever you have to do to abate it.”
Leonard Clapp, of the Little Hoosick Watershed, seemed relieved to hear this. He estimated costs from damage to that river’s banks and abutments would total over a million dollars. With the DEC relief on permits granted, he said “I will have a bulldozer in that river by Friday morning.” Then, realizing he was trusting the word of the State of New York, he added “I might be in jail by Saturday night.”
The Town’s Code Enforcement officer, Walter Yerton, then pointed out that the previous planned site of the Town’s future town hall, Berlin Lumber, had survived the floods with no problems at all. “Berlin Lumber is not in a flood zone, and high water is not an issue down there,” he stated.
The comprehensive plan was then voted on and accepted. “This is a document of what Berlin is and what we want Berlin to be,” stated Jaeger. He explained that the plan is a “living document” and would be reviewed every five years to see that it accounts for future changes in the town.
One of these changes could be an increase in the use of wind energy. A town law on wind energy has been drafted and can be viewed on the Town’s website, http://berlin-ny.us , under the Planning Board section. A motion was made and passed unanimously that the matter be put up for public hearing on October 13, at 7 pm before the start of the next Town Board meeting.
The Board then heard how the Town’s Zoning and Planning boards were having trouble completing projects due to some members continually not showing up at meetings. If these boards are unable to form a quorum, they cannot proceed apace. The Board adopted a resolution unanimously that if a member of one of these boards does not have the experience to work on that board, or misses three meetings without cause, they could be removed by the Town Board.
A resolution on a Capital Reserve fund of $15,000 for highway equipment passed unanimously as well. This will allow the Highway Department to be continually funded for updates to its equipment without having to put the items out for referendum. The town is not locked into a yearly amount of $15,000 but can add to the fund in amounts proportionate to the current finances of the Town.
In other news, mold remediation will begin this week, with one day on the Town Hall, and three days for the Watipi Building. A rabies clinic for dogs and cats will be held on Thursday October 20, at the Berlin Town Highway Garage on Route 22. Cats can be vaccinated from 6 to 7 pm, dogs from 7 to 8 pm. The cost is $10.
The meeting then adjourned, with Jaeger saying, “We will all pray for sunshine.”