by Alex Brooks
The Petersburgh Town Board passed the 2014 budget at its regular monthly meeting on November 18. The tax levy will be $705,719, about 6.5% higher than last year. General Fund appropriations are about $54,600 lower than last year, and General Fund budgeted revenues are $3,600 higher. Highway appropriations are about $14,000 higher than last year, and highway budgeted revenues are $10,600 higher.
[private]Another Leaning Building
Supervisor Siegfried Krahforst said a guy from the Rensselaer County Highway Department came out to look at the old Shirt Factory building in the Mill Yard. This property now belongs to the County and is in the process of falling down. It needs to be taken down and hauled away. Krahforst said the man from the County said it is too big for his crew to take down. He said if they can arrange the funding, it would be put out to bid next season.
People heard this news with a “don’t hold your breath” attitude. No one seemed to think that this mess would be cleaned up any time soon.
Joe Dunlop said one of the walls is leaning toward the neighbor’s house and may fall onto the neighboring house soon. Krahforst said he has done everything he can to get the County to do something about this house, so far with no result – but he said he would try again.
Code of Ethics Adopted
The Board approved the draft of the Town Code of Ethics. The code is available on the Town web site at www.petersburgh.org. It contains provisions regulating conflicts of interest, appearance of impropriety, use of Town property and resources, nepotism, and gifts or private employment offered to Town officials. Citizens who would like to contact the Board of Ethics may phone Chairperson Deidra Michaels at 518-658-0073 or Member William Shorter Sr. at 658-3563.
Historical Signs
Town Historian Peter Schaaphok said he was getting ready to repaint one of the historical signs put up by the State many years ago, when he realized the things it said were not very accurate. The primary problem is the word “massacre.” What happened was a firefight between the Brimmer family and some Indians, in which one person, George Brimmer, was killed. A massacre generally refers to an indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of a large number of people, and it suggests that those massacred did not have the means to defend themselves. Schaaphok suggested new text: The Brimmer farm, settled in 1754 on this site, was attacked by Indians in 1755. George Brimmer was killed and is buried here.
Schaaphok said it would cost $700 to $800 to make a new sign similar to the old one, but you could get a sign made similar to a street sign for $125. Schaaphok said he would pay for the sign and the Town could reimburse him at some future date. Duane Goodermote said it all sounds good except the part about reimbursing him. Goodermote and Schaaphok were discussing this when Steve Bowman piped up to say that he would pay for the sign.
New Health Plan Through The County
The Board adopted the CDPHP plan available through the County as their standard plan for the highway workers. Bill Seel said it is better than the plan they have now because it gets rid of one of the co-pays. Seel suggested that the Board approve having the workers be allowed to choose any of the plans offered through the County, as long as they pay the difference in cost over that of the CDPHP plan.
Planning Board Fees
The Planning Board asked the Town Board to approve new fees, and the Board agreed to the proposed fees.
Family subdivisions pay only the cost of public notice, $25; minor subdivisions (4 parcels or less) cost $150 plus $25 per parcel and the $25 cost of public notice. Major subdivisions (5 or more parcels) cost $250 plus $25 per parcel plus the cost of public notice.[/private]