by Kieron Kramer
Perhaps aware that Santa will soon be checking his list of who is naughty or nice the Berlin Town Board met on Thursday, December 12, for its regular meeting, and they were decidedly nice. In fact, the Board has been nice virtually all year. [private]At the end of this meeting Board Member Dean Maxon said, “To Rich, I just want to say I’m glad I’ve been on the Board with you. Stay involved.” Board Member Richard deLeon Jr., attending his last regular Board meeting, responded, “I give thanks for my time on the Board; sorry to go; see you later.” Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger said, “Come back again.” To which deLeon said, “Maybe some day.” He was then congratulated on his new baby. “Enjoy your new baby,” someone said. “Every day,” deLeon replied.
In the May 2011 Town Board meeting deLeon was appointed unanimously, over many other interested parties, to fill the seat left vacant by Board Member Richard von Schilgen’s death for a term to end on December 31, 2011. He was not nominated to run for the two years remaining in von Schilgen’s term; rather the Republican caucus nominated John Winn, who won in the general election in November 2011. However, deLeon was appointed in the January 2012 Organizational meeting to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Councilman James Saunders in September 2011. He was then elected in November 2012 to a one year term. He was defeated this last November for a full four year term by Steve Riccardi, a Democrat who served on the Board in the late 1990s.
Closing On The Cherry Plain Polling Place
Jaeger announced that the closing on the Cherry Plain Polling Place had been held in Town Attorney Don Tate’s office in Hoosick Falls on the Wednesday before this meeting. The Town netted $9,955 after paying $45 in document filing fees, and the money was immediately put into the Town’s general fund at the Key Bank in Hoosick Falls, Jaeger said. Also, the first $1,000 monthly rental fee for the former Town Garage was paid by Northline and deposited in the bank, Jaeger announced
Appointments
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Member Susan Womersley’s term expires this year. “We want to reappoint her, and she’s not here to protect herself,” Jaeger said. Chairman of the ZBA, Nicholas Adams said she should be reappointed, but “don’t tell her who nominated her,” he said. The Board reappointed Womersley unanimously. Adams reported that the ZBA’s only activity has been waiting for the Vincents to obtain their bond required for their gravel mine on Plank Road.
Planning Board Chair Pam Gerstel said that Planning Board Member Frank Mace’s term was also expiring and that he should be reappointed. The general consensus was that this would be a good idea, and the Board reappointed Mace unanimously. Gerstel also announced that there would be no Planning Board meeting this month. She reported that three Planning Board members, Justin Christensen, Frank Mace and Bonita Maxon, attended “a wonderful conference” on December 4 at HVCC. They learned about the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) procedures and requirements, she said. Gerstel also said that the Planning Board needs a computer to facilitate the filing of forms with the State.
Jaeger said that the Assessors’ computer has had a software upgrade; it is now running Windows 7, and it will be put into the building shared by the Assessors and the Planning Board for use by both boards. The building has internet service, he added. Head of Assessors Patty Baretsky has been transferring information into the new system, he said.
Youth And Youth To Youth
Tammy Osterhout reported that there is not much going on at the moment, but she has been receiving calls about the room that will be used by Berlin’s youth and by participants in the Youth to Youth program from both Berlin and New Lebanon and about the events there. People want to donate equipment. “One person wants to donate a treadmill,” she said. And added, “The only thing we need for wintertime is heat.”
A lengthy discussion about heating the approximately 800 square foot area ensued. Jaeger asked Code Enforcement Officer Allan Yerton if there were code problems with installing a pellet stove in that space, and Yerton said that if the stove was installed according to code there would be no problem, and he added that there are wall mounted propane heaters that could be used. There is a large furnace there, Jim Winn said. After an extended back and forth about heating systems and problems it was determined that Jaeger and Osterhout would explore the possibilities. Gerstel chimed in that the Planning Board members meet with their coats on because the heater in the Planning Board area doesn’t work properly. That heater used to crank out the most heat, Jaeger said. “It gets a little chilly,” Gerstel replied.
Reports
Water District #1 is closed for the season. Water District #2 Supervisor Jim Winn said, “It’s all quiet.”
As Highway Superintendent Jim Winn said, “We are ready for spring.” Who isn’t? “We’ve been scraping,” he said – meaning that they have been plowing light snowfalls. “We have a run on hydraulic hoses this year,” he said – meaning that many hoses have had to be replaced. “But everything is going well so far,” he added.
Winn concluded his report by referring to the slippery roads from the snow on the Tuesday before this meeting. Jaeger said, “We school bus drivers appreciate the cleared roads.” Board Member Dean Maxon asked Winn if the new truck “is working pretty good.” Winn said, “Yes, it’s working good.” The Town bought a brand new, red, tandem axle truck last November from Delurey Sales and Service in North Hoosick. It was put into service in April, but this is its first plowing season.
Dog Control Officer Doug Goodermote reported that the State will be inspecting his kennel in the week after this meeting. Other than that everything is quiet, he said. “Ever since you got that badge,” Jaeger said. “Yep, they straighten right up,” Goodermote said, presumably referring to the dog owners.
Code Enforcement Officer Allan Yerton reported that two new houses and two new mobile homes have been added to the tax rolls this year. There were also four permits for solar power systems this year, and this seems to be on the rise, he said.
In Ivan Wager’s absence, it was reported that it is all quiet at the transfer station.
Odds And Ends
The bills were voted unanimously to be paid after Jim Winn asked Town Clerk Anne Maxon to switch a bill for Water District #2 out of the Highway Fund and into the Water District account.
Jim Winn said he had turned off the water in the Watipi Building, which has been closed and will be unheated for the winter, but he doesn’t know if it has been drained.
Tammy Osterhout announced that Nick Adams has already donated window boxes for next summer’s arts and craft program. After the meeting Osterhout and Adams brought in the boxes and stored them for next summer.
Visitors to the municipal complex will find their way easily to the various Town offices since the signage for those offices has been installed.
Even Nicer
The last regular Board meeting of 2013 lasted only 26 minutes. Jaeger announced that there would be no workshop this month and that Settlement night, when the Board settles the outstanding bills for the year, would be held on December 30 at 7 pm. Board Member Tara Fisher wished everyone a merry Christmas. Folks milled about, chatting after the short meeting.[/private]