by Kieron Kramer
The first regular Berlin Town Board meeting of 2015 took place at the Municipal Complex at 17563 Route 22 on Thursday, January 8, with a sparser crowd than usual, probably because it was the first bitterly cold day of the new year. The Town’s organizational meeting was held prior to this meeting even though it was originally scheduled for Monday, January 5. “People [Town Board members] didn’t want to come out twice this week,” Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger said, explaining the rescheduling.
[private]Bill For New Water Main
Water District #2 Supervisor Jim Winn reported on that water district. “It’s quiet, and hopefully it stays that way,” he said. The Town has received the bill from the County for constructing the 10 inch water main from Route 22, across the Little Hoosic River at the Elm Street Bridge that the County replaced this fall. The new, larger main is a serious upgrade to the Water District since it will provide more volume of water to the east side of town. Not only was a larger water main installed but so were new shut-off valves. The bill from the County was for $18,529.85. When the Town and the County reached the agreement last March the estimated cost for the Town, which included the engineering and construction costs, was to be $19,743.
Highway Report
As Highway Superintendent, Jim Winn reported that the Department has “been out cutting edges and wasting sand.” “Every storm, except yesterday, has started or ended with rain, and it’s been slippery,” he said, “other than that we are just trying to keep stuff together.” “Spring is coming someday,” Winn added optimistically.
Animal Magnetism
Dog Control Officer Doug Goodermote called people’s attention to the article in The Eastwick Press that appeared on the day of this meeting about the roaming sheep discussed in the December Town Board meeting. The sheep has settled down with Kent Goodermote and Lilly Hewitt on Berlin Mountain and now lives with Maple and Syrup, their oxen. Doug Goodermote, who couldn’t catch the sheep last month, said, “At this time of year they get hungry and get very friendly.” Goodermote also reported that a dog reported lost for ten days had been found on Taborton Road and returned to its owner. “The little fellow just showed up,” he said. Town Clerk Anne Maxon said, somewhat mischievously, that she had referred a caller, who had a problem with a horse, to Goodermote even after telling the caller that Goodermote does not control animals – just dogs.
Goodermote sometimes gets complaints about animal abuse. Last year, when investigating a complaint, he was told by a County official that he had “overstepped” his boundaries. “I control the dog, not the guy who feeds them,” he said. Goodermote said that citizens with complaints about animal mistreatment should call 270-5252.
Code Enforcement Report
Code Enforcement Officer Allan Yerton reported that the building owned by Mr. Snow, housing the Bardis apartments near the former W.J. Cowee complex, seems to have been sold. Last month he reported that there were violations that Snow would have to remedy. Presumably, the new owner will fix the porches on the building that are in code violation. Although there is not much snow on the ground, Yerton gave his annual warning about gas fired devices that vent to the outside low on the building. The vents need to be kept clear of snow over the winter. In fact, all vents, like dryer vents, should be kept clear. Yerton also recommended getting carbon monoxide detectors for the home which, he said, are “getting better.”
Transfer Station
It was reported that the new hauling vendor at the Transfer station has placed its containers and its gates and has begun hauling. Jaeger mentioned that Town Attorney Don Tate has completed reviewing “the contract” – meaning the contract with Petersburgh for that town’s sharing of the Berlin Transfer Station.
The Town received correspondence from the New York Association of Towns announcing its annual meeting to be held in New York City from February 15 to 18. “We’ve never had the money or the opportunity to go there,” Jaeger said.
Account Adjustments
Jaeger announced that he had received the account adjustments from the Town bookkeeper, Maureen Seel. Town Board Member Tara Fisher said that she thought the adjustments were to be reviewed by the Board at the next Board workshop on January 22. Board Member Steve Riccardi agreed so the review of the adjustments were put off until the workshop.
Electric Consortium
A large part of the meeting involved a discussion about the Town’s joining an electric consortium that pools NYS towns’ electric purchases thereby providing leverage in order to lower the rates charged by the electric suppliers. The power carriers, like NYSEG, are not affected by the purchasing power of the consortium; their rates are controlled by the New York State Public Service Commission. Supervisor Jaeger expects that the Town will save money, much as it did by joining the New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal several years ago, which was also sponsored by the New York Association of Towns.
According to Jaeger, 140 towns have joined the consortium, and he asked the Board for the authorization to sign and submit the application that would allow Berlin to join. He said it needed to be sent the next day. The rate for electric supply would be $.06683 per kilowatt hour. Even more important, for those who remember the “polar vortex” (formerly known as a cold snap) from last winter that drove the electric supply prices through the roof, this rate would be fixed for two years.
Board members Fisher and Riccardi wanted to review the terms of joining the consortium before agreeing. Fisher asked for the last two years’ electric bills which Town Clerk Anne Maxon provided from her office. Fisher determined that most of the electric charges in the last two years were $.09 per kilowatt hour. It seems that the new rate would save the Town a lot of money. Riccardi asked if there was a charge for leaving the consortium before the two year term. There is a charge for early termination, but Riccardi decided that the electric supplier to the consortium needed some guarantees as well. From the audience Billy Hammersmith asked if the guaranteed rate was the commercial rate. Fisher said, “Yes,” and Hammersmith replied, “That’s cheap.” He also asked if there was a charge for minimum usage or for leaving the Town’s current supplier. Apparently these extra charges don’t apply and other fees are included in the rate that will be charged. Fisher concluded that the deal was “not bad” especially since the rate will be fixed. The Board then voted unanimously, 4-0 with Board Member Dean Maxon absent, to authorize Jaeger to go ahead with the application. Fisher apologized for taking so much time over the issue, but Jaeger said he appreciated the Board’s “due diligence.”
Anne Maxon read the bills to be paid that were reviewed by the Board members before the beginning of the meeting. Highway Superintendent Winn corrected one highway bill, from Nortrax, which had a $28.85 overcharge in it. The Board then voted to pay all bills as modified.
Water In The Old Town Garage
Board Member John Winn raised a concern about the old Town garage during the Board comments at the end of the meeting. He said the garage is being heated in order to keep the water pipes from freezing. He felt that this was an expense that could be avoided by shutting off the water to the building. The problem, Jim Winn said, is that the shut off valve to the building is buried and no one knows exactly where it is. Also, the ground would be hard to dig even if one did have an idea where the valve is. It was suggested that the area where the water pipes are located, which is about a 6′ x 8′ space, could be insulated and an insulated door installed. The space could then be heated by a relatively inexpensive space heater. Fisher said that this would be a temporary solution until the ground thaws and the shut off valve could be located.
Jaeger asked that the size of the door needed should be measured. Jim Winn said he thought it was a 30 inch wide doorway. Jaeger said, “I may have one.” Since Jaeger seems to have an unending supply of useful fixtures, he also donated the radiators for the Historical Center located in the old Town hall, people dubbed his barn “Jaeger’s True Value.” Whereupon, the meeting adjourned at 8:11 pm.[/private]