A Quiet Meeting
“It’s getting quieter, and things are thawing out,” reported Jim Winn for Berlin’s Water District 2. It was also a fairly quiet Town Board meeting on Thursday, April 9, with not a whole lot going on. Winn mentioned that two 4-inch water mains had frozen up, one on Mill Street and one at the former Cowee plant, now the Gallivan plant. Both had been fixed.
[private] The fact that a water meter that had been in use at the Cowee plant was no longer functioning led to a discussion on water meters in general. Apparently only three Water District customers had meters, Cowee’s, the car wash and the former laundromat. All had been owned and monitored by the customers themselves. Councilman Steve Riccardi suggested that the Board should undertake to study whether it would be fair and feasible for the Town to have meters installed for all customers or perhaps for just commercial users or high volume users. There was some discussion about possible high costs involved and whether the Town would want to risk driving out the little industry that it has. Riccardi urged, however, that the Board at least study the issue, see what other towns are doing and consider all options and ramifications.
Councilman Dean Maxon agreed with this position and Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger agreed that the Board would continue the discussion.
Route 22 Repaving
To Continue
Reporting for the Highway Department, Jim Winn said that they had been “sweeping and making dust…and servicing stuff.” He added that they had also been stockpiling crusher run because the State Transportation Department is preparing to get started on finishing the repaving work on Route 22. Once that work starts it will be hard to compete with traffic going to and from the gravel pits. Winn said he believed that the contract for paving Route 22 from Cherry Plain where they left off last year up to Route 2 in Petersburgh has been awarded to the Rifenburg company and that work may start in June.
Dog Control
Dog Control Officer Doug Goodermote reported that there had been a problem in the north end of Town where some dog walkers apparently think that as long as their dogs are on a leash, it’s OK if their dogs do their business wherever they want. This has some residents upset about dog excrement on their lawns and sidewalks.
Goodermote reminded everyone about the upcoming Rabies Clinic to be held at the Municipal Complex on Thursday, April 16 from 6 to 8 pm. The fee is $10 for cats or dogs. He commented that the Town gets nothing out of this. It is done as a public service.
Land Use Regulations
To Be Reviewed
Planning Board Chair Pam Gerstel said that they would soon begin a review of the Town’s land use regulations. It has been two years, she said, since they have looked at them.
Summer Programs
For Youth
Tammy Osterhout reported that with three feet of snow still on the ground, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, held on March 29, had been moved inside. Despite that, there was fun and games and prizes for all who attended.
The Swim Program, she said, will be held at Grafton Lakes State Park from July 6 to 17, Sessions will run from 9 to 10 am. The Town will pay for school bus transportation but there will be no charge for use of the Park. Annette Bell is the Director and about 60 children are expected to attend. Applications will be available soon.
The Summer Recreation Program is tentatively set for July 20 to August 7, dependent on how many children will be attending.
Transfer Station
Transfer Station Attendant Bud Hall (referred to inadvertently last month by this reporter as Bud Moon – Our apologies to Mr. Hall.) reported that the Station is now sporting a couple of new signs.
Hall said that most people are complying with the requirement to show their Transfer Station stickers in their vehicle’s windshield, but a few are still reluctant for some reason.
Jaeger noted that as of the meeting date there still was no signed contract with the Town of Petersburgh.
Community Garden
Jaeger said there had been a request from the local Girl Scouts to start a community garden at the Municipal Complex. Board members thought that was a good idea and a resolution was passed unanimously to OK the project.
Condolences
Board members expressed condolences to the families of recently deceased former Building Inspector George Avery and Scoutmaster and Berlin Parade Committee Member Joseph Shupe. [/private]