by Alex Brooks
Supervisor Jaeger said Dr. Young, the Berlin School District Superintendent, had expressed interest on behalf of the Berlin School District in renting the old town garage for a maintenance shop for the school buses. Supervisor Jaeger offered it for $6,000 for the year, the School to pay heat and electricity. Berlin is now waiting for the School District’s reply to their offer.
[private]Jaeger also mentioned that there is someone who is interested in buying the old Town Garage, but he didn’t offer any details about that.
Jaeger reported that Key Bank has agreed to refund $5,000 of the “analysis fees” they assessed on the town’s bank account last summer and fall. They charged almost $9,000 starting in July, and the fees were so unexpected, they caused the Town to bounce a check. The Board is in the process of moving their funds to Pioneer Bank, which promises not to charge “analysis fees.”
Because Pioneer Bank is a bit further away, the Town is buying a check scanner, so that checks can be deposited without driving to the bank. Cash deposits, of course, still have to be taken to the bank. Jaeger said training on the check scanner was scheduled for the following week.
Councilman Steve Riccardi said he is not satisfied with a partial refund. He felt that if the fees are not legitimate, they should all be refunded, and said he intends to continue pursuing it.
Historical Center Sign
Supervisor Jaeger said a new sign for the Berlin Historical Center (the former Town Hall) has been purchased and installed. He offered thanks to the Berlin Highway Department for installing the sign on the building. He said it cost $206 to have the sign made.
Jaeger said while he was at the Historical Center delivering the sign, he noticed that some areas near the entrance are greatly in need of painting. He said the Town has paint, but needs a volunteer to do the painting. Before the meeting was over, a high school girl who was attending the meeting volunteered to do some painting at that building.
Junk Yard
During the public comment time, a resident of Taborton Road complained about a property that she believed is operating as an unlicensed junk yard. In addition to being an eyesore, she said there had been a fire on the property, and big trucks are sometimes parked in front in a way that obstructs the road. Code Enforcement Officer Allan Yerton said he would go up there and take a look, but he said she would probably get more leverage if she could get DEC or the State Police interested. He said if vehicles are blocking the road so that emergency vehicles could not get through, that would be a matter for the State Police. If toxic materials from the vehicles on the property are not being properly handled, that would be a matter for DEC.
Highway Superintendent Jim Winn said he had trouble with that property also. After the owner put some fill in the driveway, water was backing up, and Winn had to put a new culvert in to drain the water.
Dog Control
Dog Control Officer Doug Goodermote said the Town’s Rabies Clinic was “kind of a disaster,” because not many showed up. He said dogs are “cutting loose again,” and keeping him busy. He also said he had some chicken complaints, but didn’t go into detail.
Jaeger said a raccoon has been observed climbing in and out of the chimney of the Town Hall, so he is planning to install a chimney cap to prevent such activity.
In other business:
• Jaeger said a draft of the State’s audit of the Town’s finances has been received, but because it is just a draft, it is not to be released to the public yet. He said the bulk of it focuses on the Water District, and Town officials are working on a correction policy in response to the concerns raised by the audit.
• Tammy Osterhout said the swim program is scheduled for July 20 to 31 at Grafton Lakes State Park, and theArts and Recreation program is scheduled for August 3 to 21.
• Jaeger said a signed copy of the Transfer Station Agreement had been received from Petersburgh, and he has asked Town Attorney Tate to review it before the Board takes action on it.
• Jaeger said he is looking into establishing a Community Garden somewhere on the Municipal Complex property, but he is still consulting with people about exactly where it should be located.
• Jaeger said a bid of $3,750 was received for the Mack Truck the Town wished to sell, and the board agreed to accept the bid.
• It was noted that the ZBA is still looking for another member. Citizens willing to serve are asked to contact the Town Clerk.[/private]