2016 Budget Approved
By Doug La Rocque
Following a pair of public hearings, the Berlin Town Board gave its unanimous approval to the 2016 spending plan that totals $1,345.973. [private] This includes the Berlin Fire District budget of $237,600. Supervisor Rob Jaeger reminded those in attendance that the town government has no control over this figure. A little over $83,000 is budgeted for the Town’s two water districts.
In real tax dollars, this breaks down to $1.27 increase per thousand of assessed valuation for the Town’s portion of the document. Fire District billing will go up by approximately $1.50 per thousand.
Prior to the vote, the Town Board held a public hearing on Local Law # 5 to allow the Board to exceed the tax levy limit of less than one percent prescribed this year by New York State law. There were no speakers for or against the law. This was followed by another hearing on the budget itself. Supervisor Jaeger told the hearing the Board has kept the budget flat with a few exceptions. The contingency fund was reduced from $25,000 to $5,000. The Youth Department budget was reduced by $1,500. The Board felt these lines were over budget in 2015, when looking at what will actually be spent in this year. The Board also increased its projected County sales tax revenue by $20,000, indicating this year’s collection figures were running above budgeted levels. The largest change in this year’s budget compared to last comes in the amount of unexpended fund balance dollars applied to reduce the tax levy. Last year the Town Board applied $98,300 of unexpended funds to reduce the levy. This year, none of the fund balance was used. The Board feels that if they continued to draw it down at this rate, it would be gone in two years. Some other increases were in mandated costs, such as state retirement contributions as well as hospital and medical insurance. The only raise handed out was $750 for Highway Superintendent Jim Winn. This was to keep in line with salaries paid to the highway department employees, whose wages are subject to union negotiation. Following the budget explanation, Supervisor Jaeger opened the hearing to the floor, but again, there were no speakers. During the regular meeting, the Town Board gave its approval to both the local law and the budget.
Department Reports:
Town Clerk Ann Maxon reported a collection of $4,921.23 in local revenues and a total of state, county and local revenues of $8,043.
Water District 2 Superintendent Jim Winn reported there was an issue involving a leak at the Gallivan facility. He says he convinced them to install some more valves to isolate the buildings, especially since most do not have heat. As far as the Highway Department goes, Winn reported that the CHIPS paperwork is completed and in and his crew is busy preparing equipment for the winter months.
Dog Control Officer Doug Goodermote commented that the recent Rabies Clinic was a good success. He also reported on a dog that was raiding chicken coups. Goodermote said he was able to capture the animal, which he said “has now left town.”
Youth Commission Director Tammy Osterhout reported the annual Halloween Party was a success, but expressed concern about the larger than usual number of trick or treaters in the town. She said two children were almost struck by a car and hoped for this concern to be addressed before next year.
Transfer Station Director Ivan Wager said they are working on clearing out tires and other items before winter.
New York Makes Changes In Building Codes
Codes Enforcement Officer Walter Yerton reported he had recently attended the New York State Building Officials Conference, at which many new rules were unveiled. One of these is that all commercial buildings, regardless of when they were built, are now required to have carbon monoxide detectors installed by June of 2016. Yerton said these detectors must be hardwired in with a battery backup. Another change is that all newly constructed buildings with engineered trusses, including timber framed houses, must have a sticker on their electrical box and possibly front door, identifying them as such. The apparent concern here is the shorter than normal collapse time in case of a fire. New construction residential buildings that are three stories or more in height will also be required to install sprinkler systems.
Work Progressing At The Former Seagroatts Facility
Town Fire Officials have been meeting with representatives of Sustainable AquaFarms and the gas company that is installing the high pressure natural gas facility. November 24 has been set as the date for another meeting and the beginning of training for the Berlin Fire Department. Other departments in the Route 22 corridor will also be brought into training at a later date. Sometime in January, a session with the general public is planned to outline the safety of natural gas and the volume of truck traffic supporting the facility. The safety of gas in any form is a major concern in Berlin, as many still remember that tragic day in 1962 when a propane tanker truck lost control and exploded, killing 10 and injuring another 18. When fully operational, there will be three trailers of the natural gas brought in and out of the facility each day. Work to convert the lower greenhouse facilities for hydroponic lettuce production is visible from Route 22.
Public Use Of The
Municipal Complex Grounds Discussed
Supervisor Jaeger read a request from Diane Mosher to use the grounds for a retirement party in June of 2016. She wishes to commemorate her 30 years as a teacher in the Berlin School District. Mosher offered an insurance rider and a rental fee. The Town Board is considering the proposal pending approval of a “use form” currently being drafted with input from the town’s insurance company and the NYS Association of Towns. No alcohol would be permitted. The Board also voted to name Christopher Lecce to the Berlin Planning Board.[/private]