Berlin Town Board Closes The 2016 Books And Appoints A New Town Justice
By Doug La Rocque
Like all towns around New York State, Berlin’s Board gathered Thursday December 29 to pay all the remaining bills so the 2016 financial records can be finalized and filed with the state.[private]The final installment of the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program monies also came in under the deadline, so the Highway Department Budget could refund money loaned from the General Fund earlier in the year to keep the Highway Department running. These CHIPs monies are part of the highway budgets, but since New York State changed the method and schedule for the payment of the funds, many towns across the state find themselves hoping this final payment arrives in time to keep the budget balanced.
Berlin Again Has Two Town Justices On The Bench
Justice Don Sweet has been handling the duties by himself since the November resignation of former Town Justice Christina Vanko due to health concerns. The Board appointed Tom Carr to the post. Since Justice Carr is an attorney with many years of courtroom experience, he is not required to take the preparatory courses that justices without this experience must complete. Justice Carr was sworn in that night and can take his seat on the bench immediately. The new Justice is a former partner with the prominent Albany law firm of Tully Rinckey, has spent many years as a defense attorney and served in both the Rensselaer County and Brooklyn District Attorney’s offices.
Getting Organized for 2017
The Board plans to hold its yearly Organizational Meeting on Thursday, January 12 at 7 pm, prior to the regularly scheduled meeting, which takes place at 7:30. Meetings are held at the Municipal Complex on Route 22.[/private]