NYS DOT Says “No” To Lowering The Speed Limit On Bly Hollow Road
By Doug La Rocque
After two fatal crashes and numerous other accidents and near misses, and at the request of several residents along the road, the Berlin Town Board in December of 2015 sent a letter asking the Department of Transportation for permission to reduce the speed limit from 40 to 30 miles per hour. [private] At the Board’s January 12 meeting, Supervisor Rob Jaeger read the state’s response. “This town highway is currently regulated by a 40 mile per hour speed limit that was established in 1999. Our investigation determined that conditions along this highway do not warrant any further speed reduction.” The Board as a whole expressed its dismay at this decision and discussed what steps they can take on their own to make the roadway safer. Part of that discussion was to put up the yellow warning signs, with suggested speed limits. These are however, only suggestions and not enforceable. Councilman Dean Maxon said he really wasn’t surprised, telling The Eastwick Press “the State is going to do what the State is going to do.” He mentioned another time when the Town asked for the speed limit on Route 22 in front of the Berlin Jr.-Sr. High School be reduced from 55 to 45 miles per hour, and that too was rejected. Maxon supports the warning signs, but believes it all comes down to personal responsibility, and cites the increased traffic on the road over the past few years as another reason people should just slow down.
Concerns About Cost Of Maintaining PFOA Filters
District 2 Water Commissioner Jim Winn said the contractors have wrapped things up for now at the Water District’s pumping station, but he believes they will be back shortly. Winn said the piping has been laid, covered and pressure tested, as well as some other improvements to allow large trucks to access the site. Supervisor Jaeger said his conversations with Rensselaer County Environmental Health Director Rich Elder have led him to believe there will be significant work involved in maintaining the filtration system once it is up and running. Councilwoman Tara Fisher asked, “who’s going to pay for that?”
Water Superintendent Winn said Supervisor Jaeger was to have received an e-mail from the State on that subject, but Jaeger said he has not received such an e-mail yet. Other questions were raised about the filters also, and Jaeger said he will gather more information and also consult the environmental attorney the town has hired to help protect them in the matter.
Ambulance Concerns
Supervisor Jaeger told those gathered that he had recently attended a meeting in Brunswick at the request of Rensselaer County, to discuss ambulance staffing in rural areas. One of the ideas brought forth was to station a paid ambulance in Brunswick to cover that town, eastern Rensselaer County and the Town of Poestenkill. The cost seemed to be prohibitive, and one ambulance’s ability to cover such a large geographic area was also a concern. Jaeger feels this is something that will require more input from the various ambulance and rescue squads in the area. Several local volunteer ambulances bill insurance for services provided, but the Berlin ambulance is part of the Fire Department, and by law cannot bill for its service
Reports And Committees
Highway Superintendent Jim Winn said he and his crew have probably used more sand and salt so far this year than all of last winter, and stuff that didn’t break last year is breaking this year. He said however, everything is back together and they are ready to go. He also mentioned the cold snaps followed by several warm ups is contributing to a number of roads coming apart.
Dog Control Officer Doug Goodermote said he has had some more issues with the owner of an animal on Bly Hollow, and investigated a possible cruelty to animals complaint, an issue turned over to the State Police. Supervisor Jaeger congratulated Goodermote on his most recent Ag and Market inspections, noting that both he and his kennel “passed with flying colors.”
Codes Enforcement Officer Allan Yerton said any new additions to a home must now have architecturally drawn plans that spell out all the energy qualifications for doors, windows and such. He also said new codes adopted by New York State require all portions of the home involved with the addition, to be brought up to code. In the past, if the addition was less than 50 percent the size of the structure, such upgrades were not needed.
Youth Commissioner Tammy Osterhout told the Board she has received eight surveys back, all in favor of keeping the summer swim program, but many also would like to see summer activities moved back into the village from the Town Municipal Complex. Supervisor Jaeger said he has been told the new Historical Center may be open as early as Memorial Day, but most certainly by the 4th of July.
The Assessors want to remind all seniors they must re-apply for the Enhanced Star program each year. That can be done by contacting the Assessor’s office before March 1. Those currently receiving the annual Star exemption do not need to re-apply.
Town Clerk Anne Maxon reported local, county and state revenues of $3,711.25 and non-local funds totaling $706.01. The Town Board will next meet in a workshop meeting on Thursday, January 26 at 7 pm. [/private]