Odyssey Of the Mind
By Doug La Rocque
Following a public hearing at which there were two attendees but no speakers, the Berlin Town Board on Thursday, March 14, gave final approval for the expenditure of up to $2.5 million. The money would be for the construction of a water tower for Water District #2, and the installation of water meters for all users in the District. The expenditure was brought on by the NYS Department of Health’s (DOH) determination last year that the water in the reservoir was contaminated, and should it spill back into the distribution system, would create the need for a permanent boil water order.
The Water District has received a grant for 60 percent of the cost, and a low interest loan from NYS for the rest, with payback spread out over 30 years.
The resolution to approve was not unanimous however, with Councilman Dean Maxon casting the dissenting vote. Mr. Maxon, who said he has previously worked on the water system, is still wary of problems that might be created by the pressure flowing from the water tower. He called parts of the distribution system antiquated, and questioned its ability to withstand the pressure. Tom Suozzo of Cedarwood Engineering, who will oversee construction of the tower, said the appropriate pressure relief systems will be in place.
Speaking with The Eastwick Press after the meeting, Councilman Maxon also said that part of the reason for his no vote, was that he feels DOH is forcing the tower on the 183 residents in the Water District, with little or no options. He fears many of the residents of the District won’t be able to bear the added burden, and labeled his vote “a pushback” on their behalf. Prior to his vote, Mr. Maxon did identify himself as a member of the Water District.
Councilwoman Tara Fisher, while voting yes, still prefaced her vote by saying, “we have been backed into a corner, and I wish there was a different way.”
The Water District may not have to spend all of the $2.5 million authorized. Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger reported that Cedarwood has come up with another construction firm, that says it can install the tower for $250,000 less than was originally planned.
Water District #2 Superintendent Benedikt Krahforst said DOH has informed him he need only test the water quality in the distribution system two days a week for any possible bacteria leaking back from the reservoir. DOH had previously ordered the testing be done five times a week.
Other Department News
Codes Enforcement Officer Allen Yerton said not much was happening, other than a few complaints from residents worried about what their neighbors might be doing – in particular, drilling for geothermal wells. He indicated no permit was needed.
Transfer Station Manager Bud Hall vehemently declared no one dumps at the station free of charge, as he said had been stated around town. He also took Dog Control Officer (DCO) Doug Goodermote’s place as the teller of tales for the night. He indicated that coming to work a recent Saturday morning, there were tracks where someone had managed to get around the gate, and illegally dump an old vacuum cleaner. He set it aside, but when he came back a couple of days later, there were more tracks, and the vacuum cleaner was gone, giving some credence to the old phrase, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Supervisor Jaeger said the annual agreement with the Town of Petersburgh for use of the transfer station has been signed. As for DCO Goodermote, he plans a spring Rabies Clinic on Thursday, April 18 – cats at 6 pm and dogs at 7 pm. The cost is $10 cash.
Supervisor Jaeger confirmed that the Fire Department’s ambulance is unable to respond to calls at this time, for lack of an Emergency Medical Technician. It is a situation that is plaguing many of the County’s rural towns.
The Tax Collector has turned over tax revenues totaling $1.488 million, and Town Clerk Anne Maxon reported February collections in her office of $3,618 in State, County and Local monies, and $609 in non-local funds.