OPEN FARM DAY - Visit Our BROOKFIELD Farms!
This SATURDAY, July 24th (10am – 4PM) is OPEN FARM DAY in Madison County. This is a “FREE” OPEN HOUSE of 37 Madison County farms which will be open to the public. No charge. This is a great weekend idea for the family….! BEST OF ALL…OUR TOWN has FOUR BROOKFIELD farms participating. Here is a chance to check out:
ENDLESS TRAILS (Pam & Dave Williams -Larkin Rd. Hubbardsville) – B&B/ grass fed beef; free samples and a wagon ride….
TRIPLE CREEK FARM (Mary Lou Thall - Davis Rd., off Rt. 8) – Connemera horses; miniature ponies;
THE OLDE FARM HOMESTEAD (DJ & Mindy Laymon – Hollow Road, Brookfield) Miniature Teddy Bear Sheep – sheep to pet, chickens to feed, crafts;
WILD WEST ELK RANCH (Cody, Cindy & Jerrad Mikalunas- Button Rd., Brookfield) will be selling elk and buffalo meat at their gift shop! Give it a try and check out the animals!
Here is the chance to learn about the different agricultural farms in Madison County from miniature donkeys to bee keeping, organic farms, horse farms… great day of family entertainment and education. ..and it’s FREE !!!
A do-it-yourself tour, map and farm details on all 37 are available at the links provided below. Also, maps and information will be dropped off at the Town Hall and Beaver Den later this week. Maps will also be available at each farm…..or just do it NOW and download your PASSPORT, MAPS & BROCHURE at this link.
http://madisoncountyagriculture.com/buylocalweek/2010passport.pdf
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
BROOKFIELD: July 12 Town Board Meeting
BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD – July Regular Meeting
Monday, July 12, 2010 – 7pm – Brookfield Town Hall
Following is a summary of what I believe were the “highlights” of the Regular Town Board Meeting. I am not purporting to cover every detail. Everyone is urged to attend these meeting whenever possible. Interesting & entertaining. Meetings rotate among North Brookfield, Brookfield and Leonardsville. Check the Town website for locations.
REFERENDUM: 4-YR TERMS FOR SUPERVISOR & HWY SUPERINTENDENT At next month’s August Board Meeting, a resolution will be submitted by John Salka, requesting a public referendum to extend the terms for SUPERVISOR & HWY SUPERINTENDENT to 4 yrs from two. If approved, the new terms would not take effect until 2013. The next 2011 election winners would serve 2 yr terms. The new 4- yr terms would begin with the 2013 election. Salka pointed out that other Towns already have 4 yr terms for these positions and encourages continuity, as opposed to changing direction every 2 yrs. Expected to be controversial.
CAP PROGRAM – Revisited. George Cowen & Jackie Mineo reported their findings on the CAP withdrawal – options & alternatives. In order to meet the CAP Agreement deadlines, the Board would have had to pass a resolution to withdraw from the CAP, at this evening’s meeting. The Town could later rescind if they decide to stay in the CAP. The Board decided against passing such a resolution. There was discussion about the Assessor’s salary and contractual obligations. The regular annual salary is $14,317 . Due to the revaluation this year, the salary paid by the Town of Brookfield was approx. $25,000. According to Salka, each one of the four towns in the CAP decides SEPARATELY how much they are going to pay the Assessor. There is no formal agreement and no job description or hours. No one on the Board was clear as to where the annual budget figure for the position comes from each year. Other than the Board Resolution, agreeing to join the CAP, there is no other contractual agreement.
TOWN PARK ALCOHOL POLICY – is under discussion. According to Craine insurance, the Town is covered for alcohol as long as the TOWN is not selling or serving it. Board decided that that alcohol should be permitted as long as a homeowner’s certificate of insurance is presented to the respective Park Committees, by the host. However, lone, individuals are prohibited from consuming alcohol. The Board’s decision on a formal policy is pending. The Park Committees representatives, Head & Mayne, agreed to post their policies and rules on the TOWN WEBSITE.
DOG LICENSING: Town or County Responsibility in 2011 ? While Clerk Sherry Kabana credited with being on top of this issue – now that the State is going to start dumping all dog licensing responsibilities on the local Towns (from setting up and maintaining a database down to actually ordering the tags). Salka is to bring up at this month’s County Supervisor’s meeting to see if the County or other Town Supervisors will be addressing the issue. The Towns will have the right to set the licensing fees. More paperwork and time. How much is it going to end up costing to license a dog in this town??? Ought to prove interesting.
ROAD BONDS.. and Other OPTIONS: According to Highway Supt. Jennison $30,000 doesn’t even fix ½ mile of road, so bonds should be asking for coverage of around $500,000 to cover the damage from heavy trucks. Other methods of protecting the Town roads were discussed including the Town of Lebanon’s which has a special agreement with the drilling companies involving the Town Highway Dept. and video tape of road conditions. Jennison emphasized the need for the Town Board to take action on the damage caused by these heavy trucks, he cited the example of McIntyre Rd. where, due to heavy trucks from some private building construction, repairs included over 240 hrs labor, 7 pieces Of equipment and 15 loads of gravel…. ! Giles Rd. will cost approximately $325,000 to repair and gravel 5.3 miles…. particularly with the prospect of gas drilling rigs running through the Town without regulation. A heavy vehicle permit was also mentioned as an option.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE: Surveys and community input being researched. Rumor is….a petition is being circulated to stop the Comprehensive Plan. [hwb COMMENT: While I support a plan, I do think we all need to understand the LEGAL ramifications of these plans. We were already burned by the CAP Agreement by not understanding the restrictions it created on our Town’s ability to handle our own assessment. Comprehensive Plans are a new, developing area of the law and while the predominant reason for SUPPORTING this plan is to protect us from “unwanted, outside development”…. Please note….the law states that LOCAL RESIDENTS will be “required” to comply with the plan… while OUTSIDE AGENCIES need only “consider” these Plans. Thus, the Plans end up placing a greater restriction on local residents than outsiders. This makes NO SENSE. And…the law is unclear as to who is responsible for making these “compliance” decisions….the planning board? …town board?... The Committee needs to address these issues. Again, while I support a plan and the concept, we need clarification on these points. ]
SIGNS: A warning -- STOP sign ahead --was requested for the intersection of Giles/Vidler/Skaneatlas Tpk, site of a recent auto accident. Martha Conway, reporter for the Madison Courier, outlined pending legislation which would require extensive record keeping and signage re-design. Incredible paperwork!
PINE TREES – STANBRO & LOWER BEAVER CREEK RD. – Property owners at the intersection are contesting the Town & County’s right to cut down the pine trees which have become a visual obstruction to drivers entering the intersection.
CHPPS HIGHWAY FUNDS – Confirmation received - $171,000 in State Highway CHPPS money will be coming in next year.
BOYS & GIRLS LITTLE LEAGUE – At Dewitt Head’s request, $400 will be budgeted out of Town Park funds and will be given to the Boys & Girls Little Leagues to cover costs of championship jackets as a reward for their “unprecedented” championships with undefeated records of 16-0 for the season. Congratulations to both teams and their coaches who were undefeated Champions this year! Thanks were also given to Jim Gould for his work on the Leonardsville ball park which will become a reality next year.
NORTH BROOKFIELD TOWN PARK – DeWitt Head reported a $7,000 grant was given to the North Brookfield Town Park and will be used for fencing and leveling parts of the field. He also requested the Town Highway Dept.’s help to dig out the backfield. “OPEN PARK DAY” scheduled for 7-24.
JUNKYARD INSPECTION TOURS – Were scheduled for 7-17, but may have to be rescheduled due to a schedule conflict for Head.
BROOKFIELD NAVY?...... The County wants to “give away” a weed harvester used to clean lake overgrowth. While Gorton Lake Assoc. indicated an interest in harboring the harvester, it can only be given to a municipality, such as the Town. Jennison noted the insurance runs $6,000 a yr. plus maintenance and operation. Salka to persue possibility of forming a “Lake Consortium” to accept/finance.
100th ANNIVERSARY – BROOKFIELD FIRE DEPT!....To be celebrated at the Fairgrounds.
Monday, July 12, 2010 – 7pm – Brookfield Town Hall
Following is a summary of what I believe were the “highlights” of the Regular Town Board Meeting. I am not purporting to cover every detail. Everyone is urged to attend these meeting whenever possible. Interesting & entertaining. Meetings rotate among North Brookfield, Brookfield and Leonardsville. Check the Town website for locations.
REFERENDUM: 4-YR TERMS FOR SUPERVISOR & HWY SUPERINTENDENT At next month’s August Board Meeting, a resolution will be submitted by John Salka, requesting a public referendum to extend the terms for SUPERVISOR & HWY SUPERINTENDENT to 4 yrs from two. If approved, the new terms would not take effect until 2013. The next 2011 election winners would serve 2 yr terms. The new 4- yr terms would begin with the 2013 election. Salka pointed out that other Towns already have 4 yr terms for these positions and encourages continuity, as opposed to changing direction every 2 yrs. Expected to be controversial.
CAP PROGRAM – Revisited. George Cowen & Jackie Mineo reported their findings on the CAP withdrawal – options & alternatives. In order to meet the CAP Agreement deadlines, the Board would have had to pass a resolution to withdraw from the CAP, at this evening’s meeting. The Town could later rescind if they decide to stay in the CAP. The Board decided against passing such a resolution. There was discussion about the Assessor’s salary and contractual obligations. The regular annual salary is $14,317 . Due to the revaluation this year, the salary paid by the Town of Brookfield was approx. $25,000. According to Salka, each one of the four towns in the CAP decides SEPARATELY how much they are going to pay the Assessor. There is no formal agreement and no job description or hours. No one on the Board was clear as to where the annual budget figure for the position comes from each year. Other than the Board Resolution, agreeing to join the CAP, there is no other contractual agreement.
TOWN PARK ALCOHOL POLICY – is under discussion. According to Craine insurance, the Town is covered for alcohol as long as the TOWN is not selling or serving it. Board decided that that alcohol should be permitted as long as a homeowner’s certificate of insurance is presented to the respective Park Committees, by the host. However, lone, individuals are prohibited from consuming alcohol. The Board’s decision on a formal policy is pending. The Park Committees representatives, Head & Mayne, agreed to post their policies and rules on the TOWN WEBSITE.
DOG LICENSING: Town or County Responsibility in 2011 ? While Clerk Sherry Kabana credited with being on top of this issue – now that the State is going to start dumping all dog licensing responsibilities on the local Towns (from setting up and maintaining a database down to actually ordering the tags). Salka is to bring up at this month’s County Supervisor’s meeting to see if the County or other Town Supervisors will be addressing the issue. The Towns will have the right to set the licensing fees. More paperwork and time. How much is it going to end up costing to license a dog in this town??? Ought to prove interesting.
ROAD BONDS.. and Other OPTIONS: According to Highway Supt. Jennison $30,000 doesn’t even fix ½ mile of road, so bonds should be asking for coverage of around $500,000 to cover the damage from heavy trucks. Other methods of protecting the Town roads were discussed including the Town of Lebanon’s which has a special agreement with the drilling companies involving the Town Highway Dept. and video tape of road conditions. Jennison emphasized the need for the Town Board to take action on the damage caused by these heavy trucks, he cited the example of McIntyre Rd. where, due to heavy trucks from some private building construction, repairs included over 240 hrs labor, 7 pieces Of equipment and 15 loads of gravel…. ! Giles Rd. will cost approximately $325,000 to repair and gravel 5.3 miles…. particularly with the prospect of gas drilling rigs running through the Town without regulation. A heavy vehicle permit was also mentioned as an option.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE: Surveys and community input being researched. Rumor is….a petition is being circulated to stop the Comprehensive Plan. [hwb COMMENT: While I support a plan, I do think we all need to understand the LEGAL ramifications of these plans. We were already burned by the CAP Agreement by not understanding the restrictions it created on our Town’s ability to handle our own assessment. Comprehensive Plans are a new, developing area of the law and while the predominant reason for SUPPORTING this plan is to protect us from “unwanted, outside development”…. Please note….the law states that LOCAL RESIDENTS will be “required” to comply with the plan… while OUTSIDE AGENCIES need only “consider” these Plans. Thus, the Plans end up placing a greater restriction on local residents than outsiders. This makes NO SENSE. And…the law is unclear as to who is responsible for making these “compliance” decisions….the planning board? …town board?... The Committee needs to address these issues. Again, while I support a plan and the concept, we need clarification on these points. ]
SIGNS: A warning -- STOP sign ahead --was requested for the intersection of Giles/Vidler/Skaneatlas Tpk, site of a recent auto accident. Martha Conway, reporter for the Madison Courier, outlined pending legislation which would require extensive record keeping and signage re-design. Incredible paperwork!
PINE TREES – STANBRO & LOWER BEAVER CREEK RD. – Property owners at the intersection are contesting the Town & County’s right to cut down the pine trees which have become a visual obstruction to drivers entering the intersection.
CHPPS HIGHWAY FUNDS – Confirmation received - $171,000 in State Highway CHPPS money will be coming in next year.
BOYS & GIRLS LITTLE LEAGUE – At Dewitt Head’s request, $400 will be budgeted out of Town Park funds and will be given to the Boys & Girls Little Leagues to cover costs of championship jackets as a reward for their “unprecedented” championships with undefeated records of 16-0 for the season. Congratulations to both teams and their coaches who were undefeated Champions this year! Thanks were also given to Jim Gould for his work on the Leonardsville ball park which will become a reality next year.
NORTH BROOKFIELD TOWN PARK – DeWitt Head reported a $7,000 grant was given to the North Brookfield Town Park and will be used for fencing and leveling parts of the field. He also requested the Town Highway Dept.’s help to dig out the backfield. “OPEN PARK DAY” scheduled for 7-24.
JUNKYARD INSPECTION TOURS – Were scheduled for 7-17, but may have to be rescheduled due to a schedule conflict for Head.
BROOKFIELD NAVY?...... The County wants to “give away” a weed harvester used to clean lake overgrowth. While Gorton Lake Assoc. indicated an interest in harboring the harvester, it can only be given to a municipality, such as the Town. Jennison noted the insurance runs $6,000 a yr. plus maintenance and operation. Salka to persue possibility of forming a “Lake Consortium” to accept/finance.
100th ANNIVERSARY – BROOKFIELD FIRE DEPT!....To be celebrated at the Fairgrounds.
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