Sunday, June 30, 2013

BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD - July 8 - Don't Miss this One!

DON'T MISS the JULY 8 TOWN BOARD MEETING --- Bound to be "Interesting".....a major upset with the Comprehensive Plan being "not recommended" by the Town Planning Board....and the shouting match that ensued....altered documents (forgery).... and don't miss the WATERVILLE TIMES that will be publishing some equally "interesting" Letters to the Editor. Should be a real eye-opener for some (but not for those who attend these meetings!)...Should sell tickets to this one! Here's a "trailer" for the upcoming meeting! [LETTER TO EDITOR]


To the Editor:

I was shocked and dismayed that at the June 26th Brookfield Planning Board meeting Marylou Rhodes and myself were repeatedly shouted at publicly by two fellow Planning Board members. We were called “liars” and accused of “lying to the Planning Board members and the people of this town” regarding the legal meaning of a Comprehensive Plan. One of them waved a supposed copy of the NYS Statute on Comprehensive Planning, Town Law § 272-a, while both of them shouted loudly at us that “the state says once adopted, a Comprehensive Plan becomes law”.

What these individuals had in reality was a document that had been altered. They did NOT have an exact printout of Town Law § 272-a. They had a document where said law had been copied and pasted into a new document, with the formatting changed and statements added to intentionally mislead both the Planning Board and the Community into believing the Plan becomes an actual "LAW".

Because of the anger and hostility created by the altered document described, I requested a legal opinion from our town attorney, based on the actual law, which follows:

“First. No Town is required to adopt a comprehensive plan. It is voluntary.

Second. If a Town adopts a comprehensive plan it does so by a Resolution, not by Ordinance or Local Law. Resolutions are the least formal kind of legislation; they are typically used by Town Boards to govern the day to day management of government (adopt a budget, set meeting dates, honor a citizen, etc.).

Third. A comprehensive plan does not require anyone to do anything, and there are no penalties for not following it. The plan is really just the ‘goals, objectives, principles, guidelines, policies, standards, devices and instruments’ of the Town to promote ‘protection, enhancement, growth and development’ of the Town, according to NY Town Law Section 272-a(2-a). By its very nature the plan is simply that, a plan, not a requirement. As with all plans it is meant to be advisory and informative, not to be mandatory. It is designed to give guidance, not to be mandatory or punitive.

Fourth. If a plan is adopted, then all ‘town land use regulations must be in accordance’ with the plan according to NY Town Law Section 272-a (11). So, if a plan is adopted, and the Town later wants to adopt land use laws, they must be in harmony with the plan.

Fifth. NY Town Law Section 272-a (12) says if a plan is adopted, it must be filed in the office of the Town Clerk, and the office of the county planning agency. Local Laws must also be filed with the Secretary of State, but that is not required for comprehensive plans.

So, can it be said that a comprehensive plan is a form of legislation? Yes, but it is legislation that is voluntary, adopted in the least formal manner, and it does not require anyone to do anything. It just serves as a guide.”

To the citizens of Brookfield, please do not be misled by this deliberate attempt to deceive. I urge you to either go to the Town Hall and request to see the actual Town Law or go to the NYS Laws website at: http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS to download and print a copy of any law yourself.

Karen Nowak
Brookfield Planning Board

Friday, June 21, 2013

BCS - "Imports" 9% of its Students

Interesting detail learned at the BCS Board meeting last week:  21 students (approximately 9%) of the BCS student population (approx 240 total) are from out of district and attend free.

BCS - Plows $130,000 salary

Catch this week's Waterville Times.... Plows got the job (surprise!) that they have been holding for him...$130,000 this year + benefits!  The Board said this is the same salary as "last year"...do the math....$102,600 vs. $130,000 .... see below...this is what the SCHOOL reports to NYState... Hey, when garage and maintenance are making $50-60,000 at BCS -- it's right in the ball park....

Plows Jr, James H   $81,689  2009


Plows Jr, James H   $96,531    2010

Plows, James H Jr   $102,881   2011

Plows,James H,Jr   $101,595   2012

As for employees making $50-60,000 in Maintenance and Garage...     Kupris,Mark E    $52,007   2012

Owens,Paul T   $63,372   2012

You'll find this and more at SEE THROUGH NY...

http://seethroughny.net/payrolls/

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

BROOKFIELD BCS - June 11 - SUPERINTENDENT APPOINTMENT

Don't forget the BCS Board of Education Meeting this Wednesday, Jun 11 at 7PM.  Jim Plows is expected to be appointed SUPERINTENDENT & BUSINESS MANAGER and his salary will be announced at this meeting.

MADISON COUNTY - Cassie Head 2013 Dariy Princess

Belated Congratulations to Cassie Head of Hubbardsville who was crowned the 2013 Madison County Dairy Princess .  Eleven Dairy Ambassadors were also recognized in a special celebration for the 50th year of Dairy Promotion in Madison County. Cassie is the 15-year-old daughter of Tim and Colleen Head of Hubbardsville. See full story at:  http://madisoncountycourier.com/?p=47112

BROOKFIELD - Yard Sales This Weekend JUNE 14-16

Don't forget the BROOKFIELD COMMUNITY YARD SALES this weekend, June 14-16.  Last week, Leonardsville had a great sale and turnout.  Hoping the rain holds off....maps available at the General Store.

LEONARDSVILLE - Fathers' Day Breakfast at the Leonardsville FD


Take Dad to the Leonardsville Fire Department Donation Pancake Breakfast... great food and hopitality. The menu is pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, applesauce, orange juice, coffee, tea, milk and hot chocolate.

So, mark your calendar for the 2013 Leonardsville Fire Department Donation Pancake Breakfasts the third Sunday of each month April through October: June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20 at the Fire Hall at 11306 Mill St., Leonardsville.Hours are 7 to 10:30 a.m.



Monday, June 10, 2013

MADISON CO. - June 11 Upcoming Supervisors Meeting

Oneida Dispatch's Catlin Traynor gives us a good summary for the Madison Co. Board of Supervisors' meeting, tomorrow, June 11.

**In the wake of their disestablishment of the county’s public transportation system, Madison County officials are appealing to the New York State Department of Health for transportation arrangements asking the Department of Health to expedite efforts to fill a gap in Medicaid-related transportation needs.

**The appointment of temporary Director of Community Mental Health Services Teisha Cook as the permanent director at the established 2013 salary of $75,120. Continued

**The county will use $12,500 of a $38,250 New York State Environmental Protection Fund grant to operate its aquatic mechanical vegetation harvester. Several lake associations within the county, including DeRuyter, Moraine, Eaton Brook, Gorton, Lebanon, Craine, Tuscarora and Leland’s Pond, are set to use the weed-pulling service, at a cost of $31 an hour.


•The abolishment of a full-time sheriff’s deputy position in exchange for a full-time sergeant’s position at a rate of $26.17 per hour.

•Accepting a $4.2 million Statewide Interoperable Communications grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The board is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the county office building.

Check out her article at:
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2013/06/09/news/doc51b369f504167219926429.txt


Saturday, June 8, 2013

BROOKFIELD - Board Of Education JUNE 5 Meeting...What we learned....

"What we learned at the JUNE 5 BCS “Special Board of Education Meeting”.


It was a shame that this important BOE (Board of Education) meeting was simply posted as a Special Meeting to “discuss the Superintendent of Schools position”. That was clearly an understatement!

Unfortunately for the community, the “discussion” was over in 2009, when the Board began a Master Plan to reorganize the Management Positions at BCS and appoint Mr. Plows as Superintendent. This is what we learned last night:

1. Jim Plows, the current Business Manager & “Dean of Students”, will be appointed the SUPERINTENDENT and will remain as BUSINESS MANAGER.

 

2. He will receive compensation for each of the two positions. His new salary will be announced at the next Board meeting.

3. Mr. Plows did not know how much he now earns at BCS. (Despite the fact he was going into an executive session with the BOE to negotiate his new salary.) Board Member, Ryan Rogers volunteered that he knew Mr. Plows salary, but refused to disclose the salary amount. (This is public information.)

4. Mr. Plows’ appointment, as SUPERINTENDENT, has been in motion since 2009, as part of a “Master Plan” approved by the BOE. Jim’s appointment was PHASE 3 of the Plan.


5. Under the Plan, over the past four years, part-time, temporary Superintendents have been used so Mr. Plows could get the necessary degree to assume the Superintendent’s position.


6. While Plows will remain “Business Manager”, his “Treasury functions” will be transferred to another BCS employee for a “nickels and dimes” salary.


7. PHASE 4 of the Master Plan anticipates making the following four positions as FULL TIME positions: Principal (K -12); Guidance Counselor; Treasurer/Office Manager; and Office Clerk.


8. The “Master Plan” is now going to be posted on the BCS website…4 years later.


9. “Dean of Students” – is Disciplinary function. While we used to be sent to the “Principal’s Office”. BCS students go to “the Dean” for discipline….. And we pay extra for that position.











Monday, June 3, 2013

BROOKFIELD - Special Board of Ed Meeting - JUNE 5

The Brookfield Board of Education will be holding a SPECIAL MEETING, this Wed., JUNE 5 at 7 p.m. in the school library/media room for "the purpose of position of superintendent of schools".   Mr. Service provided the following information, clarifying the purpose of the meeting.  There had been indications that a "decision" "might be" made at this meeting.  I have made a written request that a final "decision" not be made at the June 5 meeting --without the traditional community input. School Board meetings are open to the public and you are welcome to attend.   Following is Mr. Service's response:

"The Special Meeting on June 5th will have Mr. Howard Mettelman(Oneida BOCES District
Superintendent) making a presentation and having a discussion with the BOE about the position and vacancy of the Superintendent position effective July 1, 2013. It has recently been confirmed that the State Education Department will not allow me to continue as Superintendent of Schools beyond June 30th.

Mr. Mettelman has had numerous discussions with the BOE during the past 4 years about how to most effectively administer the District and follow all SED regulations."