Thursday, December 18, 2014

YES, there is a Santa Claus...and his name is Andrew Cuomo!!!


And a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS it will be!  Thank you Santa Cuomo! Bet the Brookfield Town Board feels  a sigh of relief! And a special THANK YOU to Larry Krauss for an OUTSTANDING ad in this week's WATERVILLE TIMES!
 

ALBANY — The Cuomo administration announced Wednesday that it would ban hydraulic fracturing in New York State, ending years of uncertainty by concluding that the controversial method of extracting gas from deep underground could contaminate the state’s air and water and pose inestimable public-health risks.


Monday, December 15, 2014


BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD MEETING - Dec 8 Regular Meeting....

The DECEMBER 8, 2014 REGULAR MEETING of the BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD covered a number of issues.  Below are some of the "selected highlights" ....please refer to Waterville Times for more coverage and details....

BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD – December 8 2014 – REGULAR MEETING (Town Hall) - Attendance:  John Salka (Supervisor); Jeff Mayne, Dewitt Head, Joe Walker, Clint Abrams (Council Persons); Sherri Perretta (Clerk); Bob Piersma (Highway Superintendent).  Approximately 15 members of the public attended.


PART 1: “THE BAN” & "RULES OF CONDUCT"– DEMOCRACY IN BROOKFIELD – DOA

BOARD STOPS COMMUNITY EFFORT TO BAN HYDROFRACKING IN THE TOWN OF BROOKFIELD:  A Ban against Hydrofracking in the Town of Brookfield has been a topic of heated discussions among the Board and the Community. Finally, after YEARS of discussions, moratoriums and promises,  a Town wide straw poll was taken during this past November’s general elections.  By an overwhelming margin of 3:1, TOWN residents voted AGAINST HYDROFRACKING in the Town of Brookfield.
YET, Three BOARD MEMBERS VOTED AGAINST moving forward to institute a BAN ON HYDROFRACKING:  Jeff Mayne, Joe Walker  & Dewitt Head.   While clear that Walker & Head will never vote to support a ban (Walker has a lease; Head says neither he nor his family has a lease); perhaps most disappointing was Mayne’s  “NO” vote because  “he didn’t know enough” about the topic. 
Opponents of the Ban claim it is a form of “land use regulations”  and therefore violates their private rights to do anything they want with their property;  the welfare of neighbors and the Community are not their responsibility.  They see zoning and land use regulations as a form of control by the liberal “mobs” to bring creeping communism to Brookfield.  Ironically, many of these PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS advocates are among the largest benefactors of land use in the form of AGRICULTURE DISTRICTS.
Despite Salka’s efforts to rush past the subject (allowing less than TWO MINUTES of Board time to the subject) the “Public Comment” period re-opened THAT CAN OF WORMS -- requesting a poll of the Board --- something the Supervisor was UNWILLING to do.  
After the results and excuses given, the Board received from the audience an overwhelming message of disappointment , frustration and disgust with the outcome.  No wonder Salka had the new RULES OF DECORUM for the Public to conduct itself during Board meetings.  
RESPECT is EARNED --  a four page list of rules for the public isn’t going to do it.  Several requests for copies of the NEW RULES & POSTING ON TOWN WEBSITE were DENIED BY SALKA until AFTER they are APPROVED !  If we want to see them, he has directed the TOWN CLERK to send us to the TOWN OF DERUYTER WEBSITE.... so here you go.....talk about political cowardice.  !  Go to  DERUYTER WEBSITE to see them:  http://www.deruyternygov.us/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/rulesfordecorum.pdf     
SUGGESTION: we have  started a list of RULES OF DECORUM for THE BOARD!!!  and already received NUMEROUS SUGGESTIONS!!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

TOWN BOARD - Outrageous Contempt for Public


The December 8 board meeting was another display of a Town Board with no leadership or direction and rife with contempt for the Public.   Rather than addressing issues most important to this community they clearly demonstrated that they are a Board “deaf” to the community and its needs.  To add insult to injury the Town Board not only REFUSED to consider a Ban on Hydrofracking , Supervisor  Salka had the unmitigated gall to present a four page list of rules for conducting future meetings.  The objective is to clearly point out that the PUBLIC  is there only to “OBSERVE” – if you have something to say, that is what a PUBLIC MEETING is for.  So, basically, Salka and his Board advocates a “SIT DOWN & SHUT UP” attitude toward the public. 
I will follow up with notes on the meeting, but this display of contempt for the public is an outrageous act against the community. Respect is EARNED.

Monday, November 24, 2014

MADISON CO SUPERVISORS' 2015 Salaries - with their 16% INCREASE

MADISON COUNTY 2015 Budget - SUPERVISOR SALARIES = Salary + Insurance + Retirement ....this does NOT include their TOWN Salaries, which each Town pays separately....and they DESERVED a 16% increase...they don't even get taxed on the health insurance....Salka receives another $5,640 from his Town Salary.


COUNTY :      
SUPERVISOR Salary Health Ins. Retirement         TOTAL
Balll, Darrin     15,000      29,221     2,876              47,097
Bargabos, Richard     15,000      28,966     2,876              46,842
Becker, John     30,000      29,221     5,753              64,974
Bono, Ronald     15,000      21,352     2,876              39,228
Bradstreet, Sr., Roger     15,000      21,352     2,876              39,228
Carinci, Lewis     15,000      17,779     2,876              35,655
DeGear, Daniel     22,500      10,605     4,314              37,419
Goldstein, James     15,000      29,221     2,876              47,097
Henderson, Scott     15,000        9,840     2,876              27,716
Jones, David     15,000        9,415     2,876              27,291
Moses, Clifford     15,000          935          -                15,935
Pinard, Joseph     15,000             -            -                15,000
Rafte, James     15,000      21,352          -                36,352
Reinhardt, John     15,000      21,352     2,876              39,228
Salka, John     15,000      28,966     2,876              36,352
Shwartz, Eve Ann     15,000      28,966     2,366              46,332
Stepanski, Alexandr     15,000      20,417          -                35,417
Walrod, Paul     15,000      20,417     2,876              38,293
Zupan, William     15,000      21,352     1,605              37,957
  307,500    370,729   45,674  $         723,903

WHY DIDN'T SALKA KNOW?


Last Week we saw Madison County Government in action.  This is how the annual meetings go...if in doubt, check it out....
 
1.  Pass a resolution waiving any notification requirements for last minute resolutions to be added to the agenda ;
 
2.  Pass a resolution which has the effect to limit public comment to those chosen to speak by the Chairman ;
 
3.  Pass a resolution to giving yourselves a 16% salary increase;
 
4.  THEN....Blame our fiscal mess on the STATE!
 
 
Why wasn't our Town Supervisor, John Salka, made aware of this increase ?  
 
At our November 10 regular board meeting he surely would have mentioned it during his overview of the County Budget and again, when the subject was raised about the Supervisors' salaries and free family health insurance;
....and he is on the Finance Committee that puts the Budget together?
....yet, it was not included in his Nov 10 rundown of County Budget with the County meeting scheduled for the next day!!???
 
And they wonder why no one comes to these meetings....or trusts government? 
 
PS - These FOUR Supervisors voted AGAINST THE SALARY INCREASE: 
Goldstein (Lebanon); Pinard (Lenox - who is on the Finance Committee); Bradstreet (Nelson); and Henderson (Oneida).

 

Friday, November 21, 2014

ANOTHER "BEND OVER BROOKFIELD" - Madison County Supervisors vote themselves a 16% raise...because no body was looking! See Becker's comment.


Talk about chutzpah..the BOARD INCREASED THEIR OWN SALARIES 16%!!! From $12,935 to $15,000 ...on top of the TOWN SALARIES...and ON TOP OF THEIR FREE HEALTH INSURANCE..... ANOTHER "Bend Over Brookfield Moment" BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS....SALKA VOTED FOR THE RAISE!  only four supervisors, including Pinard, Lebanon Supervisor Jim Goldstein, Oneida Supervisor Scott Henderson and Nelson Supervisor Roger Bradstreet, voted to keeping their salaries the same.

WAMPSVILLE >> No members of the public spoke at the first three hearings on Madison County’s tentative 2015 budget. Prior to action taken by the Board of Supervisors Monday, the proposed $111.8 million budget included a 7.66 percent property tax rate hike. After some additions, and a decision by supervisors to raise their own pay, the tax hike was increased to 8.38 percent. As it currently stands, supervisors will receive $15,000 each next year for their work on the board, an increase from this year’s $12,935. The deputy chairman is also scheduled to receive $1,320 on top of his current $6,180 stipend while the chairman’s stipend will increase from $13,845 to $15,000.
A proposal to strip raises for supervisors out of the budget was declined, keeping $43,658 in the budget. A resolution submitted by Lenox Supervisor John Pinard would’ve reverted salaries of the deputy chairman and supervisors back to this year’s rates; only four supervisors, including Pinard, Lebanon Supervisor Jim Goldstein, Oneida Supervisor Scott Henderson and Nelson Supervisor Roger Bradstreet, voted to keeping their salaries the same.
Except or the supervisors from the City of Oneida, they are also paid by their individual towns.
Besides contractual raises negotiated with the employee unions, no raises are programmed into next year’s budget, so far. Money to fund potential raises for management employees will be put aside and held in contingency until the board makes a decision on their pay next year.
The board tacked on more spending, opting to restore requests for appropriations to replace vehicles in the highway and sheriff’s departments. Restoring those cuts will add $128,000 to purchase 11 patrol cars instead of seven. Similarly, the Highway Department was allocated an additional $100,000 to purchase 12 new pick-up trucks, instead of eight. Overall, the board’s decision will increase the tax levy by another $236,781 or .722 percent for a total levy increase of 8.38 percent and a tax rate increase calculated at $9.03.
The allocations for equipment replacement will hopefully put the departments on track for scheduled replacement of vehicles, Chairman John Becker said. Replacing a third of the Highway Department’s pickup trucks and rotating out older vehicles in the Sheriff’s Office will save the county money in the long-run by avoiding costly and ongoing vehicle repairs as they rack up miles.
The proposed tax rate will raise a levy of $35.26 million next year. That amount of revenue is still less than what the county will pay out in programs mandated by the state, including Medicaid, various social services programs, the New York State Retirement System, the county jail, public health, probation services, community college tuition assistance and indigent defense.
Mandated programs like foster care and juvenile delinquency will see huge increases in their operating costs next year. The cost of those two programs alone will increase by nearly $1 million, costing the county a total of $2.27 million next year (about 60 percent of the programs overall costs).The cost per placement in the foster care program will increase, on average, $12 per child per day while services under the juvenile delinquent program will increase $80 per day for an overall daily fee of almost $400.
The department’s Safety Net program will also see huge increases next year. The program serves residents who have exhausted the limit for federal assistance. Next year the county will pay $56,000 more into the program than it did this year, costing a total of $921,978.
To balance next year’s budget, $3.6 million will be allocated from the county’s general fund balance and another $1 million will be added in from the county road fund. The estimated fund balance for next year is currently calculated to be about $15.3 million or 7.56 percent of the county’s total spending.
The county’s fund balance policy requires unexpended surplus funds to be maintained at a level no less than 5 percent but no more than 15 percent of budget appropriations. Those percentages have fluctuated in the last several years – dipping to 4.19 percent in 2013 with a fund balance of $13.53 million up to 11.41 percent estimated for this year’s $19.15 million fund balance. As decided by the board, $5 million will be reverted back into the fund balance from the county’s $11 million settlement with the Oneida Indian Nation to replenish deductions made in recent years.
Changes in personnel will account for added costs in next year’s budget. The Sheriff’s Office will add three deputies and four correctional officers to its staffing roster. The deputy positions will add $42,308 each, totaling $126,924 and the correctional officers will account for another $145,768 or $36,442 per position. An office assistant in the District Attorney’s Office ($26,579), a probation officer ($38,552) and a planner in the planning department ($42,916) are also calculated into next year’s budget.
Nearly two-and-a-half percent of next year’s levy increase will be spent on one-time grants to local school districts, totaling $805,312, to compensate for the loss of taxable property on their tax rolls as a result of the settlement with the Nation. Another $194,053 will be set aside for potential pay-outs to municipalities affected by the settlement’s impact on properties’ tax exempt status.
Funding for non-profits will remain the same as this year. A total of $1.46 million is proposed to be distributed to non-profits next year, including a new allocation to the Chittenango Canal Museum for $30,000. The Literacy Coalition of Madison County asked for $20,000 in funding, but was denied.
At the evening meeting on Nov. 18, The board approved a handful of other motions, including reappointing Treasurer Cindy Edick as budget officer and Mark Scimone as deputy budget officer.
More budget changes were addressed during the end of the meeting. Including the approval of $20,000 to be given to Cornell Cooperative Extension. A blanket 2 percent increase for all not for profit organizations was proposed by Hamilton Supervisor Eve Ann Shwartz and was tabled by the group because certain members felt that giving all the listed organizations money was unwise, given that some had not applied for more funding.
“We need to pay more attention to the funding of these groups in the coming years,” Shwartz said.
Members of the general public were absent at the 6 p.m. meeting, with those in attendance being members of various county committees or organizations.
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Becker said that he was unhappy that no one had attended the meeting, but, that the empty turn out did not come as a shock.
“If people think that their taxes are too high I urge them to come out and voice their opinions,” Becker said. “This isn’t surprising. The only time we have members of the public here is when they are representing organizations.”
Oneida Dispatch reporter Nick Will contributed to this report.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

BROOKFIELD: 2015 Proposed LOCAL SALARIES for TOWN OFFICIALS

2015 PROPOSED TOWN SALARIES.....

Following is a breakdown of salaries for local Town Officials (Winfield, Bridgewater & Brookfield) as identified in this week's LEGAL NOTICES....

 2015 TOWN SALARY COMPARISONS:
BRIDGEWATER
TOWNS OF: WINFIELD BROOKFIELD
POSITIONS 
COUNCIL PERSONS
     @ Salary  $      2,066  $   3,144  $       2,100
    # Positions  $             4  $          4 4
COUNCIL PERSONS:   $      8,264  $  12,576  $       8,400
JUSTICES
     @ Salary  $      9,470  $   7,997  $       5,974
    # Positions                1             1                 2
JUSTICES - Total  $      9,470  $   7,997  $     11,948
SUPERVISOR  $      9,891  $   7,281  $       5,640
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT  $     48,573  $  47,246  $     44,270
Clerk/Tax Collector  $     16,365  $     17,054
Clerk  - Only  $   8,053
Tax Collector - only  $   2,306
 $     92,563  $  85,459  $     87,312
Additional Positions Included for:
ASSESSOR  NA   $   7,443  NA 
CODES ENFORCER NA  $   6,344 NA




Friday, November 14, 2014

Local "PAPER ROUTE" - Nov 12 - Local Papers - Waterville Times & West Winfield Star

From the local "PAPER ROUTE".... Waterville Times & West Winfield Star....are full of information this week.  While it may be the "digital age", these local papers are full of the information that will most affect you and local columnists who keep us up to date on our "communities".  This is NOT a paid plug.  Where else would we get this information if not for our LOCAL PAPERS? .... here is what you're missing if you haven't picked up a copy.....NOVEMBER 12 issues now on newsstands:

Hydrofracking Straw Poll  - taken in the Town of Brookfield, voting against Hydrofracking by a margin of  almost 3:1 ; Waterville Times includes a "Letter" from Larry Krause, Brookfield.

* Annual budgets and proposed 2015 Elected Town Salaries are up for approval.  Salaries are for: Supervisors, Highway Supt, Councilpersons, Judges, Clerk.  I will post a comparison later.

* Waterville Times does a good analysis to the Magee v Salka run  for our local State Assembly; Magee squeezed by in view of the number of voters leaving blanks -- not voting for either candidate.

* Unadilla Forks voted down the proposition that would have made the Highway Superintendent's position an appointed position.  It will remain an elected position.

* Obituaries - Evelyn Adkinson's husband, Roger, passed away unexpectedly. Services Nov 16.  Very sorry.

* Safety Tips - found out you should never use an Extension Cord with electric heaters; they need to be plugged into the wall...no extensions!

* Several local fire departments elections for Fire Commissioners for the Brookfield, Leonardsville, Unadilla Fork Fire Districts.  

* "Brookfield Artisans"  CRAFT SHOW - Sunday, NOV 16 - Noon to 4PM ... at the NORTH BROOKFIELD Fire House!  Great chance to do some LOCAL shopping and support area crafters.. some great items....

* Rabid Skunk Attack in North Brookfield - reported in the Waterville Times...ran right up the man's pant leg and bite him ! ...details in Opinion / Waterville Times.












Wednesday, November 12, 2014


BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD MEETING   11-10-14
Following is a summary of what I believe are the highlights of the NOV 10, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Brookfield Town Board.  

PRESENT: Supervisor Salka; Councilmen: Clint Abrams, Jeff Mayne, Dewitt Head, Joe Walker;  Highway Superintendent/Codes:  Bob Piersma; CLERK:  Sherri Perretta. 
Attendance:   12-15 residents / Brookfield Town Hall

At the NOVEMBER 10, 2014 Regular Meeting  we learned:
HERE WE GO….a whopping 8% TAX INCREASE expected in the MADISON COUNTY Budget….go figure:  $13 million from the Oneida Deal…. And we get an 8% increase….MADISON COUNTY SUPERVISORS and MANAGEMENT  receive FREE HEALTH INSURANCE…. No contribution.  Nice.  FULL TIME Benefits for  part time jobs as Town Supervisors  !!!!  … and the Supervisors  & the County complain about STATE MANDATES!? So far:  BCS taxes+12%; County Taxes +8% !!!
FINANCES – Salka reported the Town’s finances are in good shape going into 2015; including payments pending from: CHPS,  FEMA, Fenner Truck sale; and fund balances looking at  $700,000 after all funds received.  So, should we expect an increase from the Town as well?  
BUILD  A HOUSE and we TAXPAYERS will BUILD YOU A ROAD!!!  Another  wake up call.  Came away with the understanding if you build a house on a dirt or seasonal road it is the TOWN’s  RESPONSIBILITY – financial and otherwise – to UPGRADE THE ROAD at costs of $10’s of thousands of TAX PAYER dollars in materials alone.  Apparently this is a State requirement.  The TOWN BOARD needs to review the policy for IDENTIFYING & ABANDONING old unused roads and put a policy in place.  Otherwise, we TAXPAYERS are going to end up paying for roads for private developers!!!   Right now there is no cap on these costs or requirements…just move on in!
FINALLY – A TIME LINE re: “HYDRO-FRACKING” BAN Straw Poll  - Following the straw poll (3 to 1 against “hydrofracking” in the Town of Brookfield, the Board was pushed  to bring a “TIME LINE” and resolution to the NEXT – DECEMBER Board Meeting re: banning the practice of hydrofracking in the Town of  Brookfield.  Supervisor SALKA has promised to speak with DeRuyter’s attorney who is reviewing a similar ban in their Town and will also report at the next meeting. .  (See letter from DeRuyter resident request to ban in their Township.)
           Salka also promised for the next regular meeting that the Board will set a date for the PUBLIC HEARING regarding a BAN.  A public hearing is needed prior to any ban.    “HOME RULE” – allowing the TOWN to make the decision whether or not to allow “hydrofracking” within its borders -- has been upheld in the highest NYS courts.  It is my understanding that the ban would not allow the practice of hydrofracking;  the practice of conventional drilling would still  be allowed on gas leased properties, but clarification needed. 
PLANNING BOARD – appears to be moving ahead and better organized; obtaining clarifications, etc.  A legal case researched by Clerk Perretta, determined there is no conflict of interest in Marylou Rhodes serving on the Town Planning Board and acting as Justice of the Peace. 
CODES – DeWitt Head & Bob Piersma to make the rounds of junk yard inspections this coming week.  Piersma explained that he was simply filling in for Hamilton Codes and no longer holds that position.  He also recommended the Board adopt a policy for safety check of rental properties and will provide some samples which other towns use.  This is a SAFETY issue.  Some sub-standard rentals out there!
SALT SHED Clint Abrams reported on activities to date; plans are underway to improve the salt shed, runoff and  drainage until a more permanent salt shed can be constructed.  Hoop fabric buildings which the committee has viewed were in the $300,000 range.  Additional work and consideration of options/cost continue.  
HIGHWAY – Truck rotation policy working well.  Fenner is buying one of our trucks for $100,000. 
DOG CONTROL -  Gordon Chafee has agreed to fill in temporarily, replacing Ed Dineen who resigned last month. So far, only one person, from Erieville, has applied for the position.  Sherri agreed to make follow up calls.  It is a heartbreaking and thankless job making it difficult to fill – people seem to be more of the problem than the dogs.  Let’s also hope the Board will take the time to “introduce” the new DCO to the community !!!! And use clear communications with the Community.  Would also help to have the DCO be required to show up at least a couple of town board meetings .
BUDGET 2015 – Failure to file the legal notice for the public comment hearing  on the budget, as required by law, will delay the budget by approximately 4 days past the deadline.     The public hearing on the 2015 Budget is now scheduled for 11/24….but CHECK the Board first…or the Door.
DELTA – Agreement & Road Use Law :  Finally ??? A copy was provided to the Board for review. The Law will eventually require a public meeting. 
Mytillda Miner – dedication reviewed by Perk Stalter….and special dedication banner donated to the Town.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – they are tallying responses to second survey.

NEXT “REGULAR” MONTHLY BOARD MEETING:  Monday/Dec 8 but check the website at: http://www.brookfieldny.us/

GAS DRILLING - NO Excuse Not to BAN HYDROFRACKING

While a bit dated (August) it is certainly ON POINT re: local sentiment on hydrofracking for gas in our Township..  Following is the “Letter to the Editor” re: Need for Hydrofracking Ban in Town of DeRuyter .    Well put!! Check it out at:
No Excuse not to Ban
o The Editor:
(DeRuyter, NY – Aug. 2014) As you may or may not know, the state Court of Appeals ruled that towns can ban hydrofracking by putting in road use, comprehensive plan (citizens deciding what they want their town to look like) and etc. Simply stated home rule is the law. The gas companies lost two lower court decisions by unanimous votes regarding home rule. The state Court of Appeals vote was a 5-2 decision in favor of home rule.
Towns across the state can no longer say, “We can’t rule (ban or moratorium) against hydrofracking because the gas companies will sue the town.” Our government officials should now be looking at the effects of hydrofracking with an open-mind and in a fact related way without trying to appease the few who would benefit (monetarily) if drilling was on their land at the expense of others.
I honestly do understand when there’s a significant amount of money tossed in front of you – it’s easier to not look down the road to see the negative impact poor decisions will have on future generations (which by the way includes kids and grandkids).
Some town boards were sincerely hesitant to pass bans because they were afraid of lawsuits, while others were, I think, were using the lawsuit issue as an excuse to not pass a ban or moratorium. That excuse has just disappeared. DeRuyter now has no reason not to establish land use restrictions.
DeRuyter should now join the more than 200 towns and cities in New York which have passed a ban or moratorium on fracking over the past six years. To enact a moratorium, it only takes one board member to make a motion, another to second it and the Town Supervisor to approve it.
As the majority of the people in DeRuyter don’t want hydrofracking in their community the town should put a moratorium in place and then work on a comprehensive plan and find out what the people want, enact a road use plan to prevent heavy truck traffic, and ban spreading gas well brine on our roads.
We have Utica shale underlying DeRuyter. We need to think about possible threats that might occur in the future. Imagine what DeRuyter would look like if industrial fracking takes place here. Do you think anybody in DeRuyter would want to have fracking take place next door? Industrial fracking threatens our farms, our tourism, our small business, and our residential rural community.
Gas company ads continue to say fracking is clean and safe with financial benefits; and just how great the process is with the new technology. This “new technology” for producing unconventional gas is substantially more destructive of air, land and water than the previous fracking method. It is a new industrial technology, not just a minor change from the fracking of the past 60 years.

Joe Yankowski, DeRuyter

Saturday, November 8, 2014

BROOKFIELD Straw Poll: "AGAINST" Hydrofracking

BROOKFIELD Straw Poll:   "AGAINST" Hydrofracking 
Tthe Town of Brookfield had a separate voluntary “Straw Poll” on election day, Nov 4, asking registered voters the question:

 “ ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF HYDROFRACKING IN THE TOWN OF BROOKFIELD?”

Results: 
For               Hydrofracking:     156
Against                                    427

The Committee included a private volunteer, Jackie Mineo and two Town Board members: Dewitt Head and Jeff Mayne. Locked ballot boxes were overseen by volunteers for the full day. Ballots were given only to those who already voted in the general election. The boxes were sealed at the end of the day and brought to Town Hall where all 3 members of the committee together counted the votes with witnesses.The results were photocopied and given to all 3 committee members.As a side note, one committee member was pro drilling, one was against and one is considered neutral. 

Monday, September 15, 2014

MADISON CO - JAIL Growing Healthcare Costs


With more drug arrests, Madison County jail costs soaring....


A "must read" article from the Oneida Dispatch reporter Caitilin Traynor re: the Madison County Jail sky-rocketing healthcare costs for inmates despite the Sheriff Dept's innovative efforts to reduce medical costs which the County is required to provide.  

*  Growing mental health and heroin/meth addictions requiring expensive treatments. 

* Of the Sheriff’s Office annual $9.5 million budget, about $6 million is dedicated to the operation of the jail.

*  By law, the county has to provide 100 percent of inmates’ health care costs, including prescription medication. Health insurance companies don’t provide coverage during incarceration and even inmates with Medicaid only have 30 days of coverage before their health insurance is suspended. That leaves county taxpayers to foot the bill for all medical expenses.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

"Another" BEND OVER BROOKFIELD MOMENT: What THEY didn't tell you about the BCS budget override.....

What they -- the BCS school board and administration -- didn't tell us about the tax cap override:  In districts that stayed below their tax caps, any increase from the previous year will be reimbursed by the state.  BCS did not stay within the cap.  THEREFORE ..no checks for Brookfield TAXPAYERS....and now, the County is looking to do the same thing and override their tax cap...BEND OVER BROOKFIELD - Yet AGAIN!


Homeowners whose districts stayed under the cap can expect a check equal to about 2 percent of their total school tax bill. The average total rebate over the three years that program will run is expected to be around $656, for a total program cost of $1.5 billion.  HOMEOWNERS  in every school district in Central New York will be receiving checks except Brookfield, in Madison County.


According to a recent news article (Post Standard)  here's how it works:


*  Property owners pay their school tax bills after the tax rates are officially enacted in August.

*  In districts that stayed below their tax caps, any increase from the previous year will be reimbursed by the state.

* The first state checks reimbursing school property tax increases [WOULD HAVE ARRIVED]  right around the fall election season.

* The tax rebate program also applies other local governments such as villages, cities, towns [TOWN OF BROOKFIELD? Do we have one?] and counties [MADISON COUNTY].

* The state plans to spend $1.5 billion over the next three years on the rebates. The state estimates it will pay property owners statewide $656 each in rebates on school and municipal taxes.

Officials in some Central New school districts that initially planned to override their tax caps to fund their budgets changed their minds.The Lyncourt District said the prospect of being one of the very few districts to go over the tax cap and not qualify for rebates had huge public relations implications for future budgets. [ A DISTRICT THAT ACTUALLY THOUGHT ABOUT THE TAXPAYERS!!!]

I do not recall one piece of information from the BCS Board or Administration during our budget talks advising TAXPAYERS & VOTERS of this penalty if we voted to override the budget.  While it is the VOTERS that approved the OVERRIDE, it is only the TAXPAYER who is penalized. 

Now, the Madison County Board of Supervisors wants to override it's tax cap despite having received a $14 million windfall from the State settlement with the Oneida Indian Nation. 
At the SUPERVISOR's  Oct. 14 meeting in Wampsville, a hearing will be held to allow residents to provide input on whether or not the county should exceed the property tax cap, calculated this year at 1.562 percent.   

Friday, September 12, 2014

COUNTY TAX OVERRIDE - Hearing Oct 14

WAMPSVILLE >> The decision on whether or not to override the state’s imposed property tax cap will go to the public for discussion before being voted on by the Madison County Board of Supervisors.
At the board’s Oct. 14 meeting, a hearing will be held to allow residents to provide input on whether or not the county should exceed the property tax cap, calculated this year at 1.562 percent. The county cannot increase its property tax cap at a rate that would raise a tax levy that would exceed this year’s levy by 1.562 percent unless it overrides that cap. The override will need to pass by a 60 percent majority (of SUPERVISOR VOTES)  to go into effect.  NOTE: It will only take a small handful of Supervisors to approve, because the votes are weighted by population.
We hear the same old line from legislators/supervisors:  "It's the mandates...the mandates!".  Sure, pass the responsibility on... we have to live within our budgets....it's about time the SUPERVISORS did...and start SHARING the burden starting with paying in on their "freebee" health insurance packages care of the TAXPAYER.  The county just got a $14 million payment and the Supervisors are  looking to the taxpayers to cough up more.  But THEY can't chip in for their insurance.  Like previous hearings....don't expect much "listening" from the Supervisors.
See full article at:  Oneida Dispatch http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20140910/public-hearing-set-for-madison-county-tax-cap-override-vote

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

NY Assemblyman Bill Magee wins Democratic primary against party's chosen pick

NY Assemblyman Bill Magee wins Democratic primary against party's chosen pick

Veteran state lawmaker Bill Magee won a Democratic primary for New York State Assembly over Sherrill City Commissioner Mike Hennessy, the party's official pick in much of the district. Magee had 1,924 votes to Hennessy's 1,364 Magee won his home county, Madison County, 2 to 1. Earlier this year, Madison County's Democratic Party, dissatisfied with Magee's conservative stance on some social issues, awarded their designation to Hennessy, a former Oneida County lawmaker and financial advisor. Magee will face Republican John Salka in November. There's still a chance Hennessy will be on the ballot, too, this November. Hennessy passed petitions to be on the "Fix Albany" line, a ballot space not affiliated with a political party. Supporters of Magee are challenging the petitions. Hennessy is due back in court on Sept. 22 to defend the signatures. SEE POST STANDARD ARTICLE AT:

BROOKFIELD - Judges' $ 860 "Audit"

Thanks to Sherri, our Town Clerk, I received a copy of the invoice and the so-called state required "audit" of the Judges' books: ....for $860 they had their checkbooks balanced; at rates of $40 /hr to $150 per hour!!!.....Who are we kidding?

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD MEETING - Monday, SEPT 8, 2014



Following are my notes/sentiments regarding last night's BROOKFIELD Regular Town Board Meeting. 
 
NOTES FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY:
 
Depressing meeting last night:
 
*  Despite an extra $13-14 million being paid in the Indian Settlement, Madison County wants to override the 1.55% property tax cap -- the nerve;  Just like the School that "forgot" to tell us that if they override the cap, NO STAR REIMBURSEMENT CHECKS! 
 
*  that wasn't bad enough, then we learn $860 spent on a judge's "audit" that no one has seen -- not even the audit committee who hired her and didn't know her qualifications/credentials; (SEE LETTER BELOW)
 
*  the road use law (remember that one) is still not completed;
 
*  the Dog Control Officer's salary was raised -- yet again -- from $2,300 to $2,500 + costs despite complaints (and there have been a number)  from a family that attended the meeting and felt threatened by the DCO's carrying pepper spray and failure of the DCO to identify himself as well as the questioned the legaility of a DCO carrying pepper spray. 
 
*  Several complaints relative to the ditching issues on Baldwin Rd.
 
*  And of course, the Sutton place on Rte 8 is among a number of rundown properties that the Town, the County or the Codes Officer are unable to do anything about.  So, rules apply to only those who comply.  
 
*  No surprise that the "Ethics Committee" positions remain unfilled!  Seriously, what's the point? 
 
*  FEMA still hasn't paid the Town the $100,000+ due -- but apparently, it's "on someone's desk".  
 
*  Pressure is heating up to construct a salt shed at the Town Barn.
 
*  Chase Rd. (near 5 Corners) - new road being built may be a real problem this winter and questions re: property line and need for Town to do a survey before doing more work on the road
 
 
On a positive note:
 
*  property lines between the Town and N. Brookfield park and the Barnes family has finally been settled. 
 
*  The second survey from the Comprehensive Plan will be mailed 9/15;  
 
*  local Myrtilla Miner is to be recognized by the Aboltionists' Hall of Fame;
 

*  Donations in memory of Abe Cowen will be used to build a fence around the Academy St. parking lot.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR RE: JUDGE'S AUDIT:
HERE IS THE LETTER which will appear in this week’s Waterville Times from  resident, Jackie Mineo, providing background on the Judges’ AUDIT controversy:

To the Editor:
 I closed my last letter to this publication inquiring how long it would be before the Brookfield Town Board and Audit Committee would get around to doing their long overdue 2013 Judges Audit.  So I was pleasantly surprised to hear at the very next Town Board meeting that the Audit had been completed. Not only completed but already paid for according to the warrants.
 The following day, August 12, I emailed a request to get a copy.  I was responded to by the Town Clerk with the assurance that I would get a copy “as soon as possible”.  It seems the Town did not have a copy. Of the audit we just paid for.
Two visits to the Town Clerks office and several emails later I still have not gotten a copy of this audit.
I researched the NYS Education Department Professional Licenses web site for the person hired to do this Judges Audit to confirm if she has the required CPA or PA. I was unable to find any record of the person the Town wrote the payment to.  Also according to our Town Clerk the person does not have those qualifications.
So now, more than 3 weeks later, I have more questions. Was the person hired legally qualified according to NY UJC 2019-a to do the audit and where IS the audit?…That we, the Town,  paid $860.00 for and apparently do not have.  
Jackie Mineo


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

NYS: Cuomo’s Office Hobbled New York State Ethics Inquiries

FROM THE NY TIMES.... Wm Fitpatrick, ONONDAGA DA, was a member of the MORELAND Commission..... 
NY TIMES Exclusive: Cuomo’s Office Hobbled New York State Ethics Inquiries
A high-powered commission created by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to root out corruption in New York politics was hobbled almost from the outset by demands from the governor’s office, which sought to shield his allies from scrutiny, according to an examination by The New York Times.
A three-month review of the panel’s short life and sudden death found that the governor’s office deeply compromised the commission’s work, objecting whenever its investigators focused on groups with ties to Mr. Cuomo or on issues that might reflect poorly on him.
Ultimately, Mr. Cuomo abruptly disbanded the commission halfway through what he had indicated would be an 18-month life. And now, as the Democratic governor seeks a second term in November, federal prosecutors are investigating the roles of Mr. Cuomo and his aides in the panel’s shutdown and are pursuing its unfinished business.

READ MORE »

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/23/nyregion/governor-andrew-cuomo-and-the-short-life-of-the-moreland-commission.html?emc=edit_na_20140723

Monday, July 21, 2014

WEEK OF: July 21 (Mon) - July 27 (Sunday)

WEEK OF: July 21 (Mon) - July 27 (Sunday)
22-Jul Meet an Alpaca!!! 
TUES BROOKFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Academy St. Park
22-Jul 7:00 PM   TOWN COURT
TUES Town Hall (Upstairs)
23-Jul 7:00 PM   BCS School Board REGULAR Meetings
WED BCS Building
24-Jul 7:00 PM   BROOKFIELD RIDING & DRIVING
THU   Regular Meeting
  Town Hall
24-Jul
THU 7:00 PM    BROOKFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
   Historical Bldg
"Madison County Exposed" by 
Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz.  The talk will focus on crimes, 
scandals and events that headlined the local news in Madison County from 
its roots until now.  Featured topics include the first and last 
hangings in the county, the demise of the Loomis Gang, Madison County's 
“No-Hitter”,  and much, much more.  The event is free and open to the 
public.  Program will be followed by refreshments and business meeting.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD - Gas Moratorium & Judges' Audit

Below is a LETTER TO THE Waterville Times EDITOR, from Brookfield resident, Jackie Mineo, regarding the Gas Moratorium and Judges' Audit ...and lack thereof!

 To the Editor:

   At the Town of Brookfield’s last Board  meeting, as well as in letters to this paper, it has become apparent that there are some very unhappy people with our Town Boards decision to not extend the Moratorium on Gas Drilling…and with good reason. There was concern expressed about our Town Attorney voicing a legal opinion to the Board on the night of that vote that may have influenced the Board…an opinion he reversed at the following meeting. The recent Middlefield –Dryden appeal decision proved his initial opinion to be incorrect.   It’s clear to most people that this issue HAS to be re-voted on . Not just because of the shadow of possible misinformation but because no notification was given to the public that any vote on the Moratorium was to have taken place at that meeting.  One very upset member of the public  who pointed this out to our Supervisor, John Salka,  was told by him that people could have known because the agenda is a public document…except the agenda never became “public” until the night of the meeting!

     Another troubling  issue is the reluctance of our Town Board to perform a Judges audit for 2013…We’ve gotten nothing but excuses and delays.. A annual Judges audit is REQUIRED  by The Unified Court Act and Town Law 123. It is especially relevant to our Town this year with the death of  one of our  Judges.  The Board, by law, must do the audit itself or cause it to be done by a Certified Public Accountant or a Public Accountant within 60 days of the end of the fiscal year.  At our June meeting I asked when this audit (already late) would be done, as they had already discussed it at a meeting earlier this year. Incredulously, I was told by Mr. Head that it had already been done by our accountant. I had to remind them that our accountant had done the 2012 audit not the 2013 one. I was told again by Mr. Head “ all I know is that it’s already been done”. I asked when the other audits for Clerk and Supervisor would be done ( no Town Clerk or Town Supervisor internal audits have been done in years), I was told “ no idea”.  The Board came a bit more “up to speed” at our meeting this month and are now saying they are planning on doing audits, they have spoken to someone to do them, or help them, but they don’t know what it will cost yet. …and would still not say when it will be started.  The last Judges audit was done a full year late, let’s see how long this one takes.

Jackie Mineo