BCS - State Says FINANCIAL PROBLEMS at Brookfield Central School

Not looking good for BROOKFIELD CENTRAL's FINANCIAL SITUATION... ...Just how long does the BCS Administration think we can afford to pay these top-heavy administrative salaries $100,000 ??? This is a bit of information you sure as hell will not hear of from BCS Financial Office...when will this community realize the school is being run for the benefit of a few at the expense of the STUDENTS & TAXPAYERS!!! In a report released Thursday (1/15/14) by the State Comptroller indicates fiscal stress for BCS finances. BCS ranked #27 in fiscal problems out of 674 districts... with rankings from #1 as the most serious financial situation. Statewide, 13 percent are fiscally stressed, the report says. The most highly stressed districts in Central New York are LaFayette, DeRuyter, Skaneateles and Brookfield. Those districts are in "moderate fiscal stress" -- the second most serious category in the comptroller's report. LaFayette has the 14th highest fiscal stress level of the 674 districts in the comptroller's report. Brookfield ranked #27 in fiscal stress. The report is meant to give parents and taxpayers a factual starting point for conversations about the financial health of their school district. BCS was the only one of the four CNY schools whose admnistration did not offer a clarification or explanation to reporters. The system measures the specific finances of each district, not the overall health of a community The comptroller said most school districts found to be in fiscal stress are operating with low fund balances, operating deficits and limited cash on hand. They also have a much higher likelihood of using short-term borrowing to bridge cash flow gaps, the report said. See full article at POST STANDARD - they do a good job of covering education issues. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/01/new_york_state_comptrollers_school_districts_report_the_take_away_for_taxpayers.html

What is going on in Waterville???

A Waterville man has been accused of having sex with a physically helpless woman, Oneida County sheriff's investigators said. Sean Spencer, 33, of Tower Street, was charged Wednesday with felony first-degree rape, investigators said. See complete article at UTICA OD Link http://www.uticaod.com/article/20140115/NEWS/140119550

Sad state of a Fair !

RUMOR AROUND TOWN that... a certain Town Board Member is taking his milking stool and leaving the Dairy Barn...at the County Fair. He will no longer act as the Cattle Superintendent at the Madison Co. Fair ....apparently, he is upset with fellow Board member (who is also "head honcho" at the MCF) over this board member's "deciding" vote (3 to 2) to the accept/adopt/approve the Comprehensive Plan rather than leaving it on "the shelf".... And word just in....apparently the Fair's electrician and another opponent of the Comprehensive Plan has also resigned from the Fair. Lights out! Sad state of a Fair !

Waterville man faces a child pornography

A Waterville man faces a child pornography charge after he allegedly uploaded images of child porn to Facebook, New York State Police said. Patrick W. Weaver, 23, of Waterville, is charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child.According to officials, Weaver allegedly uploaded photos of child porn to the social media site Facebook.Check out rest of the story at...http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Waterville-man-arrested-on-child-pornography-charge-240157801.html

TOWN BOARD MEETING Highlights - Jan 13, 2014

Highlights of last night's Town Board Meeting... The COMPREHENSIVE PLAN was passed by a vote of 3 to 2 with Walker and Head voting NO...and Mayne doing the longest job of waffling back and forth on his vote.....Highway Superintendent received a raise to $44,270 beginning 1/1/14.....Perhaps the most important part of the meeting was the push back from member of the community who are sick and tired of the same criminals being given a pass by the local judiciary. Much frustration was voiced over the local Justices of the Peace and the County’s lack of police enforcement against criminals in this part of the county. The Justices do not provide a docket for cases where the public would be made aware of cases appearing before them. Town Attorney Hadley thought that it might be a requirement – hope he checks and if so, see that it is enforced – Particularly for ADA Assistant District Attorney Night for the more serious crimes. Several members wanted Salka to speak to the Judges, but he explained not within his authority, as executive branch, to interfere with the independence of the judicial branch of gov’t. Without a doubt, much frustration with our local judicial system.

TOWN BOARD - Tonight's Meeting - Monday JAN 13 7PM

ATTENTION....Don't forget tonight's (MON - JAN 13) Town Board meeting at 7PM in the Brookfield Town Hall....important items on the agenda include Resolution to Accept the Comprehensive Plan; Increased Salary for Highway Superintendent; the next two items are not explained: Jim Visentin; Declaration of Intent. Check out the Town's Website for the full agenda.

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS - Feb 1 Deadline for Important Education Opportunity

Volunteer firefighters have three weeks left to apply for college money...SEE LINK BELOW FROM: syracuse.com....SYRACUSE -- Volunteer firefighters in New York can get a free ride to community colleges throughout the state, but there are just a few weeks left to apply, according to the Firemen's Association of the State of New York. The Higher Education Learning Plan was launched in 2011 and is aimed at recruiting and keeping volunteer firefighters. The deadline for firefighters to apply for aid for the 2014 spring semester is Feb. 1. The program is funded through a $4.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Firemen's Association of the State of New York is administering the program. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/01/volunteer_firefighters_have_three_weeks_left_to_apply_for_college_money.html

Sangerfield Death - Gets Stranger

Apparently, Don Holley's death may have been a suicide...here is a link to recent article with details.... http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Officials-say-man-killed-on-Route-20-may-have-intentionally-laid-in-the-road-239654241.html

BODY FOUND - Norwich - Gun Suspect...

Body of man linked to gun thefts found in the town of Norwich WSYR TV just reported at 01/10/2014 03:15 P ....(NORWICH) Check out their link below, for updates.... State Police were looking for a person linked to guns stolen from a sporting goods store in Norwich when they came across his body in a wooded area on Friday. Norwich (WSYR-TV) – State Police were looking for a person linked to guns stolen from a sporting goods store in Norwich when they came across his body in a wooded area on Friday.Police have not determined how 29-year-old Christopher Gonzalez died. His body was found off of Guinn Ridge Road and has been taken to Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton for an autopsy. Police linked Gonzalez to their investigation into two separate larcenies at Mayhood’s Sporting Goods on State Route 12 in Norwich. The thefts occurred on Jan. 6 and Jan. 7. They have also arrested another person in connection to the thefts: 25-year-old Brandy Bousson of Norwich. Police did not elaborate on how Bousson was connected to the thefts, but charged her with burglary in the third degree. Approximately 22 handguns were stolen, along with rifles and ammunition. Bousson was taken to the Chenango County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash bail. http://www.localsyr.com/story/body-of-man-linked-to-gun-thefts-found-in-the-town/d/story/TaW18mLvB0u6QIJGkY2Elw

Man Hit by Car on Route 20 Identified

Very sad, I went to WCS with Don Holley. His father used to be president of the Oneida National Bank in Waterville.....from today's UTICA OD...A 62-year-old former Waterville man was out for an early Monday morning walk along Route 20 when something led to his death in the roadway, Oneida County sheriff's officials said. Whatever killed Donald J. Holley is still under investigation and pending an autopsy scheduled this week, sheriff's Chief Jon Owens said Tuesday. Whether Holley had been previously hit and was already dead when a passing motorist struck his body lying in the roadway at about 6:45 a.m. Monday is a question that can't yet be answered, Owens said. Holley's last known address was Brooklyn, and he was believed to be visiting people in the Waterville area where he grew up, Owens said. It was not uncommon for Holley to go for early morning walks, and that's what he was doing the day he died. Holley was last seen walking about 10 minutes before a motorist reported striking Holley's body, Owens said. Deputies conducted a road check in the area Tuesday morning to seek additional information from anyone who might have seen Holley walking the day before, but no other information has been developed at this time, Owens said. Any possible witnesses are asked to contact the Oneida County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit at 765-2208 or 765-2226. If no one answers, please leave your name and number. Follow @OD_LaDuca on Twitter or call him at 792-5037.

UPDATE - Portion of RT 20 CLOSED/Sangerfield Accident

UPDATE FROM WATERVILLE TIMES FACEBOOK PAGE...According to Sheriff Robert Maciol, The Oneida County Sheriff's Office is investigating an accident on Rt. 20 in the Town of Sangerfield. The Sheriff’s Office responded at approximately 6:45 a.m. when a call came in that an individual had struck a person who was lying in the center of the east bound lane on Rt. 20 just south of Waterville. The operator of the vehicle stated he was moving into th...e passing lane when he realized there was a person lying in the roadway. The operator of the vehicle tried swerving his vehicle but stated he was unable to avoid striking the person lying in the road. The operator of the vehicle turned his vehicle around and came back to where the person was lying. The operator of the vehicle pulled the person off to the side of the road and called 911. The Waterville Fire Department and Waterville Ambulance responded to the scene. The person who was struck was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s office is investigating the accident and is asking the public’s help. Anyone who was driving on Rt. 20 during the morning hours before 6:45 a.m. and saw a person walking along the roadway or any vehicle pulled to the side of the road in the Town of Sangerfield to contact the Oneida County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit at 765-2208 or 765-2226 if no answer please leave your name and number. SANGERFIELD, N.Y. (WKTV) - Several police agencies are on the scene of a car-pedestrian accident along Route 20. Crews have the portion of Route 20 west of Sangerfield to Brothertown Road closed. WKTV is still waiting to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the accident. It happened at 6:52 a.m. Monday. Initial reports say a person was struck by a vehicle, then shortly after, there was a call for a victim who was not breathing. As soon as WKTV learns more details, they will pass them along to you. http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Portion-of-Route-20-closed-as-authorities-investigate-accident--238872901.html

Healthcare NAVIGATOR Available....

FYI - Please share…. I have been in touch with KRISTEN NEWTON, a NAVIGATOR for the Obamacare ENROLLMENT program. If you or anyone you know needs assistance in signing up, Kristen is the "go to" person. She is a professional healthcare "Navigator" handling MADISON CO. ......I have personally signed up for next Monday (Morrisville only); and have been impressed by her follow up and quick response ...CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT.......NAVIGATOR - ACA Healthcare - Madison Co. ACR Health (315) 475-2430 (General) Kristin Newton Patient Navigator knewton@acrhealth.org DIRECT Phone: (315) 956-9374 NAVIGATOR - ACR Healthcare - Madison Co. Morrisville - MONDAYS CAP Building (Community Action Partnership) 3 East Main St. - Morrisville (across from Valero) She is in WAMPSVILLE the rest of the week. .........What information should I have available when I go to shop for insurance and enroll? Information about everyone in your household including birthdays, Social Security numbers, last year's household income and an estimate of this year's household income Current Dr/Hospital/Healthcare Provider (if you have one)

TEAM LEONARDSVILLE - Thank You All!

GOOD DEEDS..... Thanks to Barb Howard, below is a letter from Carolyn Pritchard re: TEAM LEONARDSVILLE ...a great group of women doing GOOD DEEDS for the community! A more detailed article can be found in this past week's issue of the W.Winfield Star....thanks, Barb & Carolyn. Good afternoon, I wanted to share with everyone the highlights of Team Leonardsville accomplishments since Thanksgiving 2012. Our successful fundraising included Lasagna Dinner, Red Hat Convention, Justin R Williams Memorial Golf Tournament, Mum sale and Election Day Bake sale.......Because of everyone's hard work, dedication and generosity we were able to provide over $8,000 in gas and grocery cards to cancer patients receiving treatments at Faxton and the Cooperstown, Oneonta and Herkimer locations of Bassett. We also purchased a TV and I-pod docking station for the cancer patients in Cooperstown. .... Our official 2013 Heart Walk team contribution was $6,045!!! ....We provided Thanksgiving Dinner to patients and staff at Abraham House. In addition, we paid for labor and materials to paint their kitchen and recently contributed toward their electric bills....Thank you everyone for thinking of others and being a part of bringing great joy to many people in their time of need. It's the little things that matter most! Enjoy the Holdays. Carolyn

STAR Exemption - NEW DEADLINE and Q&A

GLEN COIN - SYRACUSE POST STANDARD....Does an informative daily column in the Post Standard.... explaining the EXTENSION of the 12/31 deadline for STAR REAPPLICATION for 2014. ....Here is a particularly helpful article and link CLEARLY EXPLAINING the STAR REAPPLICATION PROCESS ...... DECEMBER 31, 2013 was the published deadline to register if you wanted to keep your STAR tax break in effect next fall. Fortunately, the state tax department will let homeowners sign up for STAR through early March. That's when the state has to tell local assessors who gets the exemption and who doesn't. To file late, you'll need to give the tax department "a reasonable justification" for why you're late applying for the School Tax Assessment Relief program. There is no penalty for filing after Tuesday. You'll even get another reminder notice early this month from the tax department if you didn't meet Tuesday's deadline. But be forewarned: State tax Commissioner Thomas Mattox said this will be his department's "final attempt" to get you to register. This the first time in the 15-year history of STAR that homeowners have had to register directly with the state. It's an effort cut down on fraud on the Basic STAR program, which exempts the first $30,000 of a home's value from school taxes as long as the home is a primary residence and the owners don't earn more than $500,000 a year. The registration does not apply to senior citizens receiving the Enhanced STAR exemption. If you haven't re-registered, you can call the STAR Hotline at 518-457-2036. Your current exemption is valid for this school year. The re-application is only for 2014 and beyond And check out this link to Coin's Q&A - Very helpful http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/08/star_tax_breaks_your_questions_and_some_answers_on_how_to_re-apply.html

IDA ABRAMS - December 31, 2013

Our sincere sympathy to the family of Ida Abrams, a much loved member of the Brookfield community. She will be dearly missed. Below is the obituary from the OD and link...Services for Ida M. Abrams, 61, wife of Gail E. Abrams, will be held on Sunday, January 5, at 3 PM at the Berean Baptist Church, 18 Genesee Street, New Berlin. Visitation will be 1:30-3:00 PM, at the church,prior to the service. Donations are to the church or Hospice Care of New Hartford. Arrangements by Paul Funeral Home of Brookfield. Read more: http://www.uticaod.com/article/20140101/NEWS/140109967/11153/SPECIAL#ixzz2pFPJugbF