LOCAL TALENT - Tues MAY 2- Larry Krauss at Colgate Inn

Hamilton, N.Y. >> The Local Music Project presents Larry Krauss and Josh Jessen.  Larry Krauss will perform at the Colgate Inn’s Local Music Project on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 7 p.m. as part of a double-billing with Josh Jessen.  Brookfield native and singer-songwriter Krauss kicks off the night with both classic rock covers and original songs on guitar and piano.

See full article at Oneida Dispatch:
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/arts-and-entertainment/20170426/larry-krauss-josh-jessen-double-billing-at-the-local-music-project

NOW HIRING - Heritage Farm (Bouckville)

Here is a recent ad from from HERITAGE FARM Bouckville....check out their Facebook page...if interested contact:

sharon@heritagefarminc.org 

or mail to Sharon at Heritage Farm 3599

State Route 46, Bouckville, NY 13310.

Detailed job descriptions can be provided upon request

https://www.facebook.com/HeritageFarmINC/

HERITAGE FARM, INC. in Bouckville, NY is growing and

currently searching for candidates that have experience

working with disabled individuals. 

Candidates must be

dependable, accountable, and physically capable while having

knowledge of providing pro-active support with a positive

team-building attitude and the ability to creatively teach individualized skills.

Must submit to DMV, background checks. Some programs require reliable

transportation to provide service.

We have open positions in the following programs:

• Day Habilitation, part-time, 26 hours per week,

        Monday thru Friday, 10am - 3pm.

• Community Habilitation, part-time, hours based on individual’s needs.

• Respite, per diem; shifts available from Friday 3 pm - Sunday, 6 pm

Starting pay ranges from $9.70 to $11.00+ per hour, based upon program

and experience.

We offer unique opportunities utilizing our own working farm resources and

those offered by the community to teach skills that promote independence.

BROOKFIELD - MURPHY Family Earns Farm of the Year Award

Kevin, Paula and Nicole Murphy were honored with the 37th annual Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District 2017 Conservation Farm of the Year.

The district welcomed area farmers, past recipients, town leaders, legislators, friends and conservation enthusiasts to a complimentary luncheon in celebration of the Murphy Farm’s accomplishments on April 7 at the White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton.

See the FULL STORY AT:
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20170415/murphy-family-dairy-farm-named-2017-farm-of-the-year

SWAMPSVILLE -CORRECTION !

UPDATE:  CORRECTION - Today 4/19/17 I received the Lease pursuant to a FOIL request.....the Oneida Dispatch article was incorrect...the rent is $ 313,000 per YEAR not per month.  Unfortunately, no one from the County took the time to correct this error.  



Why won't the County Attorney respond to inquiries about the great $6 million lease deal that went to IDA Executive Director who owns an interest in the property being LEASED TO MADISON COUNTY as as "temporary" courthouse?? 

This resolution was passed at the April 11 Board meeting and simply described as a lease to "Kenwood Community Properties LLC ("KCP") in a flood area, that needs:
                $800,000+ in renovations and      
               $300,000 per MONTH Rent ...for a minimum of 18 months ( = $ 5.4 million)....
               plus "damages" if they're not out at end of lease???
               And a 5% increase built in...

The simple LEGAL question:  was this relationship disclosed to the SUPERVISORS and the PUBLIC ?

....and how can they explain $300,000 PER MONTH ?  REALLY...who negotiated that deal!

Guess that is a question no one wants to answer.  It's a legal question, but the legal department doesn't want to answer...WHY NOT?

I have made a Freedom of Information request to obtain a copy of the lease.

Here's the MATH:
 
$300,000 per month Rent
         x 18  months
$5,400,000 RENT
 + $800,000 RENOVATIONS
$6,200,000

Fatal ACCIDENT - Rt. 20 Near Richfield Springs

WKTV Crews are responding to a reported serious two-car crash on State Route 20 near Richfield.

The accident occurred around 10:30 a.m. Monday. Ambulances from West Winfield and Bridgewater were dispatched to the scene, along with Richfield Springs and West Winfield fire departments.

A portion of Route 20 has been closed off in both directions near the accident. Traffic is being rerouted near County Route 55 and Skinner Road.

We have reached out to State Police, but they cannot provide any information at this time. It's unknown how many people were involved, or the extent of their injuries.

NEWSChannel 2 crews are at the scene of the crash. We will continue to provide more details as they become available. SEE: http://www.wktv.com/story/35166207/2-car-crash-reported-on-route-20-near-west-winfield

"SWAMPSVILLE" - CORRECTION

UPDATE:  CORRECTION - Today 4/19/17 I received the Lease pursuant to a FOIL request.....the Oneida Dispatch article was incorrect...the rent is $ 313,000 per YEAR not per month.  Unfortunately, no one from the County took the time to correct this error.  



From the Oneida Dispatch....here is a summary of the latest, April 11, Madison Co. Board of Supervisors monthly meeting.  See link below to read entire article. Includes my comments as well.

Please note the great deal the county is giving to the OWNER of the TEMPORARY courthouse..$300,000 PER MONTH!!  and  we understand one of the owners is the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Of the MADISON CO IDA? Was that disclosed? Only found out by digging...more to come on that topic...awaiting response from COUNTY ATTORNEY, & MARK SCIMONE.

The Board passed the following resolutions,

1. The board also made official its plans for accommodating the county courthouse while renovations are being made. The county will lease space in the former Oneida Limited administration building on Kenwood Avenue in Oneida, now owned by Kenwood Community Properties. the county will pay more than $300,000 a month PLUS $800,000 for renovations to use the 26,128 square foot space. [ That works out to OVER $3.6 MILLION per Year or $137 per SQUARE FOOT PER YEAR...or $11.48 psf/month. For a building in a HIGH RISK FLOOD AREA.  We are awaiting confirmation of the details from the COUNTY that the Executive Director of the Madison Co.IDA is one of the owners.  Mr. Salka is on the IDA Board..maybe he can confirm.] 

2.  The Board of Supervisors enacted measures to temporarily pay some employees’ health insurance premiums for the next 5-10 months!!! [ including Supervisor Salka's] ...after "discovering" a $1.6 million surplus in the county’s self-insured health insurance reserve fund. [ RATHER THAN SET ASIDE FOR THE FUTURE...ANOTHER FREEBEE FROM THE HOLD THE PURSE STRINGS at expense of TAXPAYERS....HYPOCRITS!!!]

3.  The board also introduced a local law that would ban the use of plastic single-use carryout bags. A public hearing is scheduled on the proposal at the board’s May 9 meeting. [STORE OWNERS & VENDORS BEWARE -- Significant penalties.]


4.  The board approved an agricultural economic development loan to Empire Farmstead Brewing for $47,916. The loan will allow the company to create two full-time positions within two years.
[Yes, you read it right.....talk about swamp deals!]

5.  For the first time, the board approved of the inclusion of tires in local community clean-up programs. The county allows municipalities to throw away up to 25 tons of trash collected by community groups from roadways, streams, parks and public areas a year as part of those programs. Now, tires can be included in that waste.

See FULL STORY AT:
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20170411/madison-county-mulling-single-use-plastic-bag-ban

DEC - Burn Ban Extended to MAY 21

DEC burn ban extended to May 21

POSTED: 04/11/17, 4:33 PM EDT | UPDATED: 11 HRS AGO 0 COMMENTS
The Madison County Emergency Management Office is reminding Madison County Citizens that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Open Burn Ban is currently in effect and has been extended by Governor Andrew Cuomo until May 21 this year.

If residents ignore the ban and their fire is reported, they will be subject to the initial minimum fine of $500.00.

According to the New York State Department of Conservation, open fires are any outdoor fire in which smoke is emitted directly into the air, including burning in barrels. Even when the spring burn ban is not in effect, some areas are still prohibited to burn. Call your local fire department for local burning laws and check for fire dangers in your area.

As per the DEC, exceptions to state laws include:

•A small wildfire

•Outdoor cooking devices when used to cook food

•Small cooking or camp fires using untreated wood or charcoal

•Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires, where permitted

•Small fires used to dispose of a flag or religious item or for a religious ceremony, where permitted

Check out the full article from the ONEIDA DISPATCH..good coverage of Madison Co.
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20170411/dec-burn-ban-extended-to-may-21

NYS Toxic Waste Map online - FREE DATABASE

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT-TV) - Homebuyers have a new resource to check whether a property has a polluted past.

Toxics Targeting, based in Ithaca, has come out with a new free online database that shows whether a specific residence is on or near a hazardous cleanup site. The firm has compiled information from the DEC, the EPA and county health departments and cross referenced information to get specific street addresses.

Toxics Targeting's Free Map:  http://toxicstargeting.com/

Homes and properties in communities across New York are located on or near toxic sites that can cause health hazards or reduce investment value.

Use Toxics Targeting's Free Map to search any neighborhood for more than 650,000 abandoned landfills, toxic dumps, leaking tanks and other government-reported contamination threats in the Empire State.

If you are buying a specific home or property, you can order a Toxics Targeting Phase I Environmental Database Report. We will walk you through your detailed report and answer your questions. See our sample commerical and residental reports.

FREE COLLEGE TUITION PROGRAM - Q&A Do you qualify?

Here is a link to the Q&A to see if you qualify for the new, free college tuition program ....

https://www.suny.edu/smarttrack/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/excelsior/

ALBANY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) - New York is the first state in America to make its state school system free for middle class students.But people still have questions about whether or not they’ll qualify.

In the wake of the state passing its budget – and making the Excelsior Scholarship program possible – the SUNY system has released a details question and answer FAQ.

The FAQ addresses a number of questions, including whether current students will be eligible next year for the scholarship (they will be) or whether graduate students are eligible (they aren’t).
In addition, NewsChannel 9 reported on Monday that there is no age limit for students who wish to take advantage of the program, but people already with a bachelor's degree are disqualified.

UPDATED...Emergency crews have been called to Chittning Pond for a water rescue.

Emergency crews have been called to Chittning Pond for a water rescue.

By THE OBSERVER-DISPATCH

UPDATE.....WATERVILLE — In his 17-year career as a state Department of Environmental Conservation forest ranger, Robert Piersma has trained for water rescues but never has needed to go into the water.

That changed Monday when Piersma went into the frigid waters of Waterville’s Chittning Pond and pulled two men from the water who had overturned their canoe.

Rest of the Story at OD: 

http://www.uticaod.com/news/20170410/forest-ranger-saves-2-men-in-cold-water-rescue

Emergency crews have been called to Chittning Pond off of Route 20 for a water rescue.  There are three people in the water, according to scanner reports.

LINK AT: http://www.uticaod.com/news/20170410/water-rescue-taking-place-in-waterville

SUPERVISOR - Unable to Get Minutes on Line

Ever notice how Supervisor Salka preaches transparent government yet doesn't want to...or hasn't the power to...get the Town Board minutes ON LINE???....you have to check his personal FACEBOOK page... draining the swamp..?  start draining your own little swamp,  Mr.Salka... or is there something the Board needs to hide?

Take a look at the information PROGRESSIVE towns like Lebanon provide and even publish in the local paper!  And our Supervisor is going to change ALBANY? ... like you changed Brookfield ???? Look around...!!

PROGRESSIVE TOWN REPORT ....See here
Oneida Dispatch
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20170408/lebanon-town-meeting-april-10-to-discuss-road-plan

THIS WEEK IN BROOKFIELD ....

	Monday, April 10, 2017
	TOWN BOARD - North Brookfield Fire Hall - 7 PM
	Monthly Town Board Meeting
	NORTH BROOKFIELD FIRE HALL - 7PM
	http://www.brookfieldny.us/calendar.html
	Wednesday, April 12, 2017
	PLANNING BOARD - MARACCINI Subdivision 7PM
	Town Hall - Brookfield
	http://www.brookfieldny.us/special-noticesmeetings.html
	Wednesday, April 12, 2017
	BCS - School Board 7PM
	http://www.brookfieldcsd.org/Page/2

CHOBANI - Founder Featured on 60 MINUTES SUNDAY April 9

Chobani founder, refugee advocate featured on "60 Minutes" this weekend

UTICA N.Y. - The Chief of Chobani, billionaire Hamdi Ulukaya is being interviewed on “60 Minutes” Sunday April 9 at 7pm on CBS.

Chobani is a yogurt company that started in 2005 and prides itself on using natural, non-gmo ingredients.

Shortly after it was built, the Chobani factory in New Berlin, New York started employing local refugees. As an immigrant himself, Ulukaya has made it his mission to help new Americans.

“He decided to start a business here in central New York, which doesn't happen all that often, and he's taken it to the highest levels, and he's taken all of us along with him, including immigrants and refugees who are absolutely a part of our community, and an essential part of our community,” said Shelly Callahan.

See full article at WKTV http://www.wktv.com/story/35101301/chobani-founder-refugee-adovate-featured-on-60-minutes-this-weekend

CRIME: Marcy Prisoner Attacks Female Officer

Given the number of locals employed by the prison system, thought this was of local interest. This comes from the UTICA OD...l

Female officer attacked, groped at prison in Marcy

MARCY — A convicted rapist from Monroe County attacked and groped a female officer at Mid-State Correctional Facility early Saturday morning (4/1/17), according to the state Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association.

The incident occurred around 2:55 a.m. inside one of the dorms of the medium security prison when Inmate Chaz Robinson, 32, walked into the officer’s station with his blanket from his bed, threw it over the officer’s head and then began to grope and attack he, officials said.


While on the ground, the officer was able to pull and activate her emergency pin. As the alarm sounded, the inmate got up and ran out of the office and into the dorm bathroom, officials said.

Three inmates, who heard the alarm and realized what had happened, ran to the station. Two inmates ran after Robinson into the bathroom and held him until the response team arrived on the scene, officials said. The third inmate stayed with the injured officer until help arrived.

The officer, who sustained bruises and abrasions, was taken to a local urgent care for treatment and treated and released, officials said.

See Full Story At the Utica OD:
http://www.uticaod.com/news/20170404/female-officer-attacked-groped-at-prison-in-marcy

NYS BUDGET - Poised to Pass

The NYS Senate & Assembly are expected to wrap up the $152 billion budget, today (Wed 4/5/17).

The budget legislation keeps taxes flat, increases public education spending by $1 million, raises college tuition assistance and invests $2.5 billion in upgrades for the state's aging water infrastructure.

It also would allow Uber and Lyft to expand into upstate cities like Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany. The two app-based ride-hailing services are now limited to the New York City area.

Another provision,  would end the state's distinction as one of only two states that automatically prosecute and incarcerate 16- and 17-year-old offenders as adults.

The budget was due by Saturday, April 1, when the state began a new fiscal year. But it was delayed by disagreement over the juvenile justice reform piece, as well as education funding and an affordable housing tax credit for New York City developers.

See the full SYRACUSE POST STANDARD ARTICLE....

Syracuse Post Standard - Deadlock apparently over, New York state lawmakers poised to pass budget
http://www.syracuse.com/state/index.ssf/2017/04/deadlock_apparently_over_new_york_state_lawmakers_poised_to_pass_budget.html#incart_m-rpt-1

MAD CO. - ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES - Stockbridge

When will MADISON COUNTY hire an ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATOR? That is the ONLY WAY some CHILDREN are saved ALONG WITH THE ANIMALS!! ??

STOCKBRIDGE, NY - A Madison County man faces animal cruelty charges after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Madison County sheriff's deputies.

Caleb Cottrell, 32, of 6559 Trew Hill Road, Stockbridge is charged with eight counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, which are misdemeanors, police said.

Police said after executing a search warrant on the property in March, they found four dead cattle in two barns. They also found four horses  "in distress" in another barn and seized them, police said.Deputies said the condition of the residence and farm "were deplorable."

Tiffany Cottrell, 32, Caleb's wife, and Caleb Cottrell also were charged with endangering the welfare of a child due to their own child living in the "deplorable" conditions, deputies said. Police said they could not elaborate on the specifics at this time.

See the full article at SYRACUSE POST STANDARD:

http://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/04/cny_couple_charged_with_animal_cruelty_police_say_farm_and_home_condition_deplor.html#incart_river_home

BCS - January Board Minutes Finally Approved and Online

The Brookfield Central School Board has finally caught up with their JANUARY minutes and are now posted online at the link below.  Hopefully we can catch up with FEBRUARY & MARCH minutes before the MAY vote....

LINK:  http://www.brookfieldcsd.org/Page/388

CRIME: Waterville Man Sentenced in Sexual Assault

UTICA 3/31/17 – A Waterville man was sentenced 25 years to life in state prison for sexually assaulting three young girls and recording the incidents.

David S. Ireland, 55, pleaded guilty in February to the violent felony charge of predatory sexual assault against a child.

It's alleged that between 2014 and 2016 he sexually assaulted three young girls between the ages of 7 and 10 years old while recording and taking photos of some of the incidents.

See UTICA OD for full  Article:  http://www.uticaod.com/news/20170331/area-man-sentenced-25-to-life-for-sexually-assaulting-3-children

MAD CO: $821,280 Grant for Emergency Communications

Madison County Receives $821,280 State Grant to Upgrade Emergency Communications Systems. 

In late March,  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo revealed $45 million has been awarded for counties across the state to upgrade critical technology and improve emergency communications systems. 

This funding will enable local governments to expand their ability to communicate, exchange valuable data, and streamline information through their systems to enhance collaboration and assist first responders.

Madison County is set to receive $821,280, while Oneida County is scheduled to take in $637,360.

See the full article at this Oneida Dispatch link....they provide good, local coverage ...

LINK:  http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20170330/madison-oneida-counties-receive-sizable-emergency-communication-grants