BUDGET DUE - September 30

As fall settles in around the area, many are firmly settled into the new school year and looking forward to holiday activities.  But local town supervisors and their respective town boards are hard at work preparing their 2018 budgets. By state law, town supervisors’ must complete their tentative budgets no later than Sept. 30 each year. After that, typically within a week or two, those budget plans are presented to town boards at their next convenient meeting. For some local towns, that will be just a few days from now....what have we heard from BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD re: Budget? (Source Utica OD)

RABID Deer....Troy, NY

Here is a recent article from the ALBANY area...

TROY, N.Y. (AP) - A man says he was attacked by a rabid deer in upstate New York, and it nearly stabbed him in the eye with its antlers.  Thirty-four-year-old  man from  Troy, was in his backyard Tuesday when the 10-point buck jumped his fence and attacked him. The Albany Times-Union reports the encounter left him with a black eye and a facial gash that required eight stitches to close.  See rest of article at:
http://www.wktv.com/story/36474668/rabid-deer-attacks-man-hooking-his-face-with-antlers?utm_source=newsfore&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=641

OCT 4 Wednesday - Women in Agriculture Discussion Group

Women in Agriculture Discussion Group

WEDNESDAY October 4 at 6 p.m. for the Women in Ag Discussion Group. Learn about how healthy soils cna benefit farm profitability.   Please join us for a few hours of good conversation and good food in the Ag Center at 100 Eaton Street in Morrisville. Feel free to bring a friend or neighbor who might be interested in joining the discussion. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Sarah (sjs299@cornell.edu or (315)684-3001 ext 108). Children are welcome.

LOCAL - Now on the NEWS STAND ...Wednesday 9-27

In an effort to support our local newspapers, here is a rundown of headlines of local interest ...pick up a copy... on the NEWSTAND Wednesday, September 27:

WATERVILLE TIMES this week (9/27/17 Issue):
Front page: "Hop Capital of Brookfield"  coverage of the Corbin hop farm on Stanbro Road.
Social Notes: "Notes From Stockwell" (D. Ruane)
History: "It Happened in Brookfield" (P.Stalter)
Sports: "Brookfield Blue Devils Beat Madison"
Looking for a Restaurant Job? See ad "Michael's" - now hiring for all locations

WEST WINFIELD STAR this week (9/27/17):
Front page: Edmeston Central  School 1965 Reunion
Social: "Brookfield News" (J.Burch)
Local events:  WHEEL DAYS 2017 "Cruise In"  RESULTS

TOWN BOARD - Special Meeting 9/25 SUMMARY

RESOLUTIONS APPROVED: Truck Issue Options, Amend Highway 284

The Town continues to have problems with the International trucks. (Discussed below).  As a result,  the Town needs a fall-back truck with plow for this winter.   Although they anticipated buying new,  a  plow could not be put on a new truck until January/February so the only option was to buy used with a plow.  The Board authorized Paul Owens to purchase a used truck with plow up to a limit of $40,000.

The  Board unanimously approved an amendment of the  284 Highway Agreement" to include (1) approximately $10,000 to finish Baldwin Rd.  (the page or the original agreement had been dropped inadvertently) and (2) added Gorton Lake Rd.  Due to the unanticipated deterioration  work needs to start this year (grade & grind) and finish (stone & oil) next year with CHIPS funds.

The "284 Agreement" is the Town's  annual certification to the State that it will set aside CHIPS funds for specific "permanent" road work performed with NYS CHIPS money.  The Agreement includes the name of each road, mileage, distance and approximate cost.  The  approved "amendment" simply added Baldwin and Gorton Lake Rd. to the earlier Agreement.

For those of us who wondered what "CHIPS Money" referred to.... The Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) provides State funds to municipalities to support the construction and repair of highways, bridges, highway railroad crossings, and other facilities that are not on the State highway system.

In order to be eligible for CHIPS reimbursement, the highway project must: (1) be undertaken by a municipality; (2) be for highway-related purposes; and (3) have a service life of 10 years or more with normal maintenance or comply with  certain exceptions. Superintendent Owens indicated roads have to wait 5 yrs in order to be eligible for new CHIPS money.

Upon approval of the State Budget, NYSDOT determines each municipality's final CHIPS funds for the new State fiscal year and notifies Brookfield of the available amount via the letter for the scheduled June payment.

Turn out low... two audience members present and Councilman Mayne absent.  

HOWEVER....interesting conversational items included: 

*  The Town has an un-designated fund balance of $360,000.  In basic terms, this is the Town's emergency/savings funds that are not set aside for specific purposes ("designated") such as "new equipment", CHIPS"  ...etc.  While it does sound like a big "cushion", Owens indicated that a "bad winter" could set the Town back another $100-150,000 in materials & overtime;

* The Town's Annual "Debt Service" is $140,000.  This includes payment on  Loans (equipment) and includes interest and principal payments the Town is due to pay this year.  Funds are set aside in the Town's budget ("designated funds) and not included in the $360,000. 

* And the FLICK's saga continues.  Approximately $2,000 has been spent on legal fees for the Town Attorney to write letters to "FLICK's" Tavern telling them to get their personal items and vehicles off the Town's property.  The Town has gone through the additional survey expense to confirm the Town's property line ends at  Flick's "drip line" (and confirmed Town's ownership of its well situated close to Flick's drip line).

* Salka said the Town's assessed value increased by Two Million ($ 2,000,000) Dollars but he didn't say from what amount did it increase; nor did he say to what it is attributable.

*  The  Town isn't the only one with bum  "International" trucks...there is a class action suit against the company over faulty engines in the trucks used in the Town's "International Rollover" program.  Other Town's have had similar problems and are participating in a class action suit to recover money lost due to these problems.  Salka had no interest in having the Town participate in a class action.

* Town is still waiting for State reimbursement for the salt shed. Sounded like a few things had to be finished and inspected; expecting payment in 2018.

* Minor collision between two Town trucks, while working on Baldwin Rd.  According to Owens, no major damage or injuries.

BROOKFIELD DEMOCRATS & CANDIDATES - Meet 6:30 / Wed

Calling all Democrats in the Town of Brookfield !

There will be a meeting tomorrow night / Wednesday at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall.

Looking for candidates to run for upcoming positions:  Town Supervisor, Town Clerk and two (2) Councilman positions.  

Sorry to hear TROY GENTRY of Montgomery & Gentry Killed in Helicopter Crash FRIDAY 9/8/17

Country star Troy Gentry died in a New Jersey helicopter crash on Friday at the age of 50.

As I recall, the group Montgomery & Gentry performed at the Madison Co. Fair....

“It is with great sadness that we confirm that Troy Gentry, half of the popular country duo, Montgomery Gentry, was tragically killed in a helicopter crash which took place at approximately 1:00pm today in Medford, New Jersey,” the band’s reps said in a statement on Friday.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter crashed into a wooded area Friday afternoon near the Flying W Airport in Medford. The band’s statement said that “details of the crash are unknown.”

The airport also houses a resort and was scheduled to host a concert by the duo on Friday evening. The venue announced the cancellation of the gig Friday afternoon.

The pilot of the helicopter also died.

Gentry leaves behind two daughters with his wife of nearly 20 years, Angie.

“Gentry’s family wishes to acknowledge all of the kind thoughts and prayers and asks for privacy at this time,” the band’s statement noted.

Condolences have started to pour in on social media. Sheryl Crow wrote on Twitter, “So sad to hear the news of Troy Gentry. My prayers are with his family and friends.”

Kentucky natives Gentry and Eddie Montgomery started Montgomery Gentry in the ’90s. Their biggest hits include “That’s Something to Be Proud Of” and “Where I Come From.”

See article at: http://pagesix.com/2017/09/08/troy-gentry-of-montgomery-gentry-dies-in-helicopter-crash/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=P6Facebook&utm_medium=SocialFlow

What a REAL TOWN SUPERVISOR reports....

This is what a REAL TOWN SUPERVISOR (LEBANON)  reports to his community...BROOKFIELD...we can't even get minutes from SALKA...is that the kind of POLITICIAN you want to send to ALBANY???  And Lebanon's report was in the PAPER...we can't even get information on the Website...unless you are a FACEBOOK "Friend" of Supervisor SALKA!

Lebanon to discuss electric, land law changes at Sept. 11 meeting
POSTED: 09/04/17, 2:12 PM EDT | UPDATED: 1 DAY AGO 0 COMMENTS
LEBANON >> Lebanon town officials will hold a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 on a proposed law to create a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) for local residents to reduce electric costs through a group purchase agreement utilizing the Municipal Electric Government Association.

The town will also seek input on significant proposed changes in the town’s Land Management Local Law that have been recommended by a local group of town officials who spent approximately a year reviewing local town laws and codes.

The town board meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be at the Town Office, 1210 Bradley Brook Road in the hamlet. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The public hearing on the proposed CCA Law is scheduled for 8 p.m. The public forum on the proposed changes in the Land Management Local Law will follow at approximately 8:15 p.m. All residents will be sent a mailing by the town with a synopsis of the major proposed changes which are attached. Residents can respond at town meetings, by email or by regular mail.


Town Supervisor Jim Goldstein has advised local residents that some of the proposed changes are significant enough that the town board wants as much input as possible from local residents and property owners.

Town officials and MEGA have hosted a workshop for residents and held several town meetings on the potential electric bill savings a CCA could provide to town residents by pooling and bidding for the best price, opt out options for residents who do not want to participate and the reality that the town will not move forward with the CCA unless town residents in the NYSEG service area will save on their electric bills. MEGA has 40,000 residents signed up through various municipalities in the region and will be soliciting bids for the best electric rates for the group.

Town board members want to be deliberative in the proposed Land Management Local Law changes since some of the proposed changes involve allowing more residences per parcel in the township, allowing farms to rent properties to tenants who are not farm workers, changing requirements for mobile home parks and eliminating the 12 year used mobile home rule. Town board members have had discussions with members of the public the last few board meetings but only a half dozen people so far have participated. Goldstein said town officials want a larger amount of feedback as the proposed law changes have been identified in initial discussions as both being more favorable to low income residents, landlords and renters but having negative impacts on property values, and the proposed changes would have impact on the direction of the town for the next decade to come.

Copies of the synopsis and the proposed LMLL changes as well as the existing law are available at townoflebanon.org, the town website and can also be obtained through the Town Supervisor or Town Clerk.

Other actions planned at the Sept. 11 meeting include:

•Discussing the 2018 town budget that will be filed with the Town Clerk Sept. 30.

•Discussing and adopting proposed amendments to the 2017 road repair plan.

•Reviewing the pending impact of state and county budgets.

•Reviewing Madison County updates with regard to the courthouse renovations, landfill projects, opiate prevention and 2018 budget.

•Discussing status of current local ag developmet issues.

•Discussing status of current code enforcement activity and actions

•Reviewing town assessed valuation and reduction in natural gas values for 2018.

GARAGE SALE - Rt 8 Storage Units... SAT Sept 2

Just stopped at a decent yard sale on Rt 8 - Storage Units near the old Hiteman Farm.  Nice sale and lots of stuff.  Today/ Sat , Sept 2 ....