SALKA 's Letter to the Editor

If you had a chance to read John Salka's LETTER TO THE EDITOR in this week's Waterville Times....you know how lucky we are that he's now in Albany....in his element:  denying, lying & excusing himself while taking credit for the work of others.   I just hope his arm recovers from that long stretch to pat himself on the back....he certainly is his biggest admirer!

TOWN BOARD - Corbin Letter In Waterville Times

For the full "State of the Town" report has been printed in this week's WATERVILLE TIMES...Feb 20 issue.... be sure to check it out!  Information...not excuses.

DOLLAR GENERAL - Taking Over Great American Location

Check out the West Winfield Star....this week's Feb  20 issue includes a run down of local town and school board meetings along with an update that DOLLAR GENERAL is moving into the Great American  location -- completion anticipated in 4 months....in the meantime, the  Village of West Winfield has arranged bus transportation for Seniors...first run ...MONDAY Feb 25..... check out this great local blog for details:  West Winfield Happenings!  ...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/826700944177624/?multi_permalinks=1158247464356302&notif_id=1550598948083568&notif_t=group_highlights

PLANNING BOARD - March 7 - Visentin - McIntyre Rd.

Notice of Public Hearing

The Planning Board of the Town of Brookfield will hold a public hearing upon the application of James Visentin for the review and discussion of subdivision of Tax Map # 218.-1-21.  Said property is located at 573 McIntyre Rd in the Town of Brookfield. 

Said hearing will be held on March 7, 2019 at the Brookfield Town Hall at 7:00 PM.  At this time, all persons will be given the opportunity to be heard.

BCS - Financial AUDIT BY NYS - Results

Here is a link to the March 2018 Audit of BCS' financials....why are they hiding it?.... their billing procedure is as lax as their communications ....when was the last time we saw minutes or ANY useful information posted for TAXPAYERS ....not JUST PARENTS!!! But, this falls on the BOARDS' deaf ears....

https://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/schools/2018/brookfield.pdf

CORBIN - "State of the Town" GOOD START!

Sorry to have missed the FEBRUARY Town Board meeting but was able to obtain a copy of Supervisor Corbin’s monthly report.  WOW….what a difference!...INFORMATION…! There was more information in the Corbin report than we got out of Salka in the past 4 years while he prepped for the Assembly seat the Town’s business withered on the vine!  

[I never thought I would be saying this!!]  Got to give Corbin the credit.   Here is a summary:

1.      Corbin obtained a verbal commitment to include $25,000 in the 2019 budget for the Madison County Fair. 

2.      Town vs Kabana – court date set for March 8, but trying to move up to Feb.

3.      Richter v Town – attorneys to meet in March [this must be the “mystery” lawsuit we never heard about];

4.      Working with Town Justice on funding for various security issues [NOTE: we need a SHERIFF in attendance on DA NIGHT!!!]

5.      The last four years 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 of CAP [property tax levy] reports had not been filed.  Corbin worked with the Town Accountant to complete these and the 2019 report.

6.      Budget line items were corrected for recording property tax penalties and interest.

7.      Annual Audit of the Town Clerk and Town Justice to be conducted on  February 18^th.  These annual audits are required and performed by the Town Board’s “Finance” Committee.

8.      The Governor’s 2019 budget was a “hit” to Highway budget revenues:  $17,744 (2% of Town Budget) AIM program  cancelled; no CHIPS increases and no “Extreme Winter Recovery” funding.

9.      This APRIL, Colgate University professor plans to start a free “Library BOX” exchange.  Location ideas needed.

ON a go-forward basis, the Supervisor’s goals for the upcoming year include:

LAW SUITS:  Kabana and now Richter – resolution. [FINALLY].

SALT SHED.  Several issues to address – “notorious” bookkeeping; limited capacity and style issues.

CODES ENFORCEMENT:  Long overdue.  “non-existent for the past 11 years” […AGREE!] A new house was built in 2017 – without a permit! And just take a ride around!

DOG ENUMERATION:  to start again and complete this time.

POINT OF INTEREST – The food stamp program is now called SNAP.  Corbin’s report also noted that Madison County paid – One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) to cover 4,000 households for ONE MONTH. [NOTE: while it sounds like a lot, according to my calculator that is only $250 per family per month.]

In summary, sounds like things are moving ahead and information is being shared with the community….it is now worth going to a Town Board Meeting.  We can learn something other than EXCUSES….! 

A long overdue update….taxes and winter doldrums!

Catching up on the past Waterville Times article re: first Town Board meeting under Supervisor Loren Corbin….what a difference …and who thought???....an overall positive in terms of information flow and a turnaround compliment from a public speaker and applaud her character for apologizing!

The meeting included an update on the Town budget and litigation…oh so much left hidden by Mr. Salka; and also heard that final/approved Board minutes would be put  ONLINE ….on the TOWN’s WEBSITE…within two weeks of meeting?!! Be still my beating heart!!!  ... is this a harbinger of OPEN GOVERNMENT?! MUCH NEEDED to rebuild trust!

On another note, sad to hear that the WEST WINFIELD Great American is scheduled to close Feb 28.  Here is a link to the new West Winfield website with updates and local news…a neat site! WEST WINFIELD LOCAL HAPPENINGS at 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/826700944177624/?multi_permalinks=1148730078641374&notif_id=1549484278155157&notif_t=group_highlights