RUMOR AROUND TOWN.....

MAYNE -A Profoundly DISAPPOINTING DECISION

2012-01-28T10:26:00.000-05:00

MAYNE BACK IN AS TOWN BOARD MEMBER - Put back on the Highway Dept & Reappointed as "Deputy Supervisor".... a PROFOUNDLY DISAPPOINTING decision by the Town Board...Clint Abrams, Dewitt Head, Joe Walker and Supervisor Salka voted unanimously to reinstate Mayne who was defeated in last November's election for that very seat. Despite 6 other qualified candidates with experience and fres ideas, the Board decided that because there were too many "new" Board Members that they needed "continuity"...continuity of just "what"....inertia?.... While you may have had great hopes for the new Board, sadly, the old adage "the more we change/the more we stay the same" certainly applies to this first major Board decision...so folks, don't get your hopes up on this "team"....

SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING - Sat - Jan 28 9AM - Brookfield Town Hall

2012-01-24T11:31:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Jackie Mineo for running in to check the door on the Town Hall.... SPECIAL MEETING - this SAT - JAN 28 at 9AM....does not say specifically what the meeting is for...but would "assume" to announce George Cowen's replacement.

BROOKFIELD - Million Tires to be Removed by DEC

2012-01-22T10:26:00.004-05:00

According to a recent article from the ONEONTA DAILY STAR (see Link), the state DEC has hired a firm --S and M Prompt Rubbish Removal Service of Freeport --to remove up to a million tires buried on property in West Edmeston in the town of Brookfield in Madison County.

The tires are buried on the two acre site on Rt. 8,bordering the Unadilla Rive. -- Some tires buried as deep as 15 feet. Due to flooding, tires have "migrated into the nearby the Unadilla River".The tires will be removed and taken to Seneca Meadows, where they will be used in landfill construction. When the Brookfield project is done, the DEC will seek to recover costs through the state Attorney General's Office.

The DEC was tipped off several years ago to the presence of buried tires at the Brookfield site, which then was owned by Thomas Price, according to summary emailed this month to The Daily Star. Price signed a consent order with the DEC but wasn't able to clean up the site.

An investigation revealed that Phil Harris had operated a tire-disposal business at the site in the 1980s.d. At some point, the town buried the tires because of concerns that they would hold water and become breeding areas for mosquitoes.

The firm has until May 13 to complete the $1 million project. The cost is paid through the state's Waste Tire Abatement Fund, which imposes a $2.50 fee each time a tire is purchased.

FREE TAX PREPARATION HELP AVAILABLE

2012-01-13T10:03:00.001-05:00

Free Tax Preparation Help Available
(It's that time of year again.... TAXES.... If your household income was less than $49,078 through employment in 2011, you may be eligible for free tax preparation this tax season. Community Action Partnership for Madison County, in partnership with the Madison County Department of Social Services and Colgate University, will offer the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to income eligible Madison County residents by appointment from Jan. 23 through April 1. Returns are electronically filed and refunds are usually available within two weeks. For information or to make an appointment, call CAP at (315) 697-3588. Senior citizens who would like information or to make an appointment, call the Madison County Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program at (315) 684-3001. Check out the MADISON COURIER that reported this information. Here is the link: http://www.madisoncountycourier.com/2012/01/13/free-tax-preparation-help-available/

MADISON Cty - FREE HEALTHCARE CLINIC !!!

2011-12-13T19:49:00.003-05:00

MADISON COUNTY has a FREE HEALTHCARE CLINIC - for those OVER 16 and NOT ELIGIBLE for Medicare/Medicaid. The Clinic is open ONE DAY a week - WEDNESDAY 8AM - 4 PM in ONEIDA. Here is a link to the POST STANDARD article by Protikus (She does a great job!). Here are the basics....and yes, they could use VOLUNTEERS & DONATIONS....

The clinic’s services also includes patient education, disease prevention and screening, physical examinations, vaccinations and help finding insurance.

How it works The Mary Rose Center is open from 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday
in the Northside Shopping Center off North Main Street in Oneida.No appointment is necessary for medical services. The clinic phone number is 280-0855.

Patients must be age 16 or older and live in Madison County. The clinic accepts patients who are uninsured and ineligible for Medicaid and Medicare.

To volunteer or donate materials, call 684-3144. Visit www.maryrosecenter.org to learn more.Monetary donations can be sent to: Community Action Partnership for Madison County, Attn: The Mary Rose Center, P.O. Box 249, Morrisville, NY 13408. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/madison_countys_first_free_hea.html

BROOKFIELD - Town Board Meeting - MONDAY Dec 12

2011-12-10T11:39:00.002-05:00

REMINDER:

Brookfield Town Board Meeting -
MONDAY - 7PM -
Dec. 12, 2011 -
BROOKFIELD TOWN HALL.

BROOKFIELD: Salka To Run for Magee's Seat

2011-12-10T11:34:00.003-05:00

Am back and will try to contain coverage to SHORT news articles affecting the local area...

In that regard...check out Supervisor John Salka's recent announcement on his Facebook page - he will be running for Bill Magee's 111th Assembly District seat. You can find John's announcement at his Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=817261391#!/profile.php?id=100000608850711

A map of Magee's District can be found at:http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/William-Magee/map/

BROOKFIELD: Gravel Pit Proposal Rt. 8

2011-09-23T09:04:00.002-04:00

Parker Excavating & Gravel of Mount Vision has an application pending with the DEC to operate a gravel pit on approximately 46 acres of land located on the Ralph Rathbun farm off of Rt. 8 and Beaver Creedk Rd. (Near Wagoner's Store).

The Public has until Oct 21 to comment on the project by contacting the DEC person listed below.

According to the DEC filing, it has been determined that the project will NOT have a significant impact on the environment or archealogical/historical sites; and is NOT located in wetlands.

Further information and copies may also be obtained from the DEC contact: Teresa Phelps - DEC Cortalnd Region 7 - (607)753-3095 or r7dep@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Here is a link to the site & application: http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/77087.html and click on "REGION 7".

2011-09-23T00:51:00.000-04:00

North Brookfield Fire Department AUDIT

2011-09-14T20:34:00.003-04:00

Attached is a link to the recent audit of the North Brookfield Fire Department conducted by the NY State Comptroller's Office. Audits are a common practice to help municipal governments meet standard accounting practices, by citing ways they can improve accountability for taxpayer funds. Pretty standard issues when compared to other department audits, HOWEVER, the audit noted the following: "In 2007 the District invested $15,000 with a local insurance agent and received a promissory note stating the money would be returned in one year along with 8% interest. ....At the end of our audit field work the monies had not been returned to the District nor had District officials sought or received any information from the agen relating to this investment."

BROOKFIELD REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RESULTS

2011-09-14T20:23:00.002-04:00

Salka won the Republican primary over Josh Haar. Very interesting race. Other Republican winners: Clint Abrams & Jeff Mayne for Councilman over Chuck Blood. See link to the Oneida Dispatch coverage.

What ARE we thinking? DEPLETING EARTH

2011-06-08T10:00:00.002-04:00

Very thoughtful article by Tom Friedman (NYTimes)...re: life choices and earth's depleting resources.... and really makes one wonder WHY we are poisoning our most limited and vital resource - WATER - for GAS? Just WHAT ARE WE THINKING???!

You really do have to wonder whether a few years from now we’ll look back at the first decade of the 21st century — when food prices spiked, energy prices soared, world population surged, tornados plowed through cities, floods and droughts set records, populations were displaced and governments were threatened by the confluence of it all — and ask ourselves: What were we thinking? How did we not panic when the evidence was so obvious that we’d crossed some growth/climate/natural resource/population redlines all at once?http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/opinion/08friedman.html?hp

RAW SEWAGE Dumping in Lake Ontario

2011-05-26T00:36:00.002-04:00

Come on now...isn't it about time we stopped this disgusting practice?.... and we worry about "hydro-fracking".... ? From today's POST STANDARD: New York environmental regulators have asked the federal government to ban vessels from dumping on-board sewage into waters along its Lake Ontario shore. They want the Environmental Protection Agency to create a "no-discharge zone" running along 326 miles of shoreline from Youngstown in Niagara County to Cape Vincent in Jefferson County. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/state_wants_to_ban_lake_ontari.html

MEDICARE - "Privatization" JUST SAY "No"

2011-05-26T00:30:00.004-04:00

Sounds like the Republicans are going to have to change their butcher job (aka -"privatization") of the MEDICARE program. Democrat Kathy Hochul (D- Buffalo) won on long-held Republican turf riding a wave of voter discontent over the national GOP's plan to change Medicare. Tuesday's special election in New York's 26th Congressional District became a referendum on the health care plan for the nation's seniors may serve as a warning shot to further GOP efforts to cut popular entitlement programs. See: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/medicare_key_to_shocking_democ.html

"Symbolic" PROPERTY TAX CAP

2011-05-26T00:23:00.003-04:00

New York legislators are close to a deal for a 2% cap on property tax increases. There’s just one catch: property tax bills will likely go up beyond the advertised 2 percent cap because the proposal would allow local governments and school districts to ignore the cap if, their pension costs increase by more than 2 percent — which has happened with regularity in New York in recent years. Syracuse expects its pension costs to jump 42 percent in the 2011-12 fiscal year, to $28 million. Facing that kind of skyrocketing expense, the 2 percent cap may be a mirage. “Unless you address those cost factors, the property tax cap is really just a symbolic, at most, gesture,” said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. BUT - at least it's a STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.... Bravo to MAGEE & VALESKY for their Support of the CAP.

BROOKFIELD - Town Board Meeting - May 9, 2011

2011-05-11T12:00:00.002-04:00

The Very UNOFFICIAL Minutes – Town Board Meeting…..5-9-11

Good turnout…18-20 …. IN ATTENDANCE: All Board members; and other offices: Rod Jennison (Hwy) /Bob Piersma (Codes)

6:30 PM – Public Hearing re: Local Rd. Use Law….
Discussed a PROPOSED road use law that would restrict heavy (4-ton/ “heavy industry”) road use on certain TOWN roads (to be determined). Copy available at Town Hall .. Good discussion: but hearing voided due to procedural issues/inadequate posting- ; 911 address; road inventory; other Towns’ laws. No action taken; further discussion needed.

7PM – Regular Board Meeting –
Planning Board – D. McCoach – another hearing scheduled for 6/2 ; Mary Lou Rhodes new Vice Chair; Board ok’d all PB attending 5/17 pipeline seminar; 7/21 – tentative joint meeting between Town & Planning Board.

NEW Gravel Pit – Clark: Permit pending. Off Rt. 8 by Wagoner’s store. May be another year. Clark leasing the land.

Snow’s Pond – Jennison is paying the $500 fine; the estimated cost to rebuild is $2-3,000; Perk Stalter reported wildlife returning to the Pond…. 5/11 – WED/ 1PM meeting at Snow’s Pond …DEC, Soil, Water, open to those interested.

Dog Census/License Costs – S. Kabana gave rundown of costs, need for census.

Highway – storm damage repairs to take priority; estimated damage $88,000 and applying for Federal Aid. …still discussing waste oil furnace pros/cons ….Letters from Cheseboro Rd objecting to large-scale tree removal by Highway Dept without owner approval. Hopefully, the “Paul Bunyon” Days are over ! …..Lone loader bid opened: $35,000 cash for used with trade in. Hwy to consider rent with option deals on future equipment.

Codes – B. Piersma reported revenues down by a couple thousand from last yr. Junk yard inspections coming up.

Gas Drilling Committee – so far, only K. Nowak …anyone interested should contact a Board Member or Karen Nowak. The committee will keep the Board up to date on gas drilling developments. Looking for good, factual information. Even-handed treatment.

Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Assessment – looking for volunteer members. There has been one applicant for the ZBA position.

Budget/Reserve Fund Balance – Salka has agreed to provide Corbin with a break down of two items that reduced the Town’s reserve account by $70,000. Basically, the reserve is like a savings account /"rainy day fund" for the Town.

Comprehensive Plan – still reviewing the surveys …and according to J. Visentin -- …avoiding any politics.

Leonardsville School – Mt. Markham has put building up for sale; would like to see if the district would donate some land to Leonardsville for a ball park. Contract awarded to T. Chase for mowing Leonardsville Park.

Judge’s Chambers – Verdict still pending… yes folks, we’re still discussing the renovations… one of the bidders never received the revised specs…back to the drawing board. Question: by the time it gets finished, will any of us be able to climb the stairs?…they’re already talking about one of those automated “stair chairs”….

Insufficient Funds – B. Whitacre was unhappy that the school’s check to the Town was mentioned at the last Board meeting. Some question as to whether it was…or was not marked “insufficient funds”…Whitacre did not think it should have been brought up publicly. Some Board said it was simply a matter of disclosure.

Oneida Indians 1.... County Cowboys 0

2011-04-23T23:11:00.005-04:00

Got to hand it to the Indians on this one! Two Oneida Nation employees are suing State Comptroller DiNapoli and Madison County Attorney John Campanie. According to the complaint, over the past 13 yrs, Campanie has received an additional $800,000 for legal services in connection with the Oneida land claim and other county matters. He has done so by receiving the $800,000 out of the $15 million in legal fees that the State paid to a private law firm, Nixon Peabody, to represent Madison County in the Oneida land claim. The County says the arrangement had been approved and disclosed since 1998, but according to the lawsuit, state law forbids the County Attorney from obtaining any additional compensation for representing Madison County, even with the Board’s approval. Companie already receives an annual fee of $75,000 for representing the County, in addition to having a private law practice. Not clear if this includes County benefits as well! The County now wants to increase his salary to $140,000 ! No need to wonder why this war with the Indians is being dragged out! Madison Co. should remember what happened to Colonel Custer. Check out this article from the Madison County Courier http://madisoncountycourier.com/2011/04/20/county-attorney-under-fire/

School Budgets - 2% Property Tax Limit

2011-04-21T23:09:00.003-04:00

2% Property Tax Proposal - It's Time Has Come!!!

The 2% property tax cap, proposed by Governor Cuomo, has passed the State Senate. It is currently sitting the Assembly.

The proposal means school districts cannot put forth a tax levy increase more than the rate of inflation or 2%, whichever is less. If a district wants to raise the tax levy more than that they would need a 60% super majority approval from tax payers. If that vote fails the district would have to submit a new plan. If the new plan is voted down a school district would have to revert back to the previous year's budget, and have no tax increase.

The Teachers' Union hates it...they should, looking at the salary increases and benefits they are used to receiving....Join the REAL WORLD.... School Districts must start living within their means like the rest of us...and STOP hiding behind "the children".... remember, they have parents who are trying to feed and clothe them. Am sure their parents are NOT getting the salary increases and benefits given out at the school.

BCS 2010 Salaries -

2011-04-21T22:31:00.002-04:00

With the BCS Budget Vote just around the corner (May 14)...thought it might be of interest to see the 2010 salaries paid out. You can see the complete listing for 2008-2010 at seethroughny.com ....worth checking out.

Plows Jr, James H (18% increase over 2009)
96,531
Donovan, Kathleen H
84,933
Henke, John S
78,128
Green, Constance R
76,482
Howlett, Karen A
60,645
Bostick, Richard W
60,376
Owens, Cynthia K
60,081
Cossette, Sharon L
57,624
Owens, Paul T
57,467
Ciko, John R
55,831
Murdock, Brent J
55,789
Reade, Linda A
53,920
Kupris, Mark E
53,218
Van Duren, Judith E
49,653
Elliott, Lisa E
48,039
Carney, Shaun P
46,915
Pedersen, Melanie L
46,886
Peavey, Colleen J
46,369
Pavlus Jr, Ronald J
46,009
Rutherford, Colleen R
45,741
Dreier, Charity J
45,730
Manner, Judith A
45,482
Settle, Beverly J
44,564
Zaleski, Karen M
44,345
Bradley, Jodi M
44,303
Morris-Schiebel, Sharon G
43,045
Schiener, Colby L
42,841
Cucci, Leeann S
42,751
Brennan-Lee, Kim M
42,354
Phillips, Jennifer R
42,045
Roberts, Sandra L
41,993
Kupris, Paul E
41,284
Denton, Sabrina M
40,819
Dangler, Anthony G
40,706
Cosgrove, Christina L
40,598
Gates, Catherine R
39,891
Jones, Juliette K
28,332
Peplinski, Christine C
26,475
Plows, John K
26,287
Mayne, Wanda H
23,961
Keith, Ralph G
23,956
Le Fevre, James D
23,947
Cross, Alison J
23,594
Ellsworth, Laura L
21,707
Thall, Debra C
21,374
Whitacre, Jason D
20,965
Case, Christa E
18,556
Tilbe, Diane L
12,313
Brown, Marla J
12,001
Tompkins, Robert E
11,220
Beehm, Patsy L
10,868
Head, Dewitt C
5,719
Shipman, Cynthia L
7,037
Wright, Sarah M
5,700
Florenz, Sarah A
5,350
Bennett, Haylee J
3,880
Stewart, Kara A
2,877
Trevvett, Heidi
2,525

Brookfield - SNOW's POND Controversy

2011-04-15T09:18:00.002-04:00

Check out the Town Website (YOUR VOICE)... update on the pond controversy... I wish the Warners got as much attention as those beavers!!! The Warners had to move out of Town.

BROOKFIELD "JUNK" DAY - Saturday 7am- 1pm

2011-04-15T09:13:00.003-04:00

....JUNK DAY...don't forget - this SATURDAY, April 16 from 7AM - 1PM ...one day only... BROOKFIELD TOWN GARAGE ONLY.... Items NOT ACCEPTED: building materials, garbage, trash, old cars, toxic or hazardous waste burn barrels or bateries. Call Rod Jennison at the Town Garage 899-5878.

PLANNING BOARD - Minutes???

2011-04-14T09:40:00.003-04:00

Inquiring minds would like to know WHY doesn't the Town Planning Board have minutes to their meetings?..... we hear that the so-called "minutes" are tape recordings?

BCS - $250,000 Savings??

2011-04-14T09:34:00.003-04:00

Just love this little "tidbit" from this week's Waterville Times re: School Budget....just think about this statement: " Students who attend BOCES for learning disabilities will be brought back and taught in Brookfield next year, saving the district about $250,000. Jim Plows (Business Manager) said the district can teach these students without hiring additional staff." So ...... WHY didn't the School Board do this before????

TOWN BUDGET Controversy

2011-04-14T09:28:00.004-04:00

If anyone has read today’s Waterville Times, you too would wonder why all the noise is being made over the Town budget, compared to the $5.5 MILLION School budget: The school budget has a $350,000 shortfall … approximately 35% of last year’s LOCAL tax payer portion ($1,019,000). If this gap is not filled, we are looking at a tax rate of approximately $18+ per $1,000 of assessed value! ( Last year’s rate $13.54 + 35% or $4.75 increase = $18.29 per thousand. Instead, a former Supervisor appears to be making the Town budget a personal vendetta.

Friday, April 8, 2011

2011-04-08T23:30:00.002-04:00

Area volunteer fire departments are opening their doors to residents so they can learn about what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter in their community. On Saturday, April 9, from noon to 2 p.m. and Sunday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Leonardsville Fire Department, located at 11306 Mill St., Leonardsville, will join the initiative with other volunteer fire departments across the state as part of National Volunteer Week 2011. The event is part of a statewide program to promote public awareness of the job volunteer firefighters do. Rogers Environmental Education Center will resume programming in May, according to a media release from the not-for-profit volunteer group Friends of Rogers Inc. The Friends group has reached an agreement with the Department of Environmental Conservation to operate the Sherburne environmental center. Friends of Rogers will continue to offer educational activities and public programs at the center.and will manage some agricultural activities. See: http://thedailystar.com/breakingnews/x300775839/Rogers-Center-to-re-open

APRIL 7, 2011 - Thursday

2011-04-07T23:44:00.002-04:00

COMMUNITY ACTIVITY: BCS & Optimists - Community Clean up! Saturday, April 9 - 11am-2pm (weather permitting). Those interested in volunteering to clean up the area & get ready for SPRING should meet at the Academy Street Park, Brookfield. REMODELING AT THE OLD "DEERPATH" - Rt. 8 - Check out the improvements being made to this local landmark. Front porch and new roof in process. Understand Roaches? now owns. Food and liquor license pending. GAS NEWS: Pennsylvania seeks more tests to determine if hydrofracking contaminates drinking water. Pennsylvania is expanding the scope of water tests to screen for radioactive pollutants and other contaminants from the state’s booming natural gas drilling industry. The tests would check for radium, uranium and the salty dissolved solids that could potentially make drilling wastewater environmentally damaging. Pennsylvania allows partially treated drilling wastewater to be discharged into rivers from which communities draw drinking water. Most treatment facilities are unable to remove many of the pollutants in the often-toxic drilling water. See the full article at: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011 FARMING & BUSINESS NEWS: In the New York’s Creative Core’s $250,000 Emerging Business Competition today. Fisher Electric, of Munnsville in Madison County, won a $15,000 Innovations in Agri-Business prize. Fisher has developed a working prototype for a small-scale mechanical hops harvester. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011 AUBERTINE - Agriculture Commissioner Confirmed - The state Senate confirmed Darrel J. Aubertine as Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Aubertine owned and operated the sixth-generation heritage Triple-A Farm in Cape Vincent. He has been a member of numerous farm cooperatives and organizations, Most recently he served as state Senator of the 48th Senate District in Central and Northern New York comprised of Oswego, Jefferson and part of St. Lawrence counties. He served as chair of both the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Rural Resources Commission.

TUESDAY - April 6, 2011

2011-04-06T09:46:00.003-04:00

It has been a sad few weeks with news of Bill Beach and Azor Owens passing. On an equally sad, but uplifting side, is the on Chad Wilcox whose memory is being honored this week in Ocala, FL. On April 7, his parents and fiancée will travel to Ocala, Fla., where a brick has been placed in Wilcox’s honor in the Walk of Fame of the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. He joins seven others at the museum who lost their lives while drag-racing last year. We also note the passing of SPEAK IT FREE, Brookfield’s public forum in cyberspace. Thanks to Aaron Boise for his time, energy and financial commitment in bringing Brookfield into the 21st Century, braving the wrath of local “politicos” and giving us a forum for community exchange. Unfortunately, there are some out there who will be breathing a sign of relief (…but don’t get too comfortable!). Horse Owners Beware: This week, Two cases of Equine Herpesvirus 1 have been confirmed at the EQuine Hospital at Cornell University. Nearly all horses in their lifetime will be exposed to EHV-1 at some point, and therefore it is difficult to detect as it takes on a wide range of manifestations, from a complete lack of clinical symptoms, to pneumonia, to abortion in mares, to full-blown fatal neurological cases. PUBLIC HEARING – April 11 (MONDAY) - Don’t forget…it starts at 6:30 PM at the NORTH BROOKFIELD FIRE HOUSE – Purpose: Subdivision regulation changes. Followed by the REGULAR Town Board meeting. JUNK DROP OFF DAYS – SATURDAY – APRIL 16 is just around the corner. One day only and one location: Brookfield Highway Dept. Barn. Questions? Contact Rod Jennison at 899-5878 or check out the Madison Courier/Waterville Times LEGAL NOTICE section. BROOKFIELD PLANNING & APPEALS BOARD – looking for new Board members. Submit your resume to Sherri Kabana before SATURDAY… or call 899-3364 Sherry Kabana – Town Clerk. BROOKFIELD GAS COMMITTEE – The Board is looking for members to serve on an advisory only type of committee to keep the Board and community advised of developments in the gas industry and their impact on the community. Looking for FAIR & INFORMATIVE information from BOTH SIDES of the fence – so to speak. Contact Sherry Kabana or John Salka with your interest. SCHOOL BUDGET – UPDATES - Mark your calendars! May 3 (Tuesday) – Copy of Budget Available May 10 (Tuesday) – Public Hearing on the proposed BUDGET May 17 (Tuesday) - VOTE on Budget With the demise of SPEAK IT FREE, we will make a more concerted effort to bring articles of local interest to you on a daily basis. Chad Wilcox remembered - Post Standard: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/man_killed_in_cicero_snowmobil.html EHV-1 Horse Virus – Post Standard http://blog.syracuse.com/farms/2011/04/two_cases_of_possibly_deadly_v.html

GAS SEMINAR: Sat - March 26 - The Gas Company & You

2011-03-22T18:44:00.001-04:00

THE GAS COMPANY AND YOU
9:30 AM Saturday March 26, 2011
STUAC Theater at Morrisville State College

What is compulsory integration? How are gas pipelines regulated and sited? What should I look out for in a lease? These questions and more will be addressed at a public meeting: THE GAS COMPANY AND YOU on Saturday March 26 from 9:30 – 11:30 AM at the STUAC Theater at Morrisville College.

Madison County Citizens for Safe Energy (CSE) promotes implementation of best practices for safe natural gas development in Madison County and is sponsoring the event. The guest speakers, Ken Holden and Jane Welsh, both attorneys, and Dave Palmerton, an environmental services consultant, will address the topic and answer questions.

Please join CSE in its efforts to secure a safe and prosperous future for Madison County.

Congratulations - ENDLESS TRAILS!!!

2011-03-17T13:47:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to....

David and Pam Williams of Endless Trails Farm who have earned the 2011 Conservation Farm of the Year designation from Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Soil and Water Conservation District News.

(Brookfield, Hamilton, NY – March 2011) The Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District welcomes all area farmers, friends and conservation enthusiasts to a complimentary luncheon in celebration of Endless Trails Farm, LLC, owned by David and Pam Williams for being awarded the prestigious 2011 Conservation Farm of the Year for Madison County.

This special day will take place Thursday, March 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton, which will highlight local grass-fed meat from Sunnybrook Farm, owned by Dan and Melissa Williams.

This 31st annual conservation award embodies the hard work, commitment and passion of the Williams family that founded the Endless Trails Farm in 2003 on the premise of turning the land back to an all-grass system, highlighting the farm’s interest in agri-tourism opportunities and in the words of Pam, “preserving a local treasure.”

The town of Brookfield farm encompasses 336 acres of certified organic land intertwined with woodlands, horse trails, hedgerows, ponds and riparian areas adjacent to Pleasant Brook and the Brookfield Trail System.

The grasslands are in hay production and a planned 30-paddock grazing system that feeds a 55-head cow/calf beef herd, 20 yearlings and 30 head of custom-grazed organic dairy heifers.
It is also home to a thriving agri-tourism venture featuring a six-bedroom guesthouse, accompanied by an enclosed 12-horse stall barn, outdoor event pavilion, wagon and sleigh rides with the caveat of eating beef directly from the farm.

Since 2003, the family has maintained a steady, long-term approach to implementing common-sense conservation practices that include a comprehensive nutrient management plan, a grazing management system, more than 30,000 feet of fence, 4,000 feet of waterline, spring developments, reinforced stream crossings, watering facilities, animal walkways, wetland and wildlife habitat enhancements and riparian buffers with more than 2,000 trees planted.
These measures have enhanced water quality throughout the property, with program funding and technical assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency, the state Agricultural Environmental Management Program, the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition.

“In the beginning we joked about calling it the ‘Endless Work Farm’ but realize now how fruitful the journey has been to meet our longterm goals and create an enjoyable environment for ourselves, our customers and our community,” said Dave and Pam. “Receiving this award just enhances all the sweat equity put forth on behalf of protecting and conserving our local resources for future generations.”

To join for the luncheon to honor the Williams family, call the Madison County SWCD office at (315) 824-9849 to secure your reservation.

GAS: NY Times Series: Waste Water Treatment Failure to Regulate by EPA & PA

2011-03-05T14:17:00.005-05:00

Below is a link to the NYTimes series on gas drilling in Central NY with excellent interactive slideshows that explain the procedure and issues... takes 5 minutes! Definitely worth the INVESTMENT in understanding this hot topic.

Part 3 of the series, ("Drilling Down"), focuses on the Gas industry's efforts to undermine studies of the "hydrofracking", "waste water" treatment, and environmental laws in neighboring PENNSYLVANNIA.

Due to its political $influence$, the Gas industry does not need to comply with our most basic anti-pollution laws that regulate most other heavy industries and were written to protect air and drinking water from radioactive and hazardous chemicals. For example, Coal mine operators that want to inject toxic wastewater into the ground must get permission from the federal authorities. But when natural gas companies want to inject chemical-laced water and sand into the ground during hydrofracking, they do not have to follow the same rules.

WASTE WATER TREATMENT Pennsylvania officials have acknowledged that sewage treatment plants are not able to treat drilling waste fully before it is discharged into rivers, sometimes just a few miles upstream from drinking water intake plants. Pennsylvania, has staunchly resisted calls to stop issuing permits to treatment plants handling drilling waste.

Drillers throughout the country are watching Pennsylvania to see whether the EPA/federal agency will overrule the state’s decisions on how to dispose of drilling waste. The central question on this issue: Should drillers in Pennsylvania be allowed to dump “mystery liquids” into public waterways? Under federal law, certain basic rules govern sewage treatment plants. At their core, these rules say two things: operators have to know what is in the waste they receive, and they have to treat this waste to make it safe before discharging it into waterways. We need to watch developments in PA to see our future... http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/us/04gas.html?ref=drillingdown&pagewanted=all

BROOKFIELD - Town Board Votes to Change MINOR SUBDIVISION Ordinance

2011-02-24T01:35:00.002-05:00

Full house Monday night --with 18-20 attending -- including Planning Board Members Jerry Cheseboro and Gail Abrams. The Town Board unanimously approved (Head absent) a resolution, recommended by Councilman George Cowen and further amended based on public input. Essentially, the requirement for a MINOR (less than 4 parcel) SUBDIVISION will no longer require a professional survey. The MAJOR subdivision requirements will remain in place, requiring a survey; but the PLANNING BOARD will have the ability to waive the survey requirement depending on the circumstances/hardships.

BROOKFIELD - Salka Announces 5 Point Economic Development Plan

2011-02-24T00:47:00.004-05:00

John Salka, Supervisor of the Town of Brookfield, has announced an 5-Point economic development plan for Brookfield. Below is a brief summary. Email him for full copy... or he may put the full text on Town Site or Speak it Free..

1- Grant tax incentives to build in Brookfield , such as as sliding scale tax exemptions;.
2- Increase use of the Brookfield horse trail system;
3- Encourage alternative energy development through aggressive efforts to attract wind, micro hydro, and biomass to the Town;
4- Expand and improve the Fairground's potential to include flea markets and auctions, equine events, concerts, and racing, both snowmobile and auto;
5- Encourage the establishment of a local chamber of commerce.

landowners vow to work together in fight against natural gas developer

2011-02-24T00:32:00.003-05:00

Good follow up article from Alaina Potrikus of the Post Standard recapping this evening's meeting in Lebanon. 50+ attended...Madison county residents met to discuss the recent letter from Norse gas to 16 Madison County land owners, unexpectedly voiding the lease provision for "free" gas from wells drilled on their land. Although gas officials attributed the change to liability and safety concerns, according to the article, the leases clearly place the risk on the landowner. Norse has promised to replace the free gas with a payment and make arrangements to convert heating systems to propane. The controversy over the contract change is one of many issues driving citizens to band together to negotiate with natural gas companies interested in exploring and drilling on their land. Resident Mike Khoury said neighbors should have joined forces years ago. “Anybody that tries to go it alone is a dead man walking,” Khoury http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/lebanon_landowners_vow_to_work.html

INDIAN CLAIMS: Feds Kill CATSKILL Casino Proposal

2011-02-19T20:11:00.004-05:00

2-19-11 The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected a proposal to build a Native American casino in the Catskill mountains. The decision ends the effort by the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians in Wisconsin to open a casino in the economically depressed CATSKILL area, once a destination for top celebrities at world-class resorts known as the Borscht Belt. The effort sought to combine two complex issues — its land claim and the casino effort, but it was met with great opposition by the Oneidas, who have a world-class casino in central New York, and by racetracks that operate video slot machine centers, which also provide the state with a cut of the proceeds. syracuse.com . http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/feds_kill_catskill_casino_prop.html

EDUCATION: 4 Madison Co. Schools Look into Merger Possiblities

2011-02-19T20:06:00.002-05:00

2-14-11. Faced with dwindling enrollment and declining state aid, four rural Madison County school districts are looking into merger partnerships. Superintendents from Morrisville-Eaton, Hamilton, Madison and Stockbridge Valley met with an education consultants and paired off to discuss opportunities for sharing costs and other consolidation efforts. Instead of a four-way merger, the districts paired off based on similarities in enrollment, tax rates and educational philosophies. Hamilton and Morrisville-Eaton will work together; Stockbridge Valley partnered with Madison Central. The districts have applied for funding from the state Department of Education for merger feasibility studies. Reporter: Alaina Potrikus/Post Standard http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/four_madison_county_school_dis.html

I'm Back.....and with a new, shorter format

2011-02-19T20:00:00.002-05:00

Apologizing again for the hiatus... due to a busy schedule and limited time I am going to slightly change the format .....with shorter explanations... more like the DRUDGE format and continue links to the articles. So much local news to cover and scattered among 5-6 local papers and blogs..... alot of news in so many areas from school mergers, gas drilling and financial situation of the state and local governments. Hope this new format is helpful and educational.

GAS DRILLING - Please STOP "Injection Wells"

2010-11-27T23:05:00.002-05:00

Interesting article from the COMMERCIAL APPEAL regarding as drilling "INJECTION WELLS" and seismic activity near Memphis, TN. While the seismic activity is certainly in question, more frightening is the discussion on "INJECTION WELLS". Gas companies can and will leave behind their waste water -- they literally dump their leftover salt/waste water & chemicals into a hole (well) ....seal it up.... and leave it in the community. Also, take the time to look at some of the "Comments" which provide further detail and "FACTS" (with references!). This is WHY it is critical for those LEASING PROPERTY to PLEASE: EXCLUDE the companies from LEAVING YOU AND THE COMMUNITY with this waste...exclude INJECTION WELLS FROM YOUR LEASES... PLEASE.

Here is an excerpt....

"...., the companies dispose of saltwater wastes by injecting them under pressure into other wells that are 3,000 to 12,000 feet deep. Of the disposal ("injection")wells studied, some inject more than 250,000 barrels -- or 10.5 million gallons -- of waste each month. [Footnote: The average frac is 3 to 7 million gallons with .5% chemicals, so in reality thats 15,000 to 35,000 gallons of chemicals being injected.]

Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL " Earthquakes Rattle Arkansas Town; Residents Blame Gas Drilling" (Nov. 27, 2010)
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/nov/27/earthquakes-rattle-arkansas-town/

Hamilton Finances Criticized by NYS Comptroller

2010-11-24T10:16:00.003-05:00

Thankfully, greater oversight of town government finances by NYS...

The NYS Comptrollers Office was highly critical of neighboring Hamilton's bookkeeping practices -- or lack thereof !!! Here is a link to an interesting article by ALAINA POTRIKUS of the Syracuse Post Standard.

Fortunately, BROOKFIELD has a new,independent accountant (Tackaberry - Hamilton, NY) and we have had the financial information available at each meeting. Granted, there have been errors, but they appear to have been corrected. Here are some highlights from the article and auditor's report:

* Poor financial controls caused Hamilton to accumulate a $1.2 million reserve --that’s larger than the town’s annual budget
* The cash should have been used to benefit taxpayers, by reducing property taxes or paying for one-time expenses
* the town board could not monitor the town’s financial condition because former Supervisor Walt Jaquay did not provide monthly financial reports and failed since 2003 to file annual financial reports with the state.
*Current Supervisor Bob Kuiper said the town has hired an independent accounting firm to provide bookkeeping services, which will produce financial reports for the town’s monthly meetings.

And to think that we actually have better bookkeeping records than Hamilton! We can be proud of that!

LINK: State faults Town of HAMILTON Finances POST STANDARD (Potrikus) 11-24-10
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/state_faults_hamilton_finances.html

POLITICS: Kristen Davis - Candidate for NY Governor...QUALIFICATIONS

2010-10-19T10:05:00.002-04:00

You have to hand it to this candidate for NYS Governor. During last night's debate we heard from a little-known candidate, KRISTEN DAVIS, who certainly has the qualifications to take on Albany: ....former madam Kristen Davis, running on the Anti Prohibition Party line and who wants to legalize marijuana and gambling, made no secret of her former line of work running an escort service business.“The career politicians in Albany are the biggest whores in this state, ” said Davis. “I might be the only person sitting on this stage with the right experience to deal with them. And Ms. Davis suggested that her experience running an escort service made her the candidate best prepared to reform the NYCity Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “The key difference between the M.T.A. and my former escort agency is I operated one set of books and I offered on-time and reliable service,” Ms. Davis said to laughter and applause. “Businesses will leave the state,” she added, “faster than Carl Paladino at a gay bar.”.... ...Got to admit....she calls 'em as she sees 'em. Coverage from NYTimes...

A Little-Known Loan Program for Fixer-Uppers

2010-10-17T19:02:00.001-04:00

There’s a way to make essential repairs and add other upgrades without dipping into savings or taking out a home-equity loan. The Federal Housing Administration’s 203(k) rehabilitation program provides for loans covering renovation costs as well as the purchase price of a primary residence — investors excluded — and it allows for just a 3.5 percent down payment. Although the program has been around since 1978, it is not well publicized, and many borrowers mistakenly think they have to buy a wreck in order to qualify. “It just has to appraise below market value and then at market value with the repairs.” The program also applies to many historic and older houses as well as short sales and bank-owned homes. HUD outlines the rules on its Web site. Home buyers must put down at least 3.5 percent of the current value of the property and use a HUD-approved lender, appraiser and a contractor approved by the lender for the repairs. See NY TIMES: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/realestate/mortgages/17mort.html?hpw

HISTORY HITLER Exhibit A Cautionary Reminder

2010-10-17T18:50:00.002-04:00

Below is a link to an interesting NYT's article on the controversial HITLER Exhibit sponsored by the German Historical Museum. 'The recently opened exhibit explains the early appeal of the Nazis, who demonstrated a keen appreciation for the politics of populism’s creating a sense of unity and purpose. They also promoted the union of church, state and party.....a cautionary exhibit, particularly with the continued conflict between German citizens and Muslim immigrants. Definitely worth a read. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/world/europe/16hitler.html?src=me&ref=general

Norwich Farm Scores NYC Food Deal

2010-10-16T23:09:00.003-04:00

The Norwich Sun reported (10/16/10) that customers of NYC gourmet food chain, Dean & Deluca, will be enjoying produce grown in Chenango County as a result of a deal between the food retailer and Norwich Meadows Farm. Norwich Meadows currently sells more than 99 percent of its produce through greenmarkets, community supported agriculture (CSAs) and directly to restaurants in New York City. The agreement should prove to be a lucrative one for the organic farming operation. If the relationship works out, there may also be an opportunity to provide fresh vegetables and herbs to the seven cafés the company also operates in New York City. Link to article: http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2010-10-15/10698/Norwich-Meadows-Farm-lands-Dean-Deluca-deal/

Loan Program for FIXER-UPPERS

2010-10-16T23:04:00.002-04:00

There’s a way to make essential repairs and add other upgrades without dipping into savings or taking out a home-equity loan. The Federal Housing Administration’s 203(k) rehabilitation program provides for loans covering renovation costs as well as the purchase price of a primary residence — investors excluded — and it allows for just a 3.5 percent down payment. Although the program has been around since 1978, it is not well publicized, and many borrowers mistakenly think they have to buy a wreck in order to qualify. “It just has to appraise below market value and then at market value with the repairs.” The program also applies to many historic and older houses as well as short sales and bank-owned homes. HUD outlines the rules on its Web site. Home buyers must put down at least 3.5 percent of the current value of the property and use a HUD-approved lender, appraiser and a contractor approved by the lender for the repairs. See NY TIMES: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/realestate/mortgages/17mort.html?hpw

BUSINESS: Former Welch's Auction Barn to Reopen

2010-10-11T23:33:00.004-04:00

Good News Article in the ONEONTA Star....re: opening of the former WELCH's LIVESTOCK AUCTION house on Route 8....First auction scheduled for this Monday - 12:30 PM -October 18 and every Monday thereafter. They will be selling a registered Holstein milking herd from Willow Mill Stock Farm, as well as other Holsteins, bred heifers, calves, sheep, lambs, pigs, goats and horses. Tom and Brenda Hosking of Nichols will be reopening the auction barn. They have a farm in Nichols and operate an auction business in Athens, Pa. Hosking worked for Welch’s about 30 years ago while going to (SUNY) Cobleskill. Here is a link to the full article "THE CLATTER OF HOOVES"..... http://thedailystar.com/localnews/x935813380/Clatter-of-hooves-to-be-heard-again-at-auction-house

GAS DRILLING: CNY Coalition Planning Regional Meetings

2010-09-29T20:50:00.002-04:00

GAS: CENTRAL NY LANDOWNERS COALITION - Six Regional Meetings Planned

Following is a short, but informative article from the NORWICH EVENING SUN. They do a good job of covering gas drilling developments in Chenango and neighboring counties. I will post meetings when information becomes available. VERY Interesting to see the prices and their strength due to "continguous" acreage:

NORWICH – Energy companies have been eyeing the 174,000-acre strong Central New York Landowners Coalition to lease its mineral rights, hints the group’s president, but no firm offers are on the table.The possible interest comes on the heels of a second offer made last week for 3,200 acres of Broome County land. Denver-based Inflection Energy LLC has reportedly proposed $2,250 to $2,750 an acre and 20 percent royalties to extract natural gas from the county’s Marcellus Shale reservoir. (An earlier deal was voted down by Broome’s legislators.) To relay details of the oil and gas industry’s inquiries, the Central New York Landowners Coalition, based in Chenango County, plans a series of six regional meetings this fall. The meetings are also designed to help fill in land blocks that would give the group greater negotiating power when the time comes, said Brian Conover, CNYLC president. “Our true coalition strength is flexed through contiguous acres. More than just land to drill, the industry also needs right-of-way to get the gas out, which is why contiguous acreage is what they are most interested in,” Conover said. Even non-members who may have already leased their land to a company are invited to attend. Participants will be able to see maps of leased and unleased acreage. In addition, both legal and scientific experts will be on hand to answer questions. http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2010-09-27/10546/Landowners-Coalition-plans-regional-meetings/

GAS DRILLING EVENTS - Terrorist Activity List?

2010-09-29T00:45:00.002-04:00

ANTI-DRILLING EVENTS - "Gasland" Showing" - Make TERRORIST ACTIVITY LIST! If it wasn't true, it would be laughable. According to this article from the Oneonta Daily Star (Tom Grace, reporter), events likely to be attended by gas drilling opponents, such as a showing of the movie "Gasland," were included in a bulletin about possible terrorist activities. The terrorist bulletin was created by the Israeli-based Institute of Terrorist Research and Response, who were hired by Pennsylvania's Office of Homeland Security. The institute had a one-year $125,000 contract with Pennsylvania's Office of Homeland Security to warn officials about possible terrorist activities. The bulletin also was sent to natural gas drilling companies. Makes you wonder whose side the government is really on! Fortunately, NYS has taken a more "liberal" view of these activities. According to a spokesman for NYS Division of Homeland Security, New York has no campaign to keep tabs on gas drilling opponents and doesn't view them as terrorists. Dated: 9-28-10 LINK: http://thedailystar.com/localnews/x74676077/N-Y-not-spying-on-drilling-opponents-official-says

Low Cost Insurance for PRE-EXISTING Conditions

2010-08-23T23:48:00.004-04:00

The NY BRIDGE PLAN - Health coverage for pre-existing conditions. NEW PROGRAM...Sign up today - FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. If you're uninsured and have a preexisting condition, you know finding a health care plan at a reasonable price can be nearly impossible. A new state plan however promises to make health care affordable to many.As many as 15,000 New Yorkers who currently have no health insurance will qualify for the new program, called the NY Bridge plan. It is being offered by the nonprofit contractor, Group Health Incorporated - the only nonprofit company authorized to operate statewide in New York.

To qualify, you have to be:
1) a New York resident
2) with at least one pre-existing condition, and
3) has not had health care coverage for the last six months.
Customers will still have to pay but it will be significantly less expensive than if they were to shop for their own insurance.

An individual policy through NY Bridge costs $ 362 dollars a month in Central New York. Also, physician services are subject to a $ 20 co-pay but there are no deductibles.The plan is an exclusive provider program (EPO), meaning participants must use doctors and providers who are within the network, except in cases of emergency or when care is not available through a participating provider.The money for this state program was actually handed down by the federal government. Enrollment is first come, first served and applications are being accepted, starting Monday- AUGUST 23, 2010 Once the program is full, the state says a waiting list will be established.Additional information on the NY Bridge plan is available online or by phone at 1-877-444-9622.
http://www.9wsyr.com/content/news/real_deal/story/New-healthcare-plan-for-those-with-pre-existing/nQ-pK7PVkUu_xHYzmpHcdA.cspx

HEALTHY NY

2010-08-23T22:54:00.004-04:00

For those of you looking for low-cost healthcare insurance, here is some information on HEALTH NY, a low cost program. I will also put up some information on the "BRIDGE PLAN" which is a brand new (today) program to cover pre-existing conditions.

HEALTHYNY
Low-Cost Healthcare for NY State Residents.For those of you who are looking to afford healthcare insurance, New York State offers such a program called: HEALTHY NY. Below Is a quick summary of the program and it's eligibility requirements. The information is clear and straightforward; NO checkups/NO lengthy waiting period. See the full booklet and information at:http://www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/stdapp/hny_gd_app_soleind.pdf

Healthy NY is reduced-cost health insurance. You can purchase Healthy NY from any of New York’s licensed health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Premiums differ depending on: benefits, county of residence and the HMO you chose, Below are APPROXIMATE premiums for the MADISON COUNTY HMO's who offer the HealthNY program.

Those HMO's in MADISON COUNTY are: Excellus BC/BS, MVP Health, United Healthcare & Capital District. Monthly Premium RANGE - Depends on package & HMO selected. Here is the MONTHLY PREMIUM Range:

Individual $ 161 - $ 328
2- Adult $ 322 - $ 682
1- Parent & Child(ren) $ 254 - $ 624
Family $ 434 - $ 919

Healthy NY’s standardized benefit package includes preventive and primary care, emergency room services, and much more. You can also choose an optional prescription drug benefit or high deductible health plan. Healthy NY offers four benefit packages:
• Healthy NY
• Healthy NY with a prescription drug benefit
• Healthy NY high deductible health plan
• Healthy NY high deductible health plan with a prescription drug benefit

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1. You must be a resident of New York State and must not be eligible for Medicare.
2. You or your spouse must have worked at some time in the past 12 months.
3. You must not be eligible for health insurance provided by your employer.
4. You must meet income guidelines (see below)
5. You must be uninsured for the 12 months prior to applying for Healthy NY or have lost coverage due to a specific event.

INCOME GUIDELINES
For purposes of calculating your household size, count yourself, your spouse if your spouse lives with you, and dependent children, whether they live with you or not. Count all of these people, even if you are not going to include them on your Healthy NY policy. Do not count parents, roommates, or those not dependent on you for support.

# Persons Gross Per MONTH
1 Up to $2,257
2 Up to $3,036
3 Up to $3,815
4 Up to $4,594
5 Up to $5,373
6 Up to $6,153

To Apply
Mail your completed application and documentation directly to the HMO you have chosen by the 20th of the month, your coverage should start by the 1st of the next month. If you have questions about the status of your application, please contact the HMO that you selected. You can enroll in Healthy NY year-round.

HEALTHYNY Booklet & Application - Summary of standard program. This provides a good overview of the application procedures and insurance coverage offered
http://www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/stdapp/hny_gd_app_soleind.pdf

Pre-existing conditions? NY has JUST started a new program on a first-come/first-serve basis. See " NY BRIDGE PLAN " my next posting.

BROOKIELD: Open Farm Day - SAT - July 24 (10 am to 4 pm)

2010-07-20T14:12:00.001-04:00

OPEN FARM DAY - Visit Our BROOKFIELD Farms!

This SATURDAY, July 24th (10am – 4PM) is OPEN FARM DAY in Madison County. This is a “FREE” OPEN HOUSE of 37 Madison County farms which will be open to the public. No charge. This is a great weekend idea for the family….! BEST OF ALL…OUR TOWN has FOUR BROOKFIELD farms participating. Here is a chance to check out:

ENDLESS TRAILS (Pam & Dave Williams -Larkin Rd. Hubbardsville) – B&B/ grass fed beef; free samples and a wagon ride….

TRIPLE CREEK FARM (Mary Lou Thall - Davis Rd., off Rt. 8) – Connemera horses; miniature ponies;

THE OLDE FARM HOMESTEAD (DJ & Mindy Laymon – Hollow Road, Brookfield) Miniature Teddy Bear Sheep – sheep to pet, chickens to feed, crafts;

WILD WEST ELK RANCH (Cody, Cindy & Jerrad Mikalunas- Button Rd., Brookfield) will be selling elk and buffalo meat at their gift shop! Give it a try and check out the animals!

Here is the chance to learn about the different agricultural farms in Madison County from miniature donkeys to bee keeping, organic farms, horse farms… great day of family entertainment and education. ..and it’s FREE !!!

A do-it-yourself tour, map and farm details on all 37 are available at the links provided below. Also, maps and information will be dropped off at the Town Hall and Beaver Den later this week. Maps will also be available at each farm…..or just do it NOW and download your PASSPORT, MAPS & BROCHURE at this link.
http://madisoncountyagriculture.com/buylocalweek/2010passport.pdf

BROOKFIELD: July 12 Town Board Meeting

2010-07-13T19:22:00.004-04:00

BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD – July Regular Meeting
Monday, July 12, 2010 – 7pm – Brookfield Town Hall

Following is a summary of what I believe were the “highlights” of the Regular Town Board Meeting. I am not purporting to cover every detail. Everyone is urged to attend these meeting whenever possible. Interesting & entertaining. Meetings rotate among North Brookfield, Brookfield and Leonardsville. Check the Town website for locations.

REFERENDUM: 4-YR TERMS FOR SUPERVISOR & HWY SUPERINTENDENT At next month’s August Board Meeting, a resolution will be submitted by John Salka, requesting a public referendum to extend the terms for SUPERVISOR & HWY SUPERINTENDENT to 4 yrs from two. If approved, the new terms would not take effect until 2013. The next 2011 election winners would serve 2 yr terms. The new 4- yr terms would begin with the 2013 election. Salka pointed out that other Towns already have 4 yr terms for these positions and encourages continuity, as opposed to changing direction every 2 yrs. Expected to be controversial.

CAP PROGRAM – Revisited. George Cowen & Jackie Mineo reported their findings on the CAP withdrawal – options & alternatives. In order to meet the CAP Agreement deadlines, the Board would have had to pass a resolution to withdraw from the CAP, at this evening’s meeting. The Town could later rescind if they decide to stay in the CAP. The Board decided against passing such a resolution. There was discussion about the Assessor’s salary and contractual obligations. The regular annual salary is $14,317 . Due to the revaluation this year, the salary paid by the Town of Brookfield was approx. $25,000. According to Salka, each one of the four towns in the CAP decides SEPARATELY how much they are going to pay the Assessor. There is no formal agreement and no job description or hours. No one on the Board was clear as to where the annual budget figure for the position comes from each year. Other than the Board Resolution, agreeing to join the CAP, there is no other contractual agreement.

TOWN PARK ALCOHOL POLICY – is under discussion. According to Craine insurance, the Town is covered for alcohol as long as the TOWN is not selling or serving it. Board decided that that alcohol should be permitted as long as a homeowner’s certificate of insurance is presented to the respective Park Committees, by the host. However, lone, individuals are prohibited from consuming alcohol. The Board’s decision on a formal policy is pending. The Park Committees representatives, Head & Mayne, agreed to post their policies and rules on the TOWN WEBSITE.

DOG LICENSING: Town or County Responsibility in 2011 ? While Clerk Sherry Kabana credited with being on top of this issue – now that the State is going to start dumping all dog licensing responsibilities on the local Towns (from setting up and maintaining a database down to actually ordering the tags). Salka is to bring up at this month’s County Supervisor’s meeting to see if the County or other Town Supervisors will be addressing the issue. The Towns will have the right to set the licensing fees. More paperwork and time. How much is it going to end up costing to license a dog in this town??? Ought to prove interesting.

ROAD BONDS.. and Other OPTIONS: According to Highway Supt. Jennison $30,000 doesn’t even fix ½ mile of road, so bonds should be asking for coverage of around $500,000 to cover the damage from heavy trucks. Other methods of protecting the Town roads were discussed including the Town of Lebanon’s which has a special agreement with the drilling companies involving the Town Highway Dept. and video tape of road conditions. Jennison emphasized the need for the Town Board to take action on the damage caused by these heavy trucks, he cited the example of McIntyre Rd. where, due to heavy trucks from some private building construction, repairs included over 240 hrs labor, 7 pieces Of equipment and 15 loads of gravel…. ! Giles Rd. will cost approximately $325,000 to repair and gravel 5.3 miles…. particularly with the prospect of gas drilling rigs running through the Town without regulation. A heavy vehicle permit was also mentioned as an option.

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE: Surveys and community input being researched. Rumor is….a petition is being circulated to stop the Comprehensive Plan. [hwb COMMENT: While I support a plan, I do think we all need to understand the LEGAL ramifications of these plans. We were already burned by the CAP Agreement by not understanding the restrictions it created on our Town’s ability to handle our own assessment. Comprehensive Plans are a new, developing area of the law and while the predominant reason for SUPPORTING this plan is to protect us from “unwanted, outside development”…. Please note….the law states that LOCAL RESIDENTS will be “required” to comply with the plan… while OUTSIDE AGENCIES need only “consider” these Plans. Thus, the Plans end up placing a greater restriction on local residents than outsiders. This makes NO SENSE. And…the law is unclear as to who is responsible for making these “compliance” decisions….the planning board? …town board?... The Committee needs to address these issues. Again, while I support a plan and the concept, we need clarification on these points. ]

SIGNS: A warning -- STOP sign ahead --was requested for the intersection of Giles/Vidler/Skaneatlas Tpk, site of a recent auto accident. Martha Conway, reporter for the Madison Courier, outlined pending legislation which would require extensive record keeping and signage re-design. Incredible paperwork!

PINE TREES – STANBRO & LOWER BEAVER CREEK RD. – Property owners at the intersection are contesting the Town & County’s right to cut down the pine trees which have become a visual obstruction to drivers entering the intersection.

CHPPS HIGHWAY FUNDS – Confirmation received - $171,000 in State Highway CHPPS money will be coming in next year.

BOYS & GIRLS LITTLE LEAGUE – At Dewitt Head’s request, $400 will be budgeted out of Town Park funds and will be given to the Boys & Girls Little Leagues to cover costs of championship jackets as a reward for their “unprecedented” championships with undefeated records of 16-0 for the season. Congratulations to both teams and their coaches who were undefeated Champions this year! Thanks were also given to Jim Gould for his work on the Leonardsville ball park which will become a reality next year.

NORTH BROOKFIELD TOWN PARK – DeWitt Head reported a $7,000 grant was given to the North Brookfield Town Park and will be used for fencing and leveling parts of the field. He also requested the Town Highway Dept.’s help to dig out the backfield. “OPEN PARK DAY” scheduled for 7-24.

JUNKYARD INSPECTION TOURS – Were scheduled for 7-17, but may have to be rescheduled due to a schedule conflict for Head.

BROOKFIELD NAVY?...... The County wants to “give away” a weed harvester used to clean lake overgrowth. While Gorton Lake Assoc. indicated an interest in harboring the harvester, it can only be given to a municipality, such as the Town. Jennison noted the insurance runs $6,000 a yr. plus maintenance and operation. Salka to persue possibility of forming a “Lake Consortium” to accept/finance.

100th ANNIVERSARY – BROOKFIELD FIRE DEPT!....To be celebrated at the Fairgrounds.

OIL SPILL - A Double Standard ????

2010-06-30T21:16:00.001-04:00

Here is an interesting article from CNN comparing "our" Gulf spill to the environmental disaster that has existed in Africa's Niger Delta.... for the past 50 YEARS...yes YEARS!....double standard?

Nigeria's Niger Delta is one of the most oil-polluted places on the planet with more than 6,800 recorded oil spills, accounting for anywhere from 9 million to 13 million barrels of oil spilled, according to activist groups. According to Amnesty International, people living in the Niger Delta have experienced oil spills on par with the Exxon Valdez disaster every year for the last half century. In over 50 years since oil production began in the Delta, this environmental disaster has never received the attention that is now being paid to the oil-spill catastrophe hitting the U.S. Gulf coast.
... the fact that Nigeria has been going through such issues for the past 50 years with little or no concern even from the U.S. government goes a long way to show you that they look at the Niger Delta as an oil field that people don't need to live in." - Honna Bowen

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/06/29/nigeria.oil/index.html?hpt=Mid

STATE Budget: 4% Property Tax Proposal PENDING

2010-06-26T12:43:00.004-04:00

STATE GOV'T: 4% PROPERTY TAX CAP PROPOSAL 2010-11 BUDGET....will it survive the teachers' unions and the state "education" bureaucracy???

ALBANY -- Gov. Paterson has recommended a 4 percent property tax cap (for school and county taxes) in his recent 2010-11 budget plan. The idea has been around for several years and been implemented with success in other states, but it has been fiercely opposed by teachers unions as well as the schools in New York.

Also included in the $136 billion plan: a two-year sales tax on clothing and shoes; allowing wine to be sold in grocery stores; and $250 million in cuts to state government costs. Not included in the plan was a sugared beverage tax.

Although roughly 70% of the budget has already been approved by the piece-meal "extender" bills, passed weekly by the legislature, to keep the state operating. Lawmakers and the governor have been stuck on closing the $9.2 billion deficit. Paterson is still to work out details so changes could emerge on Monday. See ALBANY TIMES UNION Article:
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=945083

BROOKFIELD: Town Park - ALCOHOL POLICY

2010-06-15T22:00:00.003-04:00

At last night's June 14 TOWN BOARD MEETING we learned that ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED in the Brookfield Town Parks…. and certificates of insurance are NOT required for ANY private parties hosted in Town Parks. DeWitt Head defended the policy, stating that underage are not served alcohol and the North Brookfield Park sign clearly states that people use the park "at their own risk". It had been my understanding that there were rules put in place by each of the Town Park committees governing use of the parks for both public, school & community events; and "assumed" alcohol was prohibited and find it highly unusual that certificates of insurance are not required. Perhaps there are park committee members or party givers that could give us some pros/cons…. Particularly with respect to the Town's liability issues. Maybe the Fair should move the Beer Tent to the Town Park and have a shuttle service…? Would be interested in hearing input from all sides …please use SPEAK IT FREE "Forum" Link on the Town website to post your input.

BROOKFIELD TOWN BD: Meeting MONDAY - June 14 - 7 PM - LEONARDSVILLE

2010-06-13T18:24:00.002-04:00

Please don't forget the REGULAR Brookfield Town Board Meeting scheduled for tomorrow, MONDAY, June 14 at 7 PM in the LEONARDSVILLE FIRE HALL.

MADISON CO: Employee BONUSES..???

2010-06-13T00:01:00.003-04:00

2009 COUNTY EMPLOYEE "PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE" BONUS
I would like to know why the County is paying $54,500 in "bonuses" to over 50 employees who simply "contributed to the betterment of Madison County". Isn't that their job?...... I am referring to MADISON COUNTY RESOLUTION #8 from their June 8 meeting which includes a list of the positions and 2009 "bonuses" ranging from $500-$1,500. When will this nonsense stop...????

ALBANY: State SHUT DOWN Pending, Monday

2010-06-12T22:32:00.002-04:00

The Paterson administration is preparing state agencies for a potential shutdown of state government that could begin as early as Monday at midnight. Paterson expressed more dire concerns. During a radio blitz, he said a shutdown would cause "anarchy literally in the streets" and "unimaginable chaos around the state."
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? Paterson, grappling with a $9.2 billion deficit and lawmakers who fear for their re-election, has been funding state government with “weekly budget extenders” since failing to win passage of a state budget on April 1. The battle turned brutal in recent days with threats by legislators to reject next week’s “extender bill” which includes massive budget cuts proposed by Paterson that would slash $327 million from human-services and mental-health spending. Legislators voting against the cuts are essentially voting to shut down the government.
HOW WILL IT AFFECT US ? Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli warned of a cascading collapse of essential programs and services -- a breakdown would impact millions of New Yorkers -- should key lawmakers follow through on shutdown threats. Unemployment benefits would be among the first to run dry. Other services that could be stopped under a shutdown would include safety inspections, lottery games, parks and campgrounds, courts and unemployment offices. Locally, officials said the shutdown could affect everything from Regents exams to municipal governments’ budgets. Education experts were uncertain how a shutdown would affect local school districts. Among the things that could be affected: Regents exams scheduled to begin next week, some summer school programs and districts’ ability to pay bills. Construction projects that have not yet been approved by the state also could be impacted.

GAS DRILLING: The Hidden FINANCIAL DANGERS

2010-06-11T22:12:00.002-04:00

WARNING: GAS DRILLING LEASES - Hidden Financial Dangers
Talk about environmental dangers!!.... How about the FINANCIAL DANGERS !!! Do you -- or your neighbor -- have a gas lease on your property? You may be in for a rude awakening if you go to sell your property or take out a home equity loan. Not only are more banks refusing to lend against these properties, but insurance companies are declining coverage or increasing premiums on properties located on or near well sites. That's right - just "near" - within 300 feet of the PROPERTY LINE from an active or "planned" drilling site….not 300' from the well ….but 300' from the PROPERTY LINE! So your neighbor's lease could render your property unmortgageable or uninsurable….! Attorney Randy Marcus notes that a number of insurance companies will not insure leased properties, or else substantially raised their premiums. The bigger question is this...will Fannie MAe, Freddie MAc or Ginnie Mae buy loans of this description. Bank & Lenders refusing leases: Bank of America, FHA, Fidelity, First Liberty, FNCB, HUD, Wells Fargo Check out this link for more details: http://lizjbucar.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/cochecton-zoning-to-allow-widespread-drilling-mortgage-troubles-on-leased-properties/#comment-1289

BCS Budget - Time to CONSIDER MERGER

2010-05-18T16:18:00.003-04:00

Today the polls are open for the school budget vote…. It is coming to the point where the District will have to consider the increasing costs of running our own school district. This year BROOKFIELD ranked as the #6 MOST EXPENSIVE SCHOOL (out of 45) in Central NY. Below is a breakdown of the 2010-11 budgets being proposed by other Madison Co. School Districts. BROOKFIELD's budget increase of 6.7% far exceeded the budget increases (and decreases) of neighboring districts by FAR! Many of the districts with the highest costs per students in the region are the smaller districts, according to state Education Department. Simply put, they have fewer students to spread the costs over. Regardless of size, all districts have to provide certain services mandated by the state. They also face the similar fixed costs, such as the salaries of a superintendent and business manager, as a larger district. While it would make sense in some cases to merge smaller districts that’s a challenge because local school boards, like BCS's, are very protective of their small school districts. See the article and check Deb Grooms article at http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/smaller_school_districts_spend.html

BROOKFIELD
Budget Increase 6.70%
Cost Per Student $ 22,665
TOTAL BUDGET $ 5,689,033
# Students 251

MADISON COUNTY - $750,000 USDA Loan to Madison County IDA

2010-05-15T23:19:00.002-04:00

Our Congressman, Bill Owens, announced that the US Department of Agriculture will loan the Madison County Industrial Development Agency $750,000. The Madison Co. IDA, in turn re-lends these funds to local business and community development groups to start new businesses, expand existing ones, and create or retain jobs. The $750,000 loan is anticipated by the USDA to create 25 jobs and save seven jobs from being cut. In conjunction with the IDA, the County has been pursuing the opportunity to develop a livestock processing facility. See Full article: http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/05/14/business/doc4bee0cb88e17a743062065.txt

LENOX - Town Audit Problems & Lessons

2010-05-15T23:10:00.004-04:00

A NYS Comptroller’s audit of the Town of Lenox found unapproved pay raises and overtime for highway department employees, improper purchasing of goods, prohibited payments to private organizations, mismanagement of fuel supplies and other problems. Lenox Town Supervisor Rocco DiVeronica said the errors were unintentional and the town is already working to fix the problems. DiVeronica is the former Chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. INTERESTING LESSON from their audit: The NYS Constitution prohibits towns from donating money or property to private organizations, even non-profit groups. See full article at the Oneida Dispatch http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/05/14/news/doc4bee0e38dd9b1132282024.txt

BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD - Regular Meeting - Monday, MAY 10, 2010

2010-05-12T19:27:00.003-04:00

BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD
Regular Meeting – May 10, 2010

Another “quiet” meeting….here are a few HIGHLIGHTS : DOG LICENSING- Beginning in DECEMBER, responsibility for handling Dog Licensing will now fall to our Town Board/Clerk: ordering tags, sending notices, census, setting deadlines, ….and setting LICENSING FEES! Yes, it will now be up to the Town Board to set licensing fees! TWO NEW TRUCKS? Are being considered for a total of approximately $350,000 with $50,000 down and financing the $300,000 balance at approximately 4.4% over a seven year term; for an annual debt service of approximately $58,000. The prices are at “state bid” and include warranties. One truck will include attachments; the second can be fitted with attachments (plows, etc.) from an older truck. Considerations: the debt payments on the New Berlin truck will have ended; trade-off between pay-down on an asset vs maintenance costs. Discussed using funds from the un-appropriated fund balance (“surplus” balance $114,000). SALES TAX REVENUES – are down, but not as badly as originally expected. PLANNING BOARD OPENING – for “ALTERNATE” : replacement needed for “alternate” Bob Stone. Contact John Salka or Don McCoach. The Brookfield Comprehensive Planning Committee will now report to the Planning Board rather than the Town Board. Karen Nowak will replace Honna Bowen, who resigned from the BCPC.
SUBDIVISION SURVEY REQUIREMENTS – were questioned… and will be researched. At issue: if you’re subdividing a smaller parcel ( 5 acres) of a larger parcel (100 acres), do you have to have the larger 100 acre parcel surveyed or is just the smaller 5-acre parcel? ......the cost to survey 100 acres vs. 5 acres. Codes Officer, Bob Piersma, has checked with the County & State and finds no such requirement. McCoach (Planning Board Chairman) believes the requirement dates back to a 2005 subdivision ordinance. The Town Board is to research the Subdivision requirement and report back. JUNK YARDS – Inspections coming up and preliminary interest in starting a new yard on/near Rt. 8. Piersma to make the rounds with Head and Cowen. REVALUATION – The Assessor, Rhonda Weigand, will have hours this week …Saturday last day…check the TOWN WEBSITE for hours. NEXT “June” Regular MEETING: LEONARDSVILLE – Monday, June 14 - 7PM…always a nice meeting – cookies, coffee! ! Stay tuned to the DOOR and SIGN for SPECIAL MEETINGS. Present: Board- Salka, Head, Mayne, Cowen, Owen; Clerk – Kabana; Highway Supt. – Jennison; Bob Piersma – Codes.

BROOKFIELD- One of the MOST EXPENSIVE School Districts in CENTRAL NEW YORK !

2010-05-03T23:31:00.003-04:00

Small schools such as Brookfield, continue to lead the state in education costs per student. An article from today's Post Standard illustrates the disparate costs to education students throughtout the state and Central NY. Brookfield ranked as the #6 MOST EXPENSIVE school district in Central New York (out of 45). Using figures for 2007-08, Brookfield spent $17,836 per year, per student while 2009 per student costs have risen to approximately $20,000 per student. Many of the districts with the highest costs per students in the region are the smaller districts, according to state Education Department. Simply put, they have fewer students to spread the costs over. Regardless of size, all districts have to provide certain services mandated by the state. They also face the similar fixed costs, such as the salaries of a superintendent and business manager, as a larger district. While it would make sense in some cases to merge smaller districts that’s a challenge because local school boards, like BCS's, are very protective of their small school districts. See the article and check Deb Grooms article at http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/smaller_school_districts_spend.html

REVALUATION UPDATES!

2010-04-27T21:09:00.002-04:00

REVALUATION UPDATES…. 2010 Assessment Information – DOES NOT EXIST???...We are hitting a brick wall in terms of obtaining information from the State Office of Real Property Tax in Syracuse (ORPS) and the Assessor. We have been trying to find the TOTAL 2010 "preliminary” assessed values for Brookfield (not just the individual parcels) and the other Towns in the CAP (Cooperative Assessment Program): Fenner, Nelson & Smithfield. By comparing the 2009 TOTAL assessed values to the 2010 TOTAL re-assessed values we can get a ball park idea of how much our assessments REALLY went up as a total percentage. We are being told this information DOES NOT EXIST????.... How can that be if it is on the County Website? Why can’t they give us that “preliminary” total? Is it because we will find Brookfield took the biggest hit???? I’m afraid so.

REVALUATION UPDATE ….We are NOT ALONE! Town of NELSON….Sounds like an opening line to the “Twilight Zone”, but that’s what this whole process is beginning to sound like! The Town of NELSON, one of our other CAP members is also up in arms over the revaluations. Check out the Madison Courier article posted on the Brookfield Town Website detailing their contentious meeting. Ironically, the following week, who should show up at Brookfield’s March 27 protest and speak, but their Supervisor who left me with the impression Nelson and the other CAP towns were satisfied with the revaluation. Apparently, this is not the case.

REVALUATION UPDATE…..90% of the Properties in Brookfield had their ASSESSMENTS INCREASED….Street by street analysis is showing that approximately 90% of the properties saw their assessed values increase. …not the one-third we were told to expect by the Assessor, the Town Board and ORPS….this is almost THREE TIMES the number of properties that we were told to expect. See the Town website for a Street-by-Street breakdown.

REVALUATION UPDATE….Where do these “Assessment Values” come from?
It is appearing that a vacant parcel in Brookfield is being valued the same as a vacant parcel in CAZENOVIA (Nelson). Assessed values of vacant property have in some cases tripled in Brookfield. Is this the case? ORPS does not provide/doesn’t have this comparison for 2010 on a preliminary basis…HOWEVER, they would have had to have it to perform their oversight analysis of the assessor’s figures back in February.

REVALUATION UPDATE….Why can’t we find the Town’s contract with the Assessor? A question has come up at several Town Board meetings regarding terms of the Assessor’s contract or any agreements with Brookfield and under the CAPS agreement, yet the Town does not appear to have a copy. Several requests have been made and gone unanswered.

BOTTOM LINE: The lack of information and sometimes, the outright unwillingness to provide information only makes people more suspicious. These are legitimate questions that deserve to be answered.

Furthermore, this is also the time to use this information to consider whether continued participation in the CAP is truly in the Town’s best interest and explore our OPTIONS? Rather than blaming the assessor, it may be the State’s assessment formulas and valuations under the CAP agreement that deserve closer scrutiny.

By being lumped into ONE DISTRICT with the other three, wealthier and better located towns, we appear to be keeping their values and assessment costs down, while they are pushing our assessments & costs up.

We also need to ask: What is a 100% equalization rate actually costing us over the long run? How much “additional” aid & sales tax will we pick up as a result of the 100% equalization? Equalization helps the state and local government borrow more money against our total property values…sounds like the Home Mortgage Crisis all over again, at a grander level.

Lastly, are we trading away our self-governance for $1,200 a year? Do we really need to be in a CAP in order to share an Assessor? What are our options?

Brookfield: JUNK DROP OFF DAYS - Fri & Sat

2010-04-23T00:46:00.000-04:00

REMINDER:
JUNK DROP OFF DAYS
Friday - April 23 7:00 AM -2:30 PM
Saturday - Apr 24 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
TOWN GARAGE - Brookfield ONLY
Scrap Metal, Appliances, Metal Furniture, Water Tanks
Tires $3.00-10.00
Air conditioners, refrigerators & freezers - NO CHARGE
Sofas, stuffed chairs & mattresses - $8.00
Televisions - $3.00
No brush over 6" diameter
NO: building materials, garbage, trash, old cars, toxic
or hazardous waste of any kind, Burn barrels or batteries.
There will be someone at the Town Garage to help unload.
Any questions?? call Rod Jennison - Town Garage 899-5878

ONEIDA NATION: How Much in Legal Fees?

2010-04-21T22:29:00.002-04:00

Caitlin Traynor of the ONEIDA DISPATCH does a good job following Oneida Indian Nation (OIN) affairs. This week, the Nation is requesting information from Madison County in order to determine how much the County Attorney John Campanie is being paid; including any fees, expense reimbursements or other payments paid to Companie by any law firm. In that regard, the Nation has asked Madison County to produce copies of all contracts and agreements that resulted in Campanie receiving fees, expense reimbursements or payments from any law firm or the state for work relating to litigation with the Oneida Nations. The suggestion is that the lawyers have no financial insentive to resolve the issues. The Madison county reps said the requested information would be released in whole or in part by April 30. Link to Traynor article: http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/04/20/news/doc4bce63274d63f214997756.txt

Brookfield TOWN BOARD - Special Meeting SUMMARY - Tuesday, April 20, 2010

2010-04-21T21:09:00.004-04:00

SPECIAL MEETING – Brookfield Town Board – 7PM - Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Didn’t miss much tonight. Fairly quiet by Brookfield standards. Small gathering. Quick meeting.

1. Polling Places Designated: Leonardsville Elementary School; North Brookfield Fire Hall, Brookfield Town Hall.

2. Deputy Town Clerk authorized to attend NYS Clerk’s Conference in Saratoga Springs, April 25-28;

3. 284 Highway Agreement – Rod Jennison ran through the options, given limited funds available and need to reseal/maintain Academy ($45,000), Keith, Chesbro ($57,300)& Wratten Rds. Decided to patch Academy ($10,000) and reseal next year; seal Keith and continue on Chesbro & Wratten (with CHPS funding if it arrives from Albany in time). Town expects approximately $138,000 of CHPS funding this year – once the budget passes in Albany – rumored to be mid-May. Salka noted the NYS budget is $9 BBBBillion short this year… and next year is expected to be worse, rising to $20 billion! ….and we think this year is going to be rough!... Interesting factoids: it costs approximately $10,000 per mile to seal a road; and CHPS money can’t be used on the same road within a 10 yr. period.

4. Assessor’s $770 Clerical bill was approved after being held over from the last meeting. According to the Town’s agreement with Assessor Rhonda Wiegand, in addition to her regular annual salary, she will receive additional salary of $6,900, plus up to $4,500 in authorized personnel; $800 postage and $40 envelope stuffing. According to Supervisor Salka, Rhonda indicated the authorized personnel figure would be less than the $4,500. These extra revaluation expenses are partially offset by the per parcel State Aid (reduced from $5 to $4.40 per parcel this yr) or approximately $8,000. Salka also reported Weigand would consider a suggestion that annual updates be done to keep the equalization rate at 100% rather than revaluing every 3-4 yrs. George Cowen recommended they find out more about the annual assessment activities she now performs. Cowen “reluctantly” made the motion to approve. Passed unanimously. Interesting factoid: The Assessor is considered a Town Employee for whom we pay retirement, and other benefits in addition to sharing costs for equipment, software and clerical costs.

5. Website “Guestbook” Replaced (..almost!) Aaron Boise gave a presentation for the new “Forum” format to replace the “Guestbook” which was “Banned in Brookfield” due to some regrettable personal remarks. DeWitt Head and several other Board members, and Doreen Corbin, voiced their vehement objections to the new Forum unless real names are used. It was agreed that the change would be made and Aaron will look into once again revising the format to enable free discussion. Aaron deserves a lot of credit for a lot of aggravation and time for very little money or recognition.

No public comment ALLOWED at this meeting! They were pretty darn definite about that one!..But did manage to ask about the hourly rate for the Assessor’s clerical assistant (was not in the bill); and the Board did not believe they had a formal written contract with the Assessor, but could not say where the salary figure came from but would try to find out.

AG News: Farm Labor Act voted Down by Ag Committee

2010-04-20T23:04:00.003-04:00

Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act : Voted Down by Agriculture Committee
Sen. Dave Valesky (D-Oneida) - voted against this farm labor bill
Sen. Darrel Aubertine D-Cape Vincent - also voted against the bill

APRIL 20, 2010 - The state Senate Agriculture Committee voted down The Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act . The Act would have imposed new regulations and mandates on farms large and small, with or without full-time employees, as well as add new costs such as additional overtime expenses. Many farmers opposed the bill because it would make it too difficult to get the workers they need to harvest their crops and if they could get workers, it would cost too much to employ them.The bill has been hotly debated for months. The bill was voted down 6-1 with two votes to move the bill to another committee without recommendation. See Deb Grooms Column in the Post Standard for details. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/farmworker_labor_bill_voted_do.html

2010-04-19T22:57:00.003-04:00

Renovation, Repair & Painting Rule (RRP)
Effective: April 22,2010

ANOTHER REGULATION.... as if it wasn't expensive enough to take care of your home or rental properties, another regulation has been added. Beginning April 22, homeowners, property managers, landlords, realtors and contractors will be required by federal law to be legally trained and certified, in regards to lead dust exposure, when repairing, renovating and painting child care facilities, homes and schools built prior to 1978, but only if they’re receiving compensation for the renovation. The Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP), required by the EPA, is intended to protect residents and workers of all ages from the dangers of lead-based paint. See the EVENING SUN http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2010-03-31/9293/Federal-legislation-will-require-lead-certification/

LOCAL HEALTHCARE - Cancer Screening Programs Available

2010-04-19T22:48:00.002-04:00

CANCER SCREENING SERVICES PROGRAM
For MADISON, HERKIMER & ONEIDA COUNTIES
Phone (315) 798-7248 or 1-800-541-0151 ext 5248

This program is for uninsured and underinsured men and women ages 40 to 64. The program offers eligible men and women no-cost access to services like clinical breast exams, mammograms, Pap tests, and colorectal cancer screenings. Funding is also available through a specialized Medicaid program for follow-up treatments when necessary. The Program partners with many medical professionals and facilities across the central New York area, including Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, the Oneida Healthcare Center and St. Elizabeth’s and Faxton-St. Luke’s Medical Centers in Utica. Enlisting the services of the program is a simple process; and usually takes about 10 minutes over the telephone. For more information, call (315) 798-5248 or 1-800-541-0151, extension 5248. (See Full Article from ONEIDA DISPATCH http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/04/13/business/doc4bc3d1a7209ca976067488.txt )

BROOKFIELD: Sad Evening for us all....

2010-04-13T00:13:00.002-04:00

It was a sad evening for Brookfield. The Constitution took TWO good hits this evening…. All dealt by our LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS.

STRIKE ONE: Taxation WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!. The Board caved as was generally expected. Albany and the Town Assessor call the shots in Brookfield. The Town Board has no authority. It’s the Assessor’s decision whether or not to postpone the revaluation and she refuses to change it. It’s up to us, the TAXPAYERS to “use the system”. Frankly, it’s the system USING US and our Town Board is standing back to let it happen. What ever happened to NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION?

STRIKE TWO: There goes “FREE SPEECH" Say GOOD-BY to the Town website's “GUEST BOOK”. Councilman Dewitt Head complained that he was hearing negative things about recent comments made on the site and passed a resolution to shut down the GUEST BOOK. Now, all comments must go to “YOUR VOICE” and will be monitored by Aaron Boise.

It was a very sad evening, indeed.

TAXES - Brookfield Tax Protest - SPECIAL MEETING - Saturday, April 3 Summary

2010-04-04T09:19:00.003-04:00

Below is a summary of the SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING held on Saturday, April 3 - held to take action on the 2010 Property Tax Revaluation.

It was a win for grassroots democracy today!

At Saturday’s Town of Brookfield Special Meeting, the Board was pushed to take a stand on behalf of the residents of Brookfield and postpone the controversial 2010 valuation until 2011. Over 80 residents turned out at the Special Meeting called in response to last week’s protest march against the 2010 property tax revaluation.

After several hours of heated discussion, in a standing room only meeting hall, residents convinced their Town Board to vote 4-1 in favor of postponing the 2010 property tax revaluation until 2011. Board members voting to postpone the revaluation were: John Salka, Dewitt Head, Rachel Owen and Jeff Mayne. George Cowen was the sole, no vote.
The object of the vote is to postpone implementation of the 2010 revaluation until 201l, and use the 2009 valuations again this year. This will give the Assessor sufficient time to address the many inequities raised, and which they did not feel could be adequately addressed under the current grievance system. If necessary, the Town of Brookfield will take the other CAP Townships to arbitration in order to postpone the revaluation or drop out of the CAP.

A persistent theme among the crowd was the demand for action and accountability of public officials, to start action now, at the local level. The Town Board’s vote was hailed as a grassroots act by local elected officials to stand up on behalf of their residents against Albany. Resident Kevin Marsh agreed with protest leader, Steve Walker. “Citizens need to keep the momentum of today’s victory. We made a statement today and I am sure it will be heard for miles and miles…. Together we can make a difference. Today's events prove it.. …We will escalate this thing as far as the people want to take it! Brookfield, Wampsville, Albany, Washington???”

The next stop for the protesters will be the Brookfield Central School board meeting on Monday evening. Property owners face a 45% tax increase unless dramatic cuts are made to this year’s budget.

The revaluation was performed under a, multi-town agreement with Fenner, Nelson & Smithfield. Under the Coordinated Assessment Program (CAP’s) Agreement the towns receive financial incentives from the State to share the costs of one assessor.

Several residents questioned the assessor’s excessive work load. The lone assessor, Rhonda Weigand, is responsible for fully revaluing the four CAP towns in the same year, in addition to her responsibilities to towns outside of the program.

Brookfield received approximately $12,000 (or $1,200 per year credit) from the State to remain in the program for ten years. Failure to participate will result in a pro-rated portion of the funds being returned to the State.

In 2009, a majority of the four towns agreed to perform a 2010 revaluation to raise the equalization rate from 80 to 100%. In late February, revaluation notices were mailed to taxpayers, raising a firestorm of controversy and leading to last week’s demonstration.

The last Town revaluation was completed in 2005, at the top of the real estate market, leading some to question how property values could have increased 20-50%, in 2010, as we now sit at the bottom of the real estate market and have few services, other than highway.

Farmers were particularly hard hit this year, not only from the artificially depressed milk prices, but the inherent unfairness of property taxes. A farmer and board member, Dewitt Head pointed out that farmers need the land to make a living versus speculators and land developers that artificially inflate the price of land. Several farmers objected to their farm lands being valued as possible “road frontage” for residential development.

Residents were upset by the steep rise in valuations and comparables, e.g., double-wide being comparable to ranch homes; inability to mortgage homes at these same values, among other concerns.

Supervisor John Salka read Town Assessor Rhonda Weigand’s letter to the Board, defending her valuations and procedures. (A full copy is available on the Town website.) Salka also acknowledged the Town had received a letter from Wiegand’s personal attorney, warning against comments posted on the Town website. This year the assessor will receive a regular salary of $21,000, of which $ 7,000 is being paid for the Town’s 2010 revaluation. Each of the four towns pays a relatively similar amount, in addition to providing the assessor with NYS Retirement, social security, workman’s compensation and health benefits in addition to cost reimbursements.

PROPERTY TAXES: Brookfield Protest - SAT. March 27

2010-03-22T19:44:00.002-04:00

TAXED TO DEATH?

Join the ......

BROOKFIELD PROPERTY TAX PROTEST
Saturday, March 27
9:00 AM -in front of the Brookfield Town Hall

Petition Available:
Requesting Cancellation of the
Recent Property Tax Revaluation

GAS DRILLING: Chenango Co. Denies Seismic Testing

2010-03-22T19:40:00.002-04:00

The Chenango County Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee has denied a request made by Norse Energy Inc. to conduct seismic testing on county-owned land in Preston. County is looking for compensation from the testing. The County's Natural Gas Advisory Committee that pointed out that other energy companies pay for the rights to test and share the collected data. http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2010-03-18/9204/Seismic-testing-denied

GAS DRILLING: EPA Study Pending

2010-03-22T19:36:00.001-04:00

The Post Standard reported the EPA - Environmental Protection Agency will study the health and environmental impacts of "fracking" a technique gas drillers will be using in our local, Marcellus Shale. The technique injects massive amounts of water, sand and chemicals underground to force the natural gas out of the shale. Concerns have mounted that unregulated fracking will taint drinking water, siphon off too much surface, deplete aquifers and produce briny wastewater that can kill fish. The $1.9 million study, expected to be done by 2012. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/epa

INDIAN-COUNTY WARS: Taxpayers Being Scalped By Their Own Lawyers & Lobbyists

2010-03-15T00:59:00.003-04:00

Interesting article on the continuing Oneida Indian-Madison County wars....they cannot even agree on whether the Oneida's are a "recognized" tribe under a 1934 Federal law, which would make the Nation eligible to put land into trust and out of the reach of NYS tax authority. Interestingly, the general agreement among taxpayers is that this war has dragged on too long. The lawyers and Park Strategies (our $325,000 per year Lobbyists) continue to milk this issue and the County taxpayers. See Oneida Dispatch article http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/03/12/news

HEALTH - Dental Program BCS Should Consider....

2010-03-13T22:44:00.001-05:00

Interesting article re: school based dental health program.... perhaps BROOKFIELD CENTRAL SHOULD CONSIDER...??? "Healthy Smiles, Happy Friends", an oral health program of Bassett’s School-Based Health Centers, has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the New York State Dental Foundation. The program provides students with cleanings, fluoride treatments and placement of dental sealant in the school setting. Bassett’s dental program reaches close to 2000 children in 15 school districts. WKTV-Utica http://www.wktv.com/news/local/87494482.html

MADISON COUNTY FAIR - Good News!

2010-03-13T22:41:00.002-05:00

Funding for the Madison County Fair was widely debated at the Board of Supervisors meeting Friday, March 12. After much debate and a good showing by local, Fair Board representative, Mary Lou Thall, the board approved $10,000 for attractions and promotions and $15,000 for general expenses, so long as the fair board produces matching funds. Oneida Dispatch...http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/03/12/news/doc4b9b1499c477d092032532.txt

GAS DRILLING - Hydrofracking Informational Meeting APRIL 7

2010-03-13T22:37:00.003-05:00

This looks like a good, even-handed presentation on HYDROFRACKING, being presented from a Scientific perspective. The League of Women Voters is partnering with the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation to host Bill Kappel, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.“He does not take an advocacy point of view,...it’s about the science involved in gas drilling.” The informational meeting is scheduled for April 7 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium in the Cazenovia High School. A moderated question and answer period will follow the presentation. Oneida Dispatch http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/03/08/news/doc4b95cf628c1a8792346586.txt

NYS: Legislators Robbing HIGHWAY TRUST FUND...

2010-03-13T22:25:00.005-05:00

New York State raids 'dedicated' account for road work, leaving little money for repairs... NYS Legislators robbing yet another "piggy bank" to keep their premium salaries, platinum benefits and accounting schemes. Money that taxpayers thought was going to keep our roads and bridges in good repair is being siphoned off to pay for DMV and DOT staff positions and operations. This year vehicle and fuel taxes are expected to bring in $2 billion but almost half will be spent on salaries and debt... These "unintended" expenses are eating up the fund at a faster rate than building roads and bridges. Worth the read. Post Standard
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/new_york_state_raids_dedicated.html

RETURNING to the BLOG...

2010-03-13T22:20:00.002-05:00

Am finally returning to this blog... taking more of a DRUDGE approach to local news and information...providing a brief synopsis of news articles and links to LOCAL INTEREST.....

MADISON CO - Annual MedicAID Costs $89 Million

2010-01-03T19:34:00.002-05:00

Interesting article in the 12-29-09 Post Standard regarding Madison County MedicAID program. The MedicAID program covers the cost of health care for the poor. According to the article, MedicAID costs Madison County $89 MILLION each year. The cost to the State runs approximately $46 BILLION each year. http://blog.syracuse.com/neighbors
[Correction: to MedicAID]

I am not knocking MedicAID.... it is essential for many and I don't wish to literally: throw the baby out with the bath water!....rather, to keep citizens informed and putting numbers to abstract ideas.

BROOKFIELD: 2008-09 Town Salaries

2009-12-21T12:45:00.004-05:00

Thanks to the internet, more and more information is available
regarding our local and state government operations.
SeeThroughNY is a great reference for salaries, contracts and
school district salary information. Unfortunately, the information
is not always complete. Supervisor Salka provided info on some elected
offices. Check it out at www.seethroughny.net

YTD Salaries Paid 2008-09
Abrams, Donald $38,125
Brown, Gregory $35,833
Cross, Dana $37,529
Jones, David $37,263
Kabana, Sherry $12,389
Snow Jr, John $37,504
Weigand, Rhonda $14,004
Worden, Geoffrey $9,370
Zediker, Mark $39,088
Supervisor - Salka $ 5,649/yr
Town Board $ 2,100 each/yr
Judge $ 5,974 Each/Yr

GOV'T SCAMS: NYS Pension Retirement System

2009-12-20T09:42:00.002-05:00

BEND OVER TAXPAYERS!

More NYS PENSION SYSTEM SCAMS .......
Interesting article in Syracuse Post Standard re: Onondaga County Sheriff's office manipulating the Overtime!

Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg. SPIKING OVERTIME is standard operating procedure for the NYS Public & Municipal Employees - Teachers, legislators, police, fire, etc.

Let's add the rest of the story. The NYS Pensions are:
NOT SUBJECT TO NYS INCOME TAXES!
They can RETIRE at 55....and
NYS RETIREMENT PENSIONS cost taxpayers 6 TIMES.. YES, SIX TIMES more than a pension received from a PRIVATE sector job!!!

NY Fiscal Watch compared 2 workers making the SAME pay of $100,000, working for the SAME number of years, and retiring at the SAME age. http://www.nyfiscalwatch.com/?p=1859

The PRIVATE Sector worker’s EMPLOYER-PROVIDED retirement benefits valued at the time of retirement will COST $427,500.

The NYS PUBLIC TAXPAYER-PROVIDED retirement benefits...$2,530,000. ... That's right....MMMM Milllion $$...... for a SINGLE EMPLOYEE !!!

A reader notes - this is common practice of teachers that in their last 3 years who become club advisors, coaches and chaperone school events, police officers, firefighters, and numerous individuals that have overtime available to them that are in our incredibly generous New York State pension program. The word is out and anyone that can get overtime uses it for this purpose.

WAKE UP NYS GOVERNMENT!!
Tax payers are getting INFORMED & VERY, VERY ANGRY!
STOP THE POLITICAL BS !!!!

ALBANY: Bribery in the COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE

2009-12-05T23:20:00.003-05:00

Another amazing story of POLITICAL CORRUPTION IN ALBANY....Elliot Briody of an investment fund, Markstone Capital, plead guilty to bribing officials of the state Comptrollers Office -- yeah,...the department that is supposed to be guarding the State's Funds. According to Attorney General Cuomo's office, over $1 million in bribes were paid to four top officials who served under former state comptroller ALAN HEVESI. Apparently it was a good investment. For $1 million in bribes, Briody and his firm picked up $18 million in "fees". According to the story, the Comptroller's office steered $250 MILLION - one-quarter B-B-BILLION $$- of the NYS PENSION FUND to Markstone for investment. The criminal scheme " involved numerous individuals at the highest political and governmental levels under former Comptroller Alan Hevesi, in which the State pension fund was used as a piggy bank for the Comptroller’s chief political aide and a favor bank for political allies and other friends." And they said it was just a bad stock market that caused the State Pension Fund to shrivel up! Check out this interesting article and "comments" from "Capital Connection" section of the Albany Times Union...this story may have "legs"....http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/20578/cuomo-financier-pleads-guilty-in-another-pension-fund-corruption-case/#more-20578

BUSINESS: Agro Farma...moving to Norwich ???

2009-12-05T22:31:00.000-05:00

"IF" all goes well with FEDERAL & STATE incentives, AGRO FARM may be moving to the 335,000 sq. ft. "Woods Corner" P&G facility just outside of Norwich. Agro Farma currently operates the former Dannon Yogurt facility in Columbus. If the deal goes through, the resulting project could create as many as 350 new jobs, help local dairy farmers and bolster the tax base, according to Senator Charles Schumer. Full article (Evening Sun http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2009-12-01/8454/Schumer-says-Agro-Farma-project-contingent-on-federal-state-incentives/

MADISON Co - Supervisor Raises SHOT DOWN !

2009-12-05T21:02:00.003-05:00

Thanks to the Madison Co. Supervisors, including Salka & Goldstein, who voted against a salary raise, recommended by County Chairman, John Becker (R- Sullivan), that would have resulted in minimum salaries of $20,000 for each supervisor. ..for "Part time" Jobs!...Becker and two supervisors, Russell Hammond (R-Georgetown) and Ron Bono (R- Madison), cast the only votes in favor of the plan . Supervisors currently receive:
1) $12,600 salary from the COUNTY;
2) separate salary from each of their respective Towns;
3) free health and dental insurance benefits;
4) NYS Retirement system benefits (NYS Tax Free);
5) After 10 yrs service, health & dental benefits for LIFE.

Jim Goldstein (D-Lebanon) put up a resolution asking that Supervisors also contribute 10% to the health plan . (Unfortunately, no one had the political courage to second that one. Likely to be mugged by their colleagues! ) The health benefits run between $5,000 and $12,000 per year, depending on individual vs. family coverage. Although Becker’s proposal would have dropped all the health benefits in favor of the $7,400 across the board raises, that would have only added to the more costly benefits under the NYS retirement system. Short term savings would have been a larger, long term cost to the taxpayer.
Check out the POST STANDARD and comments…taxpayers are not happy campers! http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/madison_county_lawmakers_rejec.html

GOV'T: SeeThroughNY Website TOWN & SCHOOL

2009-12-05T20:13:00.002-05:00

NEW WEBSITE: Town, County & School Payrolls
Check out the informative website SeeThroughNY….
The purpose of the site is to give New Yorkers a clearer view of how their state and local tax dollars are spent. The site is sponsored by the Empire Center for New York State Policy, part of the non-partisan and non-profit Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. The site is designed to become the hub of a statewide network through which taxpayers can share, analyze and compare data from counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts and public authorities throughout New York. The information in the website comes from official government sources. Here is an example of the TOWN PAYROLL. School salaries are also included. BROOKFIELD - Town Payroll - New York State Public Employee Payrolls on SeeThroughNY http://www.seethroughny.net
Last, First YTDPay
Abrams, Donald $38,125
Brown, Gregory $35,833
Cross, Dana $37,529
Jones, David $37,263
Kabana, Sherry $12,389
Snow Jr, John $37,504
Weigand, Rhonda $14,004
Worden, Geoffrey $9,370
Zediker, Mark $39,088

POLITICS: County Supervisors At it AGAIN!

2009-11-30T09:42:00.003-05:00

SHELL GAMES IN WAMPSVILLE

On December 4, The Madison County Board of Supervisors is getting set to give themselves yet another raise…from $12,600 to $20,000….(don’t forget to add the additional salaries paid by the Town’s on top of this $5,000+) …oh, but they’re “giving back” their fully paid health benefits that cost the county up $12,000 each per year. They claim this will be a $45,000 per year savings…in the short term, but over the LONG TERM this modification will cost us taxpayers $100,000’s.

Bottom line: this switch will allow them to take even more out of the public coffers – through the INCREDIBLY GENEROUS New York State Retirement System: http://www.osc.state.ny.us

1 - they pay NO NYS TAXES on this Pension (and they complain about the Oneida Nation not paying their fair share of taxes!) ; 2-receive Cost of Living Increases (not in most private plans); 3- ability to “spike” final years’ earnings to increase their pension; 4- $20,000 of pensions from their other Private Retirement Plans are also not taxable in NYS; 4- ability to retire at 55; and 5- vest in 5 years (part timers included).

It is precisely these pension benefits that are literally driving this state into bankruptcy. Here is a link to a recent article and footnote, explaining how these public employee benefits are worth up to 6 TIMES that of the private sector jobs as result of the NYSR system perks and benefits. http://www.nyfiscalwatch.com

These are PART TIME JOBS …MOST of these Supervisors have full time jobs or spouses that have health care available. They take the county healthcare because it’s “Free” to them. Why is it that the Government “Ruling Class” is getting better benefits than us TAXPAYERS? Because “they” make the rules…. How many of us get to give ourselves a raise?

I urge our Supervisor, John Salka, to vote NO and take this message to the other Supervisors: this is no time for them to “feather their nests” while the rest of us make the sacrifices in this economy. These PART TIME jobs with SUPREME BENEFITS have got to stop. If they are there for the salary and benefits, then they are there for the wrong reasons. They need to do the RIGHT THING – forgo the $8,000 raise and pay for a fair portion of their health benefits.

GAS DRILLING: Documentary "Split Estate" - Dec. 1

2009-11-27T21:47:00.003-05:00

The first Norwich showing of “Split Estate,” a documentary movie that premiered on the Discovery Channel in October, is scheduled to be shown on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Chenango County Council of the Arts, Room 101, Norwich, 7 p.m. The film explores the impact of the new method of hydrofracking gas. in an area of Colorado that was the first to experience a gas drilling boom right after the oil and gas industry were exempted from federal protections like the Clean Water Act. Split Estate maps a tragedy in the making, as citizens in the path of the new drilling boom struggle against the growing environmental and social costs to an area. The film is a clarion call for accountability for an area now referred to as a “National Sacrifice Zone.” http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2009-11-27/8435/Gas-drilling-documentary-show-in-Norwich-next-week/

MADISON COUNTY: $24,256 "Part-Time" Job 27 hrs. per week

2009-11-27T19:55:00.003-05:00

The Oneida Dispatch reports the Madison County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to hire a crew leader who will supervise, train, and transport land fill help who are "volunteers" under the Dept of Social Service Program. A PART TIME JOB - 27 hours a week...for $24,256 with "some" benefits. Nice "Part Time" Job especially in a County whose average FULL TIME income is approximately $19,500 with NO BENEFITS.
UPDATE: The mobile work crew led by Madison County employee Lyle Malbouf. Not mentioned in the article but research indicates MALBOUF is also union CSEA Madison County "Blue Collar" Unit President. http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2009/11/26/news/doc4b0f455721ee9651443806.txt

EDUCATION: Brookfield School District COSTS per STUDENT

2009-11-17T00:06:00.003-05:00

A resident inquired on the Brookfieldny.com "Guestbook" about the salary costs for the local school district. For Brookfield School salaries, you can refer to the new website "See Through NY" at http://www.seethroughny.net/ The website includes salaries for Bookfield teachers and the superintendent. The Business Manager and Board promptly responded to a FOIL request (thank you!) and provided updated information on the Business Manager and the newly appointed Principal. The updated salary information on those positions for 2009-10: BUSINESS MANAGER ($89,730 salary ); SUPERINTENDENT ($85,000) and PRINCIPAL ($85,000) - for a total of $ 259,730 base salary or approximately $1,000 per student for these three positions. In addition to salary, all but the Business Manager, receive health, dental and retirement benefits. The Business Manager receives just dental and retirement coverage.

To put Brookfield school expenses in perspective, using the 2009-10 budget and state education resources; and a student population of approximately 260:
1. TOTAL Brookfield ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ran approximately $488,000 or $1,877 per student ($ 488,000/260 students).
2. TOTAL Brookfield BUDGET 2009-10 Brookfield is approximately $5.3 MILLION or $20,385 per STUDENT ($5,300,000 / 260).
3. On average, each American state spent $9,666 a pupil in 2007-08.
3. New York State spends more on education than any other state - approximately $16,800 per student.
4. Thus, Brookfield's average cost per student of $20,385 is running approximately 20% over the state average of $16,800; and almost TWICE the national average.....leaving us with among the highest education costs in the country.

Let us know if anyone has any updates or additional information (or math corrections!) that can put these costs in a better perspective. FYI - "See Through NY" also offers searchable databases of complete employee payrolls for the state government, New York City, public school districts and public authorities; a breakdown of $148 million in legislative pork barrel projects; operations spending by the state Senate and Assembly; and a benchmarking tool to compare local government spending on a per-capita basis.

NYRI ....R.I.P. ???

2009-11-13T20:24:00.002-05:00

In a letter to the Madison Courier, Legislator David Townsend reported that Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has denied NYRI's appeal to reconsider it's request to pass construction and operating costs on to ratepayers. Townsend declared that without the ratepayers footing the bill, it was believed there was little hope of financing the project. But is this really the last we'll see of them? Last time they waited a few years and came at us again. There is too much "fat$" in the investment banking and legal fees (plus a guaranteed rate of return on their investment) to believe these wolves won't be back at our door! This is definitely a group to keep your eye on!

GAS Drilling: DEC hears impassioned debate

2009-11-13T20:04:00.002-05:00

Hearings continue throughout the region on the DEC's proposed gas drilling regulations. The public has until Dec. 30 to comment on the draft of the regulations, called the supplementary Generic Environmental Impact Statement. The 800-page regulatory draft, released Sept 30, has been the focal point of a caustic debate over the merits and dangers of natural gas production. On the extremes of the debate are those who believe the Marcellus Shale will become either the engine that will power the Southern Tier's economy into lasting prosperity, or an environmental disaster that will devalue land, degrade water and ruin the landscape. A study, commissioned by the Broome County Economic Development office concludes drilling could generate up to $15 billion in direct economic activity over 10 years with 4,000 Marcellus wells.

POLITICAL: Fort Drum District Taken Over By American Taliban

2009-11-02T12:45:00.003-05:00

Taliban takes over Ft. Drum District.... yes, it's happened...boots on the ground up in this district. It appears the seat for the 23rd District has been captured by the religiously based National Conservative party and have run the local, secular Republican SCOZZAFAVA out of Town. Beginning to sound like Afghanistan. Voters in this district have been robbed of their voting rights by a Republican faction that has turned their political party into a RELIGIOUS LOBBY for fundamentalists beliefs. These national interests have used weapons of mass mis-information, designed by the "Conservative Cult" (Limbaugh, Beck, Coulter, Palin), who with their vicious tongues, turn normally rational humans into venomous , political zombies who put the Bible before the Constitution.

While normally respectful voters, people in our district have been stunned by the level of anger stirred by these talking "heads" (..actually, I think they have the wrong end..) and their conservative national sponsors. Face it, our former democratic system, has been was hijacked. Even the "teabaggers" got "bagged" on this one when the hand of their feared "BIG GOVERNMENT" swooped in to trump LOCAL rights.

We voters are now left with HOFFMAN an ill-informed, two-issue candidate (abortion and gays) who fits THE NATIONAL profile (only need to check two boxes to be a "qualified" National candidate.). Hoffman not only does NOT reside in our district, the local Watertown papers gave him a negative review, lacking an understanding of major LOCAL issues. Like Palin - another fine example of dressed up but don't put the puppet near a microphone.

We are at a dangerous crossroads for our Country. Now, when we need most to come together in compromise, our house is being divided. We don't need patronizing puppets of the National Conservative Taliban....we need representatives with common sense and backbone that will bring OUR country TOGETHER. Keep up the divisive work Anne, Rush, Glen & Sarah. Doctors murdered in cold blood; organized shout downs and intimidation -- like the Brown Shirts. Is history repeating itself..are we now sowing the seeds of our second civil (religious) war, fertilized with the manure of these talking heads? How far do we allow our Country to travel down this path before we reach the point of no return? Today we are a Democracy.... on Tuesday, we may have traded it all for a THEOCRACY... government run by God and divine intervention? I think even JESUS would have to vote for the Democrat, OWEN, on this one!

Our LOCAL Election STOLEN by NATIONAL CONSERVATIVE PARTY!

2009-11-01T21:38:00.002-05:00

A very sad state of affairs for local voters!' Our LOCAL Congressional seat has been hijacked by the NATIONAL CONSERVATIVE party interests. This weekend our LOCALLY ENDORSED Republican candidate, DeDe Scazzofava was pushed out of the race for McHugh's seat, by NATIONAL CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS in favor of a right wing, third party candidate, Doug Hoffman. A number of NATIONAL Republicans, including Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty and Sarah Palin, had in recent weeks endorsed Mr. Hoffman, over Ms. Scozzafava, who had been selected by local party leaders. The Wall St. Journal reports that even LOCAL Republican party officials are stunned by the Conservative sabotage: "In upstate New York, the local party leaders are still feeling shaken. George Williams, the Oswego County Republican chairman, said the influx of conservative money and activism brought in a brand of politics not seen in the sleepy, sparsely populated district. "Up here, at least in Oswego County, negative is not the way you go out and present yourself. Our people are getting very, very tired of it," Mr. Williams said. "I'm seeing a part of the party I never knew existed." These are the same Conservative Republicans that complain about BIG GOVERNMENT.... and they reach from Washington into our district to steal our right to a fair LOCAL ELECTION? What hypocrisy...! A vote for HOFFMAN is a vote AGAINST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS!

ELECTION DAY: Referendum - Don't Miss....

2009-10-29T13:41:00.002-04:00

Please DON'T MISS this REFERENDUM on the Nov. 3 Ballot… WAY DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BALLOT. (Please see the link to the Ballot on Town Website at(Brookfieldny.com).

REFERENDUM: Shall the Town of Brookfield donate 54.42 acres of property to the Beaver Valley Rod & Gun Club?

A "YES" vote means the club will be responsible for operating and caring for the property; and the will be used by the Club to host both public events and education. In the event the Club is discontinued, the property goes back to the Town of Brookfield. …. The membership and families that turned out in support of the Club were impressive and a good indication that the property will be well cared for and used for the benefit of the entire community.

A "NO" vote would keep it with the Town …. and would be a shame.

POLITICS: Two Propositions Not to Miss!!

2009-10-27T22:05:00.002-04:00

When you go to vote next Tuesday you'll also be asked to vote on two constitutional amendments. Please don't miss them. They are located ...WAY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BALLOT... . See WSYR (www.9wsyr.com) for details.

PROPOSITION #1 - Should the State Swap Certain Forest Lands with NATIONAL GRID (formerly NYSEG) ...?

A "YES" vote - would bring new power lines to an isolated Adirondack community – and even the agency that serves to protect the Adirondack Park is throwing its support behind the measure.“This is one of those rare opportunities where we can do some good for the environment, and help the park at the same time,” says Adirondack Council member John Sheehan.Sheehan is urging approval of Prop 1, which would pave the way for construction of a new power line over State Route 56 in St. Lawrence County to the community of Tupper Lake. “We believe that trading what amounts to a roadside ditch in exchange for river shoreline is a good one, and one that New York State residents should accept very quickly,” says Sheehan.

A "NO" vote would send the project on a lengthy detour through Old Growth Forest -- and the habitat of an endangered bird.

PROPOSITION #2 - Should the State Allow PRISONERS to Perform Work for Local Non-Profit Organizations ...?

A "YES" vote - would allow prisoners of State and Local correctional facilities to perform work for non-profit organizations (like churches, libraries, historical society, Fair grounds, etc.). It would certainly help defray the costs of maintaining these properties. Especially during these difficult economic times.

A "NO" vote would leave them lounging in their cell... sucking up the tax dollar.

POLITICS: Ballot Available on Town Web Site

2009-10-25T08:42:00.002-04:00

Check out the great political coverage on BROOKFIELDNY.COM website .... Complete ballot and referendum information. Also....Be sure to check out the Beaver Valley Rod & Gun Club REFERENDUM ... I recommend a YES. They've done a great job with the property; a lot of family participation; and impressed by the young adults that showed up and spoke at the public meeting. Also, Proposition 2 - YES - would allow prisoners to perform work for non-profit organizations -- like the TOWNS, CHURCHS, FAIRGROUNDS.... would certainly help stretch the TAX DOLLARS!!! .... also...check out the GUESTBOOK section of BROOKFIELDNY.COM a lot of back-and-forth regarding the upcoming election. Too bad, so bitter. Here's the link. http://www.brookfieldny.com/political_news.htm

GOVERNMENT: Highlights of the Regular Town Board Meeting

2009-10-17T20:12:00.002-04:00

Leonardsville / Monday, Oct. 12: Great turnout – approx. 30 people. Always a good turnout for Leonardsville – good food and coffee!! And the meetings are always good entertainment and educational! Seriously! Some informative “audience” input (especially on equipment matters!...and Perk Stalter on the local cemetery project) and good humor (intentional or otherwise)! …and some drama with tense moments! ...better than most TV! One of the highlights of this meeting was seeing Dave Maine up, around and smiling! Other highlights: Of the $16,000 in fees collected last month…the Town got to keep $600 of it and the rest was shipped off to Albany for their piece of the ever-growing pie!!...Christmas & Associates public meeting re: the Snow subdivision was discussed. Impression that C&A is working with the Town and will make some requested adjustments. Interesting fact (?) from C&A that only 14% of their lots are ever developed…..so does that must mean that 85% of the developed properties are going to land “speculators” from down State and out of State????? …… Mt.Markham is “playing ball” with Jim Gould and the Leonardsville Baseball/Park Committee – they have a backstop now! …Bob Piersma, Jr., formerly of Brookfield, has been named the new Codes Officer. The interim CO, Morrie Sturdevant of Deansboro, received many thanks and praise for his expertise and cooperation; with especially high marks for his helpful approach in working with the public. …Concern over the Town’s cost and obligation to rebuild abandoned roads for property development like Jones Rd. … the $400,000 HUD grant has been approved for North Brookfield. Sign up and informational meeting at month end. Upstate Construx, the sole bidder was granted the $72,000 contract (comes out of the HUD grant). The Company may be taken over by the couple that currently runs the lead abatement portion of the program. Sorry to see "The HUD Dude"(Mark Taub) retire!...he is headed south, to Panama!!! He’s been working with the Town on HUD programs for over a decade, logging in $ Millions of local housing improvements for the Town. We will miss not only his expertise, but his good humor and understanding. …Property tax revaluation being completed. Public informational meetings will be arranged when results available….Meet the Candidates Night has been rescheduled. Jim Gould noted a Legion Dinner and Hunting Season conflict as originally scheduled. Now rescheduled to FRIDAY, October 23 – 7:30 PM Former Leonardsville School Auditorium… Salka read his Open Letter to the Public, in response to criticisms and comments by his opponent, Loren Corbin….Next Regular meeting is MONDAY – November 9 (North Brookfield Fire House) 7:00 PM.

POLITICS: It's Getting Very Nasty.....

2009-10-17T20:08:00.001-04:00

… even by Brookfield standards the campaign for Town Supervisor has been particularly nasty and Jim Plows’ rambling letter in this week’s WATERVILLE TIMES has only turned it up a notch and displayed the nasty under belly of our local political scene. This election is boiling down to those who want an Open and Public form of Town Government or a return to the days of the secret meetings, closed door sessions and private deals that benefit a specific clique. BETTER RESERVE A COPY NOW…. Rumor Has It: There are several letters on their way to the Waterville Times in response to JP’s rant.