MADISON CO. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - Summary - MARCH 12, 2013 Regular Meeting - New County Administrator appointed ($105,000) and Assistant Administrator ($43,213) position created; SAFE Act; but no word on the "Confidential Settlement Agreement"....hmm.....see full article at: Oneida Dispatch http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2013/03/13/news/doc513fac16ef60e551660954.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
CORRECTION: MONDAY -MARCH 18 - BROOKFIELD REPUBLICANS Looking for Candidates
CORRECTION: (Brookfield, NY- March 2013) Any resident interested in being a candidate for town clerk, town justice, town supervisor or town council (two positions) in the 2013 town elections should attend the Brookfield Republican Committee meeting at town hall at 7:30 p.m. MONDAY, March 18. (corrected 2:30PM 3-13-13)
Those interested in serving on the Brookfield Republican Committee also should attend; there is one vacancy in District 1 (Leonardsville) and one vacancy in District 3 (North Brookfield). For more information or for anyone unable to attend, contact Gail Abrams at 315.899.6266 or 315.939.0643 or Jeff Mayne at 315.899.6215 or 315.899.8206. http://madisoncountycourier.com/?p=43420
Those interested in serving on the Brookfield Republican Committee also should attend; there is one vacancy in District 1 (Leonardsville) and one vacancy in District 3 (North Brookfield). For more information or for anyone unable to attend, contact Gail Abrams at 315.899.6266 or 315.939.0643 or Jeff Mayne at 315.899.6215 or 315.899.8206. http://madisoncountycourier.com/?p=43420
HIGHLIGHTS – March 11, 2013 Brookfield Town Board – Regular Meeting
Following are what I consider some of the "Highlights" of last night's Regular Town Board Meeting.
These are NOT minutes. Check out TOWN INFORMATION at the new website: http://www.brookfieldny.us/index.html
*** Attendance: approximately 20 public; absent - DeWitt Head; present - Salka, Mayne, Abrams, Walker
*** Highway Department – Bob Piersma EQUIPMENT “Rollover” Presentation – “Equipment Rollover” program and possible local law to rollover/renew equipment on a scheduled basis. The annual cost to maintain older equipment is outweighing the cost to finance and “rollover” new equipment on a regular basis. Piersma credited former Hwy Super Rod Jennison with starting this program. Piersma did extensive research, speaking with 4-5 other highway supervisors. Several have a rollover program and were happy they did – substantial savings (up to 50%). Piersma’s report included preliminary figures and will do further research and provide more exact numbers on the costs. Three of the trucks have serious safety issues that will cost approximately $120-150,000 to bring them up to DOT standards and we would still be old vehicles, requiring increasing maintenance costs. The rollover program would set up regular equipment replacement – “rolling over” the financing each year. Basically boils down to: Annual, predictable, financing payments vs. high, uncertain maintenance costs on old equipment. Members of the Highway Dept. and their families as well as public commented favorably on this plan. The Board authorized Piersma to move ahead and get more solid numbers and information.
*** Special Town Meeting – 3/30/13 - for public comment & discussion on whether or not we need a ban on gas development & drilling in the Town of Brookfield. See the Town Website at:
*** Comprehensive Plan – Draft has been presented to the Board; final expected by June.
*** Town Website – on line! Brookfieldny.us The Town now has a new, “informational” website thanks to Karen Nowak for her hard work in putting it together …. check it out! http://www.brookfieldny.us/index.html
*** Pistol Owners – Forms at the Town Hall to remove names from public record. File by 5/15/13.
*** North Brookfield Church - The Town closed on the purchase - $12 for the church…. $1,200-1,500 closing costs (legal & fees).
*** Fuel Bids Awarded – Broedel Fuel won three of the five bids; with Buell picking up the other two awards.
*** Un-appropriated Fund Balance: $298,971 (General $73,397 + Highway $225,574)
*** Ritz Road – Abandonment – there will be a public hearing at the next board meeting to hear comments on the Town's abandonment of care of Ritz Rd. (near Snow’s Pond). Adjoining property owners have signed letters supporting the move.
*** Road Use Agreement – is still pending; Brookfield is looking at hiring DELTA ENGINEERING to provide the necessary road survey information and filings for approximately $7,500. The Town is working with Hamilton, Lebanon to retain their services. No final decision has been made.
*** Next Meeting – 7:00 PM Mon. APRIL 8 - NORTH BROOKFIELD Fire Hall & Public Hearing (7:30) – Ritz Rd.
Following are what I consider some of the "Highlights" of last night's Regular Town Board Meeting.
These are NOT minutes. Check out TOWN INFORMATION at the new website: http://www.brookfieldny.us/index.html
*** Attendance: approximately 20 public; absent - DeWitt Head; present - Salka, Mayne, Abrams, Walker
*** Highway Department – Bob Piersma EQUIPMENT “Rollover” Presentation – “Equipment Rollover” program and possible local law to rollover/renew equipment on a scheduled basis. The annual cost to maintain older equipment is outweighing the cost to finance and “rollover” new equipment on a regular basis. Piersma credited former Hwy Super Rod Jennison with starting this program. Piersma did extensive research, speaking with 4-5 other highway supervisors. Several have a rollover program and were happy they did – substantial savings (up to 50%). Piersma’s report included preliminary figures and will do further research and provide more exact numbers on the costs. Three of the trucks have serious safety issues that will cost approximately $120-150,000 to bring them up to DOT standards and we would still be old vehicles, requiring increasing maintenance costs. The rollover program would set up regular equipment replacement – “rolling over” the financing each year. Basically boils down to: Annual, predictable, financing payments vs. high, uncertain maintenance costs on old equipment. Members of the Highway Dept. and their families as well as public commented favorably on this plan. The Board authorized Piersma to move ahead and get more solid numbers and information.
*** Special Town Meeting – 3/30/13 - for public comment & discussion on whether or not we need a ban on gas development & drilling in the Town of Brookfield. See the Town Website at:
*** Comprehensive Plan – Draft has been presented to the Board; final expected by June.
*** Town Website – on line! Brookfieldny.us The Town now has a new, “informational” website thanks to Karen Nowak for her hard work in putting it together …. check it out! http://www.brookfieldny.us/index.html
*** Pistol Owners – Forms at the Town Hall to remove names from public record. File by 5/15/13.
*** North Brookfield Church - The Town closed on the purchase - $12 for the church…. $1,200-1,500 closing costs (legal & fees).
*** Fuel Bids Awarded – Broedel Fuel won three of the five bids; with Buell picking up the other two awards.
*** Un-appropriated Fund Balance: $298,971 (General $73,397 + Highway $225,574)
*** Ritz Road – Abandonment – there will be a public hearing at the next board meeting to hear comments on the Town's abandonment of care of Ritz Rd. (near Snow’s Pond). Adjoining property owners have signed letters supporting the move.
*** Road Use Agreement – is still pending; Brookfield is looking at hiring DELTA ENGINEERING to provide the necessary road survey information and filings for approximately $7,500. The Town is working with Hamilton, Lebanon to retain their services. No final decision has been made.
*** Next Meeting – 7:00 PM Mon. APRIL 8 - NORTH BROOKFIELD Fire Hall & Public Hearing (7:30) – Ritz Rd.
Monday, March 11, 2013
NEW FORMAT & INFO...
A new informational format for my Blog… will provide links to updates on area events and issues. Please, check out the Town of Brookfield's new website…many thanks to KAREN NOWAK!
MEETINGS….
NEW!! Brookfield Website
BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD
3/11/2012 MARCH - Regular Meeting - Monday
Cut & Paste to your browser:
http://www.brookfieldny.us/calendar.html
MADISON COUNTY - Board of Supervisors
3/12/2013 Regular Meeting - Tues. March 12, 2013
http://www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/board-supervisors/home
Brookfield Board of Education
Special Meeting
3/12/2013 SPECIAL MEETING
5:30 p.m. – School Library/Media Room
http://madisoncountycourier.com/?cat=22
LOCAL NEWS…..
3/9/2013
Chittenango Police Chief, Jeff Paul, Under Investigation
http://madisoncountycourier.com/?p=43306
Thursday, February 16, 2012
BROOKFIELD - Public Hearing - FEB 23 - THU 7PM
The Brookfield Town Board would like to change the senior citizen’s real property exemption income to coincide with the County's senior exemption schedule. In 2007 the Madison County adopted a resolution increasing income limits for qualified senior citizens; The Town Board would like to adopt a similar schedule of income limits (see below) and allow more low-income seniors to take advantage of the exemptions at the TOWN level. State law allows the Town to adopt the increased schedule by a Resolution held after public hearing; this increased level would take effect for the March 1, 2012 taxable status date;
The Town Board passed the resolution at their February 13 Regular Meeting and will hold the PUBLIC HEARING February 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Brookfield Town Hall.
Below is a schedule of the proposed income scale.
Example - a senior citizen with an annual income of less than $18,000 (vs. $12,000 currently) would receive a 50% tax exemption from TOWN and COUNTY taxes.
ANNUAL
INCOME RANGE & EXPEMSPTION %:
$ 0.00 $18,000 50%
18,000 19,000 45%
19,000 20,000 40%
20,000 21,000 35%
21,000 21,900 30%
21,900 22,800 25%
22,800 23,700 20%
23,700 24,600 15%
24,600 25,500 10%
The Town Board passed the resolution at their February 13 Regular Meeting and will hold the PUBLIC HEARING February 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Brookfield Town Hall.
Below is a schedule of the proposed income scale.
Example - a senior citizen with an annual income of less than $18,000 (vs. $12,000 currently) would receive a 50% tax exemption from TOWN and COUNTY taxes.
ANNUAL
INCOME RANGE & EXPEMSPTION %:
$ 0.00 $18,000 50%
18,000 19,000 45%
19,000 20,000 40%
20,000 21,000 35%
21,000 21,900 30%
21,900 22,800 25%
22,800 23,700 20%
23,700 24,600 15%
24,600 25,500 10%
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
BROOKFIELD - February Regular TOWN BOARD MEETING
What did I learn…or “misunderstand” from last night’s Town Board Meeting (Monday, Feb 13, 2012)?
Approximately 20 people attended the meeting. Jeff Mayne, Deputy Supervisor, presided in John Salka’s absence. All other Board members attended: Clint Abrams, Dewitt Head and Joel Walker; also in attendance: Sherry Kabana, Town Clerk; Bob Piersma – Highway Superintendent & Codes Officer.
Here is a brief overview:
New OPEN MEETINGS LAW – Clerk Kabana noted the new law (we have the right to request any documents being presented at the Town Board meetings – prior to the meetings – with adequate notice. As Information Officer for the Town, she will do her best to comply with these requests.
$892,000 IN TAXES COLLECTED SO FAR IN BROOKFIELD… Kabana reported that the Town has one of the best pay-up tax rates.
NORTH BROOKFIELD PARK – CHURCH PURCHASE – Head reported that a survey revealed large portions of the park were actually owned by the Catholic Church. Don McCoach stressed the importance of a survey. Head will have the remaining portion of the park surveyed. The Catholic Church is “selling” the property to the Town for $12…[perhaps we should change the ball teams’ name to the “SAINTS”???] Head to check with the Town Attorney to see if a public hearing will be necessary.
$18,500 GRANT TO NORTH BROOKFIELD PARK – Head also announced that Mid-York had is giving the No. Brookfield Park $18,500 for fencing.
CODES – Piersma updated the codes activity and problem properties and the Madison Co. Health Dept is now involved.
HIGHWAY – Piersma presented the Board with a lengthy Highway Report on the status of the Dept. He also moved his office back to the Highway Garage and admitted that it was not working out in the Town Offices. [How refreshing!.. admitting an idea didn’t work and being flexible enough to change! ] He also thanked the Brookfield Fire Dept for working out a deal with the Town to acquire their pumper for $1,000. As an intermunicipal transfer, no bidding required.
FUEL BIDS OPENED – Buehl Fuels won the bid package for heating fuel, gas, furnace contracts – besting Broedel & Paul Oil.
GRADEALL – The old gradeall is now “unsafe” for use and there is a party interested in buying it for parts. Piersma and M.Zedecker checked out a used one at a Syracuse dealership. The Board authorized Piersma to put the equipment specs up for bid. To discuss funding options with Salka [ someone suggested that the North Brookfield Park lend the money!]
TAX BREAK FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS – Head submitted a resolution to increase the income limits for low income seniors from $12,000 to $18,000 income per year. The limits would coincide with the County’s. This would allow more seniors to get up to a 50% tax break on TOWN taxes. There is a sliding scale. A public hearing is required and scheduled for: THURSDAY, February 23 – 7pm , BROOKFIELD TOWN HALL. Head will get the tax impact information requested by Clint Abrams.
WEST WINFIELD “STAR” – Abrams read J. Burch’s letter to the Board, asking them to reconsider and include the STAR as a paper of record for the Town, along with the Waterville Times and the Madison Courier. The issue was deferred. Several audience members also supported reinstating the Star.
Meeting was adjourned around 8:45 PM. Quiet one.
Benefits for Emily Salka & Family – a spaghetti dinner will be held at the Brookfield Baptist Church on February 26, 2012. Contributions by check, payable to “John Salka” may also be made c/o the Madison Courier. The family will be facing numerous expenses not covered by insurance; the Courier will print any information we receive regarding benefits planned on behalf of the Salkas. In the meantime, the Courier will collect donations for the family made payable to John or Erin Salka and mailed in care of the paper at c/o M3P Media, LLC, P.O. Box 3, Wampsville, N.Y. 13163.
Approximately 20 people attended the meeting. Jeff Mayne, Deputy Supervisor, presided in John Salka’s absence. All other Board members attended: Clint Abrams, Dewitt Head and Joel Walker; also in attendance: Sherry Kabana, Town Clerk; Bob Piersma – Highway Superintendent & Codes Officer.
Here is a brief overview:
New OPEN MEETINGS LAW – Clerk Kabana noted the new law (we have the right to request any documents being presented at the Town Board meetings – prior to the meetings – with adequate notice. As Information Officer for the Town, she will do her best to comply with these requests.
$892,000 IN TAXES COLLECTED SO FAR IN BROOKFIELD… Kabana reported that the Town has one of the best pay-up tax rates.
NORTH BROOKFIELD PARK – CHURCH PURCHASE – Head reported that a survey revealed large portions of the park were actually owned by the Catholic Church. Don McCoach stressed the importance of a survey. Head will have the remaining portion of the park surveyed. The Catholic Church is “selling” the property to the Town for $12…[perhaps we should change the ball teams’ name to the “SAINTS”???] Head to check with the Town Attorney to see if a public hearing will be necessary.
$18,500 GRANT TO NORTH BROOKFIELD PARK – Head also announced that Mid-York had is giving the No. Brookfield Park $18,500 for fencing.
CODES – Piersma updated the codes activity and problem properties and the Madison Co. Health Dept is now involved.
HIGHWAY – Piersma presented the Board with a lengthy Highway Report on the status of the Dept. He also moved his office back to the Highway Garage and admitted that it was not working out in the Town Offices. [How refreshing!.. admitting an idea didn’t work and being flexible enough to change! ] He also thanked the Brookfield Fire Dept for working out a deal with the Town to acquire their pumper for $1,000. As an intermunicipal transfer, no bidding required.
FUEL BIDS OPENED – Buehl Fuels won the bid package for heating fuel, gas, furnace contracts – besting Broedel & Paul Oil.
GRADEALL – The old gradeall is now “unsafe” for use and there is a party interested in buying it for parts. Piersma and M.Zedecker checked out a used one at a Syracuse dealership. The Board authorized Piersma to put the equipment specs up for bid. To discuss funding options with Salka [ someone suggested that the North Brookfield Park lend the money!]
TAX BREAK FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS – Head submitted a resolution to increase the income limits for low income seniors from $12,000 to $18,000 income per year. The limits would coincide with the County’s. This would allow more seniors to get up to a 50% tax break on TOWN taxes. There is a sliding scale. A public hearing is required and scheduled for: THURSDAY, February 23 – 7pm , BROOKFIELD TOWN HALL. Head will get the tax impact information requested by Clint Abrams.
WEST WINFIELD “STAR” – Abrams read J. Burch’s letter to the Board, asking them to reconsider and include the STAR as a paper of record for the Town, along with the Waterville Times and the Madison Courier. The issue was deferred. Several audience members also supported reinstating the Star.
Meeting was adjourned around 8:45 PM. Quiet one.
Benefits for Emily Salka & Family – a spaghetti dinner will be held at the Brookfield Baptist Church on February 26, 2012. Contributions by check, payable to “John Salka” may also be made c/o the Madison Courier. The family will be facing numerous expenses not covered by insurance; the Courier will print any information we receive regarding benefits planned on behalf of the Salkas. In the meantime, the Courier will collect donations for the family made payable to John or Erin Salka and mailed in care of the paper at c/o M3P Media, LLC, P.O. Box 3, Wampsville, N.Y. 13163.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
BROOKFIELD: Cowen-Jennison "Letter to the Editor"
For those of you who may have missed the MADISON COURIER ( February 10) "Letter to the Editor" by former Town Board member, George Cowen, crediting former Town Highway Superintendent, Rod Jennison, for his contributions during his tenure in office. Cowen, recently resigned from that Town Board position where he also held a seat on the Town Highway Committee. Both Town Board seats are now being Re-filled by Jeff Mayne -a defeated incumbent who was recently brought back by the Town Board. See my earlier comment. Jennison was recently defeated by Bob Piersma who is also acting as Town Codes Officer. In any event, below is a link to that letter.....hmmm...what brings this up???? Inquiring minds would like to know. http://www.madisoncountycourier.com/category/brookfield-new-york-news/
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