Monday, September 28, 2009
GOVERNMENT: SeeThroughNY.net posts Madison County School Contracts
Website Includes Updated Teacher and Superintendent Contracts . Updated school labor contracts for eight teacher unions and four school superintendents in Central New York were posted today on http://www.seethroughny.net/, the Empire Center’s government transparency web site.The updated records include teacher contracts from the Chittenango and Hamilton districts and the new superintendent contracts for Morrisville. The newest contacts (most have a July 1, 2009, effective date) are part of the most comprehensive public collection of school district labor contracts in New York....SeeThroughNY also offers searchable databases of complete employee payrolls for the state government, New York City, public school districts and 19 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........Just wondering why Brookfield's Business Manager's salary was not included. The Superintendent's salary was included along with a copy of the contract. The Business Manager's contract was there, but no salary amount even listed in the contract. One would think that would be an important thing to include.
ENVIRONMENT: Burning Ban Takes Effect Oct. 14
Burning waste in barrels and backyard firepits will be illegal throughout NYS beginning Oct. 14. The rule will be published in the State Register on Sept. 30. The ban on burning already applies to municipalities with more than 20,000 people and will be extended to the countryside. The new regulation, posted on the Internet at http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/54477.html, specifies exceptions to the ban. For example, barbecues, some ceremonial fires, and burning tree limbs and branches less than six inches across and eight feet long, will still be legal. But burning leaves, trash and plastic bale wrap, among many items, will be prohibited, punishable by fines of between $375 and $15,000 for a first offense. DEC officers, state police, county deputies, local police and fire and codes officials will be empowered to enforce the law. Full Story (thedailystar.com).
GAS DRILLING: Big Week Ahead!
On Wednesday, the DEC will relase its regulations for hydrofraking into shale.......Gov Paterson is to address the NYS Business Council this week and give an update on the Marcellus Shale’s economic potential for boosting the state’s economy. .... Also, this week, Gastem USA, a Canadian company,hopes to reach it a depth of 5,000 feet to test the gas potential of the Utica Shale. This first well is one of three vertical wells that were permitted by the New York State authorities prior to the state’s ban on drilling into shale. See Full article www.evesun.com
AGRI: US Senate Votes to Prevent COW TAX !
One worry for area farmers was laid to rest last week with the passage of the US Senate's Interior Appropriations bill. It included a proposal, introduced by Sen. Charles Schumer and others, to prevent a COW TAX. The proposal came in response to a HAIR-BRAINED idea floated by EPA to require dairy farmers to purchase expensive permits for beef and dairy cows because they emit methane, a greenhouse gas. According to the same article, farmers were paid about $12.45 for one hundred pounds of milk in August. This was more than $7 less than a year ago. (www.thedailystar.com)
GOVERNMENT: Open Meetings Law Presentation NOV 4
Madison County’s new and first exclusively online newspaper www.MadisonCountyCourier.com will host Freedom of Information Law and Open Government Guru Robert Freeman of the NYS Committee on Open Government on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at a location to be determined. It is for anyone who wants to learn their rights about Freedom of Information, how meetings are to be conducted, what records have to be kept and the legal foundations for a public body to enter an executive session. Those interested in participating in their local government have a great opportunity here to learn the tools they have at their disposal to do so.The presentation is free and open to the public, but those interested in attending are encouraged to contact Martha Conway so arrangements for a suitably sized space may be made. She can be reached at martha@m3ppublications.com or by calling 315.813.0124. Full details see madisoncountycourier.com ...a great site! .....would be nice to see a few Board members attend..might be a real eye-opener for them!
GAS DRILLING: Wow! Landowner Coalitions Making the Difference?
You have to wonder after reading about the prices some landowners are getting versus rates I've heard quoted locally . Last week, a land owner coaliton that includes parts of Binghamton-Broome Co., signed a mineral rights lease with Fortuna Energy, Inc. for $5,500 per acre with 20 percent royalties. The amount compares to a deal signed in June with Hess Corporation and Seneca Resources Corporation that offered $3,500 per acre and 20 percent royalties to a coalition that included 700 property owners in the Binghamton area. The Friendsville Group, is a coalition comprised of more than 35,000 acres in Bradford (Pa.), Susquehanna (Pa.), and Broome counties. There are more than 900 members in the group with more than 1400 total parcels. See www.evesun.com
Pennsylvania shuts down GAS WELL OPERATOR
Citing three recent chemical spills at one well site, Pennsylvania regulators ordered Cabot Oil and Gas Corp. to halt its use of a drilling technique that uses liquids to fracture rock and release natural gas. The state order applies to eight of Cabot’s drilling sites, all in Susquehanna County in northeastern Pennsylvania. The order the toughest action the department has ever taken against a company drilling into the potentially lucrative Marcellus Shale formation. Cabot is one of dozens of oil and gas exploration companies flocking to Pennsylvania and New York in pursuit of Marcellus Shale gas. Earlier this year, state officials blamed Cabot’s drilling operations for causing methane to seep into some nearby residential water wells in Susquehanna County, leaving the water unsafe to drink and the wells a potential danger to explode.
......The lubricant used in "fracing" the gas well is called LGC-35 CBM and is supplied by Houston-based Halliburton Co., which initially provided an information sheet saying that chemicals in the product are potential carcinogens. Halliburton now claims called it “relatively innocuous,” although it may cause eye, skin and breathing irritations.
..... Marcellus Shale - The massive shale-rock formation lies 5,000 to 8,000 feet underground in an area covering more than 50,000 square miles — about the size of Greece — and stretching across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, including southern Madison County. The industry has long known about the gas in the Marcellus shale — but it wasn’t until gas prices rose in recent years and a new shale-drilling technology was proven in Texas over the past decade that companies decided it was profitable to pursue. If the Marcellus shale ends up producing even a small fraction of the recoverable gas that is projected to be there, it will be the largest gas field ever in the United States. (www.oneidadispatch.com)
......The lubricant used in "fracing" the gas well is called LGC-35 CBM and is supplied by Houston-based Halliburton Co., which initially provided an information sheet saying that chemicals in the product are potential carcinogens. Halliburton now claims called it “relatively innocuous,” although it may cause eye, skin and breathing irritations.
..... Marcellus Shale - The massive shale-rock formation lies 5,000 to 8,000 feet underground in an area covering more than 50,000 square miles — about the size of Greece — and stretching across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, including southern Madison County. The industry has long known about the gas in the Marcellus shale — but it wasn’t until gas prices rose in recent years and a new shale-drilling technology was proven in Texas over the past decade that companies decided it was profitable to pursue. If the Marcellus shale ends up producing even a small fraction of the recoverable gas that is projected to be there, it will be the largest gas field ever in the United States. (www.oneidadispatch.com)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Open Burning Ban - To Take Effect this Fall!
According to the 9-15-09 ONEONTA DAILY NEWS, trash burning in rural areas of New York State will be banned this fall. New York already prohibits many types of open burning in municipalities with more than 20,000 people. The new regulations will extend the ban to less densely populated, rural areas. According to a draft of the regulation, it can be enforced by DEC officers, as well as state police, county deputies, local police and fire and codes officials. The exceptions to the burning ban are:
* Tree limbs and branches less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet long.
* BBQ grills, maple-sugar arches and similar outdoor cooking.
* On-site burning of agricultural wastes as part of a valid farm operation.
* Liquid-petroleum smudge pots to prevent frost damage to crops.
* Celebratory bonfires where natural wood or products are used.
* Small fires to dispose of a flag or in connection with a religious ceremony.
* Emergency burning of dangerous or illegal materials by public safety authority.
* Fire training, including firefighting, rescue and arson investigation.
* Fires in response to an outbreak of a plant or animal disease.
* Tree limbs and branches less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet long.
* BBQ grills, maple-sugar arches and similar outdoor cooking.
* On-site burning of agricultural wastes as part of a valid farm operation.
* Liquid-petroleum smudge pots to prevent frost damage to crops.
* Celebratory bonfires where natural wood or products are used.
* Small fires to dispose of a flag or in connection with a religious ceremony.
* Emergency burning of dangerous or illegal materials by public safety authority.
* Fire training, including firefighting, rescue and arson investigation.
* Fires in response to an outbreak of a plant or animal disease.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD MEETING: September 14, 2009
There was a good turn out at the September 14 (Monday) Regular Monthly Meeting of the Brookfield Town Board, with 20-25 residents in attendance. Much calmer and shorter than last month’s meeting at North Brookfield, but nonetheless interesting. Here are some of the HIGHLIGHTS in the order presented and some of my comments. I urge you to attend these meetings (second Monday of the Month). Informative and an opportunity to meet your neighbors --
$400,000 HUD Program – approved for North Brookfield, but sadly, Mark Taub (aka "The HUD Dude") who has worked on the Brookfield projects for over a decade will be retiring at year end. The couple who currently handles the HUD Lead program is considering taking over Mark’s business. In any event, the HUD consulting position will be up for competitive bid. Sorry to see him leave!
CODES OFFICER – Action on the Codes position. Four to five good applications have been received. A committee of Dewitt Head and Rachael Owens were interview the applicants and then meet with the Board.
NORTH BROOKFIELD SUBDIVISION Pending: Snow/Christmas Associates. Don McCoach (Planning Board) announced that Christmas & Associates was going to be filing for a subdivision of between 17-18 parcels with minimum size 3 ¾ acres. No new roads but possibility of “reconstructing” existing Ritz ? Rd. This is the second large subdivision in 2009; the first being Cheseboro Rd. The property is owned by Snows and located in the North Brookfield. The Planning Board has not yet received the filing. The next Planning Board meeting is Oct 1 at the Brookfield Town Hall.
HIGHWAY – New Box for ’99 Truck Needed. A new box will be needed at a cost of approximately $ 27,000 (installed; w/Town parts ). If the ’99 truck expires before the replacement box, it could be reused on another truck (depending on make/model).
LEAN BUDGET - Salka reported that Madison County Sales Tax Receipts were down over 20% so far this year. He warned that the municipalities will be tightening their belts; less dependency on the State for any kind of help.
LEONARDSVILLE – Ball Park. Leonardsville resident, Jim Gould, reported on his discussions with Mt. Markham’s superintendent are moving ahead. Dave O’Brien, a North Brookfield resident who has started grant writing, offered to help Gould write a grant for the park. (Nice offer! Al Smith’s generosity at last month’s meeting seems to be catching on! Al offered to pay for the materials needed to stain the park picnic tables.) Nice cooperative community efffort!
ACCOUNTING FIRM & STATE AUDIT. The Board is FINALLY going to change accounting firms! It was very obvious at the last month’s meeting, that the firm’s representative lacked accounting expertise. She was neither a CPA nor had an accounting degree. (NOTE: For the previous years a CPA had handled the Town’s account, but this last year a more junior and much less qualified person at the firm was assigned to the Town’s account – for $1,000 / month!) The State Auditor who has been doing a “routine” review of the Town’s accounting procedures, also noted that the firm lacked an understanding of MUNICIPAL accounting. The Board is withholding the past two months’ payment to Fiducial until a resolution is reached.
A special meeting of the Board is scheduled for this Saturday to (hopefully) remove FIDUCIAL/RECOR and approve TACKABERRY of Hamilton as the new accountant. Tackaberry has agreed to the $12,000 per year…as with the past firm.
NOTE: While Ed Bennett’s recent letter to the Waterville Times editor blames this on Salka, Bennett has been receiving “accounting” help from Salka’s opponent, Loren Corbin, whose primary charge against Salka has been the poor state of the Town’s books. It is apparent that this firm is ill equipped and staffed to handle the Brookfield account. Items that were asked to be changed early in the year were still not made as of this Sept. meeting…even after the firm’s big “show & tell” at North Brookfield of how capable and responsible. These problems are their fault. Personally, I like Bennett and believe he’s done a good job and received a lot of support at the last meeting where he discussed his resignation as a result of the “accounting” issues. But honestly, is that the real reason? Over a line item?..Granted, this is a thankless job, and he handled it well in an organized manner, just wondering if there is not more to the story.
DAIRY CRISIS - FARMING RESOLUTION - Approved. The Board approved a resolution submitted by Chuck Blood, to be sent to Obama and Congressional Reps as well as the Dept of Agriculture; with additions recommended by Dewitt Head. The dairy farmers are being killed by imports of additives that increase the yield of cheese per gallon of milk. And their milk products are being established in a market run by the food processors who seek to cut the milk costs. Real shocker: these additives are being imported as “INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS” in order to avoid tariff restrictions – as a result of being INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS there are NO HEALTH INSPECTIONS for FOOD USE! Think of that next time you bite into that cheese! It is currently costing farmers $17.23 per hwt and they are receiving $11.03… as a result the farm bureaus estimate OVER 50% of our dairy farms will be GONE BY YEAR END.
BEAVER VALLEY ROD & GUN – REFERENDUM – NOVEMBER BALLOT!
The transfer of property from the Town to the Beaver Valley Rod & Gun Club will be on the NOVEMBER BALLOT. The referendum includes a provision whereby the land will revert back to the Town in the event the Club dissolves. The Club has worked hard on the archery shoot and has had a number of well-received events for all ages – and even some out of state visitors who complimented their range as being one of the best. I admit I was originally skeptical and concerned about the transfer of public property to a private organization, but have been impressed by the show of support and the hard work by the club – and in particular, the young adults who participate in the club. Their appearance and thoughtful comments at the Public Meeting spoke well for the Club. Sounds like a good outcome for the property, the Town and the Club!!!
TOWN REVALUATION – Update Request.
Waterville Times Editor, Pat Louise, asked that Salka give an update at next month’s (October 12 ) meeting on the status of the Town’s property tax revaluation.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING. The meeting ended around 9! Early one even with a full house. Next REGULAR meeting is October 12 – 7PM (Leonardsville Fire House?- to confirm). Hope so – they have coffee and great cookies! They know how to host a meeting!
$400,000 HUD Program – approved for North Brookfield, but sadly, Mark Taub (aka "The HUD Dude") who has worked on the Brookfield projects for over a decade will be retiring at year end. The couple who currently handles the HUD Lead program is considering taking over Mark’s business. In any event, the HUD consulting position will be up for competitive bid. Sorry to see him leave!
CODES OFFICER – Action on the Codes position. Four to five good applications have been received. A committee of Dewitt Head and Rachael Owens were interview the applicants and then meet with the Board.
NORTH BROOKFIELD SUBDIVISION Pending: Snow/Christmas Associates. Don McCoach (Planning Board) announced that Christmas & Associates was going to be filing for a subdivision of between 17-18 parcels with minimum size 3 ¾ acres. No new roads but possibility of “reconstructing” existing Ritz ? Rd. This is the second large subdivision in 2009; the first being Cheseboro Rd. The property is owned by Snows and located in the North Brookfield. The Planning Board has not yet received the filing. The next Planning Board meeting is Oct 1 at the Brookfield Town Hall.
HIGHWAY – New Box for ’99 Truck Needed. A new box will be needed at a cost of approximately $ 27,000 (installed; w/Town parts ). If the ’99 truck expires before the replacement box, it could be reused on another truck (depending on make/model).
LEAN BUDGET - Salka reported that Madison County Sales Tax Receipts were down over 20% so far this year. He warned that the municipalities will be tightening their belts; less dependency on the State for any kind of help.
LEONARDSVILLE – Ball Park. Leonardsville resident, Jim Gould, reported on his discussions with Mt. Markham’s superintendent are moving ahead. Dave O’Brien, a North Brookfield resident who has started grant writing, offered to help Gould write a grant for the park. (Nice offer! Al Smith’s generosity at last month’s meeting seems to be catching on! Al offered to pay for the materials needed to stain the park picnic tables.) Nice cooperative community efffort!
ACCOUNTING FIRM & STATE AUDIT. The Board is FINALLY going to change accounting firms! It was very obvious at the last month’s meeting, that the firm’s representative lacked accounting expertise. She was neither a CPA nor had an accounting degree. (NOTE: For the previous years a CPA had handled the Town’s account, but this last year a more junior and much less qualified person at the firm was assigned to the Town’s account – for $1,000 / month!) The State Auditor who has been doing a “routine” review of the Town’s accounting procedures, also noted that the firm lacked an understanding of MUNICIPAL accounting. The Board is withholding the past two months’ payment to Fiducial until a resolution is reached.
A special meeting of the Board is scheduled for this Saturday to (hopefully) remove FIDUCIAL/RECOR and approve TACKABERRY of Hamilton as the new accountant. Tackaberry has agreed to the $12,000 per year…as with the past firm.
NOTE: While Ed Bennett’s recent letter to the Waterville Times editor blames this on Salka, Bennett has been receiving “accounting” help from Salka’s opponent, Loren Corbin, whose primary charge against Salka has been the poor state of the Town’s books. It is apparent that this firm is ill equipped and staffed to handle the Brookfield account. Items that were asked to be changed early in the year were still not made as of this Sept. meeting…even after the firm’s big “show & tell” at North Brookfield of how capable and responsible. These problems are their fault. Personally, I like Bennett and believe he’s done a good job and received a lot of support at the last meeting where he discussed his resignation as a result of the “accounting” issues. But honestly, is that the real reason? Over a line item?..Granted, this is a thankless job, and he handled it well in an organized manner, just wondering if there is not more to the story.
DAIRY CRISIS - FARMING RESOLUTION - Approved. The Board approved a resolution submitted by Chuck Blood, to be sent to Obama and Congressional Reps as well as the Dept of Agriculture; with additions recommended by Dewitt Head. The dairy farmers are being killed by imports of additives that increase the yield of cheese per gallon of milk. And their milk products are being established in a market run by the food processors who seek to cut the milk costs. Real shocker: these additives are being imported as “INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS” in order to avoid tariff restrictions – as a result of being INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS there are NO HEALTH INSPECTIONS for FOOD USE! Think of that next time you bite into that cheese! It is currently costing farmers $17.23 per hwt and they are receiving $11.03… as a result the farm bureaus estimate OVER 50% of our dairy farms will be GONE BY YEAR END.
BEAVER VALLEY ROD & GUN – REFERENDUM – NOVEMBER BALLOT!
The transfer of property from the Town to the Beaver Valley Rod & Gun Club will be on the NOVEMBER BALLOT. The referendum includes a provision whereby the land will revert back to the Town in the event the Club dissolves. The Club has worked hard on the archery shoot and has had a number of well-received events for all ages – and even some out of state visitors who complimented their range as being one of the best. I admit I was originally skeptical and concerned about the transfer of public property to a private organization, but have been impressed by the show of support and the hard work by the club – and in particular, the young adults who participate in the club. Their appearance and thoughtful comments at the Public Meeting spoke well for the Club. Sounds like a good outcome for the property, the Town and the Club!!!
TOWN REVALUATION – Update Request.
Waterville Times Editor, Pat Louise, asked that Salka give an update at next month’s (October 12 ) meeting on the status of the Town’s property tax revaluation.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING. The meeting ended around 9! Early one even with a full house. Next REGULAR meeting is October 12 – 7PM (Leonardsville Fire House?- to confirm). Hope so – they have coffee and great cookies! They know how to host a meeting!
Friday, September 11, 2009
SCARY FACTS regarding the COST of our Current, Expensive and Dysfunctional HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
If you don't think we need to have HEALTHCARE INSURANCE REFORM, read the following SCARY FACTS regarding the cost our current, expensive and dysfunctional HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. The following information appeared in the 9-1-09 issue of The Clarion-Ledger
* Over 47 million Americans do not have insurance. It's just too expensive.
* Only 63 percent of U.S. employers offer health coverage for their employees.
* Health care spending ran $2.4 TRILLION ($ 2,400,000,000,000) in 2008 and will likely exceed $3.1 trillion by 2012, ...MORE THAN 4X what we spend on NATIONAL DEFENSE!!!!
* The US spends more than other industrialized nation on HEALTHCARE-- MORE THAN those that provide health insurance for their citizens !
* Communities bear the financial medical costs of the uninsured, through higher taxes and stress on local health services.
* Out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, co-payments increased 115 percent (between 1999- 2006).
* Over 47 million Americans do not have insurance. It's just too expensive.
* Only 63 percent of U.S. employers offer health coverage for their employees.
* Health care spending ran $2.4 TRILLION ($ 2,400,000,000,000) in 2008 and will likely exceed $3.1 trillion by 2012, ...MORE THAN 4X what we spend on NATIONAL DEFENSE!!!!
* The US spends more than other industrialized nation on HEALTHCARE-- MORE THAN those that provide health insurance for their citizens !
* Communities bear the financial medical costs of the uninsured, through higher taxes and stress on local health services.
* Out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, co-payments increased 115 percent (between 1999- 2006).
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