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.
