BROOKFIELD TOWN BOARD – Regular Meeting
November 14, 2016
Meeting was well attended by the public. Missing in action were Joe Walker (kidney stones – ouch) and John Salka ( Jeff Mayne asked that we keep John in our thoughts since he had a family health EMERGENCY)…fortunately, John posted on FACEBOOK that he was at his birthday dinner!! Happy to see the emergency is over!
Moments of silence for Loretta Witter and Ernie Clemons, who have passed away .
Mark Zediker, interim Highway Supt., delivered an update: contaminated soil from the highway dept drains has been moved to the Madison County Landfill to be used as cover; the Grade-all is still down; mower has been fixed; new NO Parking signs installed by Fairgrounds; equipment winterized. Despite conversations with BCS Supt Jim Plows, the students continue to park cars too close to the road for plows to pass. Perhaps if a few of them are clipped, they’ll get the point.
Doesn’t look like the Town will be using “brine” on the roads. Previously purchased from Town of Hamilton, the brine was not well liked. According to Zediker, we don’t have the proper equipment to spread it; added expense of using; rumored too corrosive for vehicles.
Sorry to see Mark step down…did a good job and informative. Newly elected Highway Supt, Paul Owens, attended the meeting. We understand Mr. Owens will be stepping down from his job as Manager of the BCS Bus Garage.
The salt shed is nearing completion. Zediker provided pictures of the progress. Now waiting for compaction test before putting in the asphalt floor/base. When using salt, asphalt is recommended over concrete which deteriorates. The asphalt will be available until the end of the week. As rumored, the $18,200 proposal on the asphalt was given to Park’s Paving. Suite Kote was the ONLY other bid at $18,724.
Salka was right…he did get a raise last year….to $7,000 ….on top of the insurance and salary from the COUNTY. The raise was never reflected in the Minutes…what a SURPRISE. Per County records, as Town Supervisor, in 2016 Salka already receives a county salary of $15,300 plus $27,200 in health insurance benefits (tax free and for life) and $2,555 toward retirement…. Over $50,000 in salary and benefits! Hope Bill Magee is listening! After all the hypocritical crap he took from Salka….
On a positive note, the 2017 budget passed. The tax rate was slightly lower….$6.38 per $1,000…. Down $0.05 cents from last year…. No explanation given so more than likely due to the INCREASED ASSESSMENTS…rather than cuts.
Assessor Rhonda Weigand has been in town assessing new building permit properties. By letter, she complimented Sherry Perretta for the detailed list of properties. Also 24 people have not sent in the ENHANCED STAR applications. Would be nice if the TOWN POSTED ON THE WEBSITE when ASSESSOR is in TOWN. The “website” …a project gone to waste and never used… and touted as one of Salka’s achievements!
And MORE from the BOARD’s no decision/no action file… also known as “I’ll look into it!!” file:
….The saga continues: Flick’s vs Town Board. For some reason, the Town Board and Town Attorney have been unable to get Flick’s owner, Frank Kabana, to remove his furniture from the adjoining Town property. Rumor was …he threatened to pour cement down the Town’s well (per Jeff Mayne) if the Town moved it. What’s the REAL PROBLEM, here?
…..The Planning Board continues to look for two alternates. Ralph Keith will be resigning. The openings were months ago, but never posted in local media or the “Town Website”. If you’re interested, contact Dan McCoach.
… After three years, the Town Board just cannot manage to complete the DOG ENUMERATION. More discussions. No decisions.
…No decision was ever made on the MOWER quote from Caz Equipment, submitted at the Sept meeting.
….FOIL Requests continue UNANSWERED: Former Highway Supt.’s health insurance expiration date continues to be a subject of growing mystery and continued failure by Supt Salka to comply with FOIL requests regarding the issue. Why all the foot dragging on that request…hmmm..?
The Board accepted Raymond Gingrich’s quote of $850 for improvements to the Court Entrance. Gingrich also repaired the Giles school house.
Judge Rhodes submitted a $3,700 estimate/request from Rick Crowell for Court House security cameras. Rhodes checked with neighboring courts who were very pleased with Crowell’s work.
Nice, professional letter from Justin Plows, who mowed the Town’s cemeteries this year. A big job!
Meeting was well run and good exchange…nice job, Jeff et al.
