The Mountain Eagle: Schoharie County Board

Showing posts with label Schoharie County Board. Show all posts

3/19/17

Mattress Charge Results in Split Vote

Written By Editor on 3/19/17 | 3/19/17

Following up on last month’s discussion to possibly increase the rate for disposing mattresses, the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors debated a potential change to fees charged for disposing mattresses at their March 17th meeting.

Supervisor Phil Skowfoe of Fulton recommended changes to the mattress fee schedule. He said that other counties do recycling at about $20-25 per ton, which is about a wash.

Supervisor Larry Bradt of Carlisle said that he was against increased charges because it might be added to a larger pile of garbage. Supervisor Skowfoe said it was more expensive to ship the mattresses to the western part of the state. “You know that cause you was at that meeting,” he told Supervisor VanGlad of Gilboa. The new rate would be $140 per ton or about $20 per mattress individually. He said the additional mattresses take up more space and that

There was significant confusion about the weight of the mattress and how much each one would cost when disposed by itself or with a load of garbage. The box spring would not be included in such disposal.

“I called the damn question,” Skowfoe said, calling for a vote. Voting no were Supervisors Bradt, Coppolo, Hait, Federice, Tague, and Vroman. The vote passed by a “hair,” in the words of Supervisor VanGlad 1565-1409.

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Schoharie Supers Split on New Pistol Permit Position

Due to SAFE Act Mandates

The County Board split on whether to hire another clerk to process pistol permit paperwork. Due to new state mandates under the SAFE Act, an employee of the Sheriff’s Department has worked overtime to process them.

Supervisor Larry Bradt of Carlisle made a motion to hire another clerk at the Sheriff’s Department to aid in this process. This would be a six month, part time position with no benefits or health insurance. Supervisor Chris Tague of Schoharie asked for a roll call vote.

Supervisor Pete Coppolo asked if Sheriff’s Department correctional officers could work on some of the paperwork. Sheriff Desmond said that the County is already working with the minimum number of COs recommended by the NYS Corrections Commission.

Supervisor Bill Federice of Conesville gave statistics from the Finance Committee. He said that the person working overtime is doing one hour per week.

Supervisor Phil Skowfoe said that there is a long wait already. “You have to wait for them to call,” he said, adding things would go faster. Federice asked if it was due to the pistol recertification process. Supervisor Skowfoe asked for the Sheriff’s opinion. Sheriff Desmond said some people have pistol permits so old that they are now illegible or lost. Residents often come to the County if they lost or can’t read their permit number. “This thing is a total mess,” he said. “I don’t feel the lady working overtime is the proper solution to correcting this problem.”

Supervisor Dave Simkins of Broome asked if the County could bill the state for the time. Chair VanWormer said no.

Supervisor Tague called for a roll call vote. Voting no were Supervisors Bates of Seward, Coppolo, Federice, Hait of Jefferson, Tague, and Vroman of Summit. The measure passed by the weighted vote of 1818-1156.

Supervisor Bradt said there was action at the State Legislature regarding the SAFE Act. Senator Seward co-sponsored a bill to nullify the act outside of New York City. “If they want it down there, they can have it,” he said.

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Cherry: Jail Construction Likely in 2018

Schoharie County Treasurer and Flood Recovery Coordinator Bill Cherry gave a report to the Board of Supervisors on March 17th on the progress of various projects.

The County is considering purchasing a parcel adjacent to the Fire Training Center site and considering if they could combine the two parcels into a larger one. This could “provide a more economical and cost-effective option for construction” compared to having the building footprint in just the existing site, his report said. It may alleviate the concerns the NYS Commission of Corrections’ concerns about the site.

Phase I archaeological testing is complete at the Fire Training Center and no further testing will be required. Phase one testing is underway at the site next door, as well as at Shady Tree Lane and Zicha Road.

Phase I environmental testing is complete at the Fire Training Center, the adjoining site, and Shady Tree Lane. It is underway at Zicha Road. Phase II testing will not be needed at the additional site next to the Fire Training Center, but will be needed at the Center site itself and Shady Tree Lane. Surveys are underway at the Training Center and next door to see if they include wetlands. The surveys at the other two sites are complete.

Dente Engineering plans to conduct Geotechnical Soil Bornings at the Fire Training Center and next door March 20-24. The other sites’ borings will be planned after the FTC one is complete.

Cherry is working with LaBella, Lamont, and McDonald Engineering regarding water and wastewater needs. The questions presented included whether the scheduled filtration system improvements and capacity at the Central Bridge Water System will meet minimum thresholds for the facility and in the time needed. LaBella Engineers will have to make such a determination within 30 days.

If the Central Bridge Site is a viable water source, there will be a positive impact on price, Cherry said. If it is not viable, the Zicha Road parcel would need a new utility corridor from the Village of Schoharie 4.1 miles away.

Supervisor Chris Tague of Schoharie said that he’s heard concern that the jail site hasn’t been finished yet. He said it was some of the criticism was unfair because funding for construction wasn’t approved by FEMA until 2015. He said that Cherry had been doing his job and that the Board was “doing the best we can.”

Cherry complimented the Board for being “100% supportive of the recovery efforts.” He added,“It’s easy to look back and say, geez, it’s been six years.” He said that FEMA’s jail funding was a “grand slam, home run” and a unique circumstance. “I’m confident that the Board will have a real, honest to goodness choice” on the sites and out to bid by the end of the year. Cherry said there were verbal prices on two, but not on Zicha Road.

Supervisor Leo McAllister of Cobleskill asked about a timeline. Cherry hoped that there was a presentation on the sites in May so that the Board would be able to make an informed choice. “Once the Board selects a site,” many other elements could happen and hoped to break ground in early 2018.

In other flood recovery news, work is planned for this month at the Blenheim Bridge site, including the construction of coffer dams and demolition of existing abutments. He said that by the end of 2017 the new bridge would be built on site then lifted on the new abutments. Cherry’s report did add that completion will “depend largely” upon streambed conditions and weather. Landscaping and sidewalks should be completed by next summer, his report concluded.

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2/17/17

Employees Honored by Schoharie County

Written By Editor on 2/17/17 | 2/17/17

The County Board meeting on February 17th began with a discussion of Resolution #28, encouraging respect for all. This passed in a split vote.

Next there was a ceremony honoring a number of County employees for their service. One was for Treasurer Bill Cherry. “It’s my honor and privilege,” he said to recognize 20 years of service. “I’m honored to be here,” he said in a brief statement. Supervisor Manko asked to speak, saying that he did a great job at a recent statewide conference. “He did a good job.” She said that the state, rather than local government, caused much of the increase, including through unfunded mandates. “Bill did a great job representing Schoharie County and has its best interests in mind.” She said that the County made a mistake replacing him as budget director.

Other recognitions went to Denise Minton for 25 years of service, 30 years of service for Bonnie Post, and 25 years of service for Scott Haverly. Haverly said that it was his “staff that makes me look good.”

County Engineer Dan Crandell came to the floor to give 17 employees awards, of which 13 were present. He thanked the Department of Public Works crew. These included a number of employees honored for service in five year increments. Six were honored for five years of service, four for ten years, one for twenty years, and one for thirty years. Haverly thanked the road crew for their work.

Next to speak was Social Services Commissioner Tina Sweet. She honored a number of employees for their service. This included Joe Polak for 15 years of service, seen in the photo below.

Dr. Amy Gildemeister praised employees in her office. Brenda Hewett was praised as “incredibly organized” and a “wonderful employee.” The other was Karen Simmons, “she’s been incredibly dediated.”

Sheriff Anthony Desmond honored a number of employees in his office. Most couldn’t make it to the meeting, but several came, including Dispatcher David Houck, seen below.

Bonnie Post from the Community Services Department honored three employees present for experience ranging from 10-15 years. Several other employees with various years could not make it.

County Administrator Steve Wilson honored Shane Nickle, “the king of applying for grants,” he said. Nickle has been at the County for 20 years.

Probation Director Denise Minton honored Rose Keller for twenty years of service, saying she gives incredible dedication to the youth of the County.

The last was Nancy Dingee from the Office for the Aging. She honored Business Manager Amy Weitz for 15 years of experience and Coordinator for Extended Care for the Elderly Diane Kruzinski for five years of experience.

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Respect for All Resolution Sparks Fierce Debate

Rival Resolution Change Defeated, Original Passes in Split Vote

The meeting began discussing the proposed Resolution #28 entitled “Encouraging Respect for All.” The resolution was discussed at the December meeting and met with a deadlock before being revised. Some county employees and visitors wore red buttons donning the phrase “Respect for All.”

The resolution was offered by Schoharie Supervisor Chris Tague and seconded by Carlisle Supervisor Larry Bradt. Tague worked upon the resolution with Schoharie resident Glen Sanders. The room was filled with approximately 70 residents, most of whom were present for the employee recognition ceremony immediately following.

County Attorney Michael West read the resolution aloud. As he read through a portion of the resolution, he was stopped by Broome Supervisor David Simkins, who asked if it should encourage respect everywhere and not just in the county.

Supervisor Tague said that it was just a start, and asked County Treasurer Bill Cherry to speak. Cherry said that it could be a template for other counties to follow. He also said that he would bring it to a wider state conference for discussion. “If this resolution would be sent to another county, they would put their name in it,” said Cherry. “Either way is a strong message.”

Chair Earl VanWormer said that the Board could adopt it as “the county’s idea to support this effort. To not tolerate this type of behavior.”

Simkins asked if it was meant just for Schoharie County. “What if I want to say something bad about ISIS?” he asked.

“We’re encouraging proper behavior,” said Supervisor VanWormer, and said that terrorist groups could fall under a different category.

“The big key here is teaching our young people how to move on in life,” said Supervisor Tague. “It’s our job as local leaders,” to encourage such behavior. He credited Glen Sanders for writing the resolution draft then re-writing it in a manner intended to gain support of every member of the board.

Simkins made a motion to edit the resolution, seconded by Supervisor Shawn Smith of Blenheim to remove a portion, to state, “based merely on group identity.”

Supervisor Sandra Manko of Sharon spoke next, saying that the resolution would have no effect on the national scene. She said that she did not vote for President Donald Trump, but that the resolution was meant as an affront to the White House. “No one has told the residents how they should act and behave,” she said about her constituents. She added that most local residents voted for the Republican ticket in November. “If you really love the country and want what’s best,” she said, it was important to support leaders.

Supervisor Phil Skowfoe said that he would support the resolution but criticized the Times Journal for writing that it went back to the Rules Committee for a re-write, which he said didn’t occur. Supervisor Bradt said, “There you go again. You can’t always believe what you read in the paper.” He added that he received revisions that led him to support the resolution as it read as presented. Bradt said he took the blame for not going to the full committee.

Chair VanWormer brought Simkins’ revisions to a vote. Supervisor Manko made a motion to move the resolution to the Rules Committee “where it belongs,” but Supervisor Tague asked the Board to press for a vote on Simkins’ resolution. At that moment Supervisor Simkins withdrew the motion to defer to Manko’s motion. Manko said that the motion in December actually sent the resolution to the committee last time but was not followed through. Supervisor Bradt said he agreed to look at it.

The Board voted. Supervisors Simkins, Coppolo, Manko, Bradt, Luniewski, and Skowfoe voted yes. Voting no were Supervisors Bates, Federice, Hait, Lape, McAllister, Tague, VanGlad, VanWormer, and Vroman. The resolution was defeated by about 400 weighted votes.

Next Supervisor Tague asked for a vote on the resolution. All of the Supervisors voted yes except for Supervisors Bradt, Coppolo, Manko, Simkins, and Smith. The resolution passed with a weighted vote of 2134-840.

Supervisor Federice said that he believed the first resolution was brought about because of “political motivations” and that he agreed with Supervisor Manko’s earlier statement.

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