Berkshire Town Newsletter

TOWN BUDGET

The 2003 budget for the Town of Berkshire is $553,517.00. Of that amount $328,488.00 will be raised from property taxes. These figures include both Town and Fire District. You may note on your 2003 tax bill a 10.8% increase in the Town share, but the Fire District is a minus 49%. The reason for those changes is that the newly incorporated Berkshire Emergency Squad is contracting with the Town for a portion of its operating expenses ($15,000) and the Town has agreed to also pay a one time fee of $20,000 to the Squad to be used for start up costs under the new billing system which will go into effect on January 1, 2003. On the other hand, the Fire District has reduced their budget by exactly the same amount ($35,000), because they no longer have to financially support the Squad. So the net result to you, the taxpayer, is zero. The Town Board has held the line despite large increases in fuel, equipment and labor costs and has, for the fifth year in a row, not essentially increased the tax rate. However, I am sure you noticed that your tax bill has increased significantly and that is due to the County increase of 11.8%. For a more detailed look at the budget, check the Budget section of our website www.berkshireny.com, or contact the Town Clerk. Direct questions to Skip Hartwig 657 8418.

HIGHWAY NEWS

The Highway crew will be adding 3 more bays to the highway garage as weather and workload permit. When completed, all motorized equipment will be stored under cover. Roadside brush cutting will soon begin and once again wood chips will be hauled to Town property on Ford Hill Rd. Help Yourself! At this time the long range road improvement plan for Berkshire is exactly on schedule. Last year Turkey Hill and Rejmer Rds. were paved and Ford Hill Rd was rebuilt, and will be paved in 2003. Recent, unexpected deterioration of portions of Jewett Hill Rd. may necessitate a modification of this year’s plan. The Town Board and the Highway Superintendent will make that determination in the near future.

TOWN WIDE EMAIL LIST

This list, at the disposal of only 3 people (Brag president, Fire Chief and Town Supervisor) is used to disseminate information of significant happenings in Berkshire such as major projects, meetings, fundraisers, public hearings, new or proposed legislation, etc. We have over 75 addresses on the list so far and have been using it for nearly two months. As a protection against personal use and spam, messages will be sent out as Blind Carbon Copies so the entire list will never be sent to all recipients. Feedback on the information provided and the use of the list has been very positive. To get on the list or to change an email address, contact Dennis Whittaker at dfw7@citlink.net or 657 8354.

BERKSHIRE EMERGENCY SQUAD, INC

The Susquehanna Regional Emergency Medical Services Council and the Tioga County Emergency Medical Services Coordinator have honored the Berkshire Emergency Squad, Inc. as Tioga County EMS Agency of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes the hard work and dedication by all the members. Andrew P. Hanson, EMT- Paramedic, and Public Relations Director, accepted the award on behalf of the entire squad.

The Berkshire Emergency Squad, Inc. is seeking new members for the Newark Valley and Berkshire Stations. There are many positions within the organization. If you do not wish to enroll in a New York State Certification course, you might consider becoming an EMS driver or Attendant, which only require CPR/AED qualification. All required training would be provided to you at no cost. The Berkshire Emergency Squad, Inc. also provides in house continuing medical education, keeping everyone on the cutting edge and aware of new developments in the field of pre-hospital medicine. If you would like more information about potential membership or the squad in general, feel free to contact the office at 657-2727 or by email BEMSINC@HTVA.NET.

Current Fire Department and Squad:

Chief, Michael Simmons

1st Assistant Chief,

Delbert Armstrong

2nd Assistant Chief,

Dean Belden

3rd Assistant Chief,

Brett Welch

4th Assistant Chief,

Rodney Russell

President, Berkshire

Emergency Squad, Inc

Dale Johnson

LIBRARY/GREENSPACE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

The new sidewalks along Rt. 38 and Jewett Hill Rd. were completed in Nov., thanks to the Highway guys and some volunteers. Concrete bases and wiring for the pedestrian lighting have also been installed. Donations of time and money have been received from the Library, Fire Dept. & Emergency Squad, the History Buffs, Northern Tioga RO-KI, Town and BRAG. Jackie Jewett and friends of John will donate the gazebo. Significant amounts of money and promised labor have been acquired but current available funding is just about used up. The Town and BRAG are continuing to search for funds and grants. The Library Board has received a grant for the restoration of their building. This project is the first step in the implementation of the Master Plan for the hamlet area and it is exciting to see all the various organizations pulling together to provide a real improvement in our downtown. If you or any group may be interested in donating toward a park bench or pedestrian light, contact one of the BRAG Recognition Committee - Dick Odom-657 8171, email rodie@htva.net or Scott Philips 797 0066, email tvrprman@aol.com. The Fire Dept/Emergency Squad has donated the first park bench in remembrance of 9/11.

BERKSHIRE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

We continue to be amazed at the number and variety of local businesses and services available to us and often generated right here in Berkshire. The BRAG folks would like to make your business known to the community as well as making all of us aware of just how much is available locally. As a part of the Berkshire Internet website (www.berkshireny.com) we are in the process of developing a listing of all the area businesses. There is no charge for having your company or small business listed. All you need to do is contact Dennis Whittaker, dfw7@citlink.net, providing the information you would like posted. Please indicate the category, such as produce, organic foods, sewing machine repair, construction etc. Also provide contact information including e-mail, phone, address, hours of operation, web site location, and anything else you want shown. If you have a website, user will be taken directly there when clicking on your business name

Library Hours:

Closed Sun and Mon

Tues 12-5

Wed 1:30-7

Thurs 1-5

Fri 3-8:30

Sat 9:00-2:00

Jewett Hill and Hwy 38

The Berkshire Fire Department, EMS, & Auxiliary need your support. As an entirely volunteer department, we are always looking for people who can help. Make a difference in your community—join us! Any interested persons call 657-2727 or e-mail berkshirefire@aol.com.

BERKSHIRE RESIDENT ACTION GROUP

At the last meeting we came to the realization that we were getting bogged down with the business elements of a not-for-profit corporation instead of focusing on the planning and implementation of actual projects that make a difference in Berkshire. After all, taking your ideas and getting groups involved to make those ideas a reality is why BRAG was formed. The focus of the Jan 22^nd meeting will be on review and update of the project lists with a goal of getting some new ones underway. The Executive Director of the Tioga County REAP will be there along with some new people from Town who expressed an interest at the Oct 30^th REAP meeting, to introduce and support some of the great ideas and projects that came from those brainstorming sessions. It sounds like this meeting should be both interesting and productive. Consider joining us. Wed., Jan 22^nd, 7:00pm at the Town Hall.

TOWN OFFICIALS & MEETINGS

Town Board Meetings 2^nd Tuesday, 7:30pm

Planning Board Meetings 4^th Tuesday, 7:00pm

(Jan. Planning Board meeting will be the 27th at the Fire Hall, 7:00pm)

Supervisor: Ronald Hartwig 657 8678 h 657 8418

Hwy Superintendent: Karl Spoonhower 657 2705

Town Board: Bill Simmons, Dick Odom,

Trudy Bentley, John Ceurter 657 8678

Planning Board Chair: James Lacey 657 8274

Assessor: Ann Buck 656 8757, 18 Railroad

Avenue, Berkshire, NY 13736.

hours 2^nd Monday, 5:30 – 6:30pm

Town Clerk: Connie Liddington 657 8131, 12421

St. Rt 38. hours M-F 6 to 8pm,

Saturday, 10am – 2pm

Justice: Janet Jordan 657 8018, 18 Railroad Ave.

Berkshire, NY 13736.

Court 1^st & 3^rd Tuesdays, 7:00pm

Dog Control Officer: Brad Walker 657 2567

Code Enforcement: Joseph Ceurter 849 3593

Fire Chief: Mike Simmons 657 2727

President, Berkshire Emergency Squad, Inc.:

Dale Johnson 657 2727

*changes are in bold print

Community Spotlight

The Berkshire History Buffs The Town’s Historical Society meets every 4^th Monday at the Town Hall, 7:00pm. We welcome new faces and new ideas. Now planning for Heritage Day – 2003.

Tax Exemptions Remember that all exemptions must be filed with the Assessor by Mar 1^st. If you have any questions contact her. See her schedule under Town Officials paragraph

Calendar of Events

Jan	17	Spaghetti Dinner–United Methodist Church, 5-7 pm	Feb	26	BRAG Meeting- Town Hall, 7pm
	19	Auxiliary Pancake Breakfast–Fire Hall, 8am-noon		28	Emergency Squad Fish Fry-Fire Hall, 5pm
	22	BRAG Meeting- Town Hall, 7pm	Mar	14	Emergency Squad Fish Fry-Fire Hall, 5pm
	27	History Buffs-Town Hall, 7pm		16	Auxiliary Pancake Breakfast–Fire Hall, 8am-noon
	31	Emergency Squad Fish Fry-Fire Hall, 5pm		21	Spaghetti Dinner–United Methodist Church, 5-7 pm
Feb	16	Firemen Chicken BBQ-Fire Hall, noon till?		24	History Buffs-Town Hall, 7pm
	21	Spaghetti Dinner–United Methodist Church, 5-7 pm		26	BRAG Meeting- Town Hall, 7pm
	23	Firemen Pancake Breakfast–Fire Hall, 8am-noon	Apr	4	Emergency Squad Fish Fry-Fire Hall, 5pm

Newsletter Update and Contacts

We welcome Telessa Bean who will be doing the layout for the newsletter, joining Dennis Whittaker, Sponsor manager, and Skip Hartwig, 657 8418. Don’t forget that we need your input so we can get as much info as possible out to everybody in Berkshire.