TOWN OF BERNE COURIER

Vol. 6                News From Your Town Government               Winter 2004
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In this issue:  (Click on articles for fast access.)

2004 Appointments

2004 Standing Committees 

Assessor's Advice

BKW Little League

CPR Course

From the Supervisor

Hilltown Fair Shares Dollar Bank

Hilltowns Senior Citizens

Goodbye & Welcome   Town Officers

Highway Happenings

History Notes: Bern 1870

Historical Society

Library Notes & Friends of the Library

Primary Day

Proposed Rigpa Center

Rabies Clinic 3/13

Senator Breslin at Town Hall

Tax Tips

Transfer Station Tips

Youth Recreation  & Skating Rink

BERN From the Gazetteer of Albany & Schenectady County

by Hamilton Child in 1870

     Bern was formed from Rensselaerville, March l7, 1795.  Knox was taken off in 1822.  The Helderbergh Mountains form the eastern border.  Grippy and Irish Hill occupy the center.  The principal streams are the Foxen Kil and the Switz Kil. Thompson and Werner’s Lakes are small bodies of water.
     Numerous small caves and sinkholes are found in the lime rock in the north-east part.  In one of the caves, still known as the Tory’s Hole, a notorious royalist spy, Jacob Salisbury, is said to have been captured about the time of Burgoyne’s invasion from the north.
     Bernville contains three churches, two hotels, five stores, a gristmill, a woolen factory, a bedstead factory, several other mechanic shops and about 60 dwellings.  Peoria contains a church, two hotels, three stores, a tannery, and several other shops.  South Bern contains two churches, a store, a saw and gristmill, and 15 or 20 dwellings.  Reidsville contains two churches, a hotel, a store and about a dozen houses.  East Bern contains two stores, a hotel, a gristmill, a wagon shop, a blacksmith shop and 25 houses.
     The settlement of this town was commenced about 1750 by a few German families.  The town contains 21 school districts, employing the same number of teachers.  The number of children of school age is 973; the number attending school; 774.  The amount expended for school purposes for 1869 was $5,540.73.
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GOOD-BYE and THANK YOU………...

At the Town of Berne organizational meeting held on January 1, outgoing Councilwoman Pamela House was presented with a resolution in recognition and appreciation for her eight years on the Berne Town Board.  The resolution commended Pam for her very diligent and capable work with the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, her volunteer work in many town activities and her sharp communication skills. She utilized these abilities to advocate and bring consensus to a myriad of issues which have arisen before the town board.

A resolution commending Steve Lendrum for his contributions to the Town during his nearly twelve years as Town Councilman was also adopted.  The resolution expressed appreciation for his expertise and his ability to assure that the Town’s inventory of heavy equipment has been sufficient to allow the Highway Department to keep the Town’s roads in a safe and travel-worthy condition.  And thanks for his  common sense approach and quiet enthusiasm to the process of resolving issues which the Town has confronted.

At the first regular town board meeting of the year, long-time Assessor Michael Baker received a Certificate of Appreciation and Recognition for his sixteen years of dedicated and outstanding service to the town.  Mike served on the Board of Assessment Review and then became Chairman of Assessors.  Among other things, he is credited for the very successful revaluation of properties in 1995.

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Welcome to the newly elected officials pictured above who took office on January 1.  Brian Crawford was re-elected assessor and appointed Chairman of Assessors.  Carol Crounse, formerly town bookkeeper, succeeds Pam House on the Town Board.  Rena Gallup, who has worked for the town in various capacities including Assistant Building & Zoning Administrator and Deputy Town Clerk, was elected assessor.  Jim Hamilton, appointed in August to fill the unexpired term of Steve Lendrum, was also elected to the town board.
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Proposed Rigpa Center for Wisdom and Compassion, Inc. 

In early October 2003, the Planning Board received an application for Site Plan Review for the Rigpa Center for Wisdom and Compassion proposed to be built on 50 of 358 acres on Game Farm Road. The Rigpa Center chose Berne because of the town’s rural character, beauty, small-town nature, and friendliness. The Rigpa Center’s goals for this facility are to preserve and make available the teachings from the Buddhist tradition of Tibet,and to serve as a base for learning, scholarship, personal retreat for spiritual and physical renewal. They plan to offer introductory programs on meditation, spiritual care education and training for those interested in end-of-life care. Most of the programs will be three to five days and held during the warmer and fall months. The Rigpa Center has expressed a desire to use local products and services in their construction and operations. 

The Planning Board has reviewed the projects’ environmental analysis and site plans, and conducted an environmental impact assessment according to NY State Environmental Quality Review Act. The Board spent considerable time evaluating related issues and as a result, several changes were made to the site plan layout. Consequently, the Planning Board determined that this project would not have a significant negative environmental impact. The application is being reviewed by Albany County and, as is required, upon approval of the preliminary site plan by the Planning Board, the application will then go before the ZBA for a special use permit. 

The project is proposed in two phases with the first including development of infrastructure (wastewater treatment and treatment for well water) along with renovation of the existing lodge and staff work/study house, construction of a bathhouse, tent campground, a dining hall/kitchen, a 50 to 60 bed residence hall, and a temporary teaching tent. Phase Two is planned between 2008 and 2020 and proposes a second residence hall, an additional tent campground, office space and staff housing, three residences for guest speakers, and other smaller duplex style residence buildings for participants. pants. Phase Two will include a Buddhist memorial structure, expansion of the reservoir, additional parking facilities, and site operation buildings. When completed, 350 to 400 people could be accommodated with these facilities.
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Primary Day

A democrat presidential primary will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 from 12 noon to 9 PM.
All three polling places will be open for voting.

2004 APPOINTMENTS

Standing Committees

HIGHWAY HAPPENINGS

The dropping temperatures and shorter days have filled the skies with a gray chill that is unmistakably winter. Snow and ice removal in the Town of Berne is no small task.  With 75 miles of a mix of paved and dirt roads, our highway crew of seven men are kept very busy this time of year.

Our thoughts now, however, turn to spring and the needed road repair that winter has brought us.  Each year, the highway department creates a road repair schedule. Hopefully, necessary funding will be available to complete the entire schedule. If a long and difficult winter occurs and funding is limited, road repairs may need to be prioritized.  The highway department considers various factors in determining which roads get the highest priority.  Factors include, but are not limited to, hazardous conditions which may endanger public safety, the amount of daily traffic on a particular road, or completing a repair that could prevent a road from further deterioration and even more costlier repairs later.

The Town of Berne has rural, classic New England roads that are full of turns, which are far narrower than the surrounding county roads.  Rural roads have trees, weeds, brush and grass, which grow and infringe on, or overtake, portions of a road. As the spring and summer season approaches, the town highway crew will begin the preparation of road repair and maintenance.  This will include the cleaning of brush and over-growth that can improve the site lines at intersections and driveways.  While these items are not directly in the road, they are in the right-of-way, which is approximately 25' from the center of the road and is the town’s responsibility to maintain in order to keep the roads safe.

If you are aware of a Town road that is in need of attention, please contact the Highway Department.
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FROM THE SUPERVISOR

I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!

As we begin 2004, the Town Board and I are looking to the many tasks that lie ahead for this year.  We have begun working on the construction phase of the Town’s new transfer station.  Many thanks to Assemblyman Jack McEneny, who provided the Town with a $50,000 grant to build new buildings at the transfer station. Without his support, new construction would not be possible. Many thanks also to Berne resident Joel Willsey, who helped design the new transfer station, the men working at the transfer station and other town residents for their ideas and input.  Plans include a new cardboard bailer, large recycling containers under cover and a new  larger compactor building designed to look like an old barn.  All of these changes will make the new transfer station safer, more efficient and cost effective. Your patience will be appreciated over the summer while during this time of construction.

The Town Board and Planning Board are completing a recommendation for the creation of  a “mixed-use” zone for the Berne hamlet.  This includes design standards and an historical district, which will preserve our rural look while encouraging small business growth.  We will next turn our attention to the East Berne business district and look at ideas for revitalizing this old business area.

If you have any ideas for our community or questions, please call or stop by Town Hall.  Your ideas are most welcome. 
                                                                                   ~~ Kevin Crosier
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SENATOR BRESLIN TO VISIT BERNE RESIDENTS     

On Saturday, March 13, 2004, State Senator Neil D. Breslin has cleared his schedule to hear the concerns of the citizens of Berne.  At 11:30am, he will be joining the Hilltown Seniors for their annual St. Patrick’s Day lunch at the Berne Firehouse, followed by a question and answer gathering at the BerneTown Hall.  The question and answer period is open to the public and Senator Breslin encourages all those interested to attend.  Please take this opportunity to meet with your state representative and voice your concerns.  For questions please contact Amanda at (518) 455-2225.
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HILLTOWNS SENIOR CITIZENS

The Hilltowns Seniors concluded their thirtieth year with Thanksgiving dinner at the Knox Reformed Church- and while the senior center was being used by the Hilltowns Community Resource Center for the annual Christmas Store, Christmas dinner took place at the Berne Fire House.

Regular meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month and are followed by a covered-dish noon meal at the Senior Center.  Hilltowns seniors age 55 or older are welcome. In March the annual Corned Beef & Cabbage dinner will be served at the Berne Fire House.

The first trip this year will be on March 9th to the Old Country Buffet for a noon luncheon followed by a 2 p.m. Irish show at Proctor's Theatre. Other possible trips for 2004 include: a trip to Nashville, TN and Pigeon Forge at the end of April; a musical event to include Bill & Gloria Gather and group of Gospel singers on May 7; and a trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island later in May. On May 31the Seniors will again participate in the Memorial Day Parade with a bake sale being held across from the school as always. For further information and/or reservations call Jean at 872-1685.
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HILLTOWN FAIR SHARES TIME DOLLAR BANK
SEEKS MEMBERSHIP

 The Hilltowns Community Resource Center, part of Catholic Charities of Albany and Rensselaer Counties will be holding two Soup and Sandwich Supper informational meetings regarding The Hilltown Fair Shares Time Dollar Bank.  Hilltown Fair Shares is a cooperative in which members earn and redeem Time Dollars— special kind of “money”, that enables people to help one another.  One hour helping another earns one Time Dollar and anyone can earn Time Dollars.  Think of a baby-sitting pool where parents get together and agree to baby-sit for one another.  In a Time Dollar time bank, Time Dollars work the same way.  Each hour of help given earns one Time Dollar.  Each person who needs help spends one Time Dollar to receive an hour of help.

Hilltown Fair Shares members will list the services they would like to offer to other members and the times they are available .   When a service is needed, a call is placed to Hilltown Fair Shares and a request is made for the service.  The Hilltown Fair Shares coordinator finds a match for the service requested.  The match will be a fellow Hilltown Fair Shares member who can provide the service needed.  When the service is complete, a form stating the service provider, service recipient, task provided and time involved is filled out.  The form is signed by both recipient and provider and then submitted to Hilltown Fair Shares where the time involved is appropriately credited or debited from respective Fair Shares accounts.

For more information and to reserve your place for Soup and Sandwiches at the Hilltown Fair Shares Time Dollar Bank meetings call Kathleen Speck, Fair Shares Coordinator at the Hilltowns Community Resource Center at 797-5256.  The meetings will be held on Tuesdays February 17 and March 9, 2004 at 6 PM at St. Bernadette’s Church on Helderberg Trail, Berne.
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TAX TIPS
Get organized: Use a spreadsheet for expenses. Store receipts in a file folder.
Contribute to your 401K: Put in enough money to get an employer match if available.
Update flexible spending accounts: Pre-tax deductions can be used for a wide range of health care expenses.
Charitable deductions: Contribute to a registered charity to get a deduction.
IRA contributions: Make contributions to an IRA for 2003 right up until April 15, 2004.
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BERNE LIBRARY NOTES & Friends of the Library

• Saturday Movie Matinees will be held on February 7, March 6, April 3, and May 8.  Free popcorn and soda will be served at all movies.

• A Captain Underpants Party for ages 7 and up will be held on Sunday February 22, 2-3pm. Join the fun with Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants, the very popular king of disastrous misadventures for some games, refreshments, and other activities!  Call or stop by to register.

• A Monday Evening Book Club YA/Adult program, is scheduled for February 23 at 7pm. A discussion of Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees will take place.Set in South Carolina in 1964, this book tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. Future book club meetings will discuss The Lobster Chronicles by Linda Greenlaw on March 15, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant on April 26 and Paradise by Toni Morrison on May 17.  Copies of all books are available at the library as well as through our inter-library loan service.  Light refreshments available. 

• A Dr. Seuss Birthday Party will be held March 2nd to honor the 100th anniversary of his birth for this year’s Read Across America celebration!  Seuss fans of all ages will want to be part of the fun.  The party starts at 6pm and will be complete with a Seuss tale (or two), party hats, party games and birthday cake.  Do not miss a celebration such as this!

• On Sunday March 14 at 1pm library patrons, staff and board members will gather for Heritage Cooking Day. Bring a dish to pass (& recipe) that has been passed down through the generations.  Copies of all recipes will be distributed to all participants.  

• Toddler and Preschool Story Time is held every Tuesday at 11am.  Join Kathy for entertaining stories and crafts.  Reservations not required. 

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Friends of the Library

Thank you to everyone who donated books for the winter book sales. Although one of the sale days was snowed out , private book sales can be arranged.  Any one interested may call Marsha Descartes to set a time and date for choosing books. Dress warmly because the books are stored in the old cold Firehouse. The next Friends Book sale is scheduled for Memorial Day.
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CPR COURSE OFFERED

     A Heart Healthy CPR Course will be offered by the Helderberg Ambulance Squad, Inc. to members of the community on Feb 14, 9-1 PM, at the Ambulance Building located on the corner of Cole Hill Rd, and 443.  Cost,  is $11.  Call 872-1574  to register.
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YOUTH RECREATION 

• Plans are well under way for the 2004 Berne Youth Program for. A snow-tubing adventure to Ski Windham will be held on Friday February 20th. The annual visit from the Easter Bunny will take place on April 3rd at BKW elementary school. There will be a small admission charge of $2 and a photograph can be taken with the Easter Bunny for $1. As always there will be plenty of Easter activities for the children to enjoy.

• An evening at Proctor’s Theater to see a puppet presentation of the Eric Carle stories we all love so much is planned for April 28th.  Special group rates will be available for this fun and enchanting show entitled “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Fish.”

• The Summer Recreation Program will take place July 6 –16, 2004. Once again trips are planned for children in grades 5-8 as well as lots of activities for children in grades below. One major change this year will be to extend the age to which the program is offered by introducing a series of day or half day activities for children in grades 9-12 which include boating & fishing.

• This year’s Fox Creek 5K will be held on the 11th July at the Berne Town Park. It’s time to start thinking about training!

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BKW LITTLE LEAGUE

Registration for BKW Little League will be held 7 – 9 PM on Wednesday February 4th, March 3rd, March 17th  & March 31st at the BKW Elementary Cafeteria. Eligible participants must have reached their 5th birthday and be no older than 12 years by August 1, 2004. Those wishing to participate in Girls Softball may also register at this time. Those 9 – 12 years by August 1, 2004 are eligible. Anyone wishing to volunteer in any capacity should contact Dennis Barber at 872-1464.
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HISTORICAL SOCIETY

As another year of “HISTORY IN THE MAKING” begins, the Historical Society would like to thank the Town for the new MUSEUM sign that has been added to the Town Hall Entrance. 

 Thanks also to the many people who have donated articles of history during the years. These donations keep both the history of the town and the Historical Society alive and thriving. On April 26,at i7 PM, Lois Gurner of Esperance will speak on “Heroes of the Revolutionary War.”  Meetings now begin at 7 PM instead of 8 PM.The Historical Center will open officially for the year on Memorial Day – 9AM to Noon, and will be open on Sundays 2 – 4 PM through Labor Day.

Many thanks to longtime trustee, Alberta Wright for the donation of a complete set of BKW yearbooks.  Future donations of yearbooks would be greatly appreciated so that this tradition can continue. If you would like to become a member of the Historical Society, please call Sheila at 872-0431.  Membership dues are $2 per year, which includes receiving the newsletter that lists all programs and activities for the coming year.

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ALBANY COUNTY DOH RABIES CLINIC

A rabies clinic will be held at the Berne Highway Garage, Helderberg Trail, Berne on Saturday, March 13, 2004.

1 to 2:30 PM for cats
2:30 to 4 PM for dogs

• Bring proof of prior vaccination. 

• Animals must be leashed or in carriers.

• Donation - $5 per animal.  

For further information please call 447-4620.

FYI  Residents are advised that DCO Jeff Villeneuve is continuing to conduct a dog enumeration. Owners of Dogs that are found unlicensed at the time of enumeration are subject to a $5 fine.
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ASSESSOR’S ADVICE

•  Please remember to sign and date  exemption renewal forms.  We do not yet have the ability to tap into the IRS for your 1040, so please continue to send a copy with your renewal forms, where requested. If your forms have been misplaced, new forms can be downloaded at  www.orps.state.ny.us.  Go to “forms” at the top of the page and pick out the number of the form you need.  Renewal forms may be dropped off the Town Hall or mailed to:   PO Box 57, Berne, NY  12023.  

• If you are a new homeowner, be sure to file your basic Star Exemption.  All exemption forms must be received by March 1, 2004. 

• The Assessors now have office hours at the Town Hall, Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 PM.  If you have any questions, please call 872-1448.
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TRANSFER STATION TIPS

From John and Dave:

Ø       Please have your Transfer Station permit, which can be obtained from the Town Clerk, displayed on the back of your rear view mirror.  Having permits helps keep non-resident waste out of our compactor.  This amounts to considerable savings and reduces unnecessary traffic.  

Ø       Furniture is accepted in the compactor.  Please disassemble furniture as much as possible. This reduces the amount of space used inside the container, which means cost savings to taxpayers.

Ø       Wood is also accepted in the compactor if it is less than four feet in length and less than 50 pounds.  Please try to find other used for scrap lumber such as firewood or a burning pit

Ø       Four tires per transfer station permit per year are accepted.

Ø       Residents may also dispose of refrigerators, air conditioners and freezers at the transfer station on Saturdays.  Doors must be removed.  Appliance permits are available for a fee of $20 per appliance.

FYI:  One container of household waste weighs 11 tons and costs approximately $700, which includes tipping fees and trucking to the Answers plant. 

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