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Jefferson Hears Reports, Sets Post Office Public Hearing

By Liz Page JEFFERSON – Board members heard a presentation of the Jefferson Central School budget, approved sponsorship for two community groups, and heard various reports prior to opening the floor on a public hearing on amendments to the town's Wind Turbine Facilities Law (See separate article) last Thursday. Tarkan Ceng, superintendent at JCS took the floor to present this year's budget, to notify residents of the upcoming budget hearing and May 21 vote. Voting will take place from noon to 8 p.m. in the school library lobby. There are two candidates for one five-year term on the school's Board of Education; Frederick J. Blumberg and Phoebe K. Schreiner. The proposed budget has no reductions in programming, athletics, staffing or extracurricular activities. The new figures are up 5.43 percent over the current budget and projects a 3.84 percent increase in the tax levy. It remains within the allowable tax cap. Voters will also decide on the purchase of a 65- 65-passenger bus, the cost not to exceed $165,000. Board member also approved a resolution to replace the outdoor stairway from the upper level of the town hall to the town court on the lower level. A public hearing is set for the June 13 meeting on the sale of a post office building. Ben Buck asked the town wait until he has a chance to review the lease agreement before they enter a contract. The sale is also subject to permissive referendum and the town has an offer of $105,000 from a realty company that specializes in the purchase of postal property. The town owns the building and has made some expensive repairs. The town has not benefitted from ownership of the building and is looking to sell it. The post office will remain at that location, said Supervisor Hait. Town board members approved a resolution to make the Heritage Day Committee and the Holiday Committee town-sponsored organizations for the purpose of liability insurance for the events. In his report, Don VanValkenburgh said they are still seeking volunteers for the Heritage Day Committee which will meet on May 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the town hall. A benefit Chicken BBQ, featuring Brook's BBQ chicken will be held in the JCS parking lot on May 25 from noon until sold out. The cost will be $10 per half and there will be salads available. Proceeds will go to befit the committee and upcoming Heritage Day. There have been several suggestions for new events this year, including a scavenger hunt, quilt show, floats for the parade and outhouse race, rabbit plop bingo, and other ideas. New ideas are welcome, said VanValkenburgh. The Automated External Defibrillator(AED) has arrived and will be installed in the town hall. Councilman Ken Cole reported the Greens Committee plans to plant seven trees on the green and is waiting on warmer weather. He also reported on the Catskill Revitalization Council (DURR), saying crews will begin installing more ties in the track to Highmount as soon as the equipment arrives. Ties to do another mile of track will be ordered and it is hoped the rail ride will open to Fleischmanns and Highmount this year. Supervisor Hait and Carol Terk have worked to clean out the flower beds at the town hall and two trees need to be cut, so that new plantings can be put in.

May 19, 2024 • 141 views

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Gilboa Revamps Insurance Clause on Smaller Contracts

By Liz Page GILBOA – The town of Gilboa found itself backtracking a bit as the bid award had to be rescinded for lawnmowing services due to insurance requirements. Bids for mowing, which includes town properties and cemeteries were awarded last month, however, the stipulation to meet the town's $2 million liability, created a problem for the contractor. It was determined that service contracts less than $20,000 do not have to be bid. So the town reviewed five quotes and the lowest went to A & A Lawnmowing, the same company that received the low bid last month. Supervisor Alicia Terry said the increased insurance limit was going to create a significant increase in the premium for the contractor. Therefore, John Wyckoff received quotes for the work and decided on the lowest quote of $4,625. The board then amended its policy on service contacts under $20,000. Those contractors must provide proof of $1 million in liability coverage, but will not have to meet the $2 million limit for projects over $20,000. Five facility use forms were approved for the Gilboa Historical Society which will be hosting school districts over the next two months. The Gilboa Historical Society press release, regarding the receipt of a grant, was not released, pending completion of all of the paperwork. GHS President Gerry Stoner reported on the wonderful exhibits that are being redone at the museum. Highway Superintendent John Wyckoff reported that work has been completed on the driveway to the new septic system for the Gilboa Museum. He said work was also done to improve drainage. The town has finished paving Starheim Road and Blackberry Street and the town had a successful Tire Day last Saturday, with one dumpster load gathered. The town is also looking for a new Summer Youth Program director. Sue Morkaut has resigned the post she has held for more than 30 years. Anyone interested may contact Town Clerk Linda Wyckoff. The town is also looking for anyone interested in serving on the Route 30 Scenic Byway Committee for Schoharie County. The committee will meet once per month in Middleburgh. Bill Morton has resurrected the Scenic Byway project after it sat dormant for several years. Route 30 runs through Gilboa and the project seeks to link Hancock to Amsterdam along a 160-mile route. The committee would develop a plan and list the points of interest in Schoharie County. Anyone interested should contact Supervisor Terry or Clerk Linda Wyckoff. In her report, Supervisor Terry said security measures are now in effect at the county office building and visitors must go through metal detectors. Terry also reported on a recent talk with Schoharie County Department of Public Works Commissioner Dan Crandell. Crandell told her the geothermal report is done and they are meeting with engineers. They will explore soil nailing and work on the putty hole. They will receive a quote on the soil nailing and will look to get it approved at the county level. County attorney, Mike West, must also finish up all the necessary easements. "It is moving forward," she said. There is concern about the amount of traffic and the danger near Gilboa-Conesville Central School. Work is underway to do work at the town hall and highway garage, which will include emergency generators. Board members moved into an executive session, although they did not give the reason for the session.

May 19, 2024 • 182 views

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M'burgh's Cyprus Hill Farm Keeps Growing

By David Avitabile MIDDLEBURGH - The Cyprus Hill Farm stand in Middleburgh continues to grow every season. The farm stand, located at the intersection of Route 145 and Route 30 has added two important features this spring. The most obvious is a 30-by-48-foot greenhouse which is currently filled with flowers, hanging baskets, and sprouting vegetable plants. The greenhouse is open now and was very busy on the days leading up to Mother's Day. Owners Katie and Pano Ioannou said the greenhouse, along with a temporary shed behind the farm stand was built this spring to add a "different look, appeal, and style" to the business, which has flourished at the location for 15 years. In addition to holding more flowers and young vegetables, the greenhouse will improve the safety of the location for the workers and visitors. "The parents can shop with more ease now," Katie said. The shed behind the farm stand will include refrigeration for lettuce as well as locally produced cheese and meats. The greenhouse will remain year-round while the farm stand and shed will be removed in the winter. "We want to help the local producers," Katie added. The items in the shed "will always be changing," Pano said. "It's going in one direction," he said about the business. "and retail is the way to go." They will also be adding local maple syrup and honey, and other new produce later in the spring. The growth is natural for the farm stand, Pano explained. Customers have given him positive feedback on the growth, he said. Many of the customers have been coming there for years. "Our kids (Stella, Harry, and John) grew up going this," he said. He remembered his daughter being in a car seat when they first opened. Now she sits on a crate cashing people out. "The community grew with our kids." He is also very positive about the direction of Middleburgh, which he termed a "very unique" community. Katie, who grew up on a farm, never thought she would be doing this for a living. Pano, who grew up on Long Island before his father relocated the family Upstate, had to be pushed into running the farm stand. At first, he told his father Harry that he wanted to earn "real money" at other jobs. His father offered $10 to watch the stand. Now, years later, it is a full-time passion. "You have to believe in what you're doing," he said.

May 19, 2024 • 139 views

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MCS Boys to Start Sectionals at Home

Photos by Bob Roney MIDDLEBURGH - After this week's 7-1 win over Berne-Knox, the Middleburgh boys will begin their sectional run in a strange place: at home. For the first time in several years, the boys, who finished atop the Mohawk Division under Coach Andrew Drescher, will be playing a sectional game at home. The Knights' sectional game against Waterford-Halfmoon is Thursday, May 16, at 4 p.m. MCS is seeded fourth while Waterford-Halfmoon is seeded 13th.

May 19, 2024 • 187 views

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MCS Voters to Cast Ballots on Budget, Buses, More

Tax Levy up 1.5 Percent, NY State Restores $766K in Aid By David Avitabile MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh Central School residents Tuesday will be voting on a $24.9 million budget for the 2024-25 school year that holds a tax levy hike of 1.5 percent. Facing a budget gap of $1.09 million, school officials received a restoration of $766,431 in state aid when the New York State budget was approved last month. School business manager Robyn Bhend told school board members last month that the $24.9 million budget had been cut by $119,537. Prescription drug costs are going up by 10 percent, not by the projected 30 percent, a reduction of $190,342. Two additions to the budget were $50,000 for an annual trip to Washington D.C. and $20,0605 for BOCES software and fees. The final budget is $587,510 or 2.42 percent more than the current spending plan. To close the remaining budget gap, the district will: transfer $100,000 from the debt service fund, transfer $55,631 from the workers' compensation reserve, transfer $72,183 from the employee retirement system funds, and transfer $100,000 from the teachers retirement system fund. The tax levy will go up by 1.5 percent from $153,836 to $10.4 million. The spending plan includes more field trips, a college in the high school program, and an after-school program at the elementary school. Teaching salaries in the plan are up from $5.18 million to $5.52 million, about 6.58 percent. In addition to the budget and school board seats, other propositions on the ballot include a bus purchase proposition and a new reserve account proposed for the future purchase of electric buses, which are more expensive than gas or diesel buses, and a repair reserve proposition for $200,000. Voters will be asked to vote on a bus purchase proposition to buy buses totaling $488,000. The district plans on buying three diesel-powered 65-passenger buses for $162,663 each. The purchases are based on the district bus replacement plan which calls for replacing buses every 10 years. The final cost will be reduced by state aid of 76.1 percent leaving a local share of $23,325 per year for five years. The final costs will also be reduced by trade-in sales of buses that are being replaced. The repair reserve fund would total $200,000 and the funds would be taken from the 2023-24 fund balance. It would be used for repairs of capital improvements or equipment. The repairs cannot recur every year. This is funded with an excess fund balance reserve. The capital reserve fund proposition is for the future purchases of buses and vehicles. The proposition asks voters if they want to set up an account for up to (eventually) $2 million for 10 years.. The fund would earn interest and be used for the purchase of electric buses and charging stations in the future. Electric buses, which could be mandated by the state within 13 years, are much more expensive than current gas and diesel buses. Ms. Bhend has said that new electric buses cost more than $400,000 and districts will be getting state aid over 12 years instead of the current five years.

May 19, 2024 • 143 views

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New Middleburgh Sidewalks Vandalized

MIDDLEBURGH - The Middleburgh Village DPW poured replacement sidewalks on Clauverwie Road last week and their hard work was repaid with vandalism, Mayor Tim Knight announced. "I am very thankful for my crew's hard work. I know repairing these two slabs is very important to our Village residents, too,” he said.

May 19, 2024 • 158 views

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Our Lady of the Valley Youth Receive First Communion

MIDDLEBURGH - Congratulations to the children who earlier this month received the sacrament of First Eucharist. Thank you also to faith formation Director Sena Monaco for guiding our youth over the past few months. God bless you all.

May 19, 2024 • 169 views

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Schoharie Valley Community Day Camp Sign-Ups Open

SCHOHARIE VALLEY – As promised, the Schoharie Valley Community Day Camp sign-ups are open!!! Camp will be held July 15-19, 2024. For more information and online registration visit: https://www.schohariereformedchurch.org/camp/ . The Camp planning committee, consisting of members of The Schoharie Reformed Church, Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, Schoharie United Presbyterian Church, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, has been working to build the community Summer camp experience it has offered for years! Arts & Crafts! Songs! Games! Spots fill up fast ! Sign up online now!!

May 19, 2024 • 179 views

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Owners Seeking to Return Former Middleburgh Library into a Home

By David Avitabile MIDDLEBURGH - The owner of the former Middleburgh library wants to return the building into a residence. The property owner, Angelica Diller, who also owns several other properties in the village, spoke to village board members last Monday. She said she is hoping to repaint the building before turning it back into a home. The building, located at the corner of Wells Avenue and Main Street, was once a home until the late 1930s when it was transformed into the Frances B. Spencer Library. A new library was built on Main Street in the early 2000s. After the library left, a religious group bought the former library for $28,000. They sold to the popular Green Iguana restaurant and then the Hen and the Hound. The building was last used by Valley View Liquidators, who moved down to Main Street last year. The property has no parking spaces though the restaurants were allowed to use the parking lot behind the building that is owned by Our Lady of the Valley Church during non-church times. Ms. Diller was told she had to go to the zoning board of appeals to convert the building back into a home. Her first stop is the zoning officer. If the conversion is not approved, Ms. Diller said she would look for a business to fill it, possibly a smoke or vape shop. Speaking to the board virtually, she told members that she wants to paint the buildings she owns and wants to follow the rules, though she added, that she wants to make sure that everyone follows the rules.

May 19, 2024 • 166 views

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St. Mark's Lutheran Church 200th Anniversary

When people reach a milestone in their lives, their special events and achievements are often recognized and celebrated. In 2024 St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church is reaching a major milestone, the 200th ANNIVERSARY of the founding of the church. Nestled in the village of Middleburgh, St. Mark's was dedicated on May 17,1824, by fifty families led by the Reverend George Lintner. If the walls could talk, they would tell of worship services, baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, Bible studies and Sunday Schools under the spiritual leadership of over 30 pastors. When challenges occurred, whether caused by mother nature or manmade, the church withstood the test of time for it continues today to be a place where God is the center of worship and praise. A special 200th Anniversary worship service is being held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.in. Come join in the celebration!

May 19, 2024 • 143 views

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Schoharie Delves into Water Billing Problems

Juried Thanked Resident Diana Jackson talks about water billing problems at the May 14 Village of Schoharie board meeting. By Chris English SCHOHARIE — Discussion of water billing problems and how to resolve them dominated the first hour of the Schoharie Village board's Tuesday, May 14 meeting. Several residents showed up to complain about problems stemming from old meters for the village water system that can't be read remotely, unlike new meters that the village is in the process of installing. Among the problems listed in sheets handed out by one of the residents, Diana Jackson, were that residents were never notified and informed about the meter issues at the onset of the problem and that some residents are being expected to pay two years worth of usage in one year, a situation that creates a financial burden on some of them. "This water thing has been an issue," said Mayor Colleen Henry. "When I started in January, I said I wanted this situation solidified. We still have a supply issue." Village officials said supply issues, some going back to the pandemic, are delaying the delivery and installation of many of the new meters that are manufactured in Israel. Village Clerk Leslie Price said about 100 of the village's 380 water customers are still waiting on their new meters. "The new meters definitely will be better, definitely more accurate," she said. The main step taken at the meeting was a determination that all residents having problems with their water bills will meet with Price and one board member to try and arrive at the fairest resolution possible in each case. "As long as you're hearing us," one of the residents said. "As long as we don't walk out of here tonight and it's just forgotten." Henry pledged that it won't be forgotten and also to be as transparent as possible with residents on all issues. "I've been out there where you are sitting and had some of the same complaints," she said. "Knowledge is power and I think everyone should be knowledgeable. We are human. We do make mistakes. I apologize." In other news from the May 14 meeting, a public hearing for the Old Stone Fort project will be held by the planning board at 7 p.m., May 29 at Village Hall, 300 Main Street. Up for discussion is an application for an expansion of the museum to include storage space, artifact area and gift shop, Henry said. "It will be beautiful," she added. The expansion is scheduled to be funded with a donation from former Schoharie County resident Nick Juried, Henry said. The board is trying something new for its meetings. One June 11, it will hold the employee monthly meeting starting at 6 p.m., followed immediately by the regular meeting. The employee meeting is also open to the general public, explained Henry, who added officials want to see how the new arrangement works before deciding on whether to make it permanent. Open Houses for the Comprehensive Planning Board will be held 3 to 8 p.m. May 23 at Village Hall, 300 Main Street; and also 3 to 6 p.m. on May 30 at the Methodist Hall, 196 Main Street, Central Bridge.

May 19, 2024 • 159 views

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SCS Budget, Buses, More on May 21 Ballot

SCS Tax Levy Up 2.45 Percent, Budget up $804K By David Avitabile SCHOHARIE - Schoharie school residents will be voting on a $27.6 million budget that will increase the tax levy by 2.45 percent when they go to the polls on Tuesday, May 21. Causing the tax hike is major hikes in employee benefits, debt service, BOCES, and tuition costs and no increase in state foundation aid. The tax levy is set to rise by $208,323. School board members last month approved a $27.6 million budget for the 2024-25 school year. The spending plan is up by 2.99 percent or $804,000 over the current budget. The tax levy and budget hikes are lower than the current inflation rate of 4.12 percent, noted School business administrator David Baroody noted. The biggest increases in spending were: * Employee benefits, up by $634,000. * Debt service costs, up by $170,000. * BOCES costs, up by $102,000. * Tuition costs, up by $388,000. In the last three years, about 20 high-needs students have moved into the district, each of whom require out-of-district transportation for special education services. Superintendent David Blanchard said 20 high needs students in three years is "really significant." He noted that the district has been able to cut in-district bus runs to eight because of dual runs since the pandemic. Unfortunately, the number of out of district runs has increased to 12 to take students to the Capital District. In combination with the increases in costs, the district did not get the standard three percent increase in state aid as the district has been accustomed to, Mr. Baroody added. He also noted that the budget retains all educational programs. There are four positions being eliminated, all through attrition. There are no layoffs. The four positions are: * Full-time instructional position, elementary school. * Full-time instructional position, high school. * Full-time maintenance mechanic. * Full-time, school administrator. In addition, there will be four more propositions on the SCS ballot: * The purchase of five replacement buses for up to $580,000 before trade-ins and state aid. * Public library, $146,000, up by $20,000. * Capital Reserve Fund allocation of $2 million from the existing Capital Reserve Fund to support the local share of the district's ongoing capital projects. * Establish a bus purchase capital reserve fund for up to $1 million for a probable term of 10 years for the purchase of electric buses.

May 19, 2024 • 155 views