By DEBORAH BUCK

For the C-S-E

FLAT CREEK — At the Town of Root Town Council’s April 11 meeting, Andy Bell, of A.S. Bell Engineering, PC introduced himself to the town council and described his background and professional experience in qualifying him to construct a new salt and sand shed in Root. Bell also brought some building plans with him for town council members to review.

Bell is a professional engineer with his firm’s expertise running the gamut of civil and structural engineering. Although Bell has not yet constructed a salt and sand shed, he has worked on repairs of them.

Bell will set up a meeting with the town’s building committee, and will submit his proposal to Town Councilwoman and Building Committee Chairman LuEmma Quackenbush by May 9. Bell indicated he would negotiate the fee schedule for the project; it could be negotiated as a lump sum. However, Bell would prefer to bill at an hourly rate of $100.

Bell would contract for the construction of the building at prevailing wage and would work with the clerk of the works through the construction process. He and his firm would complete the bid process, review all bids and be present at the bid openings. Bell would also complete periodic inspections during the construction.

Bell stated that the project’s construction will remain uncomplicated; he believes the more critical factors are the up-front processes, including environmental and grading issues.  

Assessor Bob Harris reported on the town’s NYS 2012/2013 certified STAR exemption values. For the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District, the Enhanced STAR exemption is $55,300 and the Basic STAR exemption is $22,600. For the Canajoharie CSD, the Enhanced STAR exemption is $62,200 and the Basic STAR exemption is $30,000. The STAR exemption exempts the dollar values listed above, for the respective school districts, from the full value of a resident’s home for school taxes.  

The town board also had a discussion about the procedure for confining a dangerous stray dog (who has bitten someone) if this situation was to occur in the town, as the Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter will not handle this type of situation. The town board has to address where to take the dog as the town (dog control officer) has the responsibility to take control of the animal.

Several alternatives were suggested including the purchase of portable kennels for dog control officer Rick Rickard to keep at his residence, finding another entity to take the dog in Montgomery County, or contract with a neighboring county.

Town Councilman Gary Kamp said he would contact the ASPCA to see if it would be willing to house a dangerous dog for the town.

The town council unanimously appointed Steve Frendenburgh as alternate rabies response officer at an annual rate of $200. Frendenburgh is the animal control officer for the village of Canajoharie.

A resolution to establish a moratorium on hydrofracking in the town was approved unanimously by the town council. A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the town office to review this resolution prior to the regular monthly meeting.

The town council approved town planning board members attending a hydrofracking workshop (for continuing education credits) to be held at FMCC from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 5.