By DEBORAH BUCK

For the C-S-E

FLAT CREEK — Town of Root Supervisor John Thayer reported at the town council’s September 12 meeting that he has had no communication with Andy Bell, of A.S. Bell Engineering, PC, in the past three months. Bell has not responded to any phone calls or emails from Thayer or town Councilwoman LuEmma Quackenbush, who chairs the town’s building committee.

Bell introduced himself to the Town Council at its April 11 meeting, providing background on his professional expertise and his firm, to qualify him to work with the town on its salt and sand shed construction project. The council subsequently approved contracting with Bell and his firm to construct the salt and sand shed.

Bell attended the June 13 meeting with proposed drawings for the structure’s floor plan and was authorized by the Town Council, at that time, to proceed with the structure’s roof and building design.  

Code Enforcement Officer Cliff Dorrough informed council members that he would be attending the NYS codes conference from October 15-17; the town of Palatine is covering his fee to attend the conference.

Dorrough also advised the board he would be attending an 8-week home inspections course at SUNY Cobleskill. Dorrough is covering the $2,000 fee for the course out-of-pocket, as he emphasized the personal benefits, and to the municipalities he works for, in completing the course.

Dorrough said taking this course would not interfere with his duties as the town of Root CEO. Dorrough said he would be completing 36 hours in continuing education credits in 2012; NYS requires 24 hours in continuing ed credits per year.

Assessor Bob Harris advised the board that New York State has changed the continuing ed credit requirements for sole appointed assessors from 24 credits to 12 credits. Harris will be attending various courses on October 26, November 16 and December 4.

Harris also reviewed Section 520 of the Pro-Rated Tax Law, as it relates to exemptions (STAR, veteran’s, etc.). The purchaser of a home will have to pay pro-rated taxes tied in to the date of the property transfer (the date of closing).

Town Clerk Sherrie Ericksen reported that to date there are 141 unlicensed dogs in the town of Root. There is a $3 late fee per dog from September 15-October 14. The late fee per dog increases to $5 after October 14. Town Justice Tom Eriksen is in the process of issuing tickets to town residents whose dogs have not yet been licensed. The town Dog Control Officer Richard Rickard has been directed to deliver summons immediately and not wait three-to-four months to do so.

Tom Better was unanimously re-appointed to a four-year term on the Board of Assessment Review. Further action was tabled until the October 10 council meeting regarding grant writer Michele Cool and utilizing her services by the town. Cool’s fees are $80 per hour with a base fee of $1,500 to write a grant, the fee increasing depending on the complexity of the grant.

The Town Council approved holding a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on October 10, prior to the regular board meeting, to review exceeding NYS’s 2 percent tax cap for the 2013 budget year.

Town council members also approved the Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department’s three-year fire contract, which would include a $900 ($300 per year) increase from the current contract, as follows: in 2013 - $6,900, in 2014 - $7,200 and in 2015 - $7,500.