HIGHWAY & FORESTRY COMMITTEE Page 2
November 14, 2002
HIGHWAY AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE
LINDBERG, HENDERSON, THOMPSON
November 14, 2002
1. Highway Budget – Projects for 2003 CHIPS Capital are included in the 2003 budget. All else has been cut. There was a discussion regarding the use of overtime. Dick Thompson moved to allow Superintendent Perry to use his judgment regarding the maintenance of roads until 11:00 p.m. With budget cuts Superintendent Perry questioned if summer help will be funded because flag people are critical.
2. Birnie Bus – There was discussion on whether the county should supply fuel to Birnie Bus for the county’s buses and whether to bill tax or no tax?
3. Multi-Modal Project - CR 11 (The committee approved the Bridge Beam Bids) – The resolution is done.
4. Plow parking lot for Soil & Water Conservation District Office - Soil & Water will soon be private property. Legally the county shouldn’t handle the plowing on private property. No decision was made on whether or not to continue with the plowing. The matter will be referred to Jim Konstanty. There is also a question about whether the county should be plowing the Northern Transfer Station for MOSA. Terry Bliss stated that MOSA would reimburse the county at the rate of $100/hour.
5. Linden Avenue Project – The project is being revisited by the Village, Town of Otsego, NYSDOT and County Highway. The NYS Route 28 Commercial Corridor is also being studied by DOT, who may install traffic lights to prevent traffic jams.
6. Yaw Road & Bice Road Bridge – This bridge has been closed by the Town of Edmeston and Madison County. Otsego County is responsible for 1/6 of the town share. This bridge is a 2 ton capacity with a 1½ lane truss. The cost for this bridge would be $300,000 – 400,000. There are unlimited capacity bridges 3 miles away on either side of the bridge. Superintendent Perry advised the committee of this dilemma and possible future costs to the county.
7. Ken Williams, Otsego County Forester – Mr. Williams suggested that the county cut back to a $200,000 tree inventory allowance.
8. Bridge Closure – There is a public hearing scheduled for the abandonment of the Riddell Road Bridge in the Town of Milford. Dick Thompson made a motion to have a resolution prepared abandoning the bridge; Hugh Henderson seconded; all in favor; motion carried.
9. Other Business – The Town of Middlefield is interested in purchasing the county’s used Gradeall, as is. Superintendent Perry stated that Roy Teitsworth and L B Smith would appraise it. Otsego County would in turn sell at the highest price to the Town of Middlefield
Terry Bliss had requested help at the Northern Transfer Station for November 20 and 23, 2002. Dick Thompson originally made a motion to not supply manpower.
NYS Department of Labor violations have been addressed by Deputy Tiderencel and Mike Bunt, Safety Officer. Actual employee respirators are to be tested.
The following bills were signed by the committee:
Chenango Co.
Vestal Asphalt
Cobleskill Stone
Travel Voucher for R. Tiderencel
L B Smith – Gradeall repair
Northrup
Otsego Redi Mix
Vets – agreed to address if Otsego County is still in possession of.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.