Meeting jam-packed with other issues
Members of the Bethlehem Fair Trade Campaign Wednesday, April 28, asked the Town Board to consider issuing a resolution of support for Bethlehem to become a Fair Trade Town.
If issued, the resolution would be the final step towards Bethlehem receiving the designation. Ballston Spa is the only other municipality in New York to attain the title.
Fair trade products come from suppliers who provide living wages and other benefits to third-world workers, farmers and artisans who are in many other cases exploited for their labors. The fair trade certification is regulated by TransFair USA, an independent nonprofit group.
Fair trade is relevant to anyone who regularly enjoys coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, cotton clothing and any number of other products that are supported by developing countries, Fair Trade Delmar’s Anna McMahon said.
Many businesses in town already offer fair trade goods. Chocolate donated by Peaceful Inspirations and brownies from Java Jazz Cafe were distributed to the board and audience.
While board members expressed general support for fair trade and its ideals, there was some question as to whether a resolution would put any burden on the town or its denizens.
`I’m concerned about what impact this will have on businesses in our community who are not selling fair trade goods,` said Councilman Mark Jordan.
McMahon said there would be no restrictions or requirements placed on businesses.
`It wouldn’t necessarily have any impact other than the population would become more informed about fair trade,` she said.
McMahon said she would see if a note of support indented into the meeting minutes would satisfy the requirements for Bethlehem to become a Fair Trade Town.
Supervisor Sam Messina said the town would do more research and revisit the issue in the near future.
`Towns get asked to pass a lot of resolutions, and we have to make determinations like this all the time,` he said.
Public hearings scheduled
The Town Board scheduled a public hearing to be held Wednesday, May 26, on the rezoning of land on which the Blessings Corner condominium development would be built.
The application calls for the construction of 52 condominium units off of Russell Road in North Bethlehem. If the rezone were approved, the project would be sent back to the Planning Board for site plan approval.
The Town Board scheduled a public hearing for Wednesday, May 26, on a resolution to increase to the town’s Cold War veteran property tax exemption to the maximum allowed under state law.
The exemption works by lowering the assessed value of ones property. Under the new provisions, the maximum limit would be changed from $12,000 to $36,000 for eligible veterans, and from $36,000 to $120,000 for disabled veterans.
The changes have already been adopted by Albany County. The exemption can only be applied to county and local taxes, not to school taxes.
Town Assessor Patricia McVee said there are 52 veterans on the town’s tax rolls taking advantage of the exemption, with no disabled veterans. The exemption does not affect town revenues, but rather displaces the exempted tax burden to other town residents.
McVee said the average taxpayer pays an extra 23 cents in town tax per year as a result of the exemption, which would increase to an average of 46 cents under the proposed exemption limits.
The change would take effect in the 2011 tax rolls.
Chief accountant hired
The Town Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Michael Cohen to the position of chief accountant, a new position in town government. He started work the following day.
Comptroller Suzanne Traylor told the board Cohen’s assistance was badly needed, especially to provide another set of eyes on town finances.
`We have a $40 million organizationyou have one professional accountant, and that’s me,` she said. `We need fiscal oversight, we need additional help.`
Cohen is a certified public accountant who most recently worked for Time Warner Cable. His salary will be $52,147.
The addition of another staff member to the Comptroller/HR office sparked a discussion over the necessity of office renovations to expand this space.
Dam inspections will cost town
The Town Board voted unanimously to retain the services of Clough Harbour Associates to the estimated tune of $149,500 to complete a new state-mandated dam safety inspection.
The Department of Environmental Conservation requirement must be fulfilled by August 2012. The town owns four dams.
Town Engineer Paul Penman said the water department makes a concerted effort to keep the dams in good shape.
`If we find problems there could be additional work to this. We’re hopeful they’ll be in compliance,` he said.
He also said town staff would be used for the study whenever possible, which could reduce the cost of the inspection. The money will come out of the water fund’s operating budget.
Warren Harris of CHA confirmed there are no known grant opportunities for the inspections.
`It’s essentially an unfunded mandate,` Harris said.
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