Board Recognizes Firefighters, Discusses Future Strategic Planning Transparency

By BILL BELLEN
OTSEGO COUNTY

Before the September 3 Otsego County Board of Representatives meeting even began, there was already business to attend to. A special meeting of the Public Works Committee was held prior to the main meeting to address two matters at hand.

First, Otsego County Highway Superintendent Richard Brimmer requested a motion for approval to acquire two small properties off of County Highway 58A at a price not to exceed $11,000.00. Brimmer cited an ongoing bridge replacement project as the reason for the purchase, which was subsequently approved by the committee.

Next, there was a request for a late resolution to be added to the board’s agenda, to enter into agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for an energy efficiency and conservation block grant, supplied by federal funds and totaling $603,273.60. Part of this funding would be used to complete an audit of the Meadows Office Complex utilized by multiple Otsego County departments to find recommendations for improvement.

The remaining funds of the grant would be put toward the initial implementation of these new refurbishments.

As the committee approved the motion, the proposal was sent to the second special meeting of the day, held by the Administration Committee. Regarding the NYSERDA grant, Rep. Margaret Kennedy added that a laundry list of possible grant projects had been compiled. She said that the county will try to work in projects to be completed alongside regular maintenance by September 30, 2026. The motion was once again passed, and the late resolution was added to the agenda of the board meeting that would begin just minutes later.

Roll call for the September board meeting noted that Reps. Catan, Mendez, and Scanlon were absent.

During the privilege of the floor, only one person addressed the board. Edward Dawyot cited concerns over rising electric bills and the state and county’s profits in the percentage-based tax on them. He also raised major concerns about the Marcy South power line and how power companies were trespassing on private property. Dawyot stated the issue had gone to the state court system and that a judge said while he was deciding the case that the companies could continue their current actions. He claimed the power companies then acquired the coordinates they needed and used eminent domain to do the rest of the work they desired while dropping the case in the court system. No board members commented on the matter.

Following Dawyot’s address, Chairman Edwin Frazier Jr. honored two firefighters who saved a man’s life during the fire at the Milford Corner Store and Sybil’s Yarn Shop this summer. Frazier thanked all organizations and individuals involved in helping people recuperate from these terrible losses.

With regard to the firefighters themselves, he said, “Truly these men are heroes. I would like to personally thank them for all of their service. You train hard, hoping you never need to use the learned techniques, but what a relief when you were prepared and knowledgeable in that moment of need. Great job.”

Frazier then turned the floor over to EMS Coordinator Victor Jones, Assistant EMS Coordinator Damon West, Public Safety and Legal Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Wilber, Milford Mayor Brian Pokorny, and called up Milford Fire Department firefighter Will Smith and Assistant Chief Jonathan Ashe. For their valiant rescue of a Milford resident on the second floor of Sybil’s Yarn Shop during the blaze, the two were officially honored with a resolution by the board.

Jones said of the two, “Today we gather not only to recognize bravery, but to recognize two individuals whose actions truly embody the very spirit of the fire service: courage, selflessness and the dedication to others.”

Smith and Ashe were given plaques of recognition by the EMS office and received a standing ovation from a full audience. Heart-wrenching accounts of their experiences that morning during the fire were shared, to which another round of applause was given to once more recognize the incredible bravery shown by these men.

As the crowd that had gathered to see the firefighters honored began to depart, the board moved to standard committee reports.

Rep. Jennifer Mickle spoke for Intergovernmental Affairs and said Director of Veterans’ Services Bill Couse shared that there will be no impact on his department due to the cuts at the federal level. Mickle also shared that Committee Chair Catan asked that the board consider putting $25,000.00 aside to fund initiatives related to America250, which she noted would have to be litigated in the budget process.

Rep. Adrienne Martini represented the Human Services Committee and spoke about a criminal court order between two individuals, which she stated was commonly referred to as a 730. She also mentioned that there are ongoing conversations regarding Medicare, Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds due to the recent federal cuts to each program. Martini also addressed continuous struggles to provide early intervention services in not only Otsego County, but the state as a whole. With New York ranking 50th in the nation in providing these services to children below Pre-K age, concerned discussion was sparked amongst some members of the board.

Rep. Andrew Marietta spoke for Performance Review and Goal Setting and demonstrated the current layout of Otsego County’s ClearGov page and the progress each county department had made on their strategic goals this year. All departments are now represented on the strategic plan, and quarterly updates from each will be given. Marietta also shared that they intended to bring the Otsego County ClearGov page live and open to public view within the next 30 to 60 days.

“Our intention is for this to happen before the end of the year, obviously, and I think that we have come a long way. I think that’s definitely something exciting for us to finally be moving forward on,” Marietta remarked.

It was also made clear that there is an intention to provide numeric values as often as possible to make budgeting decisions clearer, such as showing the exact number of families receiving a county service, to see what is at stake in potential budget cuts.

County Administrator Steve Wilson reported that there is about $72 million left for the county to spend in its budget this year. He also mentioned that the first meeting of the America250 Committee would be the following day.

With committee reports completed, Frazier made note of Sarah Hartmann winning a state-recognized manufacturing award for her plant-based treat business, Vêsucré. He recounted that Hartmann was given a microenterprise grant as a startup in Oneonta two or three years ago, and that she now plans on purchasing the old McDonald’s on Chestnut Street and that two new businesses will be moving to Oneonta because of her work.

Moving along to the consent agenda, Resolution 319 was pulled by Rep. Wilber to individually recognize its importance. The resolution was intended to officially proclaim September as First Responders Appreciation Month. Following brief notes by Wilber on his gratitude to the emergency services of Otsego County, the resolution passed unanimously.

The next Otsego County Board of Representatives meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 1, at which time there will be a public hearing regarding a proposed additional mortgage recording tax for Otsego County.

Otsego County Board of Representative schedules, agendas, minutes, local laws and a link to live meetings can be found online at https://www.otsegocountyny.gov/legislature/board_of_representatives_/documents.php.