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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2018
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Franklin Town Discusses Preliminary Budget, Reassessment By Rosie Cunningham FRANKLIN - Franklin deputy financial officer Paul Warner presented the preliminary budget at the Oct. 2 town board meeting. There will be a 2.4 percent increase totaling $1,193,385 rise in the budget. “Just under the tax cap,” said Warner. The deputy financial officer outlined items in the preliminary budget that have changed from last year which includes employee services, independent auditing, board of assessment, contractual increases, insurance increases and equipment, to name a few. Warner said the information can be found in the town clerk’s office. Nine-year town justice Gary Arndt said he is “upset” with his $500 raise outlined in the budget. “It’s meager,” said Arndt. “Times have changed and there is a lot of responsibility that goes along with the job. It’s not fair - you should see what I do in court. At least look at the other towns and villages who make quite a bit more than me.” Arndt said he believes $7,500 would be adequate. Franklin Town Supervisor Jeffrey Taggart said he and Warner came up with the increase and
he stood by the raise and said that is what the town can handle financially. Arndt added that the building he practices out of is poorly maintained, both inside and outside and the temperature during the winter is cold. He said some of the complaints are brought up to him by the general public and those who frequent the court, such as lawyers. He also advised the board to consider better signage and think about “having more pride in our town.” Amanda Groff, representing the Franklin Recreation Commission, said next summer there will be a youth bureau position which could help maintain the property and do work. “It’s only an eight-week time frame but we are more than willing to help,” she said. After further discussion, the board approved the preliminary budget. Town Assessor James Basile recommended the need for reappraisal for residential properties in the town of Franklin. According to Basile, the last appraisal took place in 2005. “Since, we have gone through reassessment, which is not the same as re-appraisal,” said Basile. He said a re-appraisal refers See Franklin page 4
Justice Reform By Lillian Browne DELHI - Sixteen-year-olds who commit crimes after Oct. 1 will no longer be part of the adult criminal justice system in Delaware County. Instead, the newly enacted “Raise the Age” law will place those children in age-appropriate settings, in the Youth Part of the Delaware County Court and under the supervision of probation. The new law is hoped to reduce the recurrence of repeat offenses, according to a press release issued by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office on Oct. 1. Sixteen-year-olds who are arrested for non-violent felony offenses and misdemeanors, will now have the same opportunities as 15-year-olds and under, who are treated with diversion and community-based services.
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According to Delaware County Probation Director Scott Glueckert, the process for the law change began years ago, however, implementation needed to catch up to the legislation. New York and North Carolina were the last remaining states in the country to hold 16-year-olds criminally accountable, Glueckert said. Prior to the law change, children between the ages of seven and 15 who committed criminal acts were considered juvenile delinquents and were dealt with through Delaware County Family Court. The probation department had a role in those cases in that staff screened the children for eligibility for diversion - which means if the child in that age range admitted to committing a crime and agreed to supervision, they would not have to go to Family Court. Now, 16-year-olds are eligible for that same treatment. Prior to Oct. 1, 16-yearolds and older, charged with a crime, would be processed in a local criminal justice court (town or village courts) for an arraignment for an official reading of the charges brought against them. Now, if a 16 year old is charged with a misdemeanor, they will go through the Family Court process starting with the probation department. If a 16-year-olds is accused of committing a felony, they will now be processed in the
Rosie Cunningham/The Reporter
Rick and Sue Ray and Jeremy Hilton pose next to the 1926 Ahrens Fox NS4 Pumper owned by the Ray family of East Meredith.
DCHA, Delhi Department Hosts Antique Fire Apparatus Show By Rosie Cunningham DELHI - As a kickoff to fire prevention week, the Delaware County Historical Association (DCHA) partnered with the Delhi Fire Department to host an Antique Fire Apparatus Show on Sunday, Oct. 7 on the DCHA grounds in Delhi. The show featured vintage fire apparatus, a fire prevention trailer, fire safety demonstrations and a display of historic items and more. Proceeds went towards the Delhi Fire Department and DCHA. According to Bill Cairns, a member of the Delhi department, “Today was a little quieter than we hoped but the rain held off and everyone who said they
were going to be here are here,” said Cairns on Sunday. Cairns said the event was a collaboration and planning began last spring. “These guys (DCHA) were fantastic and all about being a part of the day,” he said. “Today is also the first day of fire prevention week - so it seemed fitting.” The apparatus showcased were “on loan” from various area departments such as Delhi, Bovina, Sidney, Bloomville and Treadwell departments as well as two private owners - George Gander of Harpersfield and Rick and Sue Ray of East Meredith. Cairns pointed out a handdrawn pumper and discussed the
evolution of fire apparatus. “If you look at the truck from the late 1970s, it is clear that was about the turning point similar to what we see today,” he said. Director of the DCHA Tim Duerden said the oldest motorized apparatus on the grounds was a 1926 Ahrens Fox NS4 Pumper owned by the Ray family of East Meredith. “It’s incredible,” he commented. “We also have quite a display detailing the local departments over the years - we have photographs, old uniforms, medals and more.” “One picture inside shows volunteers putting a fire out on Honest Brook so many years ago,” added Cairns. See DCHA page 6
Collaborative Comprehensive Planning Delaware County Seeks Public’s Input in Guiding County Plan By Lillian Browne HAMDEN - The Delaware County Planning Department conducted a series of public outreach sessions over the last two months to solicit the public’s help in guiding the county’s first
comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan, or master or land-use plan, is designed to guide future actions of a community. It provides a vision for the future, with longrange goals and objectives for activities that affect local government.
Planners, under the direction of committee members, held workshops - public listening or information gathering sessions - in different communities throughout Delaware County to gain a sense of how residents view See County Planning page 7
See Justice page 5
Lillian Browne/The Reporter
Kent Manuel and Kristin Schneider, staff at the Delaware County Planning Department, held a public informational workshop session in Hamden on Oct. 3 to brainstorm ideas for compiling Delaware County’s first comprehensive plan.