In BerneCrosier praises volunteers, pledges preservation of "rural way of life"



BERNE — Over 50 people squeezed into the turn-of-the-last-century meeting room of the Berne Town Hall on Sunday afternoon to witness the change in government at the start of the new year.

Beneath the pressed-tin ceiling, in front of a portrait of George Washington, those elected in November took their oaths of office.

Despite vocal opposition in the fall election, Supervisor Kevin Crosier, a Democrat running on the Republican ticket, retained his post. He won 54 percent of the vote against Democratic Councilman James Hamilton.

The rest of the board members are Democrats. In a four-way race for two council seats, incumbent Joseph Golden got the most votes by far, followed by newcomer Wayne Emory.

The others who assumed office on Jan. 1 were all incumbent Democrats who ran unopposed — Town Clerk Pat Favreau, Highway Superintendent Raymond Storm, Assessor Robert Motschmann IV, and Tax Collector Gerald O’Malley.
After waxing eloquent on the "dusting of white snow" that greeted the new year in the Helderbergs, "a truly beautiful place to be," Crosier launched into a long list of thank-yous.
Crosier, who works for the city of Albany as a firefighter, said that volunteers "make Berne a truly great place to live."
"While we sleep, they’re at work," he said of the volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.
He also praised the volunteers who, for four years, have put on the town’s Heritage Days, and he lauded the Friends of the Library, a group that formed "to help us build a new library."
"In Berne, everything’s uphill," quipped the supervisor, calling the highway department workers who clear and fix the roads "our unsung heroes."
He singled out Superintendent Storm for praise, to which Storm, from the gallery, quickly responded, "That’s what we get paid for."

Crosier went on to thank the town board, the clerks, and the town hall staff.
He particularly praised Favreau, whom, he said, "puts in countless hours." She has been the town’s clerk for a quarter of a century.
Crosier revealed that, when Favreau comes to Town Hall to work extra hours on Sunday, she parks her car behind the post office. "So there’s a tip if you’re really looking for a hunting license on Sunday," he said.
"Many opportunities lie ahead for us," said Crosier, shifting from words of praise to setting goals for his four-year term ahead.
He praised Joel Willsey for redesigning the town’s transfer station and Ken Weaver for rebuilding the compactor, and he said of the town hall, "This building is 150 years old; it used to be an inn."
Berne, he said, is in "desperate need" of a new town hall and library.
Crosier went on to say he would work on preserving the town’s "rich natural resources" and on keeping its "rural way of life."

Crosier concluded his speech by thanking William Conboy, town attorney for 25 years, who administered the oaths of office Sunday.
"Your guidance has kept the town of Berne on the right track," said Crosier. "I’ve learned a lot from you about town government."

Family members then took turns holding a large red-covered Bible while the oaths were administered. Some office-holders were welcomed with kisses, others with the flash of a camera — all with applause.
"Bills are out," announced O’Malley, the tax collector, when his turn came. "My Christmas cards to everyone."

After the oaths were administered, Favreau read a proclamation honoring Mark Huth, her next-door neighbor, and a councilman who chose not to seek reelection.
Huth "always served to preserve and greatly enhance the character of our town," said Favreau.
The proclamation noted his role in helping establish the town’s first sewer district, and praised his "community commitment," ranging from Boy Scouts to church to the volunteer fire company.
The proclamation noted his "quiet firmness" and "deep integrity" and called him "a wonderful friend and neighbor."

It also lauded his wife and children for supporting Huth and wished him well as he now pursues fishing and carpentry, and is able to spend more time with his grandchildren and his dog, Buddy.

The applause for Huth was loud and long.

Another proclamation also recognized Douglas Fraser for 20 years of service to the town’s conservation board.
Favreau said Fraser is retiring and moving away. "He’s unable to be here today," she said, "because he’s in Trinidad."

The board then sped through a list of uncontested appointments, all made by unanimous vote.

Crosier adjourned the meeting at 1:35 p.m., just a half-hour after it began.
"Happy New Year," said the supervisor.
"We can go now"" asked seven-year-old Cameron Fine plaintively from the front row.
"You can go now," reassured the supervisor.

Appointments

Appointments and designations made by the Berne Town Board on New Year’s Day included:

— The Altamont Enterprise as the official newspaper;

— The Guilderland branch of Citizens Bank as the official depository;

— Joseph Golden as deputy supervisor;

— Kevin Crosier as director of emergency management;

— Patricia Favreau as marriage officer;

— William Conboy as legal counsel;

— Peter Schaming as building administrator and code-enforcement officer;

— Paul Jeffers as zoning administrator and code-enforcement officer;

— Jeff Villeneuve as dog-control officer;

— Brian Crawford as chairman of assessors;

— Anita Clayton as deputy town clerk;

— Andrea Cornwell as bookkeeper;

— Patricia Boice as court and highway clerk;

— Jacqueline Murray as secretary for the planning and zoning boards;

— Jane O’Shea as youth recreation director;

— Kevin Kemmet as solid-waste coordinator;

— Ralph Miller as historian;

— Willard Schanz as constable;

— Howard Stalker as town-hall custodian;

— Chair John Crosier, Mildred Johansson, Gerard Chartier, Michael Vincent, and Dan Burns to the planning board;

— Chair Peter Vance, James Fallon, John Carsten, Werner Knopp and Terry Adams to the zoning board;

— Chair Terry Schwendeman, Kathy Moore, Harold Lendrum, Patricia Kusler, and Dwight Brown to the conservation board;

— Chair Charles Turner, Marie Flagler, David Smith, Emily Wright, and George Christian to the assessment review board;

— Albert Raymond, Alan Zuk, Kathy Hill-Brown, Phil Place, and Jennifer Merrill-Fuller to the youth council; and

— Chair Jim O’Shea, Avis O’Malley, Joan Mullen, Marsha Descartes, Mary Kinnard, Helen Lounsbury, and Mary Alice Molgard as library trustees.