To the Editor:

Another chapter in the continuing saga of the conversion of the end of Stage Road to “seasonal” unfolded at the Berne Town Board meeting held on March 8. Now, this issue was investigated by the highway superintendent and the state engineers, before determining that it was unsafe to use or plow to Route 443 in snow or ice conditions because there is insufficient distance to stop from where the intersection (and any plow trucks) are first visible to vehicles on Route 443.

The board was notified to post the change. The board members agreed that the move was necessary and appropriate.

Fast forward to fall 2016: A resident on the seasonal end of Stage Road complained about it to the board, expecting the decision be changed. The problem should have been settled by the town supervisor informing the homeowner that the change was necessary and completely legal.

Instead, he did a double-shuffle, to lay blame on the highway superintendent and conveniently forgot that the board supported the change. The suspicion that this was for political reasons was confirmed when [Supervisor Kevin] Crosier reported that he had received a petition from 20 people demanding that the seasonal designation be withdrawn.

Really?  And that’s his justification for throwing [highway Superintendent Randy] Bashwinger under the bus?  What’s really remarkable is that Mr Crosier puts more stock in what 20 people have to say than to the scores who show up at board meetings.

Then the new board member, Jim Cook, decided to jump into the fray by firing questions about the need for the change. He was informed that this was already discussed ad nauseum at prior board meetings (that Mr. Cook did not attend) and was resolved, but Mr. Cook pressed the point.

A voter in the audience interrupted and reminded him that, as he had just said, he was new to this and that, as an elected official, the highway superintendent is the one who is responsible for the decision, not the board.  (This fact was confirmed by the town’s attorney, Bill Conboy.)

After order was restored, Mr. Cook continued on about how he was going to try to get the state to look at the sight line, duplicating Mr. Bashwinger’s efforts and usurping his authority before launching into a tirade at the interrupter about how party politics shouldn’t enter into these discussions.

His point would be well taken if he hadn’t been the one to try to make the matter politically based. If it’s not about politics, then why?

What could possibly be behind the change? Safety. Safety of the town’s employees and safety of the people on the state road. Since Berne pays for insurance, it is also to the benefit to all of the taxpayers to avoid accidents there.

I’d hate to come around the corner and find a 10-ton plow truck blocking the road, leaving a choice between hitting it or going off the road. Worse will be if it involves a school bus or truck carrying propane or gasoline.

That’s why! And if the highway superintendent is overruled, the town will leave itself liable for anything that comes from its action.

Rick Otto

Berne

Editor’s note: Rick Otto is a member of Berne’s zoning board and is the treasurer for the Berne Republican Committee. See related story.