To the Editor:

At the July 8 Berne Town Board meeting, the supervisor had approval of the union contract for town employees on the agenda. However, I was not involved in any board discussion of the terms and the public was totally unaware of this document.

This was set up to slide through the approval process with residents unaware as the attached agenda documents. It was nearly passed in secret, in my opinion. Mr. Larry Zimmerman and I protested at the meeting; otherwise I am convinced it would have passed had I not attended.

I am in possession of a copy. It is a very irresponsible agreement in the very best economic circumstances. The state comptroller warns: “local governments facing profound fiscal challenges” (see attached). So I feel this agreement needs to see the light of day before approval.

While I am in favor of regular raises and good benefits for town employees, this agreement should clearly reflect “profound fiscal challenges” and it absolutely does not.

The 2020 budget is based on an unusually high level of 2019 sales-tax revenue in my opinion. The actual revenue is expected to be much lower. That creates a big hole and spending increases this year add to the potentially dire situation. It was, perhaps, estimated 15- or 20-percent too high and the actual revenue could be 25- to 35-percent low (my opinion at this point). Sales-tax revenue is a huge part of the town’s revenue to operate.

The superintendent of highways and the town supervisor deliberately obstructed our attempts to review the budget adequately last fall and created a very rushed approval process. In fact, this well documented obstruction has been characterized as failure to comply with their statutory obligations.

I agree with that assessment. There are many issues with the budget process last fall. During one budget workshop, the deputy supervisor vowed to abandon the approved budget in January when they took over the majority.

The superintendent of highways suggested that he needs three more $260,000 plow trucks and a new transfer-station truck. He also brought to our attention the potential need for storage tanks to replace the existing buried tanks — maybe $150,000 to $200,000. The unappropriated fund balance is not that big.

I think Berne taxpayers need to see the details of the union agreement that was set up to pass without public knowledge. My concern is keeping people employed during this downturn in the economy.

Good employees need and deserve raises and benefits but there are fiscal limitations that must be considered. I see no evidence of bargaining. This agreement is fiscally irresponsible and unsustainable in my opinion.

I would rather see raises that reflect existing circumstances than see employees laid off next year. Wasn’t the supervisor going to provide a letter to the editor explaining the Town’s budget status and issues weeks ago? He can now include an analysis of what the cost to the town will be for raises and benefits in this contract.

Joel Willsey

Berne Town Board

Editor’s note: See related story.