EAST BERNE — As town and county officials continue to push a highway merger, Berne workers peppered them with questions at a meeting last Wednesday.

Joe Welsh and his co-workers compiled a list of 49 questions, focused on the effects the consolidation could have on Berne Highway Department employees and residents.

The questions covered Berne highway workers’ salaries, health insurance, plowing routes, job responsibilities, the amount of money taxpayers would save by merging the two departments, what the savings would be used for, as well as differences between Berne and Albany County’s operations, salaries, procedures, policies, and facilities.

Upon receiving a list of answers to their questions, highway employees still had many concerns about the proposed merger of the Berne Highway Department and The Albany County Department of Public Works.

Welsh began his questioning by rising to his feet and asking for a show of hands from highway workers in favor of the merger.

No hands were raised.
"I just wanted to get that out of the way," Welsh said. "There are a lot of rumors going around."

Comments from the firehouse

Throughout last Wednesday’s meeting at the East Berne firehouse, county officials, Berne highway workers, and members of the Berne Town Board, often found themselves at odds with one another. Officials repeatedly said that the merger is not yet far enough along to answer all the highway workers’ questions.

Throughout the meeting, Welsh read each question aloud from the compiled list, and also read each answer provided him by officials and the town board.
"Will the workers of the Town Highway Department stay in Berne or will they be relocated to different parts of Albany County"" Welsh read.
The answer he was provided was, "Under this merger proposal, all full-time employees would remain in the town of Berne."
Welsh then asked if the answer town employees were given is guaranteed. The county’s commissioner of public works, Michael Franchini, answered, "That was the answer."
Berne Town Board member Joseph Golden, speculating about the future of town employees, spoke hypothetically and said, "Let’s just say some magic happened, and this thing went through. Is there a guarantee that these guys will work in the town of Berne the rest of their lives""
Franchini answered Golden’s question by saying, "It’s not up to me. It’s up to the county. I can’t speak for the county." He added, "We don’t transfer people unless we have to."

Golden also said he thinks a draft agreement would have to be made before any conclusions can be drawn about the merger’s effects.
"We’re working on it," Franchini said.
"What we’re doing now won’t change," Berne Supervisor Kevin Crosier said.
Albany County Commissioner, Michael Franchini, said, "There’s an estimated $14,000 in fuel savings."

Berne Highway worker Ken Weaver did not understand where the savings would be coming from.
"You’re out the same amount of time with the same truck," Weaver said.
Franchini then said, "We pay less for fuel. We don’t pay as much for worker comp. insurance."

Crosier and Albany County Deputy County Executive Joseph F. Pennisi, throughout the evening, both referred more than once to the proposal’s two main goals — to save the taxpayers’ money and to provide better services.

Welsh also asked county officials how they came up with Berne highway workers’ and Albany County employees’ salaries in 2005.

According to the list of answers he received from county officials and the Berne town board, Albany County employees were paid an average annual salary of $38, 647.15, including overtime; Berne highway workers were paid $37,855.50.
"Last year I made about $40,000, and I’m one of the lower paid guys. There are only two guys who make less than me," Welsh said.

Crosier stated the figure didn’t include overtime pay town employees made for building the transfer station.

Crosier also cited economical reasons for supporting the merger by stating conditions in Europe and the state.
"Gas is three dollars a gallon now. In England, it’s eight dollars a gallon," Crosier said. He also said New York state has grant money that could be used in the merger.
"There is $25 million dollars available now, and the state wants people to try this merger," he said.
"Right now is the time," he said of the state funds. "There may not be anything left in five years."
Crosier later stated, "I have received e-mails from attorneys who represent two towns in the middle of the state that are looking at this proposal with great interest."

Crosier said that the savings could be used for town roads as well as beautification projects.