To the Editor:

Roger Chrysler stated at the last town board meeting that Berne needs volunteers. The Berne Town board accepted the resignation of another planning board chair, the fourth in as many years. Deb Bajouwa, an advocate for using the “Book,” as her guide, resigned after a six-month stint as chair.

Currently before the board is the Dollar Store application. Bajouwa gave a list of application requirements to the applicant at the September meeting. I imagine she got a call from the Old Guard, Kevin Crosier/Joseph Golden, expressing their disappointment with her requirements.

She clearly wasn’t going to have a ring in her nose, and resigned. I used to get a similar call when I was the town’s building and zoning administrator.

Mark Hohengasser, the planning-board alternate appointed in February, declined to accept his role as planning board member. Mark would have been an excellent member as he has demonstrated with his endless volunteerism at Switzkill Farm and with the State Parks. The board moves down the list to Alexis Goldsmith, the second-alternate member, to fill the void. Mike Vincent, a 30-year planning-board veteran, will serve out the year as chair.

Last month, the building and zoning clerk, Kathy Hill-Brown, resigned and had to be replaced, contributing to the tailspin in Berne Town Hall. Maybe she saw the 150-percent raise in Chance Townsend’s salary?

In 2017, it was $15,000; in 2018, $35,000! The position of building inspector was advertised at $46,000, plus full benefits this spring. I applied, as I understand Crosier did also. Townsend was selected and paid $35,000 — a 150-percent increase from previous years, or any other adjacent town’s salary.

The next volunteer to be denied was Randy Bashwinger, clearly stating his interest in volunteering for the Youth Council at previous meetings. Bashwinger was denied by council members Karen Schimmer, Joel Willsey, and Dawn Jordan. A mystery list of reasons for the denial was submitted by Willsey to the town clerk.

My family has contributed to a variety of community functions, including the Berne Library, Berne Fire Department, Forever Rural, Earth Day cleanups, and a veteran planner. I’ve applied to the Berne Town Board for a number of open positions for which I am overqualified and been denied. I suppose it’s because I can think for myself.

The majority of this board does not want my family here. The town clerk has said she is offended by my partner’s personal “appearance.” I kind of like his appearance; I look forward to it every day.

The majority of the town board continues to be controlled by the Golden/Crosier party, kowtowing to their every demand. The public has seen through this veil and voted accordingly last November for change from the Old Guard. They also see how this group treats appointees,volunteers, and employees.

Mr. Chrysler calls out for more help on committees and boards. Who wants to expose his family to the public humility and intimidation of this regime?

Kiwanis, fire companies, libraries, churches, and towns rely on volunteerism and community participation from all kinds of people from every walk of life.

Berne Town Hall has a lot of work to do, to win back the confidence of its residents.

Tim Lippert

Berne

Editor’s note: Debra Bajouwa said allegations that her resignation was in relation to the Dollar General application or any past or present supervisor were “absolutely false.” She added that she had served as planning board chairwoman for over six months; she was appointed last year and served for three months before resigning, and was appointed chairwoman again nine months ago in January.

Chance Townsend declined to comment without seeing in writing the assertion that his salary had more than doubled. The 2018 budget for the town of Berne lists the building inspector as having a salary of $15,450. It was also stated that this would be Townsend's salary when he was appointed at the organizational meeting in January of this year. This year’s tentative budget — which was adopted as the preliminary budget Tuesday night — lists the building inspector’s salary at $34,580. Townsend was also appointed last year as a maintenance worker for the town and had kept both jobs after he was appointed building inspector. The position of “laborer” in the town budget also increased.

Joseph Golden, a former town board member who did not run for re-election last year, said he has not spoken to Debra Bajouwa in at least a year and knows very little about the Dollar General application. Kevin Crosier declined to comment. Crosier — who lost his reelection bid last year to Sean Lyons — had fired Lippert’s partner, Scott Green, in 2016. Lippert served as the town building inspector until last December, when the town board, with three new members, did not reappoint him. Townsend was subsequently appointed to both Green’s old job and later Lippert’s.