Happy New Year!

 

What a year 2021 has been for our world! These pandemic years have brought no shortage of challenges. One silver lining for the village is a reminder of the importance of bringing the unique lens of everyone's ideas to help tackle challenges for which existing solutions are coming up short.  A few highlights of this year’s work include:  The conclusion of our water project.   Launching a new initiatives in our village through sharing programs with the county and state. Creating new ways to learn and engage directly with you, both through virtual and through in-person meetings. I am profoundly grateful to you, our community, for the ways that you enable, utilize, and inform our work. I am also grateful to my dedicated colleagues here at the village office, who work tirelessly to bring our village forward. I look forward to all that we will learn and do in 2022. It promises to be an exciting year. Thank you for being part of our community.

All my best to you and yours, Mark

Christmas Tree Pick Up

 Starting today the Village will begin Christmas tree pickup. 

What is most important is that Christmas trees do not end up in landfills or are incinerated. If you choose to opt-out of the pickup option, there are other alternatives:

• SHELTER FOR BACK YARD WILDLIFE: If you are able to leave your tree in your background, your Christmas tree can provide birds and other small creatures with shelter over the winter season.

• COMPOSTING: For those with compost piles, the thin branches of Christmas trees make a great base and allow for airflow at the bottom of the pile. Over time, the branches will break down. The branch sizes should match the bin size and should be stacked four (4) to six (6) inches high. 

• MULCH:  If you enjoy mulched paths in your yard, choosing to mulch your Christmas tree will provide you the perfect mulch for your path. Some say they prefer the smell of Christmas tree mulch versus the traditional mulch. Experts say that the Christmas tree mulch should be one (1) to two (2) inches in length. 

For additional tips, the Sierra Club, a leading environmental advocacy organization, has published a helpful article on how to best keep trees out of landfills.

https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/how-keep-your-christmas-tree-out-landfill

December Village Meeting Update

This month, The Village meeting will be held Virtually.  Please feel free to attend the meeting at this Google meet address.

https://meet.google.com/qpr-wztn-wch

We are holding the Village meeting Virtual due to the rise in COVID 19 cases in Otsego County.

Thank you 

Mark

Village Mayor

Household Water Assistance Program from New York State.

 If you would like more information please contact the village office.  Thank you

Mark

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

As the most quintessentially recognized American Holiday, Thanksgiving has significantly evolved from its deeply religious roots of fasting, prayers and the gathering for a memorable repast. Although one common thread remains today – sharing a meal with family and friends while enjoying their all too infrequent visits. Preparations are always a lot of work. Do not allow stress to enter into your heart. We do have much to be thankful for, that this one day should be devoted to all our achievements and reflect upon all our blessings that are rarely realized, appreciated and that life is really short. Let us enrich ourselves with the abundance and goodwill within our DNA. After all, gratitude and giving are the most significant acts that we can express to one another.

 “Be thankful for what you have. Your life is someone else’s fantasy.” – Wale Ayeni 

 Thank you and enjoy Thanksgiving.

Thank you for your Comments!

Thank you all for your comments. Rest assured that I check with our Attorney before I post comments here. As far as zoning, I have been told that we currently have no zoning laws about MRTA in Gilbertsville and none of our current laws are applicable to it. I also want to let you know we are automatically opted in unless we opt out by a resolution (and we are our own entity, and what the Town does has no effect on Gilbertsville). This notice was just given to us, so we are sorry for the late notice. Here are some of the highlights, you should be aware of. On March 31, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed into law the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). While the MRTA legalizes the possession and use of cannabis immediately, the actual sale of adult-use cannabis will be heavily regulated by the State and is not expected to begin until late 2022 or early 2023. Therefore, we need to know how the village feels. We don’t know what the regulation is going to like look. By Opting Out, we can wait to see what the state’s regulations are. Thank you again for your feedback. Mark

OPT IN OR OPT OUT OF CANNABIS DISPENSARY PERMISSIONS

Hello fellow residents, All towns, city and villages in NY must decide to “opt out” of the New York State law allowing cannabis dispensaries in their city or town, by Dec. 31, if they are going to do it at all. The dispensaries are legal in New York State as of Jan. 1. Opting out” would give our village time to enact local laws concerning zoning, location of stores, types of buildings, or even requirements that a dispensary owner go to the planning board for approval. Not opting out would allow “wide open” establishment of cannabis dispensaries in the village as soon as January 1, 2022, in keeping with the new New York State law allowing marijuana to be sold. It’s not if we “opt out” it means there will be no dispensaries in our town forever,. It just means we will have time to study the situation further, enact laws controlling them, and their locations, just as we do with other businesses. Our local laws, the way they are now, don’t even address cannabis dispensaries since they weren’t even legal before…we just haven’t been given much information from the state on this, and we’re expected to just decide, and enact a law opting in” or “opting out” within the next month, and that’s not that easy. But if we “opt out” we have time to make a plan for them; if we “opt in” by doing nothing further, then the dispensary could open any place in our village, and it would be too late to do any kind of local regulation concerning building requirements, location, etc.” Voters interested in commenting on what action their village board should take should, either attend a public hearing or put the comments in writing to the village board before they vote. The public hearing will be in mid announced. I will post the date and it will be in the Daily Star.

Water Quality Report for Gilbertsville

 Village of Gilbertsville

P.O. Box 146

Gilbertsville, NY 13776

(607) 783- 2440

E-mail: clerk@gilbertsvilleny.org

Public Water Supply # 3800149

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2020

The Village of Gilbertsville is providing you with this consumer confidence report, which is a snapshot of Gilbertsville’s drinking water quality between January and December 2020. Safe drinking water is our primary commitment.

WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS REPORT?

Congress passed the Safe Water Drinking Act in 1974 and gave the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the job of setting standards, National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR), to ensure safe drinking water throughout the United States.

In 1996, Congress passed amendments that require drinking water systems to give consumers important information about their water, including where it comes from, and how your water quality compares with federal standards.

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY WATER?

Our Village Board meets the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Office on Lover’s Lane Road. The public is invited.  You may also call Richard Gilbert, Water Superintendent at: 607 783-2440.

WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?

The Village of Gilbertsville’s Water Department supplies water to approximately 370 village residents.  The Village also provides water to three homes in the Town of Butternuts on Mill Street.  In 2019, the Village of Gilbertsville averaged 32,517 gallons of water per day.

The Village Water System’s primary source is the manganese treatment plant located 23 Grove Street.  The two wells are approximately 236 feet deep. The well’s maximum output in a twenty-four hour period is approximately 240,000 gallons each.

WHY MUST YOU TREAT MY WATER?

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain very small amounts of some contaminants.  The presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean that the water poses a health risk.  More information about contaminants and potential health risk can be obtained by calling EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.

Water is gathered and piped to our storage reservoir on Cliff Street.  The water is chlorinated and filtered (manganese) in the well house on Grove Street before it is pumped up to the storage reservoir on Cliff Street.

WHAT CONTAMINANTS MIGHT BE IN THE WATER?

Contaminants that may be present in raw or source water before it is treated are microbial contaminants, inorganic contaminants, pesticides and herbicides, radioactive contaminants, and organic chemical contaminants.

*Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

*Inorganic contamination, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

*Pesticides and herbicides, may come from a variety of sources, such as agricultural and residential uses.

*Radioactive contaminants, which are naturally occurring.

*Organic chemical contamination, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, storm runoff, and septic systems.

ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN GILBERTSVILLE’S WATER?

We are pleased to report that Gilbertsville’s water met and exceeded all federal drinking water standards in 2020.

However, even with the best water treatment, it’s not always possible to remove all contaminants.  Earth and rock act as natural filters and remove many of these contaminants.  The EPA sets limits on the amount of contaminants that can be in drinking water.  Many tests were performed last year, including tests for turbidity and monthly tests for coliform, which can show the presence of microorganisms that could cause illness.  Our water is tested by Life Science Laboratories in East Syracuse, NY. 

IS OUR WATER SAFE FOR EVERYONE?

Some people may be more vulnerable to drinking water contaminants than the general population.  Immuno-compromised persons, such as people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplant, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections.  These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.  EPA/Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosparidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.

Laboratory Results Analysis for 2020

Table of Detected Contaminants
Contaminant	Violation	Date of Sample	Level Detected	Unit	Regulatory Limit (MCL, TT or AL)	MCLG	Likely Source of Contamination
	Yes/No		(Avg/Max)	Measure-ment
			(Range)
Coliform/Ecoli	NO	1-9-20	Negative				Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful waterborne pathogens may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution.
Nitrate	NO	4-1-20	<0.2	mg/L	10	n/a	Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome..
Lead	NO	8/17/16	6.5	ug/L	AL = 15	0	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of  natural deposits
Copper	NO	8/17/16	0.275	mg/L	AL = 1.3	1.3	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of  natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives.
Definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level  (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.  MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Action Level  (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Milligrams per liter (mg/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one million parts of liquid (parts per million - ppm).
Micrograms per liter (ug/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one billion parts of liquid (parts per billion - ppb).
Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water. Lab results continued next page:

Richard C. Gilbert, Water Superintendent, 607 783-2440

Village of Gilbertsville, P.O. Box 146, Gilbertsville, NY 13776

EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-479

Individual copies available on request from Village Clerk at 607 783-2440.

Love will always win over hate and discrimination!

I am appalled and saddened that a pride flag was  burned in Gilbertsville.

This is not what the Village of Gilbertsville stands for, and I condemn this act of hate in the strongest possible terms. It’s disgusting and unacceptable.

I am relieved that the Police are investigating the incident and that the Village has also condemned this act.

I am sincerely sorry for any pain this has caused community members here in our Village and elsewhere.

I can only imagine the hurt and concern an act like this could cause families with. It deeply pains me to think that an act like this has the potential to intimidate and scare people from being open about who they truly are.

But I want to make it very clear to all community members and families: As your Mayor, I will always stand up for you and defend you. You have my love and full support. Everyone is an important part of our Village.

You also have my word that along with the Trustees and Village staff, I will continue to do everything I can to build a Village that is as inclusive and accessible as it is diverse.

Love will always win over hate and discrimination.

FLOOD DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME IN GILBERTSVILLE?

Flood Damage to Your Home in Gilbertsville?

 

NYS Historic Homeowner Tax Credit Application Assistance

Thursday, August 5, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Village of Gilbertsville Office, 107 Lovers Lane

New York State offers a 20% Homeowner Historic Tax Credit for homeowners who live in historic districts, and repairs due to flood damage qualify. It is important to apply earlier than later to make sure you receive this credit!

Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000, will explain the historic tax credit process, answer questions, and assist homeowners in filling out applications.

Interested homeowners should bring photos of the home from the exterior, as well as photos of flood damage. Expenses must be a minimum of $5,000 to claim the credit. Qualifying expenses include:

Update On Gilbertsville Flooding

 Hello fellow residents.  The flooding that occurred was very devastating to our little Village.  I am so thankful that no one was injured during this event.  I am giving you an update as of 7/23/2021 of what has been done.    

We have contacted several agencies as to our situation.  

Currently we have NYS Department of Transportation Response Team working hard getting Rt. 51 back in working order.  Big Thank you to them.  

Michelle Farewell, who helped me coordinate and gave me information of who to call to set the State of Emergency, while I was away.

Victor Jones, Emergency Services Coordinator - Otsego County for helping us get recourses and information to the individuals who need assistance.  

Jack Dodson - who has helped us with a damage assessment report,  damages ranging from 5 - 6 million dollars.

Christine Bienes, from the office of Rep. Delgado, who put us in contact with the Senator and Robert Dougherty, Legislative Director who has helped us immensely, with contacting the DEC, and other officials and stands ready to assist us as needed.

Senator Oberacker who will be joining us for a tour of the damage, thank you so much!

Assemblyman Angelino who will also be joining us for a tour of the damage, thank you so much, and his staff for being so helpful during this time.

So at this time, we are working with the State and the federal government to try to get help for our Village.  We have filled out all the paperwork to assess our damage.  Please keep track of your time and take pictures before the clean up of anything you see around the village that may be damaged.  I appreciate everyone's patience as we work through this situation.  

Thank you again for making our village a wonderful place to live.

Village of Gilbertsville is under a State of Emgency until further notice

 Please be safe.  

Annual 4th of July in Gilbertsville and Pet Parade

Patriotism and love for our country run deep in our village. These sentiments are proudly displayed in the many Fourth of July celebrations that take place throughout the day.

The annual 4th of July Gilbertsville parade will start @ high noon on Sunday the 4th of July. The parade will form in front of the former school and proceed to the monument. There will be a brief ceremony on the lawn of the Baptist Church to celebrate the 245th year of the United States and the 100th anniversary of the American Legion Auxiliary.  The Baptist women will hold their bake sale at that time and also the fire department will host a chicken barbecue.

Will we encourage kids to decorate their bikes and ride in parade?

Pet parade will be Saturday July 3rd @ 6pm forming @ Centennial Park and walking to the center of Gilbertsville. 

Additionally, fireworks set off in our neighborhoods can be extremely traumatizing for Individuals and our pets, so please be considerate.

I want to wish all of you a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Hydrant Flushing will Be Tomorrow, and again On Monday

 Hydrant Flushing will Be Tomorrow, and again On Monday.  This should be minimal brown water and only a small possibility of low pressure.  Monday's Flushing is for the ISO rating.  

The Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) is a leading source of information about risk for the property & casualty insurance industry. Its products help customers measure, manage and reduce risk. ISO is used by insurance companies in most states to evaluate fire departments for the purpose of establishing insurance premiums in the local areas.

Memorial Day Weekend!

 

As we approach the Memorial Day weekend, I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy some much deserved quality time with family and friends. We are grateful things are finally getting back to normal and are looking forward to a memorable summer.  We are going to enjoy the traditional Memorial Day Parade this year, it doesn’t mean that we should let our guard down around COVID.  Beyond picnics and barbecues, I hope you will remember that Memorial Day gives us all a chance to reflect on and appreciate the many freedoms we are afforded in our country. As we enjoy the weekend with our loved ones,  I hope you might join me and take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting to defend our freedom and way of life.   We will honor the soldiers, sailors, marines and other service members, who gave their lives in service to our nation with a Ceremony on Monday, May 31st  in our Village.  Our Veterans and First Responders and a Vintage Car Parade will then proceed in the Village in a “March of Honor” to remember those we lost.

 Please even though things are getting back to normal lets try to maintain social distance and wear a mask if you have not been vaccinated.  Let's be smart and enjoy the summer.

End of Brush Pick-up Monday, May 24

 Brush pick-up is ending Monday the 24th and after that you can take the brush to the green dump anytime.  Have a Happy May.

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION SURVEY FOR GILBERTSVILLE: RESULTS

The survey polled 63 individuals, with 239 views.  The 63 individuals answered all the questions to generate a representative sample of feelings in the Village of Gilbertsville, about marijuana legalization.  I want to thank my fellow residents for taking this survey.

1.        This survey is anonymous, but we would like to know if you (check all that apply)

Marijuana Legalization

 

On March 31, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed into law the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).  We have to ensure that our village can maintain a significant level of control over how the new law will be implemented within our community. While the MRTA legalizes the possession and use of cannabis immediately, the actual sale of adult-use cannabis will be heavily regulated by the State and is not expected to begin until late 2022 or early 2023.

I am going to put together a survey on how village residence feel about the new law.  Also, whether or not  we would be interested in receiving a direct revenue stream if retail dispensaries are located within our village. I am currently putting together a survey in the next week or so.   Thank you

Please Help out the GMU Clay Target Club

 

Spring Brush Pick has begun!

 

Spring Cleanup:

Brush must be piled neatly with all cut ends facing the same direction.  No Brush over 3” in diameter will be accepted.  Smaller brush and twigs must be bundled or in containers and piled separately. 

Clippings and Leaves must be in bags or containers which can be picked up to load on a truck, maximum weight for any of these items is 40 lbs.  No bags containing garbage or trash will be picked up.  The village is composting this waste:  therefore, it is important that no garbage or trash be mixed in.  Large weeds and stalks must be bundled, bagged or in containers in a separate pile.

Thank you!