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.