Dresden trustee resigns, another returns

DRESDEN—The Dresden village board experienced membership changes for the first meeting of the 2011 year, Wednesday, Jan. 5.
While Mayor Loujane Johns was in Florida, the board consisted of Tom McGuigan and Dan Egburtson.  Egburtson, a former trustee, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board.  Former Trustee David Wernsing resigned, effective the end of last year.
When the board was asked about Wernsing’s resignation, McGuigan said he left due to disagreements.  Charlie Leach added that Johns was sick and wanted to fly up from Florida to Strong Memorial Hospital.  Johns previously announced her intention not to run for mayor in March and was supposed to be in Florida for the rest of her term.
In other business:
• During the meeting the board held a public hearing on the proposed 2011-12 budget.  The board said the tax rate would go down 2.24 percent, or 24 cents.  However, the budget was not passed because a 1.5 percent decrease in wages needed to be added.  Clerk Terry Dilts said she was not informed of that change to the budget.
• The board appointed Elsie Goodman and Sue Morris as election officers.  New ballots were also approved.  The village can not use the election ballots they have been using.  Dilts provided a quote from Fort Orange Press, which is used by the county.  She said their cost is $150 plus 57 cents for each ballot, totaling $246.
• Dilts presented the resolution for the property tax cap.  After discussion, the board tabled decision until Dilts gets a better explanation about the cap from the village attorney and assessor.
• Fire Chief Warren Zimmerman said the county has switched over to the new ultra high frequency (UHF) radio system.  He added a new base station would cost around $2,000 and it was suggested to go with a mobile radio, which would be less expensive.
• Department of Public Works Superintendent John Stryker submitted a written report.  In it he said the department has started Christmas tree pickup.
• Zoning changes were sent to the village attorney for review.
The next regular board meeting is Monday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m.