The
Town of Berkshire has struggled on numerous occasions with coming to grip with
the implications of a) increasing State mandates b) shrinking economic
resources c) disappearing farmland d) and limiting undesirable land uses. These ongoing changes along with others on
the horizon raise the question of whether there is anything that can be done to
improve the situation and to better prepare for the future.
To
better understand the mood of its residents and their attitudes, the Town of
Berkshire conducted a survey. The
survey was well received and generated a high response rate. The survey is an invaluable document
enabling insight into the residents concerns and attitude. Overwhelmingly the residents stressed the
advantages of rural lifestyle while at the same time they expressed their
concerns about shrinking revenues, which are primarily based on property
taxes. As a result of the survey the
town is now better able to fashion a vision for a comprehensive planning
process.
Through
careful planning the Town of Berkshire proposes to preserve its principal
advantages of farmland, forests, woodlots, and water. The Town recognizes the need to address limited local
employment opportunities and to seek sources of revenue beyond property
tax. The Town will encourage land use
patterns that are compatible with and protect the existing rural
character. By taking advantage of its
geographic proximity to the regional population centers, the Town will maximize
its ability to attract new business opportunities. Through the use of appropriate incentives, the Town of Berkshire
will encourage modernization of its infrastructure (roads, transportation links,
and telecommunication opportunities), thereby allowing the town to thrive.
Recommendations:
Ø
Develop
a aquifer monitoring program
Ø
Protect
aquifers through regulations
Ø
Create
a septic system ordinance
Ø
Discourage
development of steep slopes that promote erosion and silitation of streams
Goal:
Ensure that cell towers are cited responsibly, mining goes through state and
local permitting processes and that billboards are reviewed locally.
Recommendations:
Ø
Create
a local ordinance to address cellular towers
Ø
Work
with DEC on mining application process
The
residents of the Town of Berkshire recognize that there are many benefits to be
derived from open space that relate to the social, environmental, and economic
health of the town.
Goal:
Ensure that new development is done in
an appropriate manner consistent with the rural small town nature of
Berkshire. Better define the entryways
into the Town of Berkshire; develop signage and landscaping to enhance image of
place.
Recommendations:
Ø
Conduct
inventory and map open space and scenic views.
Such an inventory will lead to identification of important components of
landscape.
Ø
When
considering open space preservation, give priority to prime soils for
agriculture, environmentally sensitive areas, historic areas, and locations
with scenic views.
Ø
Discourage
of Open Space land for any development and preserve historic village corridor.
There
is need to respect the Agricultural District Law which recognizes that viable
agricultural land is on of the State’s most important and irreplaceable
environmental and economic resources.
Sustaining a rural landscape will provide a link between environment and
community. A great portion of the town
of Berkshire is still in agriculture, which is a significant land use. When farms go out of business that process
can negatively impact the few remaining businesses in town. Farms are also recognized for their role in
favorable supporting the tax base.
Goal:
Retain as much as possible of the
existing farmland and thereby preserve open space and rural character of town.
Recommendations:
Ø
Actively
encourage the retention of existing Ag District parcels, including economic
incentives.
Ø
Help
farmers by permitting secondary businesses to be on farms, with appropriate
controls to preserve agricultural and environmental character.
Ø
Designate
open and agricultural lands and identify prime agricultural lands (based on
soil, location, or size of parcel, or water resources such as ponds and
streams).
Participants
in the survey conducted by the Town indicated that historic buildings and
cultural facilities are important.
There is therefore, an expressed
desire to retain the rural and historic assets that exist within the town and
the village proper. An attempt was
made to identify the potentially significant architectural structures within
the Main Street district in the late seventies. Graduate students from the School of Architecture at Cornell
catalogued these structures, revealing that there are 15 structures within the
village proper, which could be designated to represent a historic district and
that there are another 12 structures outside the village limits. Three churches and the library building
are on the historical register.
During the consolidation of the school district, one of the Berkshire
high school buildings used as an auditorium and gym facility, was sold to a
group of local citizens and is presently owned by the Berkshire Fire
Department. Since then, it has been
the desire of the Town of Berkshire to turn this building into a Community
Center for all. The Library, which houses
the museum artifacts on the second floor, is also on the historical register of
significant village buildings. The existing sense of community will be
demonstrated and reinforced by the growth of festivals and sporting events that
will benefit young and old alike.
Civic groups, such as the Fire Department, Churches, Library and History
Buffs will enhance the opportunity for citizen involvement.
Goal: Continue to expand cultural, tourism, and
recreational opportunities for all citizens in the Town of Berkshire. Enhance and expand existing facilities.
Recommendations:
Ø
formally
designate the the l5 structures within the village limits as a historic
district
Ø
discourage
the intrusion of development/construction that is inconsistent with the historic
district
Ø
work
with the Tioga County Council on the Arts to increase awareness of existing and
new cultural opportunities
Ø
partner
with the Tioga County Tourism office to create Agri-tourism events (this would
connect the agricultural community with citizens at large)
Ø
preserve
the open access to the Library by supporting the funding of library functions
such as the annual Summer Activities for
all children
Ø
Create
a community center out of the historic school building.
RECREATION/YOUTH
ACTIVITIES
The
need to increase recreational opportunities has been recognized at various town
forums. Recreational attractions are
periodically offered by the school system, but are not readily available for
all in the Town of Berkshire due to lack of transportation. While the village proper does presently
exhibit a fair amount of open space, this open space is currently underutilized
for activities, specifically for youth of all ages. The Town lacks facilities , which would support activities
targeting youth. While the Fire
Department does have a mentor program, which involves young adults, that
program is not inclusive of all Berkshire youth. Other than the Fire Department, there are few
adult/youth-mentoring opportunities available. The Town does have a Golf Course; however, recreationally the
course is not accessible to youth. The
East Branch of the Owego Creek flows through town and has a significant
potential for recreation.
Goal: Expand and enhance the recreational
facilities of the ballpark and the Green Commons around the Fire
Department. Increase opportunities
for all Youth in the Town of Berkshire.
Recommendations:
Ø
Designate
by resolution the preservation of the existing open space in town
Ø
Develop
partnerships with local Churches to create a Parent Resource Center
Ø
Partner
with the Library to provide space for assistance with homework
Ø
Construct
swings and slides for young children on the Green Commons
Ø
Partner
with the school system to provide additional services; a form of outreach for
those needing Literacy, GED, or Job Training services
Ø
Partner
with county and local youth organizations to create more recreational
opportunities for the residents of Berkshire.
Ø
Explore
grants to develop access to the extensive recreational opportunities of the
East Branch of the Owego Creek
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES,
GOALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
ISSUES
Little
economic development has taken place in the Town of Berkshire, and agricultural
industry continues to decline. Commercial and agricultural development is more
beneficial to the tax base than residential development. There are little or no
incentives in place to promote desirable development.
GOALS
Attract
appropriate economic development, including agricultural, tourism, commercial
and light industrial.
Attain
an image as a Town that welcomes new businesses, and provide clear guidelines
regarding the Town's expectations and standards (environmental, historical
preservation, land use, congestion, aesthetics, etc.
The
Town should shape its own destiny consistent with the wishes of the majority of
the citizens.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ø
Appoint
an economic development committee to work with Tioga County Economic
Development and Planning, responsible for promoting the Town of Berkshire,
recruiting desired business and promoting tourism. The committee should
investigate the use of the Internet as a tool to promote the Town's interest.
Ø
Document
an economic development policy to attract business without negatively impacting
the quality of life in Berkshire.
Ø
Develop
or update ordinances to clearly define Town requirements, expectations and
procedures regarding commercial and industrial as well as agricultural and
tourism development.
Ø
Provide
short-term tax incentives and start up loans to industries and businesses that
are consistent with the rural nature of the Town.
Ø
Consider
providing municipal water and sewer system.
Ø
Cooperate with neighboring towns in promoting
area events.
Ø
Create
a Site Plan Review Ordinance.
COMMUNICATIONS
(INTRA-COMMUNITY)
COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES, GOALS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
ISSUES
The
1999 community survey indicated people felt that communications within
Berkshire, especially between the Town Board and the citizens, is non-existent.
GOALS
All
citizens feel that the Town Board is making policy and decisions based on input
from all interested parties. There is routine communication, in both
directions, between the Board and the citizenry. All citizens feel the Town
Board is approachable and respectful of each person's opinion.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ø
Provide
routine communications, possibly a monthly newsletter, between the Board and
the citizens.
Ø
Place
a bulletin board in the new Town office building for posting of meeting
notices, issue votes and up-coming events.
Ø
Provide
a suggestion box for citizens to communicate concerns to the Board.
Ø
Place
a tasteful marquis type sign in a conspicuous location to remind citizens of
Board meetings and other Town events.
Ø
Provide
a method to feed back to the Board members the impressions of citizens
regarding Town issues.
VISION:
To provide for the adequate
housing for all residents of Berkshire. To set standards for all housing
options, and to make sure they conform with all town codes and laws currently
and those new or amended codes in the future. To advocate that all housing is
attractive and blends in with its neighborhood. To make Berkshire an
attractive, pleasant place in which to reside. To make residents proud of their
town and to encourage new people to locate here.
Goal:
Provide affordable housing for
senior citizen and low income residents.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ø
Look into the possibilities of locating a senior citizen
housing development in or near Berkshire.
Ø
Look into the possibilities for obtaining grants and
assistance from state and federal sources for senior and low income housing.
Ø
Make a survey of senior citizens to find out what their
housing needs are, meet with senior citizen groups.
Goal:
There exists a shortage of
rental units in Berkshire, both apartments and homes. We need to look into ways
to increase the number of rental units, this would keep more dollars in the
local economy as well as attract new people to locate here.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ø
Find out what is currently available in rental units and
what types of units are most desirable.
Ø
Encourage residents to convert or construct new rental
housing.
Ø
Find out if there are any state or local funds available
for helping offset the costs of converting or creating new rental housing.
Goal:
Much of the housing in
Berkshire needs to be improved; this would make an attractive town for all
residents and for people passing thru. An attractive town would instill pride
in the residents, and would attract new people to locate here thus giving the
local economy a boost.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ø
Encourage residents to maintain and improve their homes.
Ø
Consider having town clean-up days annually.
Ø
Work with Federal, State, and Local governments on any
grants or programs available to fix-up and improve existing housing for
qualified residents.
TOWN ROADS: The quality
of the various roads in the Town should be analyzed on a rational and
systematic basis relative to one another so that there would be better
continuty for the road maintenance/upgrade plan over changes in the elected and
appointed officials. The rationale of
the analysis should be documented and well publicized. The Town Board should
seek consensus.
COUNTY
ROADS: Town representatives should work with relevant Tioga County
representatives to document the rationale, timing and sequence of work on the
County roads within the Berkshire Township.
STATE
ROUTE 38: The State DOT should notify the Town of any upcoming
maintenance/improvements. Also, the
Town should work with the DOT to rationalize the ditch clearing work by the DOT
so as to eliminate certain unneeded, unwanted, and costly work that is
sometimes experienced.
Recommendations:
Ø
Annually update roads
survey