The Broome County Legislature held a Special and Regular Session on Thursday, June 17, 2010 to consider resolutions concerning establishing a hauling permit for oversized vehicles operating on county roads, approving funding to complete the Greater Binghamton Transportation Center, and contract authorizations for En-Joie Golf Course and the Spiedie Fest Balloon Rally, among numerous other items.

 

After months of debate and numerous public meetings, a local law establishing a special permit for use of county roads by certain vehicles that exceed State weight or dimensional limits was adopted. The final version was substantially amended to reflect comments made by residents and business owners to legislators. The local law takes effect on January 1, 2011 and will provide an enhanced level of protection for county roads and the taxpayers who fund their maintenance. 

 

$5,000 in funding was approved for the Broome County Urban League to allow the agency to continue to provide its summer enrichment programming. The approved amount was reduced from an earlier request based on the Urban League receiving additional funding from the United Way of Broome County.

 

With the newly constructed Greater Binghamton Transportation Center nearly complete, the legislature approved additional funding needed to complete the nearly eight-year project. The original estimate for the project of $12.4M was adjusted to just over $14.1M as a result of construction inflation, structural adjustments, eminent domain acquisition costs and unanticipated underground conditions. The county share of the project is just over $2.9M with federal and state agencies funding the balance.

  

Agreements were approved which allow the County to continue managing the En-Joie Golf Course through 2013 as well as authorize use of Otsiningo Park for the 2010 Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally. The County will provide up to $49,000 of in-kind support for the Spiedie Fest and a payment of $14,000 will be made to the County by the event organizers.

 

Voters will now have more privacy during election season as the legislature authorized the purchase of 175 privacy screens for the new voting machines at a price of $25,550 which will be reimbursed through federal HAVA grant funding.

 

Draft resolutions, meeting notices, agendas, minutes and all other legislative business are available on the legislature’s website under the Legislative Business tab at: www.gobroomecounty.com/legis

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