Broome County Header

Tag: countyexec

  • NYSEG Public Hearing on Rate Case

    (BINGHAMTON, NY) In May of 2019, NYSEG filed a rate case, asking the Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to increase gas and electric rates. Those increases would take effect in April of 2020. The public is invited to comment on NYSEG’s request at a public hearing in Binghamton on Thursday, August 15, at the Binghamton City Hall Council Chambers at 38 Hawley St, Binghamton. At 5:00 p.m., there will be a public information session; public comments will start at 6:00 p.m.

    This is an important opportunity for residents, businesses, and local officials to tell the Public Service Commission (PSC) about experiences with NYSEG. Comments can range from experience with customer service, more renewable energy or incentives for heat pumps, or NYSEG’s proposal to raise electric rates by 24 percent. Issues such as reliability, power quality, responsiveness to service requests, scheduling and communications, and/or cost can be considered by the PSC as it deliberates whether NYSEG can raise its rates.

    Broome County encourages people from the construction and real estate communities, the commercial and manufacturing sectors, and municipal officials, as well as the general public to attend to ensure that their opinions on this issue are heard. This is a great chance to communicate with the agency that regulates NYSEG.

    Alternate methods to provide public comment on the rate case are listed below:

    • Internet or Email: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search,” enter the applicable case number (19-E-0378 or 19-G0379) and then click the “Post Comments” button at the top of the page.
    • Email comments to the Secretary for the Commission at secretary@dps.ny.gov.
    • By Mail or Hand Delivery: Comments may be mailed or delivered to the Honorable Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.
    • Toll-Free Opinion Line: 1-800-335-2120 is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. Comments provided through this line are not transcribed, but a summary is provided to the Administrative Law Judges and to the PSC for their consideration.

  • Assemblywoman Lupardo and County Executive Garnar Recognizes TechWorks! for Top Computer Conservation Award

    TechWorks! honored for receiving top computer conservation award
    Local museum recognized for preservation of Link Trainers

     

    (BINGHAMTON, NY) – Three historic Link Aviation trainers have helped one local museum land the world’s premier computer conservation award. The Center for Technology and Innovation, also known as TechWorks!, is the recipient of the 2018 Tony Sale Award (TSA) for computer conservation for its project to restore three generations of flight simulators. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Broome County Executive recognized TechWorks! for its achievement at the Broome County Office Building on Thursday.

    “The team at TechWorks! is doing a terrific job to preserve our region’s history of innovation,” said Assemblywoman Lupardo. “The restoration of these simulators enable visitors to the museum to not just learn about the Link legacy, but actually experience it. This award is well-deserved and should be celebrated by the entire community.”

    “This award demonstrates the power of partnerships and the team at TechWorks! is nothing short of incredible,” said County Executive Garnar. “Broome County is proud to be the home to Techworks! and very grateful for the history and experiences they provide at the museum in Binghamton.”

    Hundreds of thousands of pilots from World War II and on were trained on flight simulators (commonly known as the “Blue Box”) produced by Binghamton’s Link Aviation. TechWorks! successfully restored three original simulators, including a World War II-era analog flight trainer, a 1960s solid-state hardware version, and a 1980s digital simulator.

    “The Tony Sale Award recognizes the dedication of three teams -from SUNY Broome, the Watson School, and Link veterans,” said TechWorks! Executive Director Susan Sherwood. “The teams began work in 2006 to bring three generations of flight simulation computing – mechanical, analog, and digital – back to life for TechWorks! Visitors get a real feel for the consequences of their actions – learning that eyes on the instruments and a gentle touch on the controls will result in a smooth flight and safe landing. These projects launched students’ careers, helping them land jobs at Anaren, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and elsewhere.”

    Established in 2012 in memory of computer conservation pioneer Tony Sale, who rebuilt Colossus, the World War II code-breaking computer, the award recognizes efforts around the world to save the transformative devices that led to today’s digital world.  The award is presented by Britain’s Computer Conservation Society and sponsored by Google UK.

  • Two Binghamton University Graduate Students’ Companies Awarded Broome County’s Student Entrepreneurship Grants

    (BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and Legislature Chairman Daniel J. Reynolds joined representatives from Binghamton University and the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator today to unveil the recipients of a countywide entrepreneurship grant program to fund student start-up businesses. 

    Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “The Student Entrepreneurship Grant Program is another example of the power of partnerships in Broome County. Together with Binghamton University, SUNY Broome and the County Legislature, I am excited to support the development of young entrepreneurs as they bring vitality to our local economy and community.”

    “The Legislature is proud to support the Student Entrepreneurship Program here at Binghamton University,” said Legislature Chairman Dan J. Reynolds. “We look forward to seeing these young entrepreneurs succeed, their businesses grow, and the jobs they will hopefully create here within our community.”

    Working with students at Binghamton University and the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, Broome County created a program to address the ‘brain drain’ and foster the innovation economy. Members of the Broome County Department of Planning closely collaborated with University students to research and assess entrepreneurship grant programs that have been successful in other parts of the country. This was backed up by a survey of 667 students at Binghamton University and SUNY Broome, with results indicating that 80% would be interested in staying in the local area upon graduation if there was a countywide entrepreneurship grant program to fund student startups. 

    As the program developed, it was refined by the expertise and experience of the entrepreneurship professionals at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator.

    “Grant recipients are given more than a check, they are part of a comprehensive program that helps nurture their ideas into fully formed businesses,” said Frank Evangelisti, Director of Planning for Broome County.

    With funds from the Hotel-Motel Economic Development and Marketing fund, grants of $5,000 were awarded to the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator to be provided to two student-led firms. The two student-companies selected as grant recipients in 2018 were Enhance VR and AdamaDoll.

    Enhance VR is a company based on virtual reality that was founded by Matthew Gill, a Binghamton University electrical engineering master’s student in the Watson School of Engineering.

    AdamaDoll was founded by Binghamton University student Hazell McKenzie. McKenzie is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work in the College of Community and Public Affairs. The company produces a specialized doll to assist children who may have suffered from abuse. The doll is designed to encourage open discussion to help the child feel less intimidated to provide information.  McKenzie was also a contestant on the Food Network’s show ‘The Worst Cooks of America’.

    Broome County is hoping to extend the program into 2019 with another of another round of funding for the Incubator to award these student entrepreneurship grants.

  • Broome County Departments Preparing for Winter Storm Expected 1/19-1/20

    Broome County Departments Preparing for Winter Storm

    NWS Binghamton Predicting 12-18 Inches of Snow Saturday into Sunday

    (TOWN OF DICKINSON, NY) Broome County leaders joined today at the Office of Emergency Services to discuss the county’s plan of action ahead of winter storm expected to impact the county this weekend.

    Among those in attendance included County Executive Jason Garnar, Sheriff David Harder, Michael Ponticiello, Director of Emergency Services, Susan Brown, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works – Highway Division as well as representatives from Broome Security and Office of Emergency Services.

    “Broome County is fully prepared to handle this weekend’s winter storm. Our top priority is making sure our residents are safe and the roads are clear and our county departments are working together to make that happen,” said Garnar.

    The latest report from the National Weather Service Friday afternoon indicated Broome County was expected to receive 12 to 18 inches of snowfall in this latest winter storm Saturday into Sunday. The combination of strong winds and heavy snow could cause scattered power outages and drifting snow. The snow could create poor travel conditions as roads become snow covered and slippery. 

    The Broome County Office of Emergency Services is in regular communication with the NWS Binghamton to monitor the incoming storm and sharing that information with partner agencies and municipalities in Broome County. The department is prepared to augment 911 and OES staff as needed. In addition, OES has been in direct contact with Broome County Department of Public Works, NYSDOT and NYSEG. 

    The County DPW’s Highway Division is responsible for the snow plowing of nearly 325 miles in the county. The total number of roads plowed is 102. 

    The Highway Division’s crews are preparing the equipment such as checking sanders, plow and wing blades, lights, etc. All trucks will be fueled and potentially loaded prior to the arrival of snowfall. Crews are prepared to work overtime, if needed, to clear the roads. 

    Broome County Sheriff David Harder said his deputies will be out in full force patrolling the county. The Sheriff said if you must travel, make sure you allow extra time, at least ½ tank gas in your vehicle and a fully charged cell phone. In the event of an emergency, residents should call 911. If you are in an accident, stay in your vehicle and wait for help. 

    Broome County encourages residents to monitor the weather forecast and road conditions frequently. A helpful tool to stay informed is NY Alert. You can register at NYAlert.gov. 

  • Health Department Receives Reports of Increased Overdoses; Free Narcan Training on Jan. 26 in Binghamton

    CONTACT:  Marissa Lamphere, Broome County Health Department

    (607) 778-2812, marissa.knapp@broomecountyny.gov

     

    (BROOME COUNTY, NY) Broome County has received reports of increased overdoses over the last 3-5 days.

    The Addiction Center of Broome County (ACBC), Truth Pharm and Broome Opioid Awareness Council (BOAC) will be co-hosting a Narcan Training on Saturday, January 26 from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at ACBC located at 447 West State Street Binghamton, NY 13901. Community members can stop by anytime from 1pm-3pm and receive a free Narcan kit. Narcan is the drug used to reverse an overdose of opioids including heroin and prescription pain pills such as morphine, codeine, methadone and Vicodin. Participants will learn about overdose prevention and how to correctly administer Narcan.

    Community members can also visit their local pharmacy and use the Naloxone Co-payment Assistance Program (N-CAP), no prior prescription from a medical provider is needed. Call your pharmacy ahead to ensure availability.

    Walk in hours are also available at ACBC, Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP) and Truth Pharm for a Narcan kit and education. Please contact those agencies for hours.

    As always we encourage those with a substance use disorder to not use alone, have a Narcan kit available and if you are on the site of an overdose call 911.

  • Broome County Emergency Services, Health Dept. Warn Residents of Extreme Cold, Wind Chill

    (TOWN OF DICKINSON, NY) The Broome County Office of Emergency Services is continuing to monitor the latest weather reports from the National Weather Service in Binghamton.

    The NWS Binghamton is reporting Tuesday-Thursday’s forecasts include temperatures in the single digits and dangerously low wind chills below zero (-20 and below). The lowest wind chills will occur Wednesday night.

    “Our top priority is making sure our residents in Broome County are safe this week with this extreme cold,” said County Executive Jason Garnar. “As soon as I received word of the dangerously low temperatures, I deployed our Office of Emergency Services and Health Department officials to work closely to inform the public of what we can expect and to take action if residents lose power and need help.”

    As the wind chill increases and temperatures fall to below zero in the Broome County this week, county officials are taking precautions and urging residents to stay safe.

    The Broome County Health Department advises that if you must go outdoors, take precautions to keep dry and warm to protect your health. Adults and children should wear: a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens, water-resistant coat and shoes and several layers of loose-fitting clothing to trap body heat.

    The outer layer of clothing should be tightly woven, preferably, wind resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind. Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton.

    Dressing appropriately for cold weather can help decrease your risk of getting hypothermia or frostbite, two cold weather concerns.

    Warning signs of hypothermia include confusion, shivering, difficult speaking, sleepiness and stiff muscles.

    In addition to significant risks of hypothermia/frostbite, this may cause problems such as frozen pipes if preventive measures are not taken. Broome County EMS responds to house fires each year caused by people using open flames to thaw frozen pipes.

    Do not use an open flame to thaw pipes, as this presents serious risks to people and property.

    Improper use of alternative heat sources could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

    The Office of Emergency Services and Health Department are on standby to work with the American Red Cross to establish warming centers, only if there is a widespread power outage in the county.

    The Health Department has compiled a list of public places residents can go to get in from the cold. Residents should check with the establishments for their hours of operation before visiting.

    Those places in Broome County include:

    • Broome County Public Library, 185 Court Street, Binghamton, 13901, 607-778-6400
    • Broome West Senior Center, 2801 Wayne Street, Endwell, 13760, 607-785-3427
    • Deposit Senior Center, 14 Monument Street, Deposit, 13754, 607-467-3953
    • Eastern Broome Senior Center, 27 Golden Lane, Harpursville, 13787, 607-693-2069
    • Fenton Free Library, 1062 Chenango Street, Binghamton, 13901, 607-724-8649
    • George F Johnson Memorial Library, 1001 Park Street, Endicott, 13760, 607-757-5350
    • Johnson City Senior Center, 30 Brocton Street, Johnson City, 13790,607-797-3145
    • Mary L Wilcox Library, 2630 Main Street, Whitney Point, 13862, 607-692-3159
    • North Shore Towers Senior Center, 24 Isbell Street, Binghamton, 13901, 607-772-6214
    • Northern Broome Senior Center, 12 Strongs Place, Whitney Point, 13862, 607-692-3405
    • Oakdale Mall, 601-635 Harry L Drive, Johnson City, 13790, 607-798-9380
    • Vestal Senior Center, 201 Main Street, Vestal, 13850, 607-754-9596
    • Your Home Public Library, 107 Main Street, Johnson City, 13790, 607-797-4816

  • Code Blue in Effect for Broome County for DSS

    The Broome County Department of Social Services is required by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to operate a Code Blue Plan during inclement weather. This plan was created by Governor Cuomo to ensure everyone is off the streets when the temperature drops below 32° with the wind chill. This plan is in effect now in Broome County.

    There are three emergency shelter facilities in Broome County available for homeless housing. The YWCA (80 Hawley St. Binghamton), YMCA (61 Susquehanna St. Binghamton) and the Volunteers of America (320 Chenango St. Binghamton). They all have capability for expanded capacity as needed. Anyone in need of shelter can go there to get out of the weather without concern for payment. Local Law Enforcement may be able to assist with transportation.

  • BC Transit on Thursday, Jan. 31

    Due to dangerously low temperatures and wind chill in Broome County, BC Transit is opening its doors to those in need.

    On Thursday, Jan. 31, BC Transit will not turn any rider away due to inability to pay. If an individual is in need of a ride on our buses to get out of the cold and/or to be transported to somewhere warm and cannot afford the fare, Broome County will cover the cost.

    Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “We want our residents in Broome County to be safe and protect themselves in this extreme cold and have somewhere warm to go such as a BC Transit bus. We are telling our Transit officials to alert drivers not to turn anyone away on Thursday due to inability to pay.”

  • Broome County to Upgrade Public Safety Radio System

    Broome County to Upgrade Public Safety Radio System

    Some Equipment Dates Back to 1970s; Project Completion Will Increase Public Safety & Improve Critical Communication Between First Responders in Incident Response

     

    (TOWN OF UNION, NY) Broome County officials announced today that the county is upgrading its Public Safety Radio system. This project will benefit 55 different primary first responder agencies from police, fire and EMS throughout municipalities in Broome County.

     

    County Executive Jason Garnar and Legislature Chairman Daniel J. Reynolds made the announcement today. They were joined by officials from the Broome County Office of Emergency Services, Sheriff David Harder, Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski, Conklin Fire Chief Bill Gorman, Endicott Police Chief Patrick Garey, Johnson City Police Chief Brent Dodge, Endicott Fire Chief Joseph Griswold, and many other first responders from agencies throughout the county.

     

    The County Office of Emergency Services is the lead department on the project.

     

    The current system consists of 12 different radio systems with portions dating back to 1970, covering 55 different primary agencies.

     

    Major radio coverage gaps in the current system are a safety issue for first responders. Systems operate on three different “bands” meaning the ability for one unit to talk to another one for mutual aid is virtually impossible. For example, three different fire departments who respond to a fire in mutual aid may not be able to communicate with each other.

     

    Michael Ponticiello, Director of the Office of Emergency Services stated, “This is a problem and we need to fix it now. Our fire departments cannot communicate with our police officers, our schools, our hospitals, our DPW crews. We need this upgraded system now so our first responders can effectively do their job and save lives.”

     

    “This could be a matter of life and death. Our first responders desperately need the ability to communicate with each other and unfortunately, in some areas in Broome County, they currently cannot do that. This upgrade must be done for the safety of our families, our first responders and every resident of Broome County. It’s been put off for too long and we’ve made investments to keep the system going but now is the time,” said Jason Garnar, Broome County Executive.
     

    “Ensuring public safety is the top priority for government and we must do everything we can to support our local volunteer and career firefighters, our police agencies and our emergency medical personnel who serve our community every day,” said County Legislature Chairman Dan J. Reynolds. “This system has been in dire need of overhaul for many years and waiting any longer to do the necessary upgrades only puts our first responders and the people in our community at more risk. Thank you to our State representatives, Senator Akshar and Assemblywoman Lupardo, for their strong support in moving this project and funding plan forward.”

    The upgraded public radio system will meet the county’s needs for the next 20 years.Equipment will be provided to all Police, Fire, EMS, and DPW departments. The new system will allow all disciplines to communicate with each other. All users will be able to change to an emergency channel and speak directly with a 911 dispatcher.

     

    “The new system will meet the needs of public safety agencies, DPW, all county government agencies (i.e. Security, Arena, Probation), and can incorporate schools and hospitals,” said Michael Ponticiello, Director of Emergency Services.

     

    The county has already purchased, and/or licensed necessary radio spectrum and an engineering firm is confirming tower site locations. It is anticipated an additional eight (8) radio tower sites need to be built.

     

    “Broome County has invested millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements over the last few years to keep our system working. This investment laid the foundation for our new upgraded system. By having a consolidated county system, it is saving millions of dollars to the taxpayers. If every system was individually upgraded, the total project cost would be nearly $30 million more,” said Ponticiello.

     

    The cost of the new system is projected at just under $23 million. Broome County officials have actively explored every possible funding source for the project and are proposing increasing the 911 surcharge to fund the project.

     

    Broome County is requesting that the monthly landline fee be raised from $0.30 to $1.39 and the monthly wireless fee from $0.35 to $1.62 for a period of 10 years.

     

    To fund the project, a home rule request must be approved at the state level.

     

    The Broome County Legislature will consider a resolution in February to approve the home rule request be sent to the New York State Legislature for authorization.

     

    Three public forums will be held next week across Broome County.

     

    The scheduled forums are as follows:

     

    Tuesday 2/5 – West Windsor Fire Company, 9 Karla Drive, Windsor, NY 13865>

    Wednesday 2/6 – Chenango Fire Company, 86 Castle Creek Rd., Binghamton, NY 13901

    Thursday 2/7 – Glen Aubrey Fire Company, 3800 NYS Route 26, Glen Aubrey, NY 13777

     

    All forums are scheduled to begin at 5:30PM.

  • BOAC Announces Second Round of Mini-Grant Funding for Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs

    (BINGHAMTON, NY) The Broome Opioid Awareness Council (BOAC) announced today that it is releasing funds for another year of opioid overdose mini grants. $25,000 total in funding is available in 2019 for community agencies to conduct opioid overdose awareness activities.

    The funds will be available to non-profit organizations, community agencies, municipalities and schools to develop, enhance or establish opioid awareness related activities in Broome County. 

    Last year funds were awarded to four (4) Broome County agencies that included: The Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome, Broome Tioga BOCES- Compass Academy High School, Southern Tier Aids Program (STAP) and Truth Pharm. Programs awarded included a hybrid model high school that interacts with both education and clinical substance use disorder treatment, prevention programming, and education and training in the community in high-risk locations.

    “Fighting this public health epidemic takes a multi-faceted approach, and we are excited to offer our community partners the opportunity to again explore new ways of saving lives and reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders,” stated Rebecca Kaufman, Director of Public Health.    

    “We saw some exciting projects last year and again are looking for proposals to tackle this complex public health subject area which impacts all sectors and people in our community”, added Marissa Lamphere, Opioid Overdose Prevention Coordinator.      

    The grant applications can be found at www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/broome-county.

    Successful applicants will be awarded a contract until 12.31.19, contingent upon successful program performance. Projects will be funded depending on the scope of the projects and may range in award amounts up to $25,000.

     “Today we will partner for a better tomorrow to save more lives in Broome County,” added Jason Garnar, Broome County Executive. “These grassroots efforts will be another step in building the foundation of prevention, education, treatment and recovery.”