FLY CREEK - Planning for a new highway building was under strict scrutiny as residents of the Fly Creek area shared their opinions with local leaders during the Fly Creek Historical Society meeting last Wednesday.

Otsego town supervisor Bill Gates was on hand to answer questions from residents who had been concerned about rumors surrounding the construction of a new town highway building.

Jim Atwell, program chairman of the historical society, listed several questions for Gates that had been floating around between local residents recently.

Gates explained, that after an initial assessment by town board members, the thirty-year-old building was found to be in bad shape. Board members had tentatively commissioned Hans de Waal to create sketches of a new building that they had planned on locating on Cemetery Road, across from the cemetery.

Gates said they figured the building would have to be funded through bonding and that it was undecided what was to become of the old building.. He said it could possibly could be used for storage. "We are in the beginning stages," said Gates

Present at the meeting was John Shallert Jr., resident on Wiley Town Rd., who brought with him a copy of town budgets and salaries for 2002. "If this plan is in its early stages, why hasn't anyone looked at the old building before sketches were done? We need to gear back just a touch," said Shallert.

Barbara Lyon, resident on Cemetery Rd., commented that the construction of a new building on Cemetery Road would diminish the residential area and value of her property. "You're not preserving our residential atmosphere" said Lyon. "Cemetery Road is a residential road, not a county road."

Also brought to the table by resident Walter Dusenbery, was the increased flooding of his property due to the increased dumping of debris including tree stumps on the property on Cemetery Road. Gates was not able to respond, but agreed to look into the issue.

George Tucker, Otsego Town board member, commented, "this plan really is preliminary. The building hasn't really been discussed. We have only just looked at the Burlington building."

Tucker and the highway superintendent visited the Town of Burlington highway building to look at what a new building in Fly Creek might look like, said Gates.

"We will back track and look at the present site. We are looking for suggestions on how the public can be involved." said Gates.

No money has been paid for the creation of sketches of a new building and now the project will be put on hold until a proper assessment can be done on the current building. Board members are currently looking for someone to conduct the assessment, said Gates.

In other news, Gates explained that a property tax reevaluation will be done for the residents of Otsego. A property reevaluation hasn't been done for 15 years, said Gates. The equalization rate for Otsego was 70-72. As of last year, it had fallen to 69. This year, explained Gates, it could drop to 59.

"If we do nothing, we will pay an increase in school taxes as well as county taxes." said Gates. "It is the right thing to do."

Gates also discussed reworking the Town of Otsego's master plan, which was created 15 years ago. The master plan is a statement of how the residents want their town to be. Currently, a committee is being created, and volunteers are being asked to come forth.

The Main St. bridge also held the attention of residents. Gates said New York State is responsible for building the bridge. Gates passed around photos of what the bridge would look like. He explained, the plaques on the bridge will be passed onto the new bridge.

Otsego town board meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. The next meeting will be Nov. 13 in the town building on Rte. 26.