The Springfield town board announced during a budget discussion Monday night that they would not endorse the Otsego Lake Association's $200 maintenance fee for the repair and replacement of 200-foot, no-wake zone buoys or a proposal for a boat washing facility.

At the public hearing, the board decided not to add money to support the two proposed items to the budget.

Town supervisor Tom Armstrong explained that he had written $19,700 in the 2003 budget in case the board approved the boat wash.

"With the information provided at this time, we will not approve it," said Gary Sikkema, town councilman.

According to Robert Einreinhofer, president of the Otsego Lake Association, among the four municipalities who were asked to participate in the buoy maintenance program, only one agreed.

The town of Otsego had accepted the maintenance fee. The Otsego Lake Association was still working with the town of Middlefield, while the village of Cooperstown agreed to pay the fee if the other municipalities did.

"We will not reconsider, even if other towns approve it," said Armstrong. Armstrong and Sikkema both explained the town board could simply not legally give money to a private organization like the Otsego Lake Association.

Questions were asked by Sikkema and Rathbun in regards to the purchase and maintenance of the buoys. Einreinhofer replied that a "mistake had been made" in the purchase of the original buoys because they were of poor quality.

According to the proposed maintenance plan, the new lights are superior because they are fully sealed and contain solar powered units, and will replace the old ones.

Einreinhofer explained that as long as the funding comes from the municipalities, the Biological Field Station dive team will conduct the maintenance.

"We have to do our part, when we can, to control things," said Einreinhofer.

Pertaining to the boat wash, Armstrong explained that they do not have a public boat launch, and it would not be feasible for Springfield to have a boat wash.

Directing his comment to Armstrong, Einreinhofer asked, " if the zebra mussels were introduced into Otsego Lake, will Springfield pay for the cost to maintain and replace water intake lines, clean up beaches covered with decaying mussels, maintain and repair boat motors, cover medical costs for boaters cut by the mussel shells, or filter our water to improve the clarity and remove the odor?"

Sikkema responded that the town would not pay for items on that list. "We aren't dismissing the seriousness of zebra mussels. But there probably is nothing we can really do to keep zebra muscles out of the lake."

Armstrong explained that the town board would get someone to watch over the boat launch in regards to keeping boats out that shouldn't be there.

Einreinhofer also added, "When the zebra mussels come to Otsego Lake, where will the town of Springfield get the revenue to replace tax dollars lost due to declining property values and loss of business that depends on the lake?"

"In my opinion, Springfield is sticking their head in the sand," Einreinhofer concluded as he left the meeting.

In other news:

• Armstrong stated that town taxes for Springfield will remain the almost the same for the coming year. He summarized that the 2003 tax levy of $411,400 is virtually identical to 2002, with under $1,000 difference.

• Gene Wells, the county representative for Springfield and Richfield Springs said the county tax levy which had started at an increase of 113 percent has now dropped down to 20 percent. Wells explained the Otsego County Board of Representatives have taken out money for equipment, training and mileage from the budget.

• Nancy Sloan, library director, raised questions as to why the Springfield town budget only included the library on the budget line for the community center while others use the facility.

"We are thrilled to be here, but everyone who uses the building should be accountable for using it," said Sloan.

Sikkema agreed to work with Armstrong on designating the amount each community group pays to use the facility.

• Louis Brookman, of Allens Lake Rd. in Richfield Springs, requested that the board look into getting the speed limit changed on County Highway 27 near his residence. He explained the speed limit of 55 mph is too high for the road.

The board agreed to look into the issue by contacting the county highway superintendent about the proposed speed change.