Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • 3

Local June 19, 1979 3 A AVIV The Press, Binghamton, N.Y. Incorrect revenue estimates could mean higher taxes If Skylab smacks roof dial agent By GAIL FRIEDMAN If a chunk of Skylab races into your bouse sometime in you'll have one thing to be grateful for your insurance will probably cover the damage. National Aeronautical and Space Administration officials say the odds are slim that Skylab's pieces, weighing from 10 to S.0OO pounds, will do any damage when they re-enter the atmosphere. But if you are the one 600 billion, chances are your insurance company will pay for the hole in your roof, ceiling, floor and basement. The government and several insurance companies said they would pay for any damage, but both government officials and insurance agents sugggest flattened-home owners try to get payment from private companies.

Dealing with the government probably would be slower than dealing with individual companies at a local level, said Russell Johnson. Nationwide agent. "If it could go either way. it would be better for an individual company to cover he said. "You're talking about the government who knows''' When first asked, most insurance agents did not know because they had not given the issue any thought.

"You're throwing a new wrinkle at us.1' said Johnson. "I see no real problem to it. But don't forget the people who put it up they're The people who put it up the federal government will pay individuals for any Skylab damage. "If damage is caused by Skylab. individuals will be compensated by the United States said Richard Wieland.

assistant general counsel for litigation for NASA. "It would be covered under any homeowner's said Michael Clemente. agent for Traveler's. Hartford and Exchange Mutual Insurance Companies. The standard homeowner's policy covers damage from aircraft, including self-propelled missiles and spacecraft, he said.

Nationwide Insurance's basic homeowner's policy covers damage by aircraft, but does not specify up the taxes, the village may have to face a tax hike in 1980 to pay for the cash shortfall. Village trustees began considering significantly cutting village services. "It all really depends on how excited everyone wants to get," Burger said. "By juggiing things I think we can defer the shortfall over a period of time, cutting things here and there." In other business, the village rejected any reconsideration of purchasing the Owego Water Works. A referendum for the purchase was turned down last week Tbe village also began consideration of an ordinance that would prohibit continuous "lawn sales" at the same residence over a long period of time.

OWEGO A shortfall in revenue may lead to a major increase in village taxes in two years or a cut in services right now. Mayor Robert N. Burger said today. Meanwhile. Burger learned this morning that a temporary solution to a leak in tbe village's only swimming pool can only be done by eliminating diving there.

Burger said that the village was told by the state this morning that tbe village would have to eliminate diving at the pool or begin a major renovation project, which said he opposes. But be said that a decision would follow a poll of village trustees. Burger said that the cash flow shortfall stemmed from incorrect estimates of the revenues and expenses by $50,000. As a temporary measure the village transferred $15,000 from the sewer fund to the gene, fund last night. The main cause of the shortfall was underestimating federal revenue sharing aid by $20,000 and retirement fund expenses by $13,000.

Burger said, noting that on the latter underestimate, "I think we just blew it on that. Burger said that the village could defer the problem until August when additional revenues would tide the village through the 1979-80 fiscal year ending next August. He said that tbe village may be able to make up tbe balance if the county agrees to pick up the village's tax coDection unit and repay the village all of its back taxes. But be said that if the county doesn't pick All-year Tioga Park pondered spacecraft, said William Brennan. regional personnel public relations manager.

If Nationwide decides that Skylab is not an aircraft, clients with extended or elite coverage still will be covered under protection from falling objects, he said. 'Hopefully we won't have a need to determine said Brennan. "and we'll go on that Wieland advised people to file claims with their insurance companies if their policy covers Skylab damage. "I'd advise an individual to do what he'd normally do if he's got a hole in his he said. "An individual shouldn't waive what he's already-paid Wieland said the federal government will pay a deductible unpaid by an insurance company.

"I'd notify my insurer and I'd also notify NASA to cover every stockholders he thought tbe track could open earlier than mid July. "I think we could get a license in two days pending an investigation into the members of tbe investors." The State Racing and Wagering Board in New York City routinely investigates the background of all persons listed as investors in any race track in the state Gordy said that his discussions with state officials "indicates there is no problem with such a leasing arrangement as far as New York i Racing and Wagering) is concerned." He said there might be racing by other than quarterborses. but because the track is not near any major metropolitan area, that and winter racing must be discussed further before a decision is made. colder there than it gets Tioga Park is owned by James Nuckle. CIB International and Parklaw Realty, all of New Jersey.

But since it opened in July 1976. the park has had financial and management problems. Gordy said his group also is interested in gaining access to the equipment that is needed to run the track at Nichols. He added that if the investors do decide to go ahead with the lease with an option to buy. it would have to be decided "whether it would be worthwhile to proceed at this time of tbe year, or to wait until next year.

to begin tbe racing season, which normally begins in early June. He said that with the approval of the OWEGO Consideration is being given to having Tioga Park become a year-round facility with a wide range of racing events. Donald Gordy of Elmira. one of several investors who are considering leasing the track with an option to purchase it. said yesterday a decision on the track may come this week.

He declined to release details of the purchase agreement, saying that such information "will have to await a final consensus of tbe stockholders as to whether we want to go ahead i with leasing the track)." Gordy said that tbe track might be used for year-round racing as are several other parks throughout the state, including Buffalo, where racing begins in January and "it gets a lot Last suit against track is settled for $117,000 Rail loop demolition is delayed from July 1976 when the taD was first due. which amounted to $16,953. In addition, the track's owners were ordered to pay $3,634 for the construction company's legal expenses. In January, three suits were filed against the track, including one by Howdy Jones and others by AgriPole of Clayville and P. Inc.

of Elmira. both construction companies. Both suits were settled out of court just before legal action was expected to start. P.P. settled on Feb.

6 for $37,000. The original suit asked for $43,154. Agri-Pole settled with the track in mid-May. But Agri-Pole has declined to release details of the agreement saying that if certain terms are not met court action can be restarted. Ralph S.

Ostrander. former owner of the land on which the track is. had threatened to foreclose on the mortgage for failure to meet payments. But he said in Mav that a settlement had been reached with Nuckel. OWEGO A decision was handed down this morning awarding Howdy Jones Construction Inc.

of Apaiachin $117,465 in its suit against Tioga Park. The decision closes the last of a series of suits totaling more than $250,000 that were brought against the park earlier this year. All the suits involved allegations from construction companies that the track's owner had underpaid them for work that they had completed at the track prior to its opening. The latest judgement, received by the county clerk this morning, was made by Justice John M. Keane.

acting Supreme Court justice for Tioga County, who presided at the non-jury trial in January. The company had sought The total value of the work was $367,625. The award, against track owners James Nuckel. Parklaw Realty and CIB International of New Jersey, includ'jd $96,877 for the underpayment, and interest which will also be a museum, will open, but added. "In a sense it will be open as soon as we begin work since we would like "to a Dow the public to see the restoration work as it is being done Mead, who runs a short passenger run bv the museum on Route 38.

has said he would like to begin the excursion line by 1980. McGraw plans the depot to be the start of a walking tour of the village. Cornell University students are surveying the areas of the village on Main. Water arid Whig streets for eventual submission for the National Register of Historic Places. After that survey, tbe group will look at the areas west of the railroad.

of month to allow the local groups a chance to develop their proposal for the excursion. Meanwhile, the plan for restoration of the depot took a major step forward yesterday when it was learned that Lehigh Valley had accepted a bid from a private resident for purchase of the depot. Tbe resident. William Pulaski, has agreed to purchase the depot and turn it over to the historical society. McGraw said.

Pulaski owns the former Agway building adjacent to tbe depot, in which he stores items for his private projects, which which are not a part of Agway. McGraw said that a decision from Lehigh Va Qey is not expected for at least five weeks. He declined to say how soon the depot. OWEGO The demolition of a loop around the Newark Valley train depot has been postponed to allow officials a chance to work out a plan to revive the facility, officials said yesterday. I.

Ross McGraw. president of the Newark Valley Historical Society, and James Mead, head of the Tioga Transportation Museum, have been putting together a package to restore tbe depot and use it for an excursion line that would begin in FlemingsviDe in 1980. But the plan ran into a major barrier when it was learned that the state Department of Transportation planned to destroy a switch that goes around the depot as part of a $1.9 million renovation project on tbe line McGraw said yesterday that the state had agreed to put off tbe demolition until tbe end Teachers agree on pact I 1 0 111 Superintendent Michael F. Garry declined to release details of th? contract prior to ratification. He said that the tentative agreement was reached Thursday following discussions that began Jan.

15. There ire approximately 230 teachers in the district. The contract does not involve non-teaching personnel who are also in contract negotiations. Both the teachers and non-teaching personnel are members of the New York State United Teachers. OWEGO A settlement has been reached between the Owego Apaiachin Teachers Association and the school district, it was announced today.

The school board has scheduled a special meeting to ratify the contract for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the administration building. Kenneth Griffith, president of the teachers union, said today that the union would also vote on the contract Thursday. Towns try to solve trouble used by six Tioga County towns from 1968 to 1975. Gingold had threatened to take the towns to court if tbey did not clean up what he said was a significant' pollution problem.

But be said yesterday that he preferred having the towns work out a solution by themselves. "I would like to see it resolved as informally as possible." he said. Gingold said the was shown two ponds and other areas that showed a reddish material, which indicates pollution. CANDOR Officials of the six towns that used a landfill in Candor, now considered polluted, agreed to try to work out a solution to the problem after touring the site with state officials yesterday Neil Gingold. regional attorney for the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said yesterday tbe town officials had agreed to try to solve the problem by some time in July.

The site at the Leonard Paxton farm in Candor was Man retracts rock fest offer CANANDAIGUA 'API A Town of Canandaigua property owner has passed up a deal for $1 million and withdrawn his offer to let the promoters of Woodstock II stage a rock concert on his land in August. Richard Wyffels. owner of a 500-acre farm in the western Finger Lakes community, told the Canandaigua Town Board yesterday he withdrew his offer because of public opposition. More than 390 citizens attended the board's meeting. Wyffels said he was going to give tbe II million to the town to enable it to avoid tax increases.

The town itself would have been given $1.25 mi Dion for allowing promoters to have the three-day concert, in their community. Steve Ryan, who approached Wyffels in behalf of Woodstock ITs organizers, said promoters were considering other sites in Ontario County, including Honeyoe and Naples. Attempts by the promoters of Woodstock to find a location in central New York were stymied last week when Seneca County officials rejected a proposal to stage the event in Lodi. Residents and officials had also opposed proposed sites in Delaware and Tioga counties. JOHN GUSUEIMI Watchful i- i i.

nn i r- i tenants protesting a proposed rent increose at the Saratoga Linda Doolittle and her 20-month-old son, Gregory, or i neignts and Saratoga Terrace housing pro ects. Tenants Saratoga Terrace, Binghamton, watch intently at a meeting were nQt convinced th explanot.on of the rent between the Binghamton Housing Authority board and increase from housing authority officials. 9-county study of probation finds Tioga costs less than norm staffed at 91 percent of total staff required." Webster concluded, adding later that 1.1 additional workers are needed by the department The report criticizes the amount of time and effort being put into pre-sentencing reports, which judges may use in handing down sentences after convictions. Tbe study says that "In three of eight reports reviewed by this consultant, it appeared unnecessary verifications of information were made." "I think it will be at least another year before we wiD be able to know for sure how accurate the report Brink said. "But for now it flashes a light that tells me there may be some extraneous verifications being done." Tbe director said that he will go over tbe statistics with Webster and may make changes in tbe department in light of them.

The study says the department is spending much of its time and resources in "intake." or work involving action prior to criminal judgment. In 1978. of a total budget of $172,203. $20,600 was rent in this area. This might, for example, include tbe case of a juvenile who commits a crime but is referred to probation by the school rather than taken to court.

Brink said that by having a strong intake program the department is able to head off problems before they become critical. In addition, by handling cases informally, the department is able to avoid clogging tbe court calendar 1 County, which has a similar number of staff positions six compared with tL in Tioga. But in supervision expenses. Tioga County was the lowest of those surveyed, spending $149 per case. This compared with $169 in Chenango County up to a high of $974 per case in Cortland County.

In his evaluation. Webster noted that costs for probation supervision in Tioga County totaled $86,101 during 1978. or about $650 per individual per year. This compared with average individual institutional costs ranging from $12,000 to $20,000 per year. Tbe probation budget in Tioga county this year totaled $171203.

with $126,672 reimbursed by the state and federal government. "Tbe Tioga County Probation Department is average monthly adult caseload succeeded on probation. Halbert C. Brink, director of the Tioga County Probation Department, said the study was one of the first of its kind and needed extensive review and updates before it could be fuly accepted. "A tot of the people who bad probation revoked may have simply broken one of the terms of their probation, such as child support.

But I would have to say that the majority lof revocations) involve new crimes." Brink said. The findings of Richard Webster, who conducted the study in a three-month period, show that Tioga Coonty spent much more than other counties in some areas and much less others. Tioga spent $80 per case on criminal investigations in 1978 com pared with $42 in Cortland By Rl'SSELL LEE KAHN OWEGO Each Tioga County resident pays $3 70 to support the county's probation department compared with the $4 average in 9 area Counties, according to a unusual study just released bv tbe state division of probation. The study was done to assess the quality of tbe probation department and compared the costs in nine cowties throughout the area. It is the first such study to determine individual case costs for the department Copies of the report were given to Tioga County legislators earlier this month.

The study found that 16 percent of adult probationers had probation revoked last year because of a new conviction andor a sustained violation of probation. About 84 percent of tbe.