Minutes, News and Notes from the February 14th, 2008 Town Board Meeting:
you may also get full, approved copies of the minutes by visiting the Town Hall
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The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM.
Supervisor Jackson led us in the Pledge to the Flag.
Supervisor Jackson asked for a moment of silence for Johnnie Podres, Charlotte LaPine,
Alice Hurlburt, Red Bigelow and John Bridge.
On roll members present were: Councilwoman LaPine, Councilman LaForest, Supervisor Jackson, Councilman Wrisley and Councilman Sayward. Also present was
Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk.
Visitors included Edward Cornell and Rita-Ann Fitzgerald.
Motion to approve minutes of Town Board meeting January 10, 2008 made by
Councilman Sayward. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call:
Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes,
Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
No Planning Board report was available.
Zoning Officer’s Report:
From December 14, 2007 to February 12, 2008 no permits were issued.
I continue to make on-going inspections of current projects.
Respectfully submitted, David S. Lansing
Supervisor’s County Report
The Supervisor’s are preparing to lobby in Albany and Washington. .Supervisor Jackson and Bill Ferebee will be going to Washington. Supervisor Jackson has appointments
scheduled with an aide of Senator Schumer, an aide of Senator Clinton’s and an
aide from Rep. McHugh office. Mr. Ferebee has an appointment at Rep. Gillibrand’s office.
The voting machine controversy has been resolved. The Optiscan will be purchased to
replace the old machines. An actual ballot will be filled out and scanned.
The County is moving the Senior exemption from $22,000 to $25,000. We have
traditionally followed in the County’s footsteps.
Correspondence
We have received our post-closure monitoring event #9 & #10 paperwork.
The Army Corp of Engineers weighed in on the Marina/Shipyard issue of the old
sunken tires. The Corp told them to get it straightened as to whose obligation it is to
clean up the tires and get back to them when it is done.
We have heard back from the NY DOT on the March distribution of the multi-modal
grant. We should receive payment in March.
We have received a letter from Councilman LaForest on the Grange Insurance stating
the Town’s policy will cover events held there as long as they are not too frequent and
are approved by the Town.
We have our burn permit back. We were told if they revoke our permit again we will
not get it back ever again. Supervisor Jackson stated that DEC is trying to have
the State ban all open burning. The burn permit is for brush only, no lumber of any
kind.
We received a letter from Lewis Family Farm requesting no spraying along their
farm land.
Diane Lansing, Assessor, received letter from State Real Property pointing out
that the assessment of property tax in NYS is broken.
The Town received a letter from Daryll Harp stating he had asked Judge Powers when we will be receiving a verdict on the Lewis Family Farm lawsuit since it has been three months since the trial.
Unfinished Business
Grange Management: There have been meetings between the Town’s subcommittee and
Whallonsburg Civic Assoc. committee. Ted Cornell and Rita Ann Fitzgerald representing the Civic Assoc. were offered the floor by Supervisor Jackson. Mr. Cornell
discussed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Board. Mr.Cornell stated that
he is pleased with the concept and that it makes a lot of sense. Mr. Cornell has called
the insurance copy about the cost of insurance and was pleased with the price quoted to
him. The quote was $500 a year and he feels the Civic Assoc. would be able to handle
the cost of insurance themselves. There will be a meeting of the Whallonsburg Civic Assoc. on February 21, 2008. Mrs. Fitzgerald feels there is great potential for use of the Grange Hall and it will be successful. Supervisor Jackson stated that if after the Civic
Assoc. meeting the members are happy with the Memorandum of Understanding to come
back and the Board will go over it and have our lawyer review and hopefully when this
has been done we can reach an agreement Mr. Cornell said he would have a lawyer review the Memorandum also. A meeting of the Town’s representatives and the Assoc.
representatives scheduled a meeting for the Sunday after the Assoc. meeting on the 21st.
Barbara Kunzi and Audrey Hoskins went over the checkbook for 2006 and resolution
#7 amends the Town Clerk report of September 2006.
Resolution #7 of 2008
February 14, 2008
Amending Town Clerk Financial Report of September 2006
A motion was made by Councilman LaForest that:
The Town Clerk’s financial report of September 2006 be amended to read: “Check
to Supervisor $275.40” in order to take into account a returned check of $20.00
received in May 2006 and a check purchase in June of 2006 erroneously debited to
the Town Clerk account for $10.63, to balance out the September 2006 Town Clerk’s
Account. Seconded by Councilman Sayward and passed.
Roll Call: Councilwoman LaPine abstain
Councilman LaForest yes
Supervisor Jackson yes
Councilman Wrisley yes
Councilman Sayward yes
Resolution #8 Transferring $2990.95 to Sewer Fund Loan Ac
RESOLUTION # 8 of 2008
February 14, 2008
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilman LaForest, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Essex Transfer $2,990.95 from the General Fund Account A9050.8 to the Sewer Fund Loan account.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman Wrisley, AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Jackson yes
LaPine yes
Sayward yes
Wrisley yes
LaForest yes
Motion to amend Building Codes Local Law # 1 of 2008 to read (6) the code Officer may waive the requirements of (5), for pre-engineered buildings if he feels it is
appropriate made by Councilman LaForest. Seconded by Councilman Sayward.
Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes
Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Motion to table Resolution #9 made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes
Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Playground Equipment Committee update: Councilwoman LaPine met with the
Committee and has questions about how to proceed. The Committee decided they wanted the same type of equipment, a slide, swings and a baby swing. The Committee
decided they wanted colors that fit the surroundings not bright colors. They would
like to use the same company that Wadhams and Westport used for their playground.
Councilwoman LaPine has paperwork from Assemblywoman Sayward to fill out and
she will try to secure funding if any is available for this kind of project. Norma Goff
said she would be willing to contribute from Charlie’s fund. Supervisor Jackson
and Stan Tuller will go check on the safety issue of the playground and see if they
can make it safe for use for one more year or not. The Town bulk rate permit will
be used for sending out fund raising letters. Supervisor Jackson advised Councilwoman
LaPine to talk with Nick Mueller about setting up a pass thru Playground account within the Community Fund account for donations. The equipment must be advertised by putting a request for proposals in the paper. The Board discussed the pros and cons of
different material for the base of the playground equipment. Supervisor Jackson asked
Councilwoman LaPine to ask the company the equipment is purchased from for yearly inspection of the equipment.
The Board discussed the purchase of a snow blower/plow for the sidewalks. They
discussed different models, brands and options. A decision on the purchase was
tabled and Councilman Sayward will do more research on the available equipment.
Councilman Sayward is interested in cost of a tractor with snowplow and snow blower,
which can be converted to a mower in the summer.
Resolution # 2 Fund Transfer 2/14/2008
RESOLUTION #2 of 2008
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilman LaForest, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.
WHEREAS, The Town of Essex has budgeted in the 2008 Budget for funds of $5,000 for Wright’s Inn maintenance and upkeep, $5,000 to the General Capital Reserve Fund, $1,000 for the Senior Van Fund, and $15,000 for the Highway Capital Reserve Fund, so
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Essex transfer $5,000 from A9050.8 to the Wright’s Inn Account Fund; $ 5,000 from A9050.8 to the General Capital Reserve Fund; $1,000 from A9050.8 to the Senior Van Fund; and $15,000 from DA9950.9 to the Highway Capital Reserve Fund.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman Sayward AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Jackson yes
LaPine yes
Sayward yes
Wrisley yes
LaForest yes
Bill Morgan has set up our backup. Supervisor Jackson, Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk and Lois Sayward are having their computers backed up daily. The data is being backed not the email. The cost is $99.95 per computer per year.
Wastewater Update: Supervisor Jackson stated it took him over a month of calling and asking questions to find out exactly what the story is with Stag grants. John Sweeney of
McHugh’s office got him started in the right direction to find the answers this questions.
They are only approved projects which are then sent to the Corp of Army Engineers.
The projects are not allowed to be included in the budget of the Corp. The only way to
receive the funding is with an earmark. Sue Merrill will do what she can to talk Senator
Clinton’s office into including us with an earmark. Assemblywoman Sayward has talked with the DEC Commissioner and they will put pressure on Senator’s Clinton’s office.
The bottom line is we may get an earmark grant next year. Supervisor Jackson will
meet with Kate Buell when he is Washington and hopefully she will be able to help
with the earmark grant.
New Business
The Board discussed the raising of the Senior exemption from $22,000 to $25,000.
A motion was made to approve raising the Senior exemption for the purpose of
Holding a Public Hearing by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman
Sayward. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes
Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
A Public Hearing on the subject was scheduled for March 13, 2008 at 6:30 PM.
Turtle Island Wine Shop and The Old Dock have applied for a liquor license for
2008.
Motion made to give Supervisor Jackson permission to sign County Ice and Snow contract made by Councilman LaForest. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Motion made to give Supervisor Jackson permission to sign County Road
Maintenance Contract by Councilman LaForest. Seconded by Councilwoman
LaPine. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes,
Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Bills:
General $14,104.96
Water 4,145.94
Street Lights 538.23
Transfer Station 3,465.42
Sewer Loan 2,990.95
Highway 18,092.66
General Prepay 1,216.64
Water Prepay 179.15
Motion to accept bills as presented made by Councilman LaForest. Seconded by
Councilman Wrisley. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes,
Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Motion to accept Town Clerk Report as presented made by Councilman LaForest. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes,
Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and
Councilman Sayward-yes.
Motion to accept Water Rents as presented made by Councilman LaForest. Seconded
By Councilman Sayward. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman
LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman
Sayward-yes.
Motion to accept Supervisor’s Report as presented made by Councilman Wrisley.
Seconded by Councilman Sayward. Roll call: Councilman LaPine-yes, Councilman
LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and. Councilman
Sayward-yes.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:57 PM.
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