Minutes, News and Notes from the March 9th, 2006 Town Board Meeting:

you may also get full, approved copies of the minutes by visiting the Town Hall


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The regular monthly meeting of the Town Board was held on March 9th 2006
 in the Town Hall and was called to order by Supervisor Jackson ay 7:00 P.M.

The assembly was led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Supervisor asked for a moment of silence in memory of Edna Couchey,
 Dianne James, Doris Kirby and Wilson LaForest, brother of Councilman LaForest.

The following members were present on roll call: Councilman Wrisley, Councilman Sayward, Councilwoman LaPine, Councilman LaForest, Supervisor Jackson

Also in attendance were David Morrow, Christian Morrow, David Lansing, Jane Perry, Janice Moran, Jamie Phillips, Liz Wilson, Michael Cassidy and Kate List, Town Clerk.

Supervisor Jackson greeted the visitors and offered the courtesy of the floor.
No one wished to address the board at that time.

The minutes of the February 9, 2006 Regular Town Board Meeting was approved on a motion by Councilman LaForest, seconded by Councilwoman LaPine and passed on roll-call
Ayes – 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

A Special Meeting was held in order to meet the March 1st deadline for filing the Local Law #2 with the Department of State.  The minutes of the February 23rd, 2006 Special Town Board Meeting was approved on a motion by Councilman LaForest, seconded by Councilman Wrisley and passed on roll-call
Ayes – 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

Planning Board Report - none received.

Zoning Officer’s Report
From February 9, 2006 to March 8, 2006 I have issued the following permits:

· 2-1-06 to Nathaniel Klipper, 2285 Main St., for 2 fireplaces and one chimney

· 2-17-06 to Erin and Mark Hall, 2241 Lake Shore Road, for renovations and        front porch

· 2-22-06 to George Hearn, 118 Middle Road, for 3 fireplaces
· 2-22-06 to George Hearn, 118 Middle Road, for in-ground swimming pool
· 3-6-06 to Nathaniel Klipper, 2285 Main St., for fireplace

During the week of Feb. 27th to March 2nd I attended the N.A.C.E.O.A. conference for code officers. This allowed me to receive 25 hours of in-service training to maintain my N.Y.S. certification as a code officer.

I have processed one Site Plan Review for Mark and Erin Hall for exterior changes on their house at 2241 Lake Shore Road.

I continue to make on-going inspections of current projects.

Respectfully submitted,
David S. Lansing

Dave Lansing attended the conference for Code officers in Lake Placid.  There will be changes in the local law for building code enforcement, effective in November.  He will provide the Board with copies of the new law and address the Board regarding it after.

Supervisor’s Report

Thanks to Congresswoman Teresa Sayward successful efforts, the town has received a grant for a Veteran’s Cemetery, making Essex County the third such in
New York State.  Planning preparations of the cemetery model; the survey, layout, roads, designated areas for plots and cremated remains will be covered by the grant.  The cemetery will be free to Veterans and should last 40 years before it needs to be readdressed, this is concluded by considering  stats of Veteran Cemeteries across the nation, The County will be responsible for mowing and road care since it is presently County property.  The County Legion, based in Lake Placid, will handle the administration and management. 

Senator Betty Little has been concentrating on year round affordable housing, an issue critical to the entire Park in order to keep communities vital and growing.

Public Transportation is especially important to the disabled in our County who need help getting to hospitals and doctors appointments. We are grateful to local citizens who volunteer their time and energy and the County is in the process of getting a transportation coordinator to better utilize the existing vans, run by Social Security, office of the aging and others. 

The Wal-Mart Store slated for Saranac Lake is again tabled and looks to be an ongoing debate.

Correspondence

The EFC (Environmental Facilities) which offers low interest and no interest loans for water and sewer projects will now only allow 20 year payback on loans. It puts those presently involved in water projects or the biding process at the 30 year rate in an unfair position, whereas it might benefit some sewer projects that would otherwise be paying loans on systems no longer functioning.

Of the taxpayers owning the 1,515 parcels in Essex County, 23 (4 - 4 ½ %) are using the new Essex County four payment plan and have found it beneficial. Three percent in our town have utilized it. 

The annual drinking water report was “basically pretty good”.  Copies of the report are available in the Town Hall.  There is a new Water Superintendent, Emmett Coonrod who is getting his feet wet. 

The Jordan’s will not be opening the 1819 Restaurant on Main Street (which used to be the Tea Garden) this year, but it will continue as a full time rental residence.

Real Property has sent a report to the assessors on the taxes for the year, indicating that the sales have been substantially higher than the assessed values.   There appears to be an 18-20 % increase in assessments.  This will affect the town of Essex school taxes only if Willsboro assessment values do not go up, needing an offset by our town.

Unfinished Business

Supervisor Jackson met with the ACAP over the Grange Hall.   They do not have the funds to do sufficient repairs to make it workable for either the seniors or Head-Start.  It will function this summer as it has in the past regardless whether the Town or Grange has ownership. The cistern and sewer system are sufficient at this time.  There will be another Public Hearing scheduled in spring.

Janet Null reported that the Old Legion Hall being used as a Senior Center was going to need $200,000.00 to bring it up to usable status.   There is a grant presently of $50,000.00, which was to be matched by raising donations. The question has been posed to John Albert is whether a $100,000.00 could be used to stabilize what we have or is it all or nothing.  He asked that we send the priorities to him and he would submit it to the Historic Preservation.

The Supervisor next queried the Board on the Fire Alarm System options that were presented at the last meeting. With Mr. Morrow in attendance this time, the Board queried him on cost and installation issues.  Councilman Sayward suggested the Town Shed (lunch Room) had questionable value and could be excluded at a possible 12% ($600) reduction in cost.   By digging a trench between the garage and Town shed, their close proximity would allow for the use of one panel, keypad and monitor between them.  Mr. Morrow had submitted a revised appraisal to the Board reducing the monitors to two, saving on initial installation and further reducing the yearly monitoring costs.   The insurance rates will be reduced and at an amount estimated by the Supervisor sufficient to cover the monitoring costs per year.  The expected life of the system is twenty (20) years.  The cost for the Town Shed would come from the A-5132 (general fund, garage contractual) account and for the Town Hall from the Wrights Inn account.

In order to comply with Building Code, and on the chance an “event” would occur where a system became necessary, it was decided by the Board that
It would be in the best interest of the Town’s welfare to purchase a system.

The Supervisor took a “Straw Poll” to determine whether the Board wanted a Fire Alarm System.  The response was a unanimous yes.  It was agreed that the two bids were within range of each other, reasonable and similar.  The system is transferable to any building structures which might be upgraded or replaced.
 
Whereupon Councilman LaForest offered a motion to accept the Security Concepts Fire Alarm System with a lower bid of $11,800.00, the lunchroom included, on the condition that, there is no limit to the number of RFPs needed to award a contract. 
Councilman Wrisley seconded the motion. 
On roll call Ayes - 4, Nays - 1, the motion passed.
Councilwoman LaPine           yes                       
                   Councilman LaForest  yes                       
                   Supervisor Jackson      yes
                   Councilman Wrisley     yes
                   Councilman Sayward  no                        

Supervisor Jackson provided the Board members with the revised Subdivision Draft #8 for review and further discussion at which point a Public Hearing will be scheduled.

NEW BUSINESS

Councilman LaForest moved that Lois Sayward be reappointed Deputy Town Clerk, effective January 1st, 2006,the motion seconded by Councilman Wrisley; passed on roll call Ayes 5 - Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

Councilman Sayward moved that we sign AES contract to bid the Lake Street Wall reconstruction, the motion seconded by Councilman Wrisley; passed on roll call Ayes 5 - Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

Councilman LaForest moved that we sign the BRASS contract at $750.00, the motion was seconded by Councilwoman LaPine; passed on roll call
Ayes 5 - Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

Councilman LaForest moved that permission be given to the Supervisor’s secretary to attend the Municipal Accounting class in Lake Placid April 18-20th, the motion was seconded by Councilman Wrisley; passed on roll call
Ayes 5 - Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

Councilman LaForest moved that permission be given for the Town Clerk to attend the annual New York State Clerks Conference April 23- 26th, the motion was seconded by Councilman Sayward; passed on roll call.
Ayes 5 - Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

Councilman Wrisley moved for permission to be given for Town Officials to attend Local Government Day in Saranac Lake, March 23-24, seconded by Councilwoman LaPine; passed on roll call
Ayes 5 - Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

For reference within Subdivision Regulations, in anticipation of local development projects, road standards are presently being drafted.

Councilman LaForest moved to sign the Lockrow’s contract for copier maintenance, the motion was seconded by Councilwoman LaPine; passed on roll call  Ayes 5 - Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

Copies of the Town of Essex Employee Manuel (Personal Policy- last revised in 2004) were distributed by the Supervisor for review by the Board.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

A meeting of the Buildings and Grounds Committee is scheduled for March 23rd at 7 PM in the town Hall with the purpose of discussion the installation of the Fire Alarm System and the possibility of installation by Bruce Boison of Marvin Windows at the Town Shed.

BILLS

Motion made by Councilman LaForest, second by Councilman Wrisley to approve the Abstract #3.  Passed on roll call - Ayes 5 Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

The Town Clerk presented Abstract #3 with the following totals: General - vouchers 43-75, $8,501.95; Transfer Station vouchers 6-11, $2,806.89;
Water vouchers 7-13, $2,629.94; Street Lights voucher 1, $577.00; Highway vouchers 21-29, $2,407.82; Justice Grant voucher 1, $3,450.00.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT
The report was submitted, amended.  The Town Clerk, after being made aware of time constraints of a “monthly” report, made the appropriate corrections.

The amended report was accepted on a motion by Councilman LaForest, seconded by Councilman Wrisley and passed on roll call
Ayes 5 - Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

WATER RENTS - $950.00

SUPERVISORS REPORT
Motion to accept the Supervisors Report was made by Councilman LaForest and seconded by Councilwoman LaPine; passed on roll call -
Ayes 5 - Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

There being no other business to come before the Board, Supervisor Jackson adjourned the meeting at 8:57 PM.

 

 

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