Minutes, News and Notes from the April 9th, 2009 Town Board Meeting:
you may also get full, approved copies of the minutes by visiting the Town Hall
- - - - - - - - -
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM
Supervisor Jackson led us in the Pledge to the Flag.
Supervisor Jackson asked for a moment of silence for Teresa Tart and Bill Deso.
On roll call Board Members present were Councilwoman LaPine, Councilman LaForest absent, Supervisor Jackson, Councilman Wrisley and Councilman Sayward. Also present was Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk, James Morgan, Highway Superintendent and Lois Sayward.
The visitors present were Cordelia Sand, Ted Cornell, Chairman of the Friends of the Whallonsburg Grange Hall and Board Member of Whallonsburg Civic Association, Bonnie Monoski, Edward Monoski.
In celebration of the Quadricentenniall Cordelia Sand and dancers will present a site-specific performance at Beggs Park. The site-specific performance will explore the role of fire and Changes in the maritime and transportation industries that transformed the Champlain Coast from its once industrial identity to its current identity as a destination for heritage tourism and beauty. This is made possible by a grant from the 2008 Community Mini-Grant Program. Ms. Sand also would like to have several bands perform on this night. This event will take place on June 20th from 8PM to 11PM.
Ted Cornell presented an overview of the renovations and repair at the Grange. There are three major components; raise the ceiling, fix the septic system and drill a well. A number of other projects will also need to be done to bring the building up to code. Mr. Cornell stated $17,000 has been raised for the project at this time. Tom Labombard is the engineer for the project.
Super visor Jackson stated the Town will administer the money for the Grange project. The funds are being collected by the Community fund.
Motion to advertise for 3 RFP’s for the Grange Hall and to have a Special Meeting for awarding the RPF’s and to set up a Capital Project for the Grange on Wednesday May 6, 2009 at 7PM made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman Sayward. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-absent, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Patty Gardner was unable to attend the meeting. Supervisor Jackson stated she wanted to make Community aware of the May Day for Relay, May 1st. A day the community comes together to support cancer awareness through public displays of purple everywhere. The 2009 Relay For Life will be June 19 & 20 at Clinton County Fair Grounds 7PM - 7AM.
Approving minutes
Motion to approve the Minutes of the March 12th Regular Board Meeting was made by Councilwoman LaPine. Seconded by Councilman Sayward. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-absent, Supervisor Jackson-yes Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Motion to approve Minutes of the March 24th Special Board Meeting as corrected made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman Sayward. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-absent, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley - yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Planning Board Report
Supervisor Jackson attended the meeting and gave a brief overview. Two meetings were held. The first meeting did not have a quorum. The Public Hearing was held, at the second meeting, a subdivision permit at the Bigelow farm was issued. The Town received its subdivision permit. The house at the old Walker farm was sold to Mark Wilcox.
Zoning Officer’s Report
From March 11, 2009 through April 8, 2009 I have issued the following permits:
· 3-27-09 A-775 Building permit to Katherine Preston of 247 Christian Rd. for barn renovations $50.
· 3-31-09 Z-278 Zoning permit to Bradley French of 1732 Jersey St. for a sugar house. $20.
· 3-31-09 A-776 Building permit to Bradley French of 1732 Jersey St. for sugar house.
$50.
· 4-2-09 CO 777 Certificate of occupancy to Susan Bacot-Davis at 2279 Main St.
· 4-2-09 CO 778 Certificate of occupancy to Susan Bacot and George Davis of 2783 Essex Rd.
· 4-7-09 A-780 Building permit to Mark Wilcox of 599 Walker Road for renovations and alterations $50.
I continue to make inspections of on-going projects.
Respectfully submitted, David Lansing
Supervisor’s County Report
Supervisor stated the two big things at the County are big ticket items, the radio system and the roads and bridges. Both of these will be bonded. The radio system was discussed extensively. There was some discussion on the roads and bridges. The cost for the roads and bridges will be 6 million dollars. The radio system up to ten million dollars. It will take about two years to have the radio system completely installed. It will be a high ban system.
Correspondence
The Town has received the APA subdivision permit for the Wastewater Project.
The Town has received the Planning Board subdivision permit for Wastewater Project.
Don Christian’s safety letter was discussed by the Board. Supervisor Jackson stated that one concern was safety shoes for the employees at the Transfer Site. Supervisor Jackson stated that Donnie was right about the need for safety shoes. The Town would be responsible reimbursement for the cost of the shoes. Motion to appoint Don Christian Safety Officer was made by Councilman Sayward. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
The Town has received a letter from ACAP on possible funding for upgrades to the Senior Center. This funding may take up two years to secure. Alan Jones did state that he would try to find funding so that a second stair chair could be installed in the hall to go down to the Senior Center. This would help with the safety issue in the winter of the snow coming off the roof.
Unfinished Business
The Town has received the updated paperwork from Sam Herndon (Farmers Market). The Town’s lawyer will go over the paperwork.
Water system update
Supervisor Jackson has been very busy working on the rural development preliminary and pre-application. Supervisor Jackson very optimistic that the Town will receive funding for the water. The funding would be three-quarters from the State Revolving Fund,
because we are listed as a hardship. Supervisor Jackson is hoping for additional money from Rural Development. The Town has signed an agreement and an easement with the Fire Department the land for behind the Fire House. This project moving forward depends on receiving funds.
Wastewater update
Vic Putman, Director of Community Development and Planning in Essex County is almost done with the environmental paperwork. Preliminary design is done. Final design is nearing completion. The Town will need to have Andy Black, archaeologist, come back to check areas for fragments of the past. There had to be some rerouting of lines in areas SHIPO said were sensitive. The funds are to be awarded on June 10 by Rural Development. Vic Putman is very optimistic that the Town will receive funding for the wastewater project.
Councilwoman LaPine wanted to know when a meeting of the Building Design Committee for the Wastewater Project should take place. Supervisor Jackson will check with Wayne Ryan of AES Northeast to see when he will be available and if possible it meet on Tuesday April 21 before the Special Board Meeting.
Supervisor Jackson stated he would like some help with putting together the information to be mailed to the sewer district residents. He would like the residents to receive this information before Public Hearings, so that they can asked questions at these hearings.
Supervisor Jackson discussed the winter parking law revision. The Town Hall staff has searched for the law and have not been successful in finding the original. Councilwoman LaPine has a copy of the law in Moriah and did a draft for the Town. Councilwoman LaPine discussed this issue with Judge Kupperman. He told her that if the Town has this law that at his discretion has can lower a speeding ticket to parking ticket. This then has to go to the DA for approval. The money from these tickets goes to the Town not the State if approved by the DA.
Supervisor Jackson stated that 14 requests were made for bid information on the The Old Stone Church project. Four bids were received. The bids were opened March 30, 2009 at 2 PM. The low bid was by Jameson General Contractors, 339 Chamberlain Mills Rd., Salem, N.Y. The bid was $95,400 dollars. Janet Null was satisfied with the figures and recommended that the contract be awarded to Jameson. Motion to award bid for Old Stone Church project to Jameson General Contractors was made by Councilman Sayward. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-absent, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Councilman LaForest arrived at 7:51 PM
New Business
The Cornerstone Telephone contract was discussed by the Board. Supervisor Jackson stated their rates are the lowest. Motion to give Supervisor Jackson permission to sign the contract with Cornerstone was made 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.
Motion to give Supervisor Jackson permission to sign the Smith House contract was made by Councilwoman LaPine. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Supervisor Jackson told the Board that next year the Town was going to need a new copier. The maintenance contract for the copier we have was discussed by the Board. Motion to give Supervisor Jackson permission to sign the Lockrow contract for copier maintenance was made Councilman LaForest. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
The Board discussed the fees for the Preferred Group Cafeteria Contract. Motion to give Supervisor Jackson permission to sign the Preferred Group Cafeteria Plan contract was 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.
AES Northeast contract for wells was tabled. Councilman Sayward asked how much money the Town had spent ? The amount is $21,000 dollars. Supervisor Jackson stated we will not move forward with this project until we receive funding. The budget for the project was discussed by the Board and there was concern as to the cost. Councilman Sayward requested that the Town have the ability to negotiate the fees. Councilman LaForest stated that the Board needs to get more information from someone who has experience in this type of project. More specific information and a better breakdown of the cost related to this project is need. The Board discussed the amount of 20% of the final construction cost as payment to AES Northeast.
Motion to give Supervisor Jackson permission to sign contract with for legal services with Reggie Bedell for the wells made by Councilman Sayward. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes. Motion to give Supervisor Jackson permission to sign legal contract with Reggie Bedell for the wastewater made by Councilman Sayward. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman
Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
RESOLUTION #10 of 2009
April 9, 2009
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilman Wrisley, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.
WHEREAS. Rural Development requires that we have a contract in place for Legal Services in order to accept our application, and WHEREAS Reginald Bedell has been finishing up work for us started by Lou Comeau before he got ill, and has performed the tasks in a satisfactory manner, and WHEREAS Reginald Bedell has agreed to continue working for us at a rate of $150.00 per hour, therefore BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Essex appoints Reginald Bedell to be our attorney for matters relating to our wastewater and water projects.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman Sayward AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Jackson yes
LaPine yes
Sayward yes
Wrisley yes
LaForest yes
Supervisor Jackson informed the Board that Lauren Murphy hopes to have the easement for the ECHO parking lot signed tonight by David Hislop.
Motion to give Supervisor Jackson permission to sign Adirondack Landfill contract 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.
The Essex Inn notified the Town that they were applying for renewal of their liquor license. Supervisor Jackson read the application to the Board.
The Town Board agreed to advertise for mowing of the Town lawns for the summer of 2009. An ad will be sent to the Valley News.
Resolution #9 of 2009 Loan to Sewer Fund
Supervisor Jackson stated that he is going to start apply for the money from the Pataki Grant. the money can only be applied for in three separate requests. This money will be used to pay back the Town for the loans made to the sewer fund. The resolution was discussed for transfer of money.
RESOLUTION # 9 of 2009
April 9, 2009
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilman Sayward, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Essex Transfer $43,417.35 from the General Fund Account A9050.8 to the Sewer Fund Loan account.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilwoman LaPine AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Jackson yes
LaPine yes
Sayward yes
Wrisley yes
LaForest yes
The Town received a letter from the Planning Board. We have appointed a committee to review some changes. The committee consists of Councilman Sayward, Councilwoman LaPine, Ted Cornell, Jim Van Hoven and Donnie Hollingsworth. Supervisor Jackson state a meeting of the Committee to go over the changes should be set up.
Committee Meetings
A Special Meeting for the Bond Resolution has been set for Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 7 PM at the Town Hall.
A Special Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at the Town Hall for the purpose of awarding the RFP’s for the Grange renovations and to establish a Capital Project for Grange renovations and other business as required.
Discussion of Bills
General $ 5,959.72
Highway 21,824.49
Sewer Loan 43,417.35
Water 908.24
Street Lights 545.00
Transfer Station 1,600.13
General Prepay 813.32
Water Prepay 58.49
The Board discussed setting up an account on E-bay to see if money could be saved on parts and supplies ordered. Councilman Wrisley said he would meet with Supervisor Jackson and go over how an account is set up.
Motion to pay bills as corrected 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.
Supervisor’s Financial Report
Motion to accept Town Clerk’s report as presented made by Councilman Sayward. 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 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 Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Motion to appoint Supervisor Jackson and Deputy Supervisor LaForest to audit the Town Clerk and Justice financial records for 2008 made by Councilman Sayward. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes. Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
The Town website was discussed.
Councilman LaForest moved for adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
- - - - - - - -
Contact: info@northcountrytechnology.com
