Minutes, News and Notes from the April 13th, 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 April 13th 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 Hazel Albee.

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

Also in attendance were:
Jim Morgan - Highway Superintendent, Art Stemp - NYS DEC, Lake Champlain Coordinator, Rod Boula, Steve Broadwell - Willsboro Central Principal,
Lois Sayward – Clerk to the Supervisor, Suzanne Perley – Planning Board Member,
Brad Beers, Barbara Kunzi, and Kate List, Town Clerk.

Supervisor Jackson greeted the visitors and offered the courtesy of the floor to the
first of three guest speakers.

The Willsboro Central School Principal, Steve Broadwell presented a talk and slideshow discussing the projected school budget for 2006/2007.

Art Stemp, Lake Champlain Coordinator for the NYS Department of Conservation, presented a slide show and spoke of the impact of the invasive water chestnut on Lake Champlain.

Rodney Boula, Administrator and CEO for Elizabethtown Community Hospital, provided the Board with an update on the current status of the Hospital, the CT scanner which will soon be in use and future plans for the expansion of the Emergency Department.

With a correction made to Abstract #4 under General Funds, excluding the overpayment of $78, bringing the total to $15,281.34; The minutes of the 2006 Regular Town Board Meeting were approved, on a motion by Councilman Sayward seconded by Councilman LaForest and passed on roll-call;  Ayes – 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

Planning Board Report Board member Suzanne Perley reported that the permits for the New Deli and Old Dock House were approved.  There was no other business to report.  

Zoning Officer’s Report:
From March 9, 2006 to April 12, 2006 I have issued the following permits.
· 3-14-06 to Bob Perry, Christian Road, a zoning permit for a hay barn
· 3-15-06 to Mark LaPine, for residence on Main St., certificate of compliance for a septic system
· 3-27-06 to Bruce Stephen, Lake Shore Road, a permit for garage demolition
· 3-27-06 to Barbara Kunzi, Main St., a permit to replace existing back porch
· 4-3-06 to Church of the Nazarene, State Route 22 in Bouquet, a permit for demolition of an old gas station
· 4-11-06 to Joshua Morse, Cook Road, a zoning permit to build a garage
· 4-11-06 to Joshua Morse, Cook Road, a building permits to build a garage
I continue to make on-going inspections of current projects.
Respectfully submitted,
David S. Lansing

Supervisor’s County Report:
Board of Supervisors unanimously approved pursuing a new nursing home. 
Four subcommittees, involving the entire Board, were designated to investigate;
Finances - Scozzafava/Moriah; Location – Merrihew/Elizabethtown; Design – Jackson/Essex; and Cathy Moses - use for existing facility.   The existing structure still has two (2) million dollars State money coming toward upgrading or demolition.

Architect problems continue for the new jail. A tour, conducted Wednesday the 13th of April for the Supervisors, showed a “surprisingly spacious” facility for the 120 bed jail.  The progress is right on schedule.

Correspondence:
Two letters came from Danny Benoit, showing him to be less upset by our choice of Security Systems Alarms over his company.

A letter came from LCT requesting a neon light sign for better visibility in the wintertime. This is being handled by the Planning Board.

A thank you letter came from Geri VanOrnam voicing her appreciation for the 100th birthday celebration and plaque bestowed on her by the Town.

A letter was received from the Aquastore regarding its cathodic protection system, which they suggest may benefit the Water Tower.
 
Unfinished Business:
A motion was made by Councilman Sayward to appoint Meredith Hanna as the Town Representative on the BRASS Board, replacing Councilman LaForest. The motion was seconded by
Councilwoman Lapine and moved on roll call.

Ayes – 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

The Statewide Grange has given its approval, and the local Grange members have met and approved the possibility of the Town purchase of the Whallonsburg Grange Hall.  Although a preliminary public hearing has been held, another will be scheduled to give the townsfolk another chance for public input with the Board on the feasibility of its purchase.

Suzanne Perley had spoken with John Albert about the grant funding for the Old Stone Church.  At the most recent Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting, the project estimate was reviewed and prioritized by necessity. The handicap accessibility and new heating system will be shelved for the present.

The bid was published for the Lake Street Wall, with a Bid Conference scheduled for April 14th, and the final sealed bids to be handed in on April 28th.

The Subdivision Regulations final draft has been completed by Suzanne Perley, with the previously discussed corrections included and given to the Board for review.  A Public Hearing will be scheduled before the next Town Board Meeting, considering the substantial changes that have been made.  It will be adopted ten (10) days after approval.

The State has recorded Local Law #1 and Local Law #2, so that an
Alternate Planning Board Member can now be appointed.

The local law, regarding the appointment of an alternate Planning Board member, has been recorded with the State, so that an appointment can now be made.

A motion was made by Councilman LaForest and seconded by Councilman Wrisley that Charles Cammack be appointed as Alternate Planning Board Member.  The motion was passed on roll call:
Ayes – 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

Councilman LaForest reported that the Bicentennial Committee stands with a $3,200.00 surplus at present.

NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION #4 of 2006
April 13, 2006

The following resolution was offered by Councilman LaForest;

WHEREAS, The Town of Essex has always believed that both the Town and New York State benefit from our participation in the New York State DOT Municipal Snow and Ice Program; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Essex gives the Supervisor permission to sign the Municipal Lump Sum Snow and Ice Extension Agreement forms for the 2007 -2008 contract extension.

This resolution was duly seconded by Councilman Sayward and was adopted upon roll call; AYES – 5 - Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

A motion was made by Councilman Wrisley and seconded by Councilman Sayward that we sign the CHIPS agreement.
The motion was passed on roll call:
Ayes – 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

The amount allotted for the Town and County has increased.

A motion was made by Councilman LaForest that we sign the contract with the SPCA in the amount budgeted at $1.00 per year-round resident as of the 2000 census, or $713.00.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Wrisley and passed on roll call:
Ayes – 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

Doug West gravel bid for road/screened sand will be extended to two years, with Jim Morgan trucking the sand from the Willsboro site, if the Board has no objection.  We will review the contract again next year.

 An ad will be placed in the Valley News for someone to mow the Town lawns.  Don Doyle will continue mowing around the school and at the foot of the bridge. Kate List has volunteered to hand mow the entrances of Town Hall. For additional locations, a contract will be awarded May 11th, at the next Town Board Meeting.

Kate List, as elected Town Clerk/Registrar of Vital Statistics/Tax Collector for the Town of Essex, has appointed Barbara Kunzi as Deputy Town Clerk/Registrar of Vital Statistics/Tax Receiver at the salary approved by the Board at the Organizational Meeting.  This will be effective 4/17/ 2006 and will expire 12/31/2006.

The previously appointed Deputy Town Clerk, Lois Sayward, without having taken the oath of office, has now declined the position for personal reasons.

Councilman LaForest thanked Lois Sayward for her many years serving as Deputy Town Clerk.

Councilwoman Lapine motioned to accept the appointment of Barbara Kunzi;
seconded by Councilman Sayward and passed on roll call:
Ayes – 5 –Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

Dick Buchman had contacted Mr. Jackson about the Water Quality Improvement Projects EPA Grant, with which he feels some of the $700,000.00 applied for could be directed toward the Sewer.  It is hoped that a joint effort between Vermont and New York on the Champlain could cultivate funds and interest.

A company that dives and inspects water towers will be in the vicinity in the near future.  When the Board feels it is timely to utilize their services, it would be advantageous to have information and cost on hand.   Since it has been some time since the Tower has been inspected, a dive would yield valuable information before the tank is to be emptied and serviced.

The Justice Grant has been closed out, as the funds have been spent.

On Tuesday (the 18th of April), Tom Duca, Kevin Shaw and his BOCES students will begin to erect the Pavilion in Beggs Park.
 
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Town Board of Essex will hold two Public Hearings, which will be announced in the Valley News.

On May 11th at 6:30 P.M, the first Public Hearing will be to discuss the possible purchase and/or use of the Whallonsburg Grange Hall.  Immediately following ( at approximately 6:45 P.M.), the Board will hold a Public Hearing to discuss the Subdivision Regulations in their final form for adoption.

TOWN CLERK’S FINANCIAL 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 collected for the month of March were $1382.44.

SUPERVISORS FINANCIAL REPORT was accepted on a motion made by Councilman LaForest , seconded by Councilman Wrisley and 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 8:51 PM.

 

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