Minutes, News and Notes from the May 11th, 2006 Town Board Meeting:

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


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The Public Hearing on the Whallonsburg Grange Hall:
Supervisor Jackson declared the public hearing open at 6:33 PM.

Notice of said Public Hearing was duly published in the Valley News on with the same being posted on the same date at the Town Hall. The clerk read the Notice of Hearing, from the Valley News, for the record.

The Town Board was represented by Supervisor Jackson, Councilman Wrisley, Councilman Sayward, Councilwoman LaPine and Councilman LaForest.  The public present included Norma Goff, Arlene Mason, Michael Pratt, George G. Briggs, Irene Maloney, Karen Brinkman, Richard Brinkman, Bill Raus, Sally Johnson, Colleen Van Hoven, Lois Sayward, Jane Perry, Joyce Sukel, Thomas Stransky, Suzanne Perley, Janice Moran, Richard Sukel, Liz Wilson, Lauren Murphy, Jim Morgan and Jamie Phillips and Jan Eakins from ECHO with the arrival of Marshall Crowningshield at 6:47 pm.

Mike Pratt spoke at length about the importance of the Grange to the Community and his hope that the Town will “take care” of the building. And that just south of Whallonsburg the Fire Commissioners drilled a well, complete with pump that might be utilized by the Hall.

Joyce Sukel, previously a juvenile Grange member, whose parents were life members, questioned whether the purchase would become an “albatross” on the town’s budget. 

Sally Johnson, asked if the code requirements would change, if the property changes hands?  The Supervisor responded – no, unless its use changes.   Suzanne Perley questioned whether the Town would arrange for a reverted clause, if maintenance becomes a burden to the Town.

Tom Stransky wondered what happens if town does not buy it? 

Liz Wilson – when asked if there is sufficient liability insurance, was told that it was already listed on policy as a voting site. 

Norma Goff remarked that locals working on the grange would reduce the repair costs. 

Bill Rouse, wanted to see no more taxes, but was in support to buy; and

Arlene Mason, Grange member, said it would have to go on the private market if the Town does not purchase it.  Furthermore, the State Grange advised getting more than $1. Grange members agreed they would like to continue to use it. 

The Grange could be used as emergency shelter.  Norma said the actual cost would not be too great; there are no taxes because it is a public building and it is already insured. It is a real plus to those in the community.  It needs to be marketed to be used more.

With no further comments from those present, the public hearing was closed at 6:54 PM.

The Public Hearing on the Subdivision Regulations

Supervisor Jackson declared the public hearing open at 7:05 PM.

Notice of said Public Hearing was duly published in the Valley News on with the same being posted on the same date at the Town Hall. Clerk List read the Notice of Hearing for the record.

The Town Board was represented by Supervisor Jackson, Councilman Wrisley, Councilman Sayward, Councilwoman LaPine and Councilman LaForest. The public present included Norma Goff, Arlene Mason, Michael Pratt, George G. Briggs, Irene Maloney, Karen Brinkman, Richard Brinkman, Bill Raus, Sally Johnson, Colleen Van Hoven, Lois Sayward, Jane Perry, Joyce Sukel, Thomas Stransky, Suzanne Perley, Janice Moran, Richard Sukel, Liz Wilson, Lauren Murphy, Jim Morgan, Jamie Phillips, Jan Eakins and Marshall Crowningshield.

Supervisor Jackson explained that the subdivision ordinance, presently in place, goes back to the original zoning, while State laws have changed. Rather than hold up the ordinance further, the necessary Road Standards are being drafted and will be a separate part of the ordinance.

Copies of the ordinance have been made available and distributed.

He then opened the floor to discussion.

Colleen Van Hoven Major and minor subdivision only requiring notification of adjacent property owners should be more specifically worded - 500 feet. Is it possible to go out and get a copy to know your rights.  There is too much left to the discretion of the Planning Board. 

Susanne Perley The Subdivision Ordinance is written by the State of New York.   The A.P.A. will have final jurisdiction overseeing the subdivisions, except within the hamlet.

Liz Wilson   The wording on page 8, concerning a road through your property (definition of subdivision), is confusing and needs clarification.

Supervisor Jackson and Mrs. Perley agreed.

In response to a question by Richard Sukel, prospective buyers can, in the name of the owner, make applications or request information of the Planning Board.   

Supervisor Jackson stated that there would be more public hearings on the Subdivision Ordinance to insure its final language is clear and concise.  There being no further comments or discussion, the public hearing was closed at 7:08 PM.

The Supervisor called the Regular Town Board meeting to order at 7:14 PM, with a pledge to the flag. 

Present were Supervisor Jackson, Councilwoman LaPine, Councilman Wrisley, Councilman Sayward, and Councilman LaForest.  

Also present were Norma Goff, Arlene Mason, Michael Pratt, George G. Briggs, Irene Maloney/Zoning Board of Appeals, Karen Brinkman, Richard Brinkman, Bill Raus, Sally Johnson, Lois Sayward/Clerk to the Supervisor, Jane Perry, Joyce Sukel, Thomas Stransky, Suzanne Perley/Planning Board, Janice Moran/Board of Assessment Review, Richard Sukel, Liz Wilson, Lauren Murphy/Zoning Board of Appeals, Jim Morgan/Highway Superintendent and Jamie Phillips, Jan Eakins and Kate List/Town Clerk.

The Supervisor gave a positive report on his mother, Norma Jackson, who is doing well after her knee surgery.

Before offering the courtesy of the floor, Supervisor Jackson introduced comments from Suzanne Perley and Jan Eakins, Director of ECHO.

Suzanne Perley - Mrs. Perley asked that a request for $500 towards the Blue Map, which disseminates over 200,000 copies in the area and is the only circulated publicity for Essex, be brought before the Board.

There will be a 4th of July parade this year (Tuesday) at 11 a.m. There will be a lottery for the parade and fireworks put on by the Essex Fire Department.

The Beautification Committee would like permission to use $500.00 to “spruce up” the front of Town Hall.  They will continue to maintain the Town Hall Gardens and the front of Town Hall.

Bill Raus asked whether it was possible to open the gate in Willsboro to the Fish Ladder and have the Rod and Gun Club maintain it.  The DEC appear disinterested.

Jan Eakins, newly installed Director for Echo (2 months) distributed a handout to those present explaining that the State Waterfront Revitalization Program has grant funds available.  Echo would like to work with the Town with the interest in achieving a permanent exhibition, a summary of the restoration progress of the Union School and to work with Coastal Education to install an interpretive exhibit.  The question is whether the Municipality will support and sponsor these projects; whereupon ECHO itself will match the grants.  The Supervisor said it would warrant further discussion.

The minutes of the April 13th 2006 Town Board Meeting were approved, with corrections and clarifications: Page 1 paragraph 7 - correct spelling is “Broadwell”; Page 3, in referring to seasonal use of the Stone Church, it should specify that “seasonal use” refers to the first floor, the basement is used by seniors year-round; and a reiteration by the Town Clerk that she did not intentionally volunteer to mow the entire Town Hall lawn; only the front. 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 Suzanne Perley stated there was nothing to report.

Zoning Report

From April 13, 2006 to May 10, 2006 I have issued the following permits.

· 4-13-06 to Steven Kellogg, 2838 Essex Rd. (camp), fireplace reconstruction

· 4-17-06 to Steven Kellogg, 2910 Essex Rd. (garage/studio),  fireplace

· 4-17-06 to George Hearn, 118 Middle Rd., fireplace

· 4-25-06 to Bruce Stephan, 2260 Lake Shore Rd., barn replacement

· 5-3-06 to Susan Bacot, 2279 Main St., renovations

· 5-4-06 to Joe Ecclestine, 409 Christian Rd., swimming pool

· 5-08-06 to Baird Voorhis, 2803 Essex Rd., renovations

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

Respectfully submitted,

David S. Lansing

Reporting on the County, Supervisor Jackson said that progress is happening on the Nursing Home, albeit slow.  It could be three or four years down the road.  The Board of Supervisors is encouraged.

Teresa Sayward will officiate at the dedication of the Veterans Cemetery on May 28th at 3 o’clock.  Sarah Anson donated the cemetery to Elizabethtown Legion who, overwhelmed by the prospect, in turn donated the cemetery to the county, on the advice of Assemblywoman Sayward. 

CORRESPONDENCE

• A bill was introduced on 5/1/2006 to the Senate by Sen. Little (7745) and the Assembly by Rep. Sayward (#A10906), which excludes municipal water and sewer buildings from the definition of “principal building”, for purposes of regulation by the APA.   
• Dock Master’s 3rd year – annual report for 2006.
• Two Letters from Whallonsburg Grange Members Karen L. Ashline and Karen Brinckman, were received on May 5th 2006, in support of the Town of Essex’ possible purchase of the Grange Hall.
• A letter was received from Colleen and Jim Van Hoven on May 10th 2006 regarding concerns on the use of the adjoining property, owned by Jim Morse.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Councilman LaForest made a motion to proceed with formalizing the language towards the Town of Essex procurement of the Whallonsburg Grange for one dollar.  This was seconded Councilman Wrisley and passed on Roll Call: Ayes - 5, Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine

The Lake Street Wall Project funding is short $24,000.  Jim Morgan, Highway Superintendent will receive a one time bonus CHIPS money ($4,810.), and said it could be used towards the retaining wall.  DEC and APA say it must stay a stone wall. 

A special meeting is scheduled for May 25th at 7 pm for further discussion on the Lake Street Wall and structural alternatives.

Councilman LaForest, Bicentennial Committee, will arrange the Memorial Day ribbon cutting to dedicate the Whallonsburg Bridge and a showing of the “Adirondack Holidays” film at the Grange Hall afterwards.      

Mowing: Don Doyle will continue to do the Bouquet Schoolhouse and at the river; Kevin will do Town Hall and Beggs Park; Eugene applied to do  the Ball field and Cemetery, Kate “will do along the road” at Town Hall.

Phillip Tart has taken photos for the record of the Pavilion at Beggs Park in its stages of construction to completion.  They are on display in Town Hall.

Kevin Sayre and his Eagle Scouts have been approved to help at the Brookfield cemetery where there was a lot of damage. Additional help is coming from Plattsburgh Memorial who will donate glue, Marshall Crowningshield, Powers and others.

Councilman LaForest moved to hire Eugene Benway on an hourly basis as Mower, seconded by Supervisor Jackson and passed on roll call: Ayes - 5:

Jackson, Wrisley, LaForest, Sayward, LaPine                   

After a brief discussion, the ECHO request to ask the Town of Essex to support as Municipal sponsor, the proposed educational grant applications, described by Jan Eakins in her presentation and descriptive handouts, was left for further discussion.

Councilman LaForest motioned to approve budgeting $500 toward the

Blue Line Book and was seconded by Councilman Sayward. 

The motion passed on roll call: Ayes - 4; Nays - 1,

Supervisor Jackson – yes, Councilman Sayward – yes, Councilman Wrisley – yes, Councilman LaForest – yes, Councilwoman Lapine – no.

A motion was made by Councilman LaForest to award $500.00 from Wrights Inn Fund to the Beautification Committee towards the Town Hall landscaping.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Sayward and passed on unanimous vote.

NEW BUSINESS

A motion was offered by Councilman Wrisley and seconded by Councilwoman Lapine to sign a 2006 contract with Adirondack Landfill Services at $4,304.00.  It was moved on unanimous vote.

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

Motion was offered by Councilman LaForest to match the $4,810.00 increase in CHIPS when it is received; seconded by Supervisor Jackson and passed on unanimous vote.

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

Motion was made by Councilman LaForest and seconded by Supervisor Jackson to add a carbon monoxide alarm in the basement of the Town Hall by the furnace under the box; seconded by Supervisor Jackson and passed on unanimous vote.

Resolution was made by Supervisor Jackson to send a letter to the Department of Transportation requesting that it not waste County time and money covering Route 22 with asphalt, but to suggest that the road needs to be totally rebuilt. The resolution was seconded by Councilman Sayward and passed on unanimous roll call.

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

RESOLUTION #5

IN SUPPORT OF WATER CHESTNUT HARVESTING ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN

The following resolution was offered by Councilman LaForest who moved its adoption.  The resolution was duly seconded by Councilwoman Lapine and was passed.

Whereas, Lake Champlain underwrites the economy of the Town of Essex through recreation, tourism and high property values and provides tremendous experiences for visitors and residents alike; and

Whereas, water chestnut (Trapa natans) presents a long-term threat to these benefits to the people of the State of New York; and

Whereas, water chestnut is an invasive aquatic plant that blocks navigation and disrupts the ecology of Lake Champlain; and

Whereas, preventing the spread and control of water chestnut within Lake Champlain and elsewhere in the Basin is a “High Priority Action” in Opportunities for Action the Lake Champlain basin management plan signed by Governor Pataki in 1996; and

Whereas, the effective control of water chestnut is consistent with the Lake Champlain Basin Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan and the Adirondack Park Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan; and

Whereas, consistent and aggressive mechanical harvesting and hand pulling of water chestnut in Lake Champlain have been shown to be effective methods of controlling water chestnut and consistent water chestnut control efforts are necessary to prevent the spread of water chestnut throughout Lake Champlain and reduce the likelihood of spread into other NY water bodies; and

Whereas, $50,000 per year of the NY Environmental Protection Fund has been used to support NY water chestnut control efforts on Lake Champlain; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Essex, on May 11, 2006, hereby supports and endorses the consistent funding of the NY water chestnut harvesting at a minimum level of $50,000 per year.

ROLL CALL yielded 5 Ayes – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine. .

It was agreed that the Democratic Women of Essex County and the Essex County Democratic Committee could use Begg’s Point for their Annual Picnic on August 20th, 2006 from 2:00 PM till 7:00 PM.

All Town Officials have been invited to a ribbon cutting at the new Noblewood Day Camp on June 2nd at 2 PM.

RESOLUTION # 6

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY SUPERVISOR JACKSON, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.

WHEREAS, Leta MacDougal was born and raised in the Town of Essex who has been a lifelong resident of the Town of Essex; and

WHEREAS, Leta MacDougal has continued her family tradition of public service to the community by running for, and being elected to, the Willsboro School Board; and

WHEREAS Leta MacDougal has served as a School Board member for ten years; and

WHEREAS serving on a school board is a difficult, demanding and thankless but necessary job; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Essex wishes to publicly thank Leta MacDougal for performing this job in an exemplary manner. You have spent many arduous hours making difficult decisions while always remembering both the needs of our children and the limitations of the taxpayer; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Essex is particularly thankful for your efforts in helping to bring the new school from a dream to a reality.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN LaFOREST AND WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY.

ROLL CALL: Ayes – 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

RESOLUTION # 7

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY SUPERVISOR JACKSON, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.

WHEREAS, Bryan Garvey was born and raised in the Town of Willsboro who has spent the majority of his life as a resident of the Town of Essex; and

WHEREAS, Bryan Garvey has continued his family tradition of public service to the community by running for and being elected to the Willsboro School Board; and

WHEREAS Bryan Garvey has served as a School Board member for thirteen years, ten of which Bryan has been President of that Board; and

WHEREAS serving on a school board is a difficult, demanding and thankless but necessary job; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Essex wishes to publicly thank Bryan Garvey for performing this job in an exemplary manner. You have spent many arduous hours making difficult decisions while always remembering both the needs of our children and the limitations of the taxpayer; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Essex is particularly thankful for your efforts in helping to bring the new school from a dream to a reality.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN LaForest AND WAS ADOPTED UNAMIMOUSLY.

ROLL CALL: Ayes – 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

A Motion was made by Councilman LaForest and seconded by Councilman Sayward to sign the Pole Attachment Agreement with New York State Electric and Gas Corporation.  The motion passed on unanimous vote.

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

A motion was made by Councilman Sayward and seconded by Councilman Sayward to amend Abstract #4 of 2006:

          #95    Selective Insurance from A1990.4 to A1910.4

          #97    Willsboro Essex Ski Program from A7320.4 to A7310.4

          #104 Town Clerk Account from A110.4 to A1410.4

         #103 & 104 Town Clerk Petty Cash returned check for $78
                  and list as overpayment.

Moved on roll call: Ayes 5- Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

A motion was made by Councilman Wrisley and seconded by Councilman Sayward to approve Fund Transfers.

          $1,000.00 from A1220.2 (equip) to A1220.4 (expend)

          $600.00 from A1990.4 to A1410.4

Moved on unanimous roll call: Ayes 5 – Jackson, LaForest, Sayward, Wrisley and LaPine.

Motion was made by Councilman Sayward to go into Executive Session at 9:02 P.M.; seconded by Councilman Wrisley and moved on unanimous vote.

At 9:36 P.M. a motion was made by Councilman LaForest and seconded by Councilwoman Lapine to come out of Executive Session.  This moved on unanimous vote.

The Town Clerk presented the Bills in Abstract #5 with the following totals: General - vouchers 105-127 $5299.22; Prepaid – vouchers 7 & 8 - $395.38; Highway – vouchers 46-60 $9,458.47; Water – vouchers 20-24 $960.31;

Street Lights – voucher 3 $577.00; Transfer Station vouchers 16 & 17 $1648.45; Wrights Inn Fund voucher 2-4 $3701.98; Water District #1 Extension vouchers 1 & 2 – 7,186.00.

The bills were approved for payment on motion by Councilman LaForest and seconded by Councilman Sayward and passed on

Roll call: Ayes - 5, Sayward, Wrisley, Jackson, LaForest, LaPine

Motion made by Councilman LaForest to accept the Town Clerk's Report, seconded by Councilwoman LaPine                                                                  Roll Call: Ayes - 5, Sayward, Wrisley, Jackson, LaForest, LaPine

In May a total of $4553.22 in water rent was received. Motion by Councilman LaForest, second by Councilman Sayward to accept the report was moved on unanimous vote.

Motion was made by Councilman LaForest to accept the Supervisors Report, seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Passed on roll call: Ayes - 5, Sayward, Wrisley, Jackson, LaForest, LaPine.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:54 PM.

 

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