Minutes, News and Notes from the July 13th, 2006 Town Board Meeting:

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


- - - - - - - - -

The regular town board minutes of the Essex Town Board was held on July 13, 2006, at the Town Hall in Essex.  The Supervisor opened the meeting at 7:02 PM with the pledge to the flag.

On roll call, the following members of the board were present: Councilwoman Claire LaPine, Councilman Mark Wrisley, Councilman Steve Sayward and Councilman James LaForest.  Also present: Barbara Kunzi, Deputy Town Clerk.

Visitors included Kim Dedam, Jamie Phillips, Gayle Perry, Richard and Joyce Sukel,
Jane Perry, Lois Sayward and Janice Moran.

The Supervisor asked for a moment of silence for David Sousis and Sonny Mero who passed away recently.

The Supervisor offered the courtesy of the floor, but nobody raised any issues.

Approval of minutes: the minutes of the June 8th meeting received some amendments and clarifications from Mr. LaForest and Mrs. LaPine and were subsequently approved on motion by Mr. LaForest and seconded by Mrs. LaPine. Roll call: 5 ayes: LaPine, Wrisley, Sayward, LaForest, Jackson.

There was no Planning Board report, as there had not been a meeting in June.

The Zoning Officer submitted the following report:

“From May 11, 2006 to July 12, 2006 I have issued the following permits:

1. Sally Holloway of 20 Spire Way: Certificate of Occupancy
2. Paula Dennis/Mark Wrisley 199 Clark Road: Demolition Permit
3. George McNulty, 2783 Essex Road: Certificate of Occupancy
4. Jim Morgan, 2723 Rte 22, Zoning Permit for new house
5. Jim Morgan, 2723 Rte 22: Building Permit for a new house
6. Frank Hain, 1420 Whallons Bay Road: CO for new house.

I continue to make on-going inspections of current projects.
David S. Lansing,  Code Enforcement Officer”

Mr. Jackson clarified that the Hain CO is temporary, until the house is finished.

The Supervisor reported a quiet month at the County, with the exception of the sign for Lowe’s in Ticonderoga, where the APA has taken jurisdiction and is imposing its rules on the project in the shape of size limitations on the sign allowed.  The other issue is the North Country Community College who is asking for an 8% increase in support.

CORRESPONDENCE:

A letter from the Whallonsburg Fire Department is informing the Town that they will be trimming branches that damaged the mirror on one of their vehicles.

Sandy Lewis has asked that the Town let him remove a “knoll” from Clark Road.  The Highway Superintendent is investigating the issue.

The semi-annual check from 360 Networks, now NEXACOR has been received, with the built-in increase.

Susan Kennedy of the DOH office in Saranac Lake has inspected the pumphouse.  She asked for a number of upgrades to the system, including new pumps and a physical separation of the chlorination tank, to mitigate the attack on the electrical system of the pumphouse.

Leta MacDougal has sent a thank-you card for the Town’s acknowledgment of her years of service on the Willsboro School Board.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Lake Street Wall: the water level is very high at this point; let’s hope that the water drops sufficiently to start work.

Subdivision Regulations: there is one page of changes that need to be incorporated into the body of the regs.  Once the Board has received the final version, a public hearing can be held and it was scheduled for August 10, 2006, before the monthly meeting, at 6:30PM.

Road Standards: Mr. Sayward distributed the pplications form for the Town of Essex Right of Way Permit, which will be made part of the document.

The Planning Board opening was advertised extensively, but no applications came in. The Board decided to re-advertise the position and encouraged members to talk to prospective candidates.

NEW BUSINESS:

According to a memo from the County Attorney, the voting machines have been taken over by the county by eminent domain.  Discussions indicated that Essex will lose the Grange as a polling place, due to the lack of telephone and rest room.  The Essex Fire House will most probably become the voting location for the entire town. The agreement in the form of a Resolution was tabled on the request of Dr. LaForest.

Water Tank: Aquastore, the maker of the tank, will send a repair crew with a ROVE (Remote Observation Vehicle) that will inspect the tank and determine the extent of repairs necessary.

The contract with the Fire Department for the 4th of July festivities was approved for signature by the Supervisor on motion by Mr. LaForest and seconded by Mr. Wrisley.  Roll call: 5 ayes: LaPine, Wrisley, Sayward, LaForest, Jackson.

The intrafund transfer from the General Fund to the Sewer Loan of $23.75 was approved on motion by Mr. LaForest and seconded by Mr. Wrisley.  Roll call: 5 ayes: LaPine, Wrisley, Sayward, LaForest, Jackson.

Erie Canal Greenway: This is a grant possibility for funding the Lake Wall rock face.  Total amount available per grant is $250,000. The application is due August 18, 2006.  Mrs. LaPine reiterated concerns about Janet Kennedy. The board was in general agreement that this is a good idea and Mr LaForest made the motion to apply for the grant, seconded by Mrs. LaPine.  Roll call: 5 ayes: LaPine, Wrisley, Sayward, LaForest, Jackson.

Insurance renewal: The Supervisor said he forgot to go out to ask for bids on the insurance, and with the current policy running out, the town has no choice but to renew the policy with Upstate.  The motion to authorize the Supervisor to sign the renewal was made by Mr. Wrisley and seconded by Mrs. LaPine. Roll call: 5 ayes: LaPine, Wrisley, Sayward, LaForest, Jackson.

Marina Tires: when the tire breakwater that used to be in front of the Burley’s marina disintegrated a number of years ago, the bottom section drifted to the bottom of the lake.  It has traveled since and is now obstructing the entrance to the Essex Marina owned by Barry Hamilton.  Mr. Hamilton has complained to the Town about it.  The board discussed the issue and decided that it was not a town matter, that the town was not responsible in any way and should not be involved.  This is a matter between the Burleys and the Army Corps of Engineers.

The Ford Tractor that the Highway department uses to mow the road sides is broken and currently being repaired at Peru Farm Center.  The Town should be looking to replace it.

Transfer Station: Larry Bliss, longtime manager of the Transfer Station, has handed in his resignation, for health reasons. Ray Demar has been acting as his deputy for the last two weeks.  The Supervisor will talk to the attendants to figure out a succession.

BILLS:

The Deputy Town Clerk presented Abstract #7 with the following amounts: General Fund, vouchers 151-180, $5,282.34; Highway, vouchers 69-79, $3,806.97; Paid in Advance, vouchers 12-14 (various accounts) $935.48; Water, vouchers 27-31, $922.08; Street Lights, voucher 5,$577.00; Sewer Loan, voucher 1, $23.75; Transfer Station, vouchers 20-25, $3,405.16. The bills were approved for payment on motion by Mr. LaForest and seconded by Mr. Sayward. Roll call: 5 ayes: LaPine, Wrisley, Sayward, LaForest, Jackson.

The Supervisor asked the board to indicate the wage increase rate for the tentative budget. After discussion, a rate of 3% was suggested.

REPORTS:

Town Clerk’s Report: approved on motion by Mr. LaForest and seconded by Mr. Wrisley.  Roll call: 5 ayes: LaPine, Wrisley, Sayward, LaForest, Jackson.

Supervisor’s Report: approved on motion by Mr. LaForest and seconded by Mr. Sayward.  Roll call: 5 ayes: LaPine, Wrisley, Sayward, LaForest, Jackson.

The Water Rent Report was approved on motion by Mr. LaForest and seconded by Mr. Wrisley.  Roll call: 5 ayes: LaPine, Wrisley, Sayward, LaForest, Jackson.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM

 

- - - - - - - -

Archive


Back