Minutes, News and Notes from the August 14th, 2008 Town Board Meeting:
you may also get full, approved copies of the minutes by visiting the Town Hall
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The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Supervisor Jackson.
Supervisor Jackson led us in the Pledge to the Flag.
On roll call Board Members present were Councilwoman LaPine, Councilman LaForest, Supervisor Jackson, Councilman Wrisley and Councilman Sayward. Also present was
Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk.
Visitors included James Brangan, LCBP Cultural Heritage & Recreation Coordinator,
Rita Ann Fitzgerald, John Bingham and Mary Anne Schultz.
Supervisor Jackson greeted the visitors and offered the courtesy of the floor.
Mr. Brangan presented an overview of the Champlain Valley National Heritage
Partnership. In November 2006 the communities along the interconnected waterways of Lake Champlain, Lake George, the Champlain Canal and the upper reaches of the Hudson River were designated as a national heritage area. The LCBP is asking for input
on how this new program should function. There are a few spring 2008 CVNHP
Bulletins available at the Town Hall, which include a worksheet to be filled out with
ideas for the partnership. The Lake Champlain Basin Program will award $100,000 in CVNHP Implementation Grants (up to $10,000 each) in 2008. Applications must be in by October 3, 2008. The web for updates on the grants is www.lcbp.org. The e-mail
address for LCBP is heritage@lcbp.org.
Supervisor Jackson asked for a moment of silence for Kay Ames and Don Palmateer.
The Grange report and Plan was presented by Rita Ann Fitzgerald. WCA is seeking
the Board’s approval for the replacement of the old ceiling, new lighting, ceiling fans and
insulation of the new ceiling at the Grange Hall in Whallonsburg. WCA also requested approval of Paula Dennis as their historic preservation consultant. Supervisor Jackson stated that he would like to wait until next month so that the Board will have time to review the plan. Ms. Fitzgerald asked if the Grange would be qualified for one of the CVNHP grants. Supervisor Jackson advised her to go on line and download an application.
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of July 10, 2008 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.
The Planning Board did not meet .
Zoning Officer’s Report
From July 10, 2008 to August 12, 2008 I issued one building permit:
· 7-16-08 building permit #A-751 to Donna Haynes of 17 Reynolds Road for a deck {$25.00}
During this time I also performed fire safety inspections at the following sites:
· Old Dock Restaurant {$40.00}
· Noel’s at the Water {$40.00}
· Masonic Lodge {$40.00}
· ACAP Headstart {$40.00}
I continue to made on-going inspections of current projects.
Respectfully submitted, David S. Lansing
Supervisor’s County Report
Cliff Donaldson has resigned as County Manager. Dan Palmer has been appointed to the position until December 31, 2008. The Board will decide if Mr. Palmer will retain the position or if there will be a search for a new Manager in 2009.Councilman LaForest asked if there is a need to have a County Manager. Supervisor Jackson stated there is a committee looking into the need.
The radio system is failing rapidly. The line to Long Lake failed as did the back up line.
It was a software problem with Verizon’s line. There are also problems with the line to Schroon Lake.
Correspondence
A letter was received from Historic Essex requesting permission to use the Octagon
School for their September 14 meeting. Councilman LaForest would like someone
to talk with Don Doyle regarding parking, since it will be necessary to cross his lawn. He stated the ceiling needs some work where the leak was, as the plaster is still falling.
Supervisor Jackson stated that Councilman LaForest could be the liaison for the Town
and Historic Essex. The Board did not see any problem with allowing them to use the school.
Stan Tuller’s mileage request was discussed. Councilman LaForest made a motion
to table this issue so further research can be done. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley.
Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes. Councilwoman LaPine will research the policy manual for clarification on the mileage.
Supervisor Jackson informed the Board that he has sent the information to Supervisor
Lincoln on the cost of running the Senior Center and the revenues. The Willsboro
Board met on Monday and Supervisor Jackson is waiting for a response.
Councilwoman LaPine informed the Board that she had the attendance record for the summer program through last week. 14 children attended this year. We pay for 16 to attend.
There is nothing new to report on the Old Stone Church.
The Town Clerk’s Report will need to be amended for July 2008 due to a transposition
error. Copy fees was written as $22.50 and is should have been $25.20. This did not
affect the report balances.
Motion to amend The Town Clerk’s Report for July 2008 made by Councilman Sayward
Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman
LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman
Sayward-yes.
October and November 2006 abstracts need to be amended to read as follows October Water/Lights needs to include Lake Street Wall/Fuller Excavating $92,145.25 and
November Water/Lights needs to include Lake Street Wall/Fuller Excavating $97,810.10.
This error was due to the newness of the Town Clerk.
Motion to amend October & November 2006 abstracts made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman LaForest. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman
LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman
Sayward-yes.
Supervisor Jackson informed the Board that we received the paper work for the
Ear mark grants from Senator Little and Assemblywoman Sayward. The paperwork is
ready to be mailed on Monday,
Town Shed: Supervisor Jackson called Overhead Doors and they will come this week or next week to see what is needed to renew the seals on the doors. They also stated that the
hanging strips were not a good idea because the trucks would get caught and tear them down. Supervisor Jackson and Jim Morgan, Highway superintendent need to do the
measurements and get them to insulation person. Griffith still has not gotten back to Supervisor Jackson on the modines. Supervisor Jackson has spoken with Bruce Boison
about the windows and he feels that they are on the same page now.
Supervisor Jackson and Councilman LaForest audited the Justice Court’s accounts.
Now the Justice Department requires a resolution acknowledging the audit.
New Business
Resolution # 27 of 2008
August 14, 2008
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilwoman LaPine.
BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Essex acknowledges that the Supervisor and Deputy Supervisor audited the Justice’s books in January 2008 as they have in the last several years and found no irregularities.
THE RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman Wrisley AND WAS ADOPTED.
Roll call
Jackson yes
LaPine yes
Sayward yes
Wrisley yes
LaForest yes
RESOLUTION #25 of 2008
August 11, 2008
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilman Wrisley, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Essex Transfer $6,568.13 from the General Fund Account A9050.8 to the Sewer Fund Loan account.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman LaForest AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Jackson yes
LaPine yes
Sayward yes
Wrisley yes
LaForest yes
The Preferred Group agreement for pretax withholding was discussed at our last meeting and it was agreed the Town wanted a prorated rates for this year. Preferred Group has agreed to this. Councilwoman LaPine does not agree with the plan starting this year. She feels we should wait until the new contract to start in January 2009.
RESOLUTION #26 of 2008
August 11, 2008
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilman LaForest, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Essex agrees to have the Supervisor sign the agreement with the Preferred Group for pretax withholdings for medical insurance for employees that enroll in the program.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Essex will start our agreement with the Preferred Group on prorated basis as soon as we can set up the books and the employees sign the individual enrollments. Supervisor Jackson agreed to pay any additional cost in 2008 for this plan.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman Wrisley AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Jackson yes
LaPine no
Sayward yes
Wrisley yes
LaForest yes
Water Superintendent has had by-pass surgery. Jim Morgan, Deputy Water Superintendent has been handling the job on a daily basis since May. Supervisor Jackson would like to pay Jim at the Superintendent’s pay rate for the work he is doing starting at the end of August, until John Coonrod is capable of resuming the duties of Water Superintendent. Difference in rate of pay was discussed. Disability for John was discussed and Supervisor Jackson will check into this.
Motion pay to Jim Morgan at the Superintendent’s rate of pay through December 31, 2008 or until the Superintendent can resume the responsibilities of the job was 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.
HydroSources Associates, Inc. new groundwater source pros pal was discussed. Motion was made by Councilman LaForest to have HydroSource Associates do the hydro geologic evaluation and the geophysical survey at a cost of $22,000. Seconded by
Councilman Wrisley. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes,
Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes,
Supervisor Jackson would like to send Jim Morgan, Deputy Water Superintendent, Jonathan Pribble and one of Jonathan Pribbles employees to a Class D water
Certification class. The Town will pay for Jim and Jonathan. Mr. Pribble will pay for his employee. The cost for the Town will be $385 each for Jim and Jonathan.
Motion to send Jim Morgan and Jonathan Pribble and one of Jonathan’s employees
to the class D water certification class 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 Senior Van’s air conditioning broke down. The estimate for repair from Adirondack
Auto is $1244.40. The van is a 2001 Dodge. The repair was put on hold until next spring. Option for the Senior van was discussed.
Bills
General $32,597.89
Highway 8,437.96
Transfer Station 2,299.05
Water 1,804.75
Street Lights 550.00
Sewer Loan 6,568.13
General Prepay 5,068.17
Water/Lights Prepay 83.51
The bills for the month .were discussed
Motion made to accept bills as presented 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.
We received a thank you letter from Darcy Hurlburt for the repairs to sidewalk in Whallonsburg.
Supervisor’s Financial Report
Town Clerk’s report was presented to the Board. Motion was made by Councilman Sayward to accept the report as presented. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll
Call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes,
Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Water Rents were presented to the Board. A motion was made by Councilwoman to accept water rents as presented. Seconded by Councilman LaForest. Roll call:
Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Supervisor Jackson-yes,
Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
The Supervisor’s report was presented to the Board. A motion to accept the Supervisor’s
Report as presented was 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.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 PM.
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