Minutes, News and Notes from the December 13th, 2007 Town Board Meeting:
you may also get full, approved copies of the minutes by visiting the Town Hall
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Meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Supervisor Jackson.
Supervisor Jackson led us in the Pledge to the Flag. Supervisor Jackson asked for
a moment of silence for Robert Carson, Ed Warner, Rowena Haynes, Charlie Mero, Douglas Morgan and Ray Jerdo. Supervisor Jackson added Mike Mannix to the list.
On Roll Call members present were Councilwoman LaPine, Supervisor Jackson,
Councilman Wrisley and Councilman Sayward. Councilman LaForest was absent.
Also present was Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk.
Supervisor Jackson greeted visitors, which included Jan Eakins, Fred Watrous, Peter Schultz, Ted Cornell and Mark Kupperman. Supervisor Jackson offered the courtesy of the floor.
Lori Fisher, Lake Champlain Committee could not make it to the meeting. She had
wanted to discuss adding Essex as a stop on the The Lake Champlain Paddler’s Trail.
Supervisor Jackson has received the Hatchery Report 900 -13 inch brook trout were released in Essex.
Fire District #1 Election result: Commissioner for 5 year term – Kristin Kimball-13 votes
Treasurer 3 year term- Maghan MacDougal- 13 votes.
Motion to approve 11/8/07 Special Board Meeting Minutes-Preliminary Budget Hearing
as presented made by Councilman Sayward. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-absent, Supervisor Jackson-yes,
Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Motion to approve the Regular Town Board Meeting minutes 11/8/07 as presented made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call: Councilwoman
LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-absent, Supervisor Jackson-yes, Councilman Wrisley-
yes and Councilman Sayward.
Motion to approve Special Town Board Meeting “Outdoor Furnaces” 11/20/07 with
corrections made by Councilman Sayward. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll
call: Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman LaForest-absent, Supervisor Jackson-
yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Councilman Sayward-yes.
Planning Board Report: Public Hearing-Mark Gibson, site plan review, Cannon Pt. for
Renovations. Permit approved. Public Hearing Minor Subdivision Robert & Patricia Rowe. Permit approved. Francisca P. Irwin – Boundary/Lot line adjustment. A
Public Hearing was scheduled for December 20, 2007.
Susan Bacot and Steve Masseli came before the Board with questions about
subdividing land. Councilwoman LaPine asked what land was being subdivided.
Jan Eakins explained that they want to take either 26 or 28 acres from Greystone
Greystone will keep 2 acres and the rest will be added to George McNaulty’s property.
The property will be keep as a natural area.
Councilman LaForest arrived at 7:20 PM.
Zoning Officers Report: 12/13/07
From October 11, 2007 to December 13, 2007 I have issued the following permits:
· 10-16-07 Building permit #A-723 to Jan Terlouw, 160 Lighthouse Way, for garage [$98.00]
· 10-16-07 Permit #A-724 to Jan Terlouw, 160 Lighthouse Way, for chimney and woodstove [$35.00]
· 10-16-07 Zoning permit #Z-273 to Mark Kimball, 2503 NYS Rt.22, for bunk house for agricultural personnel [$40.00]
· 10-16-07 Building permit #A-724 to Mark Kimball, 2503 NYS Rt. 22, for bunk house for agricultural personnel [$35.00]
· 10-22-07 Building permit #A726 to Rich Wight, 1874 Lake Shore Rd., for wood shop [$56.00]
· 10-24-07 Permit #A-727 to Mark Gibson, 2006 Lake Shore Rd., for demolition
· 10-25-07 Building permit #A-728 to Fred Palen, 67 Wild Acres Way, for addition and deck [$69.00]
· 10-25-07 Building permit #A-729 to Fred Palen, 67 Wild Acres Way, for fireplace [$35.00]
· 10-30-07 Permit #A-730 to Sandy Point Ltd., 10 Sandy Point Way, for foundation [$30.00]
· 11-09-07 Zoning permit #Z-274 to Lewis Family Farm, 52 Christian Rd., for cattle shelter on Middle Road [$20.00]
· 11-09-07 Building permit #A-732 to Lewis Family Farm, 52 Christian Rd., for demolition of former Walker house [$40.00]
· 11-16-07 Permit #A-733 to Mark Gibson, 2006 Lake Shore Road, for renovations [$140.00]
· 11-16-07 Permit #A-734 to Mark Gibson, 2006 Lake Shore Road, for septic [$35.00]
· 11-16-07 Permit #A-735 to Mark Gibson, 2006 Lake Shore Road, for chimney and stove [$40.00]
· 12-07-07 Permit #CO-736 to Todd Waskuch, 2249 Lake Shore Road, certificate of occupancy
· 12-11-07 Permit #737 to Scott Christian at 2323 NYS Rte. 22 for demolition of former Marin residence now owned by Darwin Clark
I continue to make on-going inspection of current projects.
Respectfully submitted, David S. Lansing
Supervisor’s County Report:
The County Budget passed with a slight reduction in the Tax levy due to the increase
in sales tax revenue.
Henry Hommes is having health problems
Correspondence:
JH Consulting reported our chlorine byproducts level is ok
Jan Eakins has applied to the Planning Board
Grange Committee report was presented by Councilman LaForest. The committee
met and asked four members to draft a letter to the Town Board about the future of the
Grange. The committee came up with four possible solutions. Councilman LaForest
likes the proposal which allows a separate non-profit organization to manage the use of
The Grange. Renovations, maintance and repairs, and fundraising are shared under terms of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties. Ted Cornell has offered his
expertise to manage the Grange Hall. Councilman LaForest explained that the Whallonsburg Civic Assoc. is a not-for-profit 501C 3 Corp. The Civic Assoc. will be
eligible for grants. They can also receive tax deductible donations. Supervisor Jackson
summarized saying that the Grange Committee offered a number of different option, but the committee would like the Whallonsburg Civic Assoc. to take over the management of the Grange Hall on behalf of the Town.
Ted Cornell stated that the Civic Assoc. is very interested in taking over management of the Grange and their goal is to get as many community members involved as possible.
They would like to make the Grange as available for use as possible. Supervisor Jackson
asked for the names of the Civic Assoc. board members; Scott Hurlburt is the current President, but he is retiring and at the January meeting a new President will be elected.
Other Board members include Mark Wrisley, Rita Fitzgerald. Mildred Wrisley, Cindy
Wrisley and Harold MacDougal. Councilman LaForest stated the Essex Theatre Co wants to rent the Grange again this summer for two events. There is an improv group from Jay that would like to rent the Grange. JEM (Jay Entertainment and Musical) also would like to do a cooperative program with the Grange.
Mr. Cornell asked for a meeting between the Town Board and the Whallonsburg Civic
Assoc. to discuss the management of the Grange Hall. Supervisor Jackson said that a
meeting would be needed to go over all the details. Supervisor Jackson asked Councilwoman LaPine and Councilman Sayward to be the Board’s representative to
meet with the Civic Assoc. and come back to the Board with their findings.
Peter Schultz sent a letter to Supervisor Jackson concerning the sewer system. Supervisor Jackson is preparing a response with historical information on the
Sewer system and he will also answer his other questions.
Rob Ivy wrote a letter supporting the Outdoor Furnaces Law. He also questioned the burned out house on Brookfield Rd. Supervisor Jackson informed the Board this was being cleaned up. He also voiced concerns on yard lights.
We have a copy of a letter sent to Frank Walls from the Board of Election about
combining the two polling sites in Essex (Grange Hall Whallonsburg and the
Town Hall in Essex) into one site at the Essex Fire House. There would still be two districts at one polling site. The Fire District does not want the old voting machines to be stored at the Fire House as they will take too much space. Mark Kupperman
asked if the sites could be consolidated at the Grange. And then maybe the dinners could be held there also. The answer is no. The Grange has code issue for handicapped persons and there is the issue of the lack of restrooms. The dinner was not held this year because of lack of help. Councilman Wrisley asked if the Election Day dinner could be served at the Fire House and Supervisor Jackson said they were not allowed to do dinners there. The letter has just been sent to the Fire Commissioners and when we receive their response, then we can discuss the issue and make a decision. Councilman Sayward asked if we have a choice and Supervisor Jackson said ultimately no it will be the Board of Elections decision.
A letter was received from Darwin Clark with comments on the Code Officer’s handling of his request for a permit. This was discussed at the last meeting as a result of a phone call from Darwin. Mr. Clark has agreed to tear down the Marin house.
The Grange Hall committee has been awarded an ACNA grant.
Unfinished Business
Dave has reviewed the Building Codes and Councilwoman LaPine has agreed to proofread the report. Councilman Sayward asked if changes could be made. Supervisor
Jackson said yes but then it would have to be reviewed by a lawyer.
We had another meeting on merging the two water extension into Water District #1.
Motion to merge water extension into Water District #1 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.
The Outdoor Furnace Law was discussed.
RESOLUTION #21 of 2007
December 13, 2007
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN SAYWARD, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.
WHEREAS, The Town Board of the Town of Essex has had four previous public meetings and three Public Hearings to put together Local Law #1 of 2007 on “Outdoor Furnaces; and
WHEREAS, The Town Board has received many comments, both written and at meetings and hearings from the general public on this local law; and
WHEREAS, The Town Board has rewritten this local law to reflect those comments when we thought it was appropriate; so
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Essex adopts Local Law #1 of 2007 entitled “OUTDOOR FURNACES’ as attached.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN LaPINE AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Jackson yes
LaPine yes
Sayward yes
Wrisley yes
LaForest yes
Waste water update: Pataki million contract has been approved. We should be receiving
the money very soon and then we can start collecting the money we have spent since November 06.
Mark Kupperman asked about the cluster plan for the sewer and wanted to know if any
were installed. Supervisor Jackson said that only one was installed and it was not suitable for this location. Mark asked what the plan is if we do not receive the funding for the waste water treatment plant. Supervisor Jackson stated he would continue to look for other funding sources.
Todd Goff is willing and able to move up to become a regular Planning Board Member.
Jan Eakins has applied to the Planning Board and she is willing to become an alternate.
Jim Morgan is willing to do the snow blowing on a per hour basis and charge back to
The Town. Supervisor Jackson and Jim Morgan, Highway Superintendent have been
trying to get up to Willsboro and look at their snow blower. Willsboro has about a 25 horsepower tracker with a snow blower and a blade and a cab. They spent $17,000.
The Board discussed the size and the different uses of the equipment. Supervisor
Jackson said he has a trailer the Town can use to transport the tractor.
Motion to have Supervisor Jackson, Councilman Wrisley , Jim Morgan, Highway Superintendent and Highway crew members to go to Willsboro to look over their
equipment and to also check into State Contract prices for said equipment 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.
The State has approved a $200 tax credit on State Income Tax for Firefighters.
New Business
Judge Kupperman informed the Town Board that there will be an inspection of the
Town Hall to evaluate security for the Judge and his staff. The inspection is scheduled for Monday the 17th at 10AM. Supervisor Jackson stated that the inspector needs to be told that this a historic building and any modifications need to be checked very carefully to see if they are allowed. The inspector will be very interested in the security of the court’s records. Joe Provoncha is applying for shared services funding to be used for a
secure building that all the Towns and County can use for their record storage. He is
hoping that all records stored there can also be copied to discs. Judge Kupperman stated that he has a grant to purchase a fireproof safe and he was told that it could be put in
the vault. He also informed the Board that all courts will be courts of record and
all proceedings will be taped. The Judge is to have a separate entrance to the court and
the files to be secure. Judge Kupperman suggested that the room behind his bench would be an option. Supervisor Jackson does not believe that the standards for security
can not be met in this building. Councilman Sayward stated that if we need expansion that we need to do it right here, upstairs. Supervisor Jackson said there are plans for renovating upstairs. He and Councilman Sayward will go over the plans and estimate
the cost. The Board discussed doing half of the upstairs. Judge Kupperman told the
Board that they will be accepting credit cars for payment of fines.
There is going to be mandatory training for all employees on violence in the work place. It is a one hour course
Sewer Loan from the General Fund was discussed.
RESOLUTION # 20 of 2007
December 13, 2007
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN LaFOREST, WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Essex Transfer $5,981.90 from the General Fund Contingency Account to the Sewer Loan account.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN SAYWARD AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Jackson yes
LaPine yes
Sayward yes
Wrisley yes
LaForest yes
Jim Morgan, Highway Superintendent would like approval to hire Warren Brant as a
wingman (temporary highway laborer). Motion to approve Warren Brant as temporary laborer 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.
Cafeteria plan for the Town is being researched by Supervisor Jackson so that insurance
payment portion of the employee can be pre tax.
Credit Card policy needed to establish in the Town. A copy of the policy was given to the Board Members to review and it will be discussed at next month’s meeting.
State land tax- Essex assessment is 1.5 million dollars. State land’s worth is determined
by the State not the local assessors. It is questionable whether or not the State will pay
taxes.
Drug screening contract with SMS/Convenient Medical Care is due to be renewed..
Motion giving permission to Supervisor to sign contract with SMS/Convenient Medical
Care for drug screening 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.
Councilman Sayward asked if Bill Morgan has had a chance to work on the backup for
the Town computers and Supervisor Jackson said he had not. He worked on the
Supervisor’s computer because it crashed.
Councilwoman LaPine asked if the books for 06 had been checked and the Town Clerk
stated that Barbara Kunzi was coming to work with her but was unable to come on
the scheduled date. We have rescheduled for December 18th. We will reconstruct the
checkbook as a starting place and we will go over the Town Clerk report to see if any
of them need any adjustments.
Supervisor Jackson reminded the Board they need to form a committee to go over the Zoning laws. We need to have rules for peddlers and we need to come up with rules for temporary signs. Supervisor Jackson asked Councilman Sayward and Councilwoman LaPine if the would be willing to work on this project. Both agreed. Two Planning Board Members and one community member would also be on the committee.
Supervisor Jackson stated that he would like to take another look at the formation of a DPW in the New Year.
Discussion of bills:
General Prepay $ 391.43
Highway Prepay 140.06
Sewer Loan 9,994.78
Water 2,901.74
Street Lights 407.77
General 15,386.23
Highway 13,732.09
Transfer Station 4,020.62
Motion made by Councilman LaForest to accept bills as present 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 Town Clerk’s Report 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 Water Rents as presented 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.
Motion to accept Supervisor’s Financial Report 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.
Susan Kennedy was here on Tuesday and the State is implementing several additional testing programs and they are not optional. One test must be at the lab within 6 hours of the sample being taken and tested. Our lab is in Watertown so we will be paying mileage to have this test done. These tests are raw water test. This will mean more expenses to the Town.
Supervisor informed the Board that he received a call from Nextel and asked what we use for a wireless server. Apparently there is a State contract rate that is fairly inexpensive and told them to send the information on it. He was also told that Sprint was available from the new panels on the water tower.
Meeting adjourned at 9:28 PM
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