DECEMBER 5, 2005
A work session meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Trenton was held at the Trenton Municipal Center, Barneveld, NY. Supervisor Mark Scheidelman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present: Councilmen Shirley Poland, Betsy Mack, Bruce Kellogg, Joseph E. Smith.
GREENBELT LOGGING: Dave Duerr presented a map of the Greenbelt area and explained to the board that the biggest problems are the ridgeline and stumps left from a previous illegal logging operation. He gave the board his ideas on how to improve the area by thinning out several beech trees to encourage more growth. There are also a few hard and soft maple and cherry trees, but many of these are located in areas where a skidder cannot be used. Mr. Duerr feels there should not be any gapping holes created that would be visible to hikers on the trails. He pointed out an area where there are hemlock trees and he would not touch this area, as it is a wildlife habitat. He explained to the board that this would not be a big operation and he estimates that the town would only receive about $4,500.00.
Kellogg asked if it would be an advantage to wait ten years and look at logging again at that time. Mr. Duerr stated that it might be, as the good trees will continue to grow. Smith is more concerned with keeping the woods healthy; money is secondary. Mr. Duerr said if the town decided to go ahead with the project he would place many restrictions on how the loggers would remove the trees to cause the least amount of damage to the other trees.
Mr. Duerr feels that the town should just do a little maintenance along the trails and maybe cut areas of trees and sell firewood. The highway department could help to get the cherry trees out. Mr. Duerr would go back and mark trees with a different color and map out 10 cord lots. The board agreed to perform maintenance along the trails in the spring and not to do any skidding at this time. Mr. Duerr will give the board sample contracts for the town attorney to review. He left the work session at 8:10 p.m.
BRASCAN ASSESSMENT: Assessor Dean Burth reported on his meetings with representatives from Brascan. He explained that the town’s agreement with Brascan will end in 2006. In 2007 the board could ask the state to do a new appraisal. The board would need to come up with an appraisal amount for one year. He recommended that the board not try to get a higher assessment in court as the litigation costs would be too high and there is no guarantee that the town would win. Scheidelman asked Dean to consult with the Office of Real Property Services and Paul Nolan to get some appraisal figures to work with and report back to the board before next week’s board meeting. Dean left the work session at 8:38 p.m.
ZONING: Zoning Enforcement Officer Steve Hunter presented the November report, special permits and inspection schedule, and 2005 zoning violation citations. Discussion was held on billboards that are located in the scenic byway, which includes State Rt 12 and parts of State Rt 365 and whether the town can enforce the sign law in these areas. Scheidelman read the sign law and, in his opinion, billboards are not allowed. He feels the board needs to contact NYS DOT to find out what the town can legally do in the scenic byways area. NYS DOT will not issue any new permits for billboards on State Rt 12 north of State Rt 365. The Planning Board has recently approved a permit for a billboard in this area and there may be a conflict with NYS DOT. Steve agreed to call NYS DOT to find out if they have issued a permit for this billboard. Legal counsel may be needed on this. Scheidelman stated that the sign law needs to be reviewed and non-conforming signs should be investigated.
Steve reported that he has visited all but two of the home occupations that need renewals. He will keep trying to check on these two. He decided to do all the renewals this year, instead of staggering them out, as some were overdue. Steve left the work session at 9:20 p.m.
CODES: Codes Enforcement Officer Ken Cutler was asked to report to the board on how home occupations relate to the state building code. Ken stated that the new code, which went into effect in 2004, does not mention home occupations and treats them as a business. Ken feels he will have to treat all home occupations in the town as businesses unless the town adopts local regulations that are specific for home occupations. The old state code, which is still enforceable, defines a home occupation as using 25% or less of “living space.” Scheidelman feels there needs to be more cooperation between the CEO and the Planning Board. They need to consult each other before issuing permits.
Ken stated that he likes the proposed home occupation law that recognizes three
divisions – minor home office, home occupation and home business. Ken is not clear on the subject of home occupations and the state code and agreed to get more technical information from the state and report back to the board. Ken left the work session at 9:50 p.m.
JUSTICE COURT: Judge Patrick Van Buskirk reported on the recommendation from the Office of Court Administration to provide more security in the courts. Representatives from the OCA will make site visits and give recommendations. Judge Van Buskirk told the board that some courts hire someone from the Sheriff’s Department to be present during court. The charge would be $56.00 per hour with a three hour minimum. The two Justices are discussing the idea of having court one night a week but with both Justices present. DA night would stay at two nights per month. Reducing court to one night a week would reduce the expense of security. He reported that there has not been any problems, except the minor incident in the men’s room recently, but if there is a need for a Sheriff or State Trooper the response time could be ten minutes or longer.
Judge Van Buskirk reviewed his expenses at the last Magistrates Conference and presented Scheidelman with a check for over $300.00 from the Magistrates Association for reimbursement of costs at the conference. He explained that this reimbursement is issued every year that he attends the training sessions, which reduces the town’s actual costs. He does not feel his costs were more than what other conferences cost the town. Scheidelman stated that the board is working on a policy for conference expenses. Van Buskirk left the work session at 10:32 p.m.
HIRING POLICY: Scheidelman reviewed a few minor changes that were made after the proposed policy was given to the board for their review. Adoption of this policy will be added to the agenda of the December monthly meeting.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Anita Adam
Town Clerk
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Work Session Meeting
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