SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 1
The monthly 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 7:32 p.m. Present: Councilmen Betsy Mack, Joseph E. Smith, Shirley Poland and Highway Superintendent Art Hughes.
Bruce Kellogg arrived at 7:35 pm.
MINUTES: The minutes of July 19 and August 15th Town Board meeting were approved as corrected.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
Joe DeTraglia, LarryBogan and Sue Stockton: Mr. DeTraglia informed the Town Board the group from South Trenton met with Ken Cutler. DeTraglia hopes to have a bathroom in within two weeks and to run a septic system between now and winter. Water is a problem. The group is trying to get organized for the Youth Program this winter. Sue Stockton stated the group has made the peeling paint on the ceiling a priority as recommended by Ken Cutler. Due to the historic nature of the building, Stockton said Cutler felt the group could get away with a chemical toilet with proper documentation. Discussion was held on the feasibility of water in the building, as there is no heat unless the building is in use. Scheidelman told the group it was good they were working on things with Ken. He will work on writing up a contract for the youth program. Scheidelman asked the group if they had any information on the grant. Stockton responded a new packet requiring more information was sent to Diana Clarke. Clarke is working with Senator Meier’s office. Stockton will bring the 501c3 for Betsy Mack to assist her with. Scheidelman asked what other uses the building sees. The group replied the Grange was dissolved a couple of years ago, so primarily the kids program, birthday parties and community meetings are the functions held at the South Trenton Community Hall.
Tom Hughes arrived at 7:55 pm.
Karen Gilbert: Karen Gilbert of Downer Hill Road asked if the Town Board members had a chance to look at the road. All residents on the road work and she doesn’t feel they need the hardship of keeping the road cleared. Art Hughes responded the only vehicle that fits through the tunnel would be a pickup with a plow. The Town does own one. There is no sander for that vehicle so the sanding would have to be spread by hand. Scheidelman asked Tom Hughes to look into the history of this road. He also asked all Town Board members to look at the road before a decision could be made. Scheidelman will look into the Low Impact Road designation suggested as an option by the Tughill Commission. Gilbert submitted a printout from the Oneida County DPW of roads with two residences that are not abandoned. Joe Smith stated he had been to see the road. He questioned what equipment would fit through the tunnel and if it was a single lane width.
06-81 GENERAL ABSTRACT: Motion by Smith, second by Kellogg to pay audited General Abstract 06-09 (574-651) in the amount of $105,710.02. Roll call: Poland, aye; Mack, aye; Kellogg, aye; Smith, aye; Scheidelman, aye. Motion carried.
06-82 HIGHWAY ABSTRACT: Motion by Kellogg, second by Poland to pay audited Highway Abstract 06-09 (242-271) in the amount of $136,053.58. Roll call: Poland, aye; Mack, aye; Kellogg, aye; Smith, aye; Scheidelman, aye. Motion carried.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT:
Veteran’s Way: Art reported the New Road is up to sub grade from end to end. He is waiting for Boulder Engineering to inspect the road on Friday. Don Ehre will go over County requirements with Art then. Discussion was held on type of surface for the road and visibility concerns. Art recommends complete as a dirt road this year and finish the surfacing next year.
Britt Place: Art reviewed the paperwork for the Britt Place Easement. Scheidelman will find the parcel # for the property.
Shared Services Agreement with the County:
06-83 Motion by Smith, second by Mack, to authorize the Supervisor to sign the Shares Services Agreement with the County.
Roll call: Kellogg, aye; Mack, aye; Scheidelman, aye; Smith, aye; Poland, aye. Motion carried.
Town Roadwork: There will be a Highway Committee meeting on the 16th of September. The Town currently contracts with the County to plow 28 miles of County roads.
Sand: Art discussed options for renting equipment for screening sand for this year. He is concerned with the level of sand on hand and will need to screen sand for at least a week.
ASSESSOR: The Town Board received an agreement for Assessing Services from Dean Burth. The agreement shows an increase in 6.18% over last year’s agreement. The Town Board will meet with Dean Burth to discuss the increase as part of the budget meetings.
NOCCOG: Gerry Ritter was unable to attend tonight’s meeting due to illness.
06-84 FINANCE OFFICER’S REPORT: Motion by Smith, second by Mack to approve the August
Finance Officer’s Report with an ending balance of $856,034.90. Roll call: Poland, abstain; Mack, aye; Kellogg, aye; Smith, aye; Scheidelman, abstain. Motion carried. Discussion was held on County Pilots and current CD rates.
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The board reviewed the August report. Total revenues - $1,567.50; amount to Supervisor - $680.87. Updates for the Town of Trenton Code Books are coming from General Code; meanwhile the Clerk sent updated information to all book holders. The Clerk is going to change the Office Hours for Fridays. The current office schedule makes it difficult for anyone working 9-5 to be able to access the office. Primary Day went off successfully. The County was to have taken over all the duties for the Elections. They requested the assistance of the Town Clerks for coordinating election inspectors, polling sites and voting machine custodians for this year as well as distribution of the voting material bags. The Town of Trenton had a large percentage of voters for a Primary.
CODES & ZONING:
PARADISE MOUNTAIN: Mr. Loccisano has taken over control of Windsong Trailer Park from Robert Houle. The park has gone back to the name Paradise Mountain. Betsy Mack faxed Mr. Loccisano a list of the codes violations. Scheidelman suggested Ken Cutler contact Loccisano to let him know the twenty days to correct violations is almost up and see what his plan is for correcting the violations. The park has 93 units. The water, septic and roads need to be repaired. Ken Cutler is to call and see if the garbage has been picked up.
TAP: Ken Cutler has a meeting Tuesday September 19 with the Department of Health to inspect the water supply for TAP. Discussion was held on definitions for zoning for the park and dates open/closed for the season. According to TAP By-Laws the Park is closed from November 1st to April each year.
PROSPECT: Ken is working with the Village of Prospect on property maintenance issues.
BARNEVELD: The Village of Barneveld has a new attorney, Dick Frye. Scheidelman went to the Village Board meeting last night. Discussion was held on the differences between Zoning and Codes as well as the enforcement role held by these officers.
Ken Cutler asked the Town Board if SAMPO was a Village issue or a Town issue.
ATTORNEY:
SAMPO: Tom Hughes is working on the SAMPO case.
Broomfield: Tom Hughes sent Broomfield a letter. He received a call from Broomfield’s attorney requesting two weeks for Broomfield to comply.
Park Ad: Tom Hughes is still working on Park Outdoor Ad case.
Roberts: Tom Hughes reported the Roberts are not providing discovery, so Hughes will proceed.
Loomis: Tom Hughes is trying to find proof of ownership for property on Coates Rd. to proceed with this case.
Stockhauser: Hughes is working on this case.
Britt Place: Tom Hughes needs the parcel number for the Ellis Property to complete the paperwork for the easement.
Hudon: Hughes reported Hudon has agreed to the language in an order that dismisses the case allowing him to keep the existing sign.
Ken Cutler asked Mark Scheidelman for a copy of flagged parcels with pending court action.
06-85Motion by Kellogg, second by Mack, to accept the resignation of Jonas Kelly from the Planning Board due to a change in residence. Roll call: Poland, aye; Smith, aye; Scheidelman, aye; Mack, aye; Kellogg, aye. Motion carried. Scheidelman asked the Clerk to send Jonas Kelly a Thank You letter.
06-86Motion, by Mack, second by Poland, to appoint James McLaughlin to the Planning Board to fill the term held by Jonas Kelly. Roll call: Kellogg, aye; Mack, aye; Scheidelman, aye; Smith, aye; Poland, aye. Motion carried.
Insurance: Scheidelman reported the insurance premium for the Town has decreased a few thousand dollars as of September 2006. Discussion was held on raising the crime bond amount. If the Town does double signatures on all checks will be needed.
Hinckley Water: The grant application for funds from the Governor’s Office of Small Cities for $400,000.00 was not awarded. It was noted that the application was well written. Scheidelman will talk to DEC to have the West Canada Creek at Prospect Pond put on their list of problem waters. The USDA has a loan for $107,000.00. Discussion was held on options for funding for this project.
Highway Garage: The report from ETG was dated June 2005, not June 2006. Scheidelman informed them we need the current reports. The reports should be up to date within a month.
Housing Survey: Steve Hunter reported he has completed the three villages and submitted a report. He anticipates completing the Town by the end of October.
E Z Stop: Geologic, DEC and Shirley Poland met to determine a projected clean up plan. If contamination is found, the DEC will support clean up.
Adopt a Platoon: Anita Adam sent out eight boxes to each of our two platoons. Adding drop off sites at the Prospect Library and the Holland Patent Library have added significantly to the shipments. The community response has been wonderful. The next scheduled shipment will be September 28th.
Municipal Center Additions: The Town Board is waiting to hear back from March Associates.
Trenton Community Center Parking Lot: Pat Ferguson is waiting for Jim Moseman to write the lease for the parking lot at the Old Town Hall. Discussion was held on the surface of the parking lot.
Trenton Community Center: The paint job has been completed. It was noted one porch does not have yellow trim to match the rest of the building. The building had a leak. Tim Moriarity has repaired and patched the problem area.
Trenton Fish & Game Club: The Trenton Fish and Game Club has hired an expert to evaluate the rifle range.
Justice Conference: Justice Van Buskirk has submitted a request for a conference in the Catskills. The cost of the conference is $350.00/day. Discussion was held and the Town Board agreed to stick with the per diem rates approved in January. The Justice department has also requested a new desk for their office. It was suggested the request be put in the budget for next year.
Coombs Road Water: Scheidelman is working on the final paperwork.
LEAF Grants: Mack has started a new LEAF Grant application for the Trail outside the Municipal Center. She needs a picture of the sign for the trail. There are dead trees to be cleared, some raking, smoothing ruts and a wheelchair accessible ramp needed to complete the trail. Scheidelman and Kellogg will walk the trail to determine a location for the sign.
Trenton Falls: Mack spoke with Steve Murphy of Brookfield about possibly having four separate noncontiguous weekends for next year. There did not appear to be a problem with this. In January the Town will have to schedule the weekends for the year. Scheidelman met with Steve Murphy. He is requesting some in-kind services from the Town for our part in the handicap overlook project. Art Hughes will go up next weekend with their crew and ours to fill in some washed out areas.
Community Ed: Shirley Poland updated the Town Board on the August meeting of Community Ed. They discussed the summer program and are now trying to decide if they want to do a play this year or not. The committee is looking at Peter Loftus as a possible director.
Grievance Committee: The Town Board still needs to find a fifth member for the Grievance Committee. They would like to find a Town of Trenton resident with Real Estate or property value experience for this committee. Mack suggested possibly advertising in the Utica paper. She will get a quote for an ad.
Chamber of Commerce: The Trenton Chamber of Commerce has its monthly meeting on Thursday at the Trenton Municipal Center.
Smitty’s: Scheidelman reported $460,000.00 was spent on the clean up at Smitty’s. Reputable experts tested everything and the clean up meets the minimum requirements for a clean up project.
MV Water Authority: The Mohawk Valley Water Authority is doing water work in Holland Patent. They are establishing a lead agency to add another water tank, as they want to be the chief agent.
Brookfield Assessment: Paul Nolan sent information summarizing comparable properties and assessments to Mark Scheidelman. The summary shows the Brookfield property assessment could be raised. Scheidelman spoke with Kathy Davis. She would like to talk to the School Board next week and is very interested in talking about the assessment.
Community Rec Center: Scheidelman has invited five townships to meet to discuss to concepts of a possible joint center. The proposed date is October 5, 2006 at 7:30 pm at the Trenton Municipal Center.
Planning Board: Joe Smith reported he attended the Planning Board meeting where they reviewed the proposal for a new Subway, Adirondack Cheese proposed processing center in the old Eckerds building and the Waldas subdivision was approved. Marilyn Anna submitted a sign application. The Planning Board wants to know where the Town Board stands on Outdoor wood boilers and other issues.
Greenbelt: Jeff Gates invited neighbors to meet with the logger to review selective logging to enhance the Greenbelt Trail.
Scheidelman asked the Town Board members to be prepared to make a formal decision on Downer Hill road.
Sealed bids for the Plow and Sander will be opened on Wednesday September 20th at 4 o’clock pm at the Trenton Municipal Center.
A Budget work session will be held on Thursday September 21st, 2006 at 7:30 pm at the Trenton Municipal Center.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Katharine Squire
Town Clerk
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Regular Meeting
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