A Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law “A” was held at the Trenton Municipal Center, Barneveld, NY. Supervisor Mark Scheidelman called the hearing to order at 7:35 p.m. Present: Councilmen Betsy Mack, Bruce Kellogg, Joseph E. Smith and Highway Superintendent Art Hughes.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Proposed Local Law “A” of 2006
A Local Law adopting the provisions of Real Property Tax Law section 458-a as amended in relation to the Alternative Veteran Exemption.
As no visitors attended the meeting and no negative response was issued to any Town Board members the hearing was closed at 7:37 pm
PUBLIC BID:
The following sealed bids were received for the purchase of a 2007 Model Year Truck Cab & Chassis:
Tracey Road Equipment
Western Star Model 4900SA $130,096.00
Trade Allowance 1988 Mack 7,950.00
Total: $122,146.00
Utica Mack $107,711.00
Trade Allowance 1988 Mack 5,500.00
Total: $102,211.00
The bids were turned over to the Highway Superintendent for his review.
Mark Scheidelman called the regular monthly meeting to order at 7:40 pm. Present: Councilmen Bruce Kellogg. Betsy Mack, Joseph Smith, Shirley Poland, Attorney Tom Hughes and Highway Superintendent Art Hughes.
MINUTES: The minutes of January 11 and January 23 minutes were tabled until next month for review.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
Joe DeTraglia of South Trenton asked if the board received a letter from the South Trenton Community Association. Scheidelman responded that indeed the Town received the letter. Monies are included in the Abstract for this month for a voucher releasing funds to pay for work completed. The Town is waiting for a W-9 from Diana Clark.
Al Sheppard, acting Park Manager of Wind Song Park, stated some concerns over conditions and inactions on the part of the park owner. The Town denied Wind Song an annual operating permit due to numerous complaints and code violations. On June 21, 2005 the County Legislator sent a letter to the owner of the park and to date has not received a response. The Park is currently operating without a permit. Scheidelman will get copies of prior correspondence and set up a meeting with the Health Department and Ken Cutler in regard to health and safety issues. Attorney Tom Hughes will write a letter to the owner informing him of non-compliance.
Barry Powers: Will Hoffman appeared before the board with concerns about the safety for individuals, his mother Barb Hoffman in particular, living near Barry Powers. Barry Powers stated to Scheidelman that he would call the ambulance, then the police if anyone went on his property in spite of the fact he would probably go to jail. Scheidelman felt neighbors need to be aware that Barry Powers will react and neighbors need to protect themselves. Steve Hunter personally informed Barry Powers that Barb Hoffman never complained to Zoning, Codes or the Board. Kellogg reminded the board that numerous calls to board members from neighbors and others prompted the action taken by the Town. It was requested that the board contact local law enforcement to advise them of the volatile situation.
06-19 GENERAL ABSTRACT: Motion by Mack, second by Smith to pay audited General Abstract 06-2 (55-126) in the amount of $29,149.92. Roll call: Poland, aye; Mack, aye; Kellogg, aye; Smith, aye; Scheidelman, aye. Motion carried.
06-20 HIGHWAY ABSTRACT: Motion by Kellogg, second by Smith to pay audited Highway Abstract 06-2 (24-52) in the amount of $23,316.57. Roll call: Poland, aye; Mack, aye; Kellogg, aye; Smith, aye; Scheidelman, aye. Motion carried.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT: Art Hughes shared with the board his view that the town should sell the used truck separately. He feels the town can get more money for it than was offered in the bids. Scheidelman shared his concerns about purchasing only Mack Trucks. He feels the board needs to state its intent to only purchase Mack if that is the Towns intent. Do we need to standardize? Is there a state bid price for Mack? Scheidelman wants to know if state pricing is higher or lower before selecting a bid. Poland questioned if Mack can give preferred pricing for customers who purchase only Mack. The board feels some comparison pricing and investigation are needed before accepting any bid. Art Hughes stated that was fine, however, he was not willing to investigate.
Prospect Grant: Art Hughes left a message for Mayor Schnell. She has not returned Hughes call yet.
Downer Hill Rd: Art Hughes hasn’t spoken to the owner yet.
Hiring: Jack Cooks last working day is February 28, 2006. Art would like to start applicant Keith Koziar on March 1, 2006.
Art Hughes left the meeting at the conclusion of the Highway discussions at 8:38 pm.
CODES: Codes Enforcement Officer Ken Cutler submitted his report to the board. The board asked Ken for updates on:
Carol Fallen: This issue is between Fallon and National Grid. Fallon has retained a lawyer. National Grid will move the pole for $3,000.00.
Prospect: Social Services wants Ken to visit a house in Prospect. Ken was told to get the homeowners on a timeline for repair process. How does the Town want to proceed? Social Services is passing off responsibilities. The board discussed options for homeowners. Home Ownership Loans are available where the loan does not have to be paid back until the house is sold or owner vacates the residence.
Gerry Ritter, who is replacing Maria Fibiger, arrived at the meeting. NOCCOG is looking for another part time employee.
Real Property Indexing Grant: The Property information through December 2005 has been entered into the computer, but updating, maintenance and accessibility are concerns of the Board. Gerri informed the board a new grant was written to provide money for training. The board needs to decide who is to be involved in entering data. NOCCOG has updated all the information through December 2005, per Steve Hunter and Jeanne Brown. One concern the board has is how come the information is not downloadable through the server? Gerri Ritter responded that training should begin in the next month with a trainer from SUNY. Ken questioned what we want this program to do for us. Is it to be a tool for Ken, Steve and the Planning Board? Scheidelman would like to have read capability through the server and one or two people responsible for data.
Gerri Ritter reminded the board of the upcoming annual conference for NOCOG on March 30 in Watertown. She also handed out a list of SARA Grant workshops being offered from March 15 through June 14, 2006.
RESOLUTIONS:
LOCAL LAW “A”: Tom Hughes drafted Local Law “A” 2006 so we could match the counties current formula. He needs to confer with Dean Burth to be sure we are using the same numbers as the county. The issue was tabled until Hughes and Burth review.
TRUCK & PLOW BIDS: Bids tabled until the board has a chance to research the matter.
WEBSITE POLICY: The proposed policy was tabled for review. It will be added to a work session.
06-21: RICHARD ALLEN: A motion to accept the resignation of Richard Allen as of January 30, 2006 was made by Joe Smith, seconded by Bruce Kellogg. Roll call: Poland, aye; Smith, aye; Scheidelman, aye; Mack, aye; Kellogg, aye. Motion carried.
06-22: Motion by Poland, seconded by Kellogg to approve the following resolution:
Resolved: That Mark Scheidelman, Supervisor of the Town of Trenton, is hereby authorized and directed to file an application for funds from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in accordance with the provisions of Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993, in an amount not to exceed $73,000.00 and, upon approval of said request to enter into and create a project agreement with the State for such financial assistance to the Town of Trenton for the Trenton Falls Gorge Public Access Improvements Project. Further, the Town Board reaffirms their approval of the 1997 Town Comprehensive Master Plan, which recommends town actions to create a public trail system and access to the Trenton Falls Gorge.
Roll call: Kellogg, aye; Mack, aye; Scheidelman, aye; Smith, aye; Poland, aye. Resolution adopted.
COOMBS ROAD WATER DISTRICT: The project is at a standstill. The Town received a letter from Don Weimer from the Water Board. The Water Board will send letters to residents explaining how to apply for water hook-ups. The USDA is still waiting for several documents from us. The Town hired CME to do test borings. The Town needs to provide justification for the borings in order to get reimbursed. The Town also needs to provide an amendment for engineering fee overruns with a letter explaining why the costs were not included in the initial proposal, in order to have more funds released. Scheidelman reported there will be no meeting this Thursday and they will reconvene in the spring.
HINCKLEY SEWERS: Mack reported the grant writer hired for the Town was unable to do the grant for health reasons. She will try to contact the individual to get our information back so Mack can pursue a new grant writer. Gerry Ritter added that NOCCOG has two new really good grant writers, however she doesn’t know if they could pull something together as quickly as we need. Scheidelman informed the board that there is a woman in Utica who is starting her own grant writing business. She was an employee of Utica School of Commerce. Scheidelman will find her name and see if we can contact her. Mack will attend a seminar Thursday evening on Grant Writing that she is sponsoring.
ZONING AMENDMENT: The Planning Board submitted a proposal to the Town Board to amend the current zoning regarding non-residence/structure. The board discussed some options including going out to the public with the issue. The topic was tabled until next meeting.
HIGHWAY GARAGE CONTAMINATION: The Town is waiting to hear where we stand from Dale Braue. Scheidelman doesn’t think the wells are in.
RECREATION: Mack reported the winter recreation program had 31 skiers and 24 bowlers participate so far. Several more trips are planned for the winter. There was one injury and the mother, who was there, reported the child is fine.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION: Poland reported that Community Ed Advisory Board discussed and decided they would like to try to run our Summer Recreation activities, exclusive of the Pool. The Town Board needs to set budget and limitations for Community Ed to follow. The Spring Program is in the works. Scheidelman needs to advertise for a Swim Beach Director for 2006. Poland corrected some misinformation in the December 14, 2005 minutes. A mailer was sent out in the fall and there was a fair amount of activity. The Community Ed Advisory Board has another meeting on the 15th. The Trenton Town Board would like to see applications for a director go through the Town. Community Ed should submit an advertisement to the Town Board and a pay scale needs to be developed. The pool at the Holland Patent High School is closing for repairs. Will this impact the Town Pool for the summer? It was brought to the attention of the board that the Holland Patent Middle School is having an Open House on March 8, 2006.
EZ STOP: Attorney Tom Hughes briefed the board on this matter. Legal Services has been hired as the process server. Hughes sent letters to all New York State residents with the same last name. He cannot take further action until he receives a response. If there are no responses, Hughes can file an affidavit to serve by publication.
ADOPT A PLATOON: Anita Adam submitted a report requesting the board allow the Town to adopt a second Platoon. The next shipment is scheduled for February 21, 2006. The Glass Hill Golf Club has sponsored the February shipment and there is ample product to send two shipments out. Scheidelman went on record to adopt the second platoon.
VACANCIES: There are vacancies on the Conservation Advisory Council and the Planning Board. Scheidelman received a letter of interest for a CAC position from Christy Ward of Hinckley. He forwarded the letter to Jim Davis. Davis reported he has three or four possible candidates. Scheidelman would like to invite Christy to one of the CAC meetings to see what it is all about. There has been one response so far for the Planning Board position.
GRANTS:
LEAF GRANTS: Prospect was granted $10,000.00 for the purchase of 73 Acres for wellhead protection.
REAL PROPERTY INDEXING GRANT: The Board discussed how the Town would like to handle this issue. The board decided to authorize Mark Scheidelman to hire one person and one back-up person, with town government background and computer skills, to perform data entry a couple of hours a month as a separate line item in the budget.
ROBERTS ZONING VIOLATION: Tom Hughes has completed the summons and complaint and sent to the County Clerks Office with a check. He expected the paperwork back today.
TRENTON FALLS: Scheidelman received confirmation from Brascam approving the following dates to open the Trenton Falls Gorge Trail: April 22 and 23, April 29 and 30, October 7 and 8, October 14 and 15, 2006.
ADIRONDACK BANK: Scheidelman confirmed that the Town sent a letter to the Banking Commission promoting Adirondack coming to Holland Patent. The Town wants to be sure that the Town does not lose a bank. If not Holland Patent, are their other options. Poland spoke with a representative and they are moving into the Depot in Holland Patent at least temporarily. Adirondack Bank is looking at a couple of property options in Holland Patent. They are also actively pursuing Municipal accounts.
LIBERTY LANE: Smith reported the bid for the work at Liberty Lane/Rt 12 intersection is out. Bids are due March 1, 2006.
COUNTY COMPTROLLER: Scheidelman has set up a meeting for 9 am with the County Comptrollers Office on Thursday, April 20, 2006. The County requests that the Supervisor, Deputy Supervisor and the Bookkeeper be present.
ZONING: Steve Hunter reported only one action this month so he did not fill out a report this month.
ATTORNEY:
Campsite/Campground definitions and regulations were discussed. Scheidelman will copy Tom Hughes letter for discussion.
Scheidelman received a letter form Tom Hughes regarding Broomfield in court. The findings are everything is in compliance unless Steve Hunter finds anything. Scheidelman will follow up with Hunter to be sure he is in compliance. Scheidelman will also find out if Hunter is issuing a certificate of compliance for every site plan. According to Scheidelman the law passed two years ago states if ZBA conditions are met, site plan reviews are met then Hunter is to issue a certificate of compliance.
Union Letter: Scheidelman received a letter from the Teamsters Union in regards to Holiday Pay (Triple time and a half for holidays). He asked the board how they felt about the issue. The Town Board reads the contract as double time and a half with the employees not eligible for the additional time off. Scheidelman would like to change the wording on clothing purchases when negotiating the next contract.
Planning Board Letter re: Park Outdoor Signs: Tom Hughes will look into the matter. Hughes feels we need to re-examine the current sign law.
Scheidelman asked Hughes to draw up contracts for fire departments and libraries.
06-23 SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: A motion by Kellogg, second by Mack to approve the December 31, 2005 Fund Balances.
Roll call: Kellogg, aye; Mack, aye; Smith, aye; Scheidelman, abstain; Poland, abstain. Motion carried.
06-24 FINANCE OFFICER’S REPORT: Poland brought a report for January for the board to review. However, because the statements from the bank have not arrived yet, the report is not balanced. We will always be a month off on this. Scheidelman requested Bob Jones and Jeanne Brown submit their hours to date in September rather than in the end of December. The hours were submitted with the last payroll of the year.
A motion by Smith was seconded by Mack to approve the Finance Officers Report for January 2006. Roll call: Kellogg, aye; Mack, aye; Smith, aye: Scheidelman, abstain; Poland, abstain. Motion carried.
Scheidelman noted a fine for a late fee imposed by the IRS due to a bookkeeping error. The bookkeeper caught the error so we only had a late fee.
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The January 2006 Clerks Report was reviewed by the board. Total revenues - $875.00; amount to Supervisor - $793.90. The Clerk compared some figures with previous years and would like to remind the board the Town needs to do another Dog Census.
REPORTS: Reports and minutes were reviewed from the CAC, the ZBA and the Planning Board. Planning Board pending issues include Nimey’s existing sign previously approved by the planning board. Steve Hunter recommended the Planning Board review the Property Maintenance Laws in other communities.
Smith reported Dave Wilcox from the Planning Board should get a recommendation on Outdoor Wood burning furnaces to the Town Board in a month
Scheidelman will be away from Sunday February 12 until February 22. He will call on the Powers/Hoffman situation before he leaves.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katharine Squire
Town Clerk
|
Regular Meeting
|
