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 7:35 p.m. Present: Councilmen Shirley Poland, Betsy Mack, Mark Scheidelman, Bruce Kellogg, Joseph E. Smith and Highway Superintendent Art Hughes.
Rick LaValle of Freightliner attended tonight’s meeting to discuss the Towns recent Truck Bid. LaValle felt he was unable to bid the truck requested as written. The specifications required Mack specific items such as electric unit pump injectors, drop in top mount carriers and 52,000 lb rear axles. LaValle also shared concerns on production late in the year due to major exhaust system changes going into effect in 2007. He advised the Board to make a decision and order soon to avoid production delays. LaValle left at 7:52 pm.
I. Truck Bid: The Board discussed several thoughts in regards to the Truck Bid. The State Bid is not an Open Bid, so the Town is not able to purchase a truck under this bid. Art suggested the Board sell the used 1988 single axle truck as he is trying to update the current fleet to tandem axle trucks. Hughes would like to get $8,000 - $10,000 for the old truck. The Towns of Vernon and Lee have standardized with Mack Trucks. Joe Smith found a State Bid list and asked Art to find a similar truck to compare pricing for the Board. Art will look into this and get back to the Board. Hughes left at 8:20 pm.
II. Veteran’s Law: Scheidelman spoke with Dean Burth in reference to the Veteran’s Law. Dean confirmed the numbers Tom Hughes used in our proposed law are the same as the numbers used by the County. Dean recommended the Town use the same numbers.
III. Digital Towpath/Real Property Tax on Web: Digital Towpath received a grant to put Real Property Tax information on the Web. Digital Towpath will need to get the information from Dean. Their target date is to be active in Feb.-Mar. 2007. Scheidelman asked the Board if they want to do this, the board does have a choice. It was noted that all of this information is currently a matter of public record and is available at any Assessors office. No decision was made at this time.
IV: Proposed Meeting List: Scheidelman shared with the Board a complete listing of Meetings scheduled for the month of March. The Indexing Meeting on how to use the information the Real Property Indexing Grant has input into our computer system will be put on by SUNY IT.
V: Fire Departments/Consolidation Alternatives: The Board discussed the logistics of our current Village Fire Departments, Tanker Association and the Prospect Ambulance. The Fire Departments are having difficulty in finding Volunteers. The Barneveld Firemen request not to respond to health calls, as they lack sufficient EMT’s to cover 24 hrs. a day. They have set up a meeting with the Town Board to discuss this matter. Joe Smith will draft a letter to the Mayors and etc. after the meeting with the Village of Barneveld and the Barneveld Fireman.
VI: Per Diem Rates: The Board passed a resolution at the January 4th, 2006 meeting authorizing per diem rates for conferences unless otherwise agreed by the board. Scheidelman asked the Board if anyone is attending a conference and the conference hotel(s) are above the per diem rate does the Board want to make an exception to the Per Diem rate? The Board discussed the issue and decided to stay with the per diem rate. A copy of the per diem schedule should be made available to everyone attending any conferences.
VII: Executive Session:
Mack motioned to enter into executive session to discuss personal matters relating to the Recycling Center, seconded by Kellogg at 9:04 pm. Roll call: Poland, aye; Smith, aye; Scheidelman, aye; Mack, aye; Kellogg, aye. Motion carried.
With no action taken Poland motioned to end session and return to the regular work session at 9:22 pm. Kellogg seconded the motion. Roll call: Mack, aye; Scheidelman, aye; Poland, aye; Kellogg, aye; Smith, aye. Motion carried.
VIII: Home Occupations: The Planning Board has recommended some changes to the current Home Occupation laws and regulations. Ken Cutler has concerns with the new State Regulations. The Town can be more restrictive than the state, but not less. The proposed State Regulations include the following conditions:
1. The home occupation shall not exceed 15% of the floor area of the primary structure.
2. No more than one person not residing in the dwelling unit may be employed in the home occupation.
3. Inventory and supplies shall not occupy more than 50% of the area permitted to be used as a home occupation.
4. The home occupation shall not involve any operation considered to be hazardous.
Per the proposed new State Code a home occupation cannot have an accessory structure. The State would require these uses to meet State Business Codes. The Board has concerns with ensuring both codes and zoning are involved and the proposal does not define a procedure for revoking a permit. This draft from the Planning Board goes into effect in June 2006. Suggestions to the Planning Board include:
1. Omit “Minor” in the Minor Home Office title.
2. Home Occupation/Home Business titles become 1 title with each definition spelled out.
Scheidelman will draft a letter send it to Tom Hughes and to the Planning Board.
V: Planning Board/Unsafe Buildings Law: Scheidelman has asked the Planning Board to review the unsafe buildings law. The Planning Board recommends referral to codes and there is no need to change the current law. Mark will check with Ken to be sure there is no specific reason for change.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katharine Squire
Town Clerk
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Work Session Meeting
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