December 8, 2020

A REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 AT THE TOWN HALL COMMENCING AT 7:00 P.M.

PRESENT
DANA HAFF, SUPERVISOR
GARY BURCH SR., COUNCILMAN
KEITH HARRINGTON, COUNCILMAN
JENNIFER PEREZ, COUNCILWOMAN

ABSENT
BARBARA BEECHER, COUNCILWOMAN

ALSO PRESENT
DENISE PETTEYS, RMC TOWN CLERK

AUDIT
SUPERVISOR HAFF CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
PLEDGE

TOWN BOARD ROLL CALL WAS MADE WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT EXCEPT COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER. ALL MEMBERS ARE SITTING 6’ APART FOR PROPER SOCIAL DISTANCING AS MANDATED BY CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) REGULATIONS.

PAYMENT OF BILLS
RESOLUTION NO. 20165
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN BURCH, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BEECHER). VOTING AYE, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE AUTHORIZED BILLS BE PAID ON ABSTRACT #12 OF 2020 IN THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS:
HIGHWAY                     VOUCHER #418-431                           $ 14,328.24
YOUTH                           VOUCHER #432                                       $ 280.00
GENERAL                       VOUCHER #433-464                          $ 14,242.46

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 20166
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BEECHER). VOTING AYE, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS BEING ACCEPTED:
A1990.4 CONTINGENT ACCOUNT                             – $ 2,282.00
A1920.2 MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION DUES                 +$ 125.00
A3310.4 TRAFFIC CONTROL, CONTR EXP                    +$ 11.00
A5132.2 GARAGE IMPROVEMENTS                             +$ 146.00
A5132.4 HIGHWAY GARAGE, CONTR EXP               +$ 2,000.00
D5142.1 WAGES, SNOW REMOVAL                            -$ 5,000.00
D9060.8 HIGHWAYS, MEDICAL INSURANCE            -$ 5,000.00
D5110.4 HIGHWAY, ROAD REPAIRS                          +$10,000.00

TOWN CLERK REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 20167
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BEECHER). VOTING AYE, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN CLERK REPORT BE ACCEPTED.

DECEMBER 8, 2020 REGULAR MEETING PG. 2 OF 4

MINUTE REVIEW
RESOLUTION NO. 20168
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BEECHER). VOTING AYE, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THE REGULAR TOWN BOARD MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 10, 2020.

COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ QUESTIONED WHY THE TOWN WEBSITE MINUTES WERE NOT UP TO DATE. TOWN CLERK PETTEYS RESPONDED THAT SHE WOULD GET THE CURRENT ONES ADDED. THERE WAS FURTHER DISCUSSION THAT PLANNING BOARD MINUTES, PLANNING BOARD AND TOWN BOARD AGENDAS SHOULD BE POSTED. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT TOWN BOARD AGENDAS ARE POSTED ON MEETING DAY AND TOWN CLERK PETTEYS SAID THAT THEY ARE PUT ON THE WEBSITE. TOWN CLERK PETTEYS SAID THAT SHE IS NOT GIVEN PLANNING BOARD AGENDAS AND PLANNING BOARD MINUTES ARE SLOWLY GIVEN TO HER. AFTER LENGTHY DISCUSSION TOWN CLERK PETTEYS WILL BE MORE DILIGENT WITH UPDATES TO THE TOWN WEBSITE.

CHAMPLAIN HUDSON POWER EXPRESS HOST BENEFIT PACKAGE
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HUDSON POWER EXPRESS RUNNING TWO HIGH VOLTAGE CABLES FROM CANADA TO NYC. IN THE HARTFORD AREA IT IS ONLY A VERY SMALL SECTION JUST WEST OF THE CANAL. THIS COMPANY IS OFFERING A HOST BENEFIT PACKAGE WITH THE PILOT NEGOTIATED BY THE IDA BUT HARTFORD RECENTLY INFORMED THE IDA THAT NOTHING COULD BE APPROVED WITHOUT THE TOWN OF HARTFORD APPROVAL. ACCORDING TO THE DRAFT HOST BENEFIT PACKAGE THE TOWN WOULD GET $200,000 THAT IS STIPULATED TO BE SPENT ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. THERE WILL BE A MEETING HELD TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE ON HOW IT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE TOWN.

SALEM COURT HARTFORD VS. LARRY BURCH
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE TOWN HAS NOT SEEN THE $1000 FINE VIOLATING THE TOWN OF HARTFORD LAW THAT LARRY BURCH WAS SUPPOSED TO PAY THE TOWN OF HARTFORD FROM PLEADING GUILTY TO CARCASS DUMPING. HE SAID THAT HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH JEFF MEYER, ATTORNEY FOR THE TOWN, AND JEFF IS INVESTIGATING WHERE THE TOWN MONEY HAS GONE SINCE SALEM COURT HAS NOT AWARDED ANY TO THE TOWN. SUPERVISOR HAFF IS UPSET THAT THIS ISSUE HAS GONE ON THIS LONG AND THE ATTORNEY FOR THE TOWN HAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IT UNTIL REPEATEDLY ASKED FOR RESULTS.

SEVILLE OWED ESCROW
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE TOWN IS STILL REQUESTING SEVILLE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, THE OWNER OF THE SITE DOLLAR GENERAL IS BEING BUILT ON, FOR THE $3401 PROFESSIONAL REVIEW FEES OWED TO THE TOWN. THE FINAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR THE BUILDING WILL NOT BE GIVEN UNTIL THIS MONEY IS PAID.

THERE WAS FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING PLANNING BOARD AGENDAS AND TOWN BOARD AGENDAS BEING AVAILABLE EARLIER. COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ SUGGESTS THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE MEETING DAY SINCE PEOPLE CAN’T BE AWARE OF ISSUES IF THE CITIZENS AREN’T INFORMED AHEAD OF TIME. THERE WAS DISCUSSION AND SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID HE WILL CONTINUE TO ISSUE THE AGENDA ON MEETING DAY. COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ SAID THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE TO KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED.

WASHINGTON COUNTY YOUTH BUREAU FUNDING
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE COUNTY ANNUALLY SENDS THE TOWN YOUTH PROGRAM STATE FUNDED MONIES. BECAUSE OUR YOUTH COMMISSION HAS CONTINUED TO STILL PROVIDE SOME ACTIVITIES, A REDUCED AMOUNT OF $775 WILL BE AWARDED.

DECEMBER 8, 2020 REGULAR MEETING PG. 3 OF 4

HVFC – AMAZON SMILE
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE HARTFORD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS REGISTERED WITH AMAZON SMILE FOUNDATION AS A CHARITY RECIPIENT. HE ENCOURAGED ANYONE MAKING ONLINE PURCHASES THROUGH AMAZON TO CHOOSE THE SMILE SECTION SO THAT THE FIRE COMPANY WILL GET A PERCENTAGE OF PURCHASE DONATION. SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED THAT THE HARFORD VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY PURCHASED A FIRE TRUCK AND HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT DUE TO COVID THEY WILL NO LONGER BE RECEIVING NYS GRANT MONEY THAT THEY HAD ANTICIPATED TO HELP PAY FOR THE PURCHASE.

WASHINGTON COUNTY TAX RATES 2020
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED THE FULL VALUE COUNTY/TOWN AND VILLAGE TAX RATES FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY.

FUEL SYSTEM
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED THE TOWN BUDGETED $24,000 MORTGAGE TAX FOR 2020 BUT HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF $39,454 SO FAR. HE SAID THAT THE TOWN COULD USE THE EXCESS MORTGAGE TAX AMOUNT OF $15,454 TO HELP PAY FOR THE NEW FUEL SYSTEM THAT WILL COST ABOUT $30,000.

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW APPOINTMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 20169
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BEECHER). VOTING AYE- COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO APPOINT JOSHUA CUMMINGS AS A MEMBER OF BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW EFFECTIVE 12/09/20 THROUGH 9/30/25.

NEW NYS EMERGENCY PLANNING REQUIREMENTS FOR TOWNS
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED A PACKET DETAILING NEW EMERGENCY PLANNING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL NYS MUNICIPALITIES WHICH REQUIRES ALL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO ESTABLISH PLANS TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS IN CASE OF ANOTHER EVENT LIKE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. HE SAID THAT A PLAN NEEDS TO BE FINALIZED BY APRIL 2021 AND HE ASKED THE BOARD TO REVIEW SO THAT THEY CAN ESTABLISH A PLAN. HE FEELS THAT A LOT OF ITEMS IN THE PLAN WILL NOT APPLY TO HARTFORD SINCE WE ARE SO RURAL. HE DISCUSSED THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT BEING ABLE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE BY STAYING IN THEIR OWN TRUCKS TO PLOW ETC. AFTERWARDS, THE SURFACES OF THE TRUCK CAN BE SPRAYED WITH LYSOL TO SANITIZE. THERE WAS FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT ALL WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL IF THE DUTIES NEED TO BE PERFORMED ON-SITE. HE SAID THAT IT SHOULD BE ON-SITE PREMISES, OR ON-PREMISES WORKER WHO IS STILL ESSENTIAL AND GETTING PAID.

APPOINTED POSITIONS/ TERMS FOR 2021
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT ALL APPOINTED POSITIONS WILL BE PUBLICLY POSTED AND CURRENT APPOINTEES WILL BE HELD OVER UNTIL THE NEXT TOWN BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 12, 2021.
RESOLUTION NO. 20170
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BEECHER). VOTING AYE, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT ALL APPOINTED POSITIONS BE HELD OVER UNTIL THE NEXT TOWN BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 12, 2021.

DECEMBER 8, 2020 REGULAR MEETING PG. 4 OF 4

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT GREG BROWN WAS NOT IN ATTENDANCE TONIGHT BECAUSE HE ATTENDED A HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT LUNCHEON WITH SOMEONE WHO TESTED POSITIVE WITH COVID AND HE IS NOW QUARANTINED UNTIL 12/17/20.

HISTORIAN REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF HANDED OUT A COPY OF “THE MESSENGER” VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1 PUBLISHED IN THE TOWN OF HARTFORD ON FEBRUARY 27, 1897.

COURT REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF SUMMARIZED THE COURT REPORT.
RESOLUTION NO. 20165
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN BURCH, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BEECHER). VOTING AYE- COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE COURT REPORT BE ACCEPTED.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE SPOKE WITH AMBER MERCURE, PARADE DIRECTOR AND TOLD HER THAT THE TOWN BOARD WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO STILL HOLD THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE IN MAY DEPENDING ON THE NYS MANDATES. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT MAYBE THE TOWN COULD HAVE A FIREWORKS SHOW.

ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:20 P.M.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, ________________________DENISE PETTEYS, RMC TOWN CLERK

______________________________               _________________________________
SUPERVISOR HAFF                                 COUNCILMAN BURCH

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COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON              COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ