A REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020 AT THE TOWN HALL COMMENCING AT 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT
DANA HAFF, SUPERVISOR
BARBARA BEECHER, COUNCILWOMAN
KEITH HARRINGTON, COUNCILMAN
JENNIFER PEREZ, COUNCILWOMAN
ABSENT
GARY BURCH SR., COUNCILMAN
ALSO PRESENT
DENISE PETTEYS, RMC TOWN CLERK
MARK MILLER, ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
AUDIT
SUPERVISOR HAFF CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
PLEDGE
A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED FOR DOROTHY LYMAN AND SOLON SHERMAN BOTH WHOM PASSED AWAY RECENTLY.
TOWN BOARD ROLL CALL WAS MADE WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT. ALL MEMBERS ARE SITTING 6’ APART FOR PROPER SOCIAL DISTANCING AS MANDATED BY CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) REGULATIONS.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
RESOLUTION NO. 20159
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BURCH). VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE AUTHORIZED BILLS BE PAID ON ABSTRACT #11 OF 2020 IN THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS:
HIGHWAY .VOUCHER #372-390 .$ 10,211.96
GENERAL .VOUCHER #391-417 .$ 6,461.78
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 20160
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BURCH). VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS BEING ACCEPTED:
A1990.4 CONTINGENT ACCOUNT .- $ 3,100.00
A1420.4 LAW, CONTR EXP .+$ 3,000.00
A3620.4 ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, CONTR EXP .+$ 100.00
TOWN CLERK REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 20161
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BURCH). VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN CLERK REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
NOVEMBER 10, 2020 REGULAR MEETING PG. 2 OF
MINUTE REVIEW
RESOLUTION NO. 20162
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BURCH). VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THE REGULAR TOWN BOARD MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 13, 2020.
RESOLUTION NO. 20163
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BURCH). VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THE PLANNING BOARD MINUTES FOR APRIL 28, MAY 26, JUNE 23 AND AUGUST 25, 2020.
LED STREETLIGHT CONVERSION
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT 40 STREETLIGHTS WILL BE CONVERTED TO LED FOR A COST OF $2,655 BUT THE TOWN WILL RECEIVE APPROXIMATELY $2,015 IN REBATES. NATIONAL GRID TOLD GREG BROWN, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT, THAT THE TOWN SHOULD EXPECT TO SAVE ABOUT $900 PER YEAR ON THE ELECTRICITY USED FOR STREETLIGHTS. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE SAVINGS WILL BE SHOWN ON THE CONSTELLATION BILLING WHICH IS THE BILL FOR USAGE. NATIONAL GRID WILL STILL BILL FOR $400 A MONTH TO DELIVER THE ELECTRICITY. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE HAS READ ABOUT PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW WHITE THE LED LIGHTS ARE COMPARED TO THE CURRENT AMBER TINT ONES. HE SAID THE LED HAVE A ROAD GLARE ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ROAD IS WET. COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ ASKED IF THE TOWN COULD DECIDE HOW STRONG THE LED STREETLIGHTS WERE TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL GLARE AND SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE TOWN COULDN’T MAKE THAT DECISION SINCE IT IS A NYSERDA PROGRAM THROUGH NATIONAL GRID. INSTALLATION OF THE NEW LIGHTS SHOULD ONLY TAKE TWO DAYS FOR THE 40 STREETLIGHTS AND IT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
VETERAN’S DAY OBSERVANCE
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT VETERAN’S DAY WILL BE OBSERVED ON NOVEMBER 11TH AT MONUMENT SQUARE ON MAIN STREET AT 11AM. CHURCH BELLS WILL BE RUNG AND A NEW FLAG HUNG.
SMITH BASIN HUNTING PRESERVE COMPLAINT
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE HAS RECEIVED NOISE COMPLAINTS FROM BALDWIN CORNERS ROAD RESIDENTS BUDDY HERRINGSHAW AND NANCY SUTHERLAND ABOUT JOINTA GALUSHA SMITH BASIN HUNTING PRESERVE PROPERTY. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID MARK MILLER ADVISED HIM THE PROPERTY HAS HAD THE HUNTING PRESERVE FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS. WHAT IS NEW NOW IS THEY HAVE SET UP A SKETE RANGE WHERE 20 – 30 GUYS GO OUT AND SHOOT NON-STOP FOR HOURS. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID HE BELIEVES IT IS A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LAND USE ISSUE THAT MIGHT BE ADDRESSED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD. HE SAID THAT HE LEFT A MESSAGE FOR THE PLANNING BOARD ATTORNEY JEFF MEYER TO GIVE HIM A HEADS UP THAT THESE RESIDENTS WILL BE ATTENDING THE NEXT PLANNING BOARD MEETING. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT A HUNTING PRESERVE IS A LOGICAL PLACE TO SHOOT SKETE. HE SAID THAT THEY ARE SHOOTING TOWARDS BALDWIN CORNERS ROAD AND A GUN IS LOUDER IN FRONT OF THE SHOT. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE SPOKE WITH JOHN DAVIDSON TO DISCUSS AND TO TRY TO MITIGATE THE ISSUE. THERE WAS DISCUSSION THAT THE HUNTING CLUB COULD BE FROM CHESTERTOWN NEW YORK. SUPERVISOR HAFF TOLD THE BOARD NOT TO BE SURPRISED IF THIS ISSUE COMES BACK TO THIS BOARD.
NOVEMBER 10, 2020 REGULAR MEETING PG. 3 OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT STEWARTS CORP IS LOOKING TO ADD AN ADDITION ONTO THE CURRENT BUILDING FOR INTERNAL STORAGE ETC. MARK SAID THAT IT WILL BE ADDRESSED AT THE PLANNING BOARD ON NOVEMBER 24, 2020.
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE DOLLAR GENERAL IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. HE ASKED THAT MARK NOT SIGN THE LRCC2 BEFORE THE ESCROW ACCOUNT DUE THE TOWN IS PAID IN FULL. THERE WAS FURTHER DISCUSSION THAT THE RETAINING WALL DESIGN HAS CHANGED AND IT WILL NEED TO BE SENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD AND IF THE TOWN ENGINEER WILL NEED TO REVIEW IT AS WELL. THE PLANNING BOARD HAD BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOOK OF THE WALL.
COUNTY INFORMATION
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE COUNTY BUDGET IS GOING RIGHT UP TO THE TAX CAP AND IT SHOULD BE APPROVED AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING.
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THERE WAS A REVISION TO THE TAXABLE VALUE FOR THE TOWN ISSUED BY WASHINGTON REAL PROPERTY TAX SERVICES.
FUEL SYSTEM
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE CONCRETE PAD FOR THE NEW FUEL SYSTEM WAS POURED TODAY. RUSSELL WADE VOLUNTEERED TO HELP THE TOWN WITH THE FRAMING AND REBAR. THE WORK SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROGRESS WITH THE NICE WEATHER FORECAST. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE HAS HEARD THAT THE HARTFORD VOLUNTEER FIRE CO. HAD USED THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THE PAST BUT NOW DECIDED TO GO TO THE WEX SYSTEM INSTEAD. THEY WILL BE TURNING THEIR KEYS BACK INTO THE TOWN. THE WEX SYSTEM IS APPROVED BY NYS BUT IT IS NOT STATE BID PRICING. THE USE OF THE WEX SYSTEM IS SALES TAX FREE. SO ANY RETAILER THAT PROVIDES THE FUEL IS STILL GETTING THEIR PROFIT BEFORE TAXES. COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER SAID THAT THE FIRE COMPANY ONLY USES ABOUT 1,500 GALLONS A YEAR SO IT ISN’T VERY MUCH. THERE WAS DISCUSSION THAT IN THE CURRENT CONTRACT WITH THE FIRE COMPANY IT SAYS THAT THE TOWN WILL PROVIDE THEM FUEL 24 HOURS A DAY WITH SOME TYPE OF CARD SYSTEM. THE FIRE COMPANY ARE VOLUNTARILY CHOOSING TO USE THE WEX CARD AND NOT COMING HERE BASED ON THE CONTRACT LANGUAGE. SO THAT ITEM CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE FUTURE CONTRACT.
SALEM COURT HARTFORD VS. LARRY BURCH
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE IS STILL WAITING TO HEAR THE STATUS OF THE HARTFORD VS LARRY BURCH COURT CASE. IT WAS A HARTFORD TOWN LAW THAT LARRY BURCH VIOLATED, THE HARTFORD TOWN JUDGE RECUSED HERSELF SO IT WAS HEARD IN SALEM TOWN COURT, ISSUED A FINE BUT NOW WE ARE NOT GOING TO RECEIVE THE FINE MONEY. HE SAID IF THE TOWN KNEW IT WOULDN’T RECEIVE THE MONEY THEY WOULD HAVE SAID GO TO TRIAL. SO JEFF MEYER IS TRYING TO CONTACT THE COURT SYSTEM TO SEE WHO IS ENTITLED TO THE MONEY. IT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE IT WAS AWARDED TO THE TOWN OF HARTFORD.
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW VACANCY
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW VACANCY WAS POSTED AND THE CURRENT MEMBER BILL TOWNSEND HAS ADVISED THAT HE IS NOT SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT. AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OTHER APPLICANTS.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT
MARK MILLER SAID HE TALKED TO WASHINGTON COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT HEAD, JOHN GRAHAM REGARDING DAVE LAPIERRE CAR JUNK YARD ON STATE ROUTE 196. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT FORMER COUNCILMAN BOB DILLON CAME IN TODAY TO SEE HIM TO COMPLAIN ABOUT SOME PROPERTIES. HE ADVISED BOB TO CONTACT COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT
NOVEMBER 10, 2020 REGULAR MEETING PG. 4 OF
REGARDING HIS CONCERNS. MARK SAID HE SPOKE WITH ATTORNEY FOR THE TOWN, JEFF MEYER REGARDING PETER LEONBRUNO DILAPIDATED HOUSE ON COUNTY ROUTE 19. JEFF WILL COMPOSE A LETTER FOR MARK TO USE REGARDING THE ISSUE. MARK ALSO SPOKE TO JEFF MEYER REGARDING THE DAVE LAPIERRE JUNK YARD ISSUE AS WELL. MARK SAID THAT HE BELIEVES DAVE LAPIERRE IS SELLING THESE CARS AS AUCTION CARS. MARK SAID THERE IS A JUNKYARD LAW WHERE A PERMIT HAS TO BE FILED WITH A LIST OF REQUIREMENTS MET. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE DIDN’T THINK JUST ANYONE COULD HAVE ONE. HE THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY CURT’S AUTOBODY. MARK SAID THAT IN CONVERSATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION THEY ADVISED HIM TO KEEP SUBMITTING PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLES HE HAS FOR SALE AND THEN THEY CAN RESEARCH THE SALES OF THESE VEHICLES TO SEE IF HE IS CLAIMING PROPER TAXES ETC.
MARK SIGNED A BUILDING PERMIT FOR ART VANNESS FOR UPGRADES HE MADE ON HIS HOME. MARK SAID THAT THERE WAS A CEASE AND DESIST ON THE DEMOLITION OF THE MOBILE HOME THAT CURT BACKUS STARTED TO DESTROY AND REMOVE. CURT IS TRYING TO SEE IF THE SNOWMOBILE CLUB MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE THE TRAILER FRAME FOR A BRIDGE OR SOMETHING.
RESOLUTION NO. 20164
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BURCH). VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
COURT REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF SUMMARIZED THE COURT REPORT.
RESOLUTION NO. 20165
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 4 AYES, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT (BURCH). VOTING AYE- COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE COURT REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ ASKED IF THE PARADE COULD STILL BE PLANNED IN SOME FORM FOR NEXT YEAR. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT LAST YEAR THE PARADE WAS CANCELLED BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WOULD BE NO PARADES. THERE WAS DISCUSSION THAT A LOT OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE THE BAND AND YOUTH COMMISSION WHO ARE NOT DOING NORMAL ACTIVITIES.
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:05 P.M.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, ________________________DENISE PETTEYS, RMC TOWN CLERK
______________________________ ._________________________________
SUPERVISOR HAFF .COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER
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COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON .COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ