A REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022 AT THE TOWN HALL COMMENCING AT 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT
DANA HAFF, SUPERVISOR
BARBARA BEECHER, COUNCILWOMAN
GARY BURCH SR., COUNCILMAN
KEITH HARRINGTON, COUNCILMAN
JENNIFER PEREZ, COUNCILWOMAN
ALSO PRESENT
DENISE PETTEYS, RMC TOWN CLERK
GREG BROWN, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT
MARK MILLER, ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
MIKE SWEZEY, PLANNING BOARD CHAIR
DAVID SWEZEY, HIGHWAY
JASON MOREHOUSE, HIGHWAY
AUDIT
SUPERVISOR HAFF CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:01 P.M.
PLEDGE
A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED FOR CATHERINE KNAPP AND KENNETH CLARK BOTH WHOM PASSED AWAY RECENTLY.
TOWN BOARD ROLL CALL WAS MADE WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
RESOLUTION NO. 22037
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN BURCH, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE AUTHORIZED BILLS BE PAID ON ABSTRACT #14 OF 2021 AND ABSTRACT #2 OF 2022 IN THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS:
ABSTRACT #14 OF 2021
HIGHWAY VOUCHER #558 $ 6,680.50
ABSTRACT # 2 OF 2022
HIGHWAY VOUCHER #8 – 24 $ 33,082.73
YOUTH VOUCHER # 25 $ 5,900.00
GENERAL VOUCHER # 26 – 49 $182,560.88
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT END OF 2021
RESOLUTION NO. 22038
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:
A3005 ST AID, MORTGAGE TAX – $ 6,035.51
A5132.2 GARAGE IMPROVEMENTS +$ 5,274.02
A5132.4 HIGHWAY GARAGE, CONTR EXP +$ 724.82
A6410.4 PUBLICITY, CONTR EXP +$ 36.67
D5110.4 HIGHWAY – ROAD REPAIRS -$ 4,864.08
D5130.4 HIGHWAY – REPAIRS MAINT FUEL -$ 1,754.81
D5142.4 SNOW REMOVAL – CONTR EXP +$ 6,618.89
FEBRUARY 8, 2022 REGULAR MEETING PG. 2 OF 5
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 22039
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
TOWN CLERK REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 22040
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THE TOWN CLERK REPORT.
MINUTE REVIEW
RESOLUTION NO. 22041
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THE ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR TOWN BOARD MINUTES FOR JANUARY 11, 2022.
RESOLUTION NO. 22042
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THE PLANNING BOARD MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 28, 2021.
INFORMATION
ROGER GAUTHIER, EMPIRE SEPTIC, DISCUSSED THE AVAILABILITY OF NEW NORWECO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS FOR UNDERSIZED LOTS SUCH AS THOSE LOCATED ON HARTFORD MAIN STREET. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE TOWN WOULD REGULATE, IT WOULD BE WASHINGTON COUNTY CODE. SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED HOW WASHINGTON COUNTY CODE HANDLES SEPTIC REGULATIONS, INSPECTIONS AND APPROVALS.
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL/SENATE/ASSEMBLY REDISTRICTING MAPS.
SUPERVISOR HAFF HANDED OUT A FOREVER FARMLAND ISSUE THAT INCLUDES THE RAY CHAPIN FARM ASA CONSERVATION EASEMENT ARTICLE.
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED AN EMAIL FROM LAURA OSWALD, WASHINGTON COUNTY DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT INCLUDES LISTS OF UNSERVED BROADBAND ADDRESSES IN THE TOWN. THESE LISTS WILL FORM THE BASIS OF FUTURE FUNDING REQUESTS.
COUNTY INFORMATION
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT MARK MILLER, ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, AND HIMSELF HAVE BEEN TALKING TO DEC REGARDING FLOOD PLAIN REGULATION CHANGES. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE SUGGESTED THAT WASHINGTON COUNTY OBTAIN A FLOOD PLAIN ADMINISTRATOR BECAUSE EVERY BUILDING PERMIT GOES THROUGH COUNTY CODE ANYWAYS. EVEN IF THE TOWN HAD TO PAY THEM A FEE PER PARCEL AND CONTRACT IT OUT THAT WOULD WORK. SIMILAR TO THE MOWING CONTRACT BETWEEN THE TOWN AND COUNTY. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE WHOLE MOTIVE BEHIND ALL OF THIS FOR THE DEC IS FOR THE TOWN TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THE
FEBRUARY 8, 2022 REGULAR MEETING PG. 3 OF 5
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM. THEY ARE THE ONES THAT MAKE THE MAPS. IF MORE PEOPLE ARE SURVEYED AND PUT INTO THE FLOOD PLAIN, THEN THEY WILL NEED TO OBTAIN INSURANCE. IF THERE IS A BIG DISASTER THEN FEMA WON’T HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE THE HOMEOWNER HAS THEIR OWN INSURANCE. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT MARK HAS DONE A LITTLE BIT OF TRAINING ON IT. MARK SAID THAT WHEN HE FIRST STARTED WORKING FOR THE TOWN HE WAS TOLD THEN THAT NEW MAPS WOULD BE DONE ETC. HE SAID THEY ARE NO WHERE NEARER TO DOING THEM THEN ABOUT 13 YEARS AGO. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE DEC INTENDS FOR THE TOWN TO HIRE A FLOOD PLAIN ADMINISTRATOR FOR 6 PARCELS.
NYMIR INSURANCE POLICY RENEWAL
SUPERVISOR HAFF REQUESTED THE TOWN BOARD AUTHORIZE HIS SIGNATURE FOR THE ANNUAL NYMIR INSURANCE POLICY RENEWAL EFFECTIVE 2/20/22 – 2/19/23 THAT HAS MINIMAL CHANGES. COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ ASKED WHY FINE ART AND FOOD COVERAGES WERE INCLUDED. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID FINE ART WOULD APPLY TO THE TOWN OWNED BUILDING WHERE THE HISTORICAL GROUP HOUSES THEIR ITEMS. THE FOOD CONTAMINATION WOULD COVER ANY ISSUES WITH HOT DOGS SERVED ON CLEAN UP DAY, YOUTH COMMISSION FOOD SERVED ETC.
THERE WAS FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING INLAND MARINE COVERAGE.
RESOLUTION NO. 22043
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR HAFF TO SIGN THE NYMIR INSURANCE POLICY RENEWAL EFFECTIVE 2/20/22 – 2/19/23.
TOWN BOARD AUDIT
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED COUNCILMAN BURCH’S QUESTION REGARDING THE TOWN BOARD AUDIT BEFORE THE MEETING. SUPERVISOR HAFF QUOTED THE TOWN BOARD WEBSITE PAGE ENTRY THAT SAYS THE TOWN BOARD MEMBERS WILL AUDIT THE BILLS STARTING AT 6:30PM. AND IT ALSO SAYS ALL OF THE ABOVE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EXCEPT THE PORTION OF THE MEETINGS ADJOURNED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEMS OUTLINED BY THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW.
ATTORNEY ENGAGEMENT LETTER
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED THAT ATTORNEY MICHAEL BRANDI WILL BE LEAVING THE OFFICE OF RUPP BAASE PFALZGRAF & CUNNINGHAM TO FORM HIS OWN LAW OFFICE. SUPERVISOR HAFF REQUESTED THE TOWN BOARD APPROVE HIM TO SIGN THE NEW ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH MIKE BRANDI IN HIS NEW CAPACITY.
RESOLUTION NO. 22044
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR HAFF TO SIGN THE MICHAEL BRANDI LAW OFFICE ENGAGEMENT LETTER.
HIGHWAY
GREG BROWN REQUESTED THE TOWN BOARD DECLARE THE 275 GALLON OIL TANK THAT THEY HAVE USED TO PUT INTO THE HOLDING TANK SURPLUS. IT IS MORE EXPENSE TO GET MOTOR OIL IN BULK SO THEY WANT TO SELL IT ON THE AUCTION SITE. THEY ARE GOING TO USE 55 GALLON DRUMS THAT CAN BE EASILY MOVED ETC. GETTING RID OF THIS TANK WILL ELIMINATE IT BEING ANOTHER ONE THAT THE DEC HAS TO INSPECT AND CHARGE FOR.
FEBRUARY 8, 2022 REGULAR MEETING PG. 4 OF 5
RESOLUTION NO. 22045
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED TO DECLARE THE 275-GALLON TANK SURPLUS AND POST FOR SALE ON AUCTIONS INTERNATIONAL.
RESOLUTION NO. 22046
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT
MARK MILLER DISCUSSED HOW MUCH TIME AND TRAINING WOULD BE INVOLVED FOR HIM TO BECOME TOWN CODE ENFORCEMENT INSTEAD OF WASHINGTON COUNTY ADMINISTERING IT. MARK SAID THAT THE MINIMUM WOULD BE 6 COURSES – (3) 8-HOUR DAYS EACH COURSE. ALSO, EVERY YEAR 24 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IS REQUIRED. MARK SAID THAT IN ORDER TO DO INSPECTIONS ON SEPTIC TANKS, IT IS ADDITIONAL COURSES FOR THAT SUBJECT. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE ASKED MARK TO INVESTIGATE THE REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT SEPTIC SITUATION FOR BARBARA ZAFFO ON 19 MAIN STREET. THIS RESIDENT HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING IT RESOLVED SINCE JULY 2021. THEY FINALLY GOT APPROVAL FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR A WAIVER REGARDING DISTANCES BETWEEN THE WELL AND SEPTIC BUT NOW THE LEECH FIELD WILL REQUIRE A PUMP SYSTEM. COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT FINALLY APPROVED THE PROJECT BY ACCEPTING A STATEMENT FROM THE ENGINEER THAT THE INSTALLER INSTALLED TO THE ORIGINAL ENGINEERED PLANS. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ELIMINATE PATRICK FREEBORN FROM SEPTIC INSPECTIONS IN THE TOWN OF HARTFORD. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE TOWN DOING OUR OWN CODE ENFORCEMENT IS A LOT OF WORK BUT IF IN THE FUTURE THE CITIZENS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME – IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.
RESOLUTION NO. 22047
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
DOG CONTROL
DENISE PETTEYS SAID THAT IN DISCUSSION WITH NANCY QUELL, DOG CONTROL OFFICER, SHE BELIEVES THERE ARE 2 TRAVEL TRAILERS LOCATED ON DUSTY HY WAY AND THAT SHE IS HAVING SOME DOG ISSUES THERE. THE FIRST PARCEL IS LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF HARTFORD BUT FURTHER PARCELS BEHIND ARE IN THE TOWN OF ARGYLE.
COURT REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF SUMMARIZED THE COURT REPORT.
RESOLUTION NO. 22048
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE, COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE COURT REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
FEBRUARY 8, 2022 REGULAR MEETING PG. 5 OF 5
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
JOHN GREGORY SAID THAT HE IS NOT MAKING THIS PERSONAL- HE HAS BEEN THERE PLOWING MORE SNOW THEN THE THREE WORKERS PUT TOGETHER. HE TOOK PRIDE IN HIS WORK AND HE JUST WISHES THE GUYS WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE EQUIPMENT. JOHN ASKED GREG WHY DID HE HIRE THE KINGSBURY SWEEPING FOR $1700 TO SWEEP ROADS. GREG SAID FOR JOHN TO GIVE HIM 3 DATES WHEN HE COULD COME SEE HIM AND HE WILL GET THE RECORDS OUT TO DISCUSS IT IN A MEETING. JOHN DISCUSSED THAT THIS MONEY COULD HAVE BEEN SPENT ON NEW EQUIPMENT AND HE WANTED TO KNOW WHY THE SWEEPER THAT WAS PURCHASED FOR A TRUCK WAS NOT USED INSTEAD. GREG AGAIN INVITED JOHN TO COME INTO HIS OFFICE SOMETIME SOON TO DISCUSS THE INFORMATION FURTHER. GREG SAID THAT PER NYS HIGHWAY LAW THE TOWN USES THE BROOM TO SWEEP THE ROADS MORE THEN ONCE A YEAR AS WELL AS WHEN CONSTRUCTION JOBS ARE COMPLETED ETC. GREG REPEATEDLY INVITED JOHN TO COME DOWN TO HIS OFFICE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE FURTHER.
JOHN ASKED WHERE THE TOWN GRADER WAS LOCATED AND IF IT WORKED? GREG SAID IN THE OLD TOWN BARN AND THAT JOHN HAS NEVER GRADED A ROAD SO WHAT DID HE CARE. JOHN SAID THAT JACK MIDDLETON OFFERED TO COME OVER TO TEACH ALL THE GUYS TO RUN IT. GREG SAID THAT HE ASKED HIM AND HE NEVER CAME OVER AND THE GUYS KNOW HOW TO RUN IT. JOHN SAID THAT HE ISN’T MAKING THIS PERSONAL. GREG SAID COMING IN HERE SAYING THEY DON’T TAKE CARE OF THE EQUIPMENT AND DON’T KNOW HOW TO RUN IT SOUNDS PERSONAL. JOHN SAID HE KNOWS HOW JEFF TAKES CARE OF EQUIPMENT. JOHN SAID THAT HE HAS GREAT RESPECT FOR THE GUYS PLOWING SNOW – IT IS HARD WORK WITH A LOT OF TIME INVOLVED. JOHN SAID THAT HE THINKS THE WHOLE TOWN BOARD PROBABLY WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE KINGSBURY SWEEPER. GREG SAID HE TOLD THE BOARD WHEN IT HAPPENED. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID NO – GREG WAS ABSENT WHEN THE BILL WAS SUBMITTED. COUNCILMAN BURCH SAID THAT HE CAN’T REMEMBER WHY THEY WERE HIRED. COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER SAID SHE ISN’T SURE BUT THOUGHT SHE MIGHT KNOW. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE PAVING AND COULDN’T TAKE TIME TO DO BOTH JOBS.
DAVID SWEZEY ASKED THE TOWN BOARD TO LOOK AT THE UNION CONTRACT TO GET IT SETTLED – IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THEY KEEP TRYING TO ARRANGE A MEETING DATE. DAVE SAID THAT ROCCO SAYS HE HAS BEEN CONTACTING JOHN ASPLAND AS WELL. DAVE OFFERED JOHN GREGORY TO COME RIDE WITH HIM ON THE GRADER BECAUSE THE ROADS LOOK BETTER THAN THEY HAVE IN A LONG TIME AND HE IS GETTING COMPLAINTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO CROWNED IN THE MIDDLE. DAVE SAID THAT THE SWEEPING OF MAIN STREET AND THE FIREHOUSE PRODUCED 2 LOADS OF SAND THAT DIDN’T NEED TO BE PURCHASED. JOHN SAID THEY DON’T NEED SAND, THERE IS ENOUGH FOR 2 YEARS.
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:15 P.M.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, __________________________DENISE PETTEYS, RMC TOWN CLERK
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SUPERVISOR HAFF COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER
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COUNCILMAN BURCH COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON
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COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ