A REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021 AT THE TOWN HALL COMMENCING AT 7:00 PM
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
JEFF CHAPIN, 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 WAYNE NORTH WHO PASSED AWAY RECENTLY.
TOWN BOARD ROLL CALL WAS MADE WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
RESOLUTION NO. 21179
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 #11 OF 2021 IN THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS:
HIGHWAY VOUCHER # 443 – 453 $ 2,306.32
YOUTH VOUCHER # 454 $ 543.00
GENERAL VOUCHER # 455 – 482 $ 9,286.66
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 21180
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 OCTOBER 2021 SUPERVISOR’S REPORT BE ACCEPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:
A1010.4 TOWN BOARD – CONT EXP – $ 1,000.00
A9010.8 STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM – $ 1,086.00
A2770.1 JOINTA GALUSHA ROYALTIES – $ 717.00
A1220.4 SUPERVISOR, CONTR EXP +$ 2,000.00
A5132.2 GARAGE IMPROVEMENTS +$ 803.00
TOWN CLERK REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 21181
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 TOWN CLERK REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
NOVEMBER 9, 2021 REGULAR MEETING PG. 2 OF 5
MINUTE REVIEW
RESOLUTION NO. 21182
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 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 12, 2021 BE ACCEPTED.
VETERAN’S DAY OBSERVANCE
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN MONUMENT SQUARE ON NOVEMBER 11 TO OBSERVE VETERANS DAY.
COUNTY BUDGET
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE COUNTY BUDGET IS BEING DRAFTED. HE SAID THAT HE WILL BE VOTING NO BECAUSE THE COUNTY GOT $12 MILLION FROM THE FEDS AS LOST REVENUE MONEY (ARPA) BUT THEY ARE STILL GOING TO GO RIGHT UP TO THE TAX CAP AND RAISE EVERYONE’S TAXES 3% EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ALL THIS EXTRA MONEY. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE SALARIED WORKERS WOULD GET A $5000 RAISE WHICH WOULD BOLSTER THEIR SALARY FOR YEARS TO COME. PLUS $2/HOUR FOR HOURLY WORKERS AND AN ADDITIONAL PAYMENT OF $2500. HE SAID THAT THE COUNTY GOT $12 MILLION AND THEY WANT TO BUILD A NEW COUNTY HIGHWAY BARN THAT THE COUNTY AND FORT ANN WOULD SHARE. THAT IS ABOUT $5 MILLION – WHY SPEND SO MUCH BUILD A LOWER PRICED ONE.
ARPA LOST REVENUE TO RECOGNIZE “LOST REVENUES” UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FOR LOST REVENUE CALCULATED UP TO 12/31/20
RESOLUTION NO. 21183
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.
WHEREAS, THE ARP WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BIDEN ON 3/11/21. AND
WHEREAS, THE LEGISLATION ALLOWS THE TOWN TO UTILIZE THE FEDERAL MONIES FOR ANY “LOST REVENUES” INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND
WHEREAS, THE TOWN UTILIZED THE SERVICES OF THE CPA FIRM EFPR GROUP, CPAS, PLLC TO PREPARE A “LOST REVENUE” REPORT FOR THE TOWN ENDING 12/31/2020, COMPARING THE BASE YEAR GENERAL REVENUE 0F 2019 TO THE ACTUAL REVENUE OF 2020, WHICH HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE TOWN AND INDICATES “LOST REVENUES” IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,376,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THE TOWN BOARD AUTHORIZES THE INTERFUND TRANSFER OF $54,376 FROM THE ARPA FUND, WITH $50,000 GOING INTO THE HWY EQUIPMENT FUND AND THE REMAINDER $4,376 GOING INTO THE BLDG CAPITAL FUND.
THERE WAS DISCUSSION REGARDING HOW THIS LOST REVENUE WAS DETERMINED. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE ACCOUNTING FIRM THAT THE TOWN HIRED USES THE AUD DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE STATE COMPTROLLER. THAT IS THE DOCUMENT JOEL PREPARES FOR THE TOWN AT THE END OF THE YEAR. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE HOPES TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS AGAIN IN THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR TO DETERMINE IF THE TOWN HAD ANY LOST REVENUE FOR 2021 AS WELL.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT, GREG BROWN SAID THAT THE SAND SCREEN OUT BACK IS ALMOST FINISHED. THE GUYS ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON TRUCKS GETTING READY FOR WINTER. THEY ARE SANDBLASTING THE F550 FRAME AND BOX TO REPAIR AND REPAINT. GREG SAID THAT TODAY JASON MOREHOUSE WENT OVER ONE OF THE TRUCKS AND FOUND THE MAIN
NOVEMBER 9, 2021 REGULAR MEETING PG. 3 OF 5
DUMP CYLINDER TO THE DUMP BOX ALL THE FRAMEWORK AROUND THE BOTTOM IS CRACKED AND BROKEN AND THE DUMP BOX IS STARTING TO FALL APART. ALSO THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE CAB ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS IN PRETTY ROUGH SHAPE SO IT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP AND TAKEN TO A SHOP THAT CAN INSPECT AND REPAIR FRAMES. THAT WAS THE FIRST TRUCK THAT WE PURCHASED USED THAT NEEDED A REBUILT MOTOR FOR $16,000 AS WELL AS A NEW DUMP BOX AND OTHER REPAIRS. GREG SAID THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE NEED TO LOOK AT DOING SOMETHING WITH THESE AGING TRUCKS. IF THE TOWN WISHES TO KEEP PURCHASING USED TRUCKS THEN WE NEED TO PURCHASE THEM MORE OFTEN. THERE WILL BE MORE REPAIRS FOR USED TRUCKS AND HE HAS HEARD CONVERSATION ABOUT HIGH REPAIR BILLS – IT IS BOUND TO HAPPEN WITH USED EQUIPMENT. NEW TRUCKS WILL COST AROUND $240,000 AND HE DOESN’T KNOW IF A GOOD USED TRUCK CAN BE FOUND.
GREG SAID THE GRADALL EMAIL WAS SENT. HE SAID THAT THERE IS A LOT OF SLOP AND PLAY IN THE CENTER PIN WHERE THE UPPER STRUCTURE SITS AND TURNS. GRADALL SERVICEMAN CAME TO LOOK AT IT. THE DETERMINATION WAS THAT THE MACHINE IS OVER 22 YEARS OLD AND THAT THEY DON’T MAKE THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT ANYMORE. HE SAID THAT IS PART OF THE REASON HE WAS LOOKING FOR A NEW EXCAVATOR. HE SAID HE CONSIDERED USING SOME CHIPS MONEY TO PUT TOWARD NEW MACHINERY BUT HE DOESN’T THINK THAT WOULD BE FAIR TO THE TAXPAYERS NOT DOING BLACKTOP.
GREG DISCUSSED A QUOTE FOR A 524P LOADER HE RECEIVED FROM JOHN DEERE REGARDING TRADING IN THE CURRENT 2015 624K LOADER. HE SAID THAT THIS LOADER WASN’T TRADED IN AS SOON AS THEY HAVE DONE IN THE PAST SO THE TRADE IN VALUE IS LOWER AND THE TOWN HAD TO PAY FOR A $6500 2500 HOUR SERVICE CALL WHICH WE NORMALLY DON’T. AND THIS LOADER WILL NEED $6000 IN TIRES AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.
GREG SAID THAT THE TOWN CAN’T KEEP GOING THIS WAY – SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THIS EQUIPMENT. THE HIGHWAY BUDGET IS TO MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE TOWN AND HE FEELS THAT IT IS THE TOWN BOARD’S RESPONSIBILITY TO COME UP WITH THE FUNDING. GREG SAID THAT THINGS ARE GETTING WORSE AND LAST WINTER THEY HAD 1 STORM WHERE THE TOWN HAD 4 TRUCKS DOWN AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX 1 TRUCK IN AN HOUR AND A HALF, 1 TRUCK TOOK 2 HOURS AND THE OTHER 2 WERE DONE AND TOOK 2 MORE WEEKS TO FIX.
COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER ASKED IF THE TOWN NEEDED A NEW TRUCK BEFORE THEY NEED AN EXCAVATOR AND LOADER. GREG SAID YES BEFORE THE LOADER BUT NOT THE EXCAVATOR BECAUSE THEY CAN’T GET PARTS FOR IT AND THEY DON’T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL LAST. GREG SAID THEY WILL NEED TO DIG IN THE FUTURE. THE WHITE CREEK MACHINE BECAME AVAILABLE AND THAT IS WHY HE SENT THE INFORMATION OUT IN AN EMAIL TO THE TOWN BOARD. GREG THANKED COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER FOR BEING THE ONLY BOARD MEMBER TO CONTACT HIM ABOUT EQUIPMENT OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS.
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE BOARD JUST PUT $50,000 OF THE LOST REVENUE MONEY INTO THE H203.2 HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT BANK ACCOUNT. HE ASKED THE BOARD TO REVIEW THE SUPERVISOR REPORT LINE ITEM A99019 TRANSFER OTHER FUNDS – VEHICLE HAS BALANCE OF $17,227 THAT HAS NOT BEEN SPENT YET. SO HE SAID THAT NEXT MONTH THE $17,227 CAN BE TRANSFERRED INTO THE H203.2 BANK ACCOUNT TO BE ADDED TO THE $50,000 GIVING A TOTAL OF $67,227. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT IF THE LOST REVENUE AMOUNT IS REPEATED WITH AN ADDITIONAL $50,000 THAT WOULD BE $117,000. HE SAID THAT IN NEXT YEARS 2022 BUDGET THE LINE ITEM A99019 TRANSFER OTHER FUNDS – VEHICLE HAS AN ADDITIONAL $10,000. HE SAID THAT NEXT YEAR THERE WOULD BE $127,000 AVAILABLE. HE SAID THAT GREG WOULD NEED TO PRIORITIZE WHAT EQUIPMENT THE TOWN NEEDS. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE TOWN NEEDS TO WORK WITHIN A BUDGET AND THAT IN A FEW SHORT MONTHS THE TOWN WILL HAVE $127,000 AVAILABLE. GREG SAID THAT HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO GET THE $127,000 BUT EQUIPMENT COSTS MORE THEN THAT AND IT IS HARD TO OPERATE WITH THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY HAVE. HE SAID IF THAT IS ALL THAT THE TOWN BOARD WILL GIVE THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT THAT IS WHAT THEY WILL WORK WITH. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THEY WON’T KNOW WHAT THE 2021 LOST REVENUE AMOUNT WILL BE UNTIL THE AUD IS COMPLETED AND THE CPA FIRM DOES THE CALCULATIONS HOPEFULLY IN MARCH 2022. COUNCILWOMAN
NOVEMBER 9, 2021 REGULAR MEETING PG. 4 OF 5
BEECHER ASKED IF THE TOWN GENERAL FUND COULD LOAN THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT MONEY FOR A TRUCK AND LOADER AND THEN REPLACE IT WITH THE LOST REVENUE MONEY. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT LOANING MONEY DOESN’T WORK – IT WOULD HAVE TO BE GIVEN TO THE HIGHWAY FUND BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT WANT TO GIVE IT BACK. HE SAID REMEMBER LAST YEAR THE GENERAL FUND WAS GOING TO LOAN MONEY TO HIGHWAY FOR A DOOSAN LOADER AND IT WAS GOING TO BE PAID BACK OVER 5 YEARS TIME. THAT TURNED OUT TO BE TOO MUCH OF A BURDEN. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE TOWN GENERAL FUND CAN LOAN MONEY TO HIGHWAY FUND AND IT CAN BE PAID BACK BUT IF MONEY IS GIVEN THEN IT CAN’T BE TRANSFERRED BACK. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT RIGHT NOW THE HIGHWAY FUND HAS $67,227 AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.
GREG ALSO SAID THAT HE HAS ASKED JESSIE ARLEN TO GIVE AN ESTIMATE ON REPLACING THE CURRENT BOILER BECAUSE HE THINKS IT IS ON ITS LAST LEG. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE NEW HEAT/COOLING SYSTEM WON’T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SPRING SINCE HE DOESN’T BELIEVE HOLES CAN BE CUT IN THE WALLS WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. HE SAID THAT THE NEW HEAT IS QUOTED AS WORKING TO A -15 DEGREE BUT IF THERE IS CONDENSATION OR IT FREEZES UP ETC – THE TOWN WOULD NEED THE BOILER TO BE A BACKUP SOURCE.
RESOLUTION NO. 21184
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 HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED A LETTER SENT ON 11/3/21 BY MARK MILLER, ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO DOLLAR GENERAL REGARDING VIOLATION OF THE SITE PLAN REVIEW APPROVED LANDSCAPING PLAN MISSING VEGETATION PLANTINGS. GREG SAID THAT THE TOWN REMOVED SOME SUMAC AND A DEAD TREE IN THE TOWN RIGHT OF WAY BUT THERE WAS MORE SUMAC ALONG THE ROADS. COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ SAID THAT SHE DIDN’T BELIEVE ANY OF THE GROWTH IS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT IT ISN’T EVEN DOLLAR GENERAL’S RESPONSIBILITY IT WOULD BE THE LANDOWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY.
RESOLUTION NO. 21185
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 ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
DCO REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF READ INTO THE RECORD THE NYS AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS MUNICIPAL SHELTER FOLLOW UP INSPECTION REPORT WHERE THE RATING WAS SATISFACTORY AND THE UNSANITARY ITEMS WERE CORRECTED.
RESOLUTION NO. 21186
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 DOG CONTROL REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
COURT REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF SUMMARIZED THE COURT REPORT.
RESOLUTION NO. 21187
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. VOTING AYE- COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER,
NOVEMBER 9, 2021 REGULAR MEETING PG. 5 OF 5
COUNCILMAN BURCH, COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ AND SUPERVISOR HAFF.
RESOLVED THAT THE COURT REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
JOHN GREGORY ASKED WHEN THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT WAS GOING TO GO BACK TO WORKING 5, 8-HOUR DAYS. HE ASKED GREG HOW HE FELT THAT THEY WERE SAVING TAXPAYERS MONEY WORKING 4, 10-HOUR DAYS IN THE WINTERTIME COMING TO WORK AT 6AM IT IS DARK, THE GUYS SIT INSIDE BECAUSE IT ISN’T SAFE FOR THEM TO BE OUT WORKING IN THE DARK. THERE WAS DISCUSSION REGARDING OVERTIME BEING PAID AS WELL AS HOW THE COUNTY WORKS DURING THE WINTERTIME. GREG SAID THAT THE GUYS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE WINTER ON FRIDAY AND WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS EVEN WHEN WORKING 4, 10-HOUR DAYS. HE EXPLAINED HOW THE ROADS ARE MAINTAINED. JOHN STRESSED THAT AS ANY STATE, COUNTY OR TOWN HIGHWAY EMPLOYEE THEY NEED TO BE AVAILABLE 24-7 TO MAINTAIN ROADS – ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTERTIME.
JEFF CHAPIN ASKED WHY GREG WAS QUOTING A SMALLER BUCKET SIZE LOADER. GREG EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT EXPENSE THE TOWN WOULD BE LOOKING FOR IN THE FUTURE WHEN REPLACING THE LOADER. IT WOULD BE ABOUT $40,000 TO GET THE SAME SIZE LOADER THE TOWN CURRENTLY HAS.
JEFF ASKED HOW MUCH MONEY THE TOWN ACTUALLY HAS IN THE BANK ACCOUNTS. WHY ARE WE HOARDING SO MUCH MONEY? SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THE SUPERVISORS REPORT SHOWS HOW MUCH MONEY THE TOWN HAS.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
RESOLUTION NO. 21188
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 ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:52 PM FOR PERSONNEL MATTERS.
REGULAR SESSION
RESOLUTION NO. 21189
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 ENTER INTO REGULAR SESSION AT 8:00 PM.
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:02 P.M.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, ________________________DENISE PETTEYS, RMC TOWN CLERK
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SUPERVISOR HAFF COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER
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COUNCILMAN BURCH COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ
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COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON