A REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020 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
AUDIT
SUPERVISOR HAFF CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:02 P.M.
PLEDGE
A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED FOR MARION STOKEM, CLAIRE HAMILTON AND RONALD COLVIN ALL WHOM PASSED AWAY RECENTLY.
TOWN BOARD ROLL CALL WAS MADE WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT AND SITTING 6’ APART FOR PROPER SOCIAL DISTANCING AS MANDATED BY CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) REGULATIONS.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
RESOLUTION NO. 20085
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 AUTHORIZED BILLS BE PAID ON ABSTRACT #5 OF 2020 IN THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS:
HIGHWAY VOUCHER #146-160 $ 22,497.21
GENERAL VOUCHER #161-178 $ 3,481.21
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 20086
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:
A1990.4 CONTINGENT ACCOUNT – $ 2,313.11
A6989.7 ECO & DEV CONTR EXP – SOLAR +$ 944.80
A6989.8 ECO & DEV CONTR EXP – DOLLAR +$ 658.31
A7450.4 MUSEUM, CONTR EXP +$ 710.00
TOWN CLERK REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 20087
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BURCH, 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.
MAY 12, 2020 REGULAR MEETING PG. 2 OF 4
MINUTE REVIEW
RESOLUTION NO. 20088
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 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MINUTES FOR APRIL 14, 2020.
INFORMATION
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED THE ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS NOTIFICATION THAT THE NYS DIVISION OF BUDGET WAS GIVEN BROAD AUTHORITY TO REVIEW AND AMEND THE STATE BUDGET TO ADDRESS THE STATE FINANCIAL DISTRESS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. IF THE STATE MAKES TARGETED CUTS AND EXCLUDES MEDICAID AND SCHOOLS FROM FUNDING CUTS, OTHERS, INCLUDING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CAN EXPECT A 40-50% REDUCTION IN STATE FUNDING. HE DISCUSSED SOME OF THE REVENUE THE TOWN RECEIVES FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY.
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT IN ORDER FOR THE CAPITAL DISTRICT ECONOMIC REGION TO REOPEN, THE GOVERNOR IS REQUIRING 30 COVID CONTACT TRACERS PER 100,000 RESIDENTS. HE SHARED THE LINK IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN ASSISTING WASHINGTON COUNTY.
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT DUE TO NY PAUSE IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19, THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT THE BEST GUESS FOR COVID REOPENING PHASE ONE IS JUNE 15TH FOR THE CAPITAL DISTRICT.
WASHINGTON COUNTY INFORMATION
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE HAZARD PAY FOR COVID 19 AT WASHINGTON COUNTY WILL END ON MAY 15, 2020.
FARMLAND PROTECTION AWARD
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE SWEZEY FARM HAD BEEN AWARDED THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS DAIRY TRANSITIONS FARMLAND PROTECTION INITIATIVE.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT
MARK MILLER SAID THAT KAYLA LAVIN HAS APPLIED FOR A BRAND NEW MOBILE HOME PERMIT AND BECAUSE IT IS A BRAND NEW MOBILE HOME HE DIDN’T WANT TO HOLD UP THE PROCESS. THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THE EXISTING FOOTPRINT AND OR PAD – THE OLD MOBILE HOME WILL BE REMOVED AND THE NEW ONE WILL SIT ON THE EXACT SAME SPOT ON THE PROPERTY. HE DID NOT WANT TO HOLD UP AND FORCE A PUBLIC HEARING. HE ASKED THE TOWN BOARD TO USE THEIR DISCRETION TO WAIVE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE MOBILE HOME. SUPERVISOR HAFF CLARIFIED THAT SINCE THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGE TO THE FOOTPRINT ETC., THAT IS THE REASON MARK IS ASKING FOR THE VARIANCE OF HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING.
RESOLUTION NO. 20089
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 TO GRANT KAYLA LAVIN A VARIANCE TO THE MOBILE HOME LAW – THAT NO PUBLIC HEARING BE REQUIRED FOR HER NEW MOBILE HOME LOCATED ON GILCHRIST HILL ROAD.
MAY 12, 2020 REGULAR MEETING PG. 3 OF 4
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED AN EMAIL THAT HE SENT TO THE BOARD REGARDING HIS DISCUSSION WITH JOEL CARPENTER, SUPERVISOR CLERK AND GREG BROWN, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REGARDING OPTIONS THE TOWN CAN USE TO PURCHASE THE DOOSAN EXCAVATOR. JOEL SUGGESTED THAT RATHER THEN PAY 2.5% INTEREST ON THE $105,000 LOAN WHICH AMOUNTS TO $8,000 INTEREST OVER 5 YEAR LIFE OF THE LOAN, THE GENERAL FUND COULD DO AN INTERNAL LOAN TO HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF 1% INTEREST.
THERE WAS DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PAYMENT BREAKDOWN FOR OPTION A FOR THE ENTIRE $105,000 BORROWED AND OPTION B FOR A LESSER AMOUNT OF $80,000 BORROWED.
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE THINKS THIS IS A GOOD IDEA SINCE WE HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED A NEW PICKUP TRUCK AND OTHER TOWNS ARE TRYING TO SAVE MONEY.
GREG BROWN SAID THAT HE STILL HAS NOT HEARD FROM THE NYS CHIPS DEPARTMENT TO BE SURE THAT IT IS ALLOWABLE TO PAY BACK AN INTERNAL LOAN TO GENERAL FUND. GREG HAD PREVIOUS APPROVAL THAT CHIPS MONEY COULD BE USED TO PAY BACK TO A BANK.
THERE WAS FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING THE GRADALL STILL BEING USABLE AND FURTHER CONCERN REGARDING SPENDING MONEY SINCE THERE IS CONCERN THAT A LOT OF FUTURE BUDGET REVENUES WILL BE DECREASING AND WE WILL BE FORCED TO USE MORE FUND BALANCE.
COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ ASKED ABOUT SHARING OF EQUIPMENT BETWEEN MUNICIPALITIES. GREG BROWN SAID IT HAPPENS NOW MORE THEN ANYONE REALIZES. THERE WAS MORE DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS IF WE DON’T CHOOSE TO PURCHASE THE EXCAVATOR.
RESOLUTION NO. 20090
ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BURCH, 2ND BY COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS RETRACTED
RESOLVED TO APPROVE INTERNAL LOAN FROM GENERAL FUND TO HIGHWAY FUND FOR $80,000 WITH 1% INTEREST TO PURCHASE THE DOOSAN EXCAVATOR CONTINGENT ON IT BEING AN ALLOWABLE PURCHASE USING CHIPS MONEY AS REPAYMENT.
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT IT WOULD BE CLEANER IF THE TOWN BOARD HAD BETTER INTEREST REPAYMENT FIGURES, IF CHIPS WILL ALLOW THIS REPAYMENT AND WHAT SITUATION NEW YORK STATE WILL BE IN CONCERNING COVID 19.
MOWING CONTRACT
RESOLUTION NO. 20091
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 AUTHORIZE GREG BROWN, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO SIGN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY MOWING CONTRACT FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR MOWING IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,724.65.
RESOLUTION NO. 20092
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 HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
MAY 12, 2020 REGULAR MEETING PG. 3 OF 4
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 20093
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 ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
COURT REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 20094
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 COURT REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
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
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SUPERVISOR HAFF COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER
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COUNCILMAN BURCH COUNCILMAN HARRINGTON
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COUNCILWOMAN PEREZ