A REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 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
JOEL CARPENTER, SUPERVISOR CLERK/BUDGET OFFICER
RON SMITH, YOUTH COMMISSION
JEFF CHAPIN, HIGHWAY
JASON MOREHOUSE, HIGHWAY
AUDIT
SUPERVISOR HAFF CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:02 P.M.
PLEDGE
TOWN BOARD ROLL CALL WAS MADE WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
RESOLUTION NO. 21167
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 AUTHORIZED BILLS BE PAID ON ABSTRACT #10 OF 2021 IN THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS:
HIGHWAY VOUCHER # 408 – 420 $ 7,517.23
YOUTH VOUCHER # 421 – 423 $ 2,429.92
GENERAL VOUCHER # 424 – 442 $11,689.67
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 21168
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 SEPTEMBER 2021 SUPERVISOR’S REPORT BE ACCEPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:
A2770 UNCLASSIFIED REVENUES – $ 1,634.59
A1990.4 CONTINGENT ACCOUNT – $11,600.00
A5132.2 GARAGE IMPROVEMENTS +$ 9,784.59
A5132.4 HIGHWAY GARAGE, CONTR EXP +$ 2,700.00
A6410.4 PUBLICITY, CONTR EXP +$ 750.00
D3501 CONSOLIDATED HIGHWAY AID -$ 5,892.31
D5130.2 HIGHWAY – MACH EQUIP PURCH -$ 3,370.67
D5142.1 SNOW REMOVAL – CONT EXP – $21,737.02
D5130.4 HIGHWAY – REPAIRS MAINT FUEL +$31,000.00
OCTOBER 12, 2021 REGULAR MEETING PG. 2 OF 5
TOWN CLERK REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 21169
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.
MINUTE REVIEW
RESOLUTION NO. 21170
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 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 BE ACCEPTED.
OPEN PUBLIC HEARING 2022 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
RESOLUTION NO. 21171
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 2022 PRELIMINARY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BE OPENED AT 7:10 P.M.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING 2022 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
RESOLUTION NO. 21172
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 ALL PARTIES WISHING TO BE HEARD HAVING BEEN HEARD, RESOLVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE 2022 PRELIMINARY BUDGET AT 7:10 P.M.
ADOPT 2022 BUDGET
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED A REVISION TO THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET TO INCLUDE AN AMENDMENT TO INCREASE LINE A5132.2 GARAGE IMPROVEMENTS BY $8,141.00 TO ACCOMMODATE REMAINING SAND SCREEN REPLACEMENT EXPENSE AND POSSIBLY REPAIRS TO HIGHWAY FLOOR. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THE TOWN TAX LEVY SHOULD COME IN A -.4%
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL $3000 AVAILABLE TO ADD INTO THE LEVY TO KEEP THE TAX LEVY AT 0%. IT WAS DECIDED TO PUT AN ADDITIONAL $2800 INTO THE HIGHWAY LINE D5130.4 HIGHWAY – REPAIRS MAINT FUEL.
RESOLUTION NO. 21173
RESOLVED THAT THE 2022 PRELIMINARY BUDGET BE ADOPTED AS THE FINAL BUDGET.
GREG BROWN, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT SAID THAT IN REFERENCE TO THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REBUILDING THE SAND SCREEN WHICH IS INFRASTRUCTURE OR A BUILDING & GROUNDS EXPENSE, MUNICIPAL LAW DOES NOT ALLOW HIGHWAY WAGES TO BE SPENT ON
OCTOBER 12, 2021 REGULAR MEETING PG. 3 OF 5
GENERAL EXPENSES. GREG SAID THAT THE HIGHWAY WORKERS WERE NEVER NOT GOING TO DO THE WORK. THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT CANNOT GET NEW EQUIPMENT ETC. BUT WHEN THE WORKERS SAID THEY WERE NOT GOING TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT, ALL OF A SUDDEN $10,000 SHOWED UP AND THE BUDGET ISN’T GOING UP AT ALL. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT GREG TOLD HIM DIRECTLY THAT THE HIGHWAY WORKERS WERE NOT GOING TO FINISH THE SCREEN PROJECT. GREG SAID THAT HE THINKS THE TOWN NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THE HIGHWAY WORKERS WITH THEIR INSURANCE AND OTHER ITEMS.
COMPTROLLERS FISCAL STRESS SCORE
SUPERVISOR HAFF DISCUSSED THE TOWN FISCAL STRESS SCORE OF 6.7 FOR 2020.
EMPIRE STATE BROADBAND SURVEY
SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE STATE IS CONDUCTING ANOTHER BROADBAND SURVEY SIMILAR TO WASHINGTON COUNTY RECENT SURVEY.
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW APPOINTMENT
RESOLUTION 21174
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 APPOINT LINDA MONIKOWSKI AS A MEMBER OF BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 12, 2021 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2026.
YOUTH COMMISSION REPORT
RON SMITH SAID THAT BASKETBALL GYM/CAFETERIA TIME AT THE SCHOOL IS STILL BEING ORGANIZED. HE SAID THAT SOCCER SEASON WAS SUCCESSFUL AND HAS CONCLUDED. RON SAID 2 WEEKS AGO RUSSELL WADE, CHIP BAKER, HIMSELF AND SOME OTHERS WERE UP ON THE UPPER FIELD FOR THE FIRST EVER SOCCER GAME. HE THANKED EVERYONE WHO HAS DONATED TIME, INCLUDING TOWN BOARD MEMBERS TO MAKE THE UPPER FIELD PROJECT HAPPEN. HE SAID THAT THE TOWN HIGHWAY CREW HAS HELPED THEM TREMENDOUSLY AS WELL. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT IT HAS BEEN IN PROGRESS SINCE 2012. SUPERVISOR HAFF ASKED RON ABOUT SHIRT INVOICE THAT SAYS SHIRT TO SAY “HARTFORD YOUTH COMMISSION TANAGERS”. HE ASKED IF THEY CALL THE YC TANAGERS? RON SAID THAT THE YOUTH COMMISSION IS TRYING TO TIE THE TWO SPORTS TEAMS OF YC AND TANAGERS TOGETHER. ALSO, THE YOUTH COMMISSION IS PLANNING TO SELL TO PARENTS ETC. THE SAME SHIRTS THAT THE KIDS WERE WEARING. GREG BROWN, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT SAID THAT HE HAS HAD INQUIRIES FROM THE NYS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGARDING PARKING ON THE NEW UPPER FIELD. HE SAID THAT WHEN THE DRIVEWAY WAS APPROVED IT SPECIFIED NO PARKING ALONG STATE ROUTE 149. GREG SAID THAT NYSDOT WOULD HATE TO HAVE TO POST NO PARKING SIGNS ALONG THIS SECTION. RON SAID THAT IT IS NOT ONLY THE YOUTH COMMISSION PARTICIPANTS PARKING ALONG ROUTE 149, IT IS FOR JV VARSITY SPORTS AS WELL. RON SAID THAT IF SOMEONE IS NOT AWARE OF THIS SITUATION AND COME AROUND THE CORNER, IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH CARS PARKED ALL BOTH SIDES ALONG THE ROAD NEAR THE BASEBALL FIELD. RON SAID THAT HE WOULD LIKE IF NYSDOT MIGHT CONSIDER A FLASHING SCHOOL ZONE SIGN BE PLACED TO ENCOURAGE A SLOWER SPEED LIMIT IN THAT AREA.
RESOLUTION NO. 21175
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 YOUTH COMMISSION REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
OCTOBER 12, 2021 REGULAR MEETING PG. 4 OF 5
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
GREG SAID THAT THE ROADSIDE FLAGS HAD BEEN REMOVED EXCEPT FOR THE FEW IN THE AREA OF MONUMENT SQUARE. THOSE WILL BE REMOVED AFTER THE TRADITIONAL VETERAN’S DAY CEREMONY. GREG SAID THAT FOR SOME REASON THIS YEAR A LOT OF THE FLAGS WERE DESTROYED. SUPERVISOR HAFF SUGGESTED THAT 2’ X 3’ FLAGS BE PURCHASED INSTEAD OF THE 3’ X 5’ ONES. THE SMALLER ONES WILL NOT WIND AROUND THE TELEPHONE POLES AND GET HOOKED ON THEM AS MUCH AS WELL AS SMALLER WILL HAVE LESS WIND RESISTANCE. SUPERVISOR HAFF ASKED GREG TO GET A NEW SPACE FORCE FLAG TO HANG AT MONUMENT SQUARE. GREG SAID THAT HE IS STILL WAITING ON SOME FITTINGS AND INVOICE FROM GIBSON HARDWARE TO BE ABLE TO SEND IT TO CORINA AT SOIL AND WATER FOR THE $2200 BRINE TANK REIMBURSEMENT. GREG ASKED IF THE PARKING LOT AND HIGHWAY CONCRETE FLOOR REPAIRS COULD BE DONE WITH THE PRESIDENT BIDEN COVID MONIES. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT HE DIDN’T THINK SO – IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE USED FOR PUBLIC CONGREGATE AREAS. GREG SAID THAT HE IS STILL EXTENDING HIS OFFER TO THE TOWN BOARD MEMBERS FROM LAST MONTH TO GIVE HIM A CALL TO TALK ABOUT EQUIPMENT NEEDS. GREG SAID THAT HE HAS HEARD FROM COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER.
RESOLUTION NO. 21176
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.
DCO REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF READ INTO THE RECORD THE NYS AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS MUNICIPAL SHELTER INSPECTION REPORT WHERE THE RATING WAS UNSATISFACTORY DUE TO SOME UNSANITARY CONDITIONS.
RESOLUTION NO. 21177
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 DOG CONTROL REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
COURT REPORT
SUPERVISOR HAFF SUMMARIZED THE COURT REPORT.
RESOLUTION NO. 21178
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 COURT REPORT BE ACCEPTED.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
JEFF CHAPIN, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, ASKED WHY WOULD THE TOWN BOARD MOVE MONEY AROUND FOR OUTSIDE HELP TO COMPLETE THE SCREEN JOB BUT WON’T HELP THE WORKERS. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT HAS TO HAVE THE SAND SCREEN TO PLOW AND ADJUSTING THE 2022 BUDGET WAS AVAILABLE TO MAKE IT A 0% LEVY. JEFF SAID WHY IS THE TOWN PAYING A LAWYER TO FIGHT THE TEAMSTERS WHEN THAT MONEY COULD BE USED TO PAY THE WORKERS. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT THE TOWN HAS A LABOR AGREEMENT THAT IS AT IMPASSE WHERE EITHER SIDE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT. HE ASKED WHY CAN’T YOUR SIDE COME TO AN AGREEMENT. AND THE TOWN IS TRYING TO HAVE MEETINGS WITH A MEDIATOR AND GET EVERYONE TOGETHER BUT THE TOWN ATTORNEY SAID THAT TEAMSTER REPRESENTATIVE, ROCCO, IS DODGING CALLS. JEFF SAID ROCCO TELLS THEM
OCTOBER 12, 2021 REGULAR MEETING PG. 5 OF 5
THAT THE TOWN IS DODGING THE CALLS. JASON MOREHOUSE, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, SAID THAT HE HAS REQUESTED THE WORKERS MEET DIRECTLY WITH THE TOWN BOARD REGARDING THE HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT. SUPERVISOR HAFF SAID THAT IN ORDER FOR THE TOWN BOARD TO MEET IN A SPECIAL MEETING IT WOULD NEED TO BE PUBLICIZED AS A PUBLIC MEETING. THERE WAS FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING THE HEALTH INSURANCE GRIEVANCE FILED BY THE TEAMSTERS AND THE IMPASSE PROCEDURES.
ON MOTION OF SUPERVISOR HAFF, 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN BEECHER THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:55 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