TOWN OF ROSENDALE
TOWN BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING
FEBRUARY 3, 2010
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor McDonough at 7:30pm at the Rosendale Community Center with the Pledge to the Flag.
PRESENT: Councilman Robert Gallagher
Councilwoman Manna Jo Greene
Councilman Kenneth Hassett
Supervisor Patrick McDonough
EXCUSED: Councilman Richard Minissali
ALSO PRESENT: Tim Morrison, ZRC; 2 residents; reporter for Blue Stone Press.
PUBLIC INPUT: There was no public input.
APPOINTMENTS:
Supervisor McDonough stated that the Police Commission has made a
recommendation to hire a trainee and a part-time officer; Acting Chief
Soule has done extensive interviews and he also recommends the hiring of
both men.
A motion was made by
Councilman Hassett to appoint Robert Eggering as a police trainee at the
minimum wage ($7.25) per hour as agreed to by PBA; seconded by
Councilman Gallagher. Roll Vote: 4 Yes, 1 Excused.
A motion was made to
appoint Scott Buchinger as a part-time officer contingent upon the
completion of all background checks by Acting Chief Soule at the rate of
$.........per hour; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 4 Yes, 1 Excused.
1). DISCUSSION: Water and Sewer District Improvements. Supervisor
McDonough stated that the water tank project has been on hold for some
time and the Main Street water lines are 100 years old; the lift station
at the corner of Rt. 32 and James Street is the number one priority. Supervisor
McDonough said that the lift station has required attention from the
W/S staff during the week and weekends which is costing the department a
good deal of overtime; the estimated repairs will cost $10,000.00. Supervisor
McDonough added that if we are going out to bid for these repairs we
should make a list of additional necessary work and prioritize for
possible inclusion in the bonding. Councilwoman
Greene feels there is money out there but we can’t keep track of the
water funding stream; she asked if there is someone we could ask about
possible sources of grants; Supervisor McDonough said he will look into
possible sources to look for grants but writing grants will cost big
money. Councilman
Gallagher suggested that a resolution be presented next week to go out
to bid for the lift station; Terry Johnson has the specs. Tim
Morrison said that even with the rate increase that we passed last
month, our rates are only about half what the Clark’s Estates residents
pay (they only have 43 customers) but we have to start looking at being
self-sustaining because grants and stimulus money will dry up and
probably very soon and eventually the users will have to bear the cost. Tim further informed the Board that his water district is not eligible to apply for grants.
2). DISCUSSION: Cold War Veteran’s Exemption. Supervisor
McDonough had several sample resolutions from Towns that have passed
the resolution for the Board to review; he further stated that he has
spoken with Dan Baker, Town Assessor, and he was told that for this to
become effective this year the changes have to be made before March 1st;
this is not possible since we would have to hold a public hearing and
change our Code; we could not address this before March meetings but
will look to take it up soon.
3). RESOLUTION -2-2010-#1 Purchase of Highway Equipment. Supervisor
McDonough explained that Highway Superintendent Carl Hornbeck has been
searching for this used vehicle for some time; he has a mechanic that
basically strips the vehicle down and reuses parts from current vehicles
to create a “new vehicle” at great savings to the Town. The
vehicle to be purchased is a 1990 International, 4800 Series dump truck
with snow plow set-up and salt/sand spreader, from Dutchess County
Diesel, Inc. for $8,000.00 to be paid from the Highway Department annual
equipment budget.
A motion was made by
Supervisor McDonough to adopt the resolution to purchase the 1990
International dump truck from Dutchess County Diesel, Inc. for
$8,000.00; seconded by Councilman Gallagher. Roll Vote:
Councilman Gallagher Yes
Councilwoman Greene Yes
Councilman Hassett Yes
Councilman Minissali Excused
Supervisor McDonough Yes
4). REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: A
resolution will be presented next week to authorize seeking development
proposals from previously received statements of interest (RFQ’s) to
redevelop the Town owned property at 144 Creek Locks Road; attorney for
the Town, Shannon LaFrance recommends not opening the process to an new
developers at this time. Councilwoman
Greene stated that she would like to see this opened to the
Environmental Commission for review of the toxins (Dioxin) that were
found on site in a previous study; she is very concerned about the
zoning review and wants to be sure the zoning is in line and that the 2
acres are set aside for the Sewer District. Councilman
Gallagher stated that we have already set aside 2 acres for use by the
Sewer District; there is a very small section that of the property that
is currently designated R-3 would require a zoning change. Supervisor
McDonough responded to a concern of Councilwoman Greene’s about the
sewer system being maxed out; the developer will have to deal with this
and he has asked Ms. LaFrance about possibly including a 3rd tank which would increase the capacity by 50% to the proposals and including a new town hall at little or no cost to the Town. The developers will have to do town-wide meetings for the public as part of the process.
5). PURCHASE OF POLICE CRUISER: A
resolution will be presented next week to authorize the purchase of a
2010 Dodge Charger with police options at a cost of $22,864.75 under NY
State Bid Contract PC63556. The
first of three (3) payments will be $7,700.00 of which $4,287.81 will
come from the Police Dept. Capital Reserve and the remainder from their
2010 equipment budget. Supervisor
McDonough stated that the vehicle this will replace would require
$3,000.00 in transmission repairs and then something could come up in
the near future to require further spending. Councilman Hassett said that the Police Dept. always seems to be one vehicle behind; this would be the 3rd car purchased in 18 months. It was suggested that Supervisor McDonough discuss with Acting Chief Soule the possibility of working with four (4) vehicles.
6). NYSERDA GRANT: A
resolution will be presented next week to authorize the Supervisor to
apply to NYSERDA for such ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act)
funding outlined in the request for proposals for a photovoltaic array
and energy efficiency improvements at the Rosendale highway Garage. The
total cost of installation is $132,070.00 for a 20KW array; $10,000.00
would be provided toward the cost by the Environmental Commission from
proceeds from their Energy Expos and would cover some of the possible
ancillary costs associated with the installation and improvements. It
has been determined during the investigative process that new shingles
are needed on the garage roof prior to the installation of the arrays;
this work could be budgeted for since we would have until spring 2011 to
utilize the grant. It was
discussed that Carl Hornbeck would like to see a metal roof with
insulation beneath installed on the garage. Councilwoman Greene asked if
we have to bid this out; Supervisor McDonough stated that we have to
look into what is given to our attorney; Tim Morrison interjected that
under stimulus all materials have to be US made. Supervisor
McDonough said that Shawne Rider and Matt Hintz, Town Maintenance, are
building down the large windows at the garage and replacing them with
smaller energy efficient, double pane windows; by doing these projects
“in-house” we are garnering huge savings.
Councilwoman Greene
spoke about “PACE” Energy Options, a forum for municipalities to be held
at SUNY New Paltz on Saturday, February 27th; she thought it would be informative; Supervisor McDonough said that he was going to try to attend.
7). SUPPORT FOR ULSTER COUNTY’S APPLICATION FOR SHARED SERVICES.
A resolution will be
presented next week to support the feasibility of shared services with
Ulster County, City of Kingston and fourteen other municipalities. Ulster
County as lead agency is applying for a Local Government Efficiency
(LGE) Program grant not to exceed $1,000,000.00 to undertake the
necessary research and development to decentralize certain highway
services. Councilman
Gallagher stated that we need to know what is involved in the
implementation of this endeavor; is it more than shared plowing. Supervisor
McDonough stated that Carl Hornbeck is involved and looking into
details and crunching facts; Supervisor McDonough stated that he is
interested in one possible benefit of signing on being improvements such
as the Town of Rosendale getting a salt shed; there is a $200,000.00
grant available with a 10% town share (cash, not in kind services).
Councilman Hassett
said his concern is by passing this resolution are we buying ourselves
into a corner; Supervisor McDonough stated that the plowing would be
done by contract with each individual municipality.
Councilman Gallagher
said that the only benefit he could see in this is that Rosendale would
possibly get a salt shed; we are the only town without one.
8). HUDSON VALLEY GREENWAYS GRANT: A
resolution will be presented next week to support the application of
the Wallkill Valley Land Trust for a grant to erect signage along the
Rail Trail especially that portion which passes through the Town of
Rosendale; the grant is for $9,000.00. A
short discussion took place about the trestle being turned over to the
Town; Councilman Hassett questioned whether the decking on the trestle
will be replaced prior to turning it over to the Town of Rosendale;
Supervisor McDonough responded that it would be restored before the
trail and trestle are gifted to the Town.
9). SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH CROSSPOINT SOLUTIONS: A
resolution will be presented next week authorizing the Supervisor to
enter into an agreement with Cross Point Solutions for a service
contract covering the telephone system at 424 Main Street for a period
of one year for $528.00.
A short discussion
took place related to the Mountain Road property; Supervisor McDonough
said that the survey has been completed and it is a little smaller than
first thought and that Open Space Conservancy has asked for a reduction
in sale price to which the response was “no”; attorney Shannon LaFrance
has the contracts.
Tim Morrison asked
Supervisor McDonough if he did a follow-up on whether the New Paltz
School District is negotiating to use the Tillson School; Supervisor
McDonough responded that he would make a note to check it out. Tim
also noted that Channel 20 is still streaming from Ellenville High
School not Kingston; he said that both Marbletown and Rosendale would
have to change simultaneously; Brenda Parks will have to be contacted.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
1. Wed, Feb 10, 7:30 pm – Town Board Meeting, Community Center
2. Mon, Feb 15 – Presidents Day – TOWN OFFICES CLOSED
AUDIT OF BILLS:
GENERAL FUND VOUCHER’S #56-114 TOTALING $27,551.34
HIGHWAY FUND “ # 6-11 “ $ 2,184.49
SEWER FUND “ #11-15 “ $ 675.22
WATER FUND “ #10-18 “ $ 5,776.02
A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to pay the bills; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 4 Yes, 1 Excused.
A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to adjourn at 9:15 pm; seconded by Councilman Hassett. Roll Vote: 4 Yes; 1 Excused.
Respectfully submitted,
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