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ROSENDALE TOWN BOARD
WORKSHOP MEETING
MARCH 3, 2010
DRAFT
The meeting was called
to order by Supervisor McDonough at 7:31 pm at the Rosendale Community
Center with the Pledge to the Flag.
PRESENT: Councilman Robert Gallagher
Councilwoman Mann Jo Greene
Councilman Kenneth Hassett
Supervisor Patrick McDonough
EXCUSED: Councilman Richard Minissali
ALSO PRESENT: Carl Belfiglio, District 7 Legislator; 2 reporters.
APPOINTMENT: A motion
was made by Supervisor McDonough to reappoint Billy Liggan to a seven
(7) year term on the Planning Board (also as Chair); and to re-appoint
Sarah Charlop-Powers to the Environmental Commission thru 12/31/2012
(she did not take oath in time); seconded by Councilman Hassett. Roll Vote:
4 Yes, 1 Excused
Also see #8 Appointment by resolution.
Carl Belfiglio
introduced himself as the new District 7 Legislator in case anyone
didn’t already know him; he resides in the Town of Esopus and was
previously on the Esopus Town Council. He
said he wanted to applaud the Town for the Capital projects it has
doing or planned to do; he said that Esopus has completed a photovoltaic
system on their new Town Hall and are awaiting Central Hudson
certification of the installation. Supervisor
McDonough asked whether there was fencing around the panels since they
are at ground level; Mr. Belfiglio responded that they are not fenced. Councilwoman
Greene expressed great concern because the panels produce direct
current and could be dangerous; she urged that he seek fencing. Mr.
Belfiglio also applauded our “affordable housing initiative” for the
Creek Locks Road property; he understood that we are looking for
incorporation of a town hall with the project; he warned about the
“pilot agreement” clause that could “hinge” the whole project. Supervisor
McDonough responded that the RFQ’s went out there was a stipulation
that there would not be a “pilot agreement” for this project.
Mr. Belfiglio wanted
to talk about Ulster County moving to shared services with town highway
departments; he was glad that Rosendale participated in the feasibility
study; he warned that it would not be shared services it would be
individual contracts with each town. He
stated that towns will incur additional expenses such as insurance,
additional personnel and the associated costs; each town must be sure
that they will be adequately compensated if they sign on because the
County is asking for a ten (10) year contract. Mr.
Belfiglio noted that in the 1980’s the County passed a Local Law which
makes the County almost harmless for accidents on their roads; you would
have to seek similar coverage; he also noted that the Legislature is
being told that county highway workers are about the lowest paid in the
County with the exception of Hardenburgh which all present found hard to
believe; he also noted that if further information is sought, contact
Dean Fabiano, Committee Chair for Decentralization or Bob Sudlow. Councilman
Gallagher addressed to Mr. Belfiglio the fact that none of the
information is getting to Town Board members; only highway
superintendents and supervisors are being provided information and he’s
very concerned by this. Mr.
Gallagher also expressed concern that the price being considered from
what he has heard is $4500.00 per mile yellow line mile (you have to
plow both directions) would already exceed what we would be receiving
without consideration of sand, salt. Discussion and fact-finding will continue before any decision is made as to whether to sign a contract.
On the issue of
“senior housing”, Mr. Belfiglio warned that we should look very hard at
granting any “pilot agreements” because they can come back to burn you
in necessary services; Supervisor McDonough responded that we have
already made it clear that we are not entertaining any “pilot
agreements”. Mr. Belfiglio
also urged the Town to apply for the Main Street Grants which are
available for façade renovations for both business and residential
properties.
1). Emergency Plan Up-date: Copies
of the current emergency plan are in member folders to be reviewed;
Police Chief Soule has made suggestions after looking over the plan;
additional discussion took place including Councilwoman Greene talking
about a volunteer group in the Town of Walden who check on seniors and
the frail; it was also discussed that cell phone numbers be included in
the “chain of command flow chart” so that alternative contact is
available. Additional discussion and work will take place in the near future.
2). Recreation
Concession Stand Lease: A discussion about renewing the agreement
between the Town of Rosendale and T&S Crossroads Deli for leasing
the concession stand for the 2010 season; the first topic was increasing
the fee from $1500.00 to $2000.00 rental. Councilman
Hassett noted that there are 1-2 DUSO meets scheduled; there should be
the option to bring in other vendors to provide food service during
these events (it should be written into the contract). The
documents that must be provided are certificates of insurance, workers
compensation, Ulster County Health Dept. certification and inspection
report from the Rosendale Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer.
3). Recycling
Electronics: Discussion of the recycling of electronics at the Rosendale
Transfer Station took place; a fee schedule was provided. The
Town of Rosendale will be working with Ulster County Resource Recovery
Agency to facilitate a coordinated venue for disposing of electronics
(computers, cell phones, ipods, tvs) which contain hazardous materials. The Green Disk program will be renewed for the disposal of and recycling of CD’s; DVD’s; 8 track tapes and etc. Councilman
Hassett said that he has spoken with Councilwoman Van Vliet from the
Town of Esopus about our Transfer Station; Esopus sub-contracts their
station at present but would like to reach out to see how we run ours
“in the black”. Supervisor McDonough stated that he will obtain “feed back” from Rayne Kouhout, Rosendale Recycling Coordinator.
4). Employee Health
Care Revision: Supervisor McDonough stated that Town insurance premiums
went up 30% this year ($376,000 one year premium). On March 15th,
a representative of the Palmiter Group will meet with employees to
explain the MVP Preferred High Deductible EPO Plan which the Town has
reviewed as a means of saving money. Under the new plan the Town would
pick up the deductibles for employees; the employees will continue to
pay a percentage of the premium as they are presently.
5). Beltane Festival Site Plan: A copy of the site plan for the Beltane Festival to be held on May 1st,
2010 at Stone Mountain Farm in Tillson was provided to Board members
for review; the festival does not have to file a site plan as their
attendance falls below the threshold for mass gatherings but they do it
as a courtesy and to provide information to the police and emergency
responders.
A short discussion
followed dealing with the Willow Kiln Park and who has jurisdiction over
approving usage of the area; Supervisor McDonough said that it should
remain an open park without rental unless it is a “town sponsored event”
such as the Street Festival.
6). Resolution next
week to announce a public hearing to Amend Town Code Regarding Real
Property Exemption for Cold War Veterans. This
was discussed briefly last month and all were in favor of moving
forward; the exemption when adopted would not become effective until
2011.
7). Resolution next week to Approve Stipulation of Settlement for Washington Estates.
8). RESOLUTION 3-2010-#1 Appointment of Alternate Member to the Town of Rosendale Planning Board. A
motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to appoint Nick Mercurio as
Alternate for the term from March 3, 2010 to February 28, 2011; seconded
by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote:
Councilman Gallagher Yes
Councilwoman Greene Yes
Councilman Hassett Yes
Councilman Minissali Excused
Supervisor McDonough Yes
Councilwoman Greene
informed the Board that the ZRC is planning two (2) meetings in the
hamlets related to the zoning review for public input; a mailing is
going out this week with the schedule and other information.
Ms. Greene also asked
how we are going to go from having a consultant (Behan) for zoning
review to not having a consultant; she would like to see us hire a
consultant (engineer) for grant writing.
AUDIT OF BILLS:
GENERAL FUND VOUCHER’S #163-202 TOTALING $17,158.42
HIGHWAY FUND “ # 42-44 “ $ 698.13
SEWER FUND “ # 28-31 “ $ 291.29
WATER FUND “ # 31-35 “ $ 2,615.88
A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to pay the bills; seconded by Councilman
Hassett. Roll Vote: 4 Yes, 1 Excused.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Greene to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 pm; seconded by Councilman Hassett. Roll Vote: 4 Yes, 1 Excused.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan S. Jordan
Town Clerk
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