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TOWN OF ROSENDALE TOWN BOARD DRAFT
WORKSHOP AND 2009 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor McDonough at 7:30 PM at the Rosendale Community Center with the Pledge to the Flag.
PRESENT: Councilman Kenneth Cluen
Councilman Robert Gallagher
Councilwoman Manna Jo Greene
Councilman Richard Minissali
Supervisor Patrick McDonough
ALSO PRESENT: About 15 residents.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: John
Maylie asked if Supervisor McDonough had received an answer as to
whether the IMAR property has been transferred to the Town. Supervisor
McDonough responded that it appears that we have the property but IMAR
did not file the transfer; we will be doing the filing. Councilwoman
Greene asked for a follow-up on the dam on that property; the risk has
been listed as moderate but it’s questionable as to how the rating is
done. Supervisor McDonough stated that he has requested DEC to provide old maps and etc so a viable assessment can be made.
APPOINTMENTS;
Supervisor McDonough stated that the court has requested that another
security officer be appointed to cover the lapses in coverage presently
being incurred do to scheduling conflicts. The application of John J. Paterno was reviewed and accepted by the Board.
A motion was made by Councilman Cluen to appoint John J. Paterno as a court security officer; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 5 Yeses.
1). ANNOUNCEMENT:
Supervisor McDonough stated that they are still seeking volunteers for
the Water/Sewer Commission; no volunteers have come forward and the
Commission has not been able to hold meetings do to a lack of quorum for
some months. Supervisor
McDonough said that he will be exploring the possibility of the Town
Board becoming the governing body since the Commission is merely an
advisory body and all decisions are made by the Town Board; Councilwoman
Greene asked that this be done sooner rather than later as there is a
lot of advisory work to be done. Supervisor
McDonough and Councilman Gallagher advised that this change would
probably need a referendum passed by the residents of the districts;
this will be looked into.
2). PUBLIC HEARING 2009 BUDGET: The notice of public hearing was read by the Town Clerk. Supervisor
McDonough announced that before he opened the hearing to public comment
he wanted to clarify the information contained in a Kingston Freeman article
which erroneously stated the salary of the Supervisor as $82,810 was
not true and that figures for some other departments was also incorrect;
the present salary of the Supervisor is $25,496, the previous figure
was the total budget for the Justice department and most of the other
figures were for the total department budgets not just salary; the
article was badly written. Supervisor McDonough opened the hearing for public comment:
Betsy Tuel asked where was the budget line requested for the ZRC (Zoning Review Committee) for legal and consulting work; Supervisor
McDonough responded that it would be found included in the legal fees
(A1421.4) and the Zoning Board of Appeals budget lines; he further
stated that we are hoping to obtain revenues of$16,000 in the form of
grant money.
Bob Anderson asked how
many of the Board members were on fixed income, he believed only one
was; how does the Board expect those on fixed income to come up with the
difference between the present budget and the proposed, it doesn’t add
up. Mr. Anderson said that people have to choose between food and heat, they can’t pay higher taxes. Supervisor
McDonough said that he would personally take this into consideration
and doesn’t take the matter lightly; State and County fees will be down
so Town revenues will be down.
Henry Jordan asked why
the Supervisors salary increase is proposed to be $4,000 which equals a
16% increase, have to hold the line. Mr. Jordan
said that we have to watch hiring full time employees because of the
cost of benefits; two part timers could be used and no benefits have to
be added. He was also not
happy with the appraisal fees under the Assessor’s line; Supervisor
McDonough noted that the figures in that line would be significantly
reduced because the fees for reval were already included in this year’s
budget and could be backed out for next year. Mr. Jordan stated that the Board knew that salaries when they took office and should hold them to that standard.
Carolyn Brancato requested that the Board hold the budget to last year’s figures and not increase it. Ms. Brancato feels that the police budget is outrageous; we already pay for coverage by the County Sheriff and the State Police. Councilman
Gallagher stated that we are getting to where we will have to cut
services; we are 5.3 miles from the multi-million dollar Jail Complex
which is 1.3 miles from our Town line, do we need police department; the
Highway department didn’t pave this year instead they did drainage work
because of the high cost of materials and it may be the same next year. We donated money to the Marbletown Rescue Squad; we might have to look at that again even though it is very worthwhile. Councilman
Gallagher complimented Supervisor McDonough for getting the budget down
from the original 29% increase to the present 9.10%; the Police
department takes up about $600,000 of the total budget. Councilman
Cluen added that the Town Board can not eliminate the Police force;
this must be done by petition from the public and a referendum (vote). Betsy
Tuel asked what constitutes the force; response was 3 full time
officers, 4 part time officers, 1 clerk and a part time Chief.
John Maylie stated that he would like to see the increase figure down to between 5% and 5 ½%. Mr.
Maylie went through the General Fund noting where high increases
appeared and said that they should be looked at closely; justice,
Assessor, Police, Dog Control, Home Relief, Economic Assistance,
Environmental, and Recycling stood out; under Highway he cited Snow
Removal, Other Governmental, Repairs; these categories should all be
looked at very closely. Councilman Gallagher defended the repairs to machinery and vehicles done by the Highway department, it costs 1/6th
of new vehicles but only so much can be done before you have to
purchase new; snow removal costs are up due to the increased cost of
salt; other government charge backs relate to fuel supplied to other
departments for which they reimburse Highway.
Mr. Jordan asked what
the $9,400 in unallocated funds was for; he was told we have to hold
that money to cover back pay when the union contracts are signed; the
pay is retroactive to January 1, 2008 he also asked why the dog control
expenses were so high; the response was that we have to board the dogs
out and some of them are not easily adopted therefore they are held for a
period of time before being euthanized; which we don’t like to have to
do; we are in the process of building our own kennel at the Transfer
Station which will greatly reduce the expense.
Ted Weber asked about
refuse and garbage expense thinking that some of Town was receiving
curbside pick up and he was not; the costs incurred there are that the
Transfer Station is now open 5 days per week and there are 2 full time
employees, this is about the only department that is self-sustaining
according to Supervisor McDonough; he stated that Recreation is also
looking to increase fees and facility usage. Mr.
Weber also asked if the Town is gaining interest on the surplus funds
and are they fully insured; Supervisor McDonough responded that we do
have the funds in interest bearing investments which are closely
monitored. Supervisor McDonough will look into the rating system for bank security but feels we are adequately protected.
3). A resolution will be presented next week to adopt the 2009 Town of Rosendale Budget.
4). A
resolution will be presented next week to set a public hearing for
December 3, 2008 to consider the draft Route 32 Corridor Development
Plan.
5). A resolution will
be presented next week authorizing the Supervisor to seek appraisal
services on Water District property off Mountain Road SBL070.002-7-2 and
070.002-4-2 for possible sale. The
Water District would retain water rights and the Highway Department
would want to retain rights to the shale bank which it utilizes. Sale
of this property would require a permissive referendum by the Water
District users (customers); and the proceeds of the sale could only be
used for capital projects not operating costs.
6). A
non-binding proclamation will be adopted next week requesting retailers
to reduce tobacco advertising in the interest of public health. Supervisor
McDonough stated that this is the time to look at our sign ordinance as
it relates to this and other issues which retract from our Town’s
appearance.
7). A resolution will be presented next week authorizing the levying of delinquent water and sewer payments to the 2009 County Tax.
8). Review of the 2008 Pickle Festival Site Plan: Billy
Liggan invited all Town Board members to attend the reception at the
Postage Inn the evening before the Pickle Fest; this event brings 7000
people to Town for one day. Mr.
Liggan stated to the Board that they are staying away from using the
Park & Ride for Festival parking; bikes and skateboards are not
permitted in the buildings; all pickle vendors will be under the
pavilion “The Pickle Palace”; glass will be allowed since most pickles
are packed in glass jars. Supervisor
McDonough stated that he feels police presence should be part of their
Community Policing project; they should not be charging back $35 per
hour; Councilman Minissali thinks this could raise questions. Supervisor McDonough responded that he will head it off at the next Police Commission meeting.
A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to approve the Pickle Festival Site Plan; seconded by Councilman Gallagher. Roll Vote: 5 Yeses.
Mr. Jordan
raised the question about health insurance buy outs related to the
budget; he feels that a buy out should not exceed $1,000 and questions
whether it is necessary at all.
A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to close the public hearing at 8:35 pm; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 5 Yeses.
A motion was made by
Supervisor McDonough to move to Executive Session to discuss a
confidential attorney/client issue; seconded by Councilman Gallagher: Roll Vote: 5 Yeses.
Out of Executive Session at 9:05 pm, no action taken.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
1. Sun. Nov. 9 – Last Weekly Farmer’s Market, 9am to 2pm at Rec Center
2. Tues. Nov. 11 – Veteran’s Day - TOWN OFFICES CLOSED
3. Wed. Nov. 12 – Town Board Meeting
4. Thurs. Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Day TOWN OFFICES CLOSED Thurs & Fri
5. Sun. Dec. 7 – Commitment to Kids, Noon to 5pm at Bloomington Firehouse
AUDIT OF BILLS:
GENERAL FUND VOUCHER’S #1040-1098 TOTALING $21,449.95
HIGHWAY FUND “ # 233-243 “ $20,414.07
SEWER FUND “ # 173-176 “ $ 549.38
WATER FUND “ # 165-169 “ $ 349.96
SHAWANGUNK PART “ # 4 “ $ 500.00
A motion was made by Councilwoman Greene to pay bills; seconded by Councilman Minissali. Roll Vote: 5 Yeses.
A motion was made to adjourn at 9:16 pm by Councilman Cluen; seconded by Councilman Gallagher. Roll Vote: 5 Yeses.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan S. Jordan
Town Clerk
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