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TOWN OF ROSENDALE                       

TOWN BOARD MEETING

NOVEMBER 12, 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:       Betsy Tuel, ZRC; Dennis Kaye, Economic Development; Fred                                      Greitzer, Planning Board and three residents.

 

PETITIONS:  No petitions were presented.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  No public comments were made. 

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS:  Supervisor McDonough announced that Community Events were listed at the bottom of the page; he also announced that a new business has opened at 430 Main Street.  “Alan’s Affordable  Computers & Repairs will hold an open house November 23rd from noon to 4 pm; of special interest is that he is dedicated to refurbishing 5 computers each month to give to returning veterans.  Supervisor McDonough stated that he unilaterally donated the surplus computers the Town was planning to sell; we would not get very much for them and the hard drives have been scrubbed so this seemed like a very worthy cause.

 

MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETINGS:  A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to accept the October minutes; seconded by Councilman Minissali.  Roll Vote: 5 Yeses.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Councilwoman Greene stated that the Planning Board met and they reviewed a lot line adjustment and subdivisions; nothing out of the ordinary; A T & T will be having a public hearing to………………. and the Board submitted comments related to the Scoping Session held by DEC on the SEQRA for HRVR, LLC.  Ms. Greene also stated that the ZRC met and a sub-committee was set up to do interviews for hiring a consultant.  Question was raised about whether this would be an open or closed session; Fred Greitzer said that all interviews for Planning Consultants were done in public session.

Councilman Gallagher said that the minutes of the Recreation Commission were on file; Town Clerk corrected and said that no minutes have been received; Supervisor McDonough stated that he would check on them.

Councilman Cluen reported that the Transfer Station is ahead by $1,800 for October; Environmental Commission has been meeting and provided comments to DEC on the HRVR project.  Supervisor McDonough added that he received word from Willie Janeway at DEC that the comment period will be extended.  Councilman Cluen also reported that the Youth Department is doing fine and their minutes are on file.

Councilman Minissali reported that the Water/Sewer Commission is still seeking volunteer members; if no members are forthcoming the Town Board is looking into possibly taking over since the Commission is advisory and all decisions are ultimately made by the Town Board.  Councilman Minissali reported that the Chamber of Commerce met and Supervisor McDonough presented a very lively question and answer session; he stated that an alternate is being sought for the ZBA; only one application has been received.  Supervisor McDonough said that he will try to re-advertise the position before making and appointment.  Councilman Gallagher said that he is concerned as to whether or not the members are getting the required training; he also was concerned that Councilman Minissali has not been trained in National Public Training for Emergencies.

Councilwoman Greene said that the Planning Board would like to be able to use the equipment at the Community Center (screen, etc.) for their meeting presentations; Supervisor McDonough noted that there is no laptop at this time and there will be none until next year and that the screen has not been hung yet since a decision has not been made on where to hang the screen; it was noted that if the screen can be hung and we provide the other equipment needed, Dave Plante from C.T. Male usually brings a laptop that could be utilized in the meantime.

 

SUPERVISOR’S FINANCIAL REPORT:  End balances for the month of October were read; the report is on file with the Town Clerk.

 

RESIGNATION:  A resignation was received today from Elena Hornbeck of the Youth Commission due to work scheduling.

A motion was made by Councilman Cluen to accept the resignation of Elena Hornbeck from the Youth Commission; seconded by Councilman Gallagher.  Roll Vote:  5 Yeses.

 

APPOINTMENTS:  Supervisor McDonough first wanted to clarify the appointment last week of P/T Court Security Officer John Paterno; he will be paid $10.00 per hour.

Supervisor McDonough announced that Deborah Checchia, Tax Collector, has chosen Mary Carroll for the position of Deputy Tax Collector.

A motion was made by Councilman Minissali to appoint Mary Carroll as Deputy Tax Collector at the rate of $9.75 p/h; seconded by Councilwoman Greene.  Roll Vote: 5 Yeses. 

 

1).  RESOLUTION 11-2008-#1 Adoption of 2009 Town Budget.  The budget established the following salaries for elected officials:  Supervisor $28,496.00; Town Clerk $31,902.00; Highway Superintendent $48,306.00; Town Board $5,656.00 each. The total budget increase is 2.56%, with a total tax of $2,206,239 to be raised.

A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to adopt the budget; seconded by Councilwoman Greene.  Roll Vote:

                        Councilman Cluen                     Yes

                        Councilman Gallagher   Yes

                        Councilwoman Greene  Yes

                        Councilman Minissali                Yes

                        Supervisor McDonough            Yes

 

2).  RESOLUTION 11-2008-#2  Scheduling a Public Hearing to Consider the Draft Route 32 Corridor Development Plan.  The hearing is scheduled for December 3, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the Rosendale Community Center.

A motion was made to adopt the resolution by Supervisor McDonough; seconded by Councilman Gallagher.  Roll Vote:

                        Councilman Cluen                     Yes

                        Councilman Gallagher   Yes

                        Councilwoman Greene  Yes

                        Councilman Minissali                Yes

                        Supervisor McDonough            Yes

Councilman Gallagher “thanked” Dennis Kaye for his tireless commitment to moving the plan along.

 

3).  RESOLUTION 11-2008-#3  Authorizing Appraisal Services.  The resolution is to authorized the Supervisor to seek out and obtain services of a qualified company or companies to appraise Town and Water District properties off Mountain Road, known as SBL 070.002-7-2 and 070.002-4-2 for possible sale to Mohonk Preserve through the Open Space Institute; an offer of $320,000 has been made.  The Town would retain water rights and the shale bank on the property

A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to adopt the resolution; seconded by Councilman Cluen.  Roll Vote:

                        Councilman Cluen                     Yes

                        Councilman Gallagher   Yes

                        Councilwoman Greene  Yes

                        Councilman Minissali                Abstained*

                        Supervisor McDonough            Yes

*Councilman Minissali stated that until recently his wife had been employed by Mohonk.  Councilman Gallagher also noted that in order for the sale to take place a referendum vote would be needed from Water District customers.

 

4).  PROCLAIMATION: Tobacco Advertising.  This is a non-binding resolution of the Tobacco Free Action Coalition of Ulster Count to improve the public health by requesting retailers to reduce tobacco advertising.

A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to proclaim support for the resolution to reduce tobacco advertising; seconded by Councilman Minissali.  Roll Vote:

                        Councilman Cluen                     Yes

                        Councilman Gallagher   Yes

                        Councilwoman Greene  Yes

                        Councilman Minissali                Yes

                        Supervisor McDonough            Yes

 

5).  RESOLUTION 11-2008-#4  Delinquent Water and Sewer Levies. The total delinquent water levies is $6,543.42 and sewer levies are$5,233.36.

A motion was made to adopt the resolution by Supervisor McDonough; seconded by Councilman Cluen.  Roll Vote:

                        Councilman Cluen                     Yes

                        Councilman Gallagher   Yes

                        Councilwoman Greene  Yes

                        Councilman Minissali                Yes

                        Supervisor McDonough            Yes

 

6).  RESOLUTION 11-2008-#5  Scheduling a Joint Public Hearing to Consider High Falls Water District Rate Changes.

A joint public hearing will be held on December 11, 2008 at the High Falls Fire House, High Falls, NY at 7:00 pm to consider increasing the water rates for the High Falls Water District.

A motion was made to adopt the resolution by Supervisor McDonough; seconded by Councilman Minissali.  Roll Vote:

                        Councilman Cluen                     Yes

                        Councilman Gallagher   Yes

                        Councilwoman Greene  Yes

                        Councilman Minissali                Yes

                        Supervisor McDonough            Yes

 

Councilman Gallagher asked why we are not receiving financial reports from the High Falls Water District (Town of Marbletown handles financial end); Town of Rosendale does not seem to have any say in the budget process either.  Councilman Gallagher also asked that Supervisor McDonough find out if the accountant for the district is being paid; the Town of Rosendale has not been paid for salaries in some time.  Councilwoman Greene noted that we have the responsibility of running the system; Marbletown is doing the administration.  It was also noted that the current budget was based on the contractors estimate of revenues which fell short of expectations; the plants capacity is greater than what is being used; Ulster Community College has expressed interest in extending water service to their campus even if dormitories are not built; this is something that can be looked into.

 

Councilwoman Greene asked to re-address the “Scoping for HRVR” topic; she inquired about creating a team to work on issues and do we need to go out for RFP’s.  Supervisor McDonough stated that Shannon LaFrance will be here an hour early in December where questions can be addressed; he also noted that Willie Janeway of DEC Region #3 extended the comment period to 11/21/08 but employees were not aware of it on the 17th.  Councilwoman Greene is concerned if all the questions are there; Councilman Minissali feels the social issues are important and may have been under-addressed.  Supervisor McDonough said that he will speak to Ms. LaFrance about HRVR setting up a voluntary escrow; Councilman Minissali offered that the Environmental Commission and the Planning Board submitted their own comments in addition to those submitted by the Town Board.  Councilwoman Greene stated that she feels the school districts should be reached out to at some point, not necessarily during “scoping”.

 

Question was raised as to where the moratorium on outdoor wood burning furnaces stood; Supervisor McDonough stated that he will be meeting next week with Jennifer Metzger of the Environmental Commission and Paul Costa, a concerned citizen, to iron out the final wording of the Local Law which should be ready for a public hearing in January; in December we should be able to pass a resolution setting the date for the hearing.  There was some concern about the present moratorium running out on January 1st and the Local Law not being in place; Supervisor McDonough tried to allay those fears by stating that there was not a big run on permits before the moratorium and he didn’t expect one then.

 

AUDIT OF BILLS:

            GENERAL FUND VOUCHER’S #1100-1144 TOTALING $23,836.17

            HIGHWAY FUND                     #  244-264                       $18,986.96

            SEWER FUND                           #  177-185                       $  3,872.52

            WATER FUND                          #  170-177                       $   2,734.18

 

A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to pay the vouchers; seconded by Councilman Minissali.  Roll Vote: 5Yeses.

 

A motion was made by Councilwoman Greene to adjourn at 9:00 pm; seconded by Councilman Minissali.  Roll Vote:  5 Yeses.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                    Joan S. Jordan

                                                                                    Town Clerk