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TOWN OF ROSENDALE TOWN BOARD
DRAFT
WORKSHOP MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 3, 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
Supervisor Patrick McDonough
EXCUSED: Councilman Richard Minissali
ALSO PRESENT: About a dozen residents.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Bob
Morf of Maple Hill stated that the aerial navigation (communications
tower) lights have been out in excess of three (3) months which is a
violation of FCC law. Mr.
Morf said that there was a medical evacuation by helicopter the other
day; if this had been at night it would present a serious safety
problem; he asked who is responsible for being sure the lights are lit. Supervisor
McDonough said that he will contact the Code Enforcement Officer in the
morning to see what has to been done; this should not happen and three
months is definitely not acceptable.
Jack Snyder also
addressed concerns about lighting issues in several places in Town; the
first is the side security light at St. Peter’s Church which is
blinding; the second issue is with Mt. View Storage on Rte. 32, he feels this was part of the site plan and should be looked at as not being compliant. Supervisor
McDonough said this is also something that falls within the dominion of
the Code Enforcement Officer and he will also discuss this with him.
Ken Hassett said that
he wanted to commend the Supervisor and the Town Board for keeping the
2009 budget under 3%. The Town Clerk interjected that the Bookkeeper
also should be credited for her outstanding work; Supervisor McDonough
agreed.
Ken Oldehoff reminded everyone that the Rosendale Farmer’s Market will begin their winter season on Sunday, December 7th in the Community Center and will continue through April; he said they have between 6r and 8 vendors that will be participating. He encouraged everyone to buy local and support the local farmers and growers, some things are even locally grown in winter.
Glenn Debrosky asked
that a change be made to the Town Dog Ordinance that would make owners
responsible for picking up the “poop” after their dogs defecate on
public or private property. He
stated that he has between 10 and 12 people per day allowing their dogs
to use his property without cleaning up; this is also true along the
roadway (Mossy Brook Road) and it creates a mess. Supervisor
McDonough thought the current Ordinance addressed the issue but will
check it out; Mr. Debrosky said he was all through the Ordinance and
found nothing; Councilman Gallagher said that with the MS4 Storm water
Law areas close to the Rondout Creek are covered but areas that are not
in proximity are excluded. Mr.
Debrosky suggested that a fine of $150.00 per implemented as a
deterrent; Supervisor McDonough said that enforcement definitely needs
to take place.
APPOINTMENTS: Supervisor
McDonough asked for a motion to appoint Bill McGahan to the Assessment
Board of Review; the term expires on September 30th and is always late being acted upon.
A motion was made by
Councilman Cluen to re-appoint Bill McGahan to a five year term on the
Assessment Board of Review; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 4 Yes, 1 Excused.
Supervisor McDonough
announced that Bryant Arms was the choice for appointment as part-time
Code Enforcement Officer; he is currently employed full time by the Town
of Marbletown but will become part-time there and part-time here; he has all the required training.
A motion was made by
Councilman Gallagher to appoint Bryant Arms as part-time Code
Enforcement Officer at $12.25 per hour; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote:
4 Yes, 1 Excused.
Councilwoman Greene
requested that in the future when major positions are being filled that
the recommended applicant be encouraged to attend a Town Board so Board
members can meet them and become acquainted; Supervisor McDonough
thought it was a good idea.
1). RESOLUTION 12-2008-#1 Declaring Review of Route 32 Corridor Study a Type II Action. Prior
to opening the Public Hearing Supervisor McDonough read the proposed
resolution which declares that under SEQRA there would be no significant
or adverse environmental impact?
A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to adopt the resolution; seconded by Councilman Gallagher. Roll Vote:
Councilman Cluen Yes
Councilman Gallagher Yes
Councilwoman Greene Yes
Councilman Minissali Excused
Supervisor McDonough Yes
2). PUBLIC HEARING: The
public hearing was opened with the reading of the Public Hearing Notice
by the Town Clerk to consider whether to accept the proposed Route 32
Corridor Study. Supervisor McDonough stated that these guidelines would be used as an addendum to the Comprehensive Plan. The
Environmental Commission has already reviewed the document and made
recommendations; the ZRC is already studying the study and copies will
be forwarded to the Rosendale Planning Board and the Ulster County
Planning Board. Super visor McDonough stated that the study will probably not be adopted until January.
Dennis Kaye stated that
the mission of the Economic Development Committee was to find a more
organized plan for businesses to follow so they know what they have to
do and what is expected from them when they want to build or renovate so
they can move forward in an organized and expedient manner. Supervisor McDonough said that businesses along the Route 32 Corridor are being encouraged to mirror the appearance of Main Street; the Planning Board has already been making suggestions about appearances to the applicants.
Jack Snyder asked who
will enforce these guidelines once they are in place; Supervisor
McDonough stated that it would be up to Code Enforcement. Mr.
Snyder said that there is a tanker truck parked next to a residence at
the Sunoco Station on Rte. 32 which he is sure is not legal; Randi Morf of the Planning Board stated that this matter would be addressed at their meeting tomorrow night (12/4/08).
Betsy Tuel stated that she would like to see maintenance of landscaping included in the guidelines.
Jennifer Metzger gave
an overview of the recommendations/comments that the Environmental
Commission made (written comments) which are submitted as an
accompaniment to the Study document. Ms.
Metzger said that their comments and recommendations were primarily
environmental and were drawn from the DEC “Better Site Design” guide. She
stated that the draft guidelines are for large scale development and
the Comprehensive Plan is specific to small scale development; the
guidelines should be appropriate to the Plan. Supervisor
McDonough said that the comments largely addressed “run-off”; Ms.
Metzger said that they tried to give developers a menu of options.
Dennis Kaye stated that
many items are guidelines but some are mandates as to how the Town
wants to go forward but with flexibility; Route 32 is a lot of hodge-podge, it is hoped that this will slowly change the appearance of Town and draw in businesses.
Supervisor McDonough noted that we will bring in sidewalks after completion of the bridge.
Jack
Snyder also stated that some areas of Town are like driving into
canyons; drop-off between the highway pavement and the parking lot
surfaces is very dangerous. Supervisor McDonough said that he heard unofficially that this would be addressed after the bridge project is completed.
Councilwoman Greene
asked about a procedural question about adding significant changes to
the Study, would be have to have another public hearing;
………………………………………………………………..
A motion was made by
Councilman Cluen that the Environmental Commission’s recommendations be
added to the Draft Study; seconded by Councilwoman Greene.
Betsy Tuel asked that
the Town Board formally make the recommendations as an amendment to the
Comprehensive Plan; Supervisor McDonough said that this will serve the
same purpose as an amendment.
Councilwoman Greene
asked to have Peter Fairweather integrate the recommendations into the
draft so there would be no need to cross reference.
Jack Snyder asked what encompasses the “business district”; the Board responded that it runs from Bloomington past Bill’s Auto to the top of the hill in Tillson.
Roll Vote: Councilman Cluen Yes Commends RCCE for a great
job
Councilman Gallagher Yes
Councilwoman Greene Yes
Councilman Minissali Excused
Supervisor McDonough Yes
A motion was made by
Supervisor McDonough to distribute the Draft Study document to the
Ulster County Planning Board and the Rosendale Planning Board for review
and comment; seconded by Councilman Gallagher. Roll Vote: 4 Yeses, 1 Excused.
A motion was made at
8:20 pm by Supervisor McDonough to hold open the public hearing for
written comments until the January 7, 2009 Town Board meeting; seconded
by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 4 Yeses, 1 Excused.
3). DISCUSSION: ZRC (Zoning Review Committee) has requested a one (1) month extension for delivering their Progress Report until January. Councilwoman
Greene said they have been very busy working of the RFP’s (they had a
lot of good responses); the review may take longer than planned
(possibly two (2) budget cycles) because they under budgeted for
consultant fees. Supervisor
McDonough said that Gary Jacobson, Chair, wants to get down from the
ten (10) responses to about four(4) for interviews; money is the big
issue.
A motion was made by
Supervisor McDonough to give an extension until January for the Progress
Report; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 4 Yeses*, 1 Excused.
*Councilman Gallagher
qualified that he was voting “yes” but not to have this drag on like the
Comprehensive Plan Committee did; have the ZRC do more work without a
planner and be done in eighteen (18) months maximum.
4). RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LEASE: A resolution will be presented next week regarding renewing the lease for office space at 339 Main Street. A
short discussion followed, related to some issues in the lease were
aired; rent would go to $845.00 per month, request for a two (2) year
lease; electrical problems and handicapped ramp were among topics. Supervisor McDonough said that he would be meeting with Bill Pape (owner) on Friday to discuss the lease.
5). RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRAVEL ALLOWANCE: A
resolution will be presented next week authorizing travel allowances to
attendees at the 2009 Association of Towns Conference and Schools in
New York City, February 15-18, 2009.
6). RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BUS TRAVEL: A
resolution will be presented next week authorizing bus transportation
to the Association of Towns Conference and Schools in New York City,
February 15-18, 2009.
7). RESOLUTION APPOINTING OFFICIAL DELEGATES: A resolution will be presented next week naming the official delegates to the Annual Association of Towns Conference in New York City, February 15-18, 2009.
8). RESOLUTION TO AMEND RECREATION FEES: A resolution will be made next week to adopt a new fee schedule for the use of the Rosendale Community Center.
9). RSOLUTION FOR BUDGETARY TRANSFERS: A resolution will be presented next week to authorize budgetary transfers.
10). RESOLUTION 12-2008-#2 Support for Rail Trail Study Grant. The
resolution is necessary for the Center for Symbolic Study, which wishes
to work with Ulster County, local land use organizations, current owner
and adjacent land owners along with the Town of Rosendale for a grant
in the amount of $200,000 to study the feasibility of improving,
maintaining the Wallkill Valley Railroad rail bed as rail trail. Supervisor McDonough stated that there is no financial responsibility on the part of the Town.
Ken Hassett asked about
accountability for the money; it appears the participants in the grant
request are a closed loop of friends and acquaintances so there should
be stringent over site and accountability.
A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to adopt the resolution; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote:
Councilman Cluen Yes
Councilman Gallagher Yes
Councilwoman Greene Yes
Councilman Minissali Excused
Supervisor McDonough Yes
Billy Liggan thanked
the Town Board for “putting up with yet another Pickle Festival”; this
year’s attendance is believed to have been close to 6,800 which they
considered quite an increase from last year.
Councilwoman Greene
stated that the Town needs to go after “grants”; we should try to find a
grant writer who would be willing to work on a commission basis. She feels we have to get into the competition for the grant dollars. Supervisor
McDonough stated that he has been approached by several people about
doing grant writing; he doesn’t know if they are willing to work for
commission only. Ed Maestro
said that the Environmental Commission could do much more at no
increased cost to the Town if a commission based grant writer could be
found (it’s not to likely).
AUDIT OF BILLS:
GENERAL FUND VOUCHER’S #1147-1189 TOTALING $26,874.09
HIGHWAY FUND “ # 265-283 “ $11,688.40
SEWER FUND “ # 186-194 “ $ 454.48
WATER FUND “ # 178-187 “ $ 705.82
A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to pay the vouchers; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 4 Yeses, 1 Excused.
A motion was made at 9:15 pm to adjourn by Councilman Gallagher; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 4 Yeses, 1 Excused.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan S. Jordan
Town Clerk
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