TOWN OF ROSENDALE

TOWN BOARD MEETING

FEBRUARY 11, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Supervisor McDonough at the Rosendale Community Center with the Pledge to the Flag.

            PRESENT:       Councilman Kenneth Cluen

                                    Councilman Robert Gallagher

                                    Councilwoman Mann Jo Greene (arrived 7:42pm)

                                    Supervisor Patrick McDonough

            ABSENT:        Councilman Richard Minissali

ALSO PRESENT:       Dave Massimi, Code Enforcement Officer; and about 15 residents.

PETITIONS & PUBLIC COMMENTS:  Mark Morganstern asked to speak about signs and the Town Code.  Mark and a neighbor are in a dispute about signs; Supervisor McDonough advised that this matter is better brought before the Zoning Board of Appeals; but beware there is a deadline for filing an appeal to the decision handed down by the Building Inspector.  Supervisor McDonough said he has spoken with an attorney and that our Code is lacking and needs some action but it is not on top of the list.

Tim Morrison suggested to the Town Board the Kingston Consolidated School Board about the Tillson School.  The School Board decided that re-opening the Tillson School was not feasible and it can only be used for residential purposes not any commercial use.

Tim stated that there are about 12,000 square feet of auditorium and plenty of room for all Town departments under one roof with adequate parking; the time might be right to make them an offer to take it off their hands; if we can get it for a couple of dollars then the cost of renovation would not be such a cost problem; we could re-figure all the costs we did two years ago.  Paul Costa asked if the Town has the money; Jack Snyder said that the cost would be too much unless they give it to us; Paul said that perhaps a 99 year lease for $1.00.  Both Tim Morrison and Paul Costa said that it could be a “sweetheart deal” if the price is right (free or $1.00).

Supervisor McDonough said that he wanted to mention the HRVR Escrow since it has been in the new so much lately; we are close to an agreement on $47,000.00 in fees of which $6,000 to $7,000 are probably not billable back to the applicant; these are things that the Town must do with “due diligence”.

MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETINGS:  A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to accept the previous minutes; seconded by Councilman Cluen.  Roll Vote: 4 Yes, 1 Excused.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Councilman Gallagher reported there were no minutes from the Recreation Commission; Highway Dept. we will be passing a resolution later to purchase snow plow packages.

Supervisor McDonough wanted to thank Terry Johnson and crew for a great effort last Thursday in handling the water main break in the sub-zero weather; all boil water advisories have been lifted.  Paul Cost (Ulster County Sheriff’s Office) also wanted to extend kudos to Terry Johnson related to the water incident in High Falls today.  Jack Snyder also wanted to thank Spinnenweber for precisely cutting all the pipe for Thursday’s break Jack Snyder feel that it all goes back several months to the heavy trucks using the Keator Avenue Bridge; Supervisor McDonough said that this bridge was only marginally better than the Route 32 Bridge; Paul Costa said that the Town should push for an inspection to check the Keator Avenue Bridge’s integrity.  Supervisor McDonough also wanted to acknowledge that Acting Police Chief Andy Buboltz left his job at Ulster County to direct traffic when we had no other officers.

Councilman Cluen reported that the Youth office had fewer visits this January than last year for the first time; on March 7^th at 10:00 am registrations will begin for all youth summer activities, swim team, swim lessons, summer camp and tee ball.  Summer camp will remain free of charge to Town residents, however, after camp cost and tee ball fees will increase to $30.00 (a $5.00 increase).  Mr. Cluen reported that the Transfer Station is doing fine; the Police Commission is trying to experiment a change in shift scheduling; the Environmental Commission is looking for closet space and to receive and review the Scoping Document from DEC Region 3.

Councilwoman Greene stated that she missed the Planning Board meeting but said that C.T. Male looked at the Route 32 Corridor Plan and their comments were passed on to Dennis Kaye.  Ms Greene reminded the Town Board that the Planning Board was promised to have the projector mounted; the ZRC did meet and set their priorities, they will break into subcommittees (they have 10 major priorities), they also asked that the Town Board hold off on the consultant but go forward with the resolution for the Greenway Grant.  Ms. Greene questioned the Community Center fee schedule; in particular the charge of $12.00 per 2 hours for non-profits (a particular non-profit wants to use the Center on a Sunday for 6 hours at a fee of $120.00, this would be a normal fee for a weekend rental of the building), Supervisor McDonough advised her to speak to the Recreation Commission.  Ken Hassett asked about the fees for weddings; Supervisor McDonough responded that all fees were approved with the exception of weddings, the Recreation Commission will have to revisit whether or not they should have weddings and if so what is the appropriate fee schedule.

Jack Snyder asked Ms. Greene if she has found any information about “friable asbestos” disposal; she responded that she is still working on it and hopes that UCRRA will consider taking small amounts from individuals instead of those individuals having to pay $500.00 for the disposal.

CORRESPONDENCE:  Supervisor McDonough stated that the correspondence is on file at Town Hall.

SUPERVISORS FINANCIAL REPORT:  Supervisor McDonough read the end balances for January 2009; the report is on file with the Town Clerk.

APPOINTMENTS:  Supervisor McDonough announced that Jennifer Metzger and Nava Taback had requested that their roles on the ZRC be switched; Jennifer would become the Member and Nava would become the Alternate.

A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough that Jennifer Metzger be appointed as a Member of the ZRC and Nava Taback be appointed as an Alternate to the ZRC as representatives of the Environmental Commission; seconded by Councilwoman Greene.  Roll Vote:  4 Yes, 1 Excused.

Supervisor McDonough advised the Board that Judge Vosper has made the recommendation that Dana Blackmon be appointed as Special Prosecutor to replace Bea Havranek;  Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright  supports the appointment.

A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to appoint Dana Blackmon as Special Prosecutor to the Rosendale Justice Court; seconded by Councilman Gallagher.  Roll Vote:  4 Yes, 1 Excused.

1). BOARD ANDCOMMISSION APPOINTMENTS:

Youth Commission (2 year terms): Marlene Adelstein (incumbent), Kelly O’Brien (incumbent) Kyle Corella, Carter Mardiney, Matt Terpening as Chair.

 Police Commission (1 year term): Ray Lukas (incumbent), Anthony Stenta (incumbent), Patrick McDonough, Chair.

Water & Sewer Commission (5, 4 & 2 year terms, 3 openings): Ernie Kelder (incumbent, 2 yr. term), Andrew Pharmer (5 yr. term), Jack Snyder, Chair.

Economic Development Commission (5 year term): Dennis Kaye (incumbent), Dennis Kaye, Chair.

Zoning Board of Appeals (5 year term): David Soman (incumbent), Bob Hendrickson, Chair.

Recreation Commission (7 year term): Amy Poux, Diane Bedell, Chair.

A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to appoint the afore listed people to the Commissions and Committees named; seconded by Councilman Cluen.  Roll Vote:  4 Yes, 1 Excused.

2).  RESOLUTION 2-2009-#3 Announcing a Public Hearing to Regulate the Operation and Installation of Hydronic Heaters and Other Heating Appliances.  The public hearing will be scheduled for March 4, 2009 at 7:30 pm at the Rosendale Community Center to hear public comment on the proposed Local Law #2 of 2009.

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                Excused

                        Supervisor McDonough            Yes

Supervisor McDonough “thanked” Paul Costa and Jennifer Metzger for their co-operative assistance in drafting the proposed Local Law; Supervisor McDonough also announced that copies of the proposed Local Law will be available at the Rosendale Library and on the Town website in addition to Town Hall.  Paul Costa asked if he could meet with the Supervisor prior to the public hearing to review one part of the draft law that seems to be contradictory; they will meet tomorrow morning; Supervisor will put foot notes on changes.

3).  RESOLUTION –TABLED: Adopting the Route 32 Corridor Guidelines and Standards as an Authorized Planning Document.  A short discussion took place and agreement was that more time should be allotted for review and comment of the document.

A motion was mad by Supervisor McDonough to table the resolution; seconded by Councilman Gallagher.  Roll Vote:  4 Yes, 1 Excused.

4).  RESOLUTION 2-2009-#4 Purchase of Plow Packages for Two Town Trucks.  The resolution allows the purchase of plow packages for a Highway 2009 Ford F350 truck and a 2009 Ford F250 for the Transfer Station at a cost of $3,940.00 each from the Albany Avenue Garage in Kingston, NY.

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

5).  RESOLUTION 2-2009-#5 Authorizing Grant Application to the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Grant Program.  The resolution resolves to submit an application to the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Grant Program requesting $10,000.00 to assist in financing the ZRC review and revision process.

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                Excused

                        Supervisor McDonough            Yes

Councilwoman Greene noted that she felt the volunteer time in the application was grossly under-estimated and noted that David Gilmour assisted with drafting the grant application.                     

Jack Snyder asked about the safety of Rosendale citizens related to the condition of sidewalks from lack of snow and ice removal; he cited Main Street properties that have not been done forcing people to walk in the street.  Supervisor McDonough referred Mr. Snyder to the Code Enforcement Office to see what can and has been done but he noted that this has been an extremely bad winter.  Dave Massimi, Code Enforcement Officer, was present and responded that we follow NYS Property Maintenance Regulations and that he sent out six (6) letters today to property owners that have not complied with clearing their walks.  A short discussion followed about other areas of Town both with and without sidewalks and what should be done.

Paul Costa stated that since the change in administration at the Police Department there is a better attitude and higher moral among the officers.

Kevin Hines and Ken Hassett questioned the removal of the Fire Marshall funding line from the 2009 budget and whether there was adequate coverage of that position.  Supervisor McDonough explained that the position in under the Building Inspector, there is full coverage and funding for forty (40) hours per week (2 positions each for 20 hours). A heated discussion followed and Supervisor McDonough closed the comment segment of the meeting. 

AUDIT OF BILLS:

            GENERAL FUND VOUCHER’S #130-188 TOTALING $23,968.54

            HIGHWAY FUND         “             #   29-40           “           $25,316.35

            SEWER FUND               “             #   15-26           “           $  2,063.33

            WATER FUND              “             #   14-22           “           $   6,311.76

            STREET LIGHT             “            #      4-6            “           $    2,252.91

A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to pay the vouchers; seconded by Councilwoman Greene.  Roll Vote:  4 Yes, 1 Excused.

A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to adjourn at 8:56 pm; seconded by Councilman Cluen.  Roll Vote:  4 Yes, 1 Excused.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Joan S. Jordan

                                                                                    Town Clerk