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TOWN OF ROSENDALE
TOWN BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING\
APRIL 1, 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 Manna Jo Greene
Councilman Richard Minissali (video conference & physical presence)
Supervisor Patrick McDonough
ALSO PRESENT: Andy Buboltz, Acting Police Chief; Lynn Waddell, PBA President; Joe Havranek, Planning Board; Joe Manner, Jr. and about three other residents.
PUBLIC INPUT: There was no public input.
RESIGNATIONS: Supervisor
McDonough announced the resignation of Tim Morrison from the Kingston
Area Public Access Cable Commission; a lot of problems have lead to Tim
walking away. Councilman Minissali commented on the amount of time and work that Tim put into serving on the Commission.
A motion was made by
Councilman Minissali to accept the resignation of Tim Morrison from the
Kingston Area Public Access Cable Commission; seconded by Councilman
Gallagher with regrets. Roll Vote: 5 Yes. (Councilman Minissali voted by teleconference).
APPOINTMENT: Supervisor
McDonough stated that Judge Vosper has requested a sub-stitute clerk in
the absence of the clerk or deputy clerk; she will probably only work
less than ten times during the year and would be paid by voucher at a
per diem rate of ten dollars ($10.00) per hour.
A motion was made by
Councilwoman Greene to appoint Danielle Bradfield as a substitute clerk
for the Court; seconded by Councilman Gallagher. Roll Vote: 5 Yes.
1). UC MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN: Joe Havranek
commented on the plan before the Ulster County Legislature for
adoption; Rosendale is one of six Towns whose plan has been accepted. We can tap into FEMA funds; our main concern is flooding. The mitigation plan contains sources of funding (grants) by event type. Joe stated that the County has not yet adopted the plan so we should be sure before adopting that it is the final document. Supervisor
McDonough stated that he will check to be sure that it is the final
document; he further noted that the plan did not cost the Town a dime;
County did all the work which was over one year in process. Supervisor McDonough thanked Joe for all his tireless work and time he devoted to the project.
Councilman Minissali
asked if Joe was the only one attending; Supervisor responded that he
attended some sessions along with other legislators; Councilman
Minissali thanked Joe for his service and asked Joe if he had any
reservations to adopting the plan. Joe responded that he “had no reservations. Supervisor
McDonough said that the County and Town will adopt the plan
simultaneously. Councilwoman Greene asked if the plan addressed climate
change”; Joe responded that it did not address “climate change” per se
but all natural sources based on past history. A resolution for adoption will be presented next week.
Councilman Minissali signed off the video-conference at 7:45 pm to come to the Community Center.
3). DISCUSSION: Hiring Training Recruit at Police Department. Supervisor
McDonough stated that the Police Commission has already discussed
sponsoring a police academy cadet and are “favorable” to the idea. Rosendale
previously sponsored cadets for the 250 hours but in the recent past
have been unable to do so because of the cost; the 250 hours would be
paid at minimum wage, roughly $1,144.00 plus Medicare and workers
compensation; there would be no commitment of retention beyond the 250
hours. The cadets need to be sponsored by a certified police unit in order to complete their course. Andy Buboltz, Acting Police Chief, stated that the Police Dept. has money in their budget to cover the cost. Supervisor
McDonough said that both he and the Police Commission agree that it is a
worthy program; if the Town agrees to sponsor and hire it should be
part of the Police contract
Councilman Minissali arrived at 7:50 pm.
Councilman Gallagher
asked for a written opinion from our labor attorney and a waiver from
the PBA before he’ll agree to sponsor; it’s a good program but our
contract caused it to go away; the Town owed a lot of money due to
having free service then we were back-billed for $22,000.00 back wages. Supervisor
McDonough said he would not mind having a discussion with attorney;
it’s a good opportunity for the Town and the cadet.
Councilwoman Greene
said she was glad that it was being considered as “minimum wage” not
free; she hoped that it would be done with Rosendale residents.
Acting Chief Buboltz stated that the Sheriff’s class starts May 11th
so a decision will need to be made soon; this is the second part of the
training and the cadet cannot graduate until he completes this portion
of the training. Supervisor McDonough stated that he will have a decision by next week. Joe Havranek said that we should mediate with the union that we could hire as a part-time on a preferred list. It
was noted that after certification if they don’t work within two (2)
years they must attend a modified academy and if not working within five
(5) years they must go through the entire academy.
2). DISCUSSION: COPS GRANT: Acting Chief Andy Buboltz stated that the application process opened on March 20th
and must be filed by April ; it is for 100% funding for three (3) years
plus one (1) year retainment; $56,500.00 full reimbursement (including
FICA, Medicare); Supervisor McDonough responded that “it makes sense”.
Further discussion took
place on various issues related to “filling a position from attrition”
and hiring obligations if the grant comes through; Councilwoman Greene
asked that we check into what our obligation would be if the police
department were to be dissolved (would we have any legal liability to
repay or etc.). Supervisor McDonough stated that he will get legal
opinions and also on “lag time” for reimbursement on the grant.
Supervisor McDonough
commended Acting Chief Buboltz for the cost savings he has made; in
appropriation code A3120.1 the cost for March 2008 was $75,000.00 and
for March 2009 the cost was $60,000.00; Supervisor McDonough stated that
over-site and management really makes a difference.
A motion was made by
Councilman Cluen to enable Acting Chief Andy Buboltz to apply for the
COPS Grant; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 4 Yes 1 No (Councilman Gallagher).
4). SERVICE AGREEMENT: A
resolution will be presented next week to authorize a three (3) year
agreement with Cornerstone Telephone Services. We
have been dealing with Cornerstone and save a great deal on telephone
billing by contracting with Cornerstone over AT&T or Verizon.
5). ANNOUNCING A PUBLIC HEARING: A
resolution will be presented next week to set a public hearing to
“Revise Town Code to Update Professional Review Expense Reimbursement
and Escrow Provisions”. This
is a rescheduling of a public hearing that did not take place tonight
because notice did not get published by the Supervisor.
6). RFP VENDING
MACHINES: A resolution will be presented next week to accept a proposal
for vending machine services at the Rosendale Recreation Center; a
decision to award the services to Coffee Systems of Rifton, NY.
7). EXECUTE ESCROW AGREEMENT: A
resolution will be presented next week to authorize execution of an
escrow agreement between the Town of Rosendale and HRVR,LLC to set up an
escrow fund.
Supervisor McDonough
stated that HRVR is agreeing to provide $6,000.00 more in escrow funds
to the Town; C.T. Male will reduce its billable fees by $4,000.00 and
the remainder will be the responsibility of the Town (some fees are not
billable to clients for work that the Town must do). A short discussion followed.
Councilwoman Greene
stated that while the ZRC is reviewing the Code and Comprehensive Plan
we should look at hotels and resorts within the Code.
8). AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES: A
resolution will be presented next week to authorize execution of an
agreement between the Town of Rosendale and Gilmour Associates for
consulting with the ZRC. Supervisor McDonough requested that Board members review the proposed contract.
9). DISCUSSION: PROPOSALS FOR POOL REPAIRS: Supervisor
McDonough stated that “no one is happy to do work over previous work”
but something has to be done for the pool to open; we received three (3)
proposals ranging from over $100,000.00 (complete refurbishing) down to
$6,300.00 (paint and patch); the Recreation Commission seems to be
leaning toward the paint and patch again this year. We have had no response from Dom Divesti to date about following up on any of his previous work. A short discussion followed after which Supervisor McDonough said he would check with Ulster County to see about shared services (possibly share use and cost of our Town pool).
10). DISCUSSION: RFP’S CONCESSION STAND: Supervisor
McDonough announced that no RFP’s had been received to operate the
concession stand at the pool; he said that he would contact Tommy Hayes
and Market Market again to see if either of them have any interest in
operating the stand.
11). DISCUSSION: NYS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION: The
NYS Public Services Commission is seeking comments on the proposed rate
increase requested by Central Hudson; a comment period is open for
written comments until May 1st. Due
to the fact this is at the latter part of the agenda and so many people
have left, Supervisor McDonough said that he will address it again next
week during public input. It is rare that the Public Service Commission offers so much time for comments. A public notice and information sheet is available at Town Hall.
12). EXECUTIVE SESSION: To discuss the hiring and firing of a particular person.
A motion was made to
enter Executive Session to discuss the hiring and firing of a particular
person at 8:55 pm by Councilwoman Greene; seconded by Councilman Cluen. Roll Vote: 5 Yes.
Out of Executive Session at 9:05 pm, no decisions made.
Councilman Minissali departed at 9:05 pm prior to the Audit of Bills.
AUDIT OF BILLS:
GENERAL FUND VOUCHER’S #259-307 TOTALING $23,686.25
HIGHWAY FUND “ # 60-79 “ $12,083.49
SEWER FUND “ # 45-47 “ $ 2,691.17
WATER FUND “ # 41-46 “ $ 4,582.61
A motion was made by Councilwoman Greene to pay the bills; seconded by Councilman Cluen. Roll Vote: 4 Yes.
A motion was made to adjourn at 9:20 pm by Councilman Gallagher; seconded by Councilwoman Greene. Roll Vote: 4 Yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan S. Jordan
Town Clerk
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