Special Town Board Meeting with Wastewater Treatment Operator January 26, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. held at the Town Hall in Schroon Lake N.Y.
Present:
Town Supervisor: Cathy Moses
Councilpersons: Roger Friedman, Clara Phibbs and Mark Whitney
Town Clerk: Patricia Savarie
Wastewater Treatment Operator: Jim Roblee
Also Present: See attached
When the meeting was called to order, Jim Roblee informed the Board that they need to do something about the sewer line that runs from Yellow Coach Motel to the Town Store (500’) the worst being from the Chamber of Commerce to the Town Store (320’). Jim stated that we have two options we can repair the old sewer line or put all new in. The Pump Station should also be repaired or put a new one in, as parts are getting very hard to get. The total for a new sewer line, pump station and re-grouting would be $312,000.00. Supervisor Moses stated that she had contacted Vic Putman from Essex County IDA and he is working on a proposed NYS Governor’s Office for Community Renewal economic development grant on behalf of the Town of Schroon for the rehabilitation/construction of a new sewer line along Rogers Brook. The application for funding will involve the impact of municipal sewer to existing properties along the proposed project and the impact to businesses if the proposed project is not funded by a grant and paid for by district user’s fees. Supervisor Moses stated that the local businesses would have to show around $125,000.00 worth of improvements to their businesses to qualify for the Grant. The Board stated that they would get back to Jim soon and check with the local businesses to see if they can come up with that many improvements done to the businesses in the past 18 months. Jim also stated that he would like the Board’s approval to purchase a retro- fix sand filter for $9000.00 which had been budgeted for this year. The Board stated that Supervisor Moses could go ahead as a Board Directive for the purchase of the sand filter.
Councilman Whitney moved to adjourn at 6:55 P.M., seconded by Councilman Friedman; carried.
Town Board Meeting January 26, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. held at the Town Hall in Schroon Lake N.Y.
Present:
Town Supervisor: Cathy Moses
Councilpersons: Roger Friedman, Clara Phibbs and Mark Whitney
Town Clerk: Patricia Savarie
Highway Superintendent: Dana Shaughnessy
Also Present: See attached
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 P.M. with the Pledge to the Flag.
Supervisor Moses introduced Rod Boula from the Elizabethtown Hospital to give his annual report on how the new construction is coming along. Rod stated that the new construction was coming along as scheduled and that they were right on target and under budget on the construction so far. The new Emergency Room was opened in August and that they were getting more patients using it than before. Phase III would be completed towards the end of February which would be the Radiology Facility and the new Pharmacy. Phase IV would be ready towards the end of May which will be the Physical Therapy Unit and new Health Center. Rod stated they are looking into shared services throughout the County. They currently have 25 beds with 90% occupancy.
Resolution #60 Hold Public Hearing for New Veterans Exemption
The Town of Schroon Assessor, Richard Schoenstadt, informed the board of a new exemption that is available for veterans called the “Cold War Veterans Exemption”. The exemption is available to all service members who served between 1945 and the present, who were honorably discharged and who are currently entitled to a veteran’s exemption. This exemption is known as a local option exemption. A Public Hearing is required to enact this exemption. Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to hold a Public Hearing Monday, February 23,2009 at 6:00 P.M. at the Town Hall in Schroon Lake, N.Y., seconded by Councilman Friedman; carried.
Resolution #61 Restore Chips Funding
Councilwoman Phibbs moved a resolution to have the State of New York restore the Chips Fund, seconded unanimously ; carried.
Resolution #62 Hire Jim Graves and Mike Marnell
Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to hire James Graves and Michael Marnell for employment at the Highway Garage, only as needed, at the HEO rate of $13.33 an hour seconded by Councilman Friedman; carried.
Resolution #63 Approval of Minutes
Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to accept the December 29, 2008 minutes, seconded by Councilwoman Phibbs; carried.
Councilwoman Phibbs moved a resolution to accept the January 5, 2009 minutes, seconded by Councilman Friedman; carried.
Resolution #64 Audit of Claim
Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to accept the bills to be paid as reviewed, seconded by Councilman Friedman; carried.
General $71,560.69 Highway $47,287.22 Airport Project $10,631.98
Sewer $6,378.52 Water $4,081.75 Wastewater Project $9,061.58
Resolution #65 Sewer Rate for 2009
Councilwoman Phibbs moved a resolution to raise the Sewer Rate from $147.50 per unit to $166.00 per unit, seconded by Supervisor Moses with regrets; carried.
Resolution #66 Recognizing Fire/ Ambulance Company Members
Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to recognize Don Whitty on his 35 years of service to the Schroon Lake Fire Company and Ambulance Squad, Ann Vererka as Squad Member of the Year and Peter Gushee for his long term dedicated leadership, seconded unanimously; carried.
Resolution #67 Ed Haroff Auctioneer
The following resolution was
moved by: Councilman Friedman
*WHEREAS*, Edward T. Haroff auctions items for the Town of Schroon from
time to time in his capacity as Auctioneer for Haroff Auctions & Realty, Schroon
Lake, NY and
*WHEREAS* Mr. Haroff has
recently been elected as a Town Councilman for the Town of Schroon, and has
offered to donate the “buyer's premium” (that he generally receives when
auctioning an item) to the town as additional revenue for the taxpayers,
*NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED* that the Town Board of the Town of
Schroon does hereby accept Mr. Haroff's generous offer for as long as he remains
on the Town Council. This motion was seconded by: Councilman Whitney; carried.
Resolution #68 Youth Commission Appointments
Councilwoman Phibbs moved a resolution to accept the Youth Commission Appointments as follows:
YOUTH COMMISSION (Five Year Term)
Myriam Friedman – Chairman 12-31-10
David Peterson 12-31-12
Rose Behrens 12-31-11
Peter Veverka 12-31-12
Tina Armstrong 12-31-09
Patricia Savarie 12-31-11
Donna Secor 12-31-11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town of Schroon approved the 2009 application and authorizes the Youth Commission to expend up to $37,000.00 for the 2009 Youth Service Programs, seconded by Councilman Whitney; carried.
Consideration of bill for Paradox Lake Milfoil Removal
Councilman Friedman moved to table the bill for the Paradox Lake Milfoil until the Board can see what the Paradox Association has raised towards the Milfoil removal.
Resolution #69 Budget Amendment and Transfers
Councilman Friedman moved a resolution to accept the Budget Amendments and Transfers, seconded by Councilwoman Phibbs; carried.
Appropriated Fund Balance A00-599 $43500.00
Appropriations A00-960 $43500.00
To amend budget for the cost of the backhoe and fireworks. Money to be received from the Essex County DWI program to cover cost of the fireworks.
Appropriated Fund Balance DA599 $41000.00
Appropriations DA960 $41000.00
To amend budget for additional expenditures in snow removal and general repairs.
Appropriated Fund Balance SW-599 $3500.00
Appropriations SW-960 $3500.00
To amend budget for additional cost in Power and Source.
Resolution #70 Wastewater Project Amendment
Councilman Friedman moved a resolution to authorize Supervisor Moses to sign the Budget amendment to the Wastewater Project, seconded by Councilwoman Phibbs; carried.
Resolution #71 Snow and Ice Contract
Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to accept the Snow and Ice Contract from Essex County, seconded by Councilwoman Phibbs; carried.
Resolution #72 Agreement for Maintenance of County Roads
Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to accept the Maintenance of County Roads Contract from Essex County, seconded by Councilman Friedman; carried.
Resolution #73 Elected Officials Hours
The following resolution was moved by Councilwoman Phibbs
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Schroon be and hereby establishes the following as a standard workday for elected officials for the purpose of determining days worked reportable to the New York State and Local Retirement System:
ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS
Supervisor
Councilpersons
Town Clerk/ Tax Collector
Superintendent of Highways
Judge
Assessors
Five day work week, six hour day; and
Dated: January 26, 2009
I Patricia Savarie, Town Clerk of the Town Board of the Town of Schroon of the State of New York, certify that the full Town Board consists of 5 members, and that 5 of such members were present at such meeting and that 5 members voted on the above resolution.
Seconded by Councilman Whitney
Vote as followed: Cathy Moses aye
Roger Friedman aye
Ed Haroff aye
Clara Phibbs aye
Mark Whitney aye
Resolution #74 Date for Meeting with Fire Company
Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to meet with the Fire Company to resolve issues with stones in the waterline. The date of the meeting will be January 29, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. at the Town Hall in Schroon Lake, seconded by Councilman Friedman; carried.
Resolution #75 Consider Water/Sewer Unit Reduction
Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to have Don Sage, the Town of Schroon Building and Codes Officer, look to see how many bathrooms there are in the Red Horse Antique building and to get back to the Board with a decision, seconded by Councilman Friedman; carried.
Resolution #76 Town of Schroon Building and Codes Dept. Minutes
Councilman Whitney moved to take the Building and Code Dept. minutes off the table, seconded by Councilwoman Phibbs; carried. Councilman Friedman moved a resolution to accept the Town of Schroon Building and Code Departments minutes, seconded by Councilman Whitney; carried.
Resolution #77 Golf Course Report
Councilman Whitney moved a resolution to accept the Golf Course Report, seconded by Councilman Friedman; carried.
Board Comments
Councilman Whitney stated that the Cable Committee would meet February 9, 2009 to discuss broadband, internet connection and the new channels.
Councilman Friedman stated that he had submitted a Grant to the Laura Jane Musser Fund requesting $20,000.00 for the Affordable Housing Initiative but the project was not chosen for funding. Councilman Friedman stated that the Youth Commission Ski Program held at the Ski Tow on February 8th was a great success.
Public Participation
Harold Karaka asked the Board if they wanted him to order more carton of bulbs and that he needed to send back the old bulbs and dispose of them properly. Supervisor Moses stated that she would ask Don Sage to send them back and at this time Harold should not order any more.
Executive Session to discuss Revolving Loan Fund
Councilman Whitney moved to go into Executive Session at 8:30 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Phibbs; carried. Councilman Friedman moved to come out of Executive Session at 8:35 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Phibbs; carried.
Councilman Whitney moved to adjourn at 8:36 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Phibbs; carried.
I, Patricia J. Savarie, do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct transcript from the minutes now on file in my office and of the whole such original minutes.
Dated: Feb 2, 2009
Patricia J. Savarie - Town Clerk