Approved
Regular Board Meeting
10/17/13
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM.
Supervisor Boisen led us in the Pledge to the Flag.
On roll call Board Members present were Councilman Wrisley, Councilwoman
LaPine, Councilman Garvey and Supervisor Boisen. Also present was Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk.
Attendees were Bradley French, Olive Alexander, Tina Gardner, Jeremy Doyle and Dianne Lansing.
Councilwomen LaPine asked for a moment of silence for Suzanne Mallett,
Margaret MacDougal and Darwin Clark.
The contract with Willsboro for the Youth Program was discussed.
Resolution #63 of 2013
Youth Program Contract for 2014
The following resolution was offered by Councilwoman LaPine, who moved its adoption.
Be it resolved the Town Board of Essex authorizes Supervisor Boisen to sign the contract with the Town of Willsboro for the Youth Program of 2014.
The resolution was duly seconded by Councilman Garvey and adopted.
Roll Call
Councilman Wrisley-yes
Councilwoman LaPine-yes
Councilman Garvey-yes
Supervisor Boisen-yes
Supervisor Boisen stated she had received two letters from Supervisor Hatch. One was about the EMS and the other was in regards to how Willsboro would charge Essex residents to use their tennis court and about Essex residents asking about Star. Supervisor Boisen will get copies to the Board of both letters.
The resignation of Pat Tivnan as Planning Board Chair was discussed.
Resolution 64 0f 2013
Accepting resignation of Pat Tivnan
The following resolution was offered by Supervisor Boisen who moved its adoption.
Be it resolved the Town Board of Essex hereby accepts the resignation of Pat Tivnan as Planning Board Chair effective 11/1/2013. We appreciate the dedication Pat has shown the Town of Essex and she will be missed.
The resolution was duly seconded by Councilman Garvey and adopted.
Roll call
Supervisor Boisen – yes
Councilman Wrisley – yes
Councilwoman LaPine – yes
Councilman Garvey – yes
Olive Alexander was recommended by Pat Tivnan to be Acting Chair of the Planning Board. The Board discussed this appointment.
Resolution 65 of 2013
Appointment of Olive Alexander as Acting Chair Planning Board
The following Resolution was offered by Supervisor Boisen who moved its adoption.
Be it resolved the Essex Town Board appoints Olive Alexander as Acting Chair of the Planning Board effective 11/1/2013 to fill the position left vacant by Pat Tivnan’s resignation.
The resolution was duly seconded by Councilwoman LaPine and was adopted.
Roll call
Supervisor Boisen – yes
Councilman Wrisley – yes
Councilwoman LaPine – yes
Councilman Garvey – yes
The issue of reducing the number of Planning Board members from 7 to 5 was discussed and there would be 2 alternates.
Resolution #66 0f 2013
Reduction of Planning Board members
The following resolution was offered by Councilman Wrisley, who moved its adoption.
Be it resolved the Town Board of Essex agrees to reduce the Planning Board members from 7 to 5 with 2 alternates.
This resolution was duly seconded by Councilwoman LaPine and was adopted.
Roll call
Councilwoman LaPine – yes
Councilman Wrisley – yes
Councilman Garvey – yes
Supervisor Boisen – yes
The minutes were discussed.
Motion to accept minutes of 7/18/2013 Regular Meeting was made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call
Councilman Wrisley-yes, Councilwomen LaPine-yes, Councilman Garvey-yes,
Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Motion to accept minutes of 8/6/2013 Public Information Meeting was made by Councilman Garvey. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call
Councilman Wrisley-yes, Councilwomen LaPine-yes, Councilman Garvey-yes,
Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Motion to accept minutes of 8/6/2013 Special Meeting was made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call Councilman Wrisley-yes, Councilwomen LaPine-yes, Councilman Garvey-yes, Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Motion to accept minutes of 8/8/2013 Public Information Meeting was made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman Garvey. Roll call Councilman Wrisley-yes, Councilwomen LaPine-abstained, Councilman Garvey-yes, Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Motion to accept minutes of 8/15/2013 Bill Pay Meeting was made by Councilman Garvey. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call Councilman Wrisley-yes, Councilwomen LaPine-yes, Councilman Garvey-yes, Supervisor Boisen-abstained.
The Zoning report for Aug., Sept., and Oct. was received this morning and was tabled until our next meeting.
Supervisor’s County Report:
Supervisor Boisen stated the horses are still in care of the County. Essex County agreed to contract with Crane Mountain Horse Rescue to adopt out the horses.
Supervisor Boisen did not support the contract. The horses cannot be sold as per County Finance Law. We have received donations of $5,555. A $15,000 grant has been applied for and another grant for $1500 to geld the stallions.
Councilman Garvey stated to Supervisor Boisen that he would like to see the scales at the County Landfill (Lewis) open on Saturdays. Currently they are only open 3 days a week until 2PM. He asked if she could look into this and see if the hours could be changed and if it could be open on Saturdays.
Water/Sewer Rents Report – the bills were sent out on 9/30/13.
Town Clerk Report was reviewed and a motion to accept was made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman Garvey. Roll call
Councilman Wrisley-yes, Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman Garvey-yes and Supervisor Boisen -yes.
Supervisor’s Report- The report was discussed and a motion to accept the report was made Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call
Councilman Wrisley-yes Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman Garvey-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
The bills were reviewed by the Board and a motion to accept bills as presented was made by Councilman Garvey. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call
Councilman Wrisley-yes, Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman Garvey-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Sewer Project Update:
We have received the last $130,000 for sewer project. Supervisor Boisen continues to seek approval from the funding agencies in order to obtain unused grant money towards our final debt amount.
Councilman MacDougal would like the 3% raise to be extended to the Supervisor, Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent this was conveyed to the Board by Councilwoman LaPine and by email. Councilman Wrisley said he did not feel it was fair to give raises to only certain employees. He feels that it should be across the board. Supervisor Boisen agreed that the salaries were low and that the employees work had for what they are paid and it does not seem fair.
Pat Gardner wanted to know if a fixed rate could be paid or meals when attending conference and training. Supervisor Boisen stated she would rather pay the amount spent minus sales tax. She hoped this would be one item that the Personnel committee would work on.
Councilman Wrisley and Councilman Garvey will be on this year’s ballot.
Dianne Lansing asked if the issue of elected or appointed assessors was going to be on the ballot this year. Supervisor Boisen stated that it would not. The Board discussed the meetings that were held and Councilman Wrisley stated he believed that the Board would do what the residents wanted. Dianne Lansing stated that after the Public Hearings there were articles in the newspaper and Westport Supervisor stated they had advertised for a single appointed assessor. The applications they received did not have the right qualifications. They decided to go with the County people and other Towns are going this way. The County Board approved Westport and Elizabethtown contracting with them. Supervisor Boisen stated this is for one year trial only. Dianne stated that the three assessors in Essex are willing to be elected, but she believes they do not want to be a sole appointed assessor.
Jeremy Doyle stated there needs to be more backup help at the transfer station if someone is sick or needs time off there was no one to cover the absence. Jeremy was asked if his grandfather could handle the recyclables. Jeremy stated his grandfather is up there in age and he is not that sturdy, he is not the lightest person on his feet. If one of us is on lunch break the other person is handling the compactor, tickets and recycling. Jeremy stated he asked his grandfather after he had talked to Supervisor Boisen about the decision the Board had made about having him do the ticket sales. Mr. Doyle does not want anything to do with ticket sales or paper work. Supervisor Boisen asked if Jeremy felt that he should limit his grandfather from going into the trailer. Personally no I do not want to take away his free will. If he gets hurt I will feel sad about it but it’s on him. Jeremy said they need some help since his grandfather can˜t do heavy lifting. I’m not going to stop him since it is his choice and I do not want to take his free will away from him. We really need someone on Saturdays as it is very busy. Jeremy felt if they all took their lunch at the same time and the dump was closed for that half hour it would be easier and then my grandfather is not obligated to do recyclables. Ed Gardner is a nice guy and he likes to take time off for NASCAR and other trips in the winter.
The minutes were discussed.
Motion to accept minutes of 7/18/2013 Regular Meeting was made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call
Councilman Wrisley-yes, Councilwomen LaPine-yes, Councilman Garvey-yes,
The busy times at the transfer site were discussed.
Budget Meeting schedule reminder – the Public Hearing for the 2014 budget will be November 7th, at 6 PM at the Town Hall.
Bradley French will put together a list of surplus item at the Highway Garage that can be auctioned off. He will get the list to the Town Hall and it can be checked by other departments to see if any of the items belong to them and should not be on the list.
Motion to exit Regular Board meeting and to enter Executive Session to discuss transfer site personnel and possible litigation against the Town at 8:06pm by Councilman Wrisley and seconded by Councilman Garvey. Roll Call: Supervisor Boisen: Yes, Councilman Wrisley: Yes, Councilwoman LaPine: Yes, Councilman Garvey: Yes.
Motion was made to exit Executive Session and re-enter regular board meeting at 8:45pm by Councilman Garvey. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll Call: Supervisor Boisen: Yes, Councilman Wrisley: Yes, Councilwoman LaPine: Yes, Councilman Garvey: Yes.
As there was no more business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted
Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk
