Draft
Regular Board Meeting
7/14/2011
The meeting was called to order at 7:11 PM.
Supervisor Boisen led us in the Pledge to the Flag.
Board Members present on roll call were Councilwoman LaPine, Councilman MacDougal, Councilman LaForest, Councilman Wrisley and Supervisor Boisen.
Also present was Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk.
Visitors included Sally Johnson, Olive Alexander, Jon Hochschartner, Valley News, I Klipper, Miriam Klipper, Frank Walls, Dorothy Bliss, Colleen Van Hoven, Jim Van Hoven, Grace Drummond, Patricia French, Kevin DeLaughter, John Ferry, Ted Cornell, Pat Burns, Jane TerLouw, Bonnie Monoski, Dianne Lansing, Allison Buckley and David Lansing.
Councilwoman LaPine asked for a moment of silence for Jim Tennebrook, John Gardner, Ada Sharrow and Chris Gilbert.
Sewer Amendment # 13 was tabled.
Jim Van Hoven updated the Board and the Public on the revisions to the Town Zoning Law. A committee was formed three years ago to review and revise the Zoning Law. These are proposals and there is a Public Hearing process that is designed for Town residents input. The Essex Town Planning Board has reviewed the revisions and has unanimously recommended to the Town Board that the revision be adopted. The original committee was Steve Sayward, Jr., Claire LaPine, Jim Van Hoven, Don Hollingsworth and Ted Cornell.
Steve Sayward Jr. resigned last fall and Jim LaForest replaced him on the committee. Jim touched on the differences between the Town land use map and the APA land use map. Another number of differences between the APA and the
Hamlet of Essex were noted. Jim said the committee and the APA are working to get the maps to coincide. Permitting issues are being reviewed and revised to be more user friendly. Jim said that any one who wished to meet with him and discuss what the committee has worked on may contact him at 963-4084.
Email address is jimcolleenvh@yahoo.com. Jim said he will go more in depth at the Public Hearings on the proposed revision to the Town Zoning Laws.
The Public Hearings have been set for the following dates, times and places.
The first meeting will be Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 7 PM at the Essex Town Hall.
The second meeting will be held at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 7 PM.
Courtesy of the floor
Dianne Lansing urged the Board to adopt a protocol for advising resident when a boil water order is in effect. The Water Superintendent was to place boil water notices on all residents door. She will check with the Water Superintendent about the fact that not all doors got notices.
Olive Alexander said she would be interested in the Town Board’s thoughts on the audit and what the next steps are. There are many rumors, some of them vicious. It would be the responsible thing to do to put things in the public record
That would stop some of the rumors. Councilwoman LaPine said she had not heard the rumors. The audit did show we had some discrepancies; however there was no mismanagement of money. Accounting errors were pointed out.
Olive said she felt the Board as well as other people got thrown under the bus.
The same issues seem to appear on the 1991 and 1995 audits. Why was there not a change then and how can we trust there will be this time. Supervisor Boisen said a corrective action plan will be written and submitted to OSC. A number of items have been addressed and resolved already. The Town has purchased and implemented a new municipal software program. A new water/sewer billing program is being written for our use by the County IT Department.
Approve minutes
Motion to approve the Regular Board minutes of 5/12/2011 was made by
Councilman MacDougal. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call
Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Motion to approve Informational Sewer meeting minutes of 6/9/2011 made by Councilman LaForest. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes
Councilwoman LaPine asked the Board if they felt it was necessary to include the complete minutes of the Planning Board meetings in our Town Board minutes. This was discussed and the Board members said they wanted the complete minutes included.
Motion to approve Regular Board meeting minutes of 6/9/2011 made by Councilman MacDougal. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call
Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Bills
The bills were discussed.
General Fund $ 6,963.65
Highway Fund 4,581.04
Water 13,394.38
Street Lights 420.81
Transfer Station 2,200.11
Sewer Fund 17,723.95
Sewer Contractors 1,114,759.19
General Prepay 10,745.08
Water Prepay 340.75
Prepay Trust Acct 11,693.19
Prepay Sewer Fund 525.00
Motion to accept bills as presented made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman MacDougal. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Zoning Officer report
Supervisor Boisen said that she and David had talked about him reading his report at the meeting and decided he would no longer do that at the meetings.
He will at the meeting to answer any questions.
Councilwoman LaPine said she wanted to comment on the report on the Historian. The report said that everything was very well done and we should be happy that Shirley LaForest is our historian.
Planning Board Report- meeting will be next week.
Supervisor’s County report
FEMA called today and Jim Morgan and I will be meeting with them Tuesday, July 19th about damages to our Town roads. I will speak to them about the damages to the Beggs Park dock. Supervisor Boisen said she would like to move forward to get the damages repaired since this is a safety issue.
Councilwoman LaPine said that Tom Ducca feels we need to have the underwater portion of the dock inspected for damages, then a more accurate estimate can be made as to repair costs. The stairs are in the worst shape.
The Board discussed the issues and what their options are with the limited funds we have. Supervisor Boisen said our first priority has to be making the area safe and this needs to be done immediately. Councilman MacDougal agreed and said this is an emergency situation and needs to be taken care of immediately for the safety of our residents. We need to get a contractor in to check out what needs to be done to make the area safe. Supervisor Boisen will contact local contractors.
Old Business
The Sewer Law adoption was tabled so that the Board members have a chance to review the changes.
Buildings and Grounds
Councilwoman LaPine updated the Boards. A request for funds for the Octagon School was made to the Community Fund. They said they would like a professional study done by a historic preservationist. This was done by Vince Jamison and Loren Murphy and they will come up with different suggestions for roofing materials and things that need to be done. Nick Mueller was informed and sometime this month we should receive a grant of $750 from the Community Fund. Councilman MacDougal stated that if we replace the roof with like material we do not need an engineering study. This a simple project. Councilwoman LaPine said this is a historic building and on the historic register, so we have to follow their rules. There was more discussion between Board members on the funding and the roof repair issues. In order to apply for grant funding an engineering study will need to be done.
Stoney Bailey will check out the Library roof which is leaking again. Don
Hollingsworth feel we may need to consider replacing the Library roof. Stoney believes the roof should be maintained on a regular basis.
Water Update
AES is moving forward with the engineering report. We are checking to see if we will qualify for a blockhouse grant. The boil water order is still in effective.
New Business
Direct deposit for Town employees was discussed
Resolution # 16
7/14/11
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilman LaForest
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Essex hereby authorizes Supervisor Boisen, to offer the option of direct deposit to all Town employees with
the bank of their choice.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman Wrisley
AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Councilman LaForest yes
Councilman Wrisley yes
Councilwoman LaPine yes
Councilman MacDougal yes
Supervisor Boisen yes
Biweekly payroll was discussed by the Board
Resolution # 17
7/14/11
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilman LaForest
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Essex hereby authorizes the establishment of a bi-weekly payroll for all Town employees.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman Wrisley
AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Councilman LaForest yes
Councilman Wrisley yes
Councilwoman LaPine yes
Councilman MacDougal yes
Supervisor Boisen yes
Purchase of a door from the Justice Grant for the Justice office was discussed.
Resolution # 18
7/14/11
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilwoman LaPine
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Essex hereby authorizes the expenditure of Town Justice Grant money for the purchase and installation of a dutch type door on the Justice’s office.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman LaForest
AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Councilman LaForest yes
Councilman Wrisley yes
Councilwoman LaPine yes
Councilman MacDougal yes
Supervisor Boisen yes
Permission for the Supervisor to sign a contact with the Department of State for a $90,000 matching grant for the facing of Lake Street Wall was discussed. The cost to
the Town was discussed. In kind services were discussed. What would be the Town’s obligation in signing this contract was discussed.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Councilman MacDougal
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Essex hereby authorizes Supervisor Boisen, to sign a contract with the Department of State for a $90,000 matching grant to face the Beggs Street Wall.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman Wrisley
AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Councilman LaForest yes
Councilman Wrisley yes
Councilwoman LaPine yes
Councilman MacDougal yes
Supervisor Boisen yes
Resolution # 19
7/14/11
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Supervisor Boisen
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Essex hereby authorizes the appointment of Catherine DeWolff on July 1, 2011 as Deputy Town Clerk, Deputy Tax Collector, Deputy Registrar and Deputy RMO to fill vacancy created by Grace Drummond’s resignation.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman MacDougal
AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Councilman LaForest yes
Councilman Wrisley yes
Councilwoman LaPine yes
Councilman MacDougal yes
Supervisor Boisen yes
The Town insurance cost was discussed. Supervisor Boisen said we will be changing insurance companies. Our renewal is due August 1st. We have received a quote from NYMIR on insurance for the Town. It is better insurance for $6,000 less than we pay now. They will come and do a presentation if the Town Board wishes. The County uses them as do a number of Towns in the County.
Jim Van Hoven resignation from BAR.
Resolution #20
7/14/11
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Supervisor Boisen
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Essex hereby accepts the resignation of James VanHoven from the Board of Assessment Review and thanks Jim for his service.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman MacDougal
AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Councilman LaForest yes
Councilman Wrisley yes
Councilwoman LaPine yes
Councilman MacDougal yes
Supervisor Boisen yes
Supervisor Boisen said she had talked with Don Doyle. He does the mowing at the Octagon School, keeps the swings in good repair, picks up garbage left around the school and mows the lot the Town owns at the foot of Crooked S Hill. Thank you Don for the time and care you put in marinating these properties for the Town.
Financial reports
The Town Clerk report was discussed and a motion was made to accept report as present by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman MacDougal. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Water Rents report was discussed and motion to accept report as presented was made by Councilman LaForest. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
The Supervisor’s report was discussed and motion to accept report as presented was made by Councilman LaForest. Seconded by Councilman MacDougal. . Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
The signing of the engagement letter with Hiscock & Barclay to have them as our expert legal representation for foil requests was discussed at great length.
Resolution # 22
7/14/11
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED BY Supervisor Boisen
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Essex hereby authorizes Supervisor Boisen, to sign an engagement letter with Hiscock & Barclay for the purpose of providing expert legal, council regarding FOIL requests.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY Councilman MacDougal
AND WAS ADOPTED.
ROLL CALL:
Councilman LaForest no
Councilman Wrisley yes
Councilwoman LaPine yes
Councilman MacDougal yes
Supervisor Boisen yes
As there was no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 9:29 PM.
Respectfully submitted Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk
