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Town of Essex Board Meeting Corrected and Approved Meeting Minutes -October 18, 2012

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Town Board Meeting

10/18/2012

The meeting was called to order at 7PM.

Supervisor Boisen led us in the Pledge to the Flag.

On roll call Board members present were Councilwoman LaPine, Councilman MacDougal, Councilman LaForest, Councilman Wrisley and Supervisor Boisen.  Also present was Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk.

Attendees were Olive Alexander, Sally Johnson, Tina Gardner, Colleen

VanHoven, Jim VanHoven, Andy Buchanan, Win Belanger, Dan Stec,

Simon More, Ted Cornell, Keith Lobdell, Dianne Lansing, Bonnie Monoski,

Joyce Sukel, Janice Moran, Mac MacDevitt, Jane Terlouw.

Councilwoman LaPine asked for a moment of silence for Darla Baker and Kenneth Baker.

Supervisor Boisen introduced Dan Stec a candidate for assemblyman.

Andy Buchanan spoke on behalf of the Grange requesting the Board rescind resolution #    banning the use of alcohol at functions at the Grange Hall only.

The issues of insurance was discussed both the Grange Hall’s and the Town’s. The issue of underage drinking, drunk driving, and how this would be monitored at Grange functions was discussed.  The policy would be changed for the Grange Hall functions. Alcohol could be served by a licensed carter at the Grange Hall, whose staff has been trained in serving alcohol to the public.  Other Town’s policies were researched as to alcohol use on their Town properties.

 

Mac MacDevitt, the Prevention Team, spoke on the issue of alcohol at the Grange Hall.  This a health issue. Underage drinking is a problem.

There are high DWI rates in Essex County.  If you rescind the ban on alcohol on Town property it looks as if you are supporting drinking.  Alcohol is becoming a  huge public health problem. Alcohol is the third leading cause of death in the US.

Mr. MacDevitt encouraged the Board to look all at aspects and effects of allowing alcohol to be served on town property.

Councilman LaForest made the motion to rescind resolution # 127 banning alcohol use on Town property. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. There was further discussion on how the Town will handle the use of alcohol on Town property. Councilman LaPine and Supervisor Boisen do not support the use of alcohol on Town property. Councilwomen LaPine is concerned with liability issues for the Town.  Willsboro does not allow alcohol on it properties.

Councilman MacDougal does not support the use of alcohol on Town properties.

Councilman LaForest felt that a committee could be put together to study this issue and to come up with a sound plan.  Councilman Wrisley agreed that a plan needs to be in place for alcohol at events at the Grange Hall.   Mr. Buchanan stated he is not in favor of government ruling on social issues. The insurance matter has been reviewed and the Grange’s insurance covers these kinds of events. Ted Cornell stated he feels that more time should be taken and that the Town residents in put should be requested and reviewed before a decision is made.  The motion to rescind resolution #127 was withdrawn by Councilman LaForest.

A committee will be formed by Supervisor Boisen to study the issue of serving alcohol on Town property. Councilwoman LaPine and Councilman Wrisley will represent the Town on the committee. The committee will have until April 2013.

Councilman LaForest announced that he is seriously considering resigning on November 30th.

The courtesy of the floor was offered.  Win Belanger stated that the Town needs to think very carefully about the issue of alcohol on Town property.

Sally Johnson stated that the drinking will occur in the parking as it did in prior years and this needs to be considered.

The bills were discussed.  Motion to pay bills as presented was made by Councilwoman LaPine.  Seconded by Councilman MacDougal. Roll call

Councilwoman LaPine yes, Councilman MacDougal yes, Councilman LaForest yes, Councilman Wrisley and Supervisor Boisen yes.

Zoning Officer report was tabled.

Supervisor’s County report Supervisor Boisen stated she did not a county report because she has been focused on Town matters.

Old Business

The ground water capital project was discussed at the Water meeting and further discussion was needed once additional information is provided by AES and Hydrosource.

Insurance proposals have been given to Board for review.   Supervisor Boisen would like to award the bid at the November 15 meeting.

Resolution # 159 was discussed.

Motion to accept the resignation of Town Clerk Catherine DeWolff was made by Councilman MacDougal.  Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call

Councilwoman LaPine yes, Councilman MacDougal yes, Councilman Wrisley yes, Councilman LaForest yes and Supervisor Boisen yes.

Resolution # 160 was discussed.

Motion to accept the resignation of Deputy Town Clerk Donna Haynes made by

Councilwoman LaPine.  Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call Councilwoman

LaPine yes, Councilman MacDougal yes, Councilman LaForest yes, Councilman Wrisley yes and Supervisor Boisen yes.

Resolution # 161 was discussed.

Motion to rescind resolutions 153 for minutes and 154 to pay $500 for work on Town Clerk reports was made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman LaForest. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine yes, Councilman MacDougal yes, Councilman LaForest yes, Councilman Wrisley yes, and Supervisor Boisen abstain.

Resolution #162 was discussed.

Motion to pay Donna Haynes $500 for her recent work on Town Clerk reports was

Made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilman LaForest. Roll call

Councilwoman LaPine yes, Councilman MacDougal yes, Councilman LaForest yes, Councilman Wrisley yes and Supervisor Boisen abstain

United Way presentation for employees was discussed.

The Town Clerk report for September 2012 was tabled.

Supervisor report was discussed and a motion was made to accept as presented was 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.

A letter from Steve Maselli regarding his water rent rate was discussed. The Board agreed that the current multi family rate will be billed as “multi use” and will be defined as being a separate area with the ability to prepare meals.

As there was no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 PM.

Respectfully submitted

Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk

About Olive Alexander

Although I grew up in Essex on my grandparents’ farm and developed strong ties to farming, I wanted to see more of the world and experience the differences in cultures and people. I spent nearly fifty years in England, New Hampshire, Texas and New Jersey with trips to almost all of the fifty states and Singapore, an incomparable learning experience. I now live on property that has been in our family for three generations and still love the fields, the farms and the animals.