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Town Board Meeting Minutes March 13, 2014

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TOWN of ESSEX, New York

TOWN BOARD DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 13, 2014

Supervisor: Edward Gardner

Town Clerk: William Morgan

Town Board Members:

Claire LaPine

Bryan Garvey

Harold MacDougal

Mark Wrisley (Absent)

Also Present: Patricia Gardner, Jonathon Pribble, Kevin DeLaughter, Dianne Lansing, Lauren Murphy

At 7:00 PM Supervisor Gardner led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by reading of the February 13 Meeting Minutes by the Town Clerk.  Motion to approve by B. Garvey, seconded by H. MacDougal.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1.  Motion Carried. (Resolution 41)

Resolution 42: H. MacDougal offered the following resolution: Commitment to Complete Streets, defined as streets that are safe, convenient and comfortable for all ages and abilities using any mode of transportation, and whereas the Town of Essex has the ability to partner with the Essex County Complete Streets coalition to explore the maintenance and enhancement of pedestrian, bicycle and trail connections within the hamlet center and address issues of these amenities; and whereas the Town of Essex has the ability to work with the Essex County Complete Streets coalition and other Community Partners to educate the community about the rules of roads and paths for all users including laws, safety and courtesy and courtesy.  Resolution seconded by C. LaPine.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1. (Also see below information from the Essex County Website)

Resolution 43: B. Garvey offered a motion to change from the current bottled water provider (Crystal Rock) to Frosty Spring.  (Senior Center water to be provided by the County, free of charge) C. LaPine seconded this motion.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1.

Resolution 44:  B. Garvey offered a motion to change telephone service provider for the Town Hall from Verizon to Vonage after more reviews with the company have been completed. Seconded by H. MacDougal.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1.

Resolution 45: B. Garvey offered a motion to end the contract with Hiscock and Barclay and begin a contract with William H. Kissell.  Should Kissell decline then the contract with Hiscock will continue.  Seconded by H. MacDougal.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1.

Resolution 46: C. LaPine offered a motion to hire William H. Kissell to check over all of the revisions to the made to the proposed new Zoning Ordinance.  Seconded by H. MacDougal.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1.

Resolution 47:  B. Garvey offered a resolution to maintain a petty cash account in the Clerk to the Supervisor’s Office, in an amount not to exceed $200.00. $50 to be designated for each of the main accounts: General, Water, Highway, Water and Sewer to keep each fund separate and prevent co-mingling of funds, in compliance and agreement of the State Comptroller.  Seconded by H. MacDougal.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1.

Resolution 48: B. Garvey offered a motion to authorize the town clerk to partner and work with George Davis to establish the Town’s official Website on Facebook. Seconded by H. MacDougal.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1.

  1. Garvey offered a motion to accept the town clerk report as presented.  Seconded by H. MacDougal.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1. Motion Carried.
  2. LaPine offered a motion to accept the Supervisors Report Supervisors Reports for December, January, and February as presented, Seconded by H. MacDougal.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1. Motion Carried
  3. Garvey offered a motion to accept and approve the bills as presented, seconded by C. LaPine. Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1.  Motion Carried.

At 8:53 C. La Pine offered a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by B. Garvey.  Roll Call: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1.  Motion Carried.

Safe Shared Roadway Advocacy

The Essex County Complete Streets Coalition advocates for local Complete Streets policies, planning and projects which support walking, biking and active living in Essex County communities.   Recently NYS passed Complete Streets legislation and a county policy was adopted in the spring of 2012 that supports the network of roads that provide safe shared roadways.

An Essex County Highway Committee was formed to work on a county-wide policy for all county roads. The Essex County DPW Superintendent, several Town DPW Superintendents ECPH and North Country Healthy Heart Network’s Rural Action Now program worked with this group to design a policy that was approved by the Essex County Highway Association, Essex County DPW Subcommittee of the Board of Supervisors & finally the Board of Supervisors.  The policy was approved in April 2012 and this group will continue to work on its implementation.

The Towns of Elizabethtown, Lewis, Westport, Wilmington, Newcomb and Willsboro have adopted Resolutions of Commitment to Complete Streets and other towns are in the process of considering their needs and how to best address safe shared roadway use with policies, planning and projects.

After a policy is adopted, there are a few things to put in place and practice to create safely shared roadways.

A few things that have been completed in Essex County include:

  • Flashing speed signs
  • Cross walks, signs, and painting projects
  • Assessments and reports of current conditions
  • Trail sign booths and kiosks
  • Volunteer work days (creating new trails, marking trails, etc)
  • Recruiting interested individuals
  • Finding partners and possible sponsors

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.