Unofficial Minutes of the Town of Essex

Town Board Meeting October 9, 2014

Present:

Supervisor Gardner

Councilman LaPine

Councilman Wrisley

Councilman Garvey

Town Clerk Morgan

Members of the Public Present: Pat Gardner – Assessor/Bookkeeper, Scott Christian and son, Bradley French – Highway Superintendent, Kyle Wrisley, Jane Terlouw, Hillary Stransky, David Hislop, Dianne Lansing – Assessor, Anita Shapiro, Lauren Murphy – Zoning/Code Officer, Sharon Boisen, Olive Alexander

(The Agenda was available for the Public but there were no packets of the information that was to be discussed.)

Supervisor Gardner called the meeting to order and led the salute to the flag.

Roll call was taken with Council MacDougal being absent.

Town Clerk opened and read each of the submitted bids (total of 17 individual bidders) for the Surplus Highway equipment.  The individual bids were passed to each Town Board member present.  After selecting the highest bid the Town Clerk read a proposed resolution for each item and all resolutions to award the bids were passed with all members voting in the affirmative. Selected Bids and Equipment:

Resolution 75, CAT Loader – Taylor Rentals $11190

Resolution 76, Sander – John’s Auto Crushing $700

Resolution 77, Ford Tractor – Lee Garvey $5525

Resolution 78, Disk Mower – Adam Hainer $563

Resolution 79, Plow – Craig Koplish $1245 (uncertain of spelling)

Resolution 80, Dodge Van – Jim Lacy $567.89

The Town Clerk read the minutes of the September Town Board Meeting and they were approved unanimously.

(note: while reading the Resolution that allowed the Supervisor to separate the Clerk to the Supervisor Position into two: a clerk – Cathy DeWolff and a bookkeeper position – Pat Gardner volunteering, while maintaining the same total salary, less Robin Crandall, $200. per month doing payroll, the clerk hours were read as a minimum of 20 hours per week. This does not agree with the recording of the Resolution passed by the Town Board in September that designated the clerk hours to be 25 hours per week.)

Proposed Resolution 73 was read by the Town Clerk.  The resolution would move $5000.00 from the contingency fund to the Supervisor’s contractual fund for Administration costs.  Councilman Wrisley asked what this was for and Supervisor Gardner replied: for Cathy Persons and others like that.  Councilman Garvey asked if this would care for the remainder of the year and Supervisor Gardner replied: it should.   The resolution passed unanimously.

Proposed Resolution 74 was read by the Town Clerk:  Proposed Passage of Law to override the mandated tax cap and scheduling of a Public Hearing on same.  When asked, the clerk replied we don’t think we will be over the cap but it will be very close.  If we don’t exceed the cap this resolution will be invalid.  (Requires 60% majority of the Town Board. Councilman Garvey stated he will be absent.) The Public Hearing will be held on November 13 at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall.  The resolution was approved unanimously.

Supervisor Gardner Water update: Hoped to be able to use Steve Sayward’s property but his request for payment was too high and attorneys suggested we back away.  Right now we are looking at Cathy DeWolff property to dig a test well. He stated that Susan Kennedy (Department of Health) is in favor.   Wayne (AES) and Susan Kennedy will be involved. Councilman Garvey asked about purchase. Supervisor Gardner replied no negotiations until after testing.  Councilman Wrisley asked if there was adequate land for our needs and the supervisor stated that we would need an easement from Steve Sayward. Councilman Wrisley and Councilman LaPine stated this was close to the Jackson property which the court of public opinion was against’ although the hydrologist recommended.  Sharon Boisen reminded Councilman Wrisley that the property that had been deemed favorable was the Close Mallet property and Councilman Wrisley agreed. Councilman Wrisley pressed further that they look into other options that are more reasonable and more likely to succeed.  No motion was offered.  At that point everyone was talking at once and there was no way to differentiate who was talking and what was said. Sharon Boisen attempted to provide additional information but Supervisor Gardner advised her that this was between us now.  Supervisor Gardner was directed to pursue an easement with Steve Sayward (and Shelly) before proceeding with the DeWolff property and he agreed to do so.  Must have all of this done before the end of the year or we will lose the Grant and Interest free loans.  Next steps were not finalized nor were any Water Committee or Special Town Board meetings scheduled.

Motion to Accept Supervisor Report was approved unanimously

Motion to accept Town Clerk Report – Councilman LaPine requested that check numbers be shown on report.  Town Clerk agreed to do so.  Unanimously approved.

Motion to accept Zoning/Code Officer Report – Councilman LaPine questioned the Kiosk and Lauren Murphy replied it was to replace the bulletin board.  Councilman LaPine will go to office to review the plans drawn by Mark Hall.  Report approved unanimously.

Motion to Approve Bills.  Unanimously approved.

Comments from the Public:

David Hislop requested the amount of money the Town will contribute to the fund being collected to replace the Octagonal School Roof.  There are funds in the Building and Grounds Budget and an amount will be agreed upon and provided by the end of the year.

Sharon Boisen asked to have the date and time of the Public Hearing repeated.  It will be held on November 13 at 6:30 (one half hour before the regular monthly Town Board Meeting). She asked if more budget meetings will be held and the Town Clerk replied none are scheduled but there will be at least 2 more. Also questioned if the Grange Roof work had gone to bid – yes and there were three bids received.  Bidding will also be required for the School Roof since it is a Town owned building.  Lauren Murphy questioned this and was referred to Town Law.

Olive Alexander asked for an update on the Committees, specifically the Building and Grounds Committee that was to meet reference the Town Beach.  Supervisor Gardner responded that Harold’s number was in the book. (Councilman LaPine graciously updated the Grange Committee and that they had no meetings since the bids for roof replacement were received.)

The meeting was adjourned to enter Executive Session to discuss the Union Contract.

No further notes could be taken.