Unofficial Summary of Essex Town Board Meeting July 10, 2014
Board Members and Town Clerk Present, except Bryan Garvey.
Guests: Bradley French (Highway Superintendent), Lauren Murphy (Code officer), Cathy DeWolff, Patricia Gardner, Jonathon Pribble, Chris Hurd, Tom Stransky, Olive Alexander
Meeting Called to Order by Supervisor Gardner, who led the salute to the Flag.
The Town Clerk read the June 12, 2014 Meeting Minutes and they were approved.
Discussion and Resolution reference County Home Cemetery: Essex County has requested a resolution that allows them to correct the error they made when they sold the Cemetery. The County will work toward returning ownership of the Cemetery to the County where it can be properly managed and cared for. Resolution 2014-59 approved.
Approval of Cordelia Sand refund: Approved refund of Cordelia’s application fee to the Planning Board for review of a Minor Subdivision request. Application never went to the PB and a duplicate application fee was paid for a ZBA hearing, who did review her application.
Discussion and possible approval to purchase a Digital Camera for the Town: The camera has been requested by the Highway Superintendent and the Assessors. Discussed previous camera purchases and the fact that cameras have ended up disappearing. Agreed to the purchase of 2 cameras at a total expense (for both) of under $100.00. Each group will receive a camera and become responsible for safeguarding the purchase.
Boats at the Town Beach: Supervisor Gardner voiced concern with the number of boats left on the beach, as well as the trash that is collecting. He proposed posting a notice that they must be removed by their owners within 30 days or the Town will remove them. Tom Stransky asked about small boats used by those who have boats moored in the bay and use smaller craft to get to the boats. There was no clear cut response. Suggestion was made to sell the Town Beach (which is no longer a Town Beach and swimming is forbidden). Supervisor Gardner asked Harold MacDougal, Chair of the Building and Grounds Committee, to begin meetings of the Committee and the Public to formulate recommendations and present them to the Town Board. There was no clarification on next steps and no dates for meetings were decided upon.
Discussion of Grange Hall Fire Alarm System: Supervisor Gardner reported that a purchase of a $9600. System has been decided upon following the receipt of 3 Bids. The Grange is to be wholly responsible for payment.
Close/Mallet Agreement: Supervisor Gardner requested approval to begin preparation of a contract detailing our agreement with the family that all accounts (water/sewer) will be forgiven. All approved.
Motions to accept Supervisor’s, Town Clerk’s, and Zoning Officer’s reports were approved by all.
Motion to approve the bills (abstract) were approved by all.
Motion was made to go into Executive Session and approved by all. To be discussed in the session were Union and Personnel Matters.
Recording was stopped at this time. Most of the guests were leaving at this point, but feedback from one, who did stay until they returned to the Public Meeting, stated that the Town Board approved lowering the Speed Limit on Albee Lane to 30 MPH.
There was also discussion, as in the previous meeting, that the timing of the Executive Sessions were prohibiting the Public’s ability to speak at the Public Meetings.
