TOWN BOARD MEETING
 APRIL 17, 2003

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Town of Esopus Town Board was held on Thursday, April 17, 2003 at 7:30 PM with the following persons in attendance:

SUPERVISOR RAY RICE
Absent: COUNCILMAN MARSHALL COURTNEY
COUNCILMAN GLORIA VANVLIET
COUNCILMAN WAYNE FREER
COUNCILMAN PETER BEISEL

Recording Secretary: Diane L. McCord, Town Clerk
Daily Freeman Reporter Tree McElhinney

The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Ray Rice at 7:30 PM.

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG

Announcements:

Dogs available at the Town of Esopus Kennel with the cost of spaying or neutering and rabies vaccinations paid for by the Town.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Barbara Brink and Tammy Ackermann - Sunset Drive Port Ewen: The neighbors complained that over the year they have a band that plays next door until 9:30 or
10 PM every other night and the street is packed full of cars.  The music is amplified.  Ms. Brink has called the Supervisor and the Ulster County Sheriff to
complain.  The Sheriff informs the neighbors that there is no noise ordinance and as a result they cannot help them.  Misses Brink and Ackermann would like the
Town Board to pass a Noise Ordinance.  They also voiced concern over a school bus parked in front of the neighbors house and the cars parked on the road
blocking entrance and exit from their driveways and causing them to make three point turns.

Supervisor Rice asked if they had spoken with the neighbor and they answered they had but to no avail.  Supervisor Rice asked if they had filed charges against the
neighbors for disturbing the peace and they answered they had hoped the Noise Ordinance would resolve the problem. Councilman Freer said if the driveway is
blocked you need to have the Sheriff write a ticket.  There is a specific law against blocking a driveway.  Councilman Freer went on to explain that t unfortunately a
Noise Ordinance is difficult to enforce and you still need someone to sign a complaint.  You do not need to hire a lawyer to sign a complaint for you just need to
bring the action with the Sheriff.  At another time Councilman Freer could go over the steps you need to take to bring this into court, however, the parking problem
can be handled with the Sheriff.

Councilman Freer suggested another means of settlement would be through the Ulster County Mediation Service.

TOWN BOARD RESOLUTIONS:

1.  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ATTENDANCE OF THE HIGHWAY SUPT. AND
     DEPUTY AT THE CORNELL HIGHWAY SCHOOL

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Esopus, in the County of Ulster, as follows:

WHEREAS, the Local Highway School will be held at Cornell, June 2nd through 4th, 2003,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Highway Superintendent and the Deputy Superintendent be authorized to attend, with the expenses to be paid from the
Highway Dept. budget.

RESOLUTION OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN PETER BEISEL
RESOLUTION SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR RAY RICE

SUPERVISOR RAY RICE    AYE
ABSENT: COUNCILMAN MARSHALL COURTNEY
COUNCILMAN GLORIA VANVLIET  AYE
COUNCILMAN WAYNE FREER  AYE
COUNCILMAN PETER BEISEL   AYE

RESOLUTION DULY ADOPTED.

2.  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ATTENDANCE OF THE TOWN BUILDING  INSPECTORS AT THE CODE ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE TO
BE HELD IN FISHKILL

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Esopus, in the County of Ulster, as
follows:

WHEREAS, a Building Code Enforcement Conference will be held in Fishkill, New York April 23rd through April 25th.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Building Inspectors be authorized to attend, with the expenses to be paid from the Building Department budget.

RESOLUTION OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN GLORIA VANVLIET
RESOLUTION SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WAYNE FREER

SUPERVISOR RAY RICE    AYE
ABSENT: COUNCILMAN MARSHALL COURTNEY
COUNCILMAN GLORIA VANVLIET  AYE
COUNCILMAN WAYNE FREER  AYE
COUNCILMAN PETER BEISEL   AYE

RESOLUTION DULY ADOPTED.

3.  RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A SALARY INCREASE FOR THE TOWN OF ESOPUS FIRE INSPECTOR

THIS RESOLUTION WAS TABLED FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

4.  PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK APRIL 27TH THROUGH MAY 3, 2003

WHEREAS, The office of the Municipal Clerk, a time honored and vital part of local government exists throughout the world, and

WHEREAS, The Office of the Municipal Clerk is the oldest among public servants,

WHEREAS, The office of the Municipal Clerk provides the professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies and agencies of government at other
levels, and

WHEREAS, Municipal Clerks have pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality, rendering equal service to all.

WHEREAS, The Municipal Clerk serves as the information center on functions of local government and community.

WHEREAS, Municipal Clerks continually strive to improve the administration of the affairs of the Office of the Municipal Clerk through participation in education
programs, seminars, workshops and the annual meetings of their state, province, county, town and international professional organizations.

WHEREAS, it is most appropriate that we recognize the accomplishments of the office of the Municipal Clerk.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Raymond Rice, Supervisor of the Town of Esopus, do recognize the week of April 27 through May 3, 2003, as Municipal Clerks Week,
and further extend appreciation to our Municipal Clerk, Diane L. McCord and to all Municipal Clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary
dedication to the communities they represent.

Dated this 17th day of April, 2003.  Resolution offered by Supervisor Rice and seconded by Councilman Peter Beisel.  All Town Board Members present voted in
favor.  Resolution carried.

5.  RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS RECEIVED  SINCE THE MARCH BOARD MEETING

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Esopus, County of Ulster as follows:

WHEREAS, the Town of Esopus has been presented with vouchers for payment and these vouchers have been examined and approved by the Town Board,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following vouchers be approved for payment:

GENERAL FUND  #178-241  $26,629.03
CAPITAL FUND  # 13-   27    11,989.86
HIGHWAY FUND            #  78-101               12,162.01
STREET LIGHTING #           4                        3,847.66
PORT EWEN SEWER #   37- 53                        7,643.49
            PORT EWEN WATER #   63 -95                       14,468.69

Total...............$76,740.74

RESOLUTION OFFERED BY SUPERVISOR RAY RICE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GLORIA VANVLIET.

Supervisor Ray Rice     Aye
Absent: Councilman Marshall Courtney
Councilman Gloria VanVliet   Aye
Councilman Wayne Freer    Aye
Councilman Peter Beisel    Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

6.  MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH BOARD MEETINGS

A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH MEETINGS WAS MADE BY SUPERVISOR RAY RICE AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMAN GLORIA VANVLIET.  ALL TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR.  MOTION CARRIED.

Public Comment:

Robert Richter - Esopus: Bob Richter asked why Councilman Courtney was not present and Supervisor Rice answered he was on a well deserved vacation.

Correspondence for March is available to the Public and the following Reports of Committees have been received:

Town Clerks Monthly Report for March
Planning Board Minutes dated March 27, 2003
Town of Esopus Highway Dept. Report dated March 2003
Town of Esopus Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes dated March 18, 2003
Port Ewen Water/Sewer Board Meeting dated April 8, 2003

A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING WAS MADE BY SUPERVISOR RAY RICE AT 8 PM AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PETER
BEISEL.  ALL TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR.  MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane L. McCord
Town Clerk, RMC