TOWN BOARD MINUTES
MAY 17, 2007
A regularly scheduled meeting of the Town of Esopus Town Board was held on Thursday, May 17th at 7:30 PM at the Town Hall on Broadway in Port Ewen, New York with the following persons in attendance:
Supervisor John Coutant
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet
Absent: Councilperson Wayne Freer
Councilperson Michael Lange
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro
Recording Administrator: Diane L. McCord, Town Clerk, CMC, RMC
Call to Order: Supervisor John Coutant called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
Pledge to the Flag
Public Comment: None
1. Esopus Lighthouse Request
Supervisor Coutant explained the Esopus Lighthouse is being refurbished. They are in need of some docks. They would like to take groups of people to the lighthouse. The Town has a large number of docks that were originally made for Sleightsburgh Park. Sharon Jones has asked for three docks to place at the lighthouse.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Michael Lange to give three docks to the Esopus Lighthouse for the sum of $1.00. Councilperson Gloria VanVliet seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor. Motion Carried.
2. Resolution - 2007 Summer Park Program Fees
Supervisor Coutant told those present we have a dynamite Summer Park Program. Last year we had over 175 children enrolled and we expect to have 200 enrolled this year. New rates had to be established to cover the costs.
Resolution to adopt 2007 Summer Park Program
May 17, 2007
Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Esopus, County of Ulster, has reviewed the Town of Esopus Summer Park Program information and proposals for 2007 as submitted by Julie Habernig, Program Director.
Whereas, this proposal details the hours of operation, rain policy, enrollment requirements, registration requirements, staffing, supplies and equipment, staff salaries, daily procedures, advertisements and staff hiring, and the following registration charges:
1 Child $100.00 3 Children $195.00
2 Children $160.00 4 Children or more $225.00
Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Esopus hereby adopts the Town of Esopus 2007 Summer Park Program as submitted by Julie Habernig.
Supervisor John Coutant
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet
Absent: Councilperson Wayne Freer
Councilperson Michael Lange
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro
Resolution duly adopted.
3. Assessor Reappointment
Supervisor Coutant spoke about Dan Terpening our Assessor. He has done the best job he could do for the town. He has been honored with previous appointments because he has done an outstanding job over the years. This is a hard job.
Resolution to Reappoint Daniel Terpening
Town Assessor
Be it Resolved, by the Town Board of the Town of Esopus, in the County of Ulster, as follows:
Whereas, Daniel Terpening’s term as Town Assessor expires September 30, 2007.
Therefore, Be it Resolved, that Daniel Terpening be reappointed Town Assessor for the term
of October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2013.
Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet
Supervisor John Coutant Aye
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
Absent: Councilperson Wayne Freer
Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye
Resolution duly adopted.
4. Authorization to Sign Contract for Justice Court Security
The Ulster County Sheriff has provided bailiff services for our Town Justices. Supervisor Coutant recently met with the new Sheriff and his staff and the two Town Justices. There is a new contract they would like signed. The two Justices want continued service. The cost of this service has doubled.
Councilperson Michael Lange asked if we could table this resolution? Councilperson Gloria VanVliet said the contract can be broken by either party within 30 days. There is concern about the money but the Town Justices believe they can do this. They have asked for it. Supervisor Coutant said this comes out of the Justices line item budget and they should schedule their hours accordingly. Councilperson Deborah Silvestro said we received a letter from Justice Shanley and she would prefer to continue with the services and they asked the contract be sent to the town. Supervisor Coutant said communication with Judge Grieco failed today.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet and seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro to authorize the Supervisor to sign the Ulster County Sheriff’s Contract for Justice Court Security. All Town Board Members present voted in favor. Motion approved.
5. File Cabinets - Motion to Accept
Iron Mt. has offered the Town of Esopus fifty vertical file cabinets. They have a client who will be bringing in fifty cabinets for Iron Mt. to microfilm and they do not want the cabinets back. We will need cabinets for our new Town Hall. The problem is storing these cabinets until our new Town Hall is up. Dyno Nobel was contacted for they have spare room in some of their unused buildings. Highway Supt. Al Larkin spoke with the Maintenance Supt. today, however, he will need to get permission from the Manager and this should happen on Monday. There was some banter concerning whether we should transfer our files into the new cabinets now, however, the Supervisor was told by our movers the cabinets have to be empty.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet and seconded by Supervisor John Coutant to accept the file cabinets from Iron Mt. and write a thank you for their donation. All Town Board Members present voted in favor. Motion Carried.
6. Bus Shelter Agreement
Ulster County Rural Transportation would like to place bus shelters in the Town of Esopus. Councilperson Deborah Silvestro suggested we wait until the road construction is completed.
We should evaluate where the demand is.
A Motion to authorize the Supervisor to sign the U. C. Bus Shelter Agreement was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro. All Town Board Members present voted in favor. Motion Carried.
7. Resolution to Appoint Michael Richardson As a Member of Waterfront Advisory Board
Be it Resolved, by the Town Board of the Town of Esopus in the County of Ulster, as follows:
Whereas, there is a vacancy on the Waterfront Advisory Board,
Whereas, Robert Santiago served as liaison from the Environmental Board to the Waterfront Advisory Board and this position has been billed by Kathleen Quick and,
Whereas, this leaves a vacancy on the Waterfront Advisory Board,
Therefore, Be it Resolved, the vacant position on the Waterfront Advisory Board be filled by Michael Richardson,
Resolution offered by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Michael Lange
Supervisor John Coutant Aye
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
Absent: Councilperson Wayne Freer
Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye
8. Resolution to Establish an Advisory Committee to Review Personnel Policies, Longevity, and Health Insurance Policies in the Town of Esopus for Town Employees and Retirees
Be it Resolved, by the Town Board of the Town of Esopus, in the County of Ulster, as follows,
Whereas, Michael Richardson of Sleightsburgh, New York has offered his professional services as a consultant, to the Town of Esopus relative to the personnel policies, longevity and health insurance policies for Town of Esopus employees and retirees in exchange for $1.00 per year and,
Whereas, the Town Board accepts this generous offer from Michael Richardson for his consulting services,
Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Town of Esopus Town Board contracts with Town of Esopus resident Michael Richardson.
Resolution offered by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Michael Lange
Supervisor John Coutant Aye
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
Councilperson Wayne Freer Aye
Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye
Resolution duly adopted.
9. Thank you to Joe Sills for obtaining a Piano
Joseph Sills has obtained a piano from a friend who was moving in Kingston and no longer was in need of this instrument. This piano was donated. A thank you to Joe Sills and to the man who donated the piano.
10. Miscellaneous Discussion
A contract with Gifford Engineering (soil experts) was received by the Supervisor today. The Town Board will review this. The Supervisor will meet with Brinnier & Larios to discuss the contract. Water Supt. Don Kiernan received a copy of this May 8th.
11. Payment of Vouchers
Resolution Authorizing the Payment of Bills Received Since May 2007
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 #071251-071319 $ 31,234.50
Highway Fund #075003-075006 $ 13,895.73
Capital Fund #065022-065026 $ 15,432.37
Street Lighting #076005 $ 4,787.23
Port Ewen Sewer #073053-073062 $ 4,459.10
Port Ewen Water #074122-074152 $ 17,648.53
Total..................................................................................................$ 87,457.46
Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro
Supervisor John Coutant Aye
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
Absent: Councilman Wayne Freer
Councilman Michael Lange Aye
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye
Resolution duly adopted.
12. Resolution to Authorize Adjustments to the 2007 Budget
Be it Resolved, by the Town Board of the Town of Esopus in the County of Ulster as follows,
Whereas, the adjustments to the 2007 Budget are required in order to reflect changes in certain accounts,
Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Town Board authorizes the transfer of the following amounts from the indicated accounts and fund balances to the indicated active accounts:
May 2007
McCormack Appraisal A0.599.000 $ 900.00 A0.1357.400 $ 900.00
Debbie Pugliese A0.3620.100 $ 624.65 A0.3410.100 $ 624.65
Daily Freeman A0.1990.4 $ 356.18 A0.8011.4 $ 356.18
(Peter Graham)
Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Michael Lange
Supervisor John Coutant Aye
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
Absent: Councilperson Wayne Freer
Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye
Resolution duly adopted.
13. Town Clerk Report
The Town Clerk gave a report on the NYSTCA Annual Convention. One topic discussed was the minutes. It was suggested that if your minutes are placed on your web site that residents names not be added After discussion it was decided to leave the minutes the way they are, however, the list of guests attending the meeting should be eliminated.
14. Building Inspector I Appointment
The problem with the Building Dept. needing another Building Inspector was raised by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro and Councilperson Michael Lange. The question of why we have not been able to hire someone off the Civil Service list was addressed by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet who also brought up the fact that this process is not complete. She also did not think it was appropriate to address this issue when Councilperson Wayne Freer was not present.
Councilperson Michael Lange suggested we hire Deborah Pugliese as a provisional employee until the next list of applicants comes out and that Tim Keefe believes she is more than qualified. Councilperson VanVliet did not agree and she thought we should follow the regulations. Councilperson Lange said the applicants who were on the last list were not qualified according to Building Inspector Tim Keefe and we need help now. Councilperson VanVliet said Tim Keefe told us he could wait for a period of time. Supervisor Coutant thought we needed the help now and Councilperson Lange agreed.
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro made a Motion to hire Deborah Pugliese as a provisional Building Inspector pending the next list from Civil Service. Councilperson Michael Lange seconded the Motion.
Supervisor John Coutant Aye
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet No
Absent: Councilperson Wayne Freer
Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye
Motion duly adopted.
15. Motion to Approve Previous Months Minutes
A Motion was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro to approve the previous months minutes. All Town Board Members present voted in favor. Motion Carried.
16. Correspondents and Reports of Officials and Committees
The following correspondence for May and Reports of Officials and Committees are available and on file in the Town Clerks’ Office:
Town Clerks Monthly Report dated April 2007
Port Ewen Water and Sewer Board Minutes dated April 10, 2007
Recreation Board Minutes dated April 9, 2007
Emergency Meeting Town of Esopus Town Board dated April 23, 2007
Port Ewen Water and Sewer Board dated April 23, 2007
Town Board Minutes dated April 17, 2007
Building Department Report dated April 2007
Planning Board Minutes dated April 18, 2007
Planning Board Minutes dated April 26, 2007
Assessors’ Monthly Report dated May 10, 2007
17. Miscellaneous Topics
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro had a successful event where free trees were given to one hundred residents. The Environmental Board did a great job in putting this even all together. A forester was brought in to talk to the people. We hope to do something very similar next year. Most of the trees were given out.
Next week there will be a joint meeting of the Environmental Board and the Waterfront Advisory Board on May 22nd. The topic will be Site Design and Storm Water Management to be held at the Town of Esopus Library on Canal St.
Klyne Esopus will hold an exhibit “Then & Now” in their museum. Picture comparisons will be displayed along with antique postcards. A preview will be held on Saturday at 4 PM. The exhibit will be opened to the public through December 1st.
A Motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Supervisor John Coutant at 8:25 PM. All Town Board Members present voted in favor. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane L. McCord
Town Clerk, CMC, RMC
Reg. Dist. 2 Dir. NYSTCA