Town of Esopus, Town Board Meeting Minutes

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Town of Esopus Town Board was held on May 15th at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall on Broadway in Port Ewen, New York with the following persons in attendance:

Supervisor John Coutant
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet
Councilperson Wayne Freer
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro
Councilperson Carl Belfiglio

Recording Administrator: Diane L. McCord, Town Clerk

Pledge to the Flag

Bea Koskie: Each day Mrs. Koskie takes her grandson to the George Freer Park Beach. There are two patches of poison ivy. Supervisor Coutant will have the poison ivy taken out. Another issue raised was smoking in the playground area and cigarette butts are left there by the slide and over the playground. In Kingston they are addressing the smoking issue. Children could pick up the discarded cigarettes. The third issue was the new chips in the playground area where they have not been raked.

Supervisor Coutant answered Dan Vedder has been trying to get different things done for the opening of the parks at the end of the month. We have some wave and debris on the beach and at Sleightsburgh Park.

Hype Giles: The Recreation Board has recommended fees for the use of the pavilion and the kitchen if you reserve it. This was built with grant money and taxpayer tax dollars. Councilperson Wayne Freer said the fees were to keep the parks clean and to clean up after.

Anne Gordon: Our group tried to book the park but it was too costly. We now have Rotary Park in Kingston.

There was a question about how would you know if those renting the park picked up their trash? Councilperson Wayne Freer said there will be people working Saturday and Sunday and at the end of their shift they will check and make sure the park is cleaned up. There have been many problems at the park over the years. People from out of town were using the Freer Park and our own residents were not able to use it. The Town Board did what they thought was fair and gave preference to the town residents. You could still use the park at no charge, however, the pavilion is reserved. Supervisor Coutant will convey Mr. Giles concerns to the Recreation Board.

Bea Koskie asked if smoking could be banned in the children’s area? The Town Board will discuss this at a Workshop Meeting.

Supervisor Coutant thanked the Deputy Supervisors for filling in during his recent illness.
He spoke about the new Town Hall and let everyone know the American Flag is now at the peak of the building.

TOWN HALL UPDATE - Charles Wesley

Progress from Friday, April 18th through Thursday, May 15th 2008.
(20 possible working days) (20) working days logged for this period (0) days lost

Roof sheathing is nearly complete, with underlayment and shingles in place in some areas.
The entire water line has been tested and approved, and is in service.
The interior block walls and door frames which enclose the Mechanical Room, Records Storage Room, and the Elevator Shaft are in place.
Central Hudson has reviewed and approved the placement of the natural gas meter on the South side of the building. This meter will be installed once the exterior “Stoneflex” finish panels are in place around mid summer.
Fireproofing has been applied to structural steel at the lower lever per contract specifications.
All prime trades are currently on site, with all system installations in progress (with the exception of the sprinkler system). Including: HVAC Duct work, Electrical system, and Plumbing supply and Drain/Waste/Vent.
A revised driveway layout has been submitted, and consequently accepted by the Project Site Engineer, which will improve the ability of large trucks and snow removal equipment to navigate the area at the circle near the main entrance to the building. The revision will more closely follow the driveway as it currently exists.
The paving, curbing and landscaping schedule has been pushed back to late summer, near the end of construction in order to minimize the possibility of damage which could be done by construction equipment and delivery trucks.
Site lighting pole base locations have been determined, and will be set in the near future.
As a result of the recent favorable weather, we have gained back a few days with regards to the overall (revised) construction schedule. My best estimate at this time is that we have gained 3 or 4 days within the last month.

Contract Extras and Credits to Date

______________________________________________________________________________
Contractor Reason Extra Credit Balance
______________________________________________________________________________

U.W. Marx Additional Fire $240.00 + $240.00
Extinguisher and
Mounting Hardware

Merritt Rock Removal $6,000.00 +$6,240.00

Merritt Paving at Entrance $6,835.00 -$595.00

Ashley Mech. Gas Line $9,525.00 -$10,120.00

Sass Electric Cupola Lightning $2,530.00 -$7,590.00

Sass Electric Transfer Switch $4,780.00 -$12,370.00

____________________________________________________________________________

Charlie Wesley brought in an example of the shingles which are guaranteed for 50 years. This includes a ten year guarantee and replacement and then a pro-rated return.
Sal Silvestro asked if the water line was completed and it is.
Landscaping will be done at the end of the project.
Topsoil is being produced on site. Supervisor Coutant said the soil was taken off site before construction and now it is being brought back. The contract reads four inches of top soil.
Progress for the next month will be within the building.

____________________________________________________________________________

Flag Donation: For many years Dick Williams was known as Mr. Flag. Over the years he donated a tremendous amount of flags. He has passed away and in his memory his daughter Sue Dugan has donated 48 flags to the Town and we thank her for this donation. Dick will always be remembered as Mr. Flag.

                                   RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE
                       TO NEGOTIATE TIME WARNER-KINGSTON FRANCHISE
                                                                   MAY 15, 2008

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

WHEREAS, the Temporary Operating Authority granted to Time Warner-Kingston Division for operation of the Town of Esopus expires on September 19, 2008 and a new Franchise Agreement must be reached,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Esopus Town Board appoint a Committee to negotiate this Franchise Agreement consisting of:

Deborah Silvestro, Councilperson
Colin Evans
Sal Silvestro
Carl Belfiglio, Councilperson

Resolution offered by: Supervisor John Coutant
Resolution seconded by: Councilperson Wayne Freer

Supervisor John Coutant                             Aye
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet       Aye
Councilperson Wayne Freer            Aye
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro    Aye
Councilperson Carl Belfiglio            Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

2. Introduction of Local Law No. 2 - Dog License Penalty Fees

The following Local Law was introduced Article III - Dog License Fees 68-29 Penalty Fees

A. New York State Dept. of Agriculture and Markets maintains all dogs must be licensed. In the Town of Esopus a local penalty fee for failure to license a dog shall be $25.00.

B. New York State Dept. of Agriculture and Markets maintains all dog licenses must be renewed
yearly. The Town of Esopus local penalty fine for failure to renew a dog license shall be

$25.00. For those dog owners who fail to renew the following year, an additional fine of
$25.00 will be added.

C. The penalty fines as stated above may be amended by Resolution at the Town Board’s discretion when they deem appropriate.

______________________________________________________________________________
The Supervisor stated that we have problems with people who do not license their dogs or renew their dog license. There are no penalties for those dog owners. The Town Clerk spends a tremendous amount of time on this dog situation.

A Public Hearing will be held at 7:15 on June 19, 2008.

3. Volunteer Needed for Port Ewen Water & Sewer Board

The Port Ewen Water & Sewer Board has a vacancy. We are looking for a volunteer to fill the vacancy on this very important board. Resume’s can be submitted.

4. Reminder - Highway Dept. will only pick up leaves in paper bags.

The public was reminded about leaf pickups this fall. We will only pick up paper bags. This is a local law that was passed in 2007 but was not placed in force last fall. We will make an announcement again about using the bags in the near future.

5. Announcement - Re: Water Chestnut Clean-Up - Saturday, June 21st

Our Water Chestnut Harvester is in need of heavy repairs. This year the Waterfront Advisory Board is having a Water Chestnut Harvest which will be done by volunteers.

6. Resolution for Supt. Don Kiernan to join NYWARN

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Esopus, in the County of Ulster, as follows,

WHEREAS, the Port Ewen Water and Sewer Superintendent, Donald Kiernan, would like to join the New York State Water Response Network,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE Town Board authorizes this.

Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Carl Belfiglio

Resolution duly adopted.

There is no charge for joining.

7. Payment of Vouchers

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF BILLS SINCE MAY 2008

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 #081225-081281 $ 45,352.19

Highway Fund #082111-082130 $ 26,117.09

Capital #085039-085047 $217,352.42

Street Lights #086005 $ 5,268.43

Port Ewen Sewer #083055-083069 $ 8,827.70

Port Ewen Water #084119-084147 $ 17,457.11

__________
$320,374.94

Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet

Resolution duly adopted.

8. Budget Adjustments

Budget Adjustments
May 15, 2008

Be it resolved, by the Town Board of the town of Esopus, County of Ulster as follows:

Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Esopus has been presented with the following budget adjustments,

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the following budget adjustments be approved:

Dogs Contractual AO0599. $681.18 AO3510.4
Kennel Maintenance AO0599. $2,167.18 AO8162.4

Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Carl Belfiglio

Resolution duly adopted.

9. Estimate for Docks

The town was in the process of getting an estimate on the docks. The pontoons alone for a set of four cost $1,000. Our docks are six foot wide which is bigger than normal. The cost of aluminum alone is incredible $2,800 to $3,000 per unit. Councilperson Deborah Silvestro said we passed this resolution but it was not specific as to the cost. The Supervisor wanted to wait until we had a specific value on the docks. Councilperson Freer said we went over this last month and we did say

we would look into the prices to find out where the minimum sale bids would be. The values could be passed on to the Highway Supt. There was lengthy discussion. Councilperson Belfiglio asked if we could advertise the docks in trade magazines and have a notice to the general public? Yes. We should get the maximum amount. Councilperson Silvestro talked with the Highway Supt. and it took four men a day to create one of the docks. We should think about the man hours plus the benefits the town provided.

A Motion to accept the Minutes of the April 17th Town Board Meeting as amended was made by Councilperson Wayne Freer and seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro. All Town Board Members voted in favor.

This amendment was made to the Resolution adopted at the last Town Board Meeting relating to the disposal of the docks being placed under the authority of the Highway Superintendent at his discretion.

11. Reports of Officials and Committees

The following reports of officials and committees have been received and are on file in the Town Clerks Office:

Town Clerks’ Monthly Report dated April 2008
Supervisors’ (Fiscal Officer) Report giving the balances in the Town Accounts.
Assessors’ Report dated May 8, 2008
Planning Board Minutes dated April 24, 2008
Environmental Board Meeting Summary - April 2008
Building Department Report dated April 2008

A Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM was made by Councilperson Wayne Freer and seconded by Councilperson Carl Belfiglio. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.