Town of Esopus Town Board Meeting Minutes

TOWN BOARD MEETING

May 20, 2011

A regularly scheduled Town of Esopus Town Board Meeting was held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 in the Town Hall 284 Broadway Port Ewen, New York with the following persons in attendance:

Supervisor John Coutant

Councilperson Gloria VanVliet

Councilperson Wayne Freer

Councilperson Donna McAuley

Councilperson Kyle Barnett

Administrative Recorder: Diane L. McCord, Town Clerk

Supervisor John Coutant called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

Pledge to the Flag

Public Comment:

Gary Swinger – Maple Ridge: The Maple Ridge Community and the Woodcrest Community presented Supervisor John Coutant, Town Clerk Diane McCord and The Town Council of the Town of Esopus with a wooden “Tug Boat” and a plaque. “It is with a lot of gratitude and thankfulness to the town for being able to live in this township, and being fully part of the history in the more recent years, that we present this Tugboat to the town, celebrating the 200^th year anniversary. May we continue to work together in the future for the good of the Town of Esopus, to continue its history together. In our faith we say it’s “His Story”!

The Town Board thanked the members of the Maple Ridge and Woodcrest Communities for their outstanding contribution.

Water Chestnut Harvester: The Supervisor said all the service work has been done and the shrink wrap removed from the harvester. Additional booklets have been made as well as DVD’s and there will be fourteen to fifteen people involved in the training. Classes will be held the last week in May or the first week in June. With all the rain we do not feel comfortable placing it in the water now. We are hoping to put together teams of two to work on the Water Chestnut Harvester. We are right on schedule and it is good to see so many people that want to participate.

Saugerties is interested in having their water chestnuts harvested; however, the Supervisor is a little concerned about the vehicle going over the falls. He would like a trained employee to accompany the harvester wherever it goes. As a result, the Supervisor wants to make certain everything is working correctly and that the water is going down a little. The trial and tribulation is behind us. If we did have any problems the man who built the boat will come to do additional training.

1. Obligation Resolution – Highway Trucks

We gave permission to Highway Supt. Al Larkin to purchase two additional trucks. Navistar was the company we used for the purchase, however, they now have a vendor of financing and they require a resolution be passed by the Town Board stating they will be paid each year. This agreement is between Kansas Street Bank of Manhattan and the Town of Esopus.

OBLIGATOR RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Town of Esopus Highway Department would like to finance two (2) 2012 International 7500 Plow Trucks arranging the financing between Kansas State Bank of Manhattan (Obligee) and the Town of Esopus (Obligor),

At a duly called meeting of the Town of Esopus Town Board held on May 19, 2011 the following Resolution was introduced and adopted:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Governing Body of Obligor as follows:

1. Determination of Need: The Governing Body of Obligor has determined that a true and very real need exists for the acquisition of the Equipment described on Exhibit A of the installment Purchase Agreement dated May 4, 2011, between Town of Esopus, New York (Obligor) and Kansas State Bank of Manhattan (Obligee).
2. Approval and Authorization: The Governing Body of Obligor has determined that the Agreement, substantially in the form presented to this meeting, is in the best interests of the Obligor for the acquisition of such Equipment, and the Governing Body hereby approves the entering into of the Agreement by the Obligor and here by designates and authorizes the following person(s) to execute and deliver the Agreement of Obligor’s behalf with such changes thereto as such person(s) deem (s) appropriate, and any related documents, including any Escrow Agreement, necessary to the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Agreement.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Esopus Town Board authorizes the Town of Esopus Highway Department to finance two (2) 2012 International 7500 Plow Trucks and for the Chief Financial Officer (John Coutant, Town Supervisor) to execute this Agreement.

Resolution offered by: Councilperson Wayne Freer

Resolution seconded by: Councilperson Gloria VanVliet

The Board was polled:

Councilperson Wayne Freer AYE___

Councilperson Gloria VanVliet AYE___

Councilperson Donna McAuley AYE___

Councilperson Kyle Barnett AYE___

Supervisor John Coutant AYE___

Signature: ______________________________________________________________

Name & Title: __John K. Coutant, Town Supervisor______________________________

2. Church Survey Resolution

For many years the Town of Esopus has rented the Ross Park Parking Lot from the owner Presentation

Church. The Church wanted the town to purchase the whole lot which goes through to Bayard Street.

Towns are not allowed to subdivide land and we only need the parking area not the lot. A survey to subdivide the land was in order and then the church could sell the additional lot. Three bids were solicited and Surveyor Michael Vetere was the low bidder.

Resolution to Accept

Survey Proposal Bid For

The Church of the Presentation

Whereas, The Town Board of the Town of Esopus, State of New York, has reviewed three proposals for the surveying of the lands adjacent to Ross Park being owned by the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

Therefore, be it Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Esopus, State of New York, accept the bid of $1,050.00 from the firm of Michael F. Vetere, Jr.

Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant

Resolution seconded by Councilperson Kyle Barnett

Supervisor John Coutant Aye

Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye

Councilperson Wayne Freer Aye

Councilperson Donna McAuley Aye

Councilperson Kyle Barnett Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

3. Thank You Scholarship

A Scholarship in the name of former Town of Esopus Supervisor Marilyn Coffey has been established for the 2011 Bicentennial Year. The scholarship is being funded by The Winery owner Louis Fiore in West Park and is in recognition of the former Supervisor who welcomed The Winery’s establishment into the Town of Esopus. As a business owner Louis Fiore has not forgotten his entry into the Town and the encouragement shown for his business. The friendship he developed with Marilyn Coffey has lead to this $1,000 scholarship for the Bicentennial year.

In keeping with the spirit of the Town of Esopus and its’ Bicentennial Year, this scholarship will be used to provide access to the Summer Camp Program sponsored by the Town for those children who would not have the opportunity to attend camp due to financial constraints. This will give them a fun filled summer spent with their friends in a safe and controlled environment.

The Town Board thanks Louis Fiore for his thoughtfulness and on behalf of those children who would have the chance to attend Summer Camp we thank you.

The Town of Esopus Town Board

The Town Clerk Diane L. McCord

Supervisor John Coutant

Councilperson Gloria VanVliet

Councilperson Wayne Freer

Councilperson Donna McAuley

Councilperson Kyle Barnett

4. Memorial Day Parade

There will be a Memorial Day Parade on May 30^th. It will begin at the Dollar General Store at 10 AM and walk to the Riverview Cemetery where a ceremony will be held and then it will return to the Port Ewen Fire House for refreshments. This is the same format that we have always had except for last year. There will be three divisions. At 9 AM the Town Board Members and Town Clerk will meet at the War Memorial here at the Town Hall to lay a commemorative wreath of flowers.

5. Water Chestnut Machine Update – (covered previously)

6. Ulster County Social Services – Changes in State Reimbursement Formula

New York State used to pay for fifty percent of the Safety Net Costs (welfare) but due to the financial constraints the State has reduced that amount to twenty-nine percent. Seventy-one percent will be shared between the County of Ulster and the towns. That places a burden on all the towns since we did not budget for this amount in our budget last November. We expected a $12,000 expense and we received a $24,391.64 bill. The state budget is from April to the end of March the next year, however, this $24,391.64 expense begins retroactively since January 2011. Ulster County will receive 1.4 million dollars to ease the budget burden. Yet, it is the Supervisor’s understanding, that as our Legislator Lomita voted against the County sharing the 1.4 million dollars committed to the County by the State of New York for the Safety Net Program. In reference to this matter the Supervisor has written letters in protest to Senator Bill Larkin and Legislator Alan Lomita.

Councilperson VanVliet mentioned in the newspaper today they spoke about giving the towns some of that money. The Supervisor commented the County Executive Michael Heins appeared before the Supervisor’s Meeting and he advised them of the situation and he committed to giving the money back to the towns. When Chairman Wadnola came in, Social Service Director Rodriques said the money was to be used in the Welfare Office. It was the Supervisor’s opinion a Dept. Head should not have that much power. It is the Comptroller who can raise our taxes.

7. Budget Adjustments

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS

MAY 2011

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 budget adjustments and the adjustments have been examined and approved by the Town Board,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following budget adjustments be approved for payments:

AO 0599.000 FUND BALANCE AO Supervisor Contractual $1,875.50

AO 0599.000 FUND BALANCE AO 3650.400 Building Demolition $3,450.00

AO 0599.000 FUND BALANCE AO 5732.403 Highway Garage $ 7.10

Resolution offered by Councilperson Donna McAuley

Resolution seconded by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet

Supervisor John Coutant Aye

Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye

Councilperson Wayne Freer Aye

Councilperson Donna McAuley Aye

Councilperson Kyle Barnett Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

8. Payment of Vouchers

PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS

MAY 2011

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,

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

General Fund 111230 $47,619.98

Highway Fund 112081 $69,545.85

Capital Fund 115011-115013 $ 2,424.50

Street Lighting 116005 $ 5,489.20

Port Ewen Sewer 113063-113073 $ 5,675.77

Port Ewen Water 114101-114123 $16,895.10

Total ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..$147,650.40

Resolution offered by Councilperson Kyle Barnett

Resolution seconded by Councilperson Donna McAuley

Supervisor John Coutant Aye

Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye

Councilperson Wayne Freer Aye

Councilperson Donna McAuley Aye

Councilperson Kyle Barnett Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

9. Approval of Minutes

A Motion to approve the Minutes of the previous meetings was made by Supervisor John Coutant and seconded by Councilperson Wayne Freer. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

10. Communications and Reports of Officials and Boards

Communications for the month of May have been received and are available for review in the Town Clerk’s Office. The following reports of officials and boards are available for inspection:

Supervisor’s May Report

Town Clerks’ April Report

Waterfront Advisory Board Minutes dated April 24, 2011

Port Ewen Water and Sewer Board Minutes dated April 12, 2011

Planning Board Minutes dated April 28, 2011

Port Ewen Water and Sewer Board Agenda dated May 10, 2011

The Assessors May 12^th report.

A Motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Wayne Freer at 8:10 PM and seconded by Councilperson Kyle Barnett. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane L. McCord

Town Clerk, CMC, RMC