Town of Esopus, Town Board Meeting Minutes

TOWN BOARD MEETING
JUNE 15, 2006
A regularly scheduled meeting of the Town of Esopus Town Board was held on Thursday, June 15, 2006 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
    Councilperson Wayne Freer
    Councilperson Michael Lange
    Councilperson Deborah Silvestro
    Building Inspector Tim Keefe
    Recording Administrator: Diane L. McCord, Town Clerk

Guests: Kay VanTassell
    Virginia Robinson
    Michael Melendy
    Irene & Robert Emberson
    Jon Haight
    Fred Zimmer
    Carl Belfiglio
    Gary Swinger
    Veronica Berry
    Donna & John McAuley
    Bonnie Hewitt
    Colin Evans
    Sal Silvestro
    Vince Fisher
    Donna Cafaldo, Daily Freeman Reporter

Pledge to the Flag

Public Comment:

Veronica Berry: Previously the Town Board made a motion to use Bowne Street for emergency use only. This was passed by the entire Town Board. Would this Town Board consider a new motion to reinstate the same statement? Supervisor Coutant stated there had been no conversation about that by this board. Councilperson Wayne Free said we stated it will be the same as it has been. Councilperson Gloria VanVliet replied in the past few months we stated this would stay the same.

Another issue raised was No Parking Signs at Ross Park. Ms. Berry said this is a problem. Supervisor Coutant checks the park daily. When three or four things are happening at one time .....this may cause people to park illegally. Ms. Berry believes signs should be posted.

The new lights are great at the pavilion.

Jon Haight: Jon Haight suggested we should bid on the natural gas for the new town hall. Companies other than Central Hudson have lower prices.

Daily Freeman Reporter Donna Cafaldo: Central Hudson will be moving the poles near Wooden Wheels. There will be daily reports in the Daily Freeman with traffic patterns listed.

1. Fire Inspection

Building Inspector Tim Keefe asked to address the Town Board in Executive Session to discuss the appointment of the Fire Inspector.

A motion to enter into Executive Session was made by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet at 7:32 PM and seconded by Supervisor John Coutant to discuss an employee for the position of Fire Inspector. Councilperson Wayne Freer abstained and all other Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

A motion to adjourn from Executive Session at 8:15 PM was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Supervisor John Coutant. Councilperson Wayne Freer abstained and all other Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

A motion was made by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro to hire Debbie Pugliese as a part time Fire Inspector working under Building Inspector Timothy Keefe with review at the December Meeting of the Town Board and with salary not to exceed the existing budget.
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet seconded the motion. Councilperson Wayne Freer abstained and all other Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

2. Resolution/ Public Hearing on Additional Cost for Bonding of Water Pipe on Rt. 9W

Resolution Calling For a Public Hearing
In the Matter of Port Ewen
June 15, 2006

Whereas, at a meeting duly called and held on March 2, 2006, the Town Board of the

Town of Esopus, New York (the “Board”) issued a Public Interest Order approving a plan for the

proposed replacement and reconstruction of certain of the facilities of the Port Ewen Water

District (the “District”) in and for the Town of Esopus (the “Town”), consisting of the

replacement and reconstruction of a 12 inch ductile iron water main, service connections, shut off
valves, fittings and apparatus incidental thereto (the “Project”) at a maximum estimated cost of

$381,900.00; and

Whereas, the Board also approved a Bond Resolution for $379,401.00 of serial bonds of

the Town with a maturity of ten years to finance the Project and thereafter, issued said serial

bonds totaling $379,401.00; and

Whereas, the Board has concluded that the maximum estimated cost of $381,900.00 as

set forth in the Public Interest Order was underestimated and insufficient to cover the cost of the

Project; and

Whereas, the revised maximum estimated cost of the Project is $444,401.00 so that the

cost expected to be assessed against benefitted properties in the District is not expected to exceed

$444,401.00; and

Whereas, the plan and revised maximum estimated cost are on file in the Office of the

Town Clerk for inspection; and

Whereas, it is now desired to call a public hearing on siad proposed increase and

improvement pursuant to Town Law 202-b;

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved By the Town Board as follows:

SECTION 1. A meeting of the Town Board shall be held at the Town Hall, Port Ewen,

New York, in the Town of Esopus, on the 20th day of July, 2006, at 7:15 o’clock p.m.,

for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on the proposed reconstruction and replacement of

the facilities of the District in the Town, as described in the preambles hereof, at which time and

place said Town Board will hear all persons interested in the subject thereof concerning the same.

SECTION 2. SEQR DETERMINATION: It is hereby determined that the aforesaid

specific object or purpose constitutes a Type II Action under the SEQR Regulations of the State of

New York which will not have a significant impact upon the environment.

SECTION 3. The Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause a notice of said

public hearing to be published in the Kingston Daily Freeman, the official newspaper of the

Town, and posted in the manner prescribed by law, which notice shall be in substantially the

following form:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Town Board will meet at the Town Hall,
Port Ewen, New York, in the Town, on the 20th day of July, 2006, at 7:15 o’clock
p.m., for the purposed of conducting a public hearing relating to the replacement
and reconstruction of certain of the facilities of the Port Ewen Water District in
the Town, consisting of the reconstruction of a 12 inch ductile iron water main,
service connections, shut off valves, fittings, and apparatus incidental thereto, at
a maximum estimated cost of $444,401.00, at which time and place said Town
Board will hear all persons interested in the subject thereof concerning same.
Dated: PORT EWEN, NEW YORK
June 15, 2006

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD
TOWN OF ESOPUS, NEW YORK

This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows:
Yes No

Council Member John Coutant X

Council Member Gloria VanVliet X

Council Member Wayne Freer X

Council Member Michael Lange X

Council Member Deborah Silvestro X

The Resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

3. Resolution to Settle Certiorari Proceeding - Kristina McCormack

RESOLUTION TO SETTLE CERTIORARI PROCEEDING
JUNE 15, 2006

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the town of Esopus is party to a certiorari proceeding with Kristina McCormack.

WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed the proposed Stipulation of Settlement.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Esopus approves the settlement of 585,000 Assessment on Tax Map Number 71.1-2-37 for Roll year 2005.

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 Michael Lange Aye
    Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

4. Highway Trucks/ Lease

Resolution to Lease Highway Equipment

Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Esopus, County of Ulster has reviewed the Highway Superintendents suggestion to replace heavy duty trucks that are outdated, twelve to fifteen years old, with new trucks and,

Whereas, the cost to purchase these trucks would be in the amount of $303,442.60 and financed a lease purchase for a ten year period.

Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Town Board will lease purchase the trucks at a cost of approximately $40,000 per year for a ten year period with equal annual payments.

Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
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.

5. Accept bids/Vehicles

Resolution to Accept Bids and Sell Vehicles

Whereas, Bids have been received relative to the old vehicles that were advertised for sale to the highest bidder via public notice,

Whereas, Bids were opened on June 13, 2006 at the highway garage, and all offers were accepted,

Therefore, Be it Resolved, tjat the payments be accepted and the vehicles be released to the successful bidder.

Resolution offered by Councilperson Wayne Freer
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet

    Supervisor John Coutant   Aye
    Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
    Councilperson Wayne Freer Aye
    Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
    Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

6. Town Clerk/School

Resolution to Attend School

Whereas, our Town Clerk Diane McCord has requested authorization to attend the Master Municipal Clerk Academy held at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York on July 28th and 29th,
Whereas, this is a sixteen week course requiring two days a year over a six year period and the 2006 course cost is $500 plus expenses,

Be it Resolved, the Town Clerk is authorized to attend this six year program. The expenses have been budgeted for 2006 and will be budgeted in upcoming years,

Resolution offered by Councilperson Michael Lange
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro

    Supervisor John Coutant   Aye
    Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
    Councilperson Wayne Freer Aye
    Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
    Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

7. Water Chestnut Craft

The following letter to the Town Board has been received:

“To: Town Board
From: John K. Coutant
Re: Water Chestnut Craft (Chester the Molester)

Al Larkin, Supt. of Highway Dept. advised me Thursday June 15, AM the transmission gear box is out and a decision from the Town Board for repair/replace is needed as soon as possible.

OPTION #1      OPTION #2
Order rebuilt unit - Repair in House   Order new part. Install in house.
Cost: $1,800.00 Time 5-6 weeks   Cost $1,254.00 Time: 10-12 weeks

Al says:
Either way unit will not be up and working to remove chestnuts this year. Chestnut season is until August. Please advise. John Coutant, Supervisor”

Councilperson Wayne Freer spoke to the Highway Supt. this morning and he believes Option #2 is best. Supervisor John Coutant would like to see the Water Chestnut Harvester repaired this year and maybe expedite the situation by paying more for an express delivery. Councilperson Deborah Silvestro would be in favor of expediting the mail because she was told July 15th was the peak of the water Chestnut season. If nothing is done the problem will multiple next yea. Councilperson Michael Lange asked if volunteers still operating the machine.

A motion to order a new transmission for the Water Chestnut Harvester was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Supervisor John Coutant. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

8. Greenway Resolution

A sign was to be placed at the rock-cut on Old Rt. 9W but we decided not to place it until the new sidewalks are installed. There was never an account established to monitor grants. The money came out of the Capital Project Account. We need to establish a line item in the budget for grants.

A motion to establish a line item in the Town Budget for Grants was made by Supervisor John Coutant and seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

Resolution to Establish a Capital Project Account
For the Hudson River Greenway

Whereas, the Greenway Grant was given for the Port Ewen Riverside Trail and

Whereas, a project account is necessary for the funds received and paid out,

Be it Resolved, that an account be established for the above purchases.

Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro

    Supervisor John Coutant   Aye
    Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
    Councilperson Wayne Freer Aye
    Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
    Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

9. Cable Station

We have a desire to look into creating our own Cable Station in the Town of Esopus stated Supervisor Coutant. This option is being considered by other towns presently. This option would give us more input in how things are run. Several producers who live in town are willing to help us. Any input from the public should be addressed to Councilperson Silvestro.

A motion to table this discussion was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

10. Payment of Vouchers
Resolution Authorizing the Payment of Bills Received Since May 2006

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 # 061345-061405 $ 30,707.61

Highway Fund # 062146-062170 $ 19,528.86

Capital Fund #065008-065010 12,980.29

Street Lighting # 066006 3,892.50

Port Ewen Sewer # 063076-064141 $153,638.92

Port Ewen Water # 064140-064173 $ 25,648.35

Total............................................................................................... $ 246,396.53

Resolution offered by
Resolution seconded by

    Supervisor John Coutant
    Councilperson Gloria VanVliet
    Councilman Wayne Freer
    Councilman Michael Lange
    Councilperson Deborah Silvestro

Resolution duly adopted.

10A. Resolution to Authorize Adjustment to the 2006 Budget

Be it Resolved, by the Town Board of the Town of Esopus in County of Ulster as follows,

Whereas, the adjustments to the 2006 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:

From: Amt. To:

A9950.9 $1,250.00 H.7197.2 Greenway Signs

Resolution offered by Councilperson Wayne Freer
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro

    Supervisor John Coutant   Aye
    Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
    Councilperson Wayne Freer Aye
    Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
    Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

11. Propane Bid Award

Whereas, the Port Ewen Water/Sewer District advertised and received bids for Propane
to be supplied for a period of (1) one year, beginning June 1, 2006 and ending May 31, 2007.

Whereas, bids were received and opened at the office of the Town of Esopus Town Clerk, on May 30, 2006,

Whereas, the lowest bidder for Propane was Bottini Fuel, 157 West Main St., Wappingers Falls, New York 12590, at a price of $1.54 per gallon,

Therefore, Be it Resolved that the Town of Esopus Town Board award the bid to Bottini Fuel.

Resolution offered by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet and 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.

12. Resolution Establishing the Nation Incident Management System (NIMS) As the Town of Esopus’s Standard For Emergency Incident Management Emergency Management/Emergency Communications

The Town of Esopus Councilperson Freer offers the following:

Whereas, the National Commission of Terrorist Attacks (The 911 Commission) recommended adoption of a standardized Incident Command System, and

Whereas, the President of the United States, the Homeland Security Directive (HSPD-5) directed the Secretary of the Dept of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS) which would provide a consistent nationwide approach for the Federal, State, Local and Tribal governments to work together more effectively and efficiently to prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity.

Whereas, it is necessary and desirable that all Federal, State, Local and tribal emergency agencies and personnel coordinate their efforts to effectively and efficiently provide the highest levels of incident management, and

Whereas, to facilitate the most efficient and effective incident management, it is critical the Federal, State, Local and Tribal organizations utilize standardized terminology, standardized organizational structures, interoperable communications, consolidated action plans, unified command structures, uniform personnel qualifications standards for planning, training and exercising comprehensive resource management and designated incident facilities during emergencies or disasters, and.

Whereas, the NIMS standardized procedures for managing personal, communications, facilities and resources will improve the Town’s ability to utilize Federal funding to enhance County and State agency readiness, maintain first responder safety and streamline incident management training processes, and

Whereas, the Incident Command System component of the NIMS is already an integral part of the various incident management activities throughout the Town of Esopus, including current emergency management training programs, and

Whereas, (HSPD-5) requires Federal departments and agencies to make adoption of the NIMS by State, Tribal and local Organizations a condition for Federal preparedness assistance beginning in the fiscal year 2006, and

Whereas, the Town of Esopus Town Board has met and reviewed said request with a majority of the members voting approval.

Resolved, that the Town of Esopus does hereby establish the National Incident

Management System (NIMS) as the Town of Esopus’s Standard for emergency incident management, and moves its adoptions.

Offered by Councilperson Wayne Freer
Seconded by Supervisor John Coutant

   Supervisor John Coutant   Aye
   Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
   Councilperson Wayne Freer Aye
   Councilperson Michael Lange Aye
   Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye

Resolution duly adopted.

13. Town Clerk Minutes Approved

A motion to approve the May Meeting Minutes was made by Councilperson Gloria VanVliet and seconded by Supervisor John Coutant. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

Communications for the month are available in the Town Clerk’s Office.
The following reports of Officials and Committees are available:

Town Clerk’s Monthly Report for May 2006
Port Ewen Water and Sewer Report for May 2006
Building Dept. Report for May 2006
Highway Supt. Report for May 2006
Planning Board Minutes dated May 25, 2006
Waterfront Advisory Minutes dated April 25, 2006
Assessor’s Monthly Report dated June 2006

Public Comment:

Roscoe Pecora: Where are we purchasing the signs for Greenway? The signs are being purchased from Howard Slotnik. Roscoe Pecora suggested if signs were needed in the future the Bruderhof should be considered in Chester, New York. Councilperson Deborah Silvestro said the Bruderhof donated a sign for the Rifton Mini Park.

Michael Melendy: What is the latest information on the new Town Hall?

Supervisor Coutant said the architect was called today and we are in the home stretch. The site plan is pretty much behind us. Recently we spent many hours meeting with the department heads charting where the computer lines will come in as well as telephone lines and this detailing will save us on change orders down the road and save us on the cost. We are concerned with the escalating cost of certain building materials which seem to be out of control. The cost of fuel is increasing the cost of just about everything.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Councilperson Wayne Freer at 9:00 PM. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

         Diane L. McCord
         Town Clerk, CMC, RMC
         District Director Region 2
         NYSTCA.