TOWN BOARD MEETING
JULY 19, 2007
A regularly scheduled Town Board Meeting was held on Thursday, July 19, 2007 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
Administrative Recorder: Diane L. McCord, Town Clerk
Pledge to the Flag
Opening: Supervisor Coutant opened the meeting at 7:30 PM
Public Comment: None
1. Hudson Point - Sewer District Agreement
Attorney Joe Eriole, Developer Ralph Zucker and Nick Graviano met to discuss the Hudson Point Sewer District Intra-municipal Agreement. There were changes to the agreement since the Monday evening Workshop Meeting. These changes included Article 1 Section E and Article 1 Section I., as well as additional letter I. being added. The Town Board will submit these changes to our Attorney Paul Kellar for review.
2. The Devereux Foundation
A letter has been received regarding a home on Doris St. to be used as an Intermediate Care Facility for children with developmental disabilities. At our next Workshop Meeting at 7 PM a meeting will be held to address any questions or concerns from the public. Steve Fortune will attend.
3. Noah Hotel Loan Return
The Town of Esopus received a Section 108 loan and $945,000 was lent to the City of Kingston for the Noah Hotel. This money is being returned and we would like to loan it out again, however, the people lending the money would like it back. HUD was contacted to see if we could keep it.
4. Water Plant Damage Report
FEMA has listed the damages to our water plant and the total amount is $1,638,600.00. Part of this money will pay for the shoring up and strengthening of the electric poles and lines above the water plant.
5. Committee/Michael Richardson
Tabled. Mr. Richardson could not appear this evening.
6. Request to Use “Chester”
The Village of Saugerties has requested use of our water chestnut harvester (Chester). Our water chestnut harvester has had some mechanical problems this year with the hydraulic pump needing repair. The amount for the repair was over the amount budgeted. Councilperson Lange sought donations and thanked the following people who responded:
Patricia Eslinger Stalker
Richard & Margaret Dixon
Margery & Irwin Gaffin
Rev. Ujjala Schwartz
Carol & Jim Tomassetti
Wayne Hoyt d/b/a The Kingston Lawn Shop
Timothy J. Halpin
The Frozen Rainbow
Jack D. Spinnenweber d/b/a Spinnenweber P.F.V.
Fred & Marion Zimmer
Steven DeSalvo
Port Ewen Sales Corp. d/b/a Port Ewen Liquor Store
Van Loan’s Discount Beverage
Edith Glenn
Don Kiernan
Roscoe Pecora
Chester & Maj-Britt Allen
Mark Miller
Kathleen & Edward Milhaven
Supervisor Coutant will ask the Highway Supt. to have a professional examine our machine and give us an estimate as well as asking Marian Zimmer to do the same.
7. Town Hall Update
A. Ground Breaking: The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on August 5th at 3 PM. The invitations will be sent soon.
B. Report of Progress: All the contracts have been signed and returned by the contractors. A meeting was held Monday and the start date was yesterday.
8. Tom Daniele Agreement Resolution
The agreement with Tom Daniele to install a waterline into the new Town Hall Building some 610 linear ft. has been signed and received. Councilperson Silvestro pointed out we are the Town of Esopus not the Town of Port Ewen. This will be crossed out and corrected.
A Motion to authorize Supervisor Coutant to sign the corrected agreement with Tom Daniele was made by Councilperson Wayne Freer and 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
Motion Carried.
9. Assessor Letter
In the Assessors’ monthly report he stated property transfers indicate values are still holding in the Town of Esopus. Throughout the United States property values are going down. Our mortgage tax is good, however, we should be cautious.
10-A Peddler’s Permit
An application has been received to peddle books from door to door in the Town of Esopus. .
There have been several complaints in the City of Kingston.
A Motion to deny a Peddlers’ Permit was made by Councilperson Wayne Freer 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.
10-B Public Address System
A public address system is needed by the town. Councilperson Wayne Freer has looked at many different systems for both indoors and outdoors. This will be good for our recreation program. School Outfitters has an appropriate system.
A Motion to purchase a Public Address System not in access of $500 was made by Councilperson Wayne Freer and 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
Motion Carried.
11. Payment of Vouchers and Adjustments to the Budget
Resolution Authorizing the Payment of Bills Received Since June 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 #-071405-071467 $ 52,105.67
Highway Fund # 072180-072217 $ 53,684.57
Capital Fund # 075010-075011 $ 3,767.50
Street Lighting # 076007 $ 4,117.67
Port Ewen Sewer #073080-073090 $ 4,456.40
Port Ewen Water #074197-074218 $ 19,502.92
Total...............................................$ 137,634.73
Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
Resolution seconded by Councilperson Wayne Freer
Supervisor John Coutant Aye
Councilperson Gloria VanVliet Aye
Councilman Wayne Freer Aye
Councilman Michael Lange Aye
Councilperson Deborah Silvestro Aye
Resolution duly adopted.
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:
Appraisal AO.0599.000 $ 4200.00 AO 1357.400 $ 4200.00
Computer AO 1990.4 31.87 AO 8011.400 31.87
Legal Fees AO 0599.00 1,325.80 AO1420.400 1,325.80
Lawn Mower AO 0599.00 4,995.00 AO 7110.2 4,995.00
Resolution offered by Supervisor John Coutant
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.
12. Approval of Minutes
A Motion to approve the Town Board Minutes was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Councilperson Deborah Silvestro. All Town Board Members agreed. Motion Carried.
13. Correspondence and Reports of Committees
Correspondence for the month and Reports of the following officials and committees are available in the Town Clerks’ Office:
Assessors’ Monthly Report dated July 12, 2007
Town Clerks’ Monthly Report dated June 2007
Building Inspectors’ Report dated June 2007
Port Ewen Water and Sewer Minutes dated May 8, 2007
Minutes of the Environmental Board dated April 18, 2007
Waterfront Advisory Board Minutes dated March 27, 2007
Town of Esopus Zoning Board of Appeals dated June 19, 2007
Planning Board Minutes dated June 20, 2007
Planning Board Minutes dated June 28, 2007
14. Brush-hogging at Transfer Station
It is the town’s obligation to chop down the weeds at the Transfer Station.
A Motion to approve the brush-hogging at the Transfer Station was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Supervisor John Coutant. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.
15. Miscellaneous Discussions
1. Rondout Creek Bridge to be repaired and painted in 2008.
2. Merry-go round at Ross Park is up and running.
16. Public Comment:
Patti Kowatch: Will the roadway entering the Town Hall property be completed by November 14th? Supervisor Coutant: by November the top coat for the 50ft. coming into the property should be placed on the sub-base.
Mrs. Kowatch, referring to the Peddlers’ Permit application, does not want someone knocking on her door.
Supt. Al Larkin was asked to have a highway truck for display for the children at the Library . There was a question of insurance coverage. Our insurance company will be contacted.
Ground-Breaking Ceremony for Town Hall- August 5th 3 PM.
A Motion to adjourn at 8:40 PM was made by Councilperson Michael Lange and seconded by Councilperson Wayne Freer. All Town Board Members voted in favor. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane L. McCord
Town Clerk, CMC, RMC
Reg. Dir. Dist. 2 NYSTCA