HAGUE TOWN BOARD MEETING
January 12, 2010
6:00 pm
Members present: Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, R. Gladu, R. Meola and M. Martucci.
Supervisor Belden opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.
The Town Board audited the bills at tonight’s meeting.
Supervisor Belden opened the regular meeting at 6:30 pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence: Beach Lambert
Supervisor Belden advised the public that comments from the public would only be taken during privilege of the floor and at the end of the meeting.
Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor: Jennifer Holden, Prevention Educator for the Council for Prevention of alcohol & substance abuse gave a brief presentation on her office. They are available to help communities if needed.
John Mucha from Time Warner Cable could not make the meeting. He will be at February’s meeting.
Jan Whitaker gave a briefing on the upcoming AARP Tax Service. There are many changes this year. She thanked Bertha & Diane for all of their help in scheduling the appointments. Last year the volunteer group in Hague completed approximately 136 returns for taxpayers. Supervisor Belden thanked the Whitakers and all of the other Volunteers who make this program such a success.
Discussion of Bills: Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by R. Gladu to pay General, Highway & Sewer Claims audited at tonight’s meeting in the amount of $271,963.64. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Gladu to approve minutes of December 8, 2009, December 29, 2009, January 5, 2010 as printed. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Regular Committee Report:
1. Assessor & Justice (Gladu/Meola): Councilman Gladu reported that the Assessors office has been doing an inventory of records to get ready for the next cycle. Year-end sales transmittal report for property transfers for 2009 is being reviewed.
2. Buildings & Grounds/Enhancement (Martucci/Frasier): Bob Rafferty the new Maintenance person is doing a great job. RFP’s will be sent soon soliciting proposals for planning & engineering on the proposed expansion of the vault & back of the Community Center area.
The Board has received engineered plans for the east porch deck. Northwood’s Building & Masonry sent a revised proposal for East porch deck. Their price was still lower than the prior bids received. The committee recommends that Bob Rafferty put on new steps and the railing will be added across where the existing stairs were. This portion will have removable rails for easy access for the truck to unload food for the pantry.
3. Finance & Insurance (Frasier/Martucci): Councilwoman Frasier reported that the Supervisors office has been working on closing the books for 2009.
4. Fire Department (Gladu/Martucci): Councilman Martucci reported on the scheduled drills and call hours for the Fire Department and Ambulance. The Winter Weekend Firemen’s Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday February 13th. New Ice Water Rescue Suits have been purchased and are in service.
5. Highway (Martucci/Gladu): Donny Smith, Highway Superintendent reported that Matt Coffin is working out very well at the Highway garage. The plates will be on the new truck this week.
Councilwoman Frasier reported that Convenient Medical sent information on a class on reasonable suspicion training for Drugs & Alcohol. The class will be held on January 22, 2010 at Fort William Henry.
Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Meola to give authorization for the Highway Superintendent and one Highway Personnel to attend the Convenient Medical class on “Reasonable Suspicion Training for Drugs & Alcohol,” scheduled for January 22, 2010 at Fort William Henry @ $75.00 per person. It is a 2-hour class. All voting yes. Motion carried.
6. Museum & Historian (Frasier/Martucci): Councilwoman Frasier reported that the Hague Historical Society will be holding a “Collection of Different Things” program on January 31, 2010 at 2:00 pm. They have also been working on their summer program, which will feature Hotel’s in Hague.
7. Personnel (Frasier/Gladu): The Town Clerk has sent a notice to the Times of Ti stating that the Town of Hague is accepting applications for a DCO/ACO. Application are due by January 28, 2010. The Board will review applicants and make a decision at the February meeting.
8. Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Meola):
ZONING REPORT TO TOWN BOARD
January 12, 2010
End of the year (2009) report
Land Use Development 75 68
Site Plan Review 10 14
Subdivisions 5 8
Variance 11 6
Wastewater 10 11
Wastewater Variances 1 1
No one present spoke fore the amendments. Approximately 30 people spoke against both. The public comment period is open until Jan. 17, 2010. Comments can be email to www.apa.state.ny.us or sent to the agency:
John Banta, Council
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P O Box 99
Ray Brook, New York 12977
Phone # 891-4050 Fax # 891-3938
9. Recreation Promotion & Youth (Meola/Martucci): Councilman Meola stressed the need of a calendar of events. Warren County has been trying to get this information. The Chamber should be supplying this to them.
10. Sewer Dist. #1 & #2 (Belden/Frasier): Supervisor Belden reported that the final cost of construction for Sewer District #2 should be available sometime next month.
11. Town Park (Meola/Martucci): Councilman Meola asked the Board what their suggestion is on hiring International students for the summer at the Park for Life Guards and Park Attendants. The majority of the Board would like to see that all three positions be published (Life Guards, Park Attendants and Visitor Center personnel) in the newspaper to see if there is any local response.
12. Transfer Station (Gladu/Meola): Councilman Gladu is looking into the possibility of closing off the right side area going into the Transfer Station where people have been dumping debris. There has been no problem this winter, but last summer and fall, it was an issue.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Gladu to appoint Michael Cherubini to the Board of Assessment Review. Term to expire 9/30/2014. All voting yes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
1. A thank you letter was received from Janet Kennedy, Lakes to Locks Passage.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by M. Martucci to contract with Swift Maintenance for 1 year for cleaning of the Community Center 2 times a week @ $150.00 per week. All voting yes. Motion carried.
2. County Tax discussion: Councilman Gladu questioned Supervisor Belden on what happen with the $140,000 that the Town Board verbally approving for the reduction of Town & County taxes. Supervisor Belden explained that by the time he called everyone on the Board and reported back to the County, the Warrant was already signed and no changes could be made.
Councilman Meola suggested that the Town Board make a commitment to apply the $140,000 intended for 2010 be applied to offset the 2011 Warren County Taxes.
3. Darrin property discussion: The property has been taken off the market. No discussion.
4. The Board discussion the need to set up a schedule on who can attend the NYS Associations of Towns Conference in New York. Councilman Meola and Frasier stressed the need of cutting back. After a long discussion followed.
Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by Supervisor Belden to authorize the payment of Dominick Viscardi and Bruce Clark for attendance to the NYS Association of Towns conference in New York for 2010. No more request will be taken. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, M. Martucci, R. Meola. NAYS: E. Frasier. Motion carried
ADDENDUM
1. RESOLUTION # 39 OF 2010
Certificate of Resolution of Town of Hague
Authority to Open Accounts & to Deposit & Withdraw funds
Resolution Introduced by R. Gladu, seconded by E. Frasier
RESOLVED, that Daniel D. Belden, Supervisor, Edna A. Frasier, Deputy Supervisor and Diane M. Trudeau, Secretary to the Supervisor are hereby authorized, acting singly or jointly, for and on behalf of the Corporation, to open and maintain a deposit account or accounts of the Town of Hague, subject to the terms and conditions specified in the applicable Account Agreement(s), and to endorse and deposit with said Depository negotiable instruments or other orders for the payment of money, which endorsements may be made in writing or by stamp and without the designation of the person endorsing. Be it further
RESOLVED, that Daniel D. Belden, Supervisor, Edna A. Frasier, Deputy Supervisor and Diane M. Trudeau, Secretary to the Supervisor may sign checks or other orders for the payment of money, withdrawing funds from Town of Hague accounts with Depository. Such signature may be in writing or by facsimile. In the event that the Town of Hague uses facsimile signatures for these persons it shall promptly notify the Depository and execute any form that may be requested by Depository in connection therewith. The Town of Hague assumes all responsibility for the use of actual or purported facsimile signatures and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Depository from any and all liability, costs, expenses, suits, claims, or actions arising out of any action or inaction taken by the Depository in good faith under the terms of this Resolution. The signature of Daniel D. Belden, Supervisor, Edna A. Frasier, Deputy Supervisor and Diane M. Trudeau, Secretary to the Supervisor is necessary to act under this Resolution.
RESOLVED, that the Depository be promptly notified in writing by the Secretary /Clerk of the Town of Hague of any change in this Resolution, such notice to be given to the Depository in which any account of the Town of Hague may be maintained, and that until it has actually received such notice in writing it is authorized to act in reliance on this Resolution, and that until it has actually received such notice it shall be indemnified and held harmless from any loss suffered or liability incurred by it in continuing to act in reliance of this Resolution even though this Resolution may have been changed.
RESOLVED, that the Depository may, in its discretion, accept in lieu of an original signature, a legible facsimile or photocopy of a signature of Daniel D. Belden, Supervisor, Edna A. Frasier, Deputy Supervisor and Diane M. Trudeau, Secretary to the Supervisor,
RESOLVED, that the Town of Hague shall be bound by the terms and conditions of the Account Agreement as it may be revised and or amended from time to time.
Duly adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, E. Frasier and M .Martucci
ABSTAIN: R. Meola
Motion carried.
2. Northwoods Building & Masonry revised invoice for East porch. This was discussed under Buildings & Grounds.
3. CHA: Post-Closure Landfill. The Board authorized payment to CHA for Post-Closure of the Landfill in the amount of $5,900.00.
4. Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by R. Meola to give the Hague Sno-goers Inc.: 2/3 payment ($1,000.00) for grooming at Rogers Rock. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Joe McCranels mentioned that the trails should not be groomed until there is at least 8 to 10 inches of snow.
5. Hague Senior Citizens Club, Inc. submitted their Year End financial Statement for 2009. The Board will send a sample of the Hague Senior Citizens Finical Statement to other organizations requesting that each organization receiving funds from the Town use it as a model in their expenditure report to the Town Board.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by Supervisor Belden to go into the executive session on personnel at 7:35 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu for E. Frasier to take minutes. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by M. Martucci to return close executive session and return to regular session at 8:10 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu that a memo be sent to all town employees dealing with the revising and updating some of the town’s management practices. The working hours of the part time clerk will also be addressed. The revised operational policies will be incorporated in the Employees Manual. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Councilman Meola asked that two citizen committees be formed. One to address the possible use of the town real property at Sabbath Day Point sandpit, the transfer station and the Sewer Plant. The other committee to review possible update to the Comprehensive Plan. He asked that anyone interested in serving on these committees submit their name to the Town Board.
Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Meola to adjourn meeting at 8:15 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning, Town Clerk