Town Board Approved Minutes - June 9, 2014
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
June 9, 2014
The regular meeting of the Town Board was held June 9, 2014 at 7:30 pm at the Town Hall. Present were: Supervisor Thomas S. Hynes, Councilmen Gene Cronk, Edward Raeder, and Carol Murray, Highway Supt. Stephen Schuman, Assessor Robert Breglio, Attorney Kevin Young and 5 residents. Absent: Councilman Allen Hinkley.
On motion of Gene Cronk second by Carol Murray the Minutes of the May 12, 2014 meeting were approved.
AYES – 4 Cronk, Murray, Raeder, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
Robert Breglio, Assessor, discussed items in his written monthly report to the Town Board stating the re-val is moving along, an ad has been placed for summer interns for data collection and discussed his monthly conditions report that is sent to the Building Inspector where two structures have been taken down in May without a demolition permit.
Richard Purchell expressed concerns with the re-val process, summer intern’s data collection qualifications, farm and commercial evaluations, his own Board of Assessment Review (BAR) decision and qualifications of the person doing the farm and commercial assessments. Assessor Breglio responded that the re-val was being conducted per NYS guidelines, the summer interns are only doing residential properties in checking data, farm and commercial assessments are figured by NYS guidelines, he can appeal his BAR decision through a SCAR hearing due to his assessment code and the person doing the farm and commercial assessments is qualified as being both a certified assessor and a certified appraiser for several years.
Carolynn Faraci, Parks Clerk, discussed the written report submitted by Margaret Ellsworth regarding the Community Resource Dept. Items include: requesting a bid package be assembled and advertised for the sale of the park carriages, the pavilion doors are now secured all around the building, a walking tour was given June 8th and a second one is scheduled, requested support from the Town Board for an application to NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on behalf of the Jay Gould Church, the next Roxbury Business Meeting will be held June 24 at Kirkside Park where the Town Board was invited to a pot luck supper, the Roxbury and Grand Gorge Business Associations are planning to do new business brochures and will be applying to the O’Conner Foundation for funds, requested a park attendant be hired to close down the park buildings after booked events and sensory lighting will be installed around the park buildings for security. No decision was made on the carriages as Supv. Hynes would first like to discuss the matter with Mrs. Ellsworth and the Board decided the park attendant would be budgeted for in the 2015 budget and the park rentals would also have to be increased to accommodate the extra cost for the attendant.
RESOLUTION #26 – SUPPORT JAY GOULD MEMORIAL REFORMED CHURCH GRANT APPLICATION
On motion of Gene Cronk second by Edward Raeder the following resolution was offered and adopted:
“WHEREAS, the Town of Roxbury recognizes the importance of historic preservation as an important part of the community; and
WHEREAS, the Town also recognizes the Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church as one of the most prominent structures contained within the Hamlet Historic District; and
WHEREAS, the Town recognizes that among other historic resources contained within the hamlet that the Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church serves both the community and as a destination for visitors to the region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Roxbury supports the Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church’s application to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for funds necessary to restore the Maitland Armstrong Stained Glass Windows, and address necessary masonry restoration on the exterior of the building and address the need for a new heating system in the church.”
AYES – 4 Cronk, Raeder, Murray, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
Stephen Schuman, Hwy. Supt., reported crews have resealed the garage floors, have shimmed roads to ready them for stone & oil, replaced culverts and upgraded drainage, discussed options for the overhead door repair prices needed for the old highway garage and discussed Rodrigues gravel bank issues. It was decided to close and reclaim the gravel bank and attorney Kevin Young will draft a letter to the owner as notification of the closure.
On motion of Gene Cronk second by Edward Raeder the Town Board approved Option #2 of the quote from Action Garage Doors of Oneonta in the amount of $1,560 to replace one overhead door and repair three others on the old highway garage.
AYES – 4 Cronk, Raeder, Murray, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
Attorney Young he is waiting to receive signed paperwork and other documents from the owner of Colonial Drive before the road can be taken over by the Town.
Supv. Hynes stated the Lake St. Construction Project has paved the road, will fix lawns and is expected to be completed soon.
A letter was received from Roxbury Central School requesting to hook up the bus garage to the water and sewer lines. The matter will be looked into.
Councilman Cronk expressed concerns with the vehicles parked in the vicinity of the Town water aquifer at the Hinkley Electric property. Supv. Hynes will speak with the owner regarding the vehicles and will contact the engineer to assess the situation.
A letter was received from Delaware County Youth Bureau notifying the Town the reimbursement to Roxbury School for the 2013 summer recreation program will be $451.
A letter was received from Simone Shams of Libra Accounting Services, Inc. regarding her taxes and assessment. Supv. Hynes sent a written response.
A letter was received from the O’Conner Foundation stating their decision on the application for grant funds for the Methodist Church clock tower that was to have been made in May has been postponed until June.
Attorney Young stated the Mountainside Farms sewage treatment plant construction has been completed and discussed the plant’s processing capabilities that will hopefully benefit homes in the area with odor control. The Town Board requested the attorney look into scheduling a tour of the plant.
Discussion took place on both the Denver and Roxbury Sewer budgets having line items for administration of the funds and completing annual reconciliations with NYCDEP.
On motion of Gene Cronk second by Edward Raeder the Town Board approved Denver Sewer and Roxbury Sewer funds be paid to Diane Pickett for administration of paperwork as budgeted in each district for 2014 and the Town Attorney will draft an agreement.
AYES – 4 Cronk, Raeder, Murray, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
On motion of Edward Raeder second by Gene Cronk the Town Board approved the monthly report of the Town Clerk for May 2014 in the amount of $3,531.16 (Town Clerk $340.00 and Building Permits $3,040.00)
AYES – 4 Raeder, Cronk, Murray, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
On motion of Carol Murray second by Edward Raeder the Town Board approved the monthly report of the Supervisor for April 2014.
AYES – 4 Murray, Raeder, Cronk, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
On motion of Gene Cronk second by Edward Raeder the Town Board approved the monthly report of the Assessor for May 2014.
AYES – 4 Cronk, Raeder, Murray, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
On motion of Carol Murray second by Edward Raeder the Town Board approved the monthly report of the Justice Court for April 2014 in the amount of $4,863.50.
AYES – 4 Murray, Raeder, Cronk, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
On motion of Carol Murray second by Edward Raeder the Town Board approved the monthly report of HUD Program funds for May 2014.
AYES – 4 Murray, Raeder, Cronk, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
On motion of Carol Murray second by Edward Raeder the Town Board approved the monthly report of the Building Inspector for May 2014.
AYES – 4 Murray, Raeder, Cronk, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
On motion of Gene Cronk second by Edward Raeder the Town Board approved the monthly water receipts for May 2014 in the following amounts: Denver Water $711.96; Grand Gorge Water $441.27 and Roxbury Water $478.54.
AYES – 4 Cronk, Raeder, Murray, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
On motion of Edward Raeder second by Carol Murray the Town Board approved the following equipment for destruction:
Description: HP 1040 fax machine
Model#: SDGOB-0403-01
Serial #: CN619AJ7GY
Reason: Does not work
AYES – 4 Raeder, Murray, Cronk, Hynes
NAYS -0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
Discussion took place on the remaining invoice for Attorney Beebe’s work on tax consulting for NYCDEP property assessments.
RESOLUTION #27 – AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF BALANCE DUE ROBERT BEEBE FOR TAX CONSULTING SERVICES PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED
On motion of Gene Cronk second by Edward Raeder the following resolution was offered and adopted:
“WHEREAS, the Town of Roxbury and the Catskill Watershed Corporation (“CWC”) entered into a Tax Consulting Program Agreement originally executed in 1099, amended in 2004 and renewed in 2011; and
WHEREAS, the CWC Tax Consulting Program Agreement provided for the vouchered reimbursement of fees and expenses of professional consultants and/or attorneys retained by the Town of Roxbury to review, analyze and/or assist in the administration of real property taxes paid by New York City on City-owned land;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the CWC Tax Consulting Program Agreement, the Town of Roxbury contracted with Robert L. Beebe, LLC, in or about 2011, to defend the Town’s assessments of the Schoharie Reservoir; and
WHEREAS, Robert L. Beebe provided the contracted for services and, as of the date of this Resolution, the balance due Robert L. Beebe for services provided is $4,834.00; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to authorize final payment to Robert L. Beebe, LLC for the satisfactory services that have been provided.
THEREFORE, NOW BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. That the Town Board hereby authorizes payment to Robert L. Beebe, LLC in the amount of $4,834.00; and
2. That the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to submit a voucher to the CWC for reimbursement of the aforementioned payment pursuant to the Town’s current agreement with the CWC.”
WHEREUPON, the Resolution was put to a vote and recorded as follows:
YEAS – 4 Cronk, Raeder, Murray, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSTENTIONS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
Carolynn Faraci, Budget Officer, requested the Personnel Committee (Councilmen Hinkley and Murray) to start working on the Highway contract as it expires this year and she needs the information for the tentative budget that is due in September.
RESOLUTION #28 – ASSESSOR DATA COLLECTORS
On motion of Edward Raeder second by Carol Murray the following resolution was adopted:
“WHEREAS, the Town Board has directed the Assessor to conduct a total Town re-valuation; and
WHEREAS, in 2013 the Town Board hired two data collectors to assist the Assessor with the data collection process; and
WHEREAS, the Assessor requests the assistance of two data collectors for 2014;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board authorizes the Assessor to recommend the names of two data collectors for hiring; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED said hiring shall be upon the approval of the Town Supervisor.”
AYES – 4 Raeder, Murray, Cronk, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
The 2013 Annual Water Quality Reports for Denver, Grand Gorge and Roxbury Water Districts have been mailed to all customers and a copy is available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office.
On motion of Carol Murray second by Edward Raeder the bills were audited and ordered paid in the following amounts:
General #217-269 – $125,526.19
Denver Sewer #60-68 -$12,273.08
Highway #139-165 – $182,278.25
Special Lights #9 – $1,931.13
Roxbury Water #35-40 – $1,758.95
Capital Projects:
Grand Gorge Water #37-42 – $1,607.77
Kirk. Park Programs #6-10 – $450.00
Denver Water #32-37 – $1,657.65
HUD Program #11 – $44,874.50
Roxbury Sewer #35-43 – $41,977.41
Other-Lake St Proj. – $186,815.25
AYES – 4 Murray, Raeder, Cronk, Hynes
NAYS – 0
ABSENT – 1 Hinkley
On motion of Gene Cronk second by Carol Murray the meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
THIS IS A TRUE COPY
_____________________________
Diane Pickett, Town Clerk
Thomas S. Hynes, Supervisor
Gene Cronk, Councilman
Edward Raeder, Councilman
Carol Murray, Councilwoman