REGULAR MEETING, TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall on September 2, 2014 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilman Gary Ketcham, Councilwoman Janet Sutherland, Councilman Dominick Cambareri and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Highway Supt. Hassenmayer, Police Chief Rickard, Attorney D. Bavoso.
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Volpe at 7:30pm following the Pledge of Allegiance. He asked for cell phones to be turned off/silenced.
RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri seconded by Councilman Howell that the minutes of the 8–18-2014 Town Board meeting and 8-18-2014 joint board meeting (Village Board & Town Board) as submitted by the Town Clerk are approved. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Letter from Falun Gong/Falun Dafa
- Letter from Rotary re: Peace Pole ceremony
- Copy of Local Law #4-2014 – Amending the Schedule of District Regulations
- Police dept. budget modification
- Info. From H’way Sup’r re: hours worked at fair
- MHFC monthly report August 2014
COMITTEE REPORTS:
POLICE DEPT. by Chief Rickard:
1 – Grant/equipment acquisition (from State): recording equipment was installed last week
2 – New policy will be coming for next meeting (he will get it to board members by next week)- Grant (for the state) that all statements taken to be admissible in court be tape recorded – this is an unfunded state mandate, we are one of the last ones in Orange County to get this.
3 – Requested executive session for contract negotiations
Supervisor Volpe asked how things were at the fair. Chief Rickard stated everything went well. He has a #’s breakdown and will provide to board by next meeting.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT by Highway Supt. Hassenmayer:
1 – In 3 weeks (9-24) the guys will be going back to winter hours (7-3:30pm M-F)
2 – Fall clean up is coming up. It’s the 1st 2 weekends in October. Same as spring.
3 – Still have a few jobs to finish up: ditching & change of some pipes
4 – Started going over trucks for the winter/get trucks ready for NYS inspections
SUMMER RECREATION (Trustee Loeven):
1 – Still a couple bills outstanding for summer rec.
2 – Final report to come
3 – Final meeting with Janet, Diane & Lisa will be in the next few weeks.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE (Trustee Loeven):
1 – Noted the rescheduling of the joint workshop on the agenda.
PLANNING BOARD (Attorney Bavoso):
The meeting was in August. 2 Public Hearings were scheduled for next month. 2 other applicants have to come back.
MOUNT HOPE FIRE (2nd Asst. Chief W. Melton):
Gave report (on file in Town Clerk’s office). Attended Battalion 1 meeting & thanked them for their assistance with both fires. Ladder truck will back in service tomorrow. Members painted it and lights are back on it. DOT required lights came today. They will go on tomorrow. Member starting FF1 tomorrow.
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MOUNT HOPE FIRE (2nd Asst. Chief W. Melton) continued:
Supervisor Volpe asked what the issue was at the school during the fair. 2nd Asst. Chief Melton stated that someone told Officer Vellake that there was fire on the 2nd floor in the new school. He then reported it and MHFC responded. In retrospect it was the lights off the Screamer that were reflecting off and combining with the rain that we just had along with the steam off the hot roof – it was a false alarm. Fire panel read normal. Fire and police walked through the school. Mutual aid was on stand by. Our box was being put out.
OLD SCHOOL (Frank Ketcham):
Committee met last week. We continue to fine tune our ideas. Sept. 6 from 9-noon is another clean up day. Everyone is welcome. He asked Dean about the gutter cleaning on the flat roof. The big roof wasn’t done. Dean stated the bucket truck wouldn’t reach the main roof. Mr. Ketcham added that’s still a problem. Those gutters need it.
KC ENGINEERING:
Supervisor Volpe stated that KC Engineering will come to 9-15 meeting and go over proposal with board. Questions can be asked at that time. They will be on the agenda (7:45PM)
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE POLICE DEPT. BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland seconded by Councilman Cambareri to approve the following modification:
Increase A3389 Revenue by $626.88 and Increase A3120.1 Police P/S by $626.88. (STOP DWI reimbursement) All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO SCHEDULE DATE FOR JOINT MUNICIPAL MEETING:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri seconded by Councilman Howell to schedule a joint municipal meeting between the Village Board and the Town Board on October 2, 2014 at 7:30pm at the Village Hall to discuss a proposed joint municipal fire district. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO DECLARE SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE DESK SURPLUS:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri seconded by Councilman Ketcham to declare the following as surplus property then dispose of: 1 – wood desk. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR LOCAL LAW #4 – Entitled Amending the Schedule of District Regulations:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland seconded by Councilman Howell to schedule a public hearing for Local Law #4-2014 Entitled Amending the Schedule of District Regulations on September 15, 2014 at 7:20pm. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
2015 TENTATIVE BUDGET:
Supervisor Volpe stated to board members that the 2015 Tentative Budget will be ready for the 9-15 meeting. He would like to schedule budget meetings at that time. He would like board members to have a couple dates in mind at the next meeting.He asked for board members to have a couple dat
PEACE POLE CEREMONY:
Supervisor Volpe spoke of the PEACE POLE dedication ceremony to be held on Sept. 21, 2014 at 1:30pm at the Mount Hope Park. He would like all board members to attend. Refreshments will be served. Dean stated it is installed along the sidewalk by the small pavilion up by the football field.
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RESOLUTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland seconded by Councilman Ketcham to approve the following bills for Abstract 17:
GENERAL A:#478-507$ 48,540.12
GENERAL B:#73–74$ 2,860.57
HIGHWAY:#134–138$ 17,127.86
SEWER:#75–81$ 4,890.00
POLICE FORFEITURE:#1 $ 711.00
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS: #1$ 32.88.
All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
- Maurizzio:
- Attended the fire commissioners meeting 8-25-14. She foiled financial reports for May, June, July from fire company. She had to do it 2x because she was given wrong dates.
- Reported that Mrs. Grunwald stated that there was no recorder nor was treasurers report read for August.
- She waited for public participation. Mr. Melton gave fire report (Mr. Doty was absent). A quote from Mr. Doty was read. She reported Mr. Zawasky was rude and Mr. Mann stated she was belittling the fire company.
- She spoke about a discrepancy in a balance brought forward between 2 months reports. She asked about a ‘Golden’ bill (attorney firm) that was paid. She questioned their electric bill. She asked what attorney was handling the lawsuit against the village. She received no answers to these questions.
- She stated that Mr. Simeone stated that Mrs. Grunwald did not have to answer her questions. Mr. Simeone told her she had to submit questions in writing. She does not think that’s ethical/legal.
- Furman:
- Concerned with 7 Peaks. He asked if we have any info from T/O Mamakating. Atty. Bavoso stated that he’ll be getting a complete copy of their (Mamakating’s) file. Their planning board clerk is shared with the T/O Mount Hope.
- He asked about the town’s master plan. Supervisor Volpe stated it needs to be updated. And that the next local law will hopefully with help this.
- Maurizzio:
- Asked Mr. Bavoso if you have to have the proper day date to FOIL something. Mr. Bavoso stated it depends on the type of specificity that that particular board is looking for. She asked about being told to submit questions in writing. Mr. Bavoso stated that any board that allows public comment has no legal obligation to answer any questions. Public comment process is for just that – public comment for the board to consider. Boards generally aren’t under any obligation to answer anything at those meetings.
- Loeven:
- Asked for a draft copy on proposed local law #4-2014. Atty. Bavoso will send to Kathleen tomorrow.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Howell (to Wayne Melton):
Some people contacted him re: fire on Mountain Road. Everyone he spoke to was involved in fire service at one time or another. It was reported to him that the mutual aid that was coming to the fire was coming through other municipalities. He asked if this is how it happened. Mr. Melton stated yes and further explained that Bloomingburg is the FAST team which is required by OSHA 1910-134 respiratory standard. That anytime you enter a IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) atmosphere you have to have 2 in 2 out. It’s not stuck to the letter of the law 2in -2 out. The minimum is 2 the county has a standard of 4. Very few departments in Orange County provide that; we do. He named a few other departments that do.
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Councilman Howell (to Wayne Melton): Continued:
Our boxes that we have set up, Bloomingburg used to be our FAST team because as of the last Battalion 1 meeting they are no longer a FAST team and now we have to switch to Slate Hill. If we had a fire tonight, Slate Hill would be coming through Greenville and wherever else to be our FAST team which is a federal requirement. Councilman Howell asked about the box he mentioned. Does it mean it is a set of fire companies that come to a mutual aid call? Mr. Melton: yes. Councilman Howell asked if Howells and Otisville part of their mutual aid plan? Mr. Melton stated absolutely – both of them. Councilman Howell asked if at any time they were removed from the list? Mr. Melton stated they are on it -they were at both fires. Councilman Howell stated that was also part of why they told me – those 2 weren’t on the plan – that’s why they called Bloomingburg to come to Mount Hope. Mr. Melton stated that’s a lot of rumor mill going on. Bloomingburg had specific to those 2 fires, had one job to do and that was to be the FAST team.
Just like we’re the FAST team for Port Jervis. If Port goes to anything with smoke/fire – we go to Port. So we go through Otisville, we go through Cuddebackville, we go through Huguenot to get to Port to be their FAST team. That’s just the way it is. All our plans are filed with the Orange County 911 center. But since it’s a home rule state if I don’t want to go by the plan, I don’t have to. Which he doesn’t agree with but it is what it is. We have set boxes (6) for the area we cover and if there is a 2nd alarm depending on where that box is then that geographically depends on what companies are gonna come next. That’s all pre-set and was done mid June 2013 plans were submitted to 911 center. The first fire Otisville was on standby because everybody around was at the fire. So if there was a fire anywhere else, they would respond. Instead of leaving everybody stripped, we tried to do the right thing and have a centrally located department that could respond out.
RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland seconded by Councilman Cambareri to enter into executive session at 8:04pm for police contract negotiations. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland seconded by Councilman Ketcham to reconvene the regular meeting at 8:44pm. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell seconded by Councilwoman Sutherland to adjourn the meeting at 8:44pm. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2014 at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers
Town Clerk
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