TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE BOARD MEETING, February 19 , 2019
The town board meeting of the Town of Mount Hope Town Board was held at the Mount Hope Town Hall on February 19, 2019 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings, Councilman Chris Furman and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT:Police Chief Rickard, Attorney D. Bavoso.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30pm & asked audience to silence cell phones.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2ndCouncilman Furman that the minutes of the February 4,2019 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Resignation from Police Officer Maxim Sander effective immediately
- Supervisor’s report January 2019
- Resolution to schedule MS-4 public hearing March 18, 2019
- Resolution for Police Chief to sign STOP DWI contracts for 2019
- OC Planning Dept. public hearing notice: 2-20-19 5pm OC Govt. Center Goshen NY & 2-27-19 3PM OCCC Newburgh Campus
- Police Dept. monthly report January 2019
- Letter from O&R re: hosting free excavator safety seminars
- Request from Town Clerk for approval to attend Town Clerk Conference May 5-8, 2019, Syracuse NY
- Letter of interest to fill alternate vacancy on planning board from Mary Beth Horzepa
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Jenningsreported the planning board meets tomorrow night. The village meeting is Thursday at 7pm. Fire calls for the month was 23. DCO vehicle is back up and running. He gave each board member a packet with some playground equipment fliers to update the playground equipment at the park. He is requesting board members’ opinions/thoughts on what he gave them to either move forward with these or look at different ones. He noted that Brian was going to talk to a company in Chester. Councilman Carey will get that information for Jim tomorrow. The Bruderhof have a place in Chester in the industrial park and they build a lot of playground equipment. Councilman Jennings added that he needs to work with Dean about placement of this equipment. Supervisor spoke with Dean earlier in the day regarding actual placement of equipment.
Councilman Furmanreported MV football is having a meeting coming up. They have a new board. They have some things they’d like to talk to us about. They have some ideas about bleachers. There’s no ZBA meeting as of this point. He and Brian attended a public hearing in the T/O Deerpark re: Dragon Springs – it was postponed
Councilman Carey reported going to a 2 ½ hour meeting for MV youth football. They will get a schedule to Dean for mowing purposes etc. He also attended the public hearing in Deerpark with Chris. There was about 500+ people there in the senior center. They closed down the meeting because it was over capacity in the building. They’re going to move it hopefully to the local school and have it there.
Councilman Howell is getting some estimates lined up for the care & cleaning of the senior center floor. The weather last week cancelled some.
Supervisor Volpespoke to Dean about the playground equipment and new community center. There’s still some fine tuning to be done before the next steps. Concrete was poured. There’s still coordination to be done with the highway department.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supervisor Volpe stated that Dean text him before the meeting that he is feeling ill and won’t be present.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Chief Rickard asked the board to act on the police resignation from Officer Max Sander. He requested approval for himself to sign the 2019 STOP DWI contracts. The department is co-sponsoring a Use of Force class with Port Jervis; splitting the cost. Mr. Daigle is doing a presentation at our senior center for our officers and Port Jervis officers.
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MOTION TO AUTHORIZE POLICE CHIEF TO SIGN STOP DWI CONTRACTS FOR 2019:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2ndCouncilman Jennings to authorize Chief Rickard to sign the 2019 Orange County STOP DWI contracts. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM POLICE OFFICER MAX SANDER:
MOTION offered Councilman Jennings 2ndCouncilman Furman to accept the resignation from Police Officer Maxim Sander effective immediately. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
**AT THIS TIME 7:42PM, Police Chief Rickard exited the meeting.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven spoke re: 5 defibrillators the fire department will be purchasing in March. She wanted to talk about a parking matter in the village with the Police Chief but she will email him. Councilman Carey put the suggestion box in the senior center. He has to get keys made for the board and Diane. He also asked her about the village playground equipment. Trustee Loeven stated that Trustee Palmer was the lead on that.
HOWELL SOLAR:
Supervisor Volpe explained the board voted back in September to approve the PILOT for Howell Solar. Most large scale solar gets sold off to different people. The decommissioning – he doesn’t recall voting on this before for any of the other ones. Normally that’s assessed through Dennis and the engineers on what it would actually cost to tear the whole entire project down. He thought that was the way it had been done up until now but this company is looking for a resolution approving & authorizing the decommissioning. He doesn’t remember doing this for Pierson’s.
**RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE DECOMMISSIONING AGREEMENT WITH HOWELL SOLAR:
Supervisor Volpe called for a motion to approve the decommissioning.
Attorney Bavoso explained the agreement was reviewed by the planning board, town engineer & his office. Basically, the decommissioning plan if they have to post a bond so that if a company were to abandon the facility, that bond is used to remove that facility in the event that the property in general becomes abandoned. Because the town board is the entity that can accept the bond you also have to approve the decommissioning plan. Councilman Howell confirmed this was set up at the planning board level. Attorney confirmed same. Councilman Jennings asked if we have to do this for the other solar farms. Attorney stated we will when we get to that point. Councilman Furman asked what the dollar amount is or is it the same for every one? Attorney stated it would be different depending on the size of the actual facility. It’s calculated with a formula which the assessor works out. It’s typically a percentage of what the cost of proposed value is of the actual facility. Councilman Howell asked if there was a resolution to read. Attorney did not have one as it was brought to his attention….Supervisor received an email from Glenn saying everything was already approved and they just needed our authorization.
MOTION offered Councilman Carey to approve the authorization as read by the Supervisor.
There was no second to this motion. Councilman Furman stated he has a hard time passing something he doesn’t know anything about ie: dollar/cents.
This matter is tabled.
OTISVILLE FAIR SIGN REQUEST:
Otisville country fair asked to use our sign location July 21-August 17. Our concerts will be ½ over & our community day will be over. He doesn’t see a problem with it. Councilman Carey: Rain date for community day is July 21st. Can we make it July 22? Supervisor: sure.
MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERVISOR’S MONTHLY REPORT:
MOTION offered Councilman Jennings 2ndCouncilman Furman to approve the January 2019 Supervisor’s report as presented. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MS-4:
Supervisor Volpe explained we need to do the MS-4. Our engineer does this with Julie in the building department. There’s paperwork to be completed. He’d like to have the public hearing on March 18.
MOTION TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR MS-4:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2ndCouncilman Carey to schedule the public hearing for MS-4 on March 18, 2019 at 7:30pm at Town Hall. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE TOWN CLERK REQUEST TO ATTEND CONFERENCE IN SYRACUSE NY:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2ndCouncilman Howell to approve request from Town Clerk to attend Town Clerk conference in Syracuse NY May5-8, 2019 for a cost of $750. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
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COMMUNITY DAY 2019:
Supervisor Volpe noted that he gave everyone a copy of the information for community day. Any corrections should be noted to Supervisor Volpe. It will be on July 20, 2019 from 12:00noon until 10:00pm.
MOTION TO APPOINT MARY BETH HORZEPA AS PLANNING BOARD ALTERNATE:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2ndCouncilman Carey to appoint Mary Beth Horzepa to the planning board as an alternate effective immediately. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
RESOLUTION TO ABOLISH THE POSITION OF TAX COLLECTOR:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2ndCouncilman Howell to accept the resolution as read by the Town Clerk – see complete resolution at end of these minutes.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe. Abstain: Furman Nay: Jennings. Motion carried.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2ndCouncilman Carey to approve the following bills (Abstract 4):
GENERAL A: #85-115 $ 94,194.54
GENERAL B: #13-16 $ 4,580.77
HIGHWAY: #19-26 $ 62,805.56
SEWER: #16-19 $ 7,582.72
LIBRARY: #1 $ 2,051.00
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Julie Musial: We do have a PILOT for Pierson solar farm. Just so you are aware – even though it may not have been voted for here there is actually a decommissioning agreement.
Mary Maurizzio: Diane mentioned something about parking in the village & she would like to hear more about that. Councilman Carey noted that Thursday is the village meeting.
Diane Loeven: There’s an unlicensed vehicle being stored in the village parking lot which is not legal. The garden club plants the planters in the downtown area as well as the (Howells?) fire house. Those plants were always donated by Wessels. Wessels is no longer in the plant business which leaves the garden club with a real loss. They will be sending solicitation letters to the businesses in the downtown area asking if they would contribute towards the cost. We are putting something in the O-Voice and the village newsletter. Supervisor Volpe suggested sending letters to the Rotary, Lions & Kiwanis. She also spoke re the veteran’s scam pamphlet. AARP partnered with the postal service for questionnaires to be sent back. Councilman Carey brought to the discussion about the brochure/pamphlet holders for the walls in the senior center to alleviate the table with all the piles on it.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Howell – no comments.
Councilman Carey will post the spring/fall clean up dates on facebook.
Councilman Furman – no comments.
Councilman Jennings noted the school had sent a letter out with the kids about the water issues they had. The school sent a letter to the Otisville fire department thanking them for their fast response to the situation. He wanted to give kudos to the fire dept. on that. He reminded everyone of the fundraiser for Minisink cares – Otisville basketball and Minisink basketball will have games at 6pm at the school.
LIONS CLUB EGG HUNT:
Supervisor Volpe spoke re: waiving fees to use pavilion for easter egg hunt. He would like approval to do this for the community event. Dean checked the dates and all is fine.
MOTION TO WAIVE FEES (SECURITY & RENTAL) FOR THE OTISVILLE LIONS EGG HUNT:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2ndCouncilman Furman to waive security and rental fees for use of the park/pavilion for the Lions Easter egg hunt. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
OTISVILLE LIONS COUNTRY FAIR:
Supervisor Volpe spoke re: fees for use of park for fair. There was a delay in the ruts and trailer and everything getting removed so he would like to request a security deposit that is 100% refundable. Atty. Bavoso added that there would still be a rental agreement.
MOTION TO WAIVE RENTAL FEE FOR PAVILION FOR FAIR & CHARGE DEPOSIT/SECURITY FEE:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2ndCouncilman Howell to waive the rental fee for park/pavilion use for the fair but charge a refundable security deposit (amount pending). All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
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INSURANCE:
Supervisor Volpe noted that every February he meets with Doug Hutchings to go over insurance. Supervisor requested copies of all certificates provided to us for use of the senior center. They will need to be turned over to Doug. Councilman Carey asked if you’re an organization and you’re having meetings at the senior center, who would need insurance and who wouldn’t need insurance? Supervisor: if you’re getting it for free (not-for-profit) ie: Little League, Lions, Kiwanis, football, Rotary, VFW, seniors – all of those – we don’t require money from them to use the facility. Councilman Carey: but we do require insurance to use the center. Supervisor Volpe: the flip side is if somebody rents it – we don’t require it. They sign an agreement. Atty. Bavoso: there’s a release of liability in that form. Councilman Carey: if an organization comes in and wants to rent the senior center for a fundraiser, that organization would need to supply insurance in order to rent it. Supervisor Volpe: private rentals requiring rental fees do not need insurance certificates.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2ndCouncilman Carey to adjourn the meeting at 8:10pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
The next town board meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2019 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk
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RESOLUTION OF
THE TOWN BOARD, TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK
WHEREAS, the Town of Mount Hope currently has the position of Tax Collector as a municipal officer, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope would like to eliminate the position of Tax Collector and assign its responsibilities to the Town Clerk, and
WHEREAS, §36 of the Town Law of the State of New York allows the Town Board to eliminate the position of Tax Collector by Resolution provided that resolution is adopted at least one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the next biennial Town election, and
WHEREAS, upon the adoption of such Resolution the Tax Collector shall be entitled to finish out his/her term of office, and
WHEREAS, upon the expiration of the current term of office, the Tax Collector shall transfer all records associated with the position of Tax Collector to the Town Clerk,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREIN RESOLVEDTHAT:
The Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope hereby eliminates the position of Tax Collector and transfers all tax collection duties to the Office of the Town Clerk. Such elimination of the position of Tax Collector shall take effect at the expiration of the current term of office for the position, at which time all records pertaining to the office of the Tax Collector shall be transmitted to the Office of the Town Clerk.
Date: February 19, 2019
Motion made by: Councilman Brian Carey
Motion seconded by: Councilman Matthew Howell
Those in favor:
Councilman Matthew Howell – aye
Councilman Brian Carey – aye
Supervisor Chad Volpe – aye
Opposed:
Councilman Chris Furman – abstained
Councilman Jim Jennings – nay
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