The WORKSHOP MEETING of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at the Town Hall at 1706 Route 211 West, Otisville, NY, on December 29, 2016 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Dominick Cambareri and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers. NOT PRESENT: Councilwoman Janet Sutherland.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Chief Rickard, Dep. H’way Supt. J. Musial.
Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30pm following the Pledge of Allegiance. He asked for everyone to silence their cell phones. Janet is stuck in traffic – she will not be here. Dean also had an issue & will not be here.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
This was tabled until the next meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Thank you note from Boys & Girls Club of Wallkill for Giving Tree
2. Budget modification for highway dept.
3. Petition for Municipal Consent to Extend the Service Territory of NY American Water Co. Inc. (Whitlock Estates)
4. Police dept. petty cash fund year end balance $200.00
5. Answer to complaint re: 75 Bull Road
6. Supervisor’s report November 2016
BOARD REPORTS:
Councilman Cambareri reported everything is quiet. Pump went bad at sewer plant. The bill is in for tonight’s bills. Contract came in the mail today for the old school. Supervisor: it got emailed to board members today. David will go over it with us at next meeting in executive session. He has a couple things he has concerns on. The closing is projected to be April 15, 2017. If we approve at next meeting then immediately do the permissive referendum (can be no less than 60 no more than 90 days) – Kathleen & I figured it out today – probably around the 20th-25th of March would be the vote. Then depending on how vote goes we would either execute the contract or we wouldn’t do it anyway.
Councilman Carey spoke re: incorporation of the town. He is dealing with the historian from the T/O Deerpark. He hopes to get a copy of what he’s looking for from her. He went to Devan’s Gate over the weekend. Extreme Concrete was there rebuilding the wall. Looks better than the old wall. (to Chief Rickard): I have a call in to Patty at Devan’s Gate re: collection of drugs.
Councilman Howell: no report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
HIGHWAY DEPT. by Dep. Supt. Musial:
The guys have been busy. Dean wanted us to go over bid on loader. It went to auction site. High bid was $31,100.00. It closed on the 16th. Someone approached from 4H and said they would give us a certified check for $32,000. He’s recommending we accept $32,000. Councilman Carey asked how it works if someone bids on something & can it be denied. Musial: yes.
MOUNT HOPE FIRE: no report.
Supervisor stated that he got Helena’s number from Kathleen and left her a message on how the money was spent. He had some residents inquire as to how certain funds may or may not have been spent. In the contract it says by the 2nd month of the following year you would get a report anyway. He requested from January 2015 to date all of the records. He’s not heard anything back. He will follow up with a letter.
POLICE DEPT. by Chief Rickard:
He reported that the Governor signed a law that takes effect Feb. 28 which settles a lawsuit against the state. The chief judge is gonna have to set up rotating arraignment courts for each of the counties outside of NYC. Details to come.
159
POLICE DEPT CONT.: It can be anywhere in the judicial district. We’re assuming it’s gonna be within the county. Councilman Howell asked if the arresting officer has to bring the person to the arraignment. Chief: not necessarily. He reported that Dr. Santikul from ORMC agreed to be our doctor. She was also the doctor for Mount Hope Fire so it should be a seemless transition. He also requested to hire Steven Hayes to be a part time non-competitive police officer. Have to do a drug test pending approval to hire. Councilman Carey requested that new hires come to a board meeting to meet the board members.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE: No report.
FOTOS (FRIENDS OF THE OTISVILLE SCHOOL) LLC:
Supervisor Volpe asked board to review contract. He told Bob Clouse he could try to remove the graffiti from the school.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT LIST:
Supervisor Volpe will be amending the committee appointment list for 2017. He spoke about the facebook page and website. He hopes to have this list amended in the next couple meetings.
RESOLUTION TO CHANGE 1ST MEETING OF THE YEAR:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Cambareri to change the 1st meeting of 2017 from January 2, 2017 to January 3, 2017 at 7:30pm (due to New Year’s Day holiday). All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
MOUNT HOPE SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK PROCLAMATION:
Supervisor Volpe read the proclamation into the record. Councilman Cambareri asked who sponsored this proclamation. Supervisor: US Senate now it’s done through SchoolChoiceWeek.com.
RESOLUTION FOR MOUNT HOPE SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK PROCLAMATION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Cambareri that:
WHEREAS all children in Mount Hope should have access to the highest-quality education possible; and,
WHEREAS Mount Hope recognizes the important role that an effective education plays in preparing all students in Mount Hope to be successful adults; and,
WHEREAS quality education is critically important to the economic vitality of Mount Hope; and,
WHEREAS is home to a variety of high quality public and nonpublic schools from which parents can choose for their children, in addition to families who educate their children in the home; and
WHEREAS, educational variety not only helps to diversify our economy, but also enhances the vibrancy of our community; and,
WHEREAS Mount Hope has many high-quality teaching professionals in all types of school settings who are committed to educating our children; and,
WHEREAS, School Choice Week is celebrated across the country by millions of students, parents, educators, schools and organizations to raise awareness of the need for effective educational options;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Chad Volpe do hereby recognize January 22-28, 2017 as Mount Hope School Choice Week, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
STREET LIGHT REQUEST / HIDDEN VALLEY:
Supervisor Volpe received email from his neighbor requesting street lights in Hidden Valley. After discussion, Councilman Cambareri will look into this. It would need to be a lighting district in the budget and also he will reach out to the representative from O&R.
160
Councilman Carey asked about solar lights. Councilman Cambareri will ask the village who their contact is. Councilman Carey added that he goes online for street light issues he’s had. Within 24 hours the lights have been fixed.
FCI OTISVILLE FACILITY USE REQUEST:
Supervisor Volpe stated that we need to approve the agreement with FCI Otisville for the facility use contract.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE FCI OTISVILLE USE REQUEST:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to approve the Facility Use contract with FCI Otisville for 2017 for the senior center. (copy ON FILE IN Town Clerk’s office) All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO HIRE STEVEN HAYES / POLICE OFFICER:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd by Councilman Cambareri to approve hiring Steven Hayes as a part time non-competitive police officer pending the passing of the drug test. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
YEAR END BUDGET MODIFICATIONS:
Supervisor Volpe will not be done tonight. He will have them for Tuesday’s meeting.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE HIGHWAY BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Carey to approve the modification as follows:
Increase DB3501 Revenue in the amount of $19,549.86 State Aid/CHIPS AND
Increase Improvements DB5112.2 in the amount of $19,546.86.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE SELLING CASE LOADER:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Cambareri to accept offer from Cornell for $32,000 for the CASE Loader. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to approve the Supervisor’s report for Nov. 2016 as presented. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO SURPLUS & DESTROY COMPUTER EQUIPMENT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Cambareri to surplus and destroy the following:
HP Elitedisplay Monitor E201 (Serial #CNC31603V4) & Tripp-Lite battery back-up (Serial # ECO750UPS). All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION FOR AUDIT OF CLAIMS:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to approve the following bills:
GENERAL A: #751-807 $112,509.66
GENERAL B: #155-160 $ 5,981.96
HIGHWAY: #189-210 $ 47,653.91
SEWER: #98-104 $ 2,835.64
CAP RES GEN B: #2 $ 8,640.00
CAP RES MACH: #1 $156,052.15.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
M. Maurizzio spoke re: Supervisor Volpe having requested information from MHFC and not getting it. What do you do about it? Supervisor will follow up with a written email/letter. Do you have to FOIL it? 161
Supervisor: no, it’s in the contract that on request and/or 2 months after the 1st of the year. Maurizzio: what happens Jan. 1st? They stop serving the town. Supervisor: for a FOIL request? Maurizzio: yes. Supervisor: I think they will still fulfill all their obligations. They are still under NYS statute for FOIL. Cambareri: they are still in existence. They just don’t have a contract with us. Maurizzio: when will dissolution take place? Supervisor: if it will ever take place. Maurizzio: as long as they are still an entity, they still have to fill their obligation. Supervisor: I believe they will.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Howell: spoke re: hydrogeologist. He spoke with Lou Ingrassia. They are trying to set up a meeting where someone from the town can meet with a member of Wallkill and the geologist team. Wallkill uses them on retainer. We’ll be introduced to him and see if we want to work with him. They will extend a helping hand to us.
Councilman Carey: no comments.
Councilman Cambareri: thanked Paul for his help with investigation on Old Mountain Road. He thanked Dean for plowing for the same incident.
Supervisor Volpe will have the 2017 appointment list ready for the January 3 meeting. Happy New Year to everyone.
RESOLUTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Cambareri to adjourn the meeting at 8:08pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri; carried.
The next meeting is the Reorganizational Meeting on January 3, 2017 at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers
Town Clerk
158