The workshop meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall on January 17, 2017 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilwoman Janet Sutherland, Councilman Dominick Cambareri and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Highway Supt. D. Hassenmayer, Town Attorney D. Bavoso, Lt. P. Freeman.
Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30pm following the Pledge of Allegiance. He reminded everyone to silence/turn off their cell phones.
RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell that the minutes of the January 3, 2017 meeting as submitted are accepted. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Real Property office re: re-appointing Laura Sedita to BAR
- Supervisor’s report December 2016
- Palmer’s Ark 2016 Annual impound summary
- Palmer’s Ark December 2016 report
- Police dept. report December 2016
- Highway budget modification
- Roof quote from Garland Company Inc.
- Copies of letter to Sen. Bonacic/Assemblywoman Gunther re: Indigot Creek
- Water authority consent petition re: Whitlock Estates
- Hometown Helpers 2016 summary
- Corres. From Assoc. of Towns re: meetings in 2/19/17-2/22/17
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BOARD REPORTS:
Councilman Howell reported: next Master Plan meeting is Feb. 23, 2017 5PM at Town Hall. Audit of receipt books was completed on Saturday. The best recommendation we got from T/O Wallkill was to either go through the RFP process (to hire for a hydrogeologist) or the interview process with a firm/s and go with a choice. It would be the board’s discretion. Supervisor Volpe added that he spoke with David on Friday and indicated that he thinks the RFP is the way to go. Perhaps we could go in with Greenville & Wallkill to share expenses.
Councilman Carey reported: Little league started with some meetings. There’s an issue with a key – it’s figured out. Little league wants to stress their concern with the sex offender that now lives in the town. They would like to have info sent to their board members. Extreme Concrete has been doing their work down @ Devan’s Gate. Looks awesome. There’s issues with some of the sidewalks. New wall is up. Ad is on facebook for summer recreation for camp director, sports director & medical director. There’s been 548 hits so far. Facebook page is his committee appointment. We are getting hits on certain things we are posting. He will have the meetings on there like the event list.
Councilman Cambareri reported: project at sewer plant is still underway. Old school is in the hands of both the lawyers. He spoke re: Community Advisory Board (prison). Federal prison has new warden. State prison has staff of 212 officers & 590 inmates. Federal prison is 97% staffed with security staff & 93% overall staffing.
Supervisor Volpe: March 21st will be CPR/AED class; it will either be at the court or senior center. Bob Decker will do this. April 4th will be a First Aid class. He will give information as he gets it.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer spoke re: roof quote from Garland Company. It’s for materials only to re-surface our roof. Roofs are flat here. This is the cheapest way out with a 15 year warranty. It’s a paint on material & it turns to a solid rubber. Final thickness is about 1/8” thick. There’s patching & other technical work to be done. Work will be done by our guys; overseen by a contractor.
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There’s an estimate coming from a contractor that would sign off on the job for the warranty purpose. This came about last fall but it was too late in the season to do anything about it weather-wise. The quote will go up 5% at the end of January. There’s a 3% discount if we pay within 60 days. Supervisor added that this is a company Dominick has used at the school. To replace the roof is upwards of $450,000. This quote will hopefully give us 15 years. This material could be done twice. Councilman Carey asked what the roof is made out of. Supt: it’s rubber on top of a foam insulation. Examples were given of local companies that used this company. This is the cheapest way out. Councilwoman Sutherland asked if this is a new quote? Supervisor: that’s the only company I know that does a re-surface. Councilman Cambareri: theirs is a proprietary product they sell. Councilman Carey asked how it goes on. Supt.: brush & roller. It’s a 2 stage process. Have to clean up the old roof 1st. They are willing to come out & train our guys on how to put it down. There’s a quote coming from a contractor who is gonna oversee the job. Cambareri: who will do repairs before it is re-sealed? Supt.: we will. Sutherland: did he tell you 3% if paid within 60 days? Supt.: yes. Sutherland: it says here 1 ½% in 10 days. Supt. will call him tomorrow. Sutherland questioned taxes. Supt: we are tax exempt.
OTISVILLE FIRE:
Report read by Norman Mann.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Lt. Freeman reported on the level 3 sex offender. He’s from Warwick. Originally from New York City. All the information is on our facebook. Also, we notified all the vulnerable populations: churches, schools. He lives in Devan’s Gate. We notified the neighbors there. This offense occurred in 1997. A lot of questions he gets is in regard to the proximity to the school. He is no longer on probation or parole – those restrictions no longer apply. This is an offense from 20 years ago. He is employed. He’s with a girlfriend of 16 years. We’ve made all notifications we are supposed to. We will keep an eye on him. We have no reason to believe that he would re-offend. He opened it up to questions. Someone asked if this person is originally from C/O Middletown? Lt.: no – NY city originally. That’s where crime occurred. He served 2-4 years in state prison. Someone asked about guidelines on distance from the school. Lt.: that’s actually if you are on probation or parole. After that time period goes by then that restrictions no longer holds. He’s over the amount of distance. He can go pretty much where ever he’d like. The most important thing is the community has been made aware. He will certainly stick out as far as we are concerned. Someone asked if we only get notified of level 3’s. Lt.: level 1 or 2 the website will show an area they may be living in. Those levels have certain protections. Level 3 is the highest so the notifications are the highest. Someone asked if there’s a chance there’s more there. Lt.: as far as sex offenders in the town or Devan’s Gate? We only have 2 sex offenders in the town: level 3 and the other might be level 2. It would be on the website. He has to report to us every certain amount of time. Councilman Carey stated he did some research today and all he did was google it. He found it interesting that they take pictures of this guy and do a home visit to him every year. To answer the question in the back on how you can find out where sex offenders live – google it. Sex offenders NYS brings you to a webpage criminaljustice.ny.gov and it actually has an up to date picture. The picture that I saw that’s out there of this guy is probably from 2010 because if you look at the pictures on the page – he’s a lot skinnier. I can already answer you. I’ll hand this to you. I know you didn’t see that. Lt. Freeman: the most recent one we took ourselves. We have a picture of him. That’s on our facebook. That’s on the fliers. We have a photo of his vehicle, his residence. Carey: who takes pictures of him? Lt. Freeman: Deputy Chief Corcoran is in charge of sex offenders. Carey: You can go on the web page and see where the other one lives. Lt. Freeman: It’s all mapped out for anybody in the state – any sex offenders. Carey: I don’t know much about it. Where I live I’m on a [trying to think of the] website where sex offenders come in and out. Every couple of days you get an alert because you have the state & federal prison here. If you are in to alerts unfortunately when they move someone in or out you get an alert for it. Lt. Freeman: It’s certainly something to be aware of. A person in the audience added he didn’t know he had free reign. That’s crazy that he has that right. He shouldn’t have any right at all. Lt. Freeman: we have to follow the way that NYS has it set up. On all the fliers and on facebook it is impressed upon people that this is for awareness; this isn’t set up for retribution or harassment or anything else. You can be charged for something like that. He can still be a victim.
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Lt. Freeman continued: The video explains a lot an also all his information is all on facebook. Carey: How was it put out to people for Devan’s Gate? Lt. Freeman: we had officers go down personally and make the notification and post fliers and advise some of his neighbors. We have fielded a lot of phone calls. Management at Devan’s Gate hadn’t notified them. I don’t think legally they have to. That’s where the police department comes in. We went ahead and immediately made the notifications to them and anybody else we deemed may be vulnerable ie: churches, schools. We had to get clarification from the state as far as what information we are able to give out on him. It’s full disclosure. As long as he’s not out there committing crimes or doing things he’s not supposed to do he is basically a free man. He served his time. He’ll always be a sex offender. He’s not on parole or probation any longer. Supervisor: the information that’s out there now is what we’re allowed to give out. Paul will go down there tomorrow personally to meet the residents down there. We don’t have a say where the guy lives. Lt. Freeman: in the eyes of the law he served his time. He’s no longer under observation as far as parole/probation. He’ll always be a sex offender; he’ll always be on the list; he’ll always be a level 3; we’ll always do the notifications & we’ll be aware of his whereabouts/movements. It’s not a perfect system but unfortunately that’s the best we can do at this point. Audience: does he rent the place or did the girl rent it? Lt. Freeman: I’d have to check to see but he’s living with her in that residence. He has a job. They did a full check on him, credit check, background check to a point. I don’t know if they can discriminate against him and say we’re not gonna let you have this apartment.
Little league was discussed. There will be fliers.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven reported their meeting is Thursday evening.
PETITION FOR MUNICIPAL CONSENT TO EXTEND THE SERVICE TERRITORY OF NEW YORK AMERICAN WATER COMPANY:
Atty. Bavoso stated that the town was recently contacted by NY American Water Co. They are purchasing 2 systems that are located within the town. As required by state law they have to file a petition with the town and that petition has to receive consent in order for them to assume control of the systems themselves. When we received this, I asked that the engineer take a look at it. They did & did not see any issues so there is a slight process we have to do. The engineer prepared a short form EAF. This town board, as the agency that would oversee the petition, would have to 1st adopt a motion to declare itself lead agency for purposes of review of the petition. Upon doing so, it will then have to adopt a negative declaration as recommended by the engineer. Then the engineers have provided a sample resolution consenting to the petition.
RESOLUTION FOR LEADY AGENCY:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Carey to declare the town board lead agency for purposes of review of the petition to approve the extended service territory of NY American Water Company Inc. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION FOR NEGATIVE DECLARATION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Carey to issue negative declaration under SEQR. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL TO EXTEND THE SERVICE TERRITORY OF NY WATER CO. INC:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Cambareri that we, the members of the town board, Town of Mount Hope, County of Orange, NY, do hereby consent to the extension of the service territory of NY American Water Company Inc. for the purpose of supplying the customers of the former Whitlock Farms Water Company and New Vernon Water Company. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
INDIGOT CREEK:
Supervisor Volpe confirmed with the attorney that he will do the RFP for the next meeting. He discussed the copies of the letters {to Bonacic & Gunther} he gave to the board members with regard to Indigot Creek. He is hoping to get the DEC more involved with this project. The board agreed for him to send the letters.
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F.O.T.O.S.:
Atty. Bavoso stated that since the last meeting he has contacted the attorney for the FOTOS & he is waiting to hear back.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE HIGHWAY BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to approve the modification:
Increase revenue account D2665 for sale of equipment by $32,000.00 and increase DB5130.2 Machinery Equip. by $32,000.00. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT SUPERVISOR’S REPORT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to approve the December 2016 Supervisor’s report as presented. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO RE-APPOINT LAURA SEDITA TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to re-appoint Laura Sedita to the Board of Assessment Review; term effective 10-01-2016 through 09-31-2021. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
TOWN HALL BUILDING – ROOF QUOTE:
Councilman Cambareri stated he wants to see what the contractor’s stuff comes back until we go further. He asked Dean if the contractor came to look at the roof. Supt. Hassenmayer: no. Cambareri asked that we wait to see what he comes back with. All repairs need to be done 1st. Councilman Carey questioned the price increase beginning next month if this doesn’t go through. Supt. Hassenmayer is not sure when the price increase is. Supervisor: we’re gonna need these materials anyway. He is fine waiting. It’s still significantly cheaper than replacing the roof. We’ll put it off until next meeting.
RESOLUTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to approve the following bills:
GENERAL A: #7-39 $ 59,788.42
GENERAL B: #2-6 $ 4,690.93
HIGHWAY: #2-7 $ 43,261.71
SEWER: #3-7 $ 62,791.08
OTISVILLE FIRE: #1 $124,500.00.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Alison Miller stated there was a FOTOS meeting last Thursday & at that time our attorney stated he was meeting with Bavoso on Friday. Atty. Bavoso confirmed that did not happen. He hasn’t heard from him since he sent the contract. Ms. Miller will follow up with that.
Diane Loeven added that (from the Community Advisory Board) – the Governor has granted clemency to a state facility inmate. He will be released on January 26. They are anticipating new media to be there. He will be released like any other inmate. Once outside the gate he’s not their responsibility. He will then go meet with Father Mike (Catholic Church). She spoke/went over re: statistical report from Hometown Helpers. They are still in need of volunteers.
Councilman Cambareri spoke re: (from Community Advisory Board) the drainage problem from the gas station store down Rte 211; it’s in the final review stage with the state of NY & dept. of corrections.
RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Carey to adjourn the meeting at 8:14pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 6, 2017 at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, Town Clerk, RMC
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