REGULAR MEETING, TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, MAY 4, 2015
The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall on May 4, 2015 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: Chief P. Rickard, H’way Supt. D. Hassenmayer, Attorney D. Bavoso.
Supervisor Volpe called the regular meeting to order at 7:30PM, following the Pledge of Allegiance. He asked for cell phones to be silenced.
RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri seconded by Councilman Howell that the minutes of the 04-06-2015 & 04-20-2015 meeting as submitted are approved. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Letter from J. Musial re: interest in BAR vacancy
- Copy of Written Directive Policy from Police
- Planning Board minutes from Jan. 2015 thru Apr. 2015
- ZBA minutes from Apr. 2015
- April Impound report from Dr. Roeder
- Surplus & dispose request from Court
- Letter from Civil Tec requesting to be on agenda
- Letter from H. Rajnert re: summer rec. program
- Letter from K. Tintner re: thanking Pete, Angie & Amy/great help to her
- Public hearing notice, T/O Wallkill re: DeVos
- Public hearing notice, T/O Wallkill re: Dillon
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
POLICE DEPARTMENT by Chief Rickard:
Chief Rickard reported on the Written Directives policy which is an internal policy. He needs approval. It was reviewed by the attorney. He noted the police awards will be at the end of the meeting and refreshments to follow.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT by Supt. Hassenmayer:
Supt. Hassenmayer reported that the guys start their summer hours this Wednesday. We will continue to staff 5 days/week. 1 guy will stay on a 5 day schedule – 8 hr. days. Summer help will be 5 days/week. This is to keep up on the mowing and other things that come up on Fridays usually down at the park. Julie or myself will be here on Fridays also.
PLANNING BOARD by Councilman Ketcham:
Cornell Phase One is still on the table. Phase 2 is being overhauled. The solar panel/wind mill energy source project is moving forward.
HIDDEN VALLEY by Councilman Ketcham:
Councilman Ketcham reported the issue with the pipes is still going. This is a Planning board, town board, engineer issue that’s being worked on.
OLD SCHOOL:
Frank Ketcham reported that the committee met last week and went over the KC report. They still want to meet with the board before they make a final decision.
LITTLE LEAGUE:
Councilwoman Sutherland reported that the big trailer that was an eyesore has been removed by Harry Willis.
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MOUNT HOPE FIRE:
Supervisor Volpe received a call from John Doty. Everyone from around the area is at the fire. He will drop off a report tomorrow. Councilman Howell added that there are about 20 people interested from Mount Hope and Howells fire departments in the solar training. Supervisor Volpe added the training will be in Middletown on Thursday nights.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven followed up with the solar training invitation being extended to Otisville Fire. She hopes to have people sign up once dates are settled on. She thanked Chad for attending Arbor Day ceremony. She thanked Kathleen for the local law on dangerous road conditions. She advised Chief Rickard that there are 20 seniors signed up for AED/CPR training.
SUMMER RECREATION:
Trustee Loeven stated next registration night is May 12th from 5-8 at village hall. May 14th they will hold an open registration night. Any Minisink student from K-13y/o will be allowed to register for the summer rec program until we reach the cap. If cap is not reached, then decision will be made whether or not to have another registration night. Interviews are continuing. Counselor interviews will continue the week of 18th. Councilman Cambareri added that the directors/asst. directors have been appointed/notified. Counselor interviews; there’s a ton of kids and will be fun. Everything going well so far.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF MEDI-BOX FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Ketcham 2nd by Councilwoman Sutherland to authorize the purchase of the Medi-box for the police department. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
DIRECT ENERGY:
Brian Moen introduced himself. Their office is in Middletown. He spoke of the solar initiative he is proposing to board. They will take money off the installations. The company offers a 90% production guarantee. He did proposals for some town buildings. He asked for another rep to come to next board meeting on 18th. They want to be actively involved in the town. They would like to go to the concert series. He brought the proposals in the orange bags. Supervisor Volpe: moving forward, if anyone in the town wants to go solar they can go with anyone they want? Mr. Moen: absolutely. There are no signed documents. F. Ketcham: what are you doing for the concert series? Mr. Moen: We are going to have a tent at the concert series if the board allows. F. Ketcham: selling systems to the town? With kickbacks to the town? Mr. Moen: exactly. We get a reduced rate for the people who live in the town. With each purchase that is made we give a donation back to the town to do whatever they choose. Councilwoman Sutherland: what’s the kickback? Mr. Moen: totally your call. There’s a designated number in the proposal and you tell me what’s best for you. There’s a link on the town website.
RESOLUTION TO SURPLUS & DISPOSE OF COURT EQUIPMENT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Cambareri to surplus/dispose of the following from the court:
Adam Electronics Hand Held Metal Detector Model # AD10-2 SRL#US0850512 and Tripp-lite Internet Office UPS battery backup.
All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN:
Supervisor Volpe spoke of the revised emergency preparedness plan. It will be in board boxes later this week. He would like to approve this next meeting.
RESOLUTION TO APPOINT JULIE MUSIAL TO ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to appoint Julie Musial to the Assessment Review Board to fill vacancy created by Robert Bell. All in favor – Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Cambareri; abstain: Sutherland. Carried.
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RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT WRITTEN DIRECTIVE POLICY FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Ketcham 2nd by Councilman Cambareri to accept the Written Directive Policy as written. (Copy on file in Town Clerk’s office.) All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell seconded by Councilman Ketcham to approve the following bills:
GENERAL A: #206-227 $ 47,011.70
GENERAL B: #33 $ 14,742.64
HIGHWAY: #54-61 $ 15,226.38
SEWER: #34-38 $ 4,061.64
CAP RES GEN A: #8 $ 108.69.
All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
AT THIS TIME, Chief Rickard thanked the town board for this opportunity. The following awards were given out:
Angelo Vellake – Leading in number of traffic tickets & leading number of arrests
Anna Briceno – Dedication to public safety
Jim Corcoran – Commendation for Contribution to train station shooting
Kevin McGrath – Commendation for Contribution to train station shooting
Jim Rich – Recognition for Contribution to Newton Drive home invasion arrests & convictions
Sherri Clarke – Dedicated Service Award
Kevin McGrath – Dedicated Service Award
John Skoufis – Police Officer of the Year
Matt Byrne – Supervisor Volpe gave Recognition of Service plaque
Matt Byrne: thanked everyone for everything. Credited Chief Rickard for his leadership. He thanked Bill Novak who hired him in 2011 and for putting his trust in him. He thanked Supervisor Volpe and board members for this recognition.
Chief welcomed everyone for refreshments. He thanked the board and all officers for everything.
Jose Santiago – (Arrived after meeting closed) – Valuable contributions to traffic enforcements & Newton Drive home invasion arrests & convictions
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Cambareri: Thanked the officers for all they do. Supervisor Volpe added the same.
RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION by Councilman Cambareri seconded by Councilman Ketcham to adjourn the meeting at 8:07pm. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2015, at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers
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