The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall on December 7, 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: D. Hassenmayer – H’way Supt., Chief Rickard, D. Bavoso -Attorney.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the public hearing for the proposed Local Law #3-2015 re: Codification of town laws, ordinances & certain resolutions to order at 7:25pm. He noted today is Pearl Harbor Day and thanked all those who served past & present in the services.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #3-2015 ENTITLED:
Per the Town Clerk, the legal ad is on the front desk. Supervisor stated that the code book will make it easier for everyone to search the law. There will be a lot less FOIL-ing. You’ll be able to log on to website and hit the icon and all our zoning will be at your fingertips. It’s word-searchable. D. Loeven: does it include all local laws as well as zoning law? Supervisor Volpe: except for anything that isn’t passed. It will take a while for General Code to catch up with us. Atty. Bavoso: the local law is an adoption of the code as it stands. The reason we have to do it like this is because we had to make a few phrasing minor changes. We have one comprehensive code. AS laws get passed, General Code will send an update at least once a year.
RESOLUTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to close public hearing at 7:30pm. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION FOR LEAD AGENCY:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to declare the Town of Mount Hope lead agency for this project for SEQRA. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION FOR NEGATIVE DECLARATION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Howell to adopt a negative declaration under SEQRA that there will be no impact to any environmental condition of the Town of Mount Hope. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT LOCAL LAW #3-2015 RE: CODIFICATION OF LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES & CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
MOTION Offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Cambareri to adopt Local Law #3-2015: Codification of town laws, ordinances & certain resolutions. (Copy of file in Town Clerk’s office) All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland 2nd by Councilman Cambareri to approve the minutes from Nov. 16, 2015 as presented. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- 3 police dept. budget modifications
- Middletown Humane Society contract for approval
- MHFC report 12-7-2015
- Hidden Valley budget modification
- Copy of proposed Local Law re: fireworks
- Building Dept. report 11-2015
- Local Transportation Funding – draft resolution
- Palmer’s Ark impound report 11-2015
- Corres. From Palmer’s Ark re: rabies clinics
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COMMITTEE REPORTS:
POLICE REPORT by Chief Rickard:
Chief Rickard explained the budget modifications. He requested executive session for a grievance filed by the union.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT by Supt. Hassenmayer:
Supt. Hassenmayer spoke re: Nov. 30th surprise PESH inspection. There were a few minor things around the garage and they have since been corrected. There is forklift training tomorrow morning. The workplace violence procedure template will be sent to us. The one we have in place didn’t match what they wanted. No major problems. He doesn’t see any fines coming. Everything corrected has been documented with a photo. They will come back for a follow-up inspection. He hopes everyone enjoyed the tree. The federal prison loaned us a lift so we could string more lights on the tree. Supervisor said to thank all the guys for their help. He also needs executive session for a personnel issue.
PLANNING BOARD: No meeting.
HIDDEN VALLEY: No report.
LITTLE LEAGUE: No report.
MOUNT HOPE FIRE COMPANY:
Chief Doty read report into record. He introduced Mike Masters who will be the next Fire Chief starting the 1st of the year. Happy Holidays to everyone.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE by Trustee Loeven:
Ms. Loeven thanked everyone for coming to the tree lightings. They have an opening on the village planning board and would like to get this filled.
PROPOSED FIREWORKS LAW:
Supervisor Volpe spoke re the new draft of the proposed local law for fireworks. He would everyone to send an email to David regarding any suggested changes and/or any input. He would like to set a public hearing at the next meeting.
OLD SCHOOL:
Supervisor Volpe asked Dominick to send an email to the committee to set a meeting for Feb.1st after the Town Board meeting.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE POLICE BUDGET MODIFICATIONS:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland 2nd by Councilman Howell to approve the following modifications:
Increase A2665 Revenue by $2,600 and increase A3120.4 Police Contractual for surplus items;
Increase A2665 Revenue by $3,410 and increase A3120.2 Police Equipment by $3,410 for sale of equipment;
Increase A3389 Revenue by $658.68 and increase A3120.1 Police Personal Services by $658.68 for STOP-DWI reimbursement.
All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE MIDDLETOWN HUMANE SOCIETY CONTRACT:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland 2nd by Councilman Ketcham to approve the 2016 Middletown Humane Society contract in the event that Dr. Roeder-Palmer is full to capacity. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
PALMER’S ARK RABIES CLINICS:
Supervisor Volpe stated he received a letter from Dr. Roeder re: having 2 rabies clinics with the option of having your dog microchipped. She is requesting to meet with the Supervisor and any board members interested regarding this. Councilwoman Sutherland would like to do this.
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STATE FUNDING RESOLUTION:
H’way Supt. explained the state funding resolution. The resolution is to try to convince the lawmakers that upstate needs more money. The majority of money collected from gas tax is going to MTA. The state would like a 5 year program to increase our CHIPS money. Supervisor: by passing this and sending it to Albany it lets them know that another town is on board with this? Hassenmayer: yes. At this time, the attorney was given a copy of the resolution for approval.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE HIDDEN VALLEY BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd by Councilman Ketcham to approve the following modification:
Decrease SS9730.7 by $3,212 and increase SS8130.4 HV contractual by $3,212.
All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK:
Supervisor Volpe informed the board that Carol Dolan is re-typing it. A lot of the handbook revolved around highway and police. They are both union now. A lot of the handbook doesn’t pertain to those that aren’t union. A lot is out of code. When she is done re-typing, he will make a copy of it for the board to review.
At this time, Supervisor Volpe announced/presented Town Clerk Kathleen Myers with a certificate for obtaining the Registered Municipal Clerk status. On behalf of the Town Board – Congratulations.
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Ketcham:
Whereas, a reliable transportation infrastructure is vital for the safety of New York’s travelling public & its economy; and
Whereas, 85% of New York’s roads & bridges are maintained by local governments; and
Whereas, despite well-timed & targeted preventative maintenance treatments, the age & condition of many of our locally-owned transportation assets means that they are beyond preservation & in need of much more costly rehabilitation & reconstruction; and
Whereas, estimates by the State Comptroller, DOT & independent studies show a large portion of road mileage is deteriorating & many bridges in the state are rated structurally deficient & functionally obsolete; and
Whereas, the State Comptroller estimates that there will be $89 billion in unmet local infrastructure needs over the next 20 years; and
Whereas, the NYS Association of Town Superintendents of Highways commissioned its own 15 year analysis that indicates an annual funding gap of $1.3 billion for the local system (excluding NYC) alone; and
Whereas, funding for our local system has been far short of what is needed and we’ve fallen further & further behind in maintaining the vast & aging transportation infrastructure over this long period with severe consequences for conditions ratings; and
Whereas, the NYS Consolidated Local Street & Highway Program (CHIPS) provides essential funding for every municipality in the state & is part of the NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) capital program; and
Whereas, in the early 1990’s the Governor & Legislature created the Dedicated Highway & Bridge Trust Fund (DHBTF) to pay for the NYSDOT capital program & the Dedicated Mass Transit Trust Fund (DMTTF) to assist with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) & other transit systems capital programs; and
Whereas, when the DHBTF was created, it was agreed that the NYSDOT & MTA 5 year capital programs would be similar in size & would be negotiated concurrently; and
Whereas, through 2005-09, both 5 year capital programs were similar in size & adopted within months of each other; and
Whereas, in 2010 the Executive & Legislature broke traditional parity & enacted a 5 year capital program for the MTA but not the DOT; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
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RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope calls upon the Governor & the state Legislature to make additional state funding & resources available at levels that accurately reflect the critical needs of local roads & bridges; and increase CHIPS funding in the 2016-17 state budget; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope calls upon the Governor and members of the state Legislature to fully fund & submit a new NYSDOT 5 year transportation capital plan; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope calls upon the Governor & members of the state Legislature to recognize the equality of roads, bridges & transit by restoring funding equality between MTA & NYSDOT 5 year programs & by voting on the plans simultaneously.
RESOLUTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilwoman Sutherland to approve the following bills: GENERAL A:#596-668$109,983.11
GENERAL B:#85-90$ 9,838.30
HIGHWAY:#175-187$ 36,921.05
SEWER:#98-105 $ 7,807.40
CAP RES HV:#1$ 3,400.00.
All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
- Loeven spoke re: Mount Hope Seniors. They will be possibly having 1 meeting per month through the winter months. Supervisor Volpe: we had 12 more people take the CPR course. Loeven: they raved about it. Supervisor spoke re: a function he and Dominick attended at the Montgomery Senior Center. Floors were hardwood. He added that we need to get rid of the carpet in the senior center. The game plan is to rip up carpet and put a floor down. Vacuums are replaced about every 3 months. He would like to re-do the kitchen, too. Loeven: we are looking to get bookshelves out of the closet. After painting possibly bolt them to the walls. Discussion ensued re: the TV. Supervisor would like to get a new TV. Loeven: seniors discussed buying from their funds – not the town funds. She also spoke (to Chief Rickard) about some of the seniors at Devan’s Gate who had taken the class down there and that someone told them an AED was going to be put into one of the 2 buildings. It was unclear who told them that. Chief: spoke re: getting an AED for town hall and the court; this is the 1st he is hearing about Devan’s Gate. Councilman Cambareri explained that the management company for Devan’s Gate is going to look into a grant to get an AED there. The management company should be getting them for those buildings. J. Doty: spoke re: the retaining wall down there about to collapse. He asked if the town meets with the management company. Supervisor Volpe: we were asked to come down there. She sent us the minutes (Dominick &I) after we went down there. Doty: spoke of issues in one particular apartment and trying to get a hold of the management company. They were unable to reach them. Supervisor suggested doing a work order system down there.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Ketcham stated that the ZBA public hearing is still open re: solar panels on the 15th.
Councilman Cambareri thanked everyone for the tree lighting.
RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland 2nd by Councilman Howell to enter into executive session at 8:07pm to discuss a police union grievance and a highway personnel issue. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR SESSION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland 2nd by Councilman Ketcham to reconvene regular session from executive session at 8:35pm. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AT THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Sutherland 2nd by Councilman Ketcham to appoint the Town Supervisor as the Town Board’s designee under Article 28 Section 3 of the Police contract.
All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell seconded by Councilwoman Sutherland to adjourn the meeting at 8:36pm. All in favor: Howell, Ketcham, Volpe, Sutherland, Cambareri; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 28, 2015 at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted – Kathleen A. Myers, Town Clerk131