REGULAR MEETING, TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, February 22, 2018
The town board meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall on February 22, 2018 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matthew Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings, Councilman Cambareri and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Sgt. Briceno & Town Attorney D. Bavoso.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the public hearing to order at 7:30pm. He asked that everyone please silence or turn off their cell phones.
7:30pm – PUBLIC HEARING FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
Supervisor Volpe opened the public hearing at 7:30. The legal ad is on the table. He thanked the committee for all their hard work. He asked Michael Welti if he had a presentation. He did not have a presentation but was present to answer any questions. Councilman Cambareri explained this public hearing is required by law. We have the final draft that’s been proposed to the board for approval. Everything is in order. Michael has helped us through this entire process. It was more in depth than he thought it was. Without his guidance it would have been much more difficult. The draft is 84 pages long. That doesn’t include the maps and everything on file. We’ve made some positive changes for our community ie: things that weren’t thought of, things that are fairly new like conservation subdivisions. This will affect what we do in the next phase with the zoning. Mr. Welti thanked everyone on the committee. The committee voted in December to finalize this draft after the public hearing and sent it off to the town board. The plan has been referred to the county planning department for their recommendation. It hasn’t been returned yet. The process from here would be to adopt the plan. The zoning work has already begun. We’ve been working to make some changes to the zoning that are consistent with the plan. That will continue over the next 2 or 3 months. Then a draft of that would be presented to the town board for consideration at that time.
Kathie Yedziniak read through the draft on line. She spoke about managing the drinking water; how can we do that when the county is taking it from us. There was no notice to the town. She spoke re: public investments that occur nearby – what about the private investments like CPV. She spoke about managing and preserving the land and flag lots with a shared driveway which will cause over-use of the land on both sides. The idea of developing a flag lot – she is familiar with that because there is one next to her. She wants to keep the rural atmosphere of this area. That’s why so many people move to this area. She asked for an explanation for incentive zoning. It’s moderately priced housing in exchange for one more expensive house. If you’re gonna build 3 inexpensive homes and then you’re gonna wanna build an expensive home – is that what you’re saying? Mr. Welti explained that incentive zoning refers to the ability for the town to offer potential bonuses in terms of density for public benefits. Sometimes some benefits might be things like affordable housing. It might mean in terms of conservation subdivision the idea about having public access to the conserved open land that was set aside. That can’t be compelled by the town. The town can’t require that because it’s still private land. Via an incentive the town could create a mechanism for there to be an agreement that public access will be provided for some additional number of housing units. Flag lots can be done well when they are designed well. What needs to be considered is the alternative – the easiest path to residential development in a rural setting is to carve up the lot frontage. It’s the easiest thing to do if you have 1,000’ of lot frontage –slowly over time you carve up those frontage lots. That has a disproportionate impact on the rural character you were talking about. Yedziniak explained there’s a house up top, there’s nothing down below and then there’s woods and then it turns into a very nicely done development. When that was 1st proposed a lot of people were like ‘we’re turning into over population in that particular area’. You have houses on the road and you’re gonna put houses down below – it becomes congested. Welti: we’re not changing the # of houses. You’re not getting more houses because of that. Yedziniak spoke re: solar farms. Size does matter. There are some proposals that are clear cut in the area and it completely changes the countryside and creates an eco-problem if it’s not carefully monitored. Unfortunately different towns don’t have the manpower to monitor every single step. The lighting – you’re talking about lighting the streets? Welti: what you’re talking about is a site plan review for a commercial project that the standards for lighting address cut offs. She next spoke re: high density development. We are proud of our rural non-completed area and would like to keep it that way. That’s why many of the people moved here from the city. She thanked everyone for all the work done on this.
25
Diane Loeven: Dominick mentioned that since it has been so long since the plan had been looked at, there are a lot of things that nobody thought about or didn’t even exist. Some of them were hit on such as solar farms. Can you mention a couple of others that maybe you found you had to address because they didn’t exist or weren’t a concern in the past. Councilman Cambareri: 2 of them he’s already talked about: conservation subdivision which is a big thing now. That’s just a tool also for the planning board. It’s not something that’s – it’s only on major subdivisions. But it’s a tool for more open space and more green space that’s preserved. The flag lots that not something that’s allowed. That’s a tool for the planning board and the developers have to have approved before the planning board. That’s to make it look – keep more of our rural look. The solar farms have to get addressed in the next phase when we go into zoning because some of that stuff has never been touched by zoning because it’s all new. These things we are talking about now are not in our present zoning so those changes have to be made to allow that kind of stuff. Mr. Welti: there’s quite a bit in the draft about potential trail connections; the heritage trail the county’s developed – that’s coming from Middletown continuing to Otisville. Those kinds of things were not really on anyone’s radar 25 years ago. (inaudible) Councilman Cambareri: those are the kind of things that in the future people in the public have to get on board with to try and push that through; that’s not something that the municipality is part of but that has a lot to do with outside developers. Yedziniak: as these things become available or become presented, they have to go through a total process to complete it. Supervisor Volpe asked if there were any other questions. Councilman Cambareri: this is something that we decided we would vote on next time until we get the county recommendation back. Mike will not be with us for the next phase – there’s another gentleman taking over his position. Without Mike, this would have been very hard to do. Your expertise in this field made it easy for us to learn what we were doing, digest what you were trying to tell us & you’re very good at explaining things so that people can understand it. Supervisor: asked if we would be getting updated maps. Welti: yes. I remember you saying you wanted a zoning map. Cambareri: there will be some changes to the zoning maps. We’ve already started discussing the process of zoning. Zoning hasn’t been touched in quite a few years and the terminology – some is obsolete some makes no sense. There was no definitions for most of the terms that was in there. The next phase will be pretty hard. There’s a lot to do yet. Councilman Howell: like Dominick said the zoning aspect will match what the plan outlines. Things will be more defined. Supervisor thanked Mr. Welti.
MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell to close the public hearing for the comprehensive plan at 7:47pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell that the minutes of the 2-5-18 meeting as presented are accepted. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Concrete quotes (4) for new community building
- Cemetery sign quotes (2)
- January 2018 Supervisor’s report
- Supervisor’s office budget modifications – (2)
- “THINK DIFFERENTLY” resolution
- Memorandum of Understanding with Federal Prison
- Police Department budget modification
- Copy of letter from Atty. Bavoso to Howells fire district re: possible property purchase
- Letter from country fair committee re: fireworks
- Letter from Orange & Rockland re: Dig safely seminars March 14 & 15
- Police department monthly report January 2018
- Community Day packet
SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT 5k:
Supervisor Volpe will meet with Bernie Mendoza & Paul re: Sheriff Department 5k on May 12th.
26
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BOARD REPORTS:
Councilman Jennings reported that the planning board meets tomorrow. He apologized for missing the village meeting, he was out of town.
Councilman Cambareri noted we’ve covered everything with the comprehensive plan committee.
Councilman Carey reported that he spoke to Dean about getting clay for the little league. Supervisor asked Councilman Carey to check on the little league schedule for May 12.
Councilman Howell noted the master plan was taken care of with the public hearing. He met with someone about getting another quote for a concrete for the new recreation building. Supervisor Volpe asked the attorney about not delaying the approval for the concrete quotes and passing a resolution to approve the lowest bidder after we get the next quote. Attorney Bavoso asked how quick they would have the quote. Howell: 1-2 days. Bavoso: I don’t know if you can adopt one pending another one. When you get the last one in you can always call a special meeting. Supervisor asked what happens if we vote on the lowest bidder and it comes in lower? Can’t I just not award it rather than wait until the next meeting? Bavoso: You can always wait until next meeting but I wouldn’t vote to award to potentially take it back. That’s my recommendation. Supervisor really doesn’t want to wait. He asked if the meeting would have to be advertised. Bavoso: you could treat it as an emergency meeting. Town Clerk added you still have to let the media know.
Supervisor Volpe requested permission for the bookkeeper to attend advanced accounting classes September 12-14, 2018 in Montgomery.
MOTION TO APPROVE BOOKKEEPER TO TAKE ADVANCED ACCOUNTING CLASSES:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Cambareri to approve the bookkeeper (Angela Cangialosi) to take advanced accounting classes on Sept. 12-14, 2018, cost is $85, in the Village of Montgomery. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
Supervisor Volpe noted that Dean received a 2nd quote for the new sign for Howells Cemetery from Quality Signs for $975. His recommendation is that we go with Quality. The other quote was from Lewis Sign. Councilman Howell asked what durabond is. Councilman Cambareri: the finish on it. Supervisor: all weather.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE HOWELLS CEMETERY SIGN PURCHASE FROM QUALITY SIGN:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to approve the purchase of a new sign for Howells Cemetery from Quality Signs for $975. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Sgt. Briceno reported that the Chief requested to approve herself for taser recertification class on April 10 in Elmira NY for a cost of $93 for one night hotel stay & $225 for the cost of the course. He also requested to get approval to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the prison.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE POLICE CHIEF TO SIGN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE FEDERAL PRISON FOR MUTUAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell to authorize the Police Chief to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Prison for mutual emergency assistance for 2018. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE FEDERAL PRISON FOR A STAFF FAMILY MEETING AREA IN THE EVENT OF INSTITUTION EMERGENCY:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell to authorize the Supervisor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Correctional Institution for a staff family meeting area in the event of an institution emergency for 2018. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
27
MOTION TO APPROVE SGT. BRICENO TO ATTEND TASER RECERTIFICATION CLASS:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Jennings to approve Sgt. Briceno to attend taser recertification class on April 10, 2018 in Elmira NY for a cost of $93 for hotel & $225 for the course fee. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to approve the January 2018 Supervisor’s report as presented. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to approve the budget modification as follows:
Increase sales tax revenue DB1120 by $26,954.87 AND
Increase expense line DB5130.2 by $26,954.87.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
(This is for the speed trailer and the lift.)
MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to approve the budget modification as follows:
Increase unclassified revenue A2770 by $30,945.49 from DASNY reimbursement AND
Increase building contractual A1620.4 by $30,945.49.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
At this time, Supervisor Volpe explained that all of the bills we’ve gotten so far for the future community center equal this amount. Those bills were submitted to DASNY and the check came back. The town isn’t out anything. We have a $100,000 line which he wanted to (he referred to the other sheet he gave the board dated 2-16-18) is kind of a re-cap. In tonight’s bills you’ll see phase II was basically removing all the debris and putting the steel caps on the beams. We haven’t gotten reimbursed for that because the bill just went in tonight’s bills. Minus that from the $100,000 grant in addition to $30,945.49 we spent already would leave us a balance of $49,664.51. Providing we do the concrete for $20,000, we would still have pretty much $30,000 left to continue to go until the next grant is funded.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven spoke re: state funded project behind the fire house that took almost 20 years to get through. They’ve done an incredible job. Ike Palmer took pictures. Let’s hope this eliminates all the flooding down 211. Councilman Carey if they stoned it all the way to the top of prison or how far did they go up. Loeven: it doesn’t go all the way to the prison. You can see where it started on Two Mile Drive. The planning board meets tomorrow and they have a continuation of a public hearing for a 3 lot subdivision at the corner of Shoddy Hollow Road and Route 211. The town planning board was notified in case they want input. She noted the fire department report so far for February has been very busy. One day there were 6 calls. We were proud that they could respond to all of them & were successful responses. They also had a call at FCI. The fire was out by the time they got there. The warden came down the next day to the fire department to thank them for their quick response.
RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, RESIDENTS & BUSINESS OWNERS TO ADOPT THE “THINK DIFFERENTLY” INITIATIVE TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to approve the RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, RESIDENTS & BUSINESS OWNERS TO ADOPT THE “THINK DIFFERENTLY” INITIATIVE TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES as presented. (see complete resolution at end of these minutes)
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
28
MOTION TO APPROVE TOWN CLERK TO ATTEND CONFERENCE IN ALBANY NY:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Jennings to approve the town clerk to attend the NYS Town Clerk’s Assoc. conference in Albany NY April 22-25, 2018; cost is $679.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell to approve the following:
Increase State Aid/Public Safety revenue A3389 by $574.50 AND
Increase Police Equip. A3120.2 by $574.50.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
CONCRETE QUOTES:
Supervisor asked what the board wanted to do. Councilman Jennings asked what the chances of this next bid being lower. Was there a deadline for the quotes to be in by? Supervisor: no. It seemed like all the concrete people were sleeping for a while because it was call after call after call. All of a sudden we got as many as we have. We have more than we needed – we only needed 2 or 3. We do have 4 but this guy did come out today. Councilman Cambareri read the following: we have one for $36455, one for $32250, one for $35100 and one for $20000 and that’s from DeVries Concrete. Supervisor: that’s who did the police department garage floor. Councilman Jennings is ok with voting on it tonight. Councilman Cambareri is comfortable with DeVries. We know his work; he’s very reputable. Councilman Howell would like to entertain the last quote because he came out and looked over the building & he’ll have it prepared in the next few days. Councilman Carey doesn’t want to hold any work up and is comfortable voting tonight.
MOTION TO ACCEPT QUOTE FROM JM DEVRIES CONCRETE:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Jennings to accept quote from JM DeVries Concrete for $20,000 for the floor in the new recreation center building. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell to approve the bills for abstract #4:
GENERAL A: #82-121 $ 80,287.84
GENERAL B: #13-19 $ 10,452.15
HIGHWAY: #20-27 $ 62,770.47
SEWER: #13-16 $ 5,776.63
THRALL LIBRARY: #1 $ 1,935.48
CAP H’WAY EQUIP: #1 $ 53,574.29
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
At this time, Supervisor Volpe thanked the Otisville fire department for they did for his mom when she fell. She didn’t want to go in the ambulance. Everyone was very professional. The response time was awesome. Antoinette was awesome. He asked Diane to thank everyone.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Ken Coppola shared that some lady pushed her button for an emergency and we responded, to hang her shower curtain because she couldn’t get anybody to do it.
Diane Loeven noticed the bulletin board in the hallway and saw the First Aid & CPR fliers. She asked for them to be emailed and she will put them up in the senior center. Supervisor stated that both classes are about ½ full. He gave her color copies that he had.
Liz Cook asked if there was anything new with the cell tower. Supervisor stated that it was constructed. Cook: it’s only for police & fire? Supervisor: yes. There’s nothing on it right now. Even though the tower is up the project got pushed back a whole year. All the old communication on the old tower is currently being used. There’s nothing but a metal frame on the new tower. Councilman Carey asked if there’s a red light on it like in Montgomery. Councilman Cambareri: yes.
Frank Ketcham spoke re: CPV plant and the way it polluted our air on Saturday morning. Supervisor received about 6 calls on it. Mr. Ketcham asked if we could make a complaint.
29
Frank Ketcham (cont.) spoke re: master plan and the watershed, protection of the watershed and wondered if there was any report from KC. Supervisor stated the hydrogeologist is on it. He is going to watch every single thing that City of Middletown does. As they apply for permits, he’s going to ensure that their tests are the same tests that he gets and their results are the same results he would get. He’s received quite a few calls on illegal pumping. Of course whenever we get anyone there, the pumps aren’t going. When you go down Mount Hope Road and you look at the back of the reservoir you can see the great big pipe that they have coming into the back of the reservoir and that’s how they make it seem as if the reservoir is constantly full and it’s not. The county seems to do absolutely nothing and Joe is not gonna talk to me about it. He already knows how I feel. I hope this guy and the DEC will be our ace in the hole. Ketcham: that’s been the case for a few months now. Middletown and the county are not slowing up. Supervisor: the federal and state prisons definitely have concerns at the last CAB meeting when they were brought up to speed with what’s going on. If the prison runs out of water, they have to move all those inmates. As an interested party – we have received nothing for about 6 months or so. Councilman Howell added: the Governor’s office has announced grants for 10 watershed projects to preserve across the state – City of Middletown being one of them. They’re concerned with Old Mill Beach, Kinch’s pond. There was a write up about it a month or so ago about it in the paper. The Governor is going to give a portion of his funding to protect and advance their water. Ketcham asked about the old school documents previously given to the old school committee. He didn’t see anything on the engineering study that was done just before the vote. Supervisor: we will see what we have and get it for you.
Kathie Yedziniak asked about the lady that was here that ran out of water. Supervisor: it wasn’t anything to do with Indigot Creek. There was something with a clogged screen/plumbing issue.
Chris Furman spoke re: well problems in Bloomingburg. There are wells that are actually dry. There’s a study now with the village. It’s from the development that’s there. He’s concerned with where we will be left after the City of Middletown pulls water and Bloomingburg.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Howell had a couple compliments on the building department personnel. The past few weeks the fire department has needed them to come to a fire call and they were very pleased with the response from the building office.
Supervisor Volpe gave everyone the community day flier. He is asking for help from anyone. New Windsor should have a new line up by next meeting. A couple applications were mailed out already. He would like it on facebook. He would like to start pushing for summer rec. We need counselors and campers and directors. Applications are on the town website.
RESOLUTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to adjourn meeting at 8:25pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2018 at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers RMC
Town Clerk
30
RESOLUTION CALLING ON TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO ADOPT THE “THINK DIFFERENTLY” INITIATIVE TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES:
WHEREAS, the “Think Differently” initiative is about promoting awareness & acceptance of all people, and advocating for the inclusion of all individuals living on the Autism Spectrum & with special needs; and
WHEREAS, our state & communities are stronger because of our diversity & differences; and
WHEREAS, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) over 55 million people or approx. 19% of Americans have a type of disability or special need; and
WHEREAS, for some people with special needs the very things that make them unique can also keep them on the sidelines separate from those who might not understand their differences or uniqueness; and
WHEREAS, it is important to promote & provide guidance to those with special needs on how to access publicly supported services available to them in the community; and
WHEREAS it is important to encourage & educate the community & businesses on ways they can make facilities & services more accessible & on how to train staff to welcome & support special needs customers & co-workers; and
WHEREAS, the goal of this initiative is to provide a supportive & inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities by supporting community events that expand family friendly opportunities for people with special needs & their families; and
WHEREAS, adopting the “Think Differently” initiative is an important statement that our Town officials, business owners & residents can make to show their support for the differently-abled children & adults with special needs and their families.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope residents & business owners to adopt the “Think Differently” initiative so that all are better prepared to communicate with, provide for & support those living on the Autism Spectrum & with special needs.
DATED: February 20, 2018
31