REGULAR MEETING, TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, MARCH 19, 2018
The town board meeting of the Mount Hope Town Board was held at Mount Hope Town Hall, 1706 Route 211 West, Otisville, on March 19, 2018 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matthew Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings, Councilman Dominick Cambareri and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: D. Hassenmayer H’way Supt., Police Chief Rickard, Deputy Chief Jim Corcoran & Attorney D. Bavoso.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30PM. Supervisor asked for everyone to silence their cell phones.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell that the March 5, 2018 meeting minutes are accepted as presented. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Resignation letter from Police Officer Jose Santiago
- Resignation letter from Police Officer Jeffrey Madden
- Supervisor’s report Feb. 2018
- Correspondence from Orange County for the Safety Trailer for Community Day
- Correspondence from Jason Pitingaro re: EFC grant for sewer plant
- Recommendation from J. Pitingaro to award bid to Foamco Insulation for new recreation building
- Letter from Barton & Loguidice re: proposed supplement to original agreement for the comprehensive Plan & zoning update
- Public hearing notice from Village of Otisville re: Friends of the Otisville School to use building as a community center
- Otisville fire company report for January 2018
- Roll off dumpster service/tire recycle bid minutes from 3-15-18 bid results
- Police dept. monthly for February 2018
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Howell reported the next master plan meeting is March 29, 2018 at 5:00pm. He gave scholarship information from the OC Planning Federation. It’s for $1,000. There’s also a summer internship. He will post information on the hallway bulletin board.
Councilman Carey reported the little league pancake breakfast was this past Saturday. It was well attended. He is working on the music part of Community Day.
Councilman Cambareri reported the master /comprehensive plan is in the zoning phase. They will redefine some of the terminology and some of the zones. Public is welcome to come to the meetings. He will meet with Jason at the sewer plant when the weather gets a little nicer.
Councilman Jennings apologized that he had a scheduling problem and couldn’t make the village meeting. The planning board meets this Wednesday at 7:00pm.
Supervisor Volpe reported that he has done a few interviews for a few directors’ positions. He would like for Brian to put on facebook that they are accepting applications for counselors’ positions through April 13. He would like it to go on the website. He would like to collectively go over the counselors from last year. There may be a few that have moved on to bigger/better things. As long as their reviews look good we’ll call to see if they are still interested. He spoke re: map that Matt handed out. He received an email from the Howells fire district commissioners. We sent them a letter asking if they would be interested in selling us some additional property so we could expand the Howells cemetery. They are interested. They sent us a copy of their map of the property that they bought. He spoke with Lou Ingrassia who asked how much property we wanted. Supervisor stated we would be happy with an acre. He doesn’t know how many burials we could get with an acre. He would like to get back to them. Councilman Carey asked how big the existing cemetery is. Councilman Cambareri: 521’ long along the backside. If you ask them for 100’ to continue that line out, that would be a little over an acre. If you came down here to the bottom and added 100’, that would be almost 2 acres. Councilman Howell added that there are 2 geographic challenges. If you go directly behind the existing cemetery, you’re gonna run into a ledge. So you’re gonna lose space. You’re gonna have to jack-hammer or dynamite that ledge out. Going downhill on New Vernon Road to the right hand side of the cemetery, there’s a swampy/wet area. He would like input from Jason in terms of giving us an idea in terms of if we do one acre or two. And also, if we can work that low ground to accommodate more burials. He asked Dean if we had material to build it up or re-direct the grade of the land to make it usable. Supt. Hassenmayer: It’s something we can do over time. Supervisor Volpe: maybe the 1st step to get Jason, himself, Dean & Matt to go over and see the property. Howell: now would be a good time to over and see how wet the property is. Supervisor will call Jason for a couple available dates. Supervisor will let the fire company they are working on it.
37
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer reported on the bids from the roll-off dumpster service. He recommends Middletown Carting for the C&D removal and metal. Sonny Zito bid on the tires but it’s high. The company we used the last 2 years was supposed to send us something in writing but he hasn’t received it yet. We have no bid on freon. Sonny Zito bid on freon but he put a note in it that they must be free of freon. That voids his. He will check with Middletown Carting about the freon even though they didn’t bid on it. They’ve always taken them in the past. Supervisor asked Supt. Hassenmayer about getting the ball rolling on the air conditioning unit for town hall. Supt. Hassenmayer will call Steve Dodd tomorrow. It will probably involve the roof contractor coming back.
OTISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Supervisor Volpe noted that he received the January report.
POLICE REPORT:
Chief Rickard spoke to the generator company today. They are coming on Friday to install a new controller. He spoke to Mike Romano who thinks there’s something wrong with the solenoid. He will reach out to them to make sure they check that. They believe it is fixable. Chief Rickard needs authorization to sign the agreement with the county for the safety trailer. He spoke about the NYS grant for radar units which they put in for. They’ve already gotten them. Saves the department about $1300. Supervisor Volpe added that they would use the safety trailer on that Friday for summer rec. Chief Rickard needs the board to act on both resignations. He would like approval to hire a new officer Jamie Johnson. She is a Mount Hope resident. She has over 20 years police experience.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven reported about concern from the storm with the 10 hour power outage & the state facility being out of water. The actual situation was that the generator at the booster pump station failed. Frank was in touch with the plant supt. there and at no time were they in danger of being out of water. They had 27’ in their holding tank. They went on water restriction because they didn’t know how long it would take but the generator was back up/running by 8:30. She reported that their next village meeting is on April 5. They are starting at 6:30 because they have several public hearings that night: budget, noise law amendment, amendment proposed for parking on Main Street. Chief Rickard added that the village board can pass an ordinance based on their parking lots. She reminded everyone that there is a village election tomorrow in Otisville. Polls are open 12-9 at village hall.
MOTION TO ACCEPT BID FROM MIDDLETOWN CARTING FOR C&D DEBRIS and METAL:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell to approve Middletown Carting for the C&D debris & metal pick-up as follows: Mixed bulk items and C&D debris: 30 cubic yard roll-off containers $145 per container pull; bulk items/C&D debris $75.00/ton; Clean metal scrap – 40 cubic yard no charge per container pull $140/ton for metal materials content weight paid to the Town of Mount Hope for spring and fall collections 2018. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM POLICE OFFICER JOSE SANTIAGO:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Jennings to accept the resignation from police officer Jose Santiago effective March 28, 2018. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM POLICE OFFICER JEFFREY MADDEN:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell to accept the resignation from police officer Jeffrey Madden eff. Feb. 27, 2018. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd by Councilman Howell to approve the February 2018 supervisor’s report as presented. All in favor; Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE POLICE CHIEF RICKARD TO SIGN CONTRACT FOR SMOKE TRAILER:
MOTION offered by Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to authorize Police Chief Paul Rickard to sign the contract with the County of Orange for the Safety Trailer for Community Day 2018. All in favor; Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING SUPERVISOR VOLPE TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT FOR THE EFC GRANT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell designating Supervisor Chad Volpe as the authorized representative to execute the grant agreement and any and all further documents, instruments & agreements necessary to effectuate the grant funding from the Environmental Facilities Corp.
All in favor; Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
38
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTION FOR EFC GRANT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Jennings to authorize the municipal contribution toward the projects costs for the EFC grant. All in favor; Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO AWARD FOAMCO THE WORK TO BE PERFORMED AT THE NEW RECREATION CENTER:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to award FOAMCO the work to be done at the new recreation center in the amount of $41,885.00. All in favor; Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT FOR THE ZONING PORTION OF THE MASTER PLAN:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to authorize Barton & Loguidice to proceed with the services described in the contract in accordance with the original agreement terms and conditions up to $15,000 and to authorize Supervisor Chad Volpe to sign this contract supplement. All in favor; Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE HIRING JAMIE JOHNSON AS PART TIME COMPETITIVE POLICE OFFICER:
Councilman Howell requested executive session to discuss this matter prior to voting.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Carey approve the following bills (abstract 6):
GENERAL A: #145-175 $130,646.47
GENERAL B: #27-36 $ 15,216.21
HIGHWAY: #40-50 $107,420.43
SEWER: #22-27 $ 2,566.45
HOWELLS FIRE: #1 $198,046.96
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri, Jennings. Motion carried.
MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to enter into executive session at 8:10pm to discuss particular police personnel. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell to reconvene regular meeting from executive session at 8:10pm. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN THIS SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE HIRING JAMIE JOHNSON AS PART TIME COMPETITIVE POLICE OFFICER:
MOTION offered by Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Jennings to hire Jamie Johnson as a part time competitive police officer effective April 1, 2018. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Cambareri, Jennings; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Mary Maurizzio asked for the measurements of the Howells cemetery as it is now. It’s 521’ one way. Councilman Cambareri: it doesn’t say because it only shows you 2 of the boundaries that border the property that was surveyed. He can’t tell her the size of the cemetery. He can tell what 2 sides of it are. Councilman Howell: the other measurement is 333.6’.
Kathie Yedziniak asked who is running the power/electric to the new recreation center. Councilman Carey: the highway department is gonna run the power through the walls. Supervisor: there’s already electric to the building. Now that the walls are all empty – the new code requires a certain amount of outlets per foot. We can run the electric now and have an electrical inspector look at it. Yedziniak: the person running the electric knows what he’s doing? Supervisor: They’re fine to run an outlet. Councilman Cambareri: we’re not exempt from building codes or inspections. We have to follow the same rules.
Frank Ketcham asked for the next date for master plan. Councilman Howell: March 29 at 5:00pm at town hall. Mr. Ketcham asked for any updates on the water issue. Supervisor: no update whatsoever. Ketcham: it’s hard to believe because Amy’s kitchen is being built. I don’t think we can depend on the county to notify us. We have to purposely go after this. Councilman Carey: have you been by the transfer station in Goshen? Amy’s Kitchen has been stalled for months. Boyce Excavating was in there and they did the entrance-way. There’s been nothing done in probably 4 or 5 months. Ketcham: have you been around the backside where the big construction site is? Carey: how do you get in there? Ketcham: you go down by the head shop – it’s a massive place.
39
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION continued:
Supervisor Volpe: we are also an interested party with the DEC on additional permits which they would have to apply for. Mr. Ketcham thinks we should be proactive. Councilman Howell asked about who is buying more land. Ketcham: City of Middletown. They are looking to buy all the way up to Kohler Road all the way up to from the Indigot reservoir through on up to increase their water shed. I know the man that owns the property that is in negotiations with them. The attorney will see what he can find out. Kathy Yedziniak asked if this was the same one as with the geologist report. Supervisor Volpe: correct – they are supposed to shadow all of the tests that are to be done. Yedziniak: what’s our recourse? Councilman Cambareri: it all goes to the DEC in the permit process. That’s one of the DEC requirements. It’s all up to the DEC. Testing has to be done before they’ll get new permits. Yedziniak: new permits you will be notified about? Supervisor:
Supposedly, yes.
Diane Loeven: she asked about Kohler Road. Attorney replied he sent out an email to his contact at Spectrum.
Mary Maurizzio: who is the electrician or electrical company doing the pool building? Supervisor: there is no company that’s doing it currently. Anything above what we can personally do ourselves hasn’t been bidded out yet. Maurizzio: personally is who? Supervisor: our highway department. She asked if they are adept to doing electrical work. Supervisor: we have a plumber, we have an electrician, a mechanic.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Jennings asked if we got the speed trailer yet. Chief Rickard: it was delayed. Dean said we are getting it tomorrow at 4:00pm. He will take it off the trailer.
Councilman Cambareri: No report.
Councilman Carey: No report.
Councilman Howell: No report.
Supervisor Volpe reported there are still 5 openings left for the AED/CPR class and 10 openings left for the 1st Aid class.
MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION offered by Councilman Howell 2nd by Councilman Carey to adjourn the meeting at 8:22pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri. Motion carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2018 at 7:30pm at the town hall meeting room.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk
40