TOWN BOARD MEETING TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, NOVEMBER 11, 2018

The town board meeting of the Town of Mount Hope was held at the Mount Hope Town Hall on November 8, 2018 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings, Councilman Dominick Cambareri and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: D. Bavoso: Attorney, D. Hassenmayer: Highway Supt., M. Maresca: Deputy Police Chief.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30pm & asked audience to silence cell phones.

MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell that the minutes of the October 29, 2018 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Volpe, Jennings, Carey, Cambareri; carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Willis PILOT resolution
2. Class approval for David Brock, SUNY ULSTER $1,029, Jan 17, 2019 thru Apr 4, 2019
3. Request to hire Sean Burke as part time non-competitive police officer effective 11/9/18
4. Request to surplus/destroy various computer equipment pieces from Police Chief Rickard
5. Info re:2019 Annual Meeting & Training School Feb 2019
6. Community Advisory Board minutes
7. Oct 2018 & Sept 2018 Building Dept. reports
8. Corres. from Assessor Ketcham re: award he received for Outstanding Service to the Assessment Profession

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Jennings: as of November 1st – we’re up to 156 cards. Planning Board meets 11-28; there’s 2 solar farm projects are moving forward. Village board meets 11-15.
Councilman Cambareri: David Brock will continue on with his next class as plant operator. There are minor upgrades that need to be done. They need a spare pump. The engineers are meeting tomorrow about the new community center.
Councilman Carey: there are a couple people in the audience here from the little league who would like to speak to this board. They went to a village board meeting also.
Councilman Howell: all set for the Veteran’s parade on Saturday. Zoning update from the comprehensive plan committee has been prepared and delivered to the committee; later this meeting we will take the next steps required on the town board end to process towards hopefully an approval.
Supervisor Volpe: the security system bid was approved for the new community center. They will start roughing things in. He will have specs tomorrow/day after to bid out heat and AC.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer reported:
1. Received an estimate from Ketcham Fence for our courts. The fencing around basketball courts, he recommends we get new fabric put up which is the fence itself & miscellaneous repairs – estimate $4149. Tennis courts – $675 (prevailing wage). Councilman Cambareri: 9 gauge fabric with 11 gauge core – talk to Gerald about there’s a wire that has a harder core, it bends less. It’s what they use on playgrounds – it’s a little more expensive but a better product. This will be tables until next meeting.
2. Bathrooms at park will be shut down the week of Thanksgiving.
3. As of tomorrow morning all trucks will be ready for the winter. Salt barn will be full by tomorrow. Other than manpower we are almost there.
4. Councilman Carey asked Supt. Hassenmayer about the Honor Flight. Supt. Hassenmayer: it was a very moving experience. He went with a 92 y/o World War II Vet from the Newburgh area. When we got to Washington, there was a line of people from here to Ulee’s to welcome the Vets. When we got to the memorial and all the young people wanted to shake the Vet’s hand and take pictures with him. It was a wonderful day.
5. Mary Maurizzio spoke re: water runoff at the turn by Pierson’s property. Supt. Hassenmayer explained the ground is totally saturated. There’s rain coming tomorrow. He’s hoping it goes away if it ever stops raining. There are flood warnings through tomorrow night.

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POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Deputy Chief Maresca reported they would like to hire Sean (Burke) and they have computer items to surplus/destroy.

VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE: no report.

RESOLUTION FOR THE WILLIS SOLAR PILOT:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Cambareri to approve the resolution as stated and giving the Supervisor the authority to sign the contract – see attached resolution at end of these minutes. All in favor: Howell, Volpe, Jennings, Carey, Cambareri; carried.

FIREWORKS DISCUSSION:
Atty. Bavoso will draw up the fireworks and have a draft before the next meeting. Supervisor Volpe would like executive session regarding the upcoming court case on this.

INTRODUCTION OF SEAN BURKE (PART TIME, NON-COMPETITIVE POLICE OFFICER):
Sean Burke introduced himself. He explained family and work history.

MOTION TO HIRE SEAN BURKE AS PART TIME NON-COMPETITIVE POLICE OFFICER:
MOTION offered Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Howell to approve hiring Sean Burke as a Part Time Non-Competitive Police Officer effective November 9, 2018. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.

MOTION TO APPROVE DAVID BROCK TO ATTEND SUNY ULSTER FOR BASIC WASTEWATER OPERATIONS CLASS:
MOTION offered Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Carey to approve David Brock to attend SUNY Ulster for Basic Wastewater Operations class for $1029 from January 17, 2019 through April 4, 2019. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.

MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERVSIOR OFFICE BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to approve the modification as follows:
Increase Revenue A4089 Other Governmental Aid by $3,581.01
Increase Expense A1620.4 Buildings Contr. $3,581.01. (grant reimbursement)
All in favor: Howell, Volpe, Jennings, Carey, Cambareri; carried.

MOTION TO SURPLUS/DESTROY POLICE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT:
MOTION offered Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Jennings to approve the following for surplus then destroy:
Desktop Serial # ESP36331145
Desktop Serial # 2UA20109RZ
Laptop #CIMLTOUPDV30
HP Printer #p2035.
All in favor: Howell, Volpe, Jennings, Carey, Cambareri; carried.

HVAC FOR NEW COMMUNITY CENTER:
Supervisor Volpe will have more information at the next meeting.

MASTER PLAN:
Attorney Bavoso explained that a copy of the draft of the proposed zoning law was submitted to the Town Clerk this evening. The board needs to declare lead agency then set public hearing.

RESOLUTION FOR LEAD AGENCY:
MOTION offered Supervisor Volpe 2nd Councilman Carey that the Town of Mount Hope Town Board designates itself “lead agent” for the purpose of SEQR and declares it to be an unlisted action.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.

Councilman Howell noted that a suggestion by Barton & Loguidice was made to leave public hearing open for written comments.

MOTION TO SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED ZONING LAW:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to set public hearing on December 3, 2018 at 7:30pm for the proposed new zoning laws and proposed updates here at town hall. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.

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MOTION TO REFER THE DOCUMENT TO ORNAGE COUNTY PLANNING FOR REVIEW:
MOTION offered Councilman Cambareri 2nd Councilman Jennings to send the document to Orange County Planning Dept. for review. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.

PAY THE BILLS:
Supervisor called for a motion. Councilman Jennings asked about the new program and computers for the building department. Supervisor explained that they are updating all their software in the building department. Jennings asked if it had to be approved at a board meeting. Supervisor: it’s a whole new system. Councilman Cambareri explained it’s actually been in the process for 2 years.

MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to approve the following bills (Abstract 24):
GENERAL A: #678-722 $161,413.95
GENERAL B: #115-121 $ 29,131.50
HIGHWAY: #169-180 $ 90,665.01
SEWER: #91-95 $ 2,462.68
All in favor: Howell, Volpe, Jennings, Carey, Cambareri; carried.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Tara Frawley/Paul Higby: came to represent the Otisville Little League to request assistance in maintaining the little league fields. There are more jobs than manpower. Some duties: landscaping, mowing, weed whacking, clearing garbage off the fields, empty garbage cans, pump off fields after a rainy period, possible prepping fields on game days, fixing structures that may be dangerous. Councilman Carey: One of the fields is in the town. You went to the village. We set aside money every year for clay. We are gonna talk about it. Ms. Loeven added that the Mayor asked them to send an email with all the things she just mentioned. Maintenance of the buildings is something they will address better. They mow but weed whacking is a little behind. For the village to pump off the fields, they would have to hire an additional person where the town has people that are down there. Supervisor: we all want to see this happen. They discussed summer help. This could be a joint collaboration. Supt. Hassenmayer can’t promise anything now. We can try to accommodate you.
Diane Loeven: Nov. 18th is the last senior trip.
Alison Miller: 7 Peaks is back on the Town of Mamakating planning board agenda 11-13 at 6:30. Is anyone on this board planning on going to this meeting? Councilman Carey is interested in going. It’s a short, 15 minute workshop. Miller: 30 minutes on agenda. Attorney Bavoso has received no updates. This could have a lot of impact on the Minisink Valley school district and our town. Councilman Carey will not be here next meeting. He will get what he can for the next meeting.
Mary Maurizzio: She congratulated Chris Furman on his victory. You have big shoes to fill by replacing Dominick. He’s an honest man, worked diligently/constantly for the people of Mount Hope. He did research on assigned projects; presented facts/ideas well. He devoted many man hours on the master plan with Matt Howell. We are fortunate to have him on our board. He is a fine representative dedicated to serving the people as a Town of Mount Hope councilman. Thank you Dominick.
Kathie Yedziniak: asked if the parade is rain or shine. Councilman Howell – yes.

MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Cambareri to enter into executive session at 8:06pm for litigation for the fireworks law. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.

MOTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to reconvene the regular meeting at 8:30pm. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.

BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Howell – no comment.
Councilman Carey – looking forward to seeing everyone at the parade. He will not be here for the next meeting – he will be on vacation next meeting.
Councilman Cambareri – no comment.
Councilman Jennings – asked if we could look for a grant for the playgrounds at our park. Ours seems a little outdated. The village updated theirs and it looks very nice. Supervisor: we have lots of playground money to update stuff. He asked Jim to look into pricing on some things. Councilman Jennings added that there is a wash out on the walking trail over by the football field. Supervisor Volpe will let Dean know about that.
Supervisor Volpe – $18,000 we received for a grant for the walking trail by Devan’s Gate on Mount Hope Avenue, we are going to put 6 benches around it. The gazebo was ordered. It will be here in about 6 weeks.
And the gravel. It will all be paid for with the grant money.
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Supervisor Volpe also spoke re: new community center. If anyone gets a chance to go over and see the new community center, it looks good. It’s coming together. Councilman Jennings asked how we are going to handle entry into the building. Supervisor hasn’t gotten in there yet. Town Clerk spoke re: senior center key from a rental still hasn’t been returned. A letter was sent. He (renter) was given until 10-29 to return key but hasn’t responded to letter nor the 4 voice mails. Supervisor asked Dep. Chief to send a car to the address to try to get the key back.
Ms. Loeven added that the door by the back parking lot still sticks.
Discussion ensued re: keying each set of doors with different keys vs. keyless entry cards.

MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to adjourn the meeting at 8:42pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Cambareri; carried.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 19, 2018 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk

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RESOLUTION #1 OF 2018 OF THE TOWN BOARD OF
THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK

WHEREAS, Willis Solar is a Leasee of property located on Finchville Turnpike, in the Town of Mount Hope, County of Orange, State of New York that has made application to construct and operate a Commercial Solar Energy Generating Facility on the said property; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Mount Hope is a municipal corporation located in Orange County, New York; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Mount Hope has not opted out of RPTL Section 487 relative to making commercial solar generating facilities tax exempt; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RPTL Section 487(9)(a), the Town of Mount Hope has indicated its intent to require a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (“PILOT”) Agreement with the Owner, under which the Owner (or any successor owner of the Project) will be required to make annual payments to the Town for each year during the term of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Mount Hope and Willis Solar, have negotiated a PILOT Agreement for the benefit of the Town of Mount Hope, requiring annual payments be made to the Town in an agreed upon amount in lieu of taxes that would otherwise inure to the Town as a result of the improvements to the property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope enter into a PILOT Agreement as negotiated with Willis Solar; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor of the Town of Mount Hope be authorized to execute the said PILOT Agreement on behalf of the Town of Mount Hope.
Motion by: Councilman Carey Seconded by: Councilman Cambareri
Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Abstentions: N/A
Dated: November 8, 2018
TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
______________________________
KATHLEEN A. MYERS, Town Clerk
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