Town of Mount Hope Town Board Meeting July 15, 2019
The town board meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at the Mount Hope Town Hall on July 15, 2019 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilman Chris Furman, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Police Chief P. Rickard, Deputy Police Chief M. Maresca, D. Bavoso- Attorney, D. Hassenmayer- Highway Supt.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30pm & asked audience to silence cell phones.
7:30 PM PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW ENTITLED: AMENDMENT TO THE PARKING RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN CHAPTER 238 OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
Supervisor opened the public hearing. Notice is on the table. He asked the board if they had questions. Chief Rickard explained that the parking tickets we currently have are no longer valid. We had to re-do the parking tickets. In getting some examples from Port Jervis and Middletown, they have language where if people don’t respond in a timely manner, the Judge would be authorized to increase the fine amount. He spoke to David and the judges about it and the only way we could do that is if we pass a law authorizing that to be added to the ticket. This law will add not only the town sections but the NYS V&T sections this extra fee to be assessed to the fine if they are late in responding. Once this is approved/denied, we will be able to move forward with the ordering/printing of the new ticket books. Supervisor asked if there were questions. No questions from the board.
MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2ndCouncilman Howell to close public hearing at 7:33pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1-2019 ENTITLED:AMENDMENT TO THE PARKING RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN CHAPTER 238 OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2ndCouncilman Carey to approve Local Law #1-2019 ENTITLED: AMENDMENT TO THE PARKING RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN CHAPTER 238 OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE. (copy at end of these minutes) All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Resolution from ZBA re: Furman sub-division area variance granted by ZBA on June 5, 2019
- Insurance certificate from the Lacrosse league
- Police dept. monthly report for June 2019
- OC Dept. of Health permit to operate the summer camp.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2ndCouncilman Jennings that the minutes of the July 1, 2019 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Volpe, Carey, Furman, Jennings; carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Jennings reported 7-17-19 at 7pm planning board will meet. July 18, 2019 is Village board meeting at 7pm. As of July 1, we have 119 library cards.
Councilman Furman reported there is nothing from ZBA at this time. He brought pizzas to the summer camp on Friday.
Councilman Carey reported Community Day 7-20-19 from 2-10pm. We just found out that we are not gonna have the orphaned wild life at our event due to a recent death of one of the bears. Richard Wilson and Nina & the Hometown Blend will perform there. A local girl will sing National Anthem. Summer concert series continues Tuesday with The Different’s. Summer Rec is a little shy of 100 kids. One week down 5 weeks to go. There’s a closed facebook page for summer rec 2019. Pictures will be posted there this week. He noted the little league 911 call last weekend. The person that made the call wanted to thank the PD for the response. Community shred day in Circleville at Walden Savings Bank (Rte 302) from 10am-12.
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Councilman Howell reminded everyone of the 4H family festival July 26-29 at the 4H park on Finchville Tpk. Eggbert will be there. He spoke re: water withdrawal permit from the C/O Middletown from Indigot area which the county owns. We discussed this a number of years ago. We contracted with a hydrogeologist to be sure they stayed within the scope of the project. Upon the completion of their application there’s gonna be a 15 day public comment period. The application is not complete yet. We will keep you informed. He’s been in email conversation with our current engineer regarding this application. We are gonna try to set up a meeting so we can get situated in terms of having a response/comment on behalf of the town with this permit. Attorney Bavoso added that he spoke with the corporation counsel from Middletown; he said that as of right now actual taking or testing of any wells doesn’t have a time frame yet. They’re still working on the paperwork aspect of this.
2019 NEWSLETTER:
Supervisor Volpe would like all information for the newsletter to him by August 5, 2019. He would like to get newsletterout by early August.
COMMUNITY DAY:
Supervisor Volpe asked for help from the board members to mark spots at the park for the vendors for community day on Thursday night. He asked Councilman Jennings to help with getting the electric up from the ground. Councilman Jennings asked if the grass was mowed there. Supervisor asked Dean. There are approx. 40 vendors. There are 3 golf carts coming from T/O Wallkill golf course. The fire trailer needs to be picked up and it needs to be at the summer camp for Friday so the campers can go through it. Last years’ placement was great.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer stated that the new recreation center septic is complete. The drainage around the back of the building was an open ditch that has been leveled, widened & the ditch has been stoned; once we open it will be a safer environment. He’s trying to coordinate with Frank this week for the water line to get the connection done. It’s 90% of the way out to the street. We scheduled for some time this week but they have a lot going on this week. We will be starting on the walking path soon. Equipment will be moved to the walking path. He would like the board to do a contract to sell fuel to the Howells Fire Dept. like we do for the village and 4H. There’s an interest for at least 2 chief vehicles. There’s at least 2 chiefs that live in this area. Kohler Road was paved July 3rd. Chip/seal schedule is 7/31 & 8/1: Bull Rd., Carboy Rd., Pierson Hill Rd., Shawangunk Rd., Shale Dr., dead end of Grange Rd. We have a couple days of black top patching before that. He received an email that State Route 211 is scheduled to put a box culvert in where the plates are in late fall/early winter. He saw the drawings/detours. The detour they had in mind, because of the bridge weight limit, is quite out of the way. He suggested another route and it’s still in the works. Supervisor asked the board about the fuel sale for Howells. He will have David write the contract. It will be for gasoline & diesel at .25 cents over our cost. That’s the same fee for the village and 4H.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Chief Rickard reported that they requested and got the state police in last week (July 10) to do commercial vehicle enforcement on the bridge to try to grab vehicles over-weight. Over the course of the day there were 6 trucks that were over-weight – 13 tickets total. There was a propane truck that was over-weight by 150 lbs. That ranged up to a cement truck which was 68,900 – more than twice the overage. Even though they are over-weight, they are not over-weight their rated limit. They don’t get written for being over-weight; the section is for disobeying the sign that says they can’t drive over it. The truck is not over-weight, the sign says their weight is more than can go on the road. 13 tickets were written. He reminded everyone re: Night Out Against Crime is Aug. 6 from 6:30-8:30 is part of the concert series. Presbyterian Church is gonna be there. They are trying to get the Catholic Church there. The local bank will be there. District Attorney’s office will have a table there as well. He received a letter from the DA since the last meeting re: the criminal justice reforms. There was an article in the NY Post saying how it’s not been funded and the DA is recommending that everybody budget 10% more in their budget to cover the costs that will be passed on to the municipalities. It’s an unfunded mandate. New rental laws went into effect July 1stwhich is quite a change if you are renting. Pretty much they are taking evictions out of the equation. You gotta be a year before you can evict somebody. Attorney: depending on the type of evection. It used to be non-payment was a 3 day notice and then you can file papers and not it’s 14. They’re actually a lot closer to what NYC looks like now. The Chief explained that on December 31stthey’re gonna let everybody out of jail that is in there on bail for other than the qualifying charges. We’ll see what happens with that. Supervisor wanted to go over the DOT check. He and Dean went down to the county meeting. They showed us plans for the new bridge. The state has shut that bridge down in the past. Our recommendation for our police to enforce it was to change it from not tonnage, because we don’t have scales, change it to no commercial vehicles. It’s easy to enforce and hopefully the bridge would last until the replacement. That would be very enforceable. Chief added that on the 4thof July there were zero calls for fireworks, the day before, the day of and day after. We did address fireworks that we came across but there was actually no calls to 911 or the police line any of those days. There was a supervisor on all 3 of those nights and added patrols as well.
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VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven reminded everyone of the community yard sale on August 3rd. The final meeting for this will be this coming Wednesday. They will make sure Tony Coppola notifies Mobile Life.
SUMMER RECREATION:
Supervisor Volpe reported that things are moving along very well & different with the new directors. Everyone seems calm. To walk through and see the counselors laughing which makes the campers laugh seems like everybody is having a good time.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilman Jennings 2ndCouncilman Howell to approve the following bills (Abstract #17 & Abstract #18):
ABSTRACT #17:
GENERAL A: #417-428 $55,030.90
GENERAL B: #56-57 $ 4,408.04
HIGHWAY: #98 $17,976.22
SEWER: #58-60 $ 2,988.36
AND
ABSTRACT #18:
GENERAL A: #429-456 $17,395.34
GENERAL B: #58-59 $ 753.46
HIGHWAY: #99-104 $46,976.59
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings ; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Brian Waughspoke re: charity 5K he would like to have in Mount Hope on October 19, 2019. He’s a resident of Mount Hope. He has a disabled daughter. He would like to hold a charity 5K to raise money for her foundation. He would like to use the park on Finchville Tpk and the 5K would run down Mount Hope Avenue, Grange, Mill Pond and back down Finchville to the finish line. He would like to do it on October 19. 9:00am start. Roads would need to be closed off or hold off traffic as the racers go by. Supervisor asked if there was anything in writing. Mr. Waugh noted that he emailed Kathleen. He has an insurance policy. Supervisor: there’s logistics that need to be worked out. The only thing on our end is if we have to have additional police come in; there would be a cost to that. However, we have had the fire police help out in the past. It’s far enough out there that it could be an option. If additional police have to come in, we charge the event per police officer 4 hours. Mr. Waugh is aiming for at least 60 participants. He would be happier with more. He’s a retired NYC firefighter. There’s an Orange County retirees group up here. They were used to block off the road for a run in Washingtonville. Could they be used for this run instead of extra police? Supervisor: an option for us would be for you, myself, the Chief and have a sit down with a few people from there to see what we can work out for what needs to be covered. He suggested the week of Aug. 4thto meet. The attorney asked him to put together a narrative with the specifics for baseline for the town to review. Chief asked Mr. Waugh to send him an email. Mr. Waugh already reserved the pavilion. It was suggested to reach out to Otisville Fire for involvement also.
MOTION TO GRANT CONDITIONAL APPROVAL TO HOLD “ONE SMALL STEP 5K”:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2ndCouncilman Howell to grant conditional approval to hold “ONE SMALL STEP 5K” on October 19, 2019, start time 9:00am to end at the town park on Finchville Turnpike. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION continued:
Diane Loeven suggested that Mr. Waugh come to the village meeting on Thursday night at 7pm and explain and ask if the village board would consider allowing him to use our fire police to help with traffic control. Supervisor added that once he has a flyer to send it to us so we could put it on the website and facebook.
Mary Maurizzio asked if the 4H barn roof repair question was resolved. Attorney Bavoso explained the deed as it was put together grants the town use of that barn. The town is then responsible for the maintenance. The town is responsible for the structure. The town has a deeded easement to use that for municipal purposes. As part of that easement, they have to maintain it.
Rose Phillips stated that she installed the little library. She ordered a sign for it like the one at the senior center. It should be here sometime Wednesday –Friday. When it comes in, she will come down and install it. She asked Dean about the bookcases and if they will be mounted to the walls. He stated: yes; it will be another couple months before we sheetrock it. Supervisor would like to see that happen within 45 days. Dean: we still have to wire and insulate all the addition before we sheetrock. We could possibly get somebody to start early. Are we going to bid that out? Supervisor thinks that’s the easiest way to do it. Dean: probably should start the bid process. Supervisor will make calls to see if he can get prices 1st. Dean: once the walls are sheet rocked then we’ll mount the bookshelves to the walls.
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Rose Phillips asked if there will be handicapped parking there. Dean: yes. Supervisor added that Rose is going to set up something at community day. She will have a bucket for donations for the new resource center. Councilman Carey asked Rose how high the book shelves will be. She stated 71.42” high. She would like to keep it right at 6’. She will be raising money for bookshelves, computers, interlocking floor foam tiles, tables, chairs, the sensory wall with the games and sensory books…basically everything that’s going to be put in to the room that’s not going to be provided by the town. Her budget is $2,000.
Diane Loeven noted the seniors have a trip on Thursday 7/18. She asked about set up for Saturday day set up at community day. Supervisor stated that 12-1 would be the latest for Saturday set-up. She asked if someone would be there to identify where she needs to set up. Supervisor said there will be someone there. She asked about NIGHT OUT and would they need to provide their own table. Chief: no – he will bring one for them. She spoke about the bridge and an issue with school buses and they must exceed the limit. If they are restricted, the school would need to be notified ASAP. Chief stated that school buses are not a commercial vehicle. It is but not by the DMV definition of… because if it is owned by the school district then it’s an official plate. She asked if they own all their own buses. Chief believes they do. Supervisor added that we would still let them know. Chief: they are in compliance with the sign. Ms. Loeven commented that Kohler Road looks good but they are not serviced by Spectrum. People are getting more aggravated; it was extended out Mountain Road when the issue was made but that small section of Kohler is still sitting there without service. It stops at about Kathy Hosking’s house.
Lucy Joycespoke re: 4H Fair & Family Festival. She invited all to a ribbon cutting for “Jeremy’s Shae Shack” on July 26 at 3pm. Jeremy DeBlock tragically died at 22 in 2005. His cousin wanted to develop this because 4H should be famous for its milkshakes. There will also be smoothies. All milk and yogurt is sourced in OC. That’s at 3pm on July 26. At 5:45pm on Friday there will be a dedication for the family, a little more personal, that’s right before the dairy show. There will be a movie Friday night also. She left copies with Kathleen. She spoke about Cousin Eggbert.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Howellspoke to Rose (Phillips)- Little Library looks good.
Councilman Careyhad no comments.
Councilman Furmanthanked Rose Phillips for the Little Book Box Library. The football league is having a chicken BBQ fundraiser on August 11 from 12-1 at Johnson fire house. Caffeine & Octane will be July 27, 2019 from 8am-11am; no charge at the Old School parking lot. They’ll be selling refreshments.
Councilman Jenningsstated the Little Book Box Library was a good job. He asked if the blinds in the women’s room at the senior can be replaced. Supervisor: we can do that. Councilman Jennings asked if there could be a motion sensor light installed for the stairwell in the senior center as it keeps being left on. Supervisor: hopefully when the new system is on there that will be blocked off; mainly because it’s not an emergency exit.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2ndCouncilman Carey to adjourn the meeting at 8:22pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2019 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk
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LOCAL LAW #1 OF 2019
AMENDMENT TO THE PARKING RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN CHAPTER 238
OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
- The purpose of this local law is to establish a late fee for unpaid parking tickets.
- 238-18 shall be amended to state the following:
By the adoption of this article, the Town of Mount Hope declares its intent to regulate parking on the streets in the Town. Nothing herein shall prohibit or excuse the obligations of individuals to comply with the provisions of the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York regarding the parking and operation of vehicles. This article is adopted pursuant to §1660 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York.
The following shall be added as a new §238-22(D) of the Town Code of the Town of Mount Hope:
- Late Fees:
- For any violation of a parking restriction set forth in this Article, and the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York, for which a ticket is issued, if the ticket is not answered within thirty (30) days of the date the ticket was issued, a late fee shall be imposed and added to the applicable fine. The amount of the late fee shall be equal to the amount of the initial fine.
- For any violation of a parking restriction set forth in this Article, and the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York, for which a ticket is issued, if the ticket is not answered within sixty (60) days of the date the ticket was issued, an additional late fee shall be imposed and added to the applicable fine.The amount of the additional late fee shall be the amount of the original fine. This additional late fee shall be charged together with the penalty imposed after thirty (30) days.
- For any violation of a parking restriction set forth in this Article, and the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York, for which a ticket is issued, if the ticket is not answered within ninety (90) days of the date the ticket was issued, an additional late fee shall be imposed and added to the applicable fine.The amount of the additional late fee shall be $20.00 for each day after the 90 day period. This additional late fee shall be charged together with the late fees listed above.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE TO THE EXTENT THAT THIS LOCAL LAW MAY CONFLICT WITH APPLICABLE PORTIONS OF THE TOWN LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IT IS THE STATED INTENTION OF THE TOWN TO EXERCISE ITS AUTHORITY TO SUPERSEDE AND AMEND, AS GRANTED UNDER THE MUNICIPAL HOME RULE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, SECTION 10. THE TOWN HEREBY PROVIDES NOTICE THAT IT IS EXERCISING ITS AUTHORITY TO SUPERSEDE AND AMEND PURSUANT TO MUNICIPAL HOME RULE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SECTION 22.
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