Town Board Meeting December 7th 2020
The town board meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at the Mount Hope Town Hall on December 7, 2020 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings, Councilman Chris Furman & Kathleen Myers, Town Clerk
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Chief Rickard, Highway Supt. Hassenmayer, Attorney Bavoso & Deputy Chief Maresca.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey that the minutes of the November 16, 2020 be approved as presented. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Port Jervis library contract for 2021
- Essential workers resolutions for adoption -3
- Middletown Humane Society contract for 2021
- Letter from Jen D’Esposito re: church youth center rental days
- Otisville fire call for November 2020
- Orange county mortgage tax receipts for November 2020
- Building department monthly reports for July – November 2020
- ZBA resolution approving BOFFA variance effective December 2, 2020
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Howell thought there was nice attendance at the tree lighting. Great to see as many people come out and enjoy what we had.
Councilman Jennings reported the planning board meeting will be 12/16 @ 7pm. Village meeting was 12/3 – they’re trying for a grant for $125,000.00 for the water project on Route 211. There were 11 fire calls last month. The next village meeting is 12/17 at 7pm. There was a good turn out for the tree lighting. He thanked Santa and his helpers. He asked Dean when the tree here at town hall will be lit. Dean: it’s lit. He apologized for not having the facebook live going. He is having technical difficulties. Should be ready for next meeting.
Councilman Furman had a great time at the tree lighting. He thanked Santa and his helpers for coming.
Councilman Carey noted that today is Pearl Harbor Day – 2,403 Americans lost their lives in 1941. He hopes everyone had a great Thanksgiving. He thanked all the 1st responders for working on Thanksgiving day. He thanked Otisville fire for bringing Santa and his helpers. He thanked the highway department for decorating the tree. 12/5 was the village tree lighting. The patriot tree lighting was tonight at 5:30. He congratulated Senator-elect Martucci – the election results were finalized and he is the winner. He looks forward to working with him. Facebook page has 1600 likes. 1680 – followers. He spoke re: election results – when he called, they are not available. He shared some statistics. 43,000 people voted for early voting.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven: tree lighting on Saturday was very cold. Had over 60 children show up. Tonight was Patriot tree lighting. Bigger turnout than expected. At the last town board meeting was a discussion about the single voting site debacle. She thinks she remembers Brian saying there was no street lights on Baker Street. It’s a village street. There are street lights all the way down Sanatorium and there’s a street light directly across the street from the senior center. Councilman Carey said that wasn’t the problem. It was the back parking lot by the youth center. There’s no lighting there. Supervisor Volpe said that Paul is working on this.
OMHPC YOUTH CENTER CHURCH RENTAL & FEE:
Supervisor Volpe spoke re: church rentals. He noted all the Sundays that they would like to rent for December, January, February & March. We’ve never done part time rentals. He asked the boards thoughts. Councilman Carey asked if someone wants to rent the youth center – what’s the norm? 2 weeks before? A month before? Town Clerk: most people ask in advance; it’s for a sweet 16, this/that. There are rare times that someone calls for a last minute reservation. We have some rentals already so she can’t have all of those days. Supervisor’s opinion – if we rent to the church, you’re not gonna be able to rent it to anyone else those days. Traditionally, if they have a party at 2 or 3 in the afternoon, they’re gonna want to set up in the morning. It will be too much for us to police. Councilman Howell agrees with the Supervisor. Councilman Jennings: what if we tell them they can have it for now but a rental comes in, they can’t have it that day?
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Councilman Carey: What of they make up a flier and invite people? Town Clerk: they are also asking for a lesser fee since they’re gonna be renting all those days. Ms. Loeven got the impression from Mrs. D’Esposito that she was saying they realize that if we get another rental, they would get bumped. Kind of goes along with what Jim was saying. Councilman Furman asked what if we penciled in these dates and the Friday before if there’s no body that’s rented it, we can let them use it? Councilman Carey added that we have to even see what the guidelines from the Governor will be. Supervisor Volpe: the church functions have zero restrictions right now. Councilman Furman is trying to make it fair for both. Supervisor Volpe suggested that she would have to call by Friday to verify that there’s not a rental – if she’s willing to take the dates that are not rented then we give the church a break and give it to them for $75 each time? The board agreed that’s fair.
MOTION TO ALLOW OMHPC YOUTH GROUP TO RENT THE YOUTH CENTER AT REDUCED COST:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to allow the OMHPC to use the youth center on the dates proposed: Dec 6, 13, 20; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 21, 18 & March 7, 14, 21, 28; at $75/day, providing any additional rentals are not booked for that date, from 9am to 11am. (need to provide insurance cert) All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer is fine with the fuel agreements. The roof is finished at the sewer plant. They haven’t done any exterior walls. The guys are attempting to get more of the dead trees down along side of the roads. The fleet is ready to go.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Chief Rickard reported that Manny is working out well. Meghan graduates Wednesday next week and starts here Thursday. Last week was the online ZOOM meeting for police reform. We’re working on the survey now. Hope to have it finalized by Thursday next week. We’ll send town residents a post card with the way to take the survey. Dennis will print labels. Should be around $300 for a bulk mailing. Hoping for the beginning of the year that people will get this and be able to log on and take the survey. The # of COVID cases are up dramatically in Orange county. It’s our highest # since April. Mount Hope’s # has the prisons’ # lumped in it. We’re probably gonna be going into an orange zone. The porch larcenies – if it’s possible to grab your packages and look out for each other. We’ve had a couple larcenies from the Spruce/Ledge/Brola road area. We have great video. He has video from the car larcenies from last March. It looks like the same person down to his gait when he runs away. He has the old lockers from the police locker room that he’d like to surplus. The village DPW would like the 6 best lockers.
MOTION TO SURPLUS & DESTROY OLD POLICE LOCKERS:
MOTION offered Councilman Jennings 2nd Councilman Furman to surplus and destroy the 18 old lockers (less the 6 lockers that the village DPW picks) from the police locker room. There’s no value to them. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE the 2021 FUEL AGREEMENTS WITH VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE, HOWELLS FIRE DISTRICT & CORNELL COOP. EXTENSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to approve the 2021 fuel agreements with the Village of Otisville, Howells Fire District & Cornell Coop Ext. as presented. (Copies will be on file in the town clerk’s office). All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
PORT JERVIS LIBRARY CONTRACT:
Supervisor Volpe asked the attorney to amend it to reflect that people have to come here 1st to pay the fee. It has nothing really to do with the library. This is tabled until next meeting.
ESSENTIAL WORKERS RESOLUTIONS DISCUSSION:
Supervisor Volpe explained that as Kathleen reads the resolutions, there will be a roll call vote at the end of each one. Councilman Jennings asked if the zoning board of appeals should be added to the list. Supervisor will do that and have it ready for the next meeting. These really have to get to the state. Councilman Howell asked if the town board could be considered in this. Supervisor wanted the ZBA and town board added to the resolution tonight.
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RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE RECOGNIZING THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR, BOOKKEEPER, TOWN CLERK, ASSESSOR, BUILDING DEPARTMENT, PLANNING BOARD EMPLOYEES, ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS EMPLOYEES AND THE TOWN BOARD ARE DEEMED AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS:
WHEREAS, the Supervisor, Bookkeeper, Town Clerk, Assessor, Building Department and Planning Board Members, Zoning Board of Appeals Members & Town Board are deemed as Essential Workers
WHEREAS, the work cannot be done by others and cannot be done at home
WHEREAS, offices are more than 6 feet apart
WHEREAS, staff are screened daily and are advised to stay home when sick
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope Town Board designates and recognizes all employees of the Supervisor, Bookkeeper, Town Clerk, Assessor, Building Department, Planning Board Members, Zoning Board of Appeals Members and the Town Board are deemed as ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
All in favor: Howell – aye, Carey – aye, Furman – aye, Jennings – aye, Volpe – aye: motion carried.
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE RECOGNIZING ALL HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES AND CLERKS ARE DEEMED AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS:
WHEREAS, the Highway Department is deemed as Essential Workers
WHEREAS, the work cannot be done by others and cannot be done at home
WHEREAS, offices are more than 6 feet apart
WHEREAS, staff are screened daily and are advised to stay home when sick
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope Town Board designates and recognizes all employees of the Highway Department are deemed as ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
All in favor: Howell – aye, Carey – aye, Furman – aye, Jennings – aye, Volpe – aye: motion carried.
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE RECOGNIZING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES (OFFICERS AND CLERKS) ARE DEEMED AS FIRST RESPONDERS:
WHEREAS, the Police Department are deemed First Responders
WHEREAS, the work cannot be done by others and cannot be done at home
WHEREAS, offices are more than 6 feet apart
WHEREAS, staff are screened daily and are advised to stay home when sick
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope designates & recognizes all Police Department employees (Officers & Clerks) as First Responders.
All in favor: Howell – aye, Carey – aye, Furman – aye, Jennings – aye, Volpe – aye: motion carried.
MOTION TO SET THE DATE FOR THE 2021 RE-ORGANIZATION MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Jennings to set date for the 2021 reorganization meeting as January 4, 2021 in the town board meeting room at 7:30pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE 2021 TOWN BOARD MEETING DATES:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Furman to approve the 2021 town board meeting dates as presented (as attached to end of these minutes).
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
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MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Howell to approve the following bills (Abstract #47, #48 & #49):
Abstract #47
GENERAL A: #680-695 $ 35,397.19
GENERAL B: #106-107 $ 190.63
HIGHWAY: #187-192 $ 25,779.24
SEWER: #95 $ 3,362.27
Abstract #48
GENERAL A: #696-706 $ 3,792.26
GENERAL B: #108 $ ,45.00
SEWER: #96 $ ,1,500.00
Abstract # 49
GENERAL A: #707-734 $ 70,714.19
GENERAL B: #109-115 $ 16,900.76
HIGHWAY: #193-205 $ 31,437.79
SEWER: #97-99 $ 3,080.57.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
IMPOUND FEES DISCUSSION:
Councilman Furman spoke re: impound fees for vehicles. He suggested $100/day impound fee. He suggested an indoor fee just in case we come across the situation that we would need to store a vehicle inside. General average to store indoors = $150/day. Chief Rickard added that the amounts were left out of the policy because that would be done by town board resolution. The policy says whatever fees the town board determines for the year.
MOTION TO APPROVE IMPOUND FEES:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey to establish Mount Hope police department impound fees at $100/day outdoor and $150/day for indoor impound, effective January 1, 2021. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE 2021 CONTRACT WITH THE MIDDLETOWN HUMANE SOCIETY:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to authorize the town supervisor to sign the contract with the Middletown Humane Society to be used as a back-up for Palmer’s Ark if Palmer’s Ark should be at full occupancy. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Furman; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Diane Loeven informed the board that their board voted at their village meeting, based upon what’s happening in the county and we are getting ready to go into an orange – the board empowered the Mayor to make the decision as to any facilities that need to be closed down based on what the daily #’s are. We are not really looking at closing the offices but what we would probably do is prohibit anyone from coming in to the offices. If it comes to this, it will be on the website and facebook page.
Hometown Helpers is going to purchase poinsettias locally and will deliver on Saturday.
MaryBeth Horzepa: clarified the essential workers resolution is for the planning board members to include the clerk and chairman. Supervisor: every member.
MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey to enter into executive session at 8:10pm for a building department personnel issue. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Furman to reconvene regular meeting from executive session at 8:25pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Furman; carried.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Carey went to a local company in Newburgh called “Air Mask” and bought some air masks. Local guy from Cornwall started this company “getairmasks.com”. He’s producing 100,000 masks/week.
He went to Bethel Woods to see a Christmas light show. It’s $25/car load. Orange County fairgrounds is doing something similar – Holiday Lights Spectacular, $25/car load.
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Supervisor Volpe: Anyone coming in to town hall, the door will be locked. You can’t go down the hallway. Everyone will be screened in the breezeway. No one will be going down the hall until we are COVID free. We’ve worked hard to keep everyone safe and we’re gonna continue to keep everyone safe.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to adjourn the meeting at 8:27pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Jennings, Furman; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 21, 2020 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC, Town Clerk
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Resolution No: 1 of 2020
TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
TOWN BOARD
ROLL CALL VOTE
The following was presented
By: Councilman Howell Sec’d by: Councilman Carey
Date of Adoption: December 7, 2020
|
Name |
Ayes |
Nays |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Councilman Matthew Howell |
X |
|
|
|
|
Councilman Brian Carey |
X |
|
|
|
|
Councilman Chris Furman |
X |
|
|
|
|
Councilman James Jennings |
X |
|
|
|
|
Supervisor Chad J. Volpe |
X |
|
|
|
|
Total |
5 |
|
|
|
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
RECOGNIZING THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR, BOOKKEEPER, TOWN CLERK, ASSESSOR, BUILDING DEPARTMENT, PLANNING BOARD EMPLOYEES, ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS EMPLOYEES AND THE TOWN BOARD ARE DEEMED AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS
WHEREAS, the Supervisor, Bookkeeper, Town Clerk, Assessor, Building Department and Planning Board Members, Zoning Board of Appeals Members & Town Board are deemed as Essential Workers.
WHEREAS, the work cannot be done by others and cannot be done at home.
WHEREAS, offices are more than 6 feet apart
WHEREAS, staff are screened daily and are advised to stay home when sick
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope Town Board designates and recognizes all employees of the Supervisor, Bookkeeper, Town Clerk, Assessor, Building Department, Planning Board Members, Zoning Board of Appeals Members and the Town Board are deemed as ESSENTIAL WORKERS
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Resolution No: 2 of 2020
TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
TOWN BOARD
ROLL CALL VOTE
The following was presented
By: Councilman Howell
Sec’d by: Councilman Carey
Date of Adoption: December 7, 2020
|
Name |
Ayes |
Nays |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Councilman Matthew Howell |
X |
|
|
|
|
Councilman Brian Carey |
X |
|
|
|
|
Councilman Chris Furman |
X |
|
|
|
|
Councilman James Jennings |
X |
|
|
|
|
Supervisor Chad J. Volpe |
X |
|
|
|
|
Total |
5 |
|
|
|
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
RECOGNIZING ALL HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES AND CLERKS ARE DEEMED
AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS
WHEREAS, the Highway Department is deemed as Essential Workers.
WHEREAS, the work cannot be done by others and cannot be done at home.
WHEREAS, offices are more than 6 feet apart
WHEREAS, staff are screened daily and are advised to stay home when sick
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope Town Board designates and recognizes all employees of the Highway Department are deemed as ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
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Resolution No: 3 of 2020
TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
TOWN BOARD
ROLL CALL VOTE
The following was presented
By: Councilman Howell
Sec’d by: Councilman Carey
Date of Adoption: December 7, 2020
|
Name |
Ayes |
Nays |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Councilman Matthew Howell |
X |
|
|
|
|
Councilman Brian Carey |
X |
|
|
|
|
Councilman Chris Furman |
X |
|
|
|
|
Councilman James Jennings |
X |
|
|
|
|
Supervisor Chad J. Volpe |
X |
|
|
|
|
Total |
5 |
|
|
|
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE
RECOGNIZING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES (OFFICERS AND CLERKS)
ARE DEEMED AS FIRST RESPONDERS
WHEREAS, the Police Department are deemed First Responders.
WHEREAS, the work cannot be done by others and cannot be done at home.
WHEREAS, offices are more than 6 feet apart
WHEREAS, staff are screened daily and are advised to stay home when sick
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope designates & recognizes all Police Department employees (Officers & Clerks) as First Responders.
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2021 TOWN BOARD
MEETING SCHEDULE:
JANUARY 4TH 19TH (due to Martin Luther King day)
FEBRUARY 1ST 16TH (due to President’s day)
MARCH 1ST 15TH
APRIL 5TH 19TH
MAY 3RD 17TH
JUNE 7TH 21ST
JULY 6TH (due to July 4th) 19TH
AUGUST 2ND 16TH
SEPTEMBER 7TH (due to Labor day) 20TH
OCTOBER 4TH 18TH
NOVEMBER 1ST 15TH
DECEMBER 6TH 20TH
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