Town Board Meeting October 3rd, 2022

The town board meeting of the Mount Hope Town Board was held at Mount Hope Town Hall, 1706 Route 211 West, Otisville, on October 3, 2022 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Matthew Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings, Councilman Chris Furman, Councilwoman Amanda Davis and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Police Chief Rickard, Dep. Police Chief Maresco, Highway Supt. Dean Hassenmayer, Attorney David Bavoso.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Howell called the public hearing to order at 7:30PM.

7:30pm: PUBLIC HEARING FOR RESTORENY GRANT:
Supervisor Howell introduced the topic for tonight’s public hearing: RESTORENY Grant in conjunction with Cornell Coop. Extension. Legal ad is on the table.

Lucy Joyce: The barn on Finchville Turnpike at the education center at the 4H park is in desperate need of repair. The current status is that Cornell Coop. Ext. owns the building. The town has an irrevocable license & easement that was established at the time we purchased the property in 2016.

With the license/easement, it is the responsibility of the town to maintain the barn. The roof is in desperate need of repair. RESTORENY grant is designed for rural and urban areas to provide funding to the municipalities for either demolition of the building to rebuild or repurpose it OR that you would reconstruct & repurpose the facility.

The barn was very suitable for a dairy barn when it was built in the early 50’s through the mid 80’s or so. It’s obsolete as a dairy barn. It’s not suitable for the town needs or extension needs at this point.

This program funding would allow for us to restore a new roof, take out the gutter, a cement floor, put in utilities, then repurpose it to be a gleaning hub.

The CCE manages a gleaning program where we collect produce from farms that’s not saleable but is edible and will deliver it to food pantries/kitchens. We work with many other agencies as well. We would want to repurpose the downstairs to have walk-in coolers, cold storage and a repacking area. We work with other agencies especially during the holidays. We would need a loading dock as well.

This grant requires the town is the applicant and they could subcontract with us to see the reconstruction & repurpose of the facility.

Alison Miller: Overall, it’s a fantastic opportunity for the town and 4H. As far as license/easement, who actually owns the barn?

Supervisor: Cornell.

Alison Miller: but the town is responsible for maintenance & repair according to a previous agreement?

Supervisor: yes.

Alison Miller: (to Lucy Joyce): will you provide to local food pantries?

Lucy Joyce: yes.

Jeanne Zoll: since we have a license to maintain the barn, once it’s rehabbed – is the town still liable to maintain the building?

Supervisor: if we are still within the agreement, yes.

Zoll: how long is the agreement for?

Supervisor: it doesn’t have an end date.

Attorney Bavoso: correct – it’s in perpetuity. The town could release that license.

There were no further comments.

MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to close public hearing at 7:39pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.

MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilwoman Davis 2nd Councilman Furman that the September 19, 2022 and September 20, 2022 meeting minutes are accepted as presented. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:
1. 2022 Halloween curfew
2. Resignation from Police Officer John Skoufis
3. Fully executed 2022-2023 Snow & Ice agreement with Orange County
4. Letter from O’Brien Law PC re: Request opinion on proposed farm use livestock for 80 Pine Grove Rd
5. HV Water Co. summary of expenses
6. Building Dept monthly report for August 2022
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7. Little league fall ball schedule
8. News release from County Exec Neuhaus re: Red Ribbon Week
9. Collection event dates for OC household hazardous waste flier
10. Registration form for OC household hazardous waste
11. Orange County Mortgage tax receipts for September 2022

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Councilman Jennings reported the village meeting is this Thursday. They have a public hearing to extend the term limits for the trustees at 6:30pm.
Councilman Furman – no report
Councilman Carey reported the newsletter went out. There are also copies in the lobby. The sign out front is ½ working – he will try to get this matter resolved. He is still working out the details for the TRUNK OR TREAT with the Presbyterian Church. It will be in their parking lot.
Councilwoman Davis reminded everyone of the public hearing dates for the proposed library district. October 4 & 11.
Supervisor Howell reminded everyone of the proposed library district vote on October 18.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer reported that fall trash days start Wednesday. There are a lot of seniors signed up already. O&R helped to take some trees down around the youth center that were problematic. The guys have one more day of paving left. After trash days are done, the guys will start the excavation for the town hall addition.

POLICE REPORT:
Chief Rickard spoke re: Halloween curfew resolution needing to be approved tonight. He noted the resignation from Police Officer John Skoufis effective September 29, 2022. There will be certificate presentations later this meeting.

VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Lattimer stated the next village board meeting is Thursday and there’s a public hearing to extend the village trustees terms from 2 to 4 years at 6:30pm. He reminded everyone of the library vote on October 18.

POLICE OFFICER JOHN SKOUFIS CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION:
Supervisor Howell: Like the Chief mentioned, Police Officer John Skoufis has retired.
Chief Rickard: John started on August 26, 2002. He is moving south. It’s been a pleasure working with you. We wanted to present this to you acknowledging your 20 years of service. Thank you for a job well done.
John thanked everyone. He has enjoyed his time here.

MOTION TO APPROVE 2022 HALLOWEEN CURFEW:
MOTION offered Councilwoman Davis 2nd Councilman Carey that anyone under the age of 18 must be off town roads after 9:00pm from October 28, 2022 through November 1, 2022 unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years of age or older or if they are coming to or from a work assignment or school activity. All in favor: Howell, Jennings, Davis, Carey, Furman; carried.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY ROOF REPLACEMENT:
Supervisor Howell: a couple meetings ago we discussed the research center roof replacement. Nancie Craig received a quote from Guaillas Roofing Inc. The town would contribute $20,000 towards this. The remaining will come from the historic society.

MOTION TO APPROVE ROOF REPLACEMENT AT HISTORIC PROPERTY:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to accept the quote from Guaillas Roofing inc. for $20,000 for the barn roof replacement at the historic property. This will be paid from ARPA funding. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman. Motion carried.

2023 TOWN BUDGET PACKETS:
Supervisor Howell stated that the Town Clerk presented the 2023 tentative budget packets to the town board at the budget meeting on September 20,2022.

MOTION TO SET DATE FOR 2023 PRELIMINARY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey to set the date for the 2023 Preliminary budget public hearing on October 17, 2022 at 7:30pm in the town hall meeting room at 1706 Rote 211 West, Otisville, Orange County, NY. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman. Motion carried.
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MEMORIAL TREE PROGRAM:
Supervisor Howell spoke re: memorial tree program. He received a request from a resident about this program. He spoke to Dean about this. Supervisor proposes 3 trees per year. There would be a written application which will go through the highway office. The applicant would purchase the tree. Highway department will dig the hole.

MOTION TO APPROVE INITIATION OF MEMORIAL TREE PLANTING PROGRAM:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilwoman Davis to initiate the town memorial tree planting program in the town park for 3 trees per year; with written application and purchasing of the trees by the applicant.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Furman, Jennings, Davis. Motion carried.

MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM POLICE OFFICER JOHN SKOUFIS:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to accept the resignation from Police Officer John Skoufis effective 9/29/2022. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Furman, Jennings, Davis. Motion carried.

MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilwoman Davis 2nd Councilman Furman approve the following Abstract 38 & 39:
ABSTRACT 38:
GENERAL A: #478-485 $ 50,397.33
GENERAL B: #84-85 $ 7,355.17
HIGHWAY: #156 $ 20,069.12
SEWER: #82-84 $ 3,699.07
And
ABSTRACT 39:
GENERAL A: #486-504 $ 89,611.01
GENERAL B: #86-87 $ 7,636.61
HIGHWAY: #157-163 $ 35,459.87
SEWER: #85-86 $ 3,352.53.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Furman, Jennings, Davis. Motion carried.

RESTORENY GRANT:
Supervisor Howell: as part of the application process for RESTORENY grant, we had a public hearing. We have to adopt a resolution.

RESOLUTION FOR RESTORENY GRANT PROGRAM:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman that finding the proposal of this project is consistent with the municipality’s global revitalization for urban development planning; that the proposed financing is appropriate for this specific project; that the project facilitates effective & efficient use of the existing and future public resources so as to promote both economic development & preservation of the community resources and where applicable, the project develops and enhances infrastructure in other facilities in a manner that will attract, create, sustain employment opportunities. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
JEANNE ZOLL asked for an update with the pickle ball court/lines. She wants to know if she’ll be able to line it. The tape would be for the winter season – end of this month through the beginning of April. Councilman Carey asked the town clerk if there are any weddings scheduled for the youth center. Town Clerk: not through the end of the year. Councilman Carey will call Mrs. Zoll when he has an answer. He would like it to be painted an off-shade color to avoid tape. Chief Rickard added that the floor guy was looking to do an off-color court as opposed to lines. Discussion. The town clerk would need to have a schedule for the rental calendar.
BRIAN LATTIMER asked for an update on the little league new field request. Little league would like to get started with the field. Supervisor: Dean wasn’t here last meeting. We are waiting on an update from what transpired between Al Fusco’s office and Dean. They’ve not had a meeting nor has the engineer picked up the documents. Lattimer: is this something the LL can do with your permission or is the town gonna build it? Supervisor: when we were 1st approached on this, it was that the LL and volunteers would do this. No one from Fusco’s office has come for the maps yet. Supt.: they wanted a survey map so they could lay the outlay of a field in a couple different locations. He found a map but no one has come yet. Mr. Lattimer would be willing to take the maps. Supt.: the hold up is where we’re gonna put it. He thinks it should be on the same side as the little league fields now. Supervisor would like for it to be on the same side as well. Mr. Lattimer would like the field across the road. Councilman Carey: get the maps from to your engineer then sit down with the board to discuss.
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Lattimer: we were hoping to get started before the snow starts falling in November. Supervisor: once the engineer gets things finished, we can meet either individually or together. He would like the field to be on the same side. Councilman Jennings & Furman would like it on same side. Councilman Carey prefers across the street. Councilman Jennings asked what does little league expect the town to do. Do you want us to put the fence up? Lattimer: I believe what we talked about is we would lay the field and groundwork and for you to enclose it.
ALISON MILLER clarified the budget meeting being on October 17. She asked if the draft budget is available and will it be before that night. Supervisor – yes.

BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Carey: Spaghetti dinner this Sunday 3-7 at Mount Hope youth center. Newsletter is out. If you need one, let us know.
Councilman Furman thank PO Skoufis for his service. (To Lucy Joyce): I’m glad you’re doing this. It’s a good thing to put back into our community.

MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION offered Councilwoman Davis 2nd Councilman Furman to adjourn the meeting at 8:10pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman. Motion carried.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 17, 2022 at 7:30pm at the town hall meeting room.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk

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