Town Board Meeting August 1st, 2022
OFFICIALS PRESENT: D. Bavoso- Attorney, Chief of Police Rickard, Deputy Police Chief Maresca.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Howell called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilwoman Davis, 2nd Councilman Carey that the minutes of the July 18, 2022 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Carey, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Road Closure for New Vernon Rd. from The Orange County Dept. Of Public Works.
2. Recommendations for the Town from Comp Alliance
3. June 2022 Monthly report from The Building Dept.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Jennings reports: There is a Meeting for the Hidden Valley residents this Thursday, August 4 2022.Reached out to Nightwatch regarding the network, has question on the quote.
Councilman Furman reports: MVYFB will have a Scrimmage Day for the Mighty Mites on Sat. August 20th. There will be a Fundraiser for the MVYFB Teams at Rita’s Italian Ices on Dolson Ave. on August 11, 2022 from 6:00-9:00. Mike ordered the liquid smoke for the testing that is going to be done later on in the month. Reminder of meeting for Hidden Valley residents on 8/4/22 at 7:00. The Orange County Antique Car Club is having a car show on 8/21/22. They’ll also be at the Otisville Fair on 8/27/22. Brian and I will be cleaning out the closet at the Senior Center. We are also going to put a list together for cleaning. Suggested attaching supply to the center checklist. Stated last Saturday he was working at the Old Otisville School property and wanted to thank Art Baisley and Tyshawn Morris for their help in getting the baseball field ready. He thanked Otisville Little League for lending their equipment. Myself and the board attended the CCP Seminar and want to thank Mela for inviting us. It was very eye-opening. Mike Dipolito asked if during the Otisville Yard sale days his friends could use our parking lot for about 6-10 cars. Board members were ok with this.
Councilman Carey: reports 8/2/22 Hurley Mountain Highway will be at the Concert Series/Night Out Against Crime followed by fireworks. There were concerns about the safety of the fireworks with the dry conditions but the Fire department will be on hand. 8/4/22 the Little League will be having a fundraiser at the park at 6:00 pm. Dates for the Otisville Fair are August 25, 26, 27, & 28th this year. On Saturday the 6th from 9:00- 3:00 is the Otisville Yard Sale and there will be One Way traffic. 8/9/22 there will be a Comedy night during the Concert Series at the park instead of music and will handing out flyers for the event.
Councilwoman Davis: no report.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Chief Rickard reports: Tomorrow is the Night Out Against Crime at 6:30 and there will be fireworks following. All are welcomed. He had met with Mike Romano and he had concerns about making sure that all parking would be away from fireworks. Chief will use barricades for concert parking. On Weds. 8/10/22, is Family Movie night outside the Youth Center. Officer Burke has Completed his EMT Course, congratulations to him. The other night we had our first emergency removal order. Still working on it, I hope to have a policy done for the next meeting. Regarding the hearing on the 4th that Deputy Chief Maresca will attend, the DA will represent us. Stated that the Camp went well. Supervisor Howell attended the graduation. 13 children finished together with help from the State Police and the Sheriff.
WORKMANS COMP SAFETY CHECK:
Supervisor Howell said the safety review by Comp Alliance was positive. We took recommendations for the future.
END CCP PARADE EVENT:
Mela Wu Hsu spoke regarding the last Community Event and said they had 70 plus people come and had received positive feedback. She states that the community has shown acceptance and she will organize a follow up event that will include a parade from Middletown to the Town Park Pavilion.
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Up to 58 cars will be pre-registered. The Asian community and Orange Strong will sponsor the event. During the event Dr. Sean Lin, a Veteran and a Professor and Bill Bannuchi will speak. Mela would like the fee waived for pavilion. Councilman Carey asked about future events. Chief Rickard wanted to clarify with Mela that having a procession vs a parade. Mela will finalize the route. Supervisor Howell noted that for large events in the Town event organizers have to pay for police coverage. He asked the board members about waiving fee for pavilion rental. Councilwoman Davis confirmed the fee was waived for the youth center. She has concerns about waiving fees. Supervisor Howell suggested negotiating a rental rate. He suggested a standardized not for profit rate.
At this time, Supervisor Howell noted that we have to do a Hold Harmless Agreement with the Contractor doing the smoke testing in Hidden Valley. This will be tabled until next meeting.
Supervisor Howell received a notice from the City of Middletown. They are in the process of replacing the underground water supply line that goes from Kinch’s Pond and Old Mill Beach into the Shawangunk Reservoir. The original line was put in the early 1900. They need to replace it because of its age. They want to upsize it. They are deemed the lead agent as part of the SEQR process. This is their first notification. He will keep the Board updated as he gets more Info. Part of the water line runs through Old Mill Beach/ Kinch’s Pond which both are in Mount Hope according to this notification, they have the line on property that is owned by them or leased from them it’s not private or Town land but we are being notified as part of the SEQR process. Councilman Furman wondered if it would cross any roads. Supervisor Howell thought it may cross Greenville Turnpike. As per correspondence there is a road closure on New Vernon Road County Route 18 in the area of Robbins Rd. We received a formal notification from the County and will be up on the bulletin board with posted Detours and will remain for the next three months or for as long as the roadwork takes.
DISCUSSION FOR NEW POLICE HIRE:
Supervisor Howell stated that we had discussed the new applicant to for the Police Department as a conditional offer of employment for a part-time non-competitive Police Officer, conditional to the pre-employment screening for Aaron Welch.
MOTION TO HIRE NEW POLICE OFFICER AARON WELCH:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to hire Aaron Welch as a part-time non-competitive Police Officer, conditional to the pre-employment screening. All in Favor: Davis, Carey, Howell, Furman & Jennings; Carried.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered by Councilwoman Davis 2nd Councilman Jennings to audit the claims (Abstracts #29,30):
ABSTRACT #29
GENERAL A: # 370-391 $ 9,423.79
GENERAL B: # 69 $ 800.00
HIGHWAY: # 119-121 $ 150,931.89
AND
ABSTRACT #30
GENERAL A: # 379-391 $ 59,753.25
GENERAL B: # 70 $ 6,644.28
HIGHWAY: # 122-124 $ 30,144.52
SEWER: # 63-67 $ 11,534.76
AMER. RESC. FUND: # 4 $ 7,594.00
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
At this time, Supervisor Howell confirmed that it is ok for Mr. Dipolito to use the Town Hall parking lot, if necessary, not to block the entrance.
Special Meeting for the Residents of Hidden Valley Sewer District:
A meeting Is going to be held on Thurs. Aug. 4 2022 about the sewer smoke testing. Supervisor Howell left packets for board members. Councilman Carey has posted on Facebook. He suggested that they mail post cards in the future.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Marybeth Horzepa spoke of the yard sale one-way streets.
Allison Miller has concerns regarding the upcoming CCP Threat Public rally specifically speaker Bill Bannuchi. She feels he is a far-right ultra conservative, very inflammatory. If he speaks at the town park it will become a political event. There could be a potential for a protest with his presence.
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PUBLIC COMMENT CON’T.:
Mela: She will be sure that this is not a political or religious event. The main focus is to end the CCP threat. CCP is anti-immigrant technology. She welcomes anyone to join the anti-CCP threat.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Jennings reminded everyone about the Night Out Against Crime.
Councilman Carey would like to have a Trunk or Treat on October 29th if possible. He added that if anyone has an issue with their AC, they can call the Town Hall and ask for access to the Senior Center. Asked for the date for the ARPA money request. Supervisor Howell said 8/15/22. Councilman Carey has pictures he will provide for the Town Newsletter.
Supervisor Howell received a thank you note from a resident that rented the youth center and had mentioned Council Furman’s quick response to their technical issue. We have had some noise complaints in the Town. Just a reminder from Julie in the Building Dept., that the noise from sound reproducing systems, radios, portable tape players, televisions should not be heard 60’. from its source or outside your property lines. He reminded all Department heads that any special requests for ARPA money should be requested in writing by 8/15/22. On the 19th we received the funds for ARPA in the amount of $287,588.87. This will be furthered discussed at the next meeting.
MOTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilwoman Davis to adjourn meeting at 8:15 pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 15, 2022 at 7:30pm at the Mount Hope town hall.
Respectfully submitted for the Town Clerk,
Elizabeth Kulynych, Deputy Town Clerk
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