Town Board Meeting August 7th, 2023
The town board meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at the Mount Hope Town Hall on August 7, 2023 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Matthew Howell, Councilmember Chris Furman, Councilmember Amanda Davis, Councilmember Jim Jennings & Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Attorney D. Bavoso, Police Chief Maresca & H’way Supt. Hassenmayer.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Howell called the Public Hearing for Proposed Local Law #2-2023 entitled: Creating a Moratorium on New Applications Proposing Battery Storage Facilities as a Principal Use, or any Principal Use that would incorporate a Battery Storage Facility to order at 7:30pm.
7:30PM – Proposed Local Law #2-2023 entitled: Creating a Moratorium on New Applications Proposing Battery Storage Facilities as a Principal Use, or any Principal Use that would incorporate a Battery Storage Facility PUBLIC HEARING:
Supervisor Howell noted the public hearing advertisement is on the table for anyone who wants to see it. There are drafts of the law also. He called for any comments from the public. There were none. He asked for comments from the board members. There were none.
MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Jennings to close the public hearing at 7:33pm.
All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman that the minutes of the July 17, 2023 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Letter from the Court clerk requesting to surplus then destroy certain items from their inventory
- Letter from NYS DEC re: National Flood Insurance Program Rebuilding Requirements July Flash Flooding
- Letter from NYS Ag & Mkts re: municipal shelter report from 7-18-2023 / SATISFACTORY
- CAB minutes June 13, 2023
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilmember Davis: Planning board meets next week the16th at 7pm. She congratulated the Otisville fair. She thought it went very well at the new location. They had to deal with a lot of mud due to the rain. There’s room for progress as with anything. She was impressed with it. Thank you to the MHPD for the National Night Against Crime. It was a good evening with a good crowd.
Councilmember Furman verified with the town clerk that the football insurance certificate was received. She stated that it was. He will forward schedules to Dean when he gets them. Tuesday night is the concert series in conjunction with the village. He thanked the Chief for National Night Out. You did a great job. The fair went pretty smooth. We can talk about the treadmills later on.
Councilmember Jennings: Fire calls for July was 28. Sept. 8 the Mobile DMV will be at village Hall. The village needs alternates for their planning board and ZBA. August 17 will be their next meeting. He reached out to the wiring guy for the town. We will be put on the schedule and he will let everyone know at that time. We will need to purchase a couple switches for that. He asked the town clerk about the renters for the halls. They keep forgetting when they can get in to the hall. She stated that it is right on the front of the contract. It has to be read and initialed by the renter. He asked if it could be made bolder or larger. Town clerk stated it’s a 6-page contract. Discussion ensued.
Supervisor Howell received a notification from the Dept. of Public Service & the public service commission that August 16 at 6pm at SUNY Orange, South Street, Middletown, there’s an informational forum and public hearing regarding the installation of a new underground power line which is approx. 178 miles long. It will transmit electricity from Delhi in Delaware County to Astoria Queens. It will follow a general path of the MARCY SOUTH overhead line. He added that the Night out was a very well attended event. He thanked everyone that helped put that on as well as all the sponsors.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer asked for approval for the fall statewide conference at the Turning Stone Casino Sept 26-29th. Cost is $2,080.00 for conference, meals and hotel.
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Supt. Hassenmayer continued: they did get down to help V/O Highland Falls last Thursday. They had a dirt road that leads to their reservoir that they haven’t been able to access since those storms 3 weeks ago. We borrowed the T/O Wallkill’s lowboy to take our loader down there. It was a narrow road that dump trucks couldn’t get through. We used our loader and excavator and 4 guys went down to help last Thursday. They were very appreciative. He added that they are currently getting ready to screen sand for the winter. We have ditching to do. He contacted the contractors to do the road painting but hasn’t gotten a date yet. Mowing the grass seems to be a FT job now that Joseph is gone. The guys have been noticing people drive up to the snack shack at the football league – they aren’t unloading anything – they’re just driving up there. There are multiple ruts there from this. Maybe someone could talk to them about this.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Chief Maresca thanked everybody involved in National Night Out. Couldn’t have done it without our sponsors, the fire department for cooking the food for us, MV Rotary for the popcorn, Dragon Springs, Lions Club, Wallkill Valley Federal, Hutching Agency, Northern Medical Center, Shop Rite (Dolson Avenue), Orange Bank & Trust & Star Collision for their sponsors – we really appreciate it. All our vendors. Thank the board for all your help especially Chris. The junior police academy we have 6 registered. He reached out to the past participants from last year. We’d like to get to 10. We have started the Deputy Chief interview process.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Bob Clouse reported the August planning board meeting for the village was cancelled. The community yard sale was very successful and very well attended. Thanks to all that made that possible. Mobile DMV bus will be back on September 8 at village hall. We’ve been talking up the defensive driving course on September 9. It’s a very good idea. There were 17 calls for the fire department. The bridge has started. He likes the side road.
MOTION TO SURPLUS/DESTROY CERTAIN EQUIPMENT FROM COURT INVENTORY:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Jennings to surplus/destroy certain equipment from court inventory as follows:
APC Back-UPS 425 Battery Backup and Surge protector- Model #-BE425M / Serial #- 9B1641A07704
CyberPower Battery Backup and Surge Protector- Model # 1100VA:LX1100G / Serial # –
QAKEP2000070
Dell 1708FP Monitor – Serial # – CNOPM327287282R1C61
LG Tower w/DVD Serial # 1617A045300004 – hard drive removed.
Tower – Service Tag # 7YMHH02 / Asset Tag # T0008577 – hard drive removed.
Tower – Service Tag# 7VGJH02 / Asset Tag # T0008491 – hard drive removed.
Tower – Service Tag # – 7W2LH02/ Asset Tag # T0008554 – hard drive removed.
Tower – Service Tag # – 7VPMH02 / Asset Tag # T0008514 – hard drive removed.
Cyber Power Battery Backup – Model # SE450G / Barcode #RAFE02001035
Acroprint Time Recorder – Punch Clock – Serial # 0099776KJ – (stopped working – replaced
with ZKTeco Electronic time Recorder)
Additionally, the Court requests that the Town accept the following items for surplus:
Hewlett Packard Copier/Printer/Fax – Serial # CNRK703862 – No longer compatible with the SEI
Courtroom Program.
Hewlett Packard Copier/printer/Fax – Serial # CNRK384877 – No longer compatible with the SEI
Courtroom Program.
Hewlett Packard Laserjet 1300 Printer- Serial # SG343312N3 / Barcode # C6502A – Part of equipment forwarded from the abolished Village Court.
Hewlett Packard Keyboard- Model # – SK-2885 / Barcode # BAUHPOGCPZWILS – Part of
equipment forwarded from abolished Village Court.
Dell Keyboard – Model # SK-8135 / Barcode # CN-ODJ425-71616-83A-09×7 – replaced by
Unified Court System.
Dell Keyboard – Model # SK-8135 / Barcode # CN-ODJ425-71616-83A-0883 – replaced by
Unified Court System.
Dell Keyboard – Model # SK-8135 / Barcode # CN-ODJ425-71616-83A- 09AW – replaced by
Unified Court System.
3 Keyboard Arm Rests- no Serial #s
Wireless Microsoft Mouse – Barcode PIN XQ8-72982PID-58726-492-9444563-0000.
Microsoft Keyboard – Serial #7619803286891.
One Box IBM Diskettes- 1.44MB
One Dynamo Label Maker in case – forwarded from abolished Village Court.
One Brother P-Touch label Maker – Serial # U52588-LIJ974044.
All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
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Councilmember Jennings asked how they are getting rid of the hard drives. Supt. Hassenmayer stated the electronics company will take them and certify that they destroy them.
TOWN HALL ADDITION SIDING REQUESTS:
Supervisor Howell reported that not all of the submissions have been received yet. We’ll hold off until next meeting.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered by Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilman Furman to audit the claims (Abstracts #29,30, 31):
ABSTRACT #29
GENERAL A: #343-350 $ 39,237.16
GENERAL B: #90-92 $ 7,556.43
HIGHWAY: #132 $ 19,779.79
SEWER: #71-73 $ 1,817.91
ABSTRACT #30
GENERAL A: #351-360 $ 5,914.07
GENERAL B: #93 $ 221.55
HIGHWAY: #133-134 $ 16,547.05
ABSTRACT #31:
GENERAL A: #361-376 $ 42,941.08
GENERAL B: #94-95 $ 6,559.43
HIGHWAY: #135-140 $ 22,166.65
SEWER: #74-75 $ 3,313.98
CAP RES HWY: #1 $ 147,986.47
All in favor: Davis, Furman, Jennings; Howell abstained from Abstract 30 voucher #351; motion carried.
MOTION TO GRANT LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR EMPLOYEE #15:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to grant a leave of absence for Employee #15 pending the required doctor documentation between August 7 through August 31, 2023 without pay. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
HISTORIC PROPERTY ROOF REPLACEMENT:
Supervisor Howell reported the historical society is working on a roof replacement project on the barn. They have a large indoor collection display of items in there. They want to keep that building and collection preserved. Nancie (Craig) asked if the town would be able to assist like they did with the research center. They have a contractor with a cost of $38,000. They did fundraise and raised $5,000 for the project. She asked if the town could make a contribution for the remainder of it. It will be $33,000 for the roof replacement. Councilmember asked if we should try to get another contractor. Supervisor: The other contractor was $36,000.00. This is the same company that did the other roof. They were very happy with the results of the other roof. To approve
MOTION TO APPROVE QUOTE FROM GUAILLAS CONTRACTORS FOR ROOF REPLACEMENT AT HISTORIC PROPERTY:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to approve $33,000 quote from the ARPA funds to pay for the roof replacement on the barn at the historic property by Guaillas Contractors. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
TREADMILL REPLACEMENTS AT YOUTH CENTER GYM:
Supervisor noted we need to replace the 2 treadmills at the gym. Nordic Track factory direct has them for $2,499 each plus shipping. Total will be $4,998.00 plus shipping.
MOTION TO APPROVE REPLACING 2 TREADMILLS AT THE YOUTH CENTER GYM:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Jennings to approve placing the order for 2 treadmills at the gym for a total cost of $4,998.00 + shipping. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE HIGHWAY SUPT. REQUEST TO ATTEND HIGHWAY SCHOOL:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Jennings to approve request from highway supt. Hassenmayer to attend highway school at the Turning Stone Casino Sept 26-29th. Cost is $2,080.00 for conference, meals and hotel. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
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MOTION TO APPROVE LOCAL LAW #2-2023 ENTITLED: Creating a Moratorium on New Applications Proposing Battery Storage Facilities as a Principal Use, or any Principal Use that would incorporate a Battery Storage Facility:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to approve local law #2-2023 entitled: Creating a Moratorium on New Applications Proposing Battery Storage Facilities as a Principal Use, or any Principal Use that would incorporate a Battery Storage Facility.
All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Joseph Beckenbach: from his household he thanked the public safety folks, police department & fire department. They responded to his mother-in-law having a stroke. She is doing well. They are very thankful for all the good training they all have. Everyone was very focused on getting their job done and made sure that everything that needed to be dealt with was dealt with. He wanted to thank them.
Brian Carey noted there are 29 people signed up for defensive driving. Still have openings. He thanked MHPD for night out. The village had a table there and handed out glow sticks/ lollipops. He thanked the MHPD for their help with the yard sale. Great turnout.
Marybeth Horzepa informed the board there is a senior trip on August 16. This is a day trip.
Alison Miller: a few months ago, when Mike was promoted from deputy chief to chief, I had asked at the board meeting whether that deputy position would be filled. At that time, the answer was no. It sounds like you’re looking to interview for that position. She asked why the change came about. Chief: the staff changed. At that time, we still had the sergeant. She has left and we have to re-adjust. She asked about the minutes of the last meeting. There was a motion to hire John Erps as a FT competitive police officer. In January 2020 he was hired as a PT police officer. Was he already working for MH police and made FT? Chief: no. Miller: he was not ever hired as PT? Chief: no. Miller: but now he is hired as FT.
Jeanne Zoll asked about fireworks for next year. Normally they’re done on national night out and the end of the country fair. They were very close together this year. Is the schedule going to be similar next year? Supervisor cannot speak for the fair. National night out is the 1st Tuesday in August so that’s a definite. Councilmember explained the dates for next year. She believes the dates for the fair have to be that way due to the state fair.
Julie Musial: were you going to address our issue? Supervisor: yes.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilmember Davis noticed a lot of complaints about the country fair and she wanted to remind people that it’s not a carnival. It’s a country fair. They ask for volunteers weeks ahead of time. If you want to complain, maybe you should volunteer next year.
MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to enter into executive session at 7:59pm to discuss a personnel issue. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
MOTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to reconvene the regular meeting from executive session at 8:40pm. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
MOTION TO INCREASE PAY RATE TO $20/HOUR FOR EMPLOYEES – #28, #51, #70 & #72:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to increase the rate of pay to $20 per hour, effective start date 08/16/2023, for Employees #28, #51, #70 & #71. All in favor: Howell – AYE, Davis – AYE, Furman – AYE, Jennings – AYE; motion carried.
MOTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Jennings to adjourn meeting at 8:40 pm. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman; Jennings, carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 21, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Mount Hope town hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A Myers, Town Clerk/RMC
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