Town Board Meeting February 21st, 2023
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Deputy Police Chief Maresca, Highway Supt. Hassenmayer & Attorney D. Bavoso.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Howell called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman that the minutes of the February 6, 2023 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Resignation from Police Admin. Asst. Marie Bubilo effective March 7, 2023
2. Safety crossing Finchville Tpk (little league & football league) quote
3. Supervisor’s report December 2022 & January 2023
4. Flier from library re: library usage effective March 1, 2023
5. Notice of Annual Review of the Continuation of OC Ag. District No. 1
6. Letter from OC Health Dept. re: reminder of jurisdictional Oversight & Review
7. Tax collection summary from tax collector thru 2/16/2023
8. Email from J. D’Esposito re: youth center rentals for youth group
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilmember Jennings: Next village meeting is March 2 at 7pm. He handed out a printout of what he thought might work for the easter egg hunt. Dates: March 25 or April 2 – 1pm at the town park. Dean will verify dates and email Jim. Final details will be announced at the March 6 meeting.
Councilmember Furman: He spoke re: the passing of Lou Maurizzio. He was very involved in the community. He was part of Otisville fire company, VFW commander, involved with Holy Name Church, Lions club member, member of McQuoid engine/ladder company, Elk’s club member, custodian for OC BOE. His heart goes out to his wife and family. He will be missed. There’s no target date yet for HV sewer. We do have all materials. He would like to have all the same toilet paper holders and hand soaps for both the youth and senior centers to make it easier for ordering supplies. The floor scrubber needs a replacement hose. He spoke re: a pole with signage & lighting and some new crosswalks there. He confirmed that the sign is removable. Dean: yes. He recommended that the football league and the little league each be responsible for one. He reported the MVYF cheerleaders all swept 1st place in the most recent competition. He spoke re: Ohio train derailment. He would like to establish an emergency management team enclosed in a book. The team would include: Chris & Amanda, Lance Davoren & Brian Lattimer from village board, Dean & Frankie, mayor and town supervisor, police chief and both fire departments. He spoke re: new law coming about building townhouses by the train stations. The Governor wants to push this. He thinks this will destroy our town. As he gets more info, he will pass it along. Supervisor: we received in the mail from Karl Brabenec which discussed the home rule aspect that when certain items are passed at the state level, the state reaches out to the local municipality for their input regarding the legislation/piece they are trying to pass. He would like to get some info and send a letter to Karl Brabenec.
Councilmember Davis: the planning board meeting was cancelled this month dure to no agenda. She recommended for the restrooms in the youth center: the lights are constantly left on. She asked if we could install auto lights.
Councilmember Furman: there’s a ZBA meeting on March 1st at 7pm.
Supervisor Howell: On 2/28 the Howells fire dept. is holding a blood drive to honor past Chief John Stevens. He received a notice from the county re: to continue, until 2026, the sales tax re-distribution. He further noted the passing of Lou Maurizzio; a pillar to the community with all his involvements in local not-for-profits, he was Mayor in the village as well and giving back to the community. Condolences to his family.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer reported: the crosswalk packet he put together – he was misled with regard to the light package not being included. He searched for different lighting. He would like to repaint the crosswalks and purchase the same street signs and we will put up crosswalk signs. He thinks it will be $1500-$2000 to do this. He asked if there was ARPA money left to buy the paint. Supervisor Howell: we do have parkland/park specific funds. He will have it done by opening day.
MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF SAFETY UPGRADES FOR THE PARK CROSSWALKS:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to authorize $2500 for the purchase of safety upgrades at the park from the parkland fund. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
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Supt. Hassenmayer asked for a motion to go to bid for the trash days. He noted that as of 1/1/2023, a new law went into effect on electronic recyclables – we are no longer allowed to charge for TV’s, anything with CRT’s. And, the vendor is not allowed to charge us but they will charge us a pick-up fee. He doesn’t know the fee yet. Supervisor asked the attorney if we could ask for a donation. Attorney: you can request one but you can’t eliminate anyone from bringing stuff if they don’t give. Supt. Hassenmayer: he spoke re: estimates for the pole barn at the park. He got 3 different estimates on the lumber – it’s a wood structure with metal roof and siding. He got 2 estimates on the metal. He recommends Beacon Builders for the metal estimate for $11,466.91 & lumber estimate from 84 Lumber for $16,653.92 which includes custom trusses. All together it is just under ½ of what we allotted for that building. We still have floors and doors for the building. He further noted that he received notice that the lumber for the town hall addition will be delivered this Friday.
MOTION TO ACCEPT ESTIMATE FROM BEACON BUILDERS FOR METAL PRODUCTS FOR THE POLE BARN:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Jennings to accept the estimate from Beacon Builders for the metal products for the pole barn building at the park in the amount of $11,466.91. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT ESTIMATE FROM 84 LUMBER FOR LUMBER PRODUCTS FOR THE POLE BARN:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Jennings to accept the estimate from 84 Lumber for the lumber products for the pole barn building at the park in the amount of $16,653.92. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPT. TO GO TO BID FOR 2023 SPRING/FALL TRASH DAYS ROLL-OFF DUMPSTER SERVICE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to authorize the highway supt. to go to bid for 2023 spring/fall trash days dumpster service & to advertise in the local paper.
All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Deputy Chief Maresca thanked Marie (Bubilo) for everything she’s done. She has done a great job for the town. We will miss her. He expressed his condolences on behalf of the PD to the Maurizzio family. He was informed that Lou was a past police commissioner.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH YOUTH GROUP:
Supervisor Howell stated that the youth group would like to use/rent the youth center upon requests for Sundays. They will need to complete an application for each week they use it. There will be no security deposit required. It will be half price.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE OTISVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TO USE YOUTH CENTER AT A REDUCED RATE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Jennings to authorize the OMHPC for youth center rentals upon request with requirement of written application, no security deposit, and fee to be ½ price.
All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERVISOR’S MONTHLY REPORT:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to approve the December 2022 & January 2023 Supervisor’s reports as presented. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE CONTINUATION OF ORANGE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT NO. 1:
Supervisor Howell: we were notified by Orange County of the annual review of the continuation of Orange County Ag. District No. 1 – it is an annual notification we get that if you’re interested in having your parcel entered into the ag district within the county process to do. We’ve got the posting on the bulletin board.
MAY 27, 2023 PARK & PAVILION RENTAL REQUEST FROM MOUNT HOPE CHINESE ASSOC:
Supervisor Howell: we received a request from the Mount Hope Chinese Assoc. to rent the park & pavilion on May 27, 2023 for their Asian Heritage celebration. This is open to the public – with an unknown number of participants. If there is any food, they know the department of health permits/certificates will be required.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MAY 27, 2023 PARK/PAVILION RENTAL REQUEST FROM MOUNT HOPE CHINESE ASSOC.:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to approve the request from the Mount Hope Chinese Assoc. to use the park/pavilion on May 27, 2023 for the Asian Heritage celebration pending receiving the insurance certificate.
All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
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Councilmember Jennings asked if they would need police presence. Deputy Chief Maresca asked if parking would be a concern. Supervisor Howell noted that the large field is opposite of the ball fields and the gravel lot next to the football field. He does not think the parking will be an issue. He will get together with the deputy chief and with the group organizers and discuss if the police will need to be there.
EMPLOYEE NUMBER 47 REQUEST FOR PAID TIME OFF:
Supervisor Howell had previously discussed with the board members the request from employee #47 for paid time off upon retirement. He needs authorization for this.
MOTION TO APPROVE EMPLOYEE #47 REQUEST FOR PAID TIME OFF:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Jennings to sign the agreement to issue the payment for paid time off to the employee #47 based on the written request submitted to the town. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
2022 FISCAL REPORT:
Supervisor Howell worked with the accountant office today to wrap up the 2022 fiscal year and prep the books to be filed and the reports with the state for the annual update document. We have 2 transfers of funds that we can allocate in the sewer in the sewer fund. We have $12,000.00 to be transferred into the capital reserve account for future renovations projects. Second transfer would be in highway DB (highway outside village) $160,350.00 to capital reserve. These funds go towards the new highway truck purchase.
MOTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER IN SEWER LINE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Jennings to approve the transfer of $12,000.00 to Hidden Valley sewer fund capital reserve account. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER IN HIGHWAY LINE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Jennings to approve the transfer for highway DB (highway outside of village) of $160,350.00 to the capital reserve account. . All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION FROM POLICE CLERK MARIE BUBILO:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to accept the resignation from Police Clerk Marie Bubilo effective March 7, 2023. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilmember Jennings 2nd Councilmember Davis to approve the bills (Abstract #6 & #7):
ABSTRACT #6:
GENERAL A: #60-81 $ 143,600.89
GENERAL B: #18-22 $ 12,052.48
HIGHWAY: #30-38 $ 130,742.40
SEWER: #10-14 $ 11,522.56
ARPA: #1 $ 55,566.97 AND
ABSTRACT #7:
GENERAL A: #82-93 $ 48,374.76
GENERAL B: #23 $ 4,962.82
HIGHWAY: #39-43 $ 25,830.95
SEWER: #15-19 $ 2,185.87.
All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
YOUTH CENTER GYM CARD ACCESS:
Supervisor Howell spoke re: gym cards. We have the option to manually open the door so someone would have to open/close it each day. His concern with that would be anybody can just pull the handle and in they would go. I don’t know if we have people from out of town going in or people that aren’t of age or that access with an adult to be in the building. He thinks it is risky while we are working to get the system back online. He spoke with the vendor and Spectrum and Brian (Carey) and we now know what components we must buy to make this function. We need an internet component so the vendor can come back and program it. Councilmember Jennings asked if there is a time frame to get this resolved. Supervisor: we have to get a wireless router to connect to the component that’s in the room. Once installed, the vendor can reprogram the piece to make the 2 communicate through that component. Once the component is installed, the vendor has to come back to do what needs to be done. The board discussed manually opening the doors. Possibly one of the highway guys could unlock it and then one of the board members, in a rotation, could lock it at night. Supervisor Howell will look back at the data he can see to establish a closing time. They discussed a 7am open time and it will be put on the FB page when it will start.
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MOTION TO PROMOTE MICHAEL MARESCA FROM DEPUTY CHIEF TO POLICE CHIEF:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Jennings to promote Michael Maresca to the office of Police Chief in accordance with civil service law section 52.7 effective March 2, 2023. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
The board congratulated Mike. Mr. Maresca thanked the town supervisor and the board for the opportunity and having faith in him to take over this position. He thanked Chief Rickard and everyone in this department before him, the current police chief in Maybrook, Chief Amthor, He has learned a lot from both Chiefs. If it wasn’t for them, he wouldn’t be sitting here today. He thanked the current officers of this department that supports him. He has big shoes to fill with Chief Rickard and his goal is to continue that standard of professionalism that he’s brought to the community. He considers myself a man of integrity and he plans to continue that here with the Town of Mount Hope. He will work hard to earn the trust of the town and the citizens to make everyone proud. He thanked his family for their support. It is not always easy. He works 2 jobs – a lot of phone calls on days off & time off between both jobs and it is not very easy sometimes being a husband, father, son when you are constantly answering the call to service.
LIBRARY UPDATE:
Supervisor Howell will attend the meeting on February 23, 2023 at noon.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Patty Seekamp is very happy we have a new Chief.
Chris Chen thanked the town supervisor and board for the support of lunar calendar celebration that they had last month. He acknowledged that parking was a problem. He also thanked everyone that came.
Mela Hsu congratulated Mike Maresca on his promotion. She offered condolences to the Maurizzio family for Lou’s passing. She thanked everyone for their event on January 29th. They had overwhelming support from the business community. They received positive feedback on this event. She spoke re: event on May 27, 2023 at the town park.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Supervisor Howell noted that the meeting from February 6, 2023 is not on the website due to technical issues.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Jennings to adjourn the meeting at 8:25pm. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Furman, Jennings; carried.
The next town board meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2023 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC/Town Clerk
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