Town Board Meeting January 16th, 2024
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Attorney Scott Bonacic, Police Chief Mike Maresca, H’way Supt. Dean Hassenmayer.
Supervisor Rickard called the meeting to order at 7:30pm following the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman that the minutes of the January 2, 2024 meeting as submitted are accepted. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Knight Watch proposal for new addition
2. Resignation from Vincent Galligan from the Board of Assessment Review effective 1/1/2024
3. Village of Otisville fire contract need approval for Supervisor to sign
4. Letter from Country Fair committee re: borrow light towers
5. Letter from Country Fair committee re: borrow traffic cones, barrels, saw horses
6. Letter from Country Fair committee re: request to use sign post on Mount Hope Road
7. Fireworks permit from Country Fair committee
8. Proposed local law #1-2024 re: Advisory Committees
9. Proposed local law #2-2024 re: Amending Chapter 21 entitled Ethics
10. 2024 fuel agreement fully executed received from Village of Otisville
11. Mortgage tax receipts December 2023 from Orange County
12. Building Inspector’s report December 2023
BOARD REPORTS:
Councilmember Jennings wanted to know if we could post an ad that we need directors for the summer camp. He’s like to get things moving sooner to hopefully get a better turnout. He would like to have the Easter Egg Hunt again this year. It was a great turnout last year. He will have a date for that at the next meeting.
Councilmember Furman reported that Melissa Benjamin reached out to him for the camp director position. She had applied last year. DMV mobile unit will be here January 26. MH Chinese Assoc. will be holding a Chinese language and cultural class here at town hall on Sundays from 1-2pm.
Councilmember Carey reported the Mount Hope seniors are having a vendor fair 2/4/2024 at the senior center in Otisville. This is a scholarship fundraiser. Court officer ad is running on INDEED. Board agreed to stop the ad. She has received 3 requests for the summer concerts. She would like to meet with the village and Marie to get things going with that schedule. Pat Ryan’s CARES van was at the village hall on January 9. It was a great turnout given the weather. They will probably schedule another visit. Village planning board meeting on Jan 9 was cancelled due to weather. DMV bus will be at village hall on January 19.
Councilmember Davis reported she will be doing the receipt book audit with Councilmember Furman. Town planning board meeting will be 1/17 at 7pm. Only item on agenda is OYA.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: No report. Supervisor Rickard thanked him for the great job the guys did the other day.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Councilmember Davis wanted to thank Officer Maldonado for assisting with the tree down on Robbins Road the other night.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE: No report.
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PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1-2024 ADDING CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED “ADVISORY COMMITTEES” TO THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
Supervisor Rickard spoke re: proposed local law #1-2024. This law would allow the town board to create advisory committees. Initially, the board would create the Hidden Valley Sewer Advisory Board which we would then do by resolution after this law is passed. It will also allow us to create as many advisory boards as we wanted to in the future. Attorney Bonacic: you’re introducing it tonight and then set date for public hearing. Supervisor: we have to wait another meeting? Attorney: you introduce it tonight, formally, then you set the public hearing. Then you can take action presuming there’s no public comments or significant changes, you close the hearing and then vote. Supervisor: we introduce tonight, next meeting we set it for a public hearing. Attorney: yes.
PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #2-2024 AMENDING CHAPTER 21, ENTITLED “ETHICS” OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
Supervisor Rickard explained proposed local law #2-2024. Everyone received a draft copy of this. This will be the creation of an ethics board that would be able to review and look into the facts if there’s a conflict of interest. There’s been some issues in the past and this is long overdue. Most of the surrounding towns have this. We’re not re-inventing the wheel. Attorney Bonacic: for everybody’s information, this is adding a chapter to your code which lays out certain things that you as elected officials should try to stay away from. If there’s a question, you could send that to an ethics board to give an opinion as to say there’s a violation or no. A lot of municipalities have this in varying degrees. It’s been decades since it’s been brought up to current. Supervisor: it’s been since 1973. This would apply to not only this board but also elected officials, ZBA, planning board would also be included. We’re introducing this tonight. We’ll have it at the next meeting. Copies will available from Kathleen. Attorney: Mr. Supervisor, what I would suggest you do from a procedural standpoint, have one of the board members vote to introduce, have a 2nd and then a full board vote to introduce these laws. Supervisor: ok.
MOTION TO INTRODUCE PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1-2024 ADDING CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED “ADVISORY COMMITTEES” TO THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
MOTION offered by Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Carey to introduce PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1-2024 ADDING CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED “ADVISORY COMMITTEES” TO THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO INTRODUCE PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #2-2024 AMENDING CHAPTER 21, ENTITLED “ETHICS” OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Carey 2nd Councilmember Furman to introduce PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #2-2024 AMENDING CHAPTER 21, ENTITLED “ETHICS” OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1-2024 ADDING CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED “ADVISORY COMMITTEES” TO THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to schedule a public hearing for PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1-2024 ADDING CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED “ADVISORY COMMITTEES” TO THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE at 7:30pm on February 26, 2024 at the town hall meeting room. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #2-2024 AMENDING CHAPTER 21, ENTITLED “ETHICS” OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Carey to schedule a public hearing for PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #2-2024 AMENDING CHAPTER 21, ENTITLED “ETHICS” OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE at 7:35pm on February 26, 2024 at the town hall meeting room. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
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MOTION TO AUTHORIZE TOWN SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE & THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Carey to authorize the Town Supervisor to sign the fire protection contract with the Village of Otisville. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PROPOSAL FROM KNIGHT WATCH FOR ACCESS CONTROL ADDITION:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to accept proposal from Knight Watch for $9,767.00 to extend the access control system to the addition. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
DISCUSSION ON NEW PURCHASE OF COMPUTER FOR TOWN SUPERVISOR & COUNCILMEMBERS:
Supervisor Rickard noted that there is a physical computer on his desk that can only really do a little email. If I have to open a PDF then the email doesn’t work. The board members do not have access to a computer. This proposal would be to purchase a laptop for the 4 town board members to conduct town business and also a computer for myself and Marie – a desk top off of state contract for a total of (all computers with monitors) $5685.88 from DELL. Copies of the proposals/contracts went to each boar member. This is a state contract price. Councilmember Jennings looked at the specs. They are good specs. His concern is the monitors. For that price you can get 24” for less. Quote for 22” is $160. You can get 24” for $100. Supervisor asked the attorney: if we subtracted the 2 monitors, would that be an issue with – obviously we’re not going off state contract, would we have to bid that out individually? Attorney: was the quote based on a whole bundle? Supervisor: the monitors are actually separated out in this state contract price & the computer doesn’t have a monitor. The monitors were $160.85. Attorney: if you remove the monitors from the quote, does it impact the other components of what you’re purchasing? Supervisor: can we go to BEST BUY and get the monitors? Attorney: I don’t see an issue with that given the amount you’re talking about. It’s miniscule.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF COMPUTERS MINUS THE MONITORS:
MOTION offered Councilmember Carey 2nd Councilmember Furman to authorize the purchase of two DELL computers minus the monitors (new total = $5,364.18) off state bid. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM VINCENT GALLIGAN FROM THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to accept the resignation from Vincent Galligan from the Board of Assessment Review effective 1/1/2024. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO APPOINT VINCENT C. GALLIGAN III AS THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CHAIRPERSON:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Jennings to appoint Vincent C. Galligan III to the zoning board of appeals as chairperson (term expires 1/2029). All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
Supervisor Rickard noted to all – if anyone is interested in being on the board of assessment review (BAR), send a letter of interest to the town clerk or supervisor. In addition, we have an opening on the ZBA.
MOTION TO APPROVE TOWN SUPERVISOR AND 3 BOARD MEMBERS TO ATTEND ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS TRAINING SCHOOL:
MOTION offered Councilmember Carey 2nd Councilmember Furman to approve the town supervisor and town board members to attend the Association of Towns training school February 18-21, 2024. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE COUNTRY FAIR COMMITTEE TO BORROW THE LIGHT TOWERS:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Carey to approve the country fair committee to borrow the portable light towers. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman; abstain – Jennings; carried.
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MOTION TO APPROVE THE COUNTRY FAIR COMMITTEE TO USE SIGN POST ON MOUNT HOPE ROAD:
MOTION offered Councilmember Carey 2nd Councilmember Davis to approve Country Fair committee request to use the sign post on Mount Hope Road.
All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman; abstain – Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE FIREWORKS REQUEST FROM THE COUNTRY FAIR COMMITTEE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Carey to approve the country fair committee request to have fireworks on July 28, 2024 at the town park.
All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman; abstain – Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE COUNTRY FAIR COMMITTEE TO BORROW THE TRAFFIC CONES, BARRELS & SAW HORSES:
MOTION offered Councilmember Carey 2nd Councilmember Furman to approve the Country Fair committee request to use the traffics cones, saw horses & barrels for the country fair in July. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman; abstain – Jennings; carried.
OTISVILLE PTO FUN RUN:
Kathleen Bello explained she is the co-chair for the Otisville PTO. They would like to do the 2nd annual fun run at the town park. She is requesting the morning of May 4, 2024. Last year they raised about $10,000.00. All of it goes back to the students, the school, money used for field trips, assemblies, stuff for the classrooms, staff appreciation etc. She explained the race. They use the large pavilion and the surrounding area. Dean confirmed that it is available. There will be an EMT and a registered nurse on site. She also spoke to the little league – no interference there. Councilmember Carey asked about rain date. Ms. Bello – May 18, 2024. The race will be just a few hours in the morning. Councilmember asked if it’s only open to students. Bello: it’s open to all.
MOTION TO ALLOW THE OTISVILLE PTO TO USE THE TOWN PARK & PAVILION FOR THE FUN RUN:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to allow the Otisville PTO to hold their FUN RUN on May 4, 2024 and to use the town park and pavilion. Rain date is May 18, 2024.
All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
SUMMER RECREATION DISCUSSION:
Supervisor Rickard spoke to Brian Monahan. He is in favor of the town using the school for the summer camp but they would like to do a municipal agreement with them to allow us to use the school for free and they would be able to use the park during the school day. Supervisor Rickard will give school attorney name to town attorney. Benefit for this is even if there’s an austerity budget, we can still use the school at no cost as they are allowed to use the park at no cost during the school day. He confirmed with the board members that they could hire the summer recreation camp director this evening.
MOTION TO HIRE MELISSA BENJAMIN AS THE SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to hire Melissa Benjamin as summer camp director for 2024.
All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
SUMMER RECREATION CAMP COUNSELORS:
Supervisor Rickard found a file for the kids that were going to be summer counselors. He would like to have Marie reach out to all of them to see if they are interested in coming back. We need an assistant director, a first aid person and arts and crafts director.
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MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to audit the claims for Abstracts #1 & #2:
ABSTRACT #1:
GENERAL A: #1-10 $ 5,950.68
GENERAL B: #1 $ 750.00
HIGHWAY: #1 $ 1,490.00
SEWER: #1-3 $ 4,725.10
ABSTRACT #2:
GENERAL A: #11-28 $ 38,712.97
GENERAL B: #2-4 $ 1,934.83
HIGHWAY: #2 $ 627.30
SEWER: #4-5 $ 3,806.95
MH FIRE PROTECTION: #1 $173764.57.
All in favor: Carey, Davis, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
4H SNOW REMOVAL:
H’way Supt. Hassenmayer met and spoke to Lucy Joyce & Mr. Davis from 4H. It’s basically just the roadways around the barns. No parking areas. It’s 6/10 of a mile. He calculated it 2 different ways. We contract with the county and the T/O Wallkill for snow removal at a rate of $5,050.00/mile. We’re not putting down salt just plowing. The county also had a bid out for snow plow truck with operators. Their bid is for a single axle truck was $240/hour. He estimates it’s about a one-hour job. He explained this to Lucy and she agreed on that price. Attorney Bonacic already spoke to 4H attorney. He hopes to have a contract for the next meeting. He suggests voting at the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
MIKE MEERE asked about the blueprints. He requested that the board ask the county because they should have the plans. Supervisor will check with the county. He also suggested checking with the DEC as they should have signed off on this. Meere: he asked what the flow rate was with the all the water we had. Supervisor: the flow rate 2 days ago was running about 80,000 gallons per day. Chris Furman and I were in touch with Mike Brock – there’s also some damage to the fencing which I will talk to Dean about. We can reach out to Ketcham to fix the fence. He noted that he spoke with the planning board clerk Linda Franck & the planning board did not receive a letter from the previous town supervisor that he said he would send about the status of the plant and the expansion. He will touch base with Scott. Meere: it’s imperative we get that there because this plant is not running right. Meere: last time we did a camera: 2014? Furman: 2018. Supervisor: I think we should really speak to an engineer who will hopefully go there and have some immediate recommendations. Meere: do we still have relationship with Eustance & Horowitz? Supervisor: not sure. A lot of these companies have merged.
PHIL ADAMSON: He is the quartermaster of Town of Mount Hope Memorial VFW post #5497. Heidi Phillips is his civilian helper. They are working on a project for veterans banners. They are 2’X4’. They are high quality. Six-week turnaround from when you order until received. Village of Otisville DPW will put them up. Cost is $100 each. They will go up Memorial Day through Veteran’s Day. He showed an example.
We are trying to get the word out. Applications will be available at village hall or you can find them online.
We are looking for donations for the hardware. It runs about $35-$50 per pole depending on the pole. Email is vfwpost5497@gmail.com.
LOIS ADAMSON wanted to be sure to get the word out. This is a great way to honor those who served. DELIA RUCKDESCHEL: spoke re: temperature in the gym and the rental side of the building. She had mentioned it to Councilmember Davis who had that taken care of.
MIKE MEERE: asked if he could start getting a report on the sewer plant ie: flow rates etc.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
Councilmember Jennings suggested using the site “CONSTANT CONTACT” to get the word out about the veteran banners. He will look into this.
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Supervisor Rickard noted the pickle ball net at the youth center is privately owned. He will look into purchasing one. They run about $120. He spoke with the accountants. They recommended we receive proposals from a payroll company to take the payroll over. He met with PAYCHECKS and they are coming up with a proposal.
MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Carey to enter into executive session at 8:22pm for personnel matter and seek advice from counsel. All in favor: Carey, Davis, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to reconvene regular meeting from executive session at 9:19pm. (NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION). All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO APPOINT JASON PITINGARO/PITINGARO & DOETSCH AS TOWN ENGINEER:
MOTION offered Councilmember Carey 2nd Councilmember Davis to appoint Jason Pitingaro of Pitingaro & Doetsch Consulting Engineers as the town engineer for 2024 subject to finalization of contract. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO NOT EXTEND THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH ORANGE COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE REFERENCE NUMBER #15860:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Carey to not extend the employment contract with Orange County Cicil Service reference #15860 past the conclusion of the 6-month probationary period due to expire on or about January 27, 2024. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO AMEND THE “AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF COMPUTERS MINUS THE MONITORS” MOTION:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to amend the previous motion of “to authorize the purchase of two DELL computers minus the monitors (new total = $5,364.18) off state bid” and to add: to be paid through the ARPA funds. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Jennings to adjourn the meeting at 9:21pm. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2024 at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, Town Clerk, RMC
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