Town Board Meeting July 6th, 2021
OFFICIALS PRESENT: D. Bavoso- Attorney, D. Hassenmayer- Highway Supt., M. Maresca- Dep. Chief, J. Musial- Bldg. Inspector.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30pm & asked audience to silence cell phones.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Howell that the minutes of the June 21, 2021 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Volpe, Carey, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Resignation from Police Officer Meghan Ede effective July 8, 2021
2. Pavilion rental application from Lions Club for Sept. 10, 11 & 12
3. Palmer’s Ark impound report June 2021
4. Complaint re: 19 Charles Road
5. Letter of Interest from Swee Sim re: board vacancies (if any)
6. V/O Otisville public hearing notice July 13, 2021 at 7pm re: 62 State Street final site plan approval
7. Otisville fire dept. fire call report for June 2021
8. T/O Wawayanda public hearing notice July 8, 2021 7PM re: zoning amendments
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Howell reminded everyone the public hearing for the marijuana local law is on 8/2/2021 at 7:30pm. In response to the letter of interest – we have no vacancies on any board at this time. He reminded everyone of the Orange County 4H & Cornell Family Festival on July 11, 2021 from 10-2 at the 4H park.
Councilman Carey mentioned the youth center opening to be discussed later this meeting. He would like a quick executive session to follow up on the last executive session at the last meeting. He noted the Orange County Fair will open on July 15.
Councilman Furman informed everyone that the MVYFL sign ups have been extended through July 9, 2021. Hidden Valley will be having the lines scoped today & tomorrow.
Councilman Jennings reported the planning board meeting is 7/21/21 at 7pm. The village board meting is 7/15/2021 at 7pm. He read the numbers from the fire department call history report. He noted the DOT is looking in to the intersection by village hall. Trustee Loeven explained that based on a complaint from the fire chief at a prior meeting, we contacted the county because both Highland & Seybolt are county roads. We pointed out it’s been a troublesome intersection forever – more & more accidents have seen there. We asked them to do a study and if they couldn’t, to see if any kind of mitigation could take place to help relieve that problem. The county responded with a few suggestions. And said they would have their engineers look it over.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer asked about the no smoking signs for the park. He will get them ordered. He referred to the application for pavilion rental for the Lions Club. Those dates are available for the club to use it.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Deputy Chief Maresca reported on Officer Ede’s resignation. We will get reimbursed for equipment from C/O Port Jervis. There were only 2 calls over the holiday weekend regarding fireworks. Supervisor Volpe noted that he has requested a new civil service list from the county. Councilman Carey asked the outcome of the 2 complaints. Dep. Chief Maresca explained there was no confiscation nor arrests due to the complaints.
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VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven reported that at their last board meeting they ‘re-adopted’ their regulations for their parks/recreation so that it prohibited smoking in any form so that they are in line with the town’s regulations. She spoke re: dog control officer who is confused about his role about being the town DCO & village DCO. Because of our agreement, the it broke down was that the town paid his salary and the village paid for the car, its upkeep & supplies. And, because he only gets a paycheck from the town, he is quite insistent that he only works for the town and anything we ask of him, he has to get permission from the supervisor. We went through the whole memorandum of agreement with him and explained how it all came about. His position is ‘that’s got nothing to do with me’, if you guys want to supply a car, you can do it but I work for the town. He knows our position very clearly at this point. Supervisor: I know he reached out about a week ago about a request he received to turn over the same report he gives here & I explained to him that the village is inside the town and we’re not going to give out town resident stuff to the village. They can have their own report. Loeven: but he works jointly for us. You get a copy of the village stuff. Supervisor: the village is inside the town – the town is outside the village. So, all of the dog calls inside the village – yes but we’re not gonna give out town. Loeven: but it comes to you and the people who handle it knows what can be public and what can’t – just as our village clerk would know that. So, obviously there’s more of a misunderstanding and maybe we’ll need to sit down and have a meeting about it. Loeven: we would like to know how many calls are being made just as the fire is – how many in the village and how many in the town; we’d like to know the same thing with the DCO. Supervisor: do you necessarily need all the people’s names? Loeven: no. Just a statistical thing. Councilman Jennings will work with DCO & village.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT:
Building inspector Musial reported the following: 208 permits issued – 16 are for homes; 57 title searches; 56 violations; closed out/issued building permits for 104; $140,153 collected. We are about 3 weeks out on permits.
HOWELLS CEMETERY:
Supervisor Volpe met with the attorney this morning – we officially have 2 additional acres for the Howells Cemetery. The next step would be to contact someone that would be able to lay out how it’s going to be designed. Attorney Bavoso will look in to finding someone that could do this. Councilman Carey suggested the county – they have a person in charge of cemeteries. Maybe that person could recommend someone for this.
YOUTH CENTER GYM:
Supervisor Volpe asked the board their thoughts on opening the gym. Councilman Carey’s concern is that we have to get supplies to wipe down the equipment. He knows there’s 2 carts in the kitchen that maybe they could borrow for the exercise stuff. He knows there’s plenty of garbage cans. His concern is that people will realize that they need to clean it before and after use. There should maybe be some signage. He added that the door is going to be an issue. He asked if the police department is checking on this. Dep. Chief Maresca: yes. Supervisor Volpe will ask Angie call Knight Watch tomorrow. The board agreed to have the opening on Friday, July 9, at 6am.
SMOKING LOCAL LAW:
Attorney Bavoso stated that the regulations adopted were park specific. The local law created not only puts that into the town code but it also puts in the provision that there’s no smoking within 25’ of the entrance of any town building/facility. It not only covers the park but also covers the non-recreation properties of the town.
MOTION TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #3-2021 ENTITLED: PROHIBITING SMOKING IN TOWN PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to schedule a public hearing on August 2, 2021 at 7:31pm at town hall for PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #3-2021 ENTITLED: PROHIBITING SMOKING IN TOWN PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM POLICE OFFICER MEGHAN EDE:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Jennings to accept the resignation form Police Officer Meghan Ede effective July 8, 2021. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE LIONS CLUB REQUEST TO USE PAVILION:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to approve the Lions Club request to use the town pavilion on September 10, 11, 12, 2021; (insurance certificate provided) All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman; ABSTAIN: Jennings; motion carried.
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MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilman Jennings 2nd Councilman Howell to approve the following bills (Abstract #25 & Abstract #26):
ABSTRACT #25:
GENERAL A: #330-332 $ 1,688.45
GENERAL B: #57-58 $ 9,195.98
SEWER: #58-60 $ 3,298.00
AND
ABSTRACT #26:
GENERAL A: #333-345 $ 51,723.78
GENERAL B: #59-62 $ 17,001.80
HIGHWAY: #105-113 $239,743.07
SEWER: #61-63 $ 3,138.62
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
DIANE LOEVEN commented on how great the acoustics are in the senior center. The handicap stall in the ladies’ room needs attention. She put a sign on the door. She addressed the TV cable. Councilman Carey needs a 9’ cord. She thanked Dean for being able to meet with the seniors at the park for their social meeting.
HIGHWAY SUPT. HASSENMAYER spoke re: youth center. There’s no microwave. He will get one if the board wants him to. The ice scoop needs to be replaced. He discussed getting a stainless-steel prep table. Supervisor Volpe asked Dean about a door handle that locks for the kitchen door because it is scannable now. He also asked Dean for a lock for the utility closet. Councilman Carey asked to put the doors on automatic close. At this time, Ms. Loeven asked if it’s possible to get a commercial coffee pot. Dean will price it out.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Furman asked if the old fire truck could be used for the parade for the centennial. Dean will check it out and have it cleaned up.
Councilman Carey congratulated Jim Jennings and Amanda Davis for the primary win for the election.
Councilman Howell reported that Otisville little league is advertising fall ball. They will start in September and registration is on their website. July 10 starts registration. He thanked Councilman Carey for sprucing up the board room with the banner and flags.
MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to enter into executive session at 8:05pm to go over a personnel issue. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Howell to reconvene regular meeting from executive session at 8:45pm. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AT THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
AT THIS TIME, Supervisor asked the Town Clerk when a not-for-profit comes down to use the facilities, do they have to fill out the form each time? Town Clerk: just to have a meeting – no. If they are having a fundraiser or big function – yes. There was a question if the little league had filled out an application for their event coming up and if they have updated insurance. Town Clerk: Paula started going through the insurance certificates to get them all up to date. We do this once a year. Councilman Jennings spoke re: church rental & fee. This will be re-visited again when the time comes.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Jennings to adjourn the meeting at 8:50pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 2, 2021 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk
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