Town Board Meeting June 20th, 2022
The town board meeting of the Town of Mount Hope was held at the Mount Hope Town Hall on June 20, 2022 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Matthew Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings, Councilman Chris Furman, Councilwoman Amanda Davis and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Police Chief P. Rickard, H’way Supt. Dean 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 Councilman Carey 2nd Councilwoman Davis that the minutes of the June 6, 2022 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Resignation from PO Christopher Rosa effective 7/1/2022
- Resignation from PO Nigel Balgobin effective 6/25/2022
- Resignation from DCO Thomas Yonskie effective 6/30/2022
- Letter from O7R Utilities re: road paving & road improvement schedules
- Proposed amendment to fireworks local law
- Letter from OC Health Dept. re: larviciding municipality catch basins
- Email from NYPIRG re: door to door outreach
- Letter from NYS Ag & Mkts re: 6-1-2022 inspection report – satisfactory
- Flier for Mount Hope Senior’s day trips 2022
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilwoman Davis: no report
Councilman Carey attended retirement function for Vinny Biele – Otisville Elementary Principal. Little league picnic was Saturday; 400+ people in attendance. Juneteenth Festival was Saturday under the big pavilion. Early voting started Saturday and ends the 26th. Primary election is June 28.
Councilman Furman noted the MVYFL are having online sign-ups. There are 2 in person dates TBA. There is a special meeting on August 4 at the senior center for the residents of Hidden Valley re: sewer plant/smoke testing.
Councilman Jennings reported the generator switch was installed last week. The generator itself is delayed. The next village meeting is July 7 with a public hearing at 6:30 to clarify the zoning law that poultry and livestock are not allowed in the village.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Supt. Hassenmayer requested to hire Thomas DeGroat as a PT/Temporary summer helper for mowing. He would like for him to start June 27 through end oof September. He noted that he gave the board members the 284 Agreement for acceptance tonight. Chip sealing was done last week; sweeping will be done this week. Paving for Charlotte & Dulcie will be done mid-end of July. All town vehicles have been serviced. Councilman Jennings asked about the field by the Willis farm. Supt. stated that he usually brush-hogs it once a year and will get that done. He will work on the flower boxes. He discussed the pickle ball court lining schedule.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Police Chief Rickard requested executive session for a contract and personnel issue. There is a level 2 sex offender now living at Devan’s Gate. The vulnerable public have been notified. The AC broke over the weekend at the station. He hasn’t received any responses to the requests for snow guard quotes. He suggested doing an ad in the paper. One person dropped out of the police camp. – that leaves 14. Night Out is August 2. He noted that he spoke to the floor about doing the pickle ball court at the youth center. Hasn’t heard back yet with quote. State legislature passed a bill re: ERPO (Emergency removal protection orders for incidents involving guns. The town attorneys would be involved in this. Councilman Carey asked if the other sex offender was still living at Devan’s Gate. Chief: yes.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM PO CHRISTOPHER ROSA:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey to accept the resignation from PO Christopher Rosa effective July 1, 2022. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM DCO THOMAS YONSKIE:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilwoman Davis to accept the resignation from DCO Thomas Yonskie effective June 30, 2022. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.
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MELA WU HSU:
Mela introduced herself, Chris & Kay. They want to actively contribute to the community. They would like to have a seminar entitled: Chinese Communist Party’s Overreach in American Local Societies. They will speak with Kathleen for a date for the youth center.
Mela also spoke re: Moon Festival. She would like to coordinate with the Night Out. Councilman Jennings asked how many people would likely attend the seminar. She stated 100 minimum. Supervisor Howell noted there are 3 facilities they could possibly use: senior center, youth center or park pavilion. Mela would like to use an indoor facility.
NEW YORK PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP (NYPIRG):
Supervisor Howell explained that NYPIRG will conduct their door to door outreach in Mount Hope between June 27 through August 31. Their activities entail circulating support statements, collecting small contributions, distributing information & recruiting support letters on a variety of issues of concern to the community.
AT THIS TIME, Supervisor Howell noted that the letter from O&R’s is about the town providing the paving and road improvement schedules with them so they can coordinate their underground infrastructure with us.
MOTION TO ALLOW VFW TO HOLD THEIR MONTHLY MEETING AT TOWN HALL:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to allow the VFW to use the town hall meeting room for their monthly meeting on June 29 due to not being able to use the senior center due to the primary election. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.
DOG CONTROL OFFICER REPLACEMENT:
Supervisor Howell noted that he will be interviewing Melanie DiRaimondo tomorrow to replace current DCO Yonskie. He called for a motion to hire her contingent on receiving her application and paperwork.
Councilman Carey has a problem with this. He would like to advertise the position first. Supervisor Howell noted that DCO Yonskie is done June 30 and therefore the police would have to fill in until a new person gets hired. He asked the other board members their preference. After discussion, the board agreed to run an ad with a deadline.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2022 HIGHWAY 284 AGREEMENT:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Jennings to accept the 2022 Highway 284 agreement as presented. (see agreement at end of these minutes) All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.
FIREWORKS LAW AMENDMENT:
Supervisor Howell asked the board for questions. Councilwoman Davis asked if there would be a public hearing for this. Supervisor Howell: yes. He would like for the law to remain at 2/year. Councilman Jennings added that the law used to be 3/year. Councilman Carey would like to put it out for public opinion. Supervisor Howell clarified with the attorney that even though the proposed law amendment says five that after the public hearing it could still be changed. Attorney Bavoso: yes, it can be changed to whatever the board agrees to. Councilman Carey verified that the neighboring residents still get notified. Supervisor Howell: yes. Mr. Kowalczik has concerns with this amendment. As it is now, the animals have a hard time with the fireworks 2x/year and now they want to add more. Mr. Vreeland is not in favor of this. He has lost 3 cows to this in prior years. The board members agreed to having the public hearing on July 5.
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MOTION TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1-2022 ENTITLED: AMENDING THE FIREWORKS REGULATIONS OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE:
MOTION offered Councilwoman Davis 2nd Councilman Carey to schedule a public hearing for proposed Local Law #1-2022 entitled: AMENDING THE FIREWORKS REGULATIONS OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE on July 5, 2022 at 7:30pm at the town hall. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.
PICKLE BALL COURT STRIPING:
After brief discussion, it was decided that the striping for the pickle ball court will be done in house this year.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Diane Loeven thanked Paul & Kathleen for the articles for the village newsletter. The village wide yard sale is August 6. The 1st senior trip was last week with 33 people in attendance. The next senior trip is July 12 with 40 people attending. She spoke about the Hometown Helpers Flowers For Friends program. Community Advisory Board met last week with a tour of the facility. She noted that the timing for the ad to run for the DCO position may not be enough time to run then hire someone.
Alison Miller asked who the contact is for the sign up for the concerts for not-for-profits to sell stuff. She asked for clarification on what they could sell. She was told to contact Matt or Angie. FOTOS would like to do August 16.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilwoman Davis: no comments.
Councilman Carey noted there was a minor typo on the concert series flier. He is replacing them as he sees them. The band scheduled for Night Out will play a little longer from 6:30-9:00pm. He’s been playing phone tag with the guy for new signs.
Councilman Furman: no comments.
Councilman Jennings congratulated the 2022 senior graduates.
MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to enter in to executive session for a contract issue & personnel issue at 8:21pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to reconvene regular meeting from executive session at 9:00pm. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AT THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO HIRE THOMAS DEGROAT AS A PART TIME, TEMPORARY SUMMER HELPER:
MOTION offered Councilman Jennings 2nd Councilman Furman to hire Thomas DeGroat as a part time, seasonal summer helper in the highway department from June 27 through September 30, 2022. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE POLICE CHIEF TO SIGN FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilwoman Davis to authorize the Police Chief to sign the FLOCK Safety contract pending attorney wording modification. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM PO NIGEL BALGOBIN:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Jennings to accept the resignation from PO Nigel Balgobin effective June 25, 2022. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey to adjourn the meeting at 9:01pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk
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AGREEMENT FOR THE EXPENDITURE
OF HIGHWAY MONEYS
Agreement between the Town Superintendent of the Town of Mount Hope , Orange County, New York, and the undersigned members of the Town Board. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law, we agree that moneys levied and collected in the Town for the repair and improvement of highways, and received from the State for State Aid for the repair and improvement of highways, shall be expended as follows:
- GENERAL REPAIRS. The sum of $258,881.00 shall be set aside to be expended for primary work and general repairs upon approximately 5 miles of town highways, including sluices, culverts and bridges having a span of less than five feet and boardwalks or the renewals thereof.
- PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS. The following sums shall be set aside to be expended for the permanent improvement of Town highways:
- On the road commencing at Highland Lakes Rd. for the Entire Length, a distance of
.38 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $9,003.00
Type _Chip Seal __ Width of traveled surface _20’ ___
Thickness _1/4”____ Sub base __Existing________
- On the road commencing at Shawangunk Rd. for the Entire Length, a distance of
.98 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $31,175.00
Type _ Chip Seal__ ___ Width of traveled surface __20’_____
Thickness __1/4”_____ Sub base __ Existing _____________
- On the road commencing at Murray Rd. for the Entire Length, a distance of
.99 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $20,040.00.
Type __Chip Seal _________ Width of traveled surface __22’______
Thickness __1/4”_________ Sub base __Existing_______________
- On the road commencing at Manning Rd. for the Entire Length, a distance of
.63 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $11,479.00
Type __Chip Seal _______ Width of traveled surface __20’______
Thickness ___1/4”___ Sub base __Existing_______________
- On the road commencing at Grange Rd. for the Entire Length, a distance of
1.40 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $26,201.00
Type __ Chip Seal _______ Width of traveled surface __20’______
Thickness ___1/4”____ Sub base __Existing_______________
- On the road commencing at Mill Pond Rd. for the Entire Length, a distance of
.90 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $19,308.00.
Type __ Chip Seal_________ Width of traveled surface __22’_____
Thickness __1/4 ”__________ Sub base __Existing______________
- On the road commencing at White Bridge Rd. for the, a distance of
1.59 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $31,175.00
Type __ Chip Seal_________ Width of traveled surface _20’ ______
Thickness _1/4”________ Sub base __Existing_______________
- On the road commencing at Charlotte Lane. for the Entire Length, a distance of
.47 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $95,500.00.
Type _Nova Chip Width of traveled surface _34’ ___
Thickness _5/8”____ Sub base __Existing________
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- On the road commencing at Dulcie Court. for the Entire Length, a distance of
.16 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $15,000.00.
Type _ Nova Chip __ ___ Width of traveled surface __34’_____
Thickness __5/8”_____ Sub base __ Existing _____________
- On the road commencing at . for the Entire Length, a distance of
miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of
Type __ _________ Width of traveled surface ________
Thickness ___________ Sub base __Existing_______________
- On the road commencing at . for the Entire Length, a distance of
.44 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $6,772.28.
Type __Chip Seal _______ Width of traveled surface __20’______
Thickness ___1/4”___ Sub base __Existing_______________
Executed in duplicate this 20th day of June, 2022.
Supervisor _________________________ Board Member _________________________
Board Member _________________________ Board Member _________________________
Board Member _________________________ Town Superintendent ________________________
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