Town Board Meeting June 3rd, 2024
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Police Chief M. Maresca.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Rickard called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Carey that the minutes of the May 20, 2024 and May 28, 2024 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman; ABSTAIN – Jennings from the May 28, 2024 meeting; motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Copy of SEQR resolution re: HV manholes
2. Request to appoint Heidi Phillips as Deputy Registrar and Deputy Tax Collector
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilmember Jennings reported he will be getting quotes for mulch for the playground area at the park. He congratulated FOTOS on receiving their grant for the old school.
Councilmember Furman reported the registration is open for tackle football and cheer. Saturday flag football has started. He thanked the highway department for cutting the grass at the park. He thanked the village for getting him a flag for Friday night. He asked if the football league wanted to mow their field if it would be ok. After discussion, we will check with the attorney. FB league asked if the field could be mowed Thursday or Friday. Movie at the park was great. He attended the prostate walk; it was a great event. Historic House open house was great. He congratulated the old school on their grant.
Councilmember Carey reported the DMV bus will be at village hall on 6/7. Village board workshop meeting is on Wednesday. Village approved a 2-year contract with the NY Power Authority for their energy services. Movie night was a great idea. She thanked 4 Main Street Bar & Grill as they donated the popcorn for the movie night. She attended the prostrate walk – it was a great event. She attended the historic house open house. It was a great event.
Councilmember Davis thought the movie night went well. She thanked fellow board members, Deputy Chief and Chief Maresca for their help with everything. Next movie (SANDLOT) will be 6/14 at sunset. She thanked 4 Main Street for the popcorn donation.
Supervisor Rickard: great job. He acknowledged the grant; the grand opening was a great day. Movie night went well. Amanda did a great job. He noted the contract with the Lions Club for the tractor pull. They sent a contract; Scott reviewed it & insurance was received. We need authorization for him to sign the contract. He attended the AOT roundtable discussion re: change in election law. Judges are not included in this change. June 12 will be next senior trip. June 20 there will be a department head meeting at 10:30 with Lorelei to discuss budgeting. Discussion on garbage truck issues. He forwarded emails to board members re: this issue. Someone suggested that we ban pickup after 5pm through 7am due to a noise issue. Will discuss more at next meeting.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Police Chief Maresca recommended the appointment of Rachel Meyer as a part time non-competitive police officer. He’s going through the list for full-timers. Hopes to have more info at next meeting.
ORANGE COUNTY UPDATE – LEGISLATOR JANET SUTHERLAND & LEGISLATOR TOM FAGGIONE:
LEGISLATOR JANET SUTHERLAND updated everyone on county issues. Mental health among youth is tremendous. 21 school districts have applied for grants for mental health clinics & programs. She noted the opioid epidemic is in full swing. She was chairwoman of the opioid committee. This committee works towards education & prevention, peer support after treatment. She spoke of the “Oxford Model House”. This houses males/females. They are working on another for women and children. Also, another for men and children. These houses allow recovering addicts to live together and run their house together. She is glad to have the bridge done. It was a pleasure to work with the various town boards and supervisors to make this happen with the bridge replacement. Cornell & 4H have a lot of things in the works. The county is hoping to be able to help them. Supervisor Rickard asked if someone needs help from the oxford house, who would they call. Oleg. Sutherland said to start with 3-1-1.
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LEGISLATOR TOM FAGGIONE spoke re: election year law. This is an unfunded mandate from the state of NY. He spoke re: mobile DMV unit. It’s awesome. In addition to the mobile unit, Port Jervis DMV is re-opened. He spoke of the different bridges that have been replaced Mount Hope.
VIDEO ENDED AT THIS POINT.
He next spoke of the redistricting. Leg. Sutherland added that the county tourism will be re-branding. Councilmember Furman thanked them both for coming. Supervisor Rickard thanked them both for coming.
HIDDEN VALLEY UPDATE:
Supervisor Rickard noted the flow today was 32,392 gallons. The check valve will be replaced this week.
BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE UPDATE:
Councilmember Carey noted the next bicentennial meeting will be June 20 at 7pm at the senior center.
RESOLUTION CLASSIFYING MAHOLE REPAIR PROJECT AS A TYPE II ACTION PURSUANT TO STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT (SEQRA) SECTION 617.5 SUBDIVISION C:
MOTION offered Councilmember Carey 2nd Councilmember Davis that:
WHEREAS, the Town of Mount Hope proposes to repair existing manholes in the Hidden Valley Sewer District; and
WHEREAS, Title 6 of the New York Code of Rules and Regulations (6 NYCRR) Section 617.5 under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) provides that certain actions identified in subdivision © of that section are not subject to environmental review under the Environmental Conservation Law; and
WHEREAS, the repair of existing manholes constitutes “replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure or facility, in kind, on the same site”;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT:
RESOLVED that the Town of Mount Hope hereby determines that the repair of existing manholes is a Type II action in accordance with 6 NYCRR Section 617.5(c)(2) and is therefore no subject to further review under 6 NYCRR Part 617.
All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; motion carried.
MOTION TO SCHEDULE SPECIAL MEETING RE: AMBULANCE SERVICE:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to schedule a special meeting on June 11, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Mount Hope Senior Center on Baker Street, Otisville, NY to discuss ambulance service in Mount Hope. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; motion carried.
STANDARD WORK DAY RESOLUTION:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Carey:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Mount Hope, Location Code 30364, hereby establishes the following as standard work days for its employees and will report days worked to the NYS and Local Employees’ Retirement System based on the keeping system or the record of activities maintained and submitted by these members to the clerk of this body:
DEPUTY TOWN CLERK – 8 HOURS/DAY
ASSESSOR’S CLERK – 8 HOURS/DAY
BOOKKEEPER – 8 HOURS/DAY
BUILDING INSPECTOR – 8 HOURS/DAY
ASSISTANT BUILDING INSPECTOR – 8 HOURS/DAY
CLERK – 8 HOURS/DAY
CLERK TO TOWN JUSTICE – 8 HOURS/DAY
CLERK TO SUPERVISOR – 8 HOURS/DAY
CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY TO SUPT OF HWY – 8 HOURS/DAY
COURT ATTENDANT – 8 HOURS/DAY
DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF – 8 HOURS/DAY
DEPUTY TOWN CLERK – 8 HOURS/DAY
FIRE INSPECTOR – 8 HOURS/DAY
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – 8 HOURS/DAY
LABORER – 8 HOURS/DAY
MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – 8 HOURS/DAY
POLICE OFFICER – 8 HOURS/DAY
POLICE SERGEANT – 8 HOURS/DAY
CLEANER – 8 HOURS/DAY.
All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; motion carried.
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MOTION TO HIRE RACHEL MEYER AS A PART TIME NON-COMPETITIVE POLICE OFFICER:
MOTION offered Councilmember Carey 2nd Councilmember Furman to hire Rachel Meyer as a part time non-competitive police officer to start at step 4. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; motion carried.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilmember Carey 2nd Councilmember Furman to pay the bills – Abstract 20, 21:
ABSTRACT 20:
GENERAL A: #287-303 $ 6,892.61
GENERAL B: #56-57 $ 252.36
HIGHWAY: #39-42 $ 4,473.82
SEWER: #44 $ 55.67
ABSTRACT 21:
GENERAL A: #304-310 $ 4,662.71
GENERAL B: #58-59 $26,777.71
SEWER: #45 $ 2,221.07.
All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; motion carried.
MOTION TO APPOINT HEIDI PHILLIPS AS DEPUTY REGISTRAR & DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Carey to appoint Heidi Phillips as deputy registrar and deputy tax collector. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; motion carried.
MOTION TO APPOINT MARIE BUBILO AS SEXUAL HARASSMENT OFFICER:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Furman to appoint Marie Bubilo as the town sexual harassment officer. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; motion carried.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN SUPERVISOR TO SIGN AGREEMENT WITH LIONS CLUB RE: PROPERTY USE FOR GARDEN TRACTOR PULL EVENTS:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Carey to authorize the town supervisor to sign the agreement with the Lions Club to use town park property for tractor pulls on: June 8, July 13,September 14, October 12 & November 9, 2024. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman; ABSTAIN – jennings; motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mike Meere asked for the culvert timeframe. Supervisor: August. Meere: asked for an estimate on the dredging/cleaning of the QR tanks. Supervisor: twenty cents per gallon.
Marybeth Horzepa: June 9 yard sale at Pocatello FH 10-3. Father’s Day pancake breakfast is on June 16 at Pocatello FH 7am-12pm.
Alison Miller thanked Paul, Chris & Jim for attending the opening of the old school community center. Attendance was great. She noted the grant they received from Senator Skoufis for $530,000.00.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilmember Carey welcomed Heidi Phillips. She welcomed Rachel Meyer.
Councilmember Furman welcomed Rachel Meyer. He noted the DMV cancellation until July
Councilmember Jennings noted the movie night was great and thanked Amanda for doing this.
Supervisor Rickard gave a phone system update. He noted the fire alarm quotes were rejected. He spoke: retirement seminar with Marie.
MOTION TO MOVE MEETING PLACE FOR THE JUNE 17, 2024 TOWN BOARD MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Carey to move the June 17, 2024 town board meeting to the Senior Center at 7 Baker Street, Otisville NY 10963. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; motion carried.
Chief Maresca gave the update for the junior police academy.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilmember Davis 2nd Councilmember Carey to adjourn the meeting at 8:20pm. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2024 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC, Town Clerk
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