Town Board Meeting June 6th, 2022

The town board meeting of the Town of Mount Hope was held at the Mount Hope Senior Center on June 6, 2022 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Matthew Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings, Councilman Chris Furman, Councilwoman Amanda Davis, Town Clerk Kathleen Myers & Deputy Town Clerk Liz Kulynych.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Police Chief P. Rickard & 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 May 16, 2022 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:
1. 2022 IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate increase to .58 ½ cents
2. Public hearing notice from Orange County re: to solicit comments/concerns with respect to proposed modifications to Ag. District #1 held on June 2 at 6:45pm, 255 Main Street, Goshen NY
3. Letter from O&R re: tree trimming beginning 6/6/22
4. Orange County mortgage tax receipts for May 2022
5. Complaint re: 58 Robbins Road
6. 12th Annual Placemaking Conference, June 17, 11-4 @ Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center
7. HV Water Annual Water Quality Report for 2021
8. Assoc. of Towns June newsletter
9. Building department monthly reports for May & April 2022

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilwoman Davis reported the next planning board meeting is June 15 at 7pm.
Councilman Carey reported the JUNETEENTH Festival is on June 18 at the town park from 1-4. He also had a flier for the summer concert series. The Village of Otisville is no longer participating in this. There are fliers left in the hallway. Concerts are Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm at the town park beginning June 28 through August 16.
Councilman Furman reported that he attended the ceremony for Mrs. Krogslund at the school. It was a great celebration for her 50+ years teaching. He added that the police awards night was a great night. All of our officers are great! He reported on the bid for the historic society research barn roof materials quote ($5,126.83). He is waiting for the labor quote and hopes to have it for the next meeting. Hidden Valley needs door strips; they should be in this week. Mike Romano needs to do some finishing work there. He reported that our DCO will be resigning and has a possible replacement in mind.
Councilman Jennings reported that there were 9 fire calls for May for OFD. June 16 at 7pm is the next village board meeting. He spoke re: generator & new switch hook-up at the youth center. When it comes in, we will need 2 days of no rentals or gym use as there will be no power there. They expect the delivery date to be sometime in July.
Councilman Furman added that Lou Symanski is here for the MVYFL.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
No report.

POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Police Chief Rickard reported that he received the title for the 2003 NISSAN (car in police impound). We can declare it surplus. He had in hand the reimbursement check for the prostate cancer walk; $160.00. He will get it to the bookkeeper. They have 14 kids signed up for the youth police academy. There’s still room left for 11 more kids. He requested executive session for a contractual issue and personnel issue. Councilman Jennings asked if the Chief would take kids from other towns for the academy. Chief stated that the academy is open to town/village residents 1st then to MV school kids.

VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
No report.

PICKLE BALL:
Supervisor Howell explained that the pickle ball group is growing. Jeanne Zoll added that there is one pickle ball lined tennis court at the park. They’d like to have the 2nd court lined as well. They will have Dean get a quote from the contract list for the painting.
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Mrs. Zoll would like to get more indoor use at the youth center seasonally/permanently. Councilman Carey added about the pickle ball court possibly being moved to the back of the youth center. Mrs. Zoll needs to get the measurements – Councilwoman Davis stated she had them. Supervisor Howell suggested we get a price for the lines. Chief Rickard suggested possibly shading the court area on the youth center floor so that it wouldn’t be as noticeable as the blue lines.
Mrs. Zoll asked also about the flower boxes at the town park entrances as they are overgrown. She also spoke about the lot next to Willis farm being overgrown and needing to be brush-hogged. She wanted to know the boards feelings on this. Supervisor Howell stated that he will speak to Dean however road work would be prioritized.

2022 IRS MILEAGE RATE:
Supervisor Howell noted that as per the IRS, the mileage rate has gone up to .58 ½ cents effective June 1st. This is for town personnel that use their personal vehicles to do town business.

2021 AUD (ANNUAL UPDATE DOCUMENT) REVISIONS:
Supervisor Howell spoke re: Annual report. This gets filed with the NYS comptroller’s office. Original filing was on time before March 1st. The comptroller’s office has an auditor that reviews the process with himself and our accounting firm. Two meetings ago we made an update for the following year’s fiscal budget (2023). There were account name changes as requested by the comptroller’s office. There are other items that the accounting firm addresses within the report like how things are noted – are changes that the comptroller’s office requested. We have completed what the comptroller’s office has requested.

SMOKE TESTING AT HIDDEN VALLEY:
Supervisor Howell spoke re: smoke testing at Hidden Valley. NY Rural Water Authority will come to do the smoke testing at Hidden Valley on August 24. He would like to hold a special meeting to invite the residents of Hidden Valley to be informed of this process. This testing is for water infiltration that’s not from the system. Board members agreed on August 4 at the Mount Hope senior center at 7pm. A mailing will go out and possibly a door to door to hand notices out.

MOTION TO SET DATE FOR SPECIAL MEETING FOR SMOKE TESTING TO BE DONE IN HIDDEN VALLEY:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to set the date for the Special meeting for the residents of Hidden Valley sewer district to be August 4, 2022 at 7pm at the Mount Hope senior center on Baker Street to inform the residents of the smoke testing to be done on August 24. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.
(Discussion for doing a mailing or door to door delivery of this meeting and the necessity for the meeting.)

MOTION TO APPROVE BOOKKEEPER REQUEST TO TAKE 2 ONLINE ACCOUNTING CLASSES:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilwoman Davis to approve the request from the bookkeeper to take 2 online classes for $170.00 for GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING COURSE 1/BASIC AND COURSE 2/ADVANCED. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.

SNOW STOPS FOR POLICE BUILDING:
Supervisor Howell noted that when Westar delivered the heating unit at the police building, they noticed that the drainage pipes for the gutters – when we have a heavy snow/heavy ice – the ice comes down off the roof and crushes down on the gutters. We’ve discussed this before – to have snow stops put on the roof this way it keeps the snow form coming down on top of the new heating unit. They will get quotes for this from the same companies that submitted the quotes for the police garage. He hopes to have them for the next meeting.

HIDDEN VALLEY ENTRANCE SIGN:
Supervisor Howell asked Councilman Furman if he’s been asked about repairs/upgrades to the sign at the Hidden Valley entrance. Councilman Carey and Supervisor Howell were both asked about it. The Supervisor spoke with Dean & David. The sign originally was put in by the developer of the development. Dean thinks it was revitalized about 15 years ago by some residents within the community at their own expense. Supervisor Howell received a request for the town to replace it. It’s located on our lot at the corner where the sewer pumps are. Councilman Carey added that he was the boy scouts wanted to re-do the sign but it was shot down ‘by the powers that be – not us’. He was also told it was in a right of way for the cable company. He is meeting with Lewis Signs this week for other signs for the town. He could get a quote for this sign as well. He will have the quotes for the next meeting.

LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD REQUEST:
Supervisor Howell noted that at the last board meeting the little league had a request for an additional field across Finchville. The little league has secured volunteer contractors to install the field. The majority of the installation would be through volunteer or donation contractors.
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Supervisor Howell asked the board for approval for…Councilwoman Davis had a comment. That parking lot is always wet. There is a higher area to put a field where we don’t usually have parking anyway. Why wouldn’t we put it in the other side of the entrance to the pavilion because that is already raised & sloped so there is no water. Why are we putting a filed where kids and parents have to go back and forth to the other side of the road? Supervisor Howell: the reason for that location was the site work/prep work to get to the field somewhat flattened out because that field has the slope and there’s also a lot of rock ledge underneath that. So, they thought that would come in to an increased expense on that side. Councilman Carey: I looked. I went up and saw where they had marked it off and what I didn’t understand is why wouldn’t we push this as far in the corner as possible and another concern is what kind of lines are we going to paint for kids to run across and can we look into those solar lights that flash for people to slow down because people tend to drive fast on that road. If they have volunteers to do it – great. Supervisor Howell added that Brian (Lattimer) would like home plate nearest to the wood line so it wouldn’t be at the roadside. Councilman Furman agrees with the flashing sign. Councilman Jennings asked if they are looking to fence this in. Supervisor: yes. Jennings: who pays for that? Supervisor: I don’t know if the fencing was a donation.

MOTION TO SURPLUS AND SELL 2003 Nissan Altima POLICE IMPOUND VEHICLE:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Jennings to surplus and sell the 2003 Nissan Altima from the police impound. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.

2022 TOWN NEWSLETTER:
Supervisor Howell would like for all departments to have their write-up for the town newsletter submitted to him no later than July 5, 2022. He would like for the mailing to be August 1.

MV YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE:
Councilman Furman introduced Lou Symanski. He is here from MV youth football. Mr. Symanski: Gene Ianuzzi is president. MVFL would like to have a wrestling event on the field one night using the lights. He would like to get approval so they can pick a date for this event. This would be a fundraiser. Councilman Furman: I know we put aside money to build bathrooms up there at some point. Lou and the league were talking about the concession stand as well – the current one has no running water. Symanski: we are asking if you’re going to run water up there, can we run water to the stand or can we come up with a new building? There’s service there for the lights and we have one for the rest of the concession stand. If you were going to put in bathrooms and have to bring in your own service, you’re looking at a big chunk of change. We’d like to work together. Councilman Furman would like for the board to meet with Dean and the league. He also noted the broken fence was fixed. Supervisor verified with attorney that we would need a hold harmless and insurance for the wrestling event.

MOTION TO APPROVE WRESTLING EVENT AT FOOTBALL FIELD:
MOTION offered Councilwoman Davis 2nd Councilman Carey to approve scheduling the wrestling fundraiser at the football field pending the date notification, hold harmless agreement and insurance as required. All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.

MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Jennings to approve the bills (Abstract 20, 21, 22):
ABSTRACT 20:
GENERAL A: #249-257 $45,872.97
GENERAL B: #41-42 $ 5,386.38
HIGHWAY: #89-90 $46,141.51
SEWER: #45-46 $ 1,309.33
ABSTRACT 21:
GENERAL A: #258-270 $50,628.34
GENERAL B: #43-44 $ 7,678.19
HIGHWAY: #91-92 $20,238.80
SEWER: #47 $ 1,155.26
ABSTRACT 22:
GENERAL A: #271-288 $18,231.39
GENERAL B: #45-47 $62,466.07
HIGHWAY: #93-97 $ 5,669.47
SEWER: #48-51 $ 8,768.69.
All in favor: Howell, Davis, Jennings, Carey, Furman; carried.

SHODDY HOLLOW ROAD PROPERTY REALTOR CONTRACT:
Supervisor noted he needed an approval to extend the contract with the realtor for 3 months.

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MOTION TO AUTHORIZE TOWN SUPERVISOR TO RENEW CONTRACT WITH REALTOR FOR 3 MONTHS:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to authorize the town supervisor to sign a 3-month extension contract with the realtor Annie Hansen, effective June 1, 2022. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman; carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jeanne Zoll: Does the town own the HV sewer system? Supervisor: yes. Zoll: how is the town affiliated with HV sewer. Supervisor: it’s the towns. It was originally put in by the developer and when it went defunct, the town took ownership. It’s a special sewer district so only the homes in there pay for that maintenance. Zoll: with the new development coming, they’re going to hook into that sewer system and be a part of all of that then? Supervisor: the district boundary would have to be extended to include those homes. An extension was done a few years ago to include the 3 homes on Hill & Guymard. Councilman Carey: there’s a hefty amount for those homes, per house, to hook up into that system.

BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Jennings asked the board their thoughts on updating the fireworks law to 3 shows per year. Supervisor Howell stated we would have to amend the local law. Councilman Carey: we always used one for our community day, which since we are not doing community day goes towards Night Out; I 100% agree that the law should be changed. Discussion ensued on how residents were notified. Chief Rickard explained that the police department goes door to door. Councilman Jennings: for the fair fireworks, certified letters were sent to residents within a certain distance. Councilman Furman is fine with adding another. Councilman Carey: I don’t think there should be a number on it. If you have the right insurance, Mike Romano is one of the only people that can shoot fireworks – I don’t think we should stop people form doing it. Chief Rickard asked that it be limited to the town park. The attorney will review the law. Councilman Jennings added that the network here at town hall needing an update. He asked the board’s thoughts. Supervisor agrees and would like to look into it.

MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey to enter into executive session at 8:17pm to discuss a police contractual issue and a police personnel matter. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman; carried.

MOTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey to reconvene the regular meeting from executive session at 8:40pm. THERE WAS NO ACTION TAKEN IN THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman; carried.

MOTION TO RE-ALLOCATE AMERICAN RESCUE FUNDS MONEY:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to authorize re-allocating $10,000.00 of the American Rescue Funds for police personnel to police equipment. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman; carried.

MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilwoman Davis 2nd Councilman Jennings to adjourn the meeting at 8:41pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Davis, Jennings, Furman; carried.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 20, 2022 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk

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