Town Board Meeting May 3rd, 2021
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Police Chief P. Rickard, H’way Supt. Hassenmayer, Attorney D. Bavoso.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey that the minutes of the April 19, 2021 meeting are accepted as submitted. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Brian Waugh 5K request 9/25/2021
2. Highway budget modification
3. Village of Otisville ZBA notice re: 21 School Street for interpretation of zoning
4. Highway spring 2021 trash report
5. Palmer’s Ark impound report April 2021
6. Draft law re: marijuana
7. Police Dept. 2020 annual report
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Carey reported there will be a school budget public hearing May 6 at 6pm at the middle school. Otisville Fire dept. having a blood drive on May 5 @ 1:30-7:30 at Otisville fire dept. Little league grand opening day went very well. 2 weeks from today is tax-day. Make sure you get your taxes done by May 17. He wished all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day.
Councilman Furman reported HV sewer is getting some cleaning done. Should be finished this week. Little league parade went great. He congratulated Brian for his life time achievement award given to him by the little league. There’s no ZBA meeting this month. It’s Correction Officer appreciation week.
Councilman Jennings reported Little League opening ceremony had a great turn out. He thanked them for inviting the board members. Village meeting will be May 6. Planning board meets May 19 at 7pm.
Councilman Howell reported that appointments are recommended for the blood drive. Walk ins also welcome. It is Military Appreciation month. Thank a service man/woman. Councilman Carey: Otisville fire blood drive: you can go online to register.
HIGHWAY:
Supt. Hassenmayer reported trash days are over. He’ll be working on the 284 agreement. Guys are busy rebuilding the catch basins that collapsed over the winter. There’s the drainage to do on Tall Oaks. Guard rail has to be replaced and he’s received prices. He needs to add a piece on Ledge Road where cars continue to go off the road.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Chief Rickard went over the 2020 annual report with the board members. He noted that the request for the change in date to June 7th for the police awards is due to Primary election day and the senior center being a polling site. May 5th will be the Community Engagement team meeting via ZOOM. The new car is lettered. We are waiting on some equipment. We got accepted into a program called ABLE (Active Bystander for Law Enforcement). It’s run by Georgetown University. Bob Decker & Anna Briceno will do this. Hopefully will be introduced later this year. He requested to amend section 160 of the town code to add marijuana & tobacco being prohibited within the park.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven reported that O&R put up the new temporary pole at the corner of Main Street/Highland Avenue – because they have to re-route wires for/during the construction of the bridge. That’s where the centennial clock will be erected. The mayor met with O&R to try to convince them of an alternative place. This has to be it. It will take away somewhat from the clock but it’s temporary. Clock should be in place within the next 2 weeks. She’s unsure of the official unveiling – possibly Memorial weekend. She spoke re: tentative date for Community Day being 9/18/2021 to coincide with the centennial. Supervisor Volpe has the new protocols now. The governor said the state fair can open but it’s still: any public place only 200 people outdoor. We don’t have the manpower to police Community Day with so many entrances.
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VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE CONTINUED:
Fireworks are not an issue. Last year a lot of people stayed in their cars and with their own group. We are still doing night out against crime and the concert series. Chief: even the touch a truck is expecting a big crowd. We haven’t figured out how to police the 200 people yet. Ms. Loeven: Cornell is telling her that the 200 does not include vendors. If you consider the people manning the trucks as vendors, she doesn’t think there will be more than 200 people there at 1 time. Supervisor Volpe read into record and update from March 22: ‘social gatherings previously limited to 50 will be limited to 100 indoors and 200 people outdoors’. She added that the community advisory board may have a proposed meeting in June at FCI at the training center.
SENIORS UPDATE:
Ms. Loeven: at the last meeting she asked about when the seniors would be able to use the senior center. Other groups are using it and the seniors are feeling that they’re being persecuted. There was discussion on what kind of guidelines they would have to have to meet. There was talk to only open it up to those that have been vaccinated. Supervisor Volpe had followed up with the county. They’re not segregating senior groups. They’re advising everyone to get vaccinated that wants to get vaccinated and then they would feel safer. They encourage meeting outdoors, if possible. Interior space – to wear a mask if they can’t be 6’ apart. The town cannot enforce to say ‘you have to have been vaccinated’; a local club could as long as our opening guidelines are met. He ordered a sanitizer/fogger for each building. They should be used to sanitize before and after. Diane noted that she met with the executive board and went over possibilities such as: sanitizing the senior hall before and after each use, there has to be someone from the executive board at each meeting; she will have that all outlined and to the supervisor after their meeting. They’re looking at starting in June. Councilman Furman is glad to hear the seniors are able to get together.
HOMETOWN HELPERS:
Diane Loeven reported they are having a meeting towards the end of month. They are looking at putting a set of protocols in place so that they can start transporting again. Things like requiring vaccinations, masks. We have to see how many volunteers are comfortable doing this. Supervisor Volpe explained NY PASS. You can download it on your phone and it proves you had both vaccinations. This would be used in place of the vaccine card.
SHODDY HOLLOW ROAD PROPERTY:
Attorney Bavoso explained he followed up with the attorney for the potential buyer twice. He did not hear back. He considers that deal dead.
CDC GUIDELINE UPDATE:
Supervisor Volpe: rental applications will change – hold harmless agreement (for rentals) to be changed to new guidelines. (Kathleen to send draft to David)
MOTION AMEND PRIOR RESOLUTION TO MOVE MEETING PLACE FOR JUNE 7TH MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to move the meeting place for the June 7, 2021 town board meeting to the Mount Hope Senior Center, 7 Baker Street, Otisville NY at 7:30pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
TABLES/CHAIRS FOR YOUTH CENTER:
Supervisor Volpe verified the number of tables and chairs originally ordered for the youth center with Dean. Dean: enough tables for 100 people. Supervisor Volpe spoke re: buying rectangle tables. He asked about ordering a microwave for the youth center. He will check to see if there’s an outlet for the microwave first.
“HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE” FORM:
Supervisor Volpe spoke re: “Tell us about your experience” form he created. He’d like for it to be attached to any applications ie: building permits, rental applications, pavilion applications etc. Councilman Carey asked where people would put the forms when completed. Supervisor: I can get a box for out front or he can change it to they can turn it in to any department. I think it’s good for us to know how all the departments are interacting. I still gotta work out a few details with it as to how they’re gonna turn it in.
AED/CPR/FIRST AID CLASSES:
Supervisor Volpe spoke re: CPR/AED/FIRST AID classes. He checked with Bob Decker. We are scheduled for June 29 at 6pm at the senior center for: AED/CPR and June 30 at 6pm at the senior center for First Aid. These are for Mount Hope residents and will be free. Non-residents, if we have room, can take them for $20. It’s on facebook and website and sign out front.
CONCERT SERIES:
Supervisor Volpe and Councilman Carey worked on the concert series. It will run from July 6 through August 17th. He’d like to try a comedy night for one of the nights. He will have line-up for next meeting.
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MOTION TO APPROVE HIGHWAY DEPT BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Jennings to approve the following:
Increase B2130 Refuse/Garbage revenue by $1313.00
AND
Increase B8160.4 Refuse/Garbage c/e by $1313.00. (payments from residents for 2021 spring trash days) All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
BRIAN WAUGH 5k:
This will be tabled until next meeting and to have Mr. Waugh be put on the agenda.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to approve the following bills (Abstract #16 & #17):
ABSTRACT 16:
GENERAL A: #220-226 $ 7,811.22
GENERAL B: #33 $ 400.22
HIGHWAY: #70 $ 1,819.17
SEWER: #33-34 $ 202.76
AND
ABSTRACT 17:
GENERAL A: #227-234 $ 53,247.61
GENERAL B: #34-36 $ 28,838.59
HIGHWAY: #71-75 $ 7,484.22
SEWER: #35 $ 1,118.90.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Alison Miller reported for the following events:
May 22 Spring cleaning yard sale 9am -2pm; You can rent a space or shop.
June 5 Cars & Coffee 9am-12pm; if you come with a car – it’s a $10 donation. There will be live music.
June 12 Family Fun Day (Touch a Truck & 4H demonstration with animals) held by the Centennial committee at the old school.
July 24 Swap Meet
Aug 13 & 14 Tricky Tray outside – there will be a 2-day preview. Drawings were on facebook live. It went really well.
Feedback forms – might want to also do a Google form; something you can also post online if you’re looking for feedback.
In addition to this month being military appreciation month & correctional officer’s week, it is also teacher appreciation week.
TOWN CLERK read messages from facebook live:
Alyse Toffel: Can we get a public pool?
Connor Wilson: We love Councilman Furman.
Chrissy Dee: Things shouldn’t be required. People should just be aware of the risks and go. And we shouldn’t be pushing the health pass. A lot of states are actually banning the pass – not doing it.
MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FROM REGULAR MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to enter into executive session at 8:12pm to discuss a personnel matter. 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 the regular meeting from executive session at 8:43pm. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AT THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO GRANT A 60 DAY LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR EMPLOYEE #55:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Furman to grant a 60-day unpaid leave of absence to Employee #55 effective immediately; the board is waiving the requirement to: ‘request be made within 30 days prior to the effective date of the leave’. All in favor: Howell, Jennings, Furman; NAY: Carey; ABSTAIN: Volpe. Motion carried.
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BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Jennings: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Councilman Furman: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Councilman Carey asked Diane: What is the village thinking about doing or possibly doing about stopping smoking at village park because 3 of the ballfields are technically in the village. One of them is in the town but it’s kind of a softball field so I just wanted to see. Diane: no, we haven’t discussed it yet. She brought it up and wanted to see what their policy was and suggested that we have a workshop tomorrow night so I will be bringing it up.
Supervisor Volpe: We’re gonna talk to Dean about what rules we have up there now. Attorney: yes, if there are any posted rules because it can just be a change by motion if there are posted rules for it. But, also the potential if the board is considering designated smoking areas as to where those might be in relation to ball fields. Supervisor Volpe: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to adjourn the meeting at 8:45pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 17, 2021 at 7:30pm at Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk
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