Town of Mount Hope Town Board Meeting August 17th, 2020
REGULAR MEETING, TOWN OF MOUNT HOPE, AUGUST 17, 2020
www.townofmounthope.org
The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall on August 17, 2020 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings, Councilman Chris Furman and Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Chief P. Rickard, Deputy Chief M. Maresca, D. Bavoso –Town Attorney, D. Hassenmayer.
Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order at 7:30PM, following the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONTINUATION OF LOCAL LAW #5-2020 CREATING REGULATIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION & USE OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS:
Supervisor Volpe explained that we may need to continue the public hearing until the next meeting. Attorney Bavoso explained that the law is amended as the board requested from the last meeting which was adding the specific zoning districts that no facility shall be proposed in a flood hazard area. That screening shall be required as well. It was brought to his attention this evening that a couple members of the board would like him to add additional language that the setbacks for such facility should be double with the already enumerated setbacks for that particular zoning district. He will do this within the next couple days and get it to the board. Supervisor Volpe asked the board if they were ok with putting this off for another 2 weeks. The attorney noted that he needs to re-open the public hearing then a motion to adjourn.
The town clerk has not received any written comments on this law. Nor has the Supervisor.
MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to open the public hearing for proposed local law #5-2020 CREATING REGULATIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION & USE OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS at 7:33pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO ADJOURN PUBLIC HEARING TO NEXT MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to adjourn the public hearing for proposed local law #5-2020 CREATING REGULATIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION & USE OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS until the next meeting September 8, 2020. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Howell to accept the minutes from the August 3, 2020. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Email received re: ONE SMALL STEP 5k being cancelled due to timing company
- Supervisor’s report July 2020
- Highway budget modification
- Supervisor budget modification
- Memo from Supervisor for motion to create new lines for the budget
- Letter of resignation from Trevor Metakes from planning board alternate seat effective 8-17-2020
- Letter from Orange County DPW re: road closing notice for Orange Spring bridge on Carboy Road effective 8-17-2020
- Otisville fire report for July 2020
- Fencing quote from Ketcham Fence re: additional posts for netting
- Monthly police report July 2020
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BOARD REPORTS:
COUNCILMAN JENNINGS reported the planning board will meet this Wednesday at 7pm. There were 7 fire calls for July. The new fire alarm system is installed in the fire house. Mayor Wona stated that the county will be putting in the road for access while the bridge is being worked on. Mayor Wona also stated that no lo-boys and logging trucks are permitted on the access road. The girl scouts are going to be doing a project at the village park. They’re putting in 10th mile markers on the walking trail. They’re also putting in a bike rack down there. The village meeting will be August 20, 7pm. Little league – he sent a quote today for the poles on 1st base side on the top field. 5 poles on 1st base side. The netting – Dean said he could get the netting for it. They would do all the work on it. It’s up to the board if they would want to approve that. He also noticed today that the new concrete pad for the bleachers is higher than the ground and wanted to see if the ground could be brought more level so it isn’t a tripping hazard. He will send Dean an email with picture. 68
COUNCILMAN HOWELL reported that the grant for the town hall extension was approved. Hopefully we will break ground before year end.
COUNCILMAN FURMAN wanted to recognize some people that during this past storm we had in town. People just do things without the public knowing it. He commended Toni Coppola and the Otisville fire company – there was a lot of medical calls while the power was out and people that did not have oxygen had back up bottles and getting nervous and calling the fire department and Toni took care of that and made sure that these people had oxygen. There’s people in our community that just do things that they need to do when it comes to the pressure. He appreciates Toni for doing that. He thanked Mike Brock and Walt Palmer. They were out in Hidden Valley with himself and Chad one night making sure that Hidden Valley was taken care of with the sewer and water plant. He thanked Dean and the highway department because he knows there was quite a few trees down in the town. The town park got a little torn up. Everything kinda looks normal again. He appreciates them and thanked them. MVYFL is waiting on NYS. They may have to wait ‘til September to open. They will forward the insurance certificate once they get approval to start. They are selling masks on their website and facebook page for a fundraiser. They are $10. He spoke re: non-profits selling snacks at the concert series. Otisville fire did the past concert. Minisink Rotary will do this week. Otisville fire will do the 25th and the last concert is the rotary.
COUNCILMAN CAREY reported at the last concert it was noted that the flag was ripped. Otisville fire helped take it down. New one will go up tomorrow before the concert. He thanked O&R for getting everyone’s electric back on after this storm. He thanked the tree cutting guys also. Sanatorium Avenue, most people know by now that it is closed. To get to the senior center and youth center, you have to go around. He went to take pictures of the area. Black Dirt Bandits are playing tomorrow night at the concert. He’s going to re-post about the access cards applications for the youth center. He had gone online and found an acoustical curtain company for the senior center. He will get some pricing for this. You have to talk to someone from the company while you are actually in the room. Village elections are Sept. 15 from 12-9 at the village hall for village residents.
SUPERVISOR VOLPE reported that today the Governor announced that gyms can open next week. After looking at the guidelines, it’s going to be his recommendation that we wait until at least next meeting. It’s basically 33%. We need somebody there to man them and clean the equipment, which we don’t normally have. Also, somebody has to be taking their temperature as they come in and when they leave. Right now, masks have to be worn as you are exercising. It’s really new and we waited this long. In his opinion, we will re-visit this next meeting. Our game plan was to let the residents’ police themselves and not have it manned. As new guidelines come out and we see how it works out with the health department doing their site visits, we can re-visit it. Back to the storm, thanks to the board for their support. We were able to open the senior center and youth center to be used as cooling stations. People could also charge their phones. It wasn’t utilized as much as he thought but people could cool off and charge their devices. There were quite a few people for quite a few days without power. He asked Jim how they made out with the 1st court. Councilman Jennings did not hear from John. The only issue was that they seal-coated the parking lot because people didn’t know where to go for court. In the future, maybe we should talk to Dean about not scheduling that so close to court nights.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Chief Rickard reported that NYC announced they are not going to let gyms open either. The inspection process is too rigorous. SRO – tentatively the school district 1st day is 9/21. Highway went up on our roof today and fixed it. Dean mentioned it a couple meetings ago. During the storm, the water went in the damaged roof and ran in to the basement. We were able to catch it in a garbage can. Brandyn & Troy went up on the roof and they sealed it. There’s some damage to the bathroom. Night Out Against Crime re-scheduled to October has been cancelled. The monthly report was given to you tonight. It’s in a new format. He is looking in to getting this uploaded to their website on a monthly basis. The Governor today was talking about police reform. He mentioned the plan that has to be in place by next April. Said he was gonna send a letter to town supervisors and mayors asking us to get moving because he thinks the lack of a plan is causing the tension in the communities. If you look at some of the #’s on the report for 2 months, because of COVID, we just didn’t have the enforcement. The county legislator with a co-sponsor of all but one passed a resolution last week in which they gave their unwavering support for all the efforts of law enforcement. He has a copy of the resolution. It was nice for their support. Monthly coffee with the Chief has been moved from tomorrow to next Tuesday due to a scheduling problem. He will meet with Mr. Biele, Principal of the elementary school. He is looking for authorization to hire. We are down 4 positions. Christopher Rosa who worked for us for 2 years, from ’17-’19. He left us in May of ’19 for a personal issue. We are looking to hire him back effective September 1st to a part time non-competitive police officer position. Supervisor: what’s the training going to be? Chief: we would do a re-fresher. He will have to do firearms & workplace violence. Field training will be 2-3 shifts maybe compared to 3 months. He should be done by the end of the 2nd week of September. Councilman Jennings asked about the pre-testing for him. Chief: good question. He would have to do the agility test. He will have to pass the drug test as well. Councilman Carey asked how long he worked here before. Chief: just shy of 2 years.
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MOTION TO HIRE CHRISTOPHER ROSA AS PART TIME NON-COMPETITIVE POLICE OFFICER:
MOTION offered Supervisor Volpe 2nd Councilman Howell to hire Christopher Rosa as a part time non-competitive police officer effective September 1, 2020 contingent on passing all pre-employment testing requirements. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven: Jim covered everything form our meeting. She thanked Chief Rickard for putting the speed trailer on Seybolt Avenue. That’s one of our big hot spots. Last time we appreciated you sending up the stats. He can send it again.
OTISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Fire Chief Coppola reported they are getting busy again with medical calls. He wanted to come say hello and if there’s any questions, he’s here.
OTISVILLE LITTLE LEAGUE:
Supervisor introduced Brian Lattimer from the Otisville little league. He was going over a few things with him last week and invited him to the board meeting so that everybody is on the same page. Mr. Lattimer explained that down at the field there’s a line of trees. He would like to eliminate them to open up the field up and make it look a little nicer. Right next to those trees – to try and build a t-ball field right out in the outfield. He noted that Jim brought up about the fencing. He appreciates that. He never really touched on the batting cage but the members asked him to see if they could get a net for that because it is completely shredded. He’s been told it belongs to the town. Supervisor wants to check with Dean before taking down the trees. Councilman Carey isn’t sure what’s left in the line for little league. He knows there’s money set aside for clay. He thought we could something for the netting or the poles. Since we’ll be talking about the 2021 budget maybe we can talk about the netting for the batting cages. Supervisor asked Mr. Lattimer if he had a cost for the netting. Mr. Lattimer believes for a 12’x70’ net – the cost would be about $800. He would like the same type of thing as what the village did for their fields for the town fields. He will email Supervisor the net price quote. Mr. Lattimer is under impression that Dean took care of the netting years ago. He added that they would take down the trees, if they get permission. They would be under the little league insurance. Councilman Jennings asked David if that would be allowed. Mr. Lattimer: we have maintained the fields for a long time. Attorney: you could hire them as an agent and do a hold harmless. If the issue is a property line issue, how long ago was that park dedicated? If it was at least in the last couple decades, there might be a survey of it. Councilman Carey: there’s fencing at the top part of the parking lot. When we re-did all our fencing, we didn’t do it because the fencing that matched our fence didn’t belong to us. If you stood at the fence line and look straight down from the parking lot down, that’s right where those trees are. That’s why I think it was kinda put as a border at one point. Mr. Lattimer: both the village and the town both have our insurance from earlier this year when we were supposed to have it. He then noted that they have a coin drop scheduled for October 17 with a rain date of October 18. Councilman Carey suggested they go on the Cornell Cooperative website to see what events they are having and schedule your coin drop around that. Mr. Lattimer: it will be in the same spot on Finchville Turnpike on the corner.
MOTION TO ACCEPT QUOTE FROM KETCHAM FENCING FOR ADDITIONAL POLES AT LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell for Ketcham Fencing to supply & install 5 – 3” diameter galvanized posts 20’ out of ground, 4’ in ground concrete for net with material, labor & equipment for $1,400.00. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE OTISVILLE LITTLE LEAGUE COIN DROP OCT. 17, 2020:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Jennings to allow the Otisville little league to hold a coin drop on October 17, 2020 (rain date October 18, 2020) from 12-5pm at the corner of Finchville Turnpike and Mount Hope Avenue. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
T-BALL FIELD DISCUSSION:
Supervisor Volpe noted we still have to talk to Dean about the t-ball field. He asked if Dean knows where it is going. Councilman Jennings asked if we could get specs as to what they want up there. Mr. Lattimer: yes, and he can go up there with marking paint and mark it out.
TOWN HALL ADDITION (GRANT):
Supervisor Volpe stated he’s almost in the final phase of the grant for the addition for town hall. It is a $125,000.00 grant. As part of the grant, the board has to accept the money. He needs a motion for this.
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MOTION TO ACCEPT SAM GRANT THROUGH DASNY FROM ASSEMBLYWOMAN AILEEN GUNTHER FOR TOWN HALL ADDITION:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to accept a $125,000.00 SAM Grant through DASNY from Assemblywoman Gunther for the town hall addition. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
ONE SMALL STEP 5k:
Per email from Brian Waugh, the ONE SMALL STEP 5-K has been cancelled.
ROSE PHILLIPS LIBRARY:
Supervisor Volpe spoke re: storage for extra books for Rose Phillips library. He spoke to Police Chief Rickard. There is some space downstairs in the police station. If there was a pallet or two down there with Rubbermaid containers, she could do this. We can give her access. He will email her to let her know.
MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT FOR JULY 2020:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Carey to approve the supervisor’s report for July 2020. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE HIGHWAY BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to approve the modification as follows:
Increase DB2650 Scrap Metal by $191.00 AND
Increase Machinery Repairs C/E by $191.00. (This is for scrap metal.)
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERVISOR BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to approve modification as follows:
Decrease Capital Reserve General A by $24,050.00 for Finishing Touch Flooring paid out of wrong account.
Increase expense A1620.4 Buildings C/E by $24,050.00.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CREATE BUDGET LINES:
Supervisor Volpe explained the lines needed to be created for the 2021 budget.
MOTION TO CREATE LINES FOR 2021 BUDGET:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Jennings to create the following lines for 2021 Town Budget:
Revenue A2192 Charges for Cemetery
Expense A8810.1 Cemetery personal services
A8810.2 Cemetery equipment
A8810.4 Cemetery contractual
Revenue A2709 Employee contribution
Revenue D2709 Employee contribution
Expense B8686.1 Administration personal services
B8686.2 Administration equipment
B8686.4 Administration contractual
Create: Medical line B9060.8
Create: Joint Rec Projects B7320.4
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM TREVOR METAKES, PLANNING BOARD ALTERNATE:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Howell to accept resignation from Trevor Metakes as planning board alternate, effective August 17, 2020. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
DISCUSSION ON BOARD POSITIONS:
Councilman Carey asked the attorney, if someone applies for one of our boards, whether planning, ZBA or BAR and they are currently on another board for another municipality, is that a conflict of interest? Attorney: doesn’t understand how they could be. Councilman Carey: they are a village resident. Attorney: I would have a problem with it, yes. Councilman Carey: that’s all I needed to know. No need to go any further. We had a couple people apply. I hope the one person contacted you Chad. If she didn’t, I will get her to write something up for us. The town clerk has not received anything. The supervisor has not received anything. Supervisor: noted this is an alternate position.
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MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Howell to approve audit of claims for Abstract #32 & Abstract #33:
ABSTRACT #32:
GENERAL A: #446-461 $ 45,341.93
GENERAL B: #67-68 $ 5,152.71
HIGHWAY: #120-128 $ 20,398.45
SEWER: #64-65 $ 1,144.07
CAP RES GEN A: #1 $ 337.00
AND
ABSTRACT #33:
GENERAL A: #462-479 $ 20,664.95
GENERAL B: #69-73 $ 10,781.75
HIGHWAY: #129-130 $ 18,711.17
SEWER: #66-67 $ 137.67.
All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Diane Loeven asked the attorney, following up on Brian’s ?, what would the perceived conflict be? Attorney: potentially, if there’s a project in the town that’s close enough to the village, the village would be affected by it or one of their boards would have an involved agency in it. He thinks it is sparse where this could arise but given the village is essentially bordering a commercial district. Loeven: there was 1 just recently where part of a parcel was in the village and part in the town. So, if the person was on the planning board of both municipalities, that could create conflict. What about the BAR? Attorney: village residents pay both town and village tax…he would like to look in to it a little more. Councilman Carey: there is 1 BAR association, someone sitting on the planning board in the village and they disagree for whatever reason, they kick the person out, that person comes in to grieve their taxes, now they’re sitting on the BAR of association for the town; that could be a conflict. I could say this, I know ‘cause I called. I, as a village resident can be on the town board. I cannot be on the village board at the same time. One step further, Steve Brescia who happens to be Mayor in V/O Montgomery, is also allowed to hold a county seat. A village seat and a county seat you can hold. You can’t hold a town seat and a village seat. There’s a conflict. Attorney: if the village doesn’t have their own BAR, I don’t see a potential for a conflict. Supervisor: so, you’re saying planning board – planning board? Attorney: yes. If you’re sitting on 2 administrative agencies for 2 places that could be affected by the same application, then that’s an issue. If the BAR from the T/O Mount Hope also covers the V/O Otisville, then frankly I don’t see where they could possibly intersect what they are doing.
Brian Lattimer confirmed with the Chief that Principal Biele will be meeting with him next week.
Diane Loeven noted that there is still an opening on their planning board.
Toni Coppola (to the Police Chief) these guys are the best. During all this crisis, you guys have been out there with us making sure we are safe. KUDOS. I appreciate it a lot.
Tony Coppola thanked the Chief for having the officers come to the calls. It helps a lot. Chief: we work very well with the fire department.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Carey noted the Minisink Rotary is doing food drives for the local churches. Saturday 10-2pm.
Councilman Furman deferred to Town Clerk who explained the Boys & Girls Club Backpacks for Hope program. We are collecting school supplies for children. Donation can be dropped off here at town hall. Councilman Furman added that the FOTOS virtual tricky tray went very well. He thanked the community.
Councilman Howell – anyone interested in a planning board seat, please send us an email.
Councilman Jennings commented that the tricky tray was great. And, he won the Disney tickets.
Supervisor Volpe noted that the next 2 meetings will be budget meetings starting at 5:30pm. Regular board meeting will follow at 7:30pm.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to adjourn the meeting at 8:30pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2020 at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Myers, Town Clerk
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