Town of Mount Hope Town Board Meeting Oct 21, 2019
The town board meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mount Hope was held at Town Hall at 1706 Route 211 West, Otisville, NY on October 21, 2019 at 7:30pm with the following present: Supervisor Chad Volpe, Councilman Matt Howell, Councilman Chris Furman, Councilman Brian Carey, Councilman Jim Jennings & Town Clerk Kathleen Myers.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Deputy Clerk Paula Bird, Highway Supt. Hassenmayer, Chief Rickard, Dep. Chief Maresca & Att’y D. Bavoso.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Volpe called the meeting to order and opened the public hearing for the 2020 Preliminary budget at 7:30pm. He asked for cell phones to be silenced.
2020 PRELIMINARY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING:
Supervisor Volpe opened the public hearing. The notice is on the table. He asked for board comments.
Councilman Howell explained that after some long work sessions and hard work by the Supervisor – he was able to come up with a budget with a reduction for a tax rate for the town residents. We had a couple items we are gonna make some improvements or we made available for funding for improvements specifically the sewer district. That’s one of the strong points. It’s a minimal increase over last year to hopefully prolong the use of the building.
Councilman Furman: some of the buildings that are there are past their limit. We will work with engineer to see what’s the best way to go about it. That’ll be a better situation over there for that. And re-investing money into something we actually have control of. There’s gonna be a lot more development going on in the sewer district. We are preparing for the future. He agrees with Matt. Chad worked very hard on the budget. The whole board – we spent many hours; Kathleen was with us. It was very interesting going through this the 1st time. I’m proud of what we have come out with.
Councilman Carey: I’ve been involved with this for 4 years. This is definitely the 1st year we have had some changes as far as what was offered from as far as the breakdown. We all went through and kind of agreed a little bit. We all kind of fought for our ‘liaisonships’/ different organizations. We all kind of came to an agreement.
Councilman Jennings: I agree with everybody. We worked many hours on this budget to get where we had to get to.
Supervisor Volpe: I’ll go over some quick highlights. On services: the seniors, youth programs, programs for the aging, veterans & historical house – all had increases. Those are all things we budget money for. Even though they are minimal increases – we are able to show an increase to those lines as they are very important things to the town. A lot of equipment lines – we cut the equipment lines we had a decent amount in surplus. Basically, in equipment lines, if that department doesn’t buy anything that year, it goes in to surplus. Some departments it has been years since they’ve bought something. We didn’t eliminate lines – we cut the lines. Our interest income is 4x higher than it was last year. That’s a nice revenue line for us. We created 2 new FT police officers for this budget. It’s the same amount of hours as far as the same amount of patrolling. We also created one new highway position. We have new walking trails on the horizon, our new youth center – we feel it’s necessary to get back to that level. We added 160 hours to the town clerk’s office. That will help for coverage during tax season and also through the year for adequate coverage. He asked for public comment. He added that the budget is going down 00.25 off of last year. It’s not a significant decrease but it’s a decrease. This is the 6th year taxes are going down.
Lance Davoren: I’m glad you guys passed a good budget. You are hiring new officers. Did you guys do anything on the police chief’s contract so that he is not driving the car doing side jobs wasting tax payer money? What’s gonna happen when he gets in an accident 2 hours away? The 1stthing they’re gonna do is sue the town. That’s okay with the board members that the chief can drive his car and put all those extra miles on it out of the T/O Mount Hope? And out of the state? I’d like to know that. Councilman Carey: I don’t know if that’s really part of this budget. Davoren: it’s part of this contract you guys talked about. I’d like to know if that’s okay with you guys if he gets in an accident? Are you guys able to tell the people that you let him drive in Pennsylvania and all the public places on personal use & doing side work? Supervisor: we definitely can have that discussion when we get to the employment contract part of it. Davoren: otherwise, the budget, you guys are doing a great job. Can’t complain about that.
Diane Loeven wanted to clarify what certain lines are: safety inspection? Supervisor: that is the building department. She asked what joint recreation projects is. It appears to be a new item. Supervisor: that’s what we’re paying the concerts out of. She asked if refuse & garbage is the 2 trash days. Supervisor: yup.
Councilman Howell followed up with a prior question with joint rec projects. There’s also a new revenue line, ‘other cultural recreation’, that goes hand in hand with the income we get regarding the concert series.
MOTION TO CLOSE 2020 PRELIMINARY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to close the public hearing for the 2020 Preliminary Budget at 7:41pm. All in favor: Howell. Carey, Volpe, Furman, Jennings; carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Copy of last years’ Halloween curfew
- 3 quotes for siding for the new youth center
- Budget modification from highway department
- Budget modification from town supervisor’s office
- Police Department report Sept. 2019
- re: latest update for Route 211 West culvert
- Email corres. re: sign up by the Mount Hope corner store
- Thank you note from Brian Stuart to those that helped getting the signs removed
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- Complaint rec’d from CBJ re: Old Mid-City Bus garage
- Complaint re: Lucy Grace horse farm w/ trucks going in full, coming out empty
- Resignation from Police Officer Matthew Reiley effective 11-1-2019
BOARD REPORTS:
Councilman Jennings: next village board meeting is Nov. 7, 2019 at 7pm. There was a little discussion with the Allstate issue with the fire department. Liz Cook added that she called them today. They said they are still waiting for ISO to inspect. Trustee Loeven added that they faxed them the ISO report & they confirmed it with an email. We can get you a copy of that email. Just call the village hall and ask for a copy of that email. Mrs. Cook will go in person. Councilman Jennings reported the planning board will meet on Nov. 20 at 7pm. He was unable to attend the last meeting but spoke with one of their board members and there will be a public hearing re: Dollar General on the 20th.
Councilman Furman: as of right now there is no zoning board meeting for next month. MVYFL had another successful weekend. They had a home game Saturday night under the lights. The old school had a ‘Caffeine & Octane’ car show Saturday morning. A lot of community people were there. When we did the budget – this board is looking to not only make sure there is no increase but to re-invest money. It’s a very difficult situation and I wanted to say that everybody worked pretty diligently to do that so we can keep getting new equipment and maintain our buildings without having a big increase for tax payers.
Councilman Carey spoke re: article in Towns & Topics magazine re: political signs. He would like to talk to David about this later. Otisville little league doing early bird registration through end of November. They will be doing a coin drop on 10/26 on Finchville Tpk from 12:30-5:00. He attended One Small Step 5K on Saturday. Great turn-out. Pictures will be posted. He posted pictures from the Caffeine & Octane show at the old school. This was an awesome turnout. There were 3 training classes: CPR/AED/First Aid. Good turnout. Next classes will be in March 2020. He reminded everyone of early voting 10/26 through 11/3 at Farnum House in Port Jervis for Mount Hope/Otisville residents. Blood Drive at Holy Name Church is posted on facebook page. They’re doing a Trunk or Treat on Halloween at OMHPC parking lot 5:30-7:30PM. Lions Club/Otisville fire company community Halloween party at Otisville fire house on Halloween from 6-9. National fire prevention week was last week – he posted pics from Otisville school. There may have been 3 different fire departments involved in this. Free dental for veterans is on 11/11/19, 9-5, at Brookside family dentistry at 49 Brookside Ave in Village of Chester. He gave credit to Dean Hassenmayer for $20,000.00 donation on behalf of OC Highway Supt. to benefit the Hudson Valley Honor Flight. The signs on the bridge for no commercial vehicles are horrible. He understands how the county came and did this but… you don’t know the bridge is closed to commercial vehicles until you get to the signs. Local people don’t know. Supervisor: if they have a tractor trailer, there’s plenty of signs that say nothing over 15 tons. Those signs are out plenty far enough.
Councilman Howell followed up on Brian’s comment. The notification sign – would we have any weight if we sent a letter to the county, David? To add a 2nd sign on that same post “no commercial vehicles ahead”. Atty. Bavoso: you can certainly make the request.
Councilman Howell would like to send a letter to the county to request additional signage. He spoke re: free dental for veterans. This was an online advertisement he saw. The Veteran’s Day parade will be on November 9 at 11:00am.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
HIGHWAY DEPT.:
Supt. Hassenmayer reported the vehicles out front are the ones that were declared surplus at the last meeting. They should be on the auction site by Wednesday. It will be scheduled to close before the next meeting. The playground is not finished. We did not do anything last week over there because of trash days. Today we spent all day with 90% of the crew – we have a large beaver dam under Finchville Turnpike – it’s a 6’ round culvert and they have every bit of it blocked. The guys worked real hard trying to tear it down little by little so we don’t flood out people below it. There’s no trash report yet. We’ve been very busy with a lot of senior pick ups. We still have tires and electronics left here. Salt was ordered today. Supervisor asked Dean to thank the guys. The playground looks great. The supervisor and Dean met with the engineer to go over the future projects and what more is needed for the youth center. The engineers will go to the plant at Hidden Valley to make some notes for there. Supt. Hassenmayer added that he picked up one new truck and took it to get the lettering and the other will get picked up the following week. Hoping to have those for the Veterans parade.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Chief Rickard noted we have to approve the Halloween curfew and the board will need to accept the resignation from Police Officer Matt Reiley effective November 1, 2019.
VILLAGE OF OTISVILLE:
Trustee Loeven reported the Patriot tree lighting will be 12/6 and tree lighting is 12/7. The Halloween curfew was passed by the village board. The ISO report was discussed. The Catholic Church is doing a Trunk or Treat on Halloween from 4-6.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT:
BI Musial reported that she received a complaint re: Mid-City bus garage and also the Lucy Grace horse farm. She called the DEC. They had an officer go out & investigate. They were there when 2 loads coming loaded in from Middletown Carting went in to the Lucy Grace farm and they off-loaded while the officer was there. Officer said both of those loads were perfectly fine. He spoke with the owner. To their understanding, everything is above board & in compliance. For the Mid-City bus garage, at 1st she thought it was village property but Diane said there’s a piece in the back that is in Mount Hope, where the trucks are sitting. The DEC says there’s nothing we can do unless we physically see the grease coming out of them. They’re just sitting there right now. I could ask for us to go walk the property to see if there’s any recent stains. That’s gonna be my next course of action. She reported on the part time position in the paper. She received applications through the 18th. She has 3 applications and 1 person was interviewed so far. Hopefully next meeting she will have a recommendation.
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Councilman Carey asked how we are doing with the complaint from the last meeting in reference to the trucks on Spruce Road. BI Musial talked with Glenn about that and another place and she has letters that will be going out. There was no formal complaint written.
Trustee Loeven added that there are a lot of trucks being stored there(bus garage property). She believes they are all on town property. BI Musial: they are allowed to be there.
MOTION TO ACCEPT THE PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Howell that the minutes of the 9-23-19, 9-30-19 & 10-7-2019 board meetings are approved as presented. All in favor: Carey, Howell, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2020 TOWN BUDGET:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Furman to approve the 2020 Town Budget as presented. All in favor: Carey, Howell, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE 2019 HALLOWEEN CURFEW:
MOTION offered Councilman Carey 2nd Councilman Jennings that anyone under the age of 18 must be off town roads after 9:00pm from October 30, 2019 through November 1, 2019 unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years of age or older or if they are coming to or from a work assignment or school activity. All in favor: Howell, Jennings, Volpe, Carey, Furman; carried.
SIDING QUOTES:
Supervisor Volpe reported he received 3 quotes for the new youth recreation center from the following:
ATOR Construction $35,361.71 with tax / $33,899.21 without tax
Home Pro Exteriors Inc. $72,900.00
M&P Builders $54,125.00.
MOTION TO ACCEPT QUOTE FROM ATOR CONSTRUCTION LLC FOR YOUTH CENTER SIDING:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to accept quote from ATOR Construction LLC in the amount of $33,899.21 for the youth center siding. All in favor: Howell, Jennings, Volpe, Carey, Furman; carried. (Councilman Carey noted an insurance certificate should be included. Supervisor Volpe asked the attorney to write up the agreement.)
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: Town Board agreed on Dec. 14th at 7:00pm for the annual Christmas tree lighting here at town hall.
MOTION TO APPROVE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Howell to approve the following:
Increase Scrap Metal DB2650 by $57.05 And
Increase Machinery Equip. Contr. DB5130.4 by $57.05.
(Payment from SIMS Metal Management for scrap metal collected.)
All in favor: Howell, Jennings, Volpe, Carey, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERVISOR’S DEPARTMENT BUDGET MODIFICATION:
MOTION offered Councilman Jennings 2nd Councilman Howell to approve the following:
Increase revenue A4089 Other General Governmental Aid (Grant) by $8,919.79 AND
Increase expense A1620.4 Buildings Contr. by $8,919.79.
All in favor: Howell, Jennings, Volpe, Carey, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO ACCEPT RESIGNATION FROM POLICE OFFICER MATTHEW REILEY:
MOTION offered Councilman Jennings 2nd Councilman Furman to accept resignation from Police Officer Matthew Reiley effective November 1, 2019. All in favor: Howell, Jennings, Volpe, Carey, Furman; carried.
THRALL LIBRARY:
Supervisor Volpe reported that the number in the 2020 budget for the Thrall library is going to be a little different since he received correspondence with the actual cost for 2020 will be. Initially, he put $2075 in the budget. Their number is $2072.76 which will be rounded and corrected in budget to $2073.
MOTION TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Carey to approve Abstract #31 & Abstract #32:
Abstract 31:
GENERAL A: #634-656 $ 21,235.45
GENERAL B: #82-83 $ 2,095.00
HIGHWAY: #139-144 $ 4,461.28 AND
Abstract #32:
GENERAL A: #657-662 $ 16,127.20
GENERAL B: #84 $ 14.40
HIGHWAY: #145 $ 14,473.76
SEWER: #89 $ 4,000.00. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Furman, Volpe; carried.
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MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Jennings to enter into executive session at 8:13pm to discuss police chief contract. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
MOTION TO RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION offered Councilman Furman 2nd Councilman Jennings to reconvene regular meeting at 8:28pm. THERE WAS NO ACTION TAKEN IN THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Furman, Volpe; carried.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE POLICE CHIEF CONTRACT:
MOTION offered Councilman Jennings 2nd Councilman Furman to approve the Police Chief contract as presented. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Furman, Volpe; carried.
SENIOR CENTER RENTAL CONTRACT:
Supervisor Volpe asked the town clerk to email/hard copy the board members with the current senior center rental contract for their review.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Kevin Walsh (Hidden Valley resident): was hoping Mr. Hassenmayer was here. He’ll say the same thing as if he was here or not. We have an issue that I’ve spoken with him about a couple times. Hidden Valley was repaved a couple years ago. Nice job; good idea. There was a problem with the manhole covers being too recessed in the ground. We don’t have any lighting there except the corner on the main road. If you’re walking at night something could happen. It’s a safety issue. I’ve spoken to Mr. Hassenmayer. We’ve spoken about 3x since spring 2018. He was always a gentleman. The manhole covers are too recessed. Mr. Hassenmayer didn’t disagree there was a problem. Mr. Walsh spoke to him about putting rings underneath & that would raise the manhole covers. Mr. Hassenmayer said that wasn’t feasible thing because it would cause a problem with the plows. He said he would something by August 2018. Mr. Hassenmayer told him they would cover the holes because they don’t open them that much and if they would need to open them – he would open them. That came & gone. Spring 2019 Mrs. Walsh called him and Mr. Walsh called him. He agreed there was an issue and he would address it. Nothing’s happened. He got an award so he must be doing something right and nothing against him. Mr. Walsh wants this to be addressed before somebody gets hurt. He’s putting the town on notice that this is a safety issue. If there’s a law suit – that may be enough for a notice of claim. The town is on notice. You can’t be sued unless you have notice. He really wants something to be done about this. Councilman Carey added that he and Councilman Furman were over – we talked to you about this. We took pictures. You’re not the only one in Hidden Valley that has the problem walking. He doesn’t know that asphalt is available at this time. We took pictures and we will follow up with him about it.
Diane Loeven reported there will be a senior trip on October 29th to the Poconos for Octoberfest. Also, Hometown Helpers is partnering with the Catholic Church to provide meals for Thanksgiving for homebound seniors. If you know anyone who has a need for the meal for Thanksgiving, let us know. We usually deliver between 25-30 meals.
TOWN BOARD COMMENTS:
Councilman Carey: Keep Rev. Farley in your thoughts and prayers. He’s in the Bronx waiting on cardiac bypass. He added that Duane Dolson (“Sarge”) has passed. Trustee Loeven: he was an Otisville resident for 40 years.
Councilman Furman spoke re: FOTOS Holiday Swap-n-Shop – October 25th is a drop-off date; 5:00-6:30pm. This is for any new or gently used children’s clothing/toys will be accepted.
Councilman Jennings: Lions Club basketball sign-ups Oct 29 & 30 next week at Otisville School from 6-8.
Supervisor Volpe: followed up with Councilman Carey & Furman that they will get pictures to Dean. Councilman Carey: yes. Supervisor Volpe will work with Paul on the signs. Councilman Carey asked what’s going on with the bump on Rte 211. Supervisor: it was supposed to be done already. It won’t be done until spring.
MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION offered Councilman Howell 2nd Councilman Jennings to adjourn the meeting at 8:40pm. All in favor: Howell, Carey, Jennings, Volpe, Furman; carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 7, 2019 (due to Election Day) at 7:30pm in the town hall meeting room.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk
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