Minutes of the Bi-monthly Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at 5:30 PM, at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer (arrived late), Marcy Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Absent: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor. Also present were: Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

Mr. Martin, Acting Chairman, called the meeting to order at 5:37 PM.

The first discussion was concerned with the highway and water departments.
Mr. Reed was present and informed the Board that Chuck Venner had quit the highway department. He said he was a good worker and he hated to see him go. He said that Reggie Whitney, the Water Superintendent, is interested in the vacancy, and said that was good for him since Reggie would require no training and already held a CDL license. He said if this transfer was made, he would not leave the water department high and dry, though he said the Town may need to hire someone for water and maintenance.
Mr. Jaques said he would like to ask Mr. Reed a question and would like Mr. Reed not to answer now, but to think about it. He asked Mr. Reed what he would think if the Board asked him to oversee the water and maintenance.
Mr. Reed said he would not combine the highway with water, he said that a few years ago the Board offered him $12,500 to oversee the water and then one of the members questioned him on it and he resigned the position. He said he is not interested in getting calls concerning the water, he said the highway is running smooth and he would like to keep it that way, although he again said he wouldn’t leave the water department high and dry.
Mr. Jaques said that he would like to see a Department of Public Works that oversees everything.
Mr. Reed said he would only oversee maintenance if he didn’t have to check in with the Town Board before doing the miscellaneous small jobs he noticed needed attention.
Mr. Jaques responded that the Town Board always has final say.
Mr. Martin said that Public Works is a whole other thing. He said it has been looked into before and there is a whole file on it. He went on to say that there are two parts to the water department, the daily maintenance and the actual construction maintenance.
Mr. Reed said he would never jeopardize people not getting water.
Mr. Martin thanked Mr. Reed for his time.

Mr. Biesemeyer arrived at this time.

Resolution No. 66 - 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the books as audited and the Report of Receipts and Disbursements for monies collected in 2005 submitted by Ellen Estes, Town Clerk. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Resolution No. 67 - 06
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 67 - 06, a Resolution Transferring Funds. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

The next discussion was regarding the bids for a new production well for Water District No. 2 for use as a back up to the existing well.
Before the Board accepted the 3 bids and awarded the bid, they had some questions.
Mr. Jaques said he would like to know where the money to fund this project at this time is coming from.
Ms. Neville questioned the amounts for the planning, installing a berm and whether the bid price was a fixed fee if the driller came up with a dry hole.
Mr. Martin said he didn’t have the answers and would pass these concerns along to Mr. Ferebee.
This issue was tabled at this time.

Next was a brief discussion about the improvements made on the Lake Winifred Project (school pond).
Ms. Neville informed the Board that there is money left over in the Point Park Project, mainly from money donated to the Homer Boutte Fund. She said that the work there is done and that Alice Boutte has requested that the money be put into the work being done on the Lake Winifred Project.
Everyone was in favor.

Resolution No. 68 - 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the following bills be accepted for payment, including those that were post paid. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

General Fund bills No. 38 - 71 $22,672.39
Highway Fund bills No. 7 - 14 9,484.75
Library Fund bills No. 5 - 13 1,191.12
Water Dist. No. 1 bills No. 4 - 9 2,047.70
Water Dist. No. 2 bills No. 3 - 7 20,150.43
CPF - Riverside Park bills No. 1 6.65
CPF - Water Dist. #2 bills No. 2 - 5 26,105.25

There was a brief discussion regarding misinformation going around about the income limits for Affordable Housing. Ms. Neville said these limits had not been set and she would check into the guidelines on them.

Resolution No. 69 - 06
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that all business having been transacted, this meeting be adjourned. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
February 2, 2006

William Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy Neville and
Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council