|
Minutes of the regular Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 7:00 PM, at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: Paul R. Martin, Deputy Supervisor, Robert M. Biesemeyer and Marcy A. Neville, Members of Council. Absent: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor and Lawrence Jaques, Member of Council. Also present were: 7 individuals (including 4 residents, 2 ECH Reps. (1 also being a resident) and 1 Resident Press Member), Debra Whitson, Town Attorney and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.
Mr. Martin, the Acting Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM and invited those present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Resolution No. 65 – 10
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Minutes of the Organizational Meeting held January 5th and the Annual Accounting and Bi-monthly Town Board Meeting held January 19th be accepted as presented and the Minutes of the Town Board Meeting held January 12th be accepted with the following amendment, requested by Ms. Neville, that during the discussion on water meters, she said that meters were the only fair way to charge and would discourage users from wasting waters. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent
Privilege of the floor was offered.
Jean Clifford gave a brief Golden Peaks update saying that they will be hosting a free tax preparation day on Saturday from 9:00 to 4:00 for individuals with an income of $49,000 or less.
She also said that on February 18th they will be hosting a $10.00 Chair Massage Event from 9:00 AM to noon.
Rod Bola was present to give an update on happenings at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital.
He said that since he was here a year ago, the hospital has finished their renovation and expansion project, that their campaign was successfully completed and that they had started a chemotherapy program with televised physician/patient technology. He said they had expanded their dialysis unit with 2 more stations bringing them up to eight. He said they had finished their first year at the Wilmington Health Center and that they have a great relationship with the Smith and Keene Valley Neighborhood Houses.
He said that they had started Mobile MRI and that something came up which took it away for awhile and that it would be available again soon.
He said changes coming in 2010 include IT upgrades for their computer records, the addition of cardiac rehabilitation and a weight loss program.
When discussing finances, he said this was down due to State funding on medicare.
He said they will be losing the VA Clinic in April, though he explained that it is really just a landlord/tenant relationship. He shared with those present a proposal that ECH is making to Congress regarding sustaining availability of healthcare service for rurally-located veterans, utilizing established systems and infrastructure. He asked the Town Board for a letter of support, which was received favorably.
The next discussion was in regards to the rejected Town septic project for Elizabethtown and the situation at ECH.
Jane Hooper, a ECH Public Relations Rep, shared information about free health screening at ECH on February 23rd.
The first topic discussed by the Board was a cemetery request made by Jerry Smith. Mr. Smith has requested permission to connect the Smith family lots by being allowed to use the walkways between three lots as a spot for two additional burials.
The Board discussed this request favorably, based on the location of the lots involved being on an outside perimeter, which does not encumber a neighboring family access to their lots.
Ms. Neville suggested that there should be a charge equivalent to the purchase of cemetery lots.
Resolution No. 66 – 10
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that at the request of Jerry Smith, permission be given to allow consolidation of adjacent Smith lots to allow up to two additional family burials at the rate of a single burial lot for each pathway involved. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent
The next discussion was in regards to the Town’s liability insurance.
Mr. Martin informed the Board that pricing information has been received for the Town’s upcoming renewal of liability insurance. He said Lee Pollock has informed Mr. Ferebee that that the same coverage as the Town has through Selective Insurance is available through U.S. Specialty Insurance at a savings of approximately 25%.
The Board agreed to go with U.S. Specialty after checking to see if any other Towns use this company and have had favorable outcomes.
Resolution No. 67 – 10
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that upon favorable findings, authorization be given for the Town to switch their liability insurance coverage from Selective Insurance to U.S. Specialty Insurance. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent
Privilege of the floor was offered to Louise Gregg.
Mrs. Gregg asked where the location of the proposed cell tower in Keene Valley was. She was told the proposed location is behind and to the left of the Neighborhood House.
She also said that her water smells funny and seems to be full of air.
Mr. Martin said he would have Kirk Bassarab come by to take a look.
Debra Whitson asked what would be going on with Rivermede Lane during the Rivermede River Project. She said she has heard talk and is concerned about getting in and out of her home.
Mr. Martin suggested waiting for an answer from Mr. Ferebee who just attended a meeting regarding this project.
Mr. Martin asked Scott Smith, the Deputy Highway Superintendent, to have the sidewalk from the Neighborhood House to the Post Office swept and raked after each plowing.
Resolution No. 68 – 10
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 68 – 10, a Resolution Transferring Funds (for 12/31/09). This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.
Resolution No. 69 – 10
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Monthly Statement of the Supervisor for January and place it on file with the Town Clerk. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent
Resolution No. 70 – 10
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the following bills be accepted for payment, including those that were prepaid. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent
2009 Bills
General Fund bills No. G631 – G634 $ 5,028.34
Highway Fund bill No. H206 100.00
Water Dist. #1 bill No. K61 28.50
Water Dist. #2 bills No. KV75 & KV76 153.50
2010 Bills
General Fund bills No. G18 – G55 $26,622.14
Highway Fund bills No. H3 – H17 23,492.76
Library Fund bills No. L7 – L18 3,881.71
Water Dist. #1 bills No. K2 – K6 306.84
Water Dist. #2 bills No. KV3 – KV8 1,508.11
CPF – Byways Project (Holt House) No. 1 of 2010 27,450.00
CPF – Water Dist. #2 No. 1 – 6 of 2010 42,227.03
Resolution No. 71 – 10
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. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM.
Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
February 12, 2010
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy A. Neville and
Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council
|