Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting held Friday, February 25, 2011 at 5:30 PM, at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Also present were: Bruce B. Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.
The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM.
Resolution No. 76 - 11
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that at their request, a Highway Permit, be issued to The Mountaineer for their annual Trail Run, to be held June 18th, from 10:00 AM to noon. Be it also resolved, that the fee be waived due to the fact that this is a charity event. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Resolution No. 77 - 11
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that at the request of Tom Both, permission be granted for the Annual Rutabaga Festival to be held on Marcy Field, Sunday, September 4th. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Resolution No. 78 - 11
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the 6 bids received and opened during a bid opening held Wednesday, for the purchase of a new 2011 19,500 GVW Truck. Be it also resolved, that the bid be awarded to the lowest bidder, Egglefield Ford, including the option for Stainless Steel Box at a total price of $54,637.00. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that 2 applications had been received for the advertised position of Sole Assessor. He said the applicants were Patti Osier, Assessor for Ticonderoga, and Donna Bramer, Assessor for Jay, Lewis and St. Armand. The Board instructed Mr. Ferebee to set up appointments for interviews, at which time the applicants may discuss their plans for employment. Mr. Ferebee said he would get the interviews set for next week in the afternoon.
Mr. Ferebee supplied the Board with 4 handouts regarding laws that govern a DPW. He suggested that the Board read them over before going into any discussion on the matter. He explained that one of these handouts explains the
(discussion continued)
requirement of having a Highway Superintendent and the possibility of having to have a Commissioner of Public Works. He said that another one is in regards to the general fund paying the highway for the clearing of sidewalks.
Mr. Reed said that the State had stopped paying for sidewalk cleaning years ago.
Mr. Martin pointed out that the Board is not looking to get rid of Mr. Reed; they are just looking for efficiency in combining duties.
Mr. Jaques added that someone in charge of a DPW could not run the highway like Mr. Reed does.
Ms. Neville said she agrees with Mr. Martin that this is not a witch hunt to get rid of Mr. Reed. She said she would like to read over this information before discussing the issue.
Mr. Ferebee asked if anyone had written down their thoughts on what they are looking for in a DPW. Ms. Neville and Mr. Martin gave him theirs.
Mr. Martin said he thought the first thing that needs to be done is to figure out every task, right down to cleaning bathrooms at the Community Center. He said he can see adding positions.
Mr. Reed pointed out that that would also be adding money. He also said when something needs to be done, it's him they already come to.
Mr. Ferebee said he had attended workshops on combining services.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that the Town had finally received an insurance check for the damaged handicapped ramp.
Resolution No. 79 - 11
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Supervisor's Monthly Financial Statement for January as presented and place it on file with the Town Clerk. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Mr. Ferebee pointed out that the format for this report has changed giving more detail. He also said from now on this report would be presented during the end of the month meeting saying the timing works better to have the figures in.
Resolution No. 80 - 11
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The Town Board entered Executive Session at 5:48 PM.
Resolution No. 81 - 11
Mr. Ferebee offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board reconvene into regular session. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The Town Board reconvened into regular session at 6:11 PM.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that it has been confirmed that the Town will be reimbursed $30,000 in grant funds for the Court addition. He said the funds should be received next month.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested letting the taxpayers know so they can know the bottom line on the addition and ramp was $70,000 less the $30,000 received back..
Mr. Ferebee said he would have Martha Allen write up something about it.
Resolution No. 82 - 11
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the following bills for payment, including those that were prepaid. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Multi-Fund Vouchers No. 85B, 122 - 158 totaling:
General Fund $107,919.48
Highway Fund 22,835.33
Library Fund 978.75
Water Dist. #1 Fund 4,466.22
Water Dist. #2 Fund 82.73
Resolution No. 83 - 11
Mr. Jaques 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: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM.
Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
March 1, 2011
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson