Minutes of the regular Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at 7:00 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: 7 residents, Carol Treadwell, AuSable River Association, Debra Whitson, Town Attorney, Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and invited everyone present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Resolution No. 81 – 10
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Minutes of the Town Board Meetings held February 9th and February 23rd, be accepted as presented. 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

There were no updates, comments or questions for privilege of the floor.

Mr. Ferebee explained that Carol Treadwell from the Au Sable River Association was present to give a presentation that would parallel with the Winter Road Management Report distributed by Adirondack Action.
Ms. Treadwell began her presentation of “Water Quality and Economic Vitality” saying this was a 2 year study, the 1st year being conductivity and the 2nd year devoted to laboratory analysis. She said this year the analysis will be done. She said that the Au Sable River water quality is very good. She said for this study the water was tested at intermittent distances and where tributaries came in. She said the study suggests that road salt run off may be an issue, saying they would find out for sure this year when the analysis is finished.
Mr. Biesemeyer said this confirms the study done 20 years ago and said that New York State’s “clear” road policy is a big problem.
Ms. Treadwell said that Lake Placid is using a new product, “magic salt”, on the sidewalks around Mirror Lake. She also said that the State is coating their salt with magnesium chloride.
Mr. Ferebee said that the Supervisor at the State Shed told him that less of this coated salt needs to be used and that it was only $5.00 more per ton than regular salt.
Mr. Martin said the after the trouble the Town has already had with salt, they may be fortunate they moved their Water District wells to 9N saying the State had better get serious about salt usage and the aquifer.
Ms. Treadwell questioned whether it may be worth lobbying the State Legislature.
Ms. Neville said she would like to see this issue addressed by the Board and see organized lobbying saying she would be happy to lobby.
David Thomas-Train asked if there are other Towns affected.
Mr. Ferebee said he thinks the Board of Supervisors would move together to work with Betty Little and Teresa Sayward. He said he would like to see New York State use the “safe” road policy used by Vermont.
Mr. Reed said that his crew stops work during a storm at 9 PM and starts again at 3AM. He said sometimes it seems like they are using a lot of salt saying the problem is they need to have the sander turning to get up the hills. Mr. Reed also said that, although they don’t, a couple of years ago, he attended a seminar where they were encouraged to use 100% salt. He said they have put “catch basins” in near culverts for settling.

Ms. Treadwell said she had been informed they were doing that and said “thank you”.
Ms. Neville questioned whether the Board wanted to formulate a Resolution of Support for Adirondack Action. This was discussed; Ms. Neville, Ms. Treadwell and Mr. Thomas-Train will work on a resolution to be brought before the Board at the next meeting.

Mr. Jaques asked if anyone had been in about the Old Mountain Road issue.
Mr. Ferebee said no, saying he was working on the permit, to be ready for next fall.

Next was a brief update on the Court expansion project.
Mr. Ferebee said that JCAP is going to have grant funding available, with the application process being in August. He said the anticipated cost of the project is $60,000. He said he wasn’t sure if funding would be available if the project was already started.
The Board decided to wait a couple months to begin the project in case funding can be secured.

Ms. Neville said she wanted to let the Board know that she had submitted a letter to The Explorer asking the APA to allow permanent year round residents to develop 1 extra residential unit on their property, not to be subdivided or sold. She said she would like to see a broader discussion on this topic.
Mr. Ferebee said this would tie the hands of the taxpayer to not be able to sell.
Mr. Biesemeyer said it would make the property worth more.
Ms. Neville said some Towns already have this accessory structure law and explained that participants have to meet code.
Mr. Ferebee suggested Ms. Neville go to the Board of Supervisors for support.
Ms. Neville said she would do that after first talking to Vic Putman.

Resolution No. 82 – 10
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that bulky days be held at the transfer station on Wednesday, April 21st, Thursday, April 23rd and Friday, April 24th. 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. 83 – 10
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that authorization for a highway permit be given for the Great Adirondack Trail Run hosted by The Mountaineer, scheduled for Saturday, June 19th, with the fee waived due to its non-profit status. This resolution be seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The next discussion was in regards to a temporary laborer position for the Town.
Mr. Ferebee told those present that the Town Board would be hiring Brendan LeClair as a temporary laborer to fill Lance LeClair’s position while he is in National Guard Boot Camp. He said that Mr. LeClair will be hired at $11.31 per hour and that through a training program the Town will be reimbursed 100% of his salary for the first 4 weeks and 50% for the next two weeks.

Resolution No. 84 – 10
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board authorize hiring Brendan LeClair to the position of temporary laborer at the rate of $11.31 per hour. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Abstain

Mr. Jaques explained that he was abstaining from the vote since he was not at the interviews.

Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that Lauren Stack had requested changing Grievance Day for the Town of Keene to Thursday, her normal day scheduled to work in Keene.

Resolution No. 85 – 10
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that beginning on the Thursday immediately following the fourth Wednesday of May, the Town of Keene Board of Assessment Review shall meet to hear complaints in relation to assessments. 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

The next discussion was in regards to the Holt House Project.
Mr. Martin said the contractors are doing a good job, he said he has been working with them a little. He said he would like to see Lauren Murphy have a set time once a week to discuss with them what will be going on the next week and to see what was done the previous week.
Mr. Ferebee said she was there one day last week and again today.
Mr. Martin said he was looking for the plans and that he was hoping for a kitchenette to be included in the plans.
Mr. Ferebee said he would get him the plans.

Next was a discussion regarding the planned closure for the Moriah Shock Facility.
Mr. Biesemeyer said he has done some research on the impact of this closure and said that he would change his vote.

Resolution No. 86 – 10
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 86 – 10, a Resolution of Support Opposing the Closure of Moriah Shock Facility. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

Mr. Biesemeyer suggested that due to the Town of Moriah’s location on the shore of Lake Champlain, it would be wise to work on the development of tourism.

Mr. Ferebee said that in response to Ms. Whitson’s question about the bridge on Beede Road (on the approach to Rivermede Farm), he was there recently with DOT checking the bridge’s safety for weight limits for the trucks hauling rock for the Rivermede River Project. He did however say that replacement of this bridge, which is really just a culvert, is a later phase of this project.
Mr. Ferebee thanked Debra Whitson and Mike Hartson for 2010’s successful ski program.

Marie McMann asked if someone was coming back to clean up the piles of limbs cut away from the electric lines after the February’s snowstorm.
Mr. Ferebee responded that they would be back with a chipper.

Resolution No. 87 – 10
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 87 – 10, a Resolution Transferring Funds, Retro to 12/31/09. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

Resolution No. 88 – 10
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 88 – 10, a Resolution Changing Prior Transfers of Fund. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

Resolution No. 89 – 10
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Supervisor’s Monthly Statement for February, as presented, and have it placed on file with the Town Clerk. 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

Resolution No. 90 – 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. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

General Fund bills No. G79 – G100 $ 19,728.02
Highway Fund bills No. H22 – H32 6,248.81
Library Fund bills No. L22 – L26 692.70
Water Dist. #1 bills No. K8 – K11 729.62
Water Dist. #2 bills No. KV11 – KV13 133.88
CPF – Water Dist. #1 bills No. 7 – 9 194,778.46

Resolution No. 91 – 10
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 7:55 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
March 12, 2010
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy A. Neville and
Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council