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Minutes of the regular
Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at 7:00 PM,
at the Keene Town Hall. The following Board Members were present:
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Marcy Neville and Lawrence
Jaques, Members of Council, Paul R. Martin and Robert M. Biesemeyer,
Members of Council, arrived late. Also present were: 4 residents,
1 resident/Member of the Press, Ron Briggs, Town Attorney,
Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.
The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at
7:05 PM and invited everyone present to join in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
Resolution No. 75 – 07
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the Minutes of the Town Board Meeting held
February 13th, the notes from the Bid Opening on February
22nd, the notes from the Surplus Bid Opening held February
27th and the Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting
held February 27th, all be accepted as presented. This resolution
was seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent at this time
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent at this time
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Mr. Ferebee said that a motion was needed to appoint the
new Planning Board Members.
Resolution No. 76 – 07
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that Ron Hall be appointed to the Planning Board,
filling the opening to expire December 31, 2012 and Brian
Crowl be appointed to fill the opening to expire December
31, 2007. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent at this time
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent at this time
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Resolution No. 77 – 07
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that a Highway Permit be authorized for the annual
Run for Hope to be held on March 24, 2007, on Routes 73 and
9N between the Elm Tree Inn in Keene and the Elizabethtown
Town line. Be it further resolved, that the permit fee be
waived since the event is not for profit. This resolution
was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent at this time
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent at this time
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Resolution No. 78 – 07
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that at their request, the Farmer’s Market be
allowed to operate on Marcy Field, on Sundays from June 10th
to October 7th. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent at this time
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent at this time
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Resolution No. 79 – 07
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that at their request, the Present & Past
Masters and Wardens Association be allowed to use Marcy Field
on Saturday and Sunday, July 21st and 22nd, to hold their
annual Craft Fair. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent at this time
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent at this time
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Resolution No. 80 – 07
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that a Highway Permit be authorized for Keene
Fitness to hold a run/walk from Keene to Keene Valley on Saturday,
May 26th, using the Hulls Falls Road, the bike path, Airport
Road, etc., and Route 73 when necessary. Be it also resolved,
that the permit fee be waived, since all proceeds will be
donated to the Keene Central School. This resolution was seconded
by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent at this time
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent at this time
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer arrived at this time.
Mr. Ferebee asked if anyone from the floor had anything to
add.
Louise Gregg said that Anitra Pell asked her to pass along
her concern that the Water Districts do not test for salt.
Mr. Ferebee said that this issue is being addressed, he said
that although the NYSDOH does not require testing for salt,
the Town will have it tested when the water samples are submitted
next month.
Ms. Neville asked if there was a chance that the 2000 Essex
County Recycling Guide could be updated.
There was a discussion regarding the acceptance of a larger
variety of recyclables, Mr. Ferebee said the reason this is
not expanded is the low volume taken in.
Ms. Neville asked to have 200 copies of the guide available
for a meeting she is working on for April 14th.
The next discussion was in regards to the Bulky Days planned
for April 18th, 20th and 21st.
There was discussion about allowing things to be brought early
in case other people wanted to look it over and throw away
anything left over during bulky days.
Ms. Neville said she would like to see a pole barn to use
from one bulky day to the next.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that the project of moving
electric poles is coming along. He said that Market Street
is done, except for Verizon moving their lines and Route 73
may begin in a week or two.
He said there is transfer of funds, to be paid back when the
grant funds are received, to cover paying NYSEG and Verizon.
Resolution No. 81 – 07
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 81 – 07, a Resolution
Borrowing Funds. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached
to and made a part of these minutes.
Mr. Martin arrived at this time.
The next discussion was regarding the Assessor vacancy.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that the term on this position
expires on December 31, 2007. He asked the Board whether they
wanted to appoint an individual to this position or to wait
for elections this fall.
Mr. Biesemeyer said he was in favor of making an appointment.
Mr. Jaques suggested he was in favor of a paid hired Sole
Assessor.
Mr. Biesemeyer reminded the Board that they had received a
letter from the State commending the Assessors for a good
job.
Ms. Neville and Mr. Jaques were not sure what exactly this
letter meant.
Mr. Martin said that though a paid sole Assessor may not be
the most appealing idea, it may be better to put trust in
the judgment of 4 Board Members and the Supervisor, than to
use the buddy system of elections.
Mr. Ferebee reminded the Board that the State had an incentive
when neighboring Towns share an Assessor.
Mr. Biesemeyer said he felt an opportunity was being missed
by not appointing an interested party to get the feel for
the job, he said he doesn’t see the down side.
Ms. Neville disagreed; she said this is a hot issue and would
like to see qualifications.
Mr. Jaques pointed out that a paid sole Assessor has to be
qualified the day they began. He pointed out that the 6 year
contract can be renegotiated each year.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested bringing Barry Miller, who is valuable
to Essex County Real Property and John Stack, who works for
the State Real Property to meet with the Board.
Mr. Martin said he felt that a paid sole Assessor, making
decent money would do a good job.
Ms. Neville suggested going down the road of a sole appointment,
and if no good applications are received than make no change.
Mr. Ferebee said that the feedback he hears from the other
Supervisors is that each Town has the same problems.
Mr. Martin said he would like to see a Sole Assessor with
a good paid clerk.
Mr. Jaques said he was disappointed that no progress has been
made and that there has not been enough discussion by the
Board on this topic.
Ms. Neville said it’s not black and white.
Mrs. Gregg asked if this topic had been voted on by the people
in the past.
She was answered yes, a few years ago.
Mr. Briggs said that in an assessment case he defended the
Town on, the records kept by the Assessors were impeccable.
Discussion on this topic was tabled at this time.
Resolution No. 82 – 07
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the Supervisor’s Monthly Financial Statement
for February be accepted as presented and filed with the Town
Clerk. 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. 83 – 07
Ms. Neville 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. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
General Fund bills No. 111 – 146 $24,707.87
Highway Fund bills No. 34 - 42 13,730.64
Library Fund bills No. 28 - 31 544.48
Water Dist. #1 bills No. 24 - 30 1,190.25
Water Dist. #2 bills No. 20 - 27 17,631.36
CPF – Water Dist. #2 No. 3 175.18
Resolution No. 84 – 07
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 Ms.
Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM.
Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
March 16, 2007
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson
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