Minutes of the regular Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at 7:00 PM, at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Absent: Paul R. Martin, Member of Council. Also present were: 4 residents, 1 resident/member of the press, Ronald Briggs, Town Attorney 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. 87 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Minutes of the Emergency Town Board Meeting held February 8th, Minutes of the regular Town Board Meeting held February 14th and the Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting held February 28th, all be accepted as presented. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Privilege of the floor was offered.
Mr. Jaques said his wife wanted him to ask if the Town was going to pay for the plants for the planters this year. He was given a positive response.

Mrs. Gregg asked if there was anything new on the Bi-Centennial Committee.
Mr. Ferebee said that Mr. Martin had surgery and would not be here tonight and asked Mrs. Gregg if she would like to be on the steering committee.
She said she would be delighted to join the committee, she said she has lots of ideas.

The next discussion was in regards to highway equipment.
Mr. Ferebee explained that Mr. Reed had requested permission to go out to bid on a new single axle truck with box and plow. He said that Mr. Reed had left the Board information comparing the specs from OGS (State Contract) to M. A. Jerry’s.
Alan Carey said before the special discount there is just $150.00 difference.
Mr. Jaques said his problem is with the thought of this purchase and how it was presented. He said it was his understanding that any unspent money from one year to the next goes into the contingency fund for emergencies. He said he felt if this purchase was necessary it would have been in the budget. He said asking for an increase in excess of 10% was very misleading. He said he is against this purchase.
Mr. Carey asked if the funds had been placed against the highway contingency, there was some uncertainty as to the exact path these funds take.
Mr. Jaques responded that increases in the budget after the fact wasn’t right.
Mr. Ferebee suggested tabling this issue until Mr. Reed is present and he can inquire about the fund issues.
When asked, Mr. Briggs said that the Town Board makes the final decision on this request.
Mr. Biesemeyer said he was under the impression that these funds are not
earmarked for anything else.

Mr. Ferebee gave an update on the Rivermede Project.
He said he met with the involved organizations earlier and that the money issue has been explained to him, he said all the money for the project is in place. He said over $600,000 is coming from the Army Corp of Engineers and that funds are also coming from Trout Unlimited and the Kelsey Foundation.
He said the Town’s in-kind share will be the clerical work and materials.
He said that hopefully the project will happen in 2007.

Jean Clifford gave a Golden Peaks update.
She said the annex space is open 3 days a week.
She also said that there is a free tax preparation day coming up for Seniors, which is sponsored by volunteers. She said it would great if this could occur every year.

The next discussion was in regards to Water District No. 2.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that before a new well is drilled, Brad Caswell and Wayne Ryan have suggested removing the pump from the unproductive well, measuring the depth and performing a pump test to see if the problem is in the well itself.
If the well is the problem and a new one needs to be drilled, Brad Caswell, a hydrologist, will be on site to oversee the project himself.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that a Pre-Bid Conference for the Water Project will be held on April 7th.

Resolution No. 88 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that authorization be given to have Ormsby Well Drilling Co. (the low bidder on the new well bid) pull the pump from the existing well and perform a pump test on the well. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

A very brief discussion was held concerning the law suit that the Town of Jay has against Clough Harbor and whether the Town of Keene had a case for the bad design that was used on the previous water project for Water District No. 2.

There was a brief discussion on the Town’s 200th Anniversary.
Mr. Ferebee said he had no new information.
Jeanne Clifford said the letter Paul Martin was speaking of has been sent to Janet Hall.

Resolution No. 89 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that Bill Ferebee be appointed to Co-Chair the 200th Anniversary Steering Committee with Paul Martin and Janet Hall. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The next discussion was in regards to a request to use Marcy Field.
Mr. Ferebee said he had received a request from the East Branch Friends of the Arts to hold a Photography Show at Marcy Field the last weekend of August.
Mrs. Estes informed the Board that the Adk. Women in History usually hold their annual Arts and Antiques show that weekend and that the Friends of the Arts are willing to take the weekend before if necessary.
Resolution No. 90 – 06
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that permission be given for the East Branch Friends of the Arts to hold a Photography Show on Marcy Field the fourth weekend of August if there is no conflict with the Adk. Women, or the third weekend, if there is. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The next topic discussed was the matter involving the unsafe building on Route 9N.
Mr. Ferebee explained that 3 letters have been sent to Jon Sappah regarding this situation and said that no attempt at removal has begun, even though Mr. Sappah said he was going to.
Mr. Ferebee suggested having Mr. Briggs draft a letter informing the owner that the Town is going to tear this building down and levy the expense against the property.
Mr. Briggs said the letter will have to state that contents must be removed, or will be, and should spell out the cost per hour, etc.

Resolution No. 91 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that authorization be given for Ron Briggs, Town Attorney, to send a letter to Mr. Sappah informing him of the Town’s intention to remove his unsafe building and levy the expenses against his property. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The next discussion was in regards to the Water District Maintenance Operator position.
Mr. Ferebee explained to the Board, that Reggie Whitney, the current Operator, was moving to the Highway Department on May 1st, leaving this position vacant.
He said he had talked with AES Northeast about a maintenance contract for the daily operations of the Water Districts and that their contract price was a little out of the ball park at $16,000. He said he felt this was about $3,000 too high.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that in light of this information, he would suggest hiring a new individual to perform the duties necessary for the Water Districts and to also perform duties necessary as a Buildings and Grounds/Maintenance Laborer. He said Reggie Whitney would train this new person.
A part time person to help out with the operations on the weekends was also discussed, Mr. Ferebee said that Kirk Bassarab, who works for AES and lives in Town, may be willing to help out.

Louise Gregg asked if there was anything new regarding the Junk Law.
Mr. Ferebee said that Frank Slycord informed him that the APA may be willing to step in on this issue.

Resolution No. 92 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Supervisor’s Monthly 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: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Mike Hartson said he had a question about the speedboards.
He said he read on the calendar that the flashing light had to be disconnected and has noticed that they are flashing again.
Mr. Ferebee explained that he has learned that it is not illegal to have the light flashing at this slower speed.

Resolution No. 93 – 06
Mr. Ferebee 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: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

General Fund bills No. 135 – 168 $21,025.84
Highway Fund bills No. 36 - 49 5,888.54
Library Fund bills No. 23 - 27 635.60
Water Dist. #1 bills No. 20 - 22 231.48
Water Dist. #2 bills No. 19 - 21 88.35

Resolution No. 94 – 06
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: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
March 21, 2006

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson