Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, March 28, 2006, 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 Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Also present were: Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent, Tony Goodwin, Assessment Review Board Member and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM.

The first discussion was in regards to CHiPs funding.
Mr. Reed explained to the Board that he would like to use the CHiPs funding to finish the work on the AuSable Road. He said the last two years the funding has gone to roads in Keene and this year he would like to use it in Keene Valley while staying away from roads that will be affected by the Water Project construction.

Resolution No. 95 – 06
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that authorization be given to sign the CHiPs Agreement to Spend Highway Funds on the AuSable Road. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Abstain

Next was a brief discussion regarding the Assessment Review Board vacancy.
Mr. Ferebee said he had received 2 letters of interest for this vacancy.
The Board was in agreement to set up two 15 minute interviews prior to the next Town Board Meeting.

The next discussion was in regards to the Tax Collector salary request.
Mr. Martin suggested giving her the $1,000 she asked for.
Mr. Ferebee suggested that Mrs. Austin come in and talk to the Board.
The Board had some disagreement on the time, etc. that this proposal was left at. The resolution will be checked and the matter rediscussed.

The next discussion was about Water District No. 2.
Mr. Martin said that information he received from Boyd Artesian Well Drillers informed him that the pump in the unproductive well is at a depth of 100 feet.
Mr. Jaques suggested having Ron Gill Well Drilling come and pull the Town’s pump, drop one lower and do a flow test to let the Town know exactly what they have.

Resolution No. 96 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town contact Ron Gill Well Drilling to have the pump in the unproductive well at Water District #2 pulled and have a flow test performed at a lower level. 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 was a brief discussion regarding the Water Dist. #2 Project.
Mr. Ferebee said that Wayne Ryan said the tank may not be ready for the start of the project. He said he told Mr. Ryan that the project wouldn’t start until everything was ready.

Tony Goodwin came in at this time and there was a brief discussion regarding the Assessment Review Board.
The Board informed him that they will be interviewing two applicants for the vacancy.
Mr. Goodwin gave the Board an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Assessment Review Board.

Mr. Reed said there are electric meters at both Water Districts that are no longer in use. He said there was pole damage during the last storm that will need to be fixed to leave them there. He also said that the Town is paying a monthly fee to keep these meters.
The Board agreed to have the electric meters pulled and the poles and lines removed.

The next discussion was in regards to the proposal to go out to bid on a truck purchase.
Mr. Ferebee asked for a resolution to go out to bid for the purchase of a new truck, but said this resolution was not authorizing the purchase.
Mr. Reed informed the Board that he had the truck he wants to trade checked over by the County and was told that the repairs to meet DOT regulations would cost in the neighborhood of $40,000 to $50,000.
Again, Mr. Jaques asked to have it clarified where the money for this purchase would be coming from.
Mr. Reed said its from the unexpended highway fund for 2005.
Mrs. Estes said it was her understanding that the unused highway fund goes into a time account and would be transferred into the 2006 Budget by amending the Budget.
Mr. Martin said he felt the Board anticipates this type of purchase from time to time.
Mr. Jaques said he had to oppose since he just didn’t understand where the money was coming from, he said everytime this is discussed he is told the money is coming from somewhere different.
Mr. Biesemeyer said the bottom line is that the Highway needs a new truck.

Resolution No. 97 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that authorization be given to go out to bid for the purchase of a new single axle truck. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Oppose

Resolution No. 98 – 06
Mr. Martin 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 Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

General Fund bills No. 169 – 187 $15,662.62
Highway Fund bills No. 50 - 57 5,809.29
Library Fund bills No. 28 - 31 1,368.62
Water Dist. #1 bills No. 23 - 25 377.66
Water Dist. #2 bills No. 22 - 25 405.65
CPF – Water Dist. #2 bills No. 9 - 11 18,085.09

Resolution No. 99 – 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 Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
March 30, 2006

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