Minutes of the regular, Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 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 and Marcy Neville, Members of Council. Absent: Lawrence Jaques, Member of Council. Also present were: 3 residents, 1 resident/member of the press and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM and invited everyone present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The first discussion was in regards to the minutes of March 28th regarding the Water Dist. #2 Project. Ms. Neville felt that the minutes made it sound like the Town Board had made the definite decision to go ahead with the new storage tank as part of the project.
Mr. Ferebee clarified the issue saying “if we go that route” we wouldn’t begin until everything is ready. He also said we are still waiting for permits and that the bid is not out yet.

Resolution No. 100 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the minutes from March 14th Special Town Board Meeting, the minutes of the March 14th regular Town Board Meeting and the minutes of the March 28th Bi-monthly Town Board Meeting, all be accepted as presented. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent

Privilege of the floor was offered, there were no comments or questions.

The Board discussed the Water District #2 situation regarding the unproductive well.
Mr. Ferebee updated those present saying that the Board had decided to have Ron Gill Well Drilling pull the pump and measure its depth, drop in their own pump and perform a 72 hour pump test, reinstalling our pump when they are finished. He said their quote for this service is $4,940.00, he said if the Town does any of their own monitoring, we can save $55.00 per hour.
Everyone agreed this sounded good.

Resolution No. 101 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, at the request of the Adirondack Women in History, permission be granted for them to use Marcy Field on August 26th and 27th to host their Annual High Peaks Arts and Antiques Show. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent

Resolution No. 102 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that at the request of the Adirondack Mountain Club, permission be given to use Marcy Field on May 2nd and 3rd (w/the 4th as a rain date) to hold their annual fly-in of supplies to Johns Brook Lodge. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent

Resolution No. 103 – 06
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the application for a Highway Permit for July 23rd, received from Ironman Lake Placid be accepted, and that a Highway Permit be issued with the condition that their proof of insurance is received. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent

Resolution No. 104 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that at the request of E-911, permission be given to name a new private road off Adrians Acres Way “Bruins Bench Way”. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent

The next discussion was in regards to $2500 in grant funds received by the Library from Betty Little.
Mr. Ferebee said a request was made by the Librarian of the Peru Library, on behalf of the Clinton, Essex, Franklin Library System (CEF), for each recipient to donate $500 to help them out of debt. He said the Library Board for Keene’s Library voted to donate $100 and wanted to apply the rest toward next year’s budget.
Mr. Biesemeyer said he didn’t think the Board should be too stingy, he said it wouldn’t make a lot of difference anyway.
Ms. Neville also seemed to feel favorable to giving $500.
Mr. Martin suggested calling Betty Little and asking her opinion on what this money is for.
Mr. Ferebee suggested the matter be tabled at this time for further research.

The next discussion was in regards to the Sappah barn, an unsafe building on Route 9N.
Mr. Ferebee explained that the Board had decided to assist in the removal of this unsafe building and to re-levy the expense against the property to be paid back at the time of sale.
He said Essex County Public Works had agreed to tear it down and take away the debris for $1,229.
(continued)

He said he then talked to Ed Hood at the APA about the Hamlet Improvement Grant funds which were meant to be used on the scenic byway (Route 73). He said he told Mr. Hood that although this barn is not on Route 73, it is visible from Route 73.
Mr. Ferebee said that Mr. Hood then said okay to Hamlet Improvement Funds paying for this project. He said the County will remove it, the Town will pay the County and the APA will reimburse the Town.
Mrs. Estes asked if the expense will be levied against the property, Mr. Ferebee said no.

Resolution No. 105 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that authorization be given for Mr. Ferebee to sign the consent agreement with the landowner, Jon Sappah, to have the County remove his unsafe building with funds from the Hamlet Improvement Grant. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent

There was a brief discussion regarding the balance of the Hamlet Improvement Funds.
Mr. Ferebee said there is $136,000 that needs to be spent this year or lost.
He said he is working on crosswalks, etc.
There was a brief discussion on this.
Lorraine Duvall suggested a crosswalk across Hulls Falls between the Post Office and the “new” diner.
Mr. Biesemeyer said that would be a problem because of the intersection.

Mr. Ferebee said he had a request from Ray Thatcher at Essex Co. Emergency Services to put back a river & rain water monitor near the old Town Shed property.

Resolution No. 106 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that Essex Co. Emergency Services be given permission to put back a river & rain water monitor. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent

The next discussion was in regards to equipment at the Water Dist. #1 plant.
Mr. Ferebee said that Mr. Whitney has advised him that the chlorine analyzer and automatic phone dial-up are not working and need to be recalibrated before the “new” water person takes over. He said the technician needs to come from Syracuse at a cost of between $800 to $1200.

Resolution No. 107 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that Donna Combs be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Assessment Review Board. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville and Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent

The next discussion was in regards to the Town’s 200th Anniversary.
Mr. Martin said he had sent out letters to 9 prospective members asking them to join the Bi-Centennial Steering Committee. He said he had gotten a few responses.

Resolution No. 108 – 06
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Supervisor’s Financial Report for March, be accepted as presented and filed 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: Absent

Discussion returned briefly to Water Dist. #2.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that if it didn’t work out to begin the water project this year, it may not be so bad, he said there are grants out there that we may be able to apply for if the project gets delayed.
Mr. Martin asked for clarification whether the reestablishment of the existing well is going to be worked on now, he was given a positive response.

Resolution No. 109 – 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: Absent

General Fund bills No. 188 – 213 $ 5,785.60
Highway Fund bills No. 58 - 69 4,095.62
Library Fund bills No. 32 - 35 425.78
Water Dist. #1 bills No. 26 - 29 804.42
Water Dist. #2 bills No. 26 - 30 1,114.98
CPF – Water Dist. #2 bills No. 12 - 14 417.35

Resolution No. 110 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer 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. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent

The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
April 19, 2006

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