Minutes of the Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 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: 5 residents, 1 member of the press, John Hudson, Building Code Officer and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.
The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and invited those present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Resolution No. 94 – 11
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Minutes of the Town Board Meetings held Tuesday, March 8th and Tuesday, March 22nd, 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
Privilege of the floor was offered.
Jean Clifford gave a brief update saying the Golden Peaks group has been sharing “Cabin Dinners” from Simply Gourmet. She said it is one of their goals to see the group eats well.
John Hudson gave a brief update on his Code Enforcement office. He said he is taking his last required class next week and will then be certified.
There was a brief discussion about the activity shown on Mr. Hudson’s March Report.
Mr. Ferebee congratulated Mr. Hudson on his recent appointment to the position of Town of Jay Building Codes.
Marcy Neville took this opportunity to inform the Board and Mr. Hudson that DEC has new regulations regarding outdoor wood burning furnaces. She said the full text could be seen on DEC’s website.
Donna Combs said she understood the Auditor from the State Comptroller’s Office had been back and she wondered if there was a report for the public to review.
Mr. Ferebee explained that the Auditor had called a meeting to review the confidential draft report. He said he has to return this draft with his comments to the Auditor by April 26th, at which time the Auditor will review his comments, and send his final report to Albany.
Mr. Ferebee said he understood there was concern about the unadvertised meeting last evening and said it was a closed confidential meeting called by the Comptroller’s Office.
Resolution 95 – 11
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that at the request of Donna Bramer, the Town’s Sole Assessor, Grievance Day be scheduled for the first Thursday in June, June 2nd. 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
There was a brief discussion regarding the retirement of Bernard Roy as Director of Essex County Real Property Tax Services and the appointment to that position of Charli Lewis.
Resolution No. 96 – 11
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board change the date of the May Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting from May 31st to May 24th and cancel the Bi-Monthly Meetings for June, July and August. 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
Resolution No. 97 – 11
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Keene/Location Code 3011901 hereby established the following as standard work days for elected and appointed officials and will report the following days worked to the New York State and Local Employee’s Retirement System based on the time keeping system records or the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the clerk of this body: Chart has been attached to and made a part of these minutes. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Ferebee.
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Resolution No. 98 – 11
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that at their request, the Town of Wilmington and Whiteface Mountain, be issued a Highway Permit for a foot race across the Bartlett Road, Lacy Road, section of Route 9N and the Styles Brook Road for Sunday, June 19th. Be it also resolved, due to the “Not for Profit” status, the fee be waived. 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
Mr. Ferebee explained to the Board that Tony LaVigne would like a resolution recognizing the need for no parking signs to be installed on Hurricane Road at the location of Katrina Taylor’s driveway.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested moving slowly, he said the parking for Crow Mountain is limited and said he felt some of this area is conclusive to parking. He said that some of the neighbors, the Andersons and the Bogardus’, like having the public access there even though it crosses their property.
Mr. Martin suggested looking into parking on a small field in the area, the other members did not think this was a good idea.
It was suggested that the County use good judgement in this matter.
Resolution No. 99 – 11
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board agrees to the need for no parking signs, due to visibility, at the end of the Taylor driveway, to be limited to 2 car lengths on each side of the driveway. 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
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that he had received a request from Amy Kosh to hold yoga classes at the Community Center on Monday nights. He said there would be no fee, a donation of $5 to $20 would be suggested, to purchase supplies for the class.
Mr. Biesemeyer wanted to have it clarified that this was not for profit saying otherwise this would not be allowed.
Resolution No. 100 – 11
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, as long as Ms. Kosh’s yoga classes are found to be “not for profit”, permission be given for use of the Community Center on Monday nights for this activity. 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
Mr. Ferebee gave the Board an update on the AMC Mobile Dental Lab.
He said he received notice that it was not going to be brought back to Keene and that after talking to people who had participated in its service, he went back to talk again with Dr. Hyson. He said they have now decided to keep Keene on their schedule for another year, but said there is a problem in finding a place suitable to locate the unit, accessible to power and bathrooms.
The Board agreed that it could be parked on Church Street, just past the Community Center, giving it access to electricity from the pavilion and use of the Community Center bathrooms.
When discussing the schedule, it appeared this service is in Keene on Monday and Tuesday of the third week of the month.
Resolution No. 101 – 11
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that permission be given for the AMC Mobile Dental Lab to park just past the Community Center on Church Street, making the Community Center bathrooms and power from the pavilion accessible. 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
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that construction on the cell tower in Keene Valley began about 3 weeks ago. He said it is his understanding that it usually takes about 8 weeks to be on-line.
Ms. Neville said she had a couple things that came up at the last Library Meeting. She said that although the request to have a cover built over the oil tank had been done, the dead bolts on the door have still not been done, nor has replacement of the septic system been done.
John Hudson said that due to Dept. of Health regulations, all new septic systems have to be engineered.
Mr. Biesemeyer said this would be a repair.
Mr. Ferebee said when it was dug up last summer, it was found that the problem was in the baffles, which can be watched more closely now. He did say he wouldn’t recommend overuse.
Mr. Biesemeyer said the only other alternative would be a holding tank.
Mr. Ferebee also gave a brief update on the food pantry saying they had requested an entry door be installed which would enable them to buy food for the pantry at cheaper prices.
Mr. Ferebee read an email he received from Mr. Durocher with the Postal Service regarding the postal situation in Keene Valley. This email indicated that there have been some interest/applicants for the establishment of a Contract Postal Unit there.
Mr. Martin suggested that for as long as the Post Office stays in the current location in Keene, flashing yellow lights should be placed at each end of the parking area.
Mr. Martin suggested not letting time slid by with this situation, saying that the Town could wind up with no alternatives for Keene Valley.
Mr. Ferebee shared a copy of last month’s Supervisor’s report saying if anyone had questions on the new format they can stop by the office and go over it one on one.
Mr. Jaques asked a question about the subtitles on the operating statement, Mr. Ferebee said he would check it out and get back to him with an answer.
John Hudson said he would like to see a change in Local Law No. 1 of 1993, adding an indemnification clause.
Mr. Ferebee said he would talk to the Town Attorney to see how this would be done.
Resolution No. 102 – 11
Mr. Biesemeyer 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. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Multi-fund Vouchers numbered 238 – 293 (no #240) totaling:
General fund - $22,992.67
Highway fund - 7,978.37
Library fund - 1,351.64
Water Dist. #1 fund - 1,046.86
Water Dist. #2 fund - 246.27
Resolution No. 103 – 11
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 7:45 PM.
Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
April 14, 2011
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson