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Minutes of the regular
Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, May 10, 2006, at 7:00 PM,
at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were
present: William B. Ferebee, Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer,
Marcy Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Also
present were: 4 residents, Donna Austin, Tax Collector and
Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.
The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at
7:03 PM and invited everyone present to join in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
Resolution No. 117 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.
Be it resolved, that the notes from the Assessor/Town Board
Roundtable held April 10th, the Minutes of the Town Board
Meeting held April 11th and the Minutes of the Town Board
Meeting held April 25th, all be accepted 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.
Louise Gregg asked how the Bicentennial Committee is doing
and what is happening.
Mr. Martin said he had had 5 responses from the seven letters
sent out inviting individuals to join the steering committee.
He said they would begin forming sub-committees. He said they
would be holding their first meeting of the Steering Committee
next week. He said he had a report ready to distribute at
their first meeting to be used as guide.
Mike Hartson asked how the meeting with the Assessors went.
Mr. Ferebee responded that it was informative and educational.
Jean Clifford gave a Senior Report for Golden Peaks.
She said that the center is open 3 days a week and that a
few people show up each time.
She said she was disappointed in the lack of attendance at
the tax rally held on Saturday. She said it was lead by John
Whiteman and that Betty Little was present.
Mr. Biesemeyer made the observation that he thinks meetings
are better attended at nights rather that weekends.
The next topic discussed was Water District No. 2.
Mr. Ferebee said he has a meeting with Brad Caswell, AES and
Ron Gill Well Drilling on Friday to finalize the plans for
the unproductive well.
He said that Ron Briggs is working to get a meeting together
with the property owner and adjoining property owners of the
proposed water tank site.
Mr. Ferebee said he is still hoping the project will break
ground this fall.
He said the contract still needs to be drawn up.
The next topic discussed was the request for a salary increase
by Donna Austin, Tax Collector.
She thanked the Board for giving her this opportunity to give
her tax collection report. She explained she was here to give
an update on the extra work and time that the installment
plan and month of April added to her workload. She said that
the extra hours during the month of April and the first week
of May had totaled 142 hours, she said for the season she
was at 551 hours to date amounting to $7.60 per hour at her
present salary of $4,185.
Mr. Ferebee said that in his research the only increase given
for this plan was $400 given in St. Armand and that the Town
of Jay plans an increase next year.
Mrs. Austin said she went to a Collector’s meeting and there
was a lot of complaining. She said only 4 or 5 of the Tax
Collector’s are part time and the rest are Town Clerks.
Mr. Ferebee pointed out that it’s additional work for them
also. He said that next year the County plans to prepare tear
off sheets and it will be less work for the Tax Collector.
He said he understood that this year being a trial year added
a lot of work.
Mr. Biesemeyer asked Mrs. Austin if $1,000 was her original
request and she responded yes.
Mr. Martin offered a resolution to pay the increase, Mr. Biesemeyer
seconded the motion, discussion continued. (Formal resolution
follows discussion).
Mr. Jaques said this was a 20% increase for a 20% increase
in work, but said he would like to see this type of report
given again next year.
Mr. Martin said if this increase is given and the work is
eliminated, the increase would be eliminated also.
Mrs. Austin asked if she would be expected to ask for this
increase again at budget time.
Mr. Ferebee suggested she should follow through at budget
time.
Mrs. Austin updated the Board on the timeline of this request
used this year prior to Election. She said she started the
process early but was not aware that the increase was not
given until after the process was over.
Mr. Jaques said the Board was not sure in the Fall how many
people would participate.
Mrs. Austin said she does a very thorough job which takes
more time and said that there are no guidelines as to how
to do the job.
Resolution No. 118 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that authorization be given to increase the Tax
Collector’s salary $1,000 at the request of the Tax Collector
for the additional work and time spent during the month of
April due to the new installment plan. This resolution was
seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: No
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Resolution No. 119 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that at the request of the Au Sable Valley Garden
Club, they be given authorization to spend $100 to buy plants
for inside the “watering tub” at the Routes 73 & 9N intersection.
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. Jaques asked if the mowing at the transfer station could
be held off since there may be wildflowers.
Mr. Ferebee said one side had already been mowed but they
would hold off on the other side.
Resolution No. 120 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.
Be it resolved, that the following two individuals be appointed
to the Summer Youth program at the following pay scale: Andrea
Hickey as an Attendant at $7.00 per hour & Becky Abbott
as a Lifeguard at $7.25 per hour, each girl will be given
a 25 cent increase for each certificate (RTE & AED) that
they may obtain. 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. 121 – 06
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the following two descriptions and salaries
be added to Resolution No. 29, the Resolution Fixing Salaries
of Town Officers, Officials and Employees:
Seasonal MEO/Laborer $14.16 per hour
PT Seasonal Floating Laborer 10.00 per hour
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. 122 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the private road off Route 73 near Nordic
Run Way be named Cascade Brook Way, a name that has been requested
by the property owners. 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. 123 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.
Be it resolved, that at the request of the Nature Conservancy,
a six member crew of AmeriCorps Conservation Associates be
given permission to camp on Marcy Field the evening of June
6th. 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
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that 3 of the picnic tables
at the pavilion are rotted and need replacing. He said he
had gotten quotes from 3 suppliers ranging from $175, assembled
and stained to $225, assembled and stained, using our stain.
Mr. Jaques asked if this was using pressure treated lumber
and was told no. His response was that he was not interested
if it was not pressure treated.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested looking into synthetic tables, he
said they are not that expensive.
Mr. Ferebee will do some research.
Mr. Jaques said he would like to open a discussion calling
for a Public Hearing in July regarding assessing issues, Mr.
Biesemeyer seconded the resolution.
A discussion followed, including the comparison of a Board
versus a Sole Assessor.
Mr. Biesemeyer said to be ready, that a Sole Assessor is paid
$15 per parcel, equaling a salary of $24,000.
Mr. Martin suggested having a preliminary meeting to get the
information ready for its presentation to the public.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested inviting John Stack from ORPS.
Resolution No. 124 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that a Public Hearing be held in July at Keene
Central School to hold an informed discussion regarding tax
assessing issues. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: No
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The next discussion was in regards to the money left in the
Hamlet Improvement Grant.
Mr. Ferebee said he had been in contact with Wayne Ryan regarding
the intersection/parking near the Town Hall and is waiting
to hear from Ed Hood.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested thinking about other projects in
case this one falls through.
Mr. Ferebee said that “Plan B” is curbing for Keene Valley.
Mr. Biesemeyer asked if funds could be used for junkyard clean
up on the byway.
Mr. Ferebee said he had explained the steps for junkyard enforcement
at the last meeting and said no one has submitted names in
writing to get this started.
Mr. Martin suggested preparing a list of options to accompany
letters going to property owners that need to clean up.
Mr. Jaques submitted a list on the spot of 4 property owners
he would like to see receive letters.
The discussion returned to Hamlet Improvement money and curbing.
Ms. Neville said she was interested in using this money for
traffic and pedestrian safety.
Mr. Ferebee said that Ed Hood had agreed to money being spent
on the purchase of curbing and the grading that would be required.
He said it makes a difference if curbing is going to be put
in with or without on-street parking. He said without parking
it would only make about a 8 inch difference from the existing
sidewalk, but with on-street parking it will make quite a
bit more difference with how far onto people’s construction
would go.
Mr. Biesemeyer said he sees the clock running out and the
Town losing the money.
It was agreed to continue to work on both projects, the sidewalk/curbing
issue in Keene Valley and the intersection/parking issue in
Keene.
Resolution No. 125 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the Board enter into Executive Session to
discuss personnel. 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 Town Board entered into Executive Session at 8:17 PM.
Resolution No. 126 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the Town Board reconvene into regular session.
This resolution was seconded by Marcy Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The meeting reconvened to regular session at 8:29 PM.
Following the job interviews for the position of Water, Buildings
and Grounds Person held on Tuesday night, the Town Board discussed
and agreed to appoint Ryan Estes to the vacancy.
Resolution No. 127 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Supervisor’s Monthly
Financial Statement for April and place it on file with the
Town Clerk. 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
Resolution No. 128 – 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 Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
General Fund bills No. 238 – 270 $18,174.90
Highway Fund bills No. 74 - 83 3,225.63
Library Fund bills No. 40 - 42 645.03
Water Dist. #1 bills No. 34 - 39 1,330.27
Water Dist. #2 bills No. 35 - 39 373.75
CPF – Hamlet Improvement No. 3 470.00
CPF – Water Dist. #2 No. 16 7,607.78
There was a brief discussion regarding a letter received
from Louise Gregg asking for zoning to be considered.
Mr. Jaques said he had been involved in an incident that
also involved Yvette Tillema, the Dog Control Officer, and
said that he would like the Board to know that she does an
excellent job.
Resolution No. 129 – 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: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.
Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
May 15, 2006
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy Neville, Councilperson
Larry Jaques, Councilperson
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