Minutes of the Bi-monthly Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, June 27, 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 A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Also present were: Ron Briggs, Town Attorney and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.

Mr. Ferebee explained to the Board that the name “Cascade Way” previously selected for a private road off Route 73 in Keene was not acceptable to E911, so the property owners have now asked for the road to be named “Hedgehog Way”.

Resolution No. 153 – 06
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the private road off Route 73 in Keene near Nordic Run Way be named “Hedgehog Way”. 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, as discussed, he had met with Mike Carr from the Nature Conservancy regarding a payment in lieu of recognition of their tax exempt status. He said that they will not negotiate with the Town and talk finances until a contract is signed. He suspected the amount they may be thinking is much less than the Town, he is thinking they might be talking a payment as low as $2,000.
Mr. Briggs filled in saying they are looking for the Town to recognize their tax exempt status. He said this should be done quickly, today being the 27th of June and the final tax roll coming out on July 1st. He said the Town would have a 30 day window to have the work finalized.
Mr. Biesemeyer felt the Nature Conservancy may be willing to work this out since they don’t like bad publicity, he said if not, it’s not that big of an expense and maybe they should be left on the tax roll and forced to defend themselves and see what the court decides.
Mr. Jaques agreed.
Ms. Neville pointed out the situation in Keene is different then in some other Towns where the Nature Conservancy owns land, she said this is where their main building is.
Mr. Briggs said he suspected we could force their hand.
Mr. Ferebee asked for clarification on what the Board wants to do, he asked if they wanted to tell Tony to leave them on the 2007 Tax Roll for now. Mr. Biesemeyer and Mr. Jaques said yes.
Mr. Martin said he thinks they may be forced to agree to a payment of 7 or 8 thousand dollars.
Mr. Briggs emphasized the time restraint the Town has and suggested ending this issue with the Town Board going to the Nature Conservancy Board with an offer to remove them from the tax roll, relieving the court and lawyer fees resulting from this issue year after year, in exchange of a $10,000 payment. He said that the School and the County are bound by the Town decision, the Town being the assessing agent.
Ms. Neville and Mr. Biesemeyer suggested asking $5,000, in lieu of the recognition of their Tax Exempt Status, and getting this matter over with.
It was agreed by the full Board that Mr. Ferebee meet with Mike Carr, on behalf of the Town, and offer an agreement for $5,000.

The next discussion was in regards to the fireworks display at the AuSable Club. It has come to the Town’s attention that as a municipality the Town is required to authorize a permit for fireworks display.
Mr. Briggs explained that the organization or individuals displaying fireworks will need to apply for a permit to the municipality and that the permit will be executed by the Fire Chief in the District in which the display will occur.

Resolution No. 154 – 06
Resolution allowing the Town of Keene to act as permit agent for fireworks display. Motion by Mr. Martin, seconded by Ms. Neville. Roll Call Vote: 4 yes w/Mr. Jaques abstaining. (The official resolution, when received from the Town Attorney, will be attached to and made a part of these minutes.)

Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that the 2006 Youth Commission Director had resigned and that a new director had been hired. He said Mareva Nettles, an English Teacher from Westport was hired.
He also informed the Board that 3 of the Youth Commission Board Members had resigned.
Mr. Biesemeyer agreed to temporarily serve on the Youth Commission Board as the Town Board Representative.
It was discussed that changing the term length from the current length of 5 years to 3 years may make it easier to find people willing to serve.

The next discussion was in regards to the sidewalk/proposed curbing issue in Keene Valley.
Mr. Ferebee reminded the Board of the meeting tomorrow night with the adjoining property owners.
Mr. Martin gave measurements of how much extra property would be impacted to add curbing using 3 foot and 4 foot sidewalks.
Mr. Biesemeyer asked if it was possible to funnel from a 4 foot sidewalk down to a 3 foot sidewalk and back in areas necessary.
There was a brief discussion regarding the width of the right of way. Ms. Neville said she had a letter from Mr. Manning and would share it with those that did not have one.
Mr. Jaques said he had a hard time voting for something that he knew a lot of people are against.
Ms. Neville and Mr. Martin both disagreed saying that the people had not been given the right information.
Mr. Jaques asked if this would come to a public hearing and was answered yes, after tomorrow night’s meeting with the land owners, if accepted, it would than go to public hearing.
Mr. Jaques said he wants to hear what the people think.

Resolution No. 154 – 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 Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

General Fund bills No. 351 – 377 $18,763.86
Highway Fund bills No. 103 – 112 9,125.17
Library Fund bills No. 57 - 62 3,287.80
Water District #1 bills No. 56 - 62 1,593.83
Water District #2 bills No. 52 - 57 3,953.33
CPF – Water District #2 No. 19 - 20 4,944.05

Resolution No. 155 – 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 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 6:28 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
July 3, 2006

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