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Minutes of the Town Board
Meeting held Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 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 Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of
Council. Also present were: 6 residents, including 2 residents
on the Board of Assessment Review, 1 Assessor and 1 Member
of the Press, Debra Whitson, Town Attorney and Ellen S. Estes,
Town Clerk.
The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at
7:02 PM and invited everyone present to join in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
Resolution No. 133 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Minutes of the
Town Board Meetings held June 10th and 24th, as presented.
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
Privilege of the Floor was offered.
Jean Clifford said there was nothing to report for Golden
Peaks.
Louise Gregg asked for updates on the following:
She asked if the conserve water in Water Dist. #2 was caused
by leaks, she was answered yes, and she then asked if this
would get the water project moving along quicker.
Mr. Ferebee answered that business to go out to bid would
be discussed later in the meeting.
She said she was glad to see work being performed on the
cemetery wall at Norton Cemetery.
She said the archives needs someone to help do the I.D.s
for the film from the Memorial Day parade.
She asked what had happened to the efforts regarding the
Town junk ordinance.
Mr. Ferebee and Mr. Martin said people have been removing
junk.
She asked if the people with meadows along Route 73 could
be encouraged to plant them to wheat, that way they could
be mowed for profit and save the views.
She said she wanted to say thanks to Bruce and the highway
crew for their help with the building and placement of the
planter boxes around Town.
She said she would like to see something done so that interesting
old historic buildings around Town will not be destroyed.
She commented that there are a lot of dogs around Town that
are allowed to run lose.
She asked if something can be done about all the poison ivy.
Ms. Neville said she had just looked into this and there are
no good solutions, she said the preventions are worse then
the poison ivy.
She asked about the absence of the speed sign in Keene Valley,
Mr. Ferebee said it is in Texas being repaired.
Mrs. Gregg also asked if the Bicentennial Committee would
be selling blankets with local pictures on them, she was answered
no.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that a check from the Nature
Conservancy in the amount of $5,000 has been received for
the payment in lieu of taxes (P.I.L.O.T.) program. He explained
this is an agreement to keep the Nature Conservancy off the
tax roll, which will reduce court costs. He said this will
be an annual agreement/payment each June.
Resolution No. 134 – 08
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.
Be it resolved, that at the request of Constance Hickey, Town
Justice, authorization be given for her to apply for a no
match grant for the purchase of a copier and fire proof cabinet
for the Town Court. 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. 135 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the William Ferebee, be appointed Marriage
Officer through the duration of his term as Supervisor, to
expire 12/31/09. 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. 136 – 08
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.
Be it resolved, that at the residents request, the private
road leading into the properties of Paul Vincent and David
Deyo on Route 9N be named Granite Hills Way. 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 that the following water users have
asked for changes on their water bills;
Ronnie Purdy has brought it to the Town’s attention that the
water at the Elm Tree Inn was shut off at his request in the
late fall/early winter,
Ernest Joanette has reported there is no water in the cabin
on the property of his residence, and
Jerry Smith has notified the Town that he has two vacant lots
in the trailer park.
There was discussion regarding whether anyone in the Water
District should be charged. Mr. Jaques thought that it was
policy for anyone in the district to pay, Mr. Biesemeyer explained
it was user fee.
Mr. Ferebee said Water District #1 is an ad valorem district
and Water District #2 is a benefit district.
Resolution No. 137 – 08
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the following water rent changes be made:
The Elm Tree Inn charge be rescinded and changed to a shut
off only, the charge for the cabin on Joanette’s property
be rescinded as well as two of the lots removed on Jerry Smith’s
water rent bill.
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
Ms. Neville said she was hoping Bruce Reed would be here,
she said that since so many people walk the loop around the
Hulls Falls Road, she has been asked and wanted to request
that the flowers and plants along the road be allowed to finish
blooming before being cut down. She said this was an issue
last year that upset people and she has been told they are
going to circulate a petition this year.
The next discussion was in regards to going to bid on the
Water District #2 improvement project. Mr. Ferebee asked for
the following bid:
Resolution No. 138 – 08
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.
Be it resolved, that authorization be given to go to bid for
the Water District No. 2 Improvement Project, with the award
of the bid upon the approval of the U.S.D.A. Rural Development
Grant of $500,000. 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
Next was an update given by Tony Goodwin, Chairman of the
Board of Assessment Review.
Mr. Goodwin began by saying that the meeting held to explain
the 15% increase in assessed value had been invaluable.
He said that during the grievance process 45 complaints had
been filed, he said 27 corrections were made by the Assessors,
leaving 18 individual grievances. He said the Board of Assessment
Review had reduced 6 of these with the Assessors approval
and 1 without Assessment approval. He said 1 complainant was
not happy and that one had submitted proof, but did not show
up on Grievance Day and would probably be contacting them.
The Town Board thanked the Board of Assessment Review for
a job well done, though under paid. Mr. Martin also thanked
the Assessors saying they had done a good job also.
A discussion followed regarding the 15% increase.
John DeZalia, a Member of the Board of Assessment Review,
said he was surprised after all the complaining that there
wasn’t more grievancing.
Resolution No. 139 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that recognition be given for all the work done
by the Assessors and the Board of Assessment Review. 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 said that he had received a request from Lance
Stover that if the Town plans to dispose of the signs that
were taken down to put up the bicentennial signs, he would
like one, he said his mother came up with the phrase “Home
of the High Peaks” in the 50s.
It was agreed that would be okay if the Town decides to get
rid of them.
Resolution No. 140 – 08
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.
Be it resolved, that the Town go out to bid on the purchase
and installation of an adequate wood fired furnace as previously
discussed for the Highway Garage. 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
The next discussion was in regards to the Holt House.
Mr. Jaques, who is overseeing the project, said he needed
clarification on decisions regarding the back deck, rails,
etc.
A lot of individual ideas were mentioned, in the end it was
decided a sketch was needed.
Mr. Martin said now was the time to get the water line into
the cellar, Mr. Ferebee mentioned the electric lines also.
Mr. Jaques asked the Board if it was okay for him to deal
with Charlie Segard on the small things, it was decided that
the Board would continue to have informal conversations as
questions arose.
One decision stressed was that the railings would be kept
simple, but not “stock”.
Resolution No. 141 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be
it resolved, that the Supervisor’s Monthly Report for June
be accepted as presented and placed on file with the Town
Clerk. 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
Next was a discussion regarding the cell towers.
Mr. Ferebee explained that Verizon’s application for Keene’s
tower is at the APA for review and that the only thing missing
is the balloon test. He said Verizon is back to looking into
the Neighborhood House as the location for Keene Valley.
Ms. Neville said she would rather see it at the Neighborhood
House where it will be in the pines as opposed to an open
field in a residential area like at the Fire Dept.
Resolution No. 142 – 08
Mr. Jaques 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. Ferebee.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
(list on following page)
General Fund bills No. 344 – 374 $10,612.49
Highway Fund bills No. 113 - 123 18,161.68
Library Fund bills No. 55 - 58 418.92
Water Dist. #1 bills No. 38 - 41 280.69
Water Dist. #2 bills No. 46 - 51 4,260.73
Mr. Martin said he would have a schedule ready by Friday
for the Bicentennial Celebration being held on Marcy Field,
July 26th & 27th.
Resolution No. 143 – 08
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 7:48 PM.
Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
July 11, 2008
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson
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