Minutes of the regular Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, August 12, 2008, at 7:00 PM, at Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Paul R. Martin, Marcy A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Absent: Robert M. Biesemeyer, Member of Council. Also present were: 3 residents, 1 resident/Member of the Press, Wendy Reynolds, Clerk to the Supervisor and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM and invited those present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Resolution No. 144 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Minutes of the Town Board Meeting held July 8, 2008, be accepted as presented. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Privilege of the floor was offered.
Jean Clifford gave an update on the Golden Peaks activities. She said they had been on 2 berry picking trips and were scheduled to go to the Office of the Aging next week, and also on a Raquette Lake Cruise and to the Sagamore. She said some activities like walking and the osteo classes had gone on through the summer.
She said that the group had sold 300 cookbooks and that they had another 200 to go.

There was a brief update on the cemetery wall project.
Mr. Ferebee said things have gone nicely and that Mr. Graham said he would finish next week, though Mr. Ferebee said he thought it would be the week after.

The next discussion was in regards to the Holt House project.
Mr. Ferebee said the back porch and deck project is complete.
Mr. Jaques said that Charlie Segard, the Contractor, had run into rot in the wall and had done a very good job.
Mr. Ferebee said he was planning to meet with Lauren Murphy, the Project Administrator, tomorrow.

Mr. Ferebee said he needed a resolution to accept Paula McDonough’s letter of retirement resignation, effective July 31, 2008 and a resolution appointing Wendy Reynolds.
Mr. Martin said the Town Board needs to talk about doing something for the retirees who have retired since the last acknowledgement in the 1990’s.

Resolution No. 145 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, to accept Mrs. McDonough’s letter of retirement resignation from her position as Clerk to the Supervisor/Data Processor, effective July 31, 2008. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Resolution No. 146 – 08
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that Wendy Reynolds be approved to be hired as Clerk to the Supervisor. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Resolution No. 147 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept and authorize the 2008 Budget Calendar as worked up in the office, this schedule is attached to and made a part of these minutes. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that the September Town Board Meeting would need to be rescheduled from Tuesday, the 9th, to Wednesday, the 10th, due to a conflict with Primary Day.

Resolution No. 148 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that due to the mileage reimbursement rate increase set by the IRS, the Town of Keene adopt their new rate of .585 cents per mile, effective July 1, 2008. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Mr. Ferebee said he needed a resolution authorizing him to enter into an agreement on the High Peaks Byway Community Traffic & Safety Improvement Grant. He said this grant is a non matching grant to make improvements to pull off areas from the start of Route 73 through the Cascade Lakes. He said some of the existing areas would be improved and some would be closed.

Resolution No. 149 – 08
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board give authorization for William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, permission to enter into a contract with the NYS Department of Transportation for a NYS Scenic Byways Program Project, called “High Peaks” Byway: Community Traffic and Safety Improvement, Project PIN # SB99.08.321. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The next discussion was in regards to the vegetation growing near the Giant Mountain parking lot which blocks traffic when pulling out of the lot.
Mr. Ferebee said he would talk to someone about this.

Mr. Ferebee said a resolution was needed for two water rent changes:
Irene Riedl was charged for her apartment in Keene which has been empty all year as well as Lou Hamilton’s apartment in Keene Valley.
Mike Hartson, who was present, said he had shut off the water at his rental property in Keene last November and has not used any this year.

Resolution No. 150 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the aforesaid water rents charged to Irene Riedl, Lou Hamilton and Mike Hartson be rescinded. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Resolution No. 151 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that authorization be given to change the signers on the Town Accounts from Paula McDonough to Wendy Reynolds. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Resolution No. 152 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that Paul Martin be recognized and thanked for all the work he has done to bring together all the Bicentennial activities. This resolution was unanimously seconded.

Mr. Martin said he would be going to the Essex County Fair this week to distribute information on the Town history and would taking along some of the merchandise for resale.
He thanked Martha Allen for her participation covering the Bicentennial Events.

Resolution No. 153 – 08
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 153 – 08, a Resolution Borrowing Funds. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

It was suggested that the Affordable Housing Committee advertise their informational pamphlet available at the Town Hall on Channel 6.

Resolution No. 154 – 08
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 154 – 08, a Resolution Transferring Funds. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

Resolution No. 155 – 08
Mr. Ferebee offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board enter into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The Town Board entered Executive Session at 7:21 PM.

Mr. Jaques participated in the first part of the Executive Session and left during a part in which there is a conflict. At this time, Mr. Jaques signed the bills for payment and left the meeting.

Resolution No. 156 – 08
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board reconvene into regular session. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent at this time

The Town Board reconvened into regular session at 7:50 PM.

Resolution No. 157 – 08
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Supervisor’s Monthly Financial Statement for July and file it with the Town Clerk. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent at this time

Resolution No. 158 – 08
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: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent at this time

General Fund bills No. 375A – 451 $99,450.78
Highway Fund bills No. 124 – 142 36,052.54
Library Fund bills No. 59 - 69 1,537.52
Water Dist. #1 bills No. 42 - 47 755.47
Water Dist. #2 bills No. 52 - 58 1,192.11
CPF – WD#2 No. 8 - 10 9,074.12
CPF – HG/MF No. 1 6,223.55

Resolution No. 159 – 08
Mr. Ferebee 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: Absent
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent at this time

The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
August 15, 2008

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