February 10, 2009
Minutes of the Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, February 10, 2009, at 7:00 PM, at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Absent: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor. Also present were: 3 residents, Debra Whitson, Town Attorney, Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.
The Acting Chairman, Mr. Martin, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM, inviting those present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Martin began by wishing Doug Whitney a happy 77th birthday. He said Mr. Whitney has been a Town Employee for 44 years.
Resolution No. 69 – 09
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Minutes of the Organizational Meeting held January 6, 2009, the Minutes of the Annual Audit held January 13, 2009, the Minutes of the regular Town Board Meeting held January 13, 2009 and the Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting held January 27, 2009, all be accepted as presented. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Mr. Martin opened the floor up for Privilege of the Floor.
Jean Clifford gave an update on Golden Peaks saying that WorkSource One would be coming to the Annex on Saturday, March 7th, from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM, to help qualifying individuals prepare their taxes for filing. She said anyone with questions could call her.
Resolution No. 70 – 09
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The Town Board entered Executive Session at 7:04 PM.
After a few minutes alone, the Board asked Doug Whitney to join them.
Resolution No. 71 – 09
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 Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The Board reconvened into regular session at 7:21 PM.
Mr. Martin informed the Board that Heather Morgan and Ed Palin would be representing Little Peaks at the next Town Board Meeting on February 24th although the rebuilding being planned for the building that houses the Town Annex is not being planned for another 3 years.
Mr. Biesemeyer said it was his understanding that Little Peaks planned to ask permission to use the Community Center for 1 more school year.
There was some discussion on other vacant buildings that may be considered as space for Town Offices, namely Mike Hartson’s rental property or the Methodist Church.
Mr. Jaques suggested a work session to get these ideas out.
Mr. Martin said the Board should continue to collect data for the February 24th meeting.
Resolution No. 72 – 09
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that at the request of Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent, the Town Board declare the Town’s 2002, 14 foot trailer surplus and put it’s sale out to bid. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Next, Mr. Martin read to the Board, a memo he had prepared regarding curbing.
In the memo, Mr. Martin suggested that the Board walk though Keene Valley on Monday while the holiday traffic passes through. He said he feels that the Town has a good shot at getting grant money for Water District #2 and felt that extending the planned curbed sidewalks would add to the security of the pedestrians. He said he was asking the Board to do some research to get a feel and, maybe, getting an estimate before saying no.
Ms. Neville said that she agrees with Mr. Martin on curbing, but said her concern is with delaying the already planned project. She said she has no problem with getting an estimate.
Mr. Jaques and Mr. Biesemeyer both said the Town has paid enough for estimates.
Ms. Neville suggested getting the planned curbing in and then work on extending it.
Mr. Reed said the Board should consider having something done with the cross walks saying they don’t work.
Mr. Martin finished by saying that curbing should be a Department of Transportation responsibility.
Mr. Martin informed those present that the Youth Commission Skating Party will be held Saturday, February 21st from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Community Center.
Ms. Whitson added that hot dogs will be served and individuals attending are asked to bring a dish to share.
Ms. Whitson also informed the Board that Youth Commission will be hosting a ski/tubing trip to Titus Mountain on Friday, February 20th. She said there is a cost to those attending and that permission slips are required, she said information is being sent home from school.
Mr. Reed informed the Board that there had been a water break in Keene Valley at Merle-Smith’s garage earlier today. He said that originally they thought this would be worked on again tomorrow, but it had all been taken care of today.
Water rent for that property was also discussed and will be looked into.
Next was a discussion regarding the Water District #2 Project.
Mr. Reed said that the 80,000 gallons of water saved per day after the last break was fixed has gone back up again.
Mr. Biesemeyer said maybe some money would be received for this project since it is shovel ready.
Mr. Jaques and Ms. Neville both said they didn’t think money would be available at the Town level.
There was a discussion about the project, the money needed and the condition of the existing system.
Ms. Neville said that she keeps asking for an update.
Mr. Jaques said he thought the Board had agreed to go out to bid on this project and that it was supposed to be bid in sections.
Resolution No. 73 – 09
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Monthly Statement of the Supervisor for January be accepted as presented and filed with the Town Clerk. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Resolution No. 74 – 09
Mr. Jaques 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. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
General Fund bills No. G48 – G69 $5,214.63
Highway Fund bills No. H17 – H25 5,163.66
Library Fund bills No. L11 41.91
Water Dist. #1 bills No. K6 – K8 96.16
Water Dist. #2 bills No. KV9 – KV10 771.72
Resolution No. 75 – 09
Mr. Martin 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. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Absent
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 PM.
Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
February, 12, 2009
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson