May 26, 2009

 

 

Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, May 26, 2009, 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:  Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

 

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

 

Mr. Ferebee began by explaining to the Board that he had been instructed by the Town’s Bond Counsel that it was necessary to schedule a Public Hearing In the Matter of The Increase and Improvements of Water District #2.

 

Resolution No. 116 – 09

Mr. Ferebee offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin. Resolution No. 116 – 09, An Order Calling Public Hearing, In the Matter of the Increase and Improvements of the Facilities of the Water District No. 2, in the Town of Keene, Essex County, New York, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

 

Resolution No. 117 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the following bids for screened sand that were opened this morning:

            J-Mar Construction Co. @ $7.90 per cubic yard

            Dobie Bros. Inc @ $8.50 per cubic yard

and on recommendation of Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent, the bid be awarded to J-Mar Construction, the low bidder.  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. 118 – 09

Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that at the request of the Keene Valley Neighborhood House, authorization for the use of Marcy Field be given for their 2nd Annual Golf Ball Drop on Saturday, July 18th.  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. Ferebee informed the Board that Paula McDonough asked to have the 2009 Budget amended due to the high cost of fuel in 2008 not leaving the unexpended balance in the highway budget that was expected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resolution No. 119 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the 2009 Budget be amended by lowering the unexpended balance for the highway budget by $15,000, causing the following changes to be necessary under appropriations; General Repairs Contractual will be lowered $5,000 and Snow Removal Contractual will be lowered $10,000.   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

 

Mr. Ferebee said he had received a call from Christine Harper, who had submitted a letter of complaint back in March regarding the Dog Control Officer.  The Board all remembered Mr. Ferebee discussing this with them.

Mr. Ferebee explained that Ms. Harper’s complaint was that the DCO does not respond to her calls concerning the neighbor’s dogs.  He said the DCO’s reason for not answering was the unfair treatment she received from prior calls to this individual.

There was a discussion among the Board concerning an incident in which the DCO informed the owner of a cat that she has the right to shoot a dog that attacks it.  The Board felt that sometimes the laws shouldn’t be shared.

Mr. Jaques said during any experiences he has had with Ms. Tillema, she had been very helpful. 

Mr. Ferebee said that Ms. Harper has asked to come to next month’s meeting.

 

Mr. Ferebee recommended to the Board that the water rent for users in Water District #1 be lowered from $475.00 to $400.00, saying that at this new rate there would be $17,500 left after expenses.

Mr. Ferebee said that the charge for Water District #2 users will be discussed soon, when the grant information is received.

 

Resolution No. 120 – 09

Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the water rent charge for users in Water District #1 be set at $400.00 per residence for 2009.  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 a discussion regarding the situation at the municipal parking lot in Keene Valley.

Since the decision to treat the parking lots with dust control a letter was received from Dick Hall saying he would pay to treat his lot and would like to keep the two lots connected for safety issues.

Mr. Ferebee said that the DeZalias’ do not want to burden the taxpayer.

Ms. Neville said that Mr. Hall will pay for his lot and the Town will pay for theirs.

Mr. Ferebee said the question is “Do we shut the opening between the lots?”

Mr. Biesemeyer felt the opening should be left open, Dick pay for dust control on his lot and the Town pay for it on theirs.

Mr. Jaques felt the opening should be closed off.

Mr. Martin suggested a barricade that can be moved by truck drivers to go through when necessary.

Everyone was in agreement that this opening was not meant to be used as a thoroughfare.

(continued)

 

 

 

 

Resolution No. 121 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that a temporary barricade be put up between the municipal parking lot and the back Valley Grocery parking lot to restrict general traffic while making it possible, for safety reasons, for truck drivers to get through.  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 – 09

Mr. Ferebee offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the Town Board enter Executive Session to discuss personnel.  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 Town Board entered into Executive Session at 5:58 PM.

 

Resolution No. 123 – 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. Ferebee.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                 Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:       Yes

Ms. Neville:               Yes

Mr. Jaques:               Yes

 

The Town Board reconvened into regular session at 6:14 PM.

 

Resolution No. 124 – 09    

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the following bills be approved for payment, including those that were pre-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. G214 – G235                 $18,040.13

Highway Fund bills             No. H73 – H79                        17,386.83

Library Fund bills                 No. L48 – L53                              738.41

Water Dist. #2 bills               No. KV28                                        15.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resolution No. 125 – 09

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 Mr. Martin.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                 Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:       Yes

Ms. Neville:               Yes

Mr. Jaques:               Yes

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 PM.

 

 

                                                                                    Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk

                                                                                    May 29, 2009

 

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor

Paul R. Martin, Councilperson

Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson

Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson

Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson