January 13, 2009

 

Minutes of the Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 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 A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council.  Also present were:  2 residents, Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent, Wendy Reynolds, Clerk to the Supervisor, Debra Whitson, Town Attorney and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

 

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 6:52 PM and invited everyone present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Resolution No. 54 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the Minutes from the Town Board Meetings held December 9th and December 30th be accepted 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

 

During privilege of the floor, Mr. Ferebee commented that Jean Clifford was not present to give a Golden Peaks update.  (At his time Ms. Clifford had not arrived yet.)

Mr. Ferebee also said that Alan Carey, who planned on being present regarding the discontinuance of co-pay reimbursement, couldn’t be here since he was out plowing.

Mr. Martin asked if a letter had been sent to those affected, Mr. Ferebee said it would be done in the next day or two.

 

Resolution No. 55 – 09

Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that at the request of the East Branch Friends of the Arts, they be given permission to hold their second annual Kite Fest on Marcy Field, Sunday, June 21, 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

 

Resolution No. 56 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the bid for a new 2009 Pick-up Truck with plow be awarded to Wicker Ford, the low bidder for bids opened on December 12, 2008. 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 of the future plans for the Annex building.

He said the new owners plan to tear down the building and rebuild another, he said the options given to the Town are to buy the land (the entire lot) as it stands now for $189,000, to buy the Annex and the land it sets on for $85,000 or to buy the new building when it’s complete for $300,000.

(continued)

Mr. Ferebee said he is researching grants to see what’s available.

Mr. Jaques said the Board knows that what he would like to see is a new building adjacent to the Town Garage.

Mrs. Estes asked if the owners of the Annex would rent after the new building is done.  Mr. Ferebee said yes, but that they didn’t know what the rent would be.

Mr. Ferebee asked the Board to start thinking about what they would like to do.

Mr. Martin made the remark that the school building may someday be available.

 

Next was a brief discussion regarding health insurance.

Mr. Ferebee mentioned to the Board about the discontinuance of the co-pay reimbursement and said that an employee had asked about an insurance buy-out.  Again, Mr. Ferebee asked the Board to think about what they want to do.

 

Resolution No. 57 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered the resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that Cliff LaRose be given a salary increase which will put him at the same wage as the last transfer station attendant plus the 3% increase given for 2009.  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. Jaques also suggested that Mr. LaRose be sent a letter explaining the increase and that he be told about the compliments which come in about how good the transfer station looks.

 

Resolution No. 58 – 09

Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that at the request of Keene Valley Video, they be given permission to lay a temporary broadband cable along the edge of Norton Cemetery.  This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Yes

Ms. Neville:                Yes

Mr. Jaques:                Abstain

 

Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that it has come to Frank Slycord’s attention that all community buildings should have a fire safety inspection annually.  He said that Mr. Slycord said he would do the first year free and that after that there could be a yearly charge of $40.00 per building.

The Town Board agreed to have Mr. Slycord perform the inspections.

 

The Town Board was given the resolutions that will be discussed and voted on at the Association of Towns annual meeting in February.  Mr. Ferebee asked the Board to look them over and let him know their views.

Ms. Neville said that David Thomas-Train is doing research for a paper on road salt and she wondered if the Board would like to have him come in to share his findings.  She said that Mr. Ferebee may be able to take these concerns to the Association Meeting.

Mr. Martin suggested taking a statement regarding what happened to the aquifer in Keene.

Ms. Neville said there has been lots of studies done in Keene because of the Cascade Lakes.

 

 

 

 

Resolution No. 59 – 09

The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 59 – 09, a Resolution Transferring Funds.  This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

 

There was a brief discussion about the Town trucks being out tonight plowing.  Mr. Jaques questioned whether they go out too often.

Mrs. Reynolds said she had been to a ball game in Keene Valley and said the roads are worse in Keene Valley than down here.

 

Resolution No. 60 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the Financial Statement of the Supervisor for December 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 brief discussion regarding health insurance. 

Mr. Ferebee said with the termination of co-pay reimbursement the Board may want to add a rider for prescription drugs next year.

 

Resolution No. 61 – 09

Mr. Biesemeyer 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 Ms. Neville.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Yes

Ms. Neville:                Yes

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

2008 bills:

General Fund bills                 No. 694 – 704           $5,236.71

Highway Fund bills                No. 227 – 232             7,283.24

Library Fund bills                   No. 107 – 111                908.03

Water Dist. #1 bills               No.   77 –   79                 881.86

Water Dist. #2 bills               No.   94 –   95                   65.11

 

2009 bills:

General Fund bills                 No.    1 – 09               $  2,927.00

                                        and  No. G1 – G21              53,261.47  (No G4)

Highway Fund bills                No. H1                            5,899.95

Library Fund bills                   No. L1 – L4                    1,508.45

Water Dist. #1 bills               No. K1 – K2                   1,270.98

Water Dist. #2 bills               No. KV1 – KV4           21,971.50

 

Resolution No. 62 – 09

Mr. Jaques 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 adjourned at 7:18 PM.          

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk

                                                                        January 15, 2009

 

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor

Paul R. Martin, Councilperson

Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson

Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson

Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson