Minutes of the Bi-Monthly
Town Board Meeting held
The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee,
called the meeting to order at
Mr. Ferebee handed the floor
over to David Thomas-Train, who was present to discuss his article on road
salt.
Mr. Thomas-Train explained
to the Board that he had done research for an article he is writing for the
March edition of the Adirondack Explorer regarding the use of road salt. He gave the Board a handout he called “Digest
of Road Salt Issues” to read and then a discussion followed.
Mr. Biesemeyer said that the
use of road salt has been an issue since he started on the Planning Board 22
years ago. He spoke of those that benefit
from the use, namely those selling it and said that the issue of ending the use
of salt is dead.
Ms. Neville said it was
going to take large organizations coming together to do anything about the
problem, asking Mr. Biesemeyer why he thought solving this problem was dead.
Mr. Biesemeyer responded
that the lobbying power would go for safety issues.
Mr. Martin brought up the
problem the Town had had with salt contamination in their water supply.
Mr. Biesemeyer said the Town
lost that battle when Brad Caswell said it was the Town’s fault, due to their
salt storage near Dart Brook.
There was discussion
regarding the test wells used during this time for testing.
Mr. Biesemeyer said the
situation needs a different approach, saying this is a problem with no solution.
Ms. Neville suggested a Town
Resolution regarding their concern that could be taken to the Association of
Towns, citing that there are other Towns with similar problems.
Mr. Reed said that at
meeting he had attended, a DEC Representative encouraged the use of 100% salt,
instead of sand which winds up in the river.
Ms. Neville suggested
working on a draft resolution with Mr. Thomas-Train’s help that could be used
for the Town of
The Board thanked Mr.
Thomas-Train for coming and for his concern.
Resolution No. 63 – 09
Mr. Jaques offered a
resolution and moved its adoption. Be it
resolved, that at their request the East Branch Friends of the Arts be given
permission to use the Pavilion on Saturday, August 15th, for a Bagpipe/Fiddler
Concert. 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 Board discussed and
agreed that for this type of use of the pavilion, the Eat Branch Friends would
be asked to supply a certificate of insurance.
Mr. Ferebee informed the
Board that Tom Both plans to attend the next meeting to request permission to
have the community garden again this summer.
He said that there has been a request to have this advertised on the
Town calendar for February if there is no Board opposition to it.
Resolution No. 64 – 09
Mr. Martin offered a
resolution and moved its adoption. Be it
resolved, that permission be granted to supply an are
for a community garden on Marcy Field again this year. 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
The next discussion was
related to Mr. Martin’s letter regarding the Government Stimulus Package,
listing a couple Town projects (specifically Water District #2 and the Rivermede Project) which are both “shovel ready”.
Mr. Ferebee said he has
already sent a letter/application to Kirsten Gillibrand
requesting funds for Town projects, he said the County has also requested
funds, which includes funds for Town of Keene projects.
Ms. Neville asked for a
Water District #2 update, Mr. Ferebee said he would have one for the next
meeting.
Mr. Ferebee said that he and
Mr. Both had a conference call on Monday regarding the Rivermede
Project. He said one thing that has to
be cleared up is a mix up on the $96,000 DEC says they have already sent to the
Army Corp. of Engineers, which they say has not been received.
Thinking there may be money
available, Mr. Martin revisited the salt contamination again saying that the first
indication that something was wrong with the aquifer was when Jane Owens
drilled wells at the
Mr. Jaques said to get any
reimbursement from the State, this should have been
taken care of before the new water project was completed.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested
that it would be a better effort to spend time trying to get stimulus money for
the Water District #2 project.
Mr. Ferebee stated that NYS
would be receiving $640,000,000 for these “shovel ready” projects.
Ms. Neville informed the
Board that she had met with Kevin Boyle, again, about the Town Hall
Windows. She said that before he can
give a price on the windows, he would like to take one apart to see what it
entails.
Mr. Jaques asked why
replacement windows are not used.
Mr. Biesemeyer responded
that replacement windows would look cheap.
He said the biggest problems with replacing the same windows are the
weights and insulation. He said he would
like to have Mr. Boyle look them over.
Ms. Neville told the Board
that it would be mid-summer before he could check them.
The next discussion was
about space to replace the annex offices.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested
that Little Peaks check with the School to see if there is a room there that
they can use and move the Town offices into the Community Center.
Mr. Ferebee said he had
talked to Heather Morgan about meeting with the School about Little Peaks.
Mr. Martin said he didn’t
want to jeopardize the program.
Mr. Ferebee assured him it
wouldn’t and said that he had explained to Ms. Morgan that the Town is paying
$500 a month for office space.
Mr. Martin suggested that
Little Peaks use the downstairs.
Mr. Jaques said the Town has
to look out for themselves first.
Mr. Biesemeyer said that
Scott McClelland would be coming to the Board to see if anything can be done
about starting a hockey rink.
Mr. Martin said that the
traffic in
Mr. Ferebee and Ms. Neville
both expressed concern that this would change the designs that are finished and
cost a lot of money.
The next discussion was in
regards to the “old” water truck.
Mr. Ferebee said that he and
Mr. Reed would like to see someone local buy it and asked if it could be sold
outright by advertising with a “for sale” sign.
The Board felt uncomfortable
with this and said it should be put out to bid.
Resolution No. 65 – 09
Mr. Jaques offered a
resolution and moved its adoption. Be it
resolved, that the “old” water truck, a 2002 F-250 Ford w/plow, be declared
surplus and go to bid for its sale. 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
Next was a discussion
regarding the bridge on
Mr. Reed said he would like
to see the Town request the County replacement it.
Mr. Biesemeyer added that a
request should also be made to the County to have the retaining wall at the
gorge on the Hulls Fall Road fixed as part of their stimulus package.
Resolution No. 66 – 09
Mr. Ferebee offered a
resolution and moved its adoption. Be it
resolved, that the Town request that the County replace the
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
Mr. Reed said he had one
more thing to discuss. He said that he
has seen where after he left the last meeting, Mr.
Jaques questioned how often the highway crew is out plowing roads.
Mr. Jaques said yes, he did
wonder why they go out and plow when there is only an inch or two.
Mr. Reed said a lot of
people live in areas like
Mr. Jaques asked Mr. Reed if
he had noticed there is more ice build up than usual,
and wondered if the road was left mealier if it would be less slick.
Mr. Reed didn’t like that
idea.
Mr. Jaques said he apologized
if he had offended Mr. Reed.
Resolution No. 67 – 09
Ms. Neville 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. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes
2008 Bills
General Fund bills No. 705 – 711 $16,620.13
Highway Fund bills No. 233
15.00
2009 Bills
General Fund bills No.
G22 – G47 $52,982.28
Highway Fund bills No.
H2 - H16 31,423.08
Library Fund bills No.
L5 - L10 994.44
Water Dist. #1 bills No.
K3 - K5 244.00
Water Dist. #2 bills No.
K5 - K7 396.21
Resolution No. 68 – 09
Ms. Neville offered a
resolution and moved its adoption. Be it
resolved, that with all business having been transacted, this meeting be
adjourned. 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
The meeting adjourned at
Ellen
S. Estes, Town Clerk
William B. Ferebee,
Supervisor
Paul R. Martin,
Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer,
Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville,
Councilperson