November 17, 2009
Minutes of the Special Town
Board Meeting held Tuesday, November 17, 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 S. Estes, Town Clerk.
The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee,
called the meeting to order at 5:29 PM.
He said that with the
updated expenditures the general budget is up just less than ½%. He said the overall amount to be raised
by tax is .0469%.
There was a brief discussion
regarding the 3% salary increase.
Mr. Martin said he felt it
was justified saying that this year the employees had lost the co-pay
reimbursement on prescriptions.
Mr. Ferebee said that the
extra revenue for sales tax would help with the 2011 Budget.
Mr. Biesemeyer explained to
Mr. Reed his suggestion that when Butch Smith retires in a couple months the
position be left vacant to cut down expenses.
Mr. Reed said he was going
to see how it goes for a while during plowing and said he had moved his
stockpile to the garage so loading will be done there. He pointed out that a small storm
usually means 3 hours of overtime for everyone.
Mr. Biesemeyer said there
will be relief in the budget next year when the AMR lawsuit ends.
Mr. Ferebee gave a brief
update on the Water Project saying the laterals and mains will all be complete
before the contractors leave at Christmas. He said the tank is coming along well too.
Mr. Martin suggested asking
permission to widen the shoulder of the road along the Merle-Smiths field for
parking.
Mr. Martin also suggested
that the Town put overhead signs with flashing lights at the crosswalks in
Keene Valley.
Mr. Ferebee said plans are
in the works to purchase and put out the crosswalk markers that are put on the
center line, he said nearby residents have committed to bringing them in at
night.
Resolution No. 203 –
09
Ms. Neville offered a
resolution and moved its adoption.
Be it resolved, that the Town Board adopt the Final Budget, as
presented, for 2010. This
resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Oppose
Mr. Jaques explained that he
was opposing this budget due to the 3% salary increase.
Mr. Biesemeyer asked Mr.
Ferebee how much the income package in this budget amounts to. Mr. Ferebee said he would get that
figure for him.
Mr. Ferebee said that Lauren
Stack would be coming to the meeting next week. Mr. Jaques said he wouldnÕt be
there and asked to have her come to next monthÕs meeting. Mr. Ferebee said he would take care of
that change.
Mr. Ferebee also said that
John DeZalia has asked to be on next monthÕs agenda.
Mr. Ferebee explained a
situation that occurred regarding sale of transfer station punch cards. He explained that $256.00 from these
sales had been stolen at McDonoughÕs Valley Hardware. He asked the Board how they wanted to handle this.
Mr. Biesemeyer asked if they
have insurance to cover it, or if the TownÕs insurance might cover.
Mr. Ferebee said he would
check.
Mr. Martin said if there is
no insurance to cover it, the Town should absorb it. The Board all agreed.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested
calling Audit & Control to see how they say to report it.
Since the Board was meeting
in the back room due to a Court conflict, Mr. Ferebee told the Board that the
new windows are in and look good.
Resolution No. 204 –
09
Mr. Jaques offered a
resolution and moved its adoption.
Be it resolved, with 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
5:56 PM.
Ellen
S. Estes, Town Clerk
November
19, 2009
William B. Ferebee,
Supervisor
Paul R. Martin,
Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer,
Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville,
Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques,
Councilperson