March 10, 2009

 

Minutes of the regular Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at 7:00 PM, at the Keene Town Hall.  The following Town Board Members were present:  Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer (arrived a few minutes late) and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council.  Absent:  William B. Ferebee, Supervisor and Marcy Neville, Member of Council.  Also present were:  4 residents (including 1 Member of the Press), Wendy Reynolds, Clerk to the Supervisor, Debra Whitson, Town Attorney, Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

 

The Acting Chairman, Mr. Martin, called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM and invited those present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Mr. Martin began the meeting with Privilege of the Floor since a quorum had not arrived at this time.

Jean Clifford gave a brief Golden Peaks update saying that the group was upset that there is not a senior bus available.  She said that the group has 3 or 4 drivers to drive when they go places and that they are concerned with liability.

She said she understood that the Town’s bus was originally meant for hikers, saying it has been seen around multiple times this winter. 

There was a brief discussion, by others present, regarding the County using the bus in the off season for the past two years.

She said that she would like to see the original grant request.  She asked the Town Board to investigate Golden Peaks being allowed to use it.

Mr. Jaques said that his understanding in the beginning was that it could be used for things other than hikers.

 

Louise Gregg asked when the water meters in Keene Valley would start being used, to see if money was being saved.

Mr. Martin explained that the water meters were a grant stipulation and that it wouldn’t serve to start using them until the water project is done and the leaks are gone.  He said at this point they are useful in finding leaks, he said by shutting the water off across Laight bridge and using the meters they found a huge leak.

Mrs. Gregg then asked when the water main would be put in.

Mr. Martin said an update would be given later in the meeting.

 

Mrs. Gregg then asked why there had been a 5% assessment increase.

Mr. Martin, who is not a landowner and was not aware of the increase, went on to explain that the State must have raised it 5% across the board to keep the Town valuation at 100%.

Mr. Jaques said that he thought with the new Assessor that it was understood that the Town Board would know what was happening prior to receiving information from landowners.

Ellen Estes said she understood from Lauren Stack, the new Assessor, that she planned to attend the next Town Board Meeting.

Mr. Biesemeyer explained that it was his understanding that this increase is working on lag time and reflects property value increases from years past.

Mr. Jaques asked that the minutes reflect the request to have Mrs. Stack be present at the next meeting.

 

Resolution No. 78 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the Minutes of the Town Board Meetings held February 10th and February 24th be accepted as presented.  This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Absent

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Yes

Ms. Neville:                Absent

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

 

Mr. Martin informed those present that the Bi-monthly meeting scheduled for the last Tuesday of the month needed to be held Tuesday, March 24th since the Special Congressional Election would be held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, March 31st.

 

There was another brief discussion regarding the assessments at this time.

 

Mr. Jaques asked for an update on the Airport House Project.

Wendy Reynolds, Clerk to the Supervisor, said it was her understanding that the Town is waiting for architectural drawings from Lauren Murphy.

Mr. Martin said that the last he knew Lauren Murphy and Christine Francis were getting together.

Mr. Jaques asked if there could be a full report at the next meeting.

 

Mr. Jaques asked for an update on the Rivermede Project.

Mr. Martin said this project is still progressing and that Bill Ferebee and Tom Both had recently participated in a conference call regarding it.

 

The next update discussed was the Water District #2 Project.

Mr. Martin explained that Bill Ferebee, Wendy Reynolds and he had recently participated in a conference call regarding grant money.  He said following this call, they were 99% sure that the project will be receiving money.  He said that the District already has a $4.1 Million loan and that part of that may be paid back through these grant funds.

He indicated that project bids should be let in a few weeks.

Mr. Jaques said that the Board had requested estimates of the project in sections, but he said he has never seen them.

Mr. Martin said they had been received because he had seen them.

When talking about when the bids would go out, it was stated that AES had wanted to wait for all the easements to be returned, and that they all had been now.

Mr. Jaques asked to get a copy of the AES report with the estimated break downs.

 

Mr. Jaques asked for an update on the cell phone tower.

Wendy Reynolds said that Verizon would be at the site on the 25th of March to do test drilling for the anchors.

 

Resolution No. 79 – 09

Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the Supervisor’s Financial Report for February, be accepted as presented and placed on file with the Town Clerk.  This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Absent

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Yes

Ms. Neville:                Absent

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

Resolution No. 80 – 09

The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 80 – 09, a Resolution Transferring Funds for 2008.  This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resolution No. 81 – 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:                Absent

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

General Fund bills                 No. G89 – G120                    $13,467.83

Highway Fund bills                No. H33 – H41                          4,210.98

Library Fund bills                   No. L16 – L20                              851.76

Water Dist. #1 bills               No. K12 – K14                             291.62

Water Dist. #2 bills               No. KV16 – KV18                        903.49

CPF – Water Dist. #2 bills   No. 1 – 3 of 2009                      8,223.54

 

Resolution No. 82 – 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. Biesemeyer.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Absent

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Yes

Ms. Neville:                Absent

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 PM

 

 

 

                                                                                    Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk

                                                                                    March 12, 2009

 

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor

Paul R. Martin, Councilperson

Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson

Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson

Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson