March 24, 2009

 

Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, March 24, 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:  Lauren Stack, Sole Assessor, Todd Anthony, NYS Office of Real Property Services, Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.  Christine Francis was also present regarding the Holt House Project, but did not stay to make a presentation.

 

At 5:30 PM, the Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, introduced Lauren Stack and Todd Anthony to explain how the 5% increase on assessed value was reached.

Mrs. Stack began by apologizing to the Board Members for not sending individual memos informing them of the upcoming increase prior to its occurrence.

Mr. Jaques said he wished he had known in advance.

Mrs. Stack responded that she thought they did.

She went on to explain that the increase had started at 3% and had been changed to 5%.

Mr. Anthony gave a presentation on the analysis of keeping the equalization rate at 100%.  He spoke about trends and sales used to find these trends saying that there are not enough sales in Keene so sales made in North Elba are used.

Mr. Ferebee and Mr. Biesemeyer said they didn’t feel these sales were fair, citing the infrastructure and services that Lake Placid has over Keene.

Mr. Biesemeyer said that Keene is more like the other surrounding communities.  He said it wasn’t fair that Keene is the 4th highest taxpaying Town at the County level.

Following the presentation and with all questions answered, Mrs. Stack told the Board that when they wanted updates to just call.

 

Mr. Ferebee gave an update on the Water District #2 project.

He said he had given everyone a copy of the project budget estimate from Wayne Ryan at AES.

He also reminded them that the Town has a long term, 30 year, 0% loan of $4,062,000.

He said that as soon as the Town gets word on their grant with Rural Development, the bid for the project will go out, saying that word will be received by June 18th or the bid will go out anyway.  He also said that AES said they only need 1 week to get the bid out.

When asked, Mr. Ferebee said that the water bills for District #2 could double without Rural Development funding, however, he said funding is expected, though no firm amount is known.  He said that as soon as this is known, a Public Informational Meeting will be held in Keene Valley.

Next was a brief discussion regarding the over pumping of the acquifer which is occurring.

 

Mr. Ferebee gave an update on the Holt House project.

He said he had been in contact with Lauren Murphy though e-mails which he had given to the Board.  He said it had not been confirmed that Christine would be coming tonight, so either she or Lauren Murphy will come to the meeting on April 14th with full details on the project.

The Board talked briefly about Lauren’s idea of having the bathroom in a shed behind the building, the Board did not seem to go along with that idea.  This will be further discussed at next month’s meeting.

 

Next, Mr. Ferebee gave an update on the cell towers.

He said the test drilling for the foundation in Keene will be done on March 26th and said he had given the Board an e-mail regarding a water issue that is being addressed at the site in Keene Valley.

 

 

 

Mr. Ferebee gave an update on the Rivermede River project.

He said that he has applied to extend the permit with DEC for another year saying that the project probably would not happen this year.

He said that DEC will not award the $96,000 in bond funding until the project starts and the Corp of Engineers will not began without it.

 

Resolution No. 83 – 09

Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that at their request, the Farmers’ Market Cooperative be allowed to use Marcy Field on Sundays, from June 14th to October 11th, 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

 

Mr. Jaques said that he is aware that Tom Both, who worked on the rutabaga festival last year, would like to have the annual festival known as the Town of Keene Rutabaga Contest.  He said he would not be here at the next meeting when Tom is, but would like it on record that he is in favor of the name.

 

Resolution No. 84 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the following bids that were opened Monday, March 16th, for surplus equipment:

            2002 F-250 Ford Pickup w/plow

                        Ryan Hall                    -           $1,552.53

                        Mark Jerry & Co.       -             1,626.00

            14 Ft. Midatlantic Trailer

                        Richard Hall               -           $     50.27.

Be it further resolved, that the award for each piece of equipment go to the highest 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

 

Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that Bulky Days would be held on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the 22nd, 24th and 25th of April.

 

Ms. Neville gave an update on the windows at the Town Hall.

She said that she had had a professional come in and estimate building storm windows for six windows, 3 with screens.  He estimated this could be done, along with fixing the original windows for $600 to $700 per window.

Mr. Biesemeyer asked what he would do about the weights, which is the cause for a huge heat loss.   Ms. Neville said he wouldn’t be doing anything with them.

Mr. Biesemeyer said he was not in favor of spending $3,000 and not doing anything with the problem of heat loss caused by weights in the sash..

Mr. Jaques asked why the original windows had to be kept.

There was a discussion regarding original, due to historical value, versus replacement windows.

Mr. Biesemeyer suggested keeping the original windows for one more winter to check them out for heat loss and consider buying  high quality replacement windows.  He suggested calling Todd Chanell at Pella for an estimate.

Mr. Jaques said he would find out the name of the rep for Marvin Windows and Doors.

 

 

There was a very brief mention of observers for the Water District #2 project.  It sounded like Kirk Bassarab has been approached about being the Town’s observer.

 

The next discussion was in regards to the Library.

Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that when the Upper Jay Methodist Church closed, they had money left, which Robin Lawrence lobbied hard to have some donated to the Keene Library.  He said they were awarded $20,000, which has to be invested for 13 months before it may be spent in part or wholly, but must be used on a major project.

 

Resolution No. 85 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that Robin Lawrence be acknowledged for her support and efforts in having the Methodist Church donate money to the Keene Library.  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 informed the Board that the remainder of the roof on the main part of the library needs to be replaced.  He said he will get estimates and that this will be paid for by the George Bright fund.

 

Resolution No. 86 – 09

Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the following bills be approved for payment, including those that were prepaid.  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

 

General Fund bills                 No. G121 – G134                 $36,591.07

Highway Fund bills                No. H42 – H47                          8,114.11

Library Fund bills                   No. L21 – L25                              793.42

Water District #1 bill             No. K15                                         764.56

 

Resolution No. 87 – 09

Mr. Biesemeyer 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. Jaques.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Yes

Ms. Neville:                Yes

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 PM.

 

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk

                                                                                                March 27, 2009

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor

Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy Neville

and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council