April 28, 2009

 

Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, April 28, 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: Cynthia Johnston, KCS Superintendent, Ann Whitney, Teresa Palin and Kathy Smith, School Board Members and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:33 PM with Mr. Ferebee stating that the KCS School Board was present to brainstorm with the Town Board.

 

Cynthia Johnston began by asking if it would be possible to have the School Website and Town Website linked.  Everyone was in favor, Mrs. Johnston will handle having this done.

 

The next topic discussed was school population.

Teresa Palin spoke about how to attract young families to the area.

Mr. Biesemeyer said he agreed with Mrs. Palin that employment, outdoor interest and property are the key, but the problem is there is not property available.

Mr. Martin suggested working with the Adirondack Park Agency to have the hamlets expanded to allow for future building.

Mr. Biesemeyer suggested it would be nice to have Jay included in our School District. 

Mrs. Johnston responded that this has been discussed a few times.  She said that although Jay would not be in our District, in the future our buses were going to be allowed to expand their routes to include the Jay Village Green and further over toward Lake Placid on Route 73.

This conversation led to a discussion regarding school taxes and consolidation in the Adirondack Park.

 

Next the Boards discussed Shared Services.

Mrs. Johnston suggested that the Town and School bid for fuel together to get a better price. 

Mrs. Johnston also asked if the Town could help out with the plowing.

Mr. Ferebee said he couldn’t speak for Mr. Reed, but said they had talked about it and it was a possibility though Mr. Reed said he would want a v-plow for scooping it up.

Mr. Biesemeyer asked how much would be saved, going on to say there are no shared services that have any significant savings.

Mr. Martin spoke favorably of a bill regarding taxes that is in the legislature.

Mr. Biesemeyer felt the only way to get a voice was to consolidate and lobby.

 

Mr. Biesemeyer and Mrs. Palin discussed Little Peaks Pre-school including space and State mandates.

 

Mr. Biesemeyer also gave his feelings on State land assessment for Forest Preserve saying that the way this land is assessed, using logging value, is archaic. 

 

The next topic discussed was Youth Commission.

Mr. Ferebee said some changes may be made for next year’s program (2010), including a longer day to accommodate parents needing daycare before and after the regular day.

He also said a resolution would be needed later in the meeting to hire the 5 individuals chosen for this year’s program by the Youth Commission Board.

He also said two teams, a minor and a major, would be playing baseball in a league with E’Town, saying that Ed Palin had offered to make a donation to share the cost of the equipment.

 

With all areas of interest discussed, the School Board excused themselves to get to their meeting for 7:00.

 

 

Mr. Ferebee gave the Board Members a copy of a letter received from John and Jean DeZalia regarding the dust created from the municipal parking lot.

The Board decided to talk to Mr. Reed to see if the lot could be watered down when needed and would talk to Mr. Hall about whether the access between the back store lot and the municipal lot can be blocked.

Mr. Ferebee will let the DeZalias’ know that the situation is being assessed and measures are being taken.

 

Mr. Martin informed the Board that the $1000 for dues to the AuSable River Association has not been paid in 3 years.

Mr. Ferebee told him that there is a voucher in tonight’s bills for the 2009 payment.

 

Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that a representative from Windows by Brownell is coming to look at the Town Hall windows for replacement on Thursday.

 

Resolution No.  99 – 09

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that at the recommendation of the Youth Commission Board, the following staff be appointed at the following compensation:

            Kate Sheldon, Director @ $4250.00

            Lydia Osenbaugh, Bus Driver/Counselor/Lifeguard @ $14.50 per hour

            David McGannon, WSI/Counselor @ $3610.00

            Ian Hall, Counselor @ 10.25 per hour

            Cody Whitney, Counselor @ 10.25 per hour

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 that Lauren Murphy and Christine Francis would be coming to the next meeting to discuss the Holt House Project.  It was discussed and was decided by everyone to meet with them at 6:30 PM.

 

Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that Spen Nye would be coming to the next meeting to present the Board with a petition and written complaints regarding the Building Code Officer.

Mr. Biesemeyer said he felt that the whole issue was a misunderstanding concerning inspections without a permit.

 

Resolution No. 100 – 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 Mr. Ferebee.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                 Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:       Yes

Ms. Neville:               Yes

Mr. Jaques:               Yes

 

General Fund bills               No. G 166 – G 181               $33,518.23

Highway Fund bills             No. H 58 – H 63                    20,885.94

Library Fund bills                 No. L 34 – L 38                       1,002.91

Water Dist. #1 bills               No. K 20 – K 22                    43,328.23

Water Dist. #2 bills               No. KV 23 & KV 24                     68.39

 

 

 

Resolution No. 101 – 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 was adjourned at 6:49 PM.

 

 

 

                                                                                    Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk

                                                                                    April 30, 2009

 

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor

Paul R. Martin, Councilperson

Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson

Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson

Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson