Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, September 30, 2008, at 5:00 PM, at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Robert M. Biesemeyer and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Absent: Paul R. Martin and Marcy A. Neville, Members of Council. Also present were: Paula McDonough and Doug Whitney, Town of Keene Employees and 1 resident. Also Absent: Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 5:05 PM, saying that he had left a message asking Jim McDonough to come at 6:15 for an interview for sole assessor. He said he also tried to schedule Bill Reed, but he is out of town.

Privilege of the floor was offered to Doug Whitney.
Mr. Whitney asked when the new tractor was going to be purchased to replace the 755 now being used.
Mr. Ferebee said he has been looking into this and that the quote for a new 755 is $15,119. He said this tractor would also be used to clean up sand and for mowing the airport. No date for purchase was given.

The next discussion was about health insurance. Rates and co-pay options were discussed. In the end, the decision was to keep the current coverage.

Mrs. McDonough, who was covering the meeting for the Town Clerk, presented the Tentative Budget to the Town Board. The Town Board reviewed and worked on the budget.

Joel Grinker asked about the Assessor/Assessment issues.
Mr. Jaques explained that the State sets the assessment for the Town which is then divided up among parcels. He also explained that a referendum vote had been held for the voters to choose between continuing with a Board of Assessors or going to Sole Assessor, saying that Sole Assessor won. Plans are for the Sole Assessor to take over in 2009, the Town Board is interviewing and will make a selection within a month.

The next discussion was in regards to broadband internet coverage.
Mr. Ferebee said this would give 90% coverage for the people in the Town of Keene.
He also said that the Town would not need to contribute toward the funding, saying that Charity Marlott had worked hard in finding the funding.

Ms. Grinker asked why the school does not offer an installment plan for taxes.
She was told this has nothing to do with the Town.

Mr. Ferebee excused himself to try calling Jim McDonough about his interview.
He returned saying Mr. McDonough had not received his message and that he couldn’t make it tonight for an interview.

Mr. Jaques asked why the expenses for the highway garage are charged to the general fund budget instead of the highway. Mrs. McDonough explained this procedure is set by NYS Department of Audit and Control.

Mr. Ferebee explained to the Board what he had found out about the hiker bus.
He said it may be cheaper to turn the bus over to the County and contract with them to run the hiker shuttle route and collect the fees than it is for the Town to pay the expenses.

Ms. Grinker asked why Purdy’s parking lot is closed and asked if the Town could buy it. The response was that the lot is not for sale.

The Town Board signed the following vouchers for payment.
General Fund bill No. 502 $ 3,945.81
General Fund bills No. 503 – 539 42,421.96
Highway Fund bills No. 168 – 178 12,059.67
Library Fund bills No. 77 - 85 1,678.69
Water Dist. #1 bills No. 53 - 58 1,553.53
Water Dist. #2 bills No. 69 - 74 1,888.02

Resolution No. 165 – 08
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: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Absent
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00

Paula R. McDonough
October 14, 2008

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson