November 25, 2008

 

Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 5:30 PM, at the Keene Town Hall.  The following Town Board Members were present:  William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Paul R. Martin, Marcy A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council.  Absent:  Robert M. Biesemeyer, Member of Council.  Also present were:  Lauren Stack, Sole Assessor Applicant, John Davis, Adirondack Protection Rep., David Winchell, DEC Region 5 Open Space Committee Rep. and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

 

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM.

 

Resolution No. 196 – 08

Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that Debra Whitson be appointed to the vacancy left by Jerry Smith on the Youth Commission Board for the term to expire December 31, 2010.  This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Absent

Ms. Neville:                Yes

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

Resolution No. 197 – 08

Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the Final Reports for Water Districts #1 & #2 be accepted as presented, these reports are attached to and made a part of these minutes.  This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Absent

Ms. Neville:                Yes

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

Mr. Ferebee introduced Lauren Stack to those present, explaining that the Board had chosen Ms. Stack as their choice for Sole Assessor.  He said the current term of Sole Assessor will end September 30, 2013.

Mr. Jaques asked Mr. Ferebee if he is working on the contract agreement.  Mr. Ferebee said yes, saying that the salary would be $20,000 a year, that her hours would be either 1 long day of 9:00 to 6:00 or two short days with the only benefit being NYS retirement.

 

Resolution No. 198 – 08

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that Lauren Stack be appointed to the position of Sole Assessor, effective January 1, 2009, for the current term ending September 30, 2013.  This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Absent

Ms. Neville:                Yes

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Ferebee talked with Ms. Stack about getting together with the current Assessors in December.  She said other than December 10th, she’s very flexible.

Ms. Stack said she would do monthly reports on paper and was willing to meet with the Board for quarterly updates or however the Board wished.

Ms. Neville stated that with the appointed position, the Board is in the driver’s seat.

Mr. Ferebee suggested to Ms. Stack that it may be best for her to schedule her hours on Tuesday so she can work in conjunction with Frank Slycord.  

Mr. Martin asked if anything had been done about a clerk to work with her.

Mr. Ferebee said that no appointment has been made, but he was thinking of having someone work 1 or 2 days per week.

Mr. Martin suggested waiting until Ms. Stack indicates she’s ready.

With all discussion finished on this subject, Ms. Stack thanked the Board.

 

John Davis from Protection for the Adirondacks and Dave Winchell from DEC, both serving on the Open Space Committee were present to ask the Town Board for support to include the Glen, Larger Styles Brook Watershed and the Jay Range in the Region 5 Open Space Protection Plan for 2008.

Mr. Winchell began the presentation by introducing himself and explaining that the Open Space Committee is working on the 6th version of the plan and would like the Towns’ support in adding the aforesaid areas into the plan in case these areas could be acquired or easement agreements obtained.

He explained that the local government could still veto an acquisition after giving their support in adding these areas to the plan, he also said that veto could be overturned.

Mr. Ferebee said he would like to have a full Board present for this type of vote.

Mr. Ferebee asked if the State bought lands in these areas would the taxes collected continue to be the private fee or changed to the State fee.

Mr. Winchell said taxes paid on land acquired would pay the State fee.

Mr. Davis pointed out that the State fee is higher than private individuals who have their land under the 480A item.

Mr. Ferebee said it is only his opinion, but with the economy the way it is he doesn’t feel the State should be buying land.

Mr. Davis explained the language in the plan and mentioned that there is land for sale in the Glen saying it was because the owners can’t afford the taxes.

Mr. Martin commented that the State owns 77% of the Town of Keene, he said it was a hard decision to give up more land that may be subjective to the growth of the Community, saying land is needed for the middle income.

Mr. Jaques said any building of homes is good for the tax situation.  He said he would like to hear what the family holding this land feels about State acquisition.

Mr. Winchell said if this is put into the plan, it may still be many years before any purchases occur.

Ms. Neville said she would be more concerned if this took land from affordable housing.  She said she would argue in favor of the plan, retaining veto power, saying the possibility is that it would be mostly easements.

Mr. Jaques said these easements only allow grace periods, he suggests anyone questioning easements talk to Chuck Dumas.

Mr. Winchell said that the State is finding displaced hunting clubs new places.

Mr. Ferebee again said he would like a full Board present to vote.

Mr. Winchell said some of the neighboring Towns are going to Albany to see what economic leverage they can get.

Mr. Ferebee said he would review this material with Mr. Biesemeyer, who couldn’t be here tonight, and the Board could vote at their meeting the second week of December.

Mr. Winchell said due to the time frame, the State may have to go to Plan B and submit the plan without adding this areas and with the possibility of adding them during the review period.

 

 

 

(continued)

 

Mr. Ferebee said he would like to hear from the family in the Glen before voting.

Mr. Davis pointed out that this addition to the plan is not specific to just one family.

Mr. Ferebee spoke about his concern brought about by the handshake deal years ago stating that the State would keep the intersection mowed.  He said he has to fight to have that done, that it is only done every other year and the area mowed is less and less each time.

Mr. Jaques also mentioned the salt contamination to the wells which cost the Water Department a lot of money for which no compensation was received from the State.

Mr. Ferebee said the Town has to protect what they do have.

Mr. Winchell said he understood and that he hoped “We can work together, meeting a happy medium”.

With all business discussed, Mr. Davis and Mr. Winchell thanked the Board for their time.

 

Resolution No. 199 – 08

Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption.  Be it resolved, that the following bills were approved 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:        Absent

Ms. Neville:                Yes

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

General Fund bills                             No. 602 – 628                       $66,432.99

Highway Fund bills                            No. 201 – 209                         32,982.15

Library Fund bills                               No.   94 -   97                 1,878.57

Water Dist. #1 bills                           No.   70 -   71                    550.00

Water Dist. #2 bills                           No.   82 -   85               17,086.20

 

Resolution No. 200 – 08

Mr. Martin 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. Jaques.

Roll Call Vote:

Mr. Ferebee:              Yes

Mr. Martin:                  Yes

Mr. Biesemeyer:        Absent

Ms. Neville:                Yes

Mr. Jaques:                Yes

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:24 PM.

 

 

                                                                                                Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk

                                                                                                December 2, 2008

 

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor

Paul R. Martin, Councilperson

Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson

Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson

Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson