Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Town Board Meeting, including a joint meeting with the Planning Board, held Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 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 the following Planning Board Members: Tom Hickey, David Deyo, Ron Hall, Lorraine Duvall and Mike Hartson. Frank Slycord, Building Code Officer and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk, were also present.

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the joint meeting to order, explaining this meeting was to discuss any issues of concern.

Ron Hall said he would like to discuss the set backs on fences and the sidewalk, which was a concern of Bruce Reed, the Highway Superintendent.
Mr. Biesemeyer said this is not addressed in the site plan review law.
Ms. Neville said the reason people use fences and rocks as barriers are to help keep the equipment spreading salt back.
Mr. Ferebee suggested that people be told that the Town is not responsible for damage to fences in the right of way during maintenance.
Mr. Slycord said that Town Law states that if there is no dispute, a fence can be placed on the property line, but if it’s not approved by the neighbor, it must be 3 feet back.
Mr. Ferebee said he didn’t think this applied in the right of way.
Mr. Martin suggests that something new be added to the Site Plan Review Law keeping these barriers back 1 or 2 feet.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggests it be made clear in the meantime that the Town is not responsible for damage.
Ms. Neville said she wished there was a better way to work this out with the highway.

Lorraine Duvall said she would like the Town to oversee site prep and road building, especially blasting. She indicated that recently both have been performed before the Planning Board is involved.
Mr. Biesemeyer said the Town had purposely not gotten involved in road building, he said that would involve slopes, ditches, etc., he said the County and State govern roads built off County and State roads.
Mr. Deyo said that Town Law does not forbid blasting, though it would be a courtesy to let neighboring property owners know before beginning. He said maybe something could be done with blasting through building codes.
Mr. Biesemeyer suggested that this may be controlled through an ordinance.
There was discussion as to logging roads being turned into driveways, etc.
Mr. Deyo said there is nothing that can be done if a property owner wants to cut up to 2 acres of timber and say it’s for firewood.
Mr. Martin suggested that maybe this could be controlled above a certain elevation. He suggested that any new requirements be added to the Town’s website.
Mr. Ferebee clarified that for the time being individuals would be required to notify their neighbors before any blasting.
The next discussion was in regards to septic systems.
Mr. Slycord said that beginning in February 2007, legislation went into effect that any new systems had to be engineered and approved by the Dept. of Health before they come to him. He said that “in like changes” for replacement or repairs are done through him.

Mr. Martin informed those present that the AuSable River Association plans to send a river water sample to the lab each month that is taken near the Jay Town line, to keep track of any contaminates.

Ms. Neville informed the Planning Board that she would do any grant writing they may have, she said she would be happy to help.
She also said that she had gone through the last year’s minutes and sees parking/setbacks as a sensitive issue that she feels will need to be worked on in the future.
She said she would like to see the Board be careful of commercial projects along the corridor not having room or sufficient parking, while allowing flexibility with residential building, which is usually further off the main corridor.

The use of the word should and shall was discussed, as it is used in the wording of the Site Plan Review Law.

Mr. Martin said it would be great in 2008 if the APA would work on some re-mapping of the Hamlets to allow expansion and additional building sites for residences.
Ms. Duvall said this was a good idea, she said the APA should be willing, that they like expanding.

The next discussion was in response to Planning Board training.
Mr. Ferebee said that the reason this has not happened yet was because no other Towns are responding.
Ms. Neville pointed out that the training is mandatory.
Mr. Slycord stated that it’s hard for volunteers to fit more in.
Ms. Duvall didn’t see the problem, stating that the APA had said they would come here.

Mr. Slycord gave an update on totals saying that he had issued 79 building permits so far this year, he said last years total was 50. He said so far there has been 51 Planning Applications submitted.
He said that as of November 1st, he had collected $14,000 in fees.
Mr. Slycord responded that he felt that along with more building, he also felt there is more compliance.

The joint part of tonight’s meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM, with Mr. Ferebee thanking the Planning Board for their attendance.

Resolution No. 190 – 07
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 190 – 07, a Resolution Transferring Funds. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

Resolution No. 191 – 07
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the following bills be accepted for audit, including those that were post paid. 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

General Fund bills No. 658 – 688 $48,740.42
Highway Fund bills No. 219 – 224 31,117.88
Library Fund bills No. 112 – 116 1,818.02
Water Dist. #1 bills No. 110 – 112 874.53
Water Dist. #2 bills No. 118 – 123 2,650.35
CPF – Highway Garage/Marcy Field No. 1 440.00

Resolution No. 192 – 07
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the upcoming Special Meetings be scheduled for the following times:
Dec. Bi-monthly/End of Year – Thursday, Dec. 27th, @ 5:30 PM
Beginning of Year – Tuesday, Jan. 8th @ 6:30 PM
Annual Accounting of Officers – Tuesday, Jan. 15th @ 5:00 PM
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 following events and times were announced for the upcoming Bicentennial:
Christmas Tree Lighting – December 8th @ 5:00 PM
Fireworks @ Marcy Field – December 31st @ 6:00 PM

Mr. Ferebee said he had had 51 easements for the water project that needed to be delivered to property owners for their signatures, he said he had done almost half and asked the Town Board Members to split up the rest.

Resolution No. 193 – 07
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: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
November 29, 2007

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