Minutes of the Regular Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at 6:45 PM, at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Also present at this time was: Frank Slycord, Building Code Officer, 1 Planning Board Member and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 6:47 and said this early meeting had been called to discuss a Planning Board Personnel issue.

Resolution No. 241 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board enter into Executive Session to discuss a Planning Board Personnel issue. 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 Board entered Executive Session at 6:47 PM.

Resolution No. 242 – 06
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board reconvene into regular session. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The Town Board reconvened into Regular Session at 7:22 PM. In addition to the 5 Town Board Members and Town Clerk, also present were: 7 residents (3 from the Ad-Hoc Committee and 1 Member of the Press), Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ron Briggs, Town Attorney.

Mr. Ferebee invited everyone present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Resolution No. 243 – 06
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Minutes of the Preliminary Budget Hearing held Tuesday, November 9th, Minutes of the Town Board/Planning Board Meeting and regular Town Board Meeting, both held Tuesday, November 14th and the Bi-monthly Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, November 28th, all be accepted as presented. 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

Privilege of the floor was offered.
Jean Clifford gave a brief update on Golden Peaks saying that during their meeting on Tuesday there was going to be a presentation regarding use of a senior bus.

Martha Allen asked how the sidewalk project was moving.
Mr. Ferebee responded that he would touch on that later in the meeting.

Louise Gregg said she had been asked to speak about the use of salt for winter roads. She asked if the Town could work toward having the “Bare Road” policy changed.
Ms. Neville suggested talking to the Resident’s Committee, saying it may be better fought as a regional issue than as one Town. She said she thought there might be an alternative to salt.
There was discussion regarding Lake Placid using “hard pack.”
Mr. Biesemeyer said the existing law must be overridden.

Mr. Ferebee addressed the Ad-Hoc Committee issue regarding their resolutions saying that the Town Board had recommended they take these resolutions to the County. He said the County has requested that the Town sponsor these resolutions to move them on to the Essex County Legislative Committee.

Resolution No. 244 – 06
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board sponsor the Ad-Hoc Committee of Concerned Citizens presenting their resolutions on War and Terrorism; and Civil Liberties and Balance of Power to the Essex County Legislative Committee at their meeting on December 18th at 10:00 AM. 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 Town Board that he had received information from the Adirondack Information Group regarding the preparation of an application to seek grant funds from the State Education Department to fund a “needs assessment” study to explore the feasibility of increased use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Town government. He said that the Town of Wilmington was willing to act as the lead agency.

Resolution No. 245 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board authorize participation in the cooperative effort lead by the Town of Wilmington to explore the feasibility of increased use of GIS in Town Government operations by seeking grant funds from the State Education Department to fund a “needs assessment” study. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Ms. Neville spoke briefly on the APA partnering in and said the goal is to explore parcels of land for Hamlet expansions.

Resolution No. 246 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that authorization be given for the Highway Superintendent to advertise for bids on the purchase of a new 2007 pick-up truck w/ plow and a dump box for one of the other trucks. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The next discussion was in regards to the projects falling under the Hamlet Improvement Grant funds.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that he thought the proposed intersection/parking project for the bottom of the Hurricane Road should be presented to the people in the form of a public hearing.
The Board discussed a date and decided to schedule a Public Hearing on December 20th.
Discussion resumed on the project with Mr. Ferebee stating that Ed Hood, from the APA, had attended an informational meeting here at the Town Hall and the in-kind match didn’t look so hard to meet.
Mr. Biesemeyer asked if it was 20%.
Mr. Ferebee said yes, saying that if the balance of $136,000 is used, the maximum in-kind match would be $26,000 and that a transfer would be necessary to borrow funds from the general fund to Hamlet fund to be reimbursed within 60 days.
Mr. Martin offered the aforesaid resolution and Ms. Neville seconded it. Mr. Jaques said he could not vote for it and then discussion continued.
Mr. Reed said he hates to see the Town Hall give up what property is along the building saying that it would ruin any chances of same level expansion of the building. He also said the parking area would have to be plowed into and then the snow would have to be removed with the loader. He also said he couldn’t believe that the Fire Department had no one here to speak on behalf of trucks exiting the Hurricane Road. In all, he said he is just plain against the whole project.
Mr. Jaques said he feels like doing this project now would be rushing.
Ms. Neville asked Mr. Reed how he would feel if the handi-capped section was removed from one side, shifting the whole project further from the Town Hall.
Mr. Biesemeyer and Mr. Reed, both, responded that this change can’t be done in time.
Mr. Martin said that the most important thing all along has been to have safety for the pedestrians.
Mr. Ferebee reminded the Board that even if the project is not carried out, the design fees would need to be paid. He said that if the project is not done, there is no need to transfer funds and that resolution was rescinded before voting.
Ms. Neville said she thought this project had been agreed upon as a Board.
Mr. Jaques said it was too bad it had gotten this late.
Mr. Biesemeyer said he was not comfortable and is just not convinced the project is a good idea.
Ms. Neville said she would like to explore the removal of the 2 lots on one side of the project.
The Board seemed to decide on putting off the project, but asking the design engineer to reconfigure the drawing with the 2 lots on side removed, and having these plans for possible future use.

Next was a much briefer discussion on the other two Hamlet Improvement projects.
The Board still agreed on moving the 10 telephone poles back off the street in Keene Valley and moving the one near the proposed Affordable Housing Project.
Mr. Ferebee then said he should have the curbing estimates for the sidewalk project in Keene Valley by Friday.
Ms. Allen asked if the extra foot and a half required by DOT would run the entire length of the curbing project or just where there is parking and whether the landowners had been notified.
There seemed to be a lot of confusion on exactly she was asking.
Mr. Ferebee responded this would only be necessary where there is parking.

Mr. Ferebee reminded everyone of the upcoming meeting schedule saying that the End of the Year meeting will be Thursday, December 28th, the 2007 Organizational Meeting will be Tuesday, January 2nd and the Annual Audit of Officers will be Thursday, January 18th.

Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that the bill sent to Glenn Parker for Planning and legal fees has been received back paid in full.

Resolution No. 247 – 06
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 247 – 06, a Resolution Transferring Funds. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

Resolution No. 248 – 06
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Supervisor’s Monthly Statement for November as presented and file it with the Town Clerk. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Resolution No. 249 – 06
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the following bills be accepted for payment, including those that were post paid. 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. 692 – 724 $ 6,716.59
Highway Fund bills No. 224 – 237 11,644.45
Library Fund bills No. 107 – 112 429.17
Water District No. 1 bills No. 120 – 125 477.03
Water District No. 2 bills No. 119 – 122 83.62
CPF – Hamlet Improvement No. 9 28.80
CPF – Community Dev./HUD No. 1 525.00
CPF – Water District No. 2 No. 32 1,142.25

Resolution No. 250 – 06
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 8:02 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
December 15, 2006
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson