Minutes of the Bi-Monthly and End of the Year Town Board Meeting held Thursday, December 29, 2011, at 5:30 PM, at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Robert M. Biesemeyer and Marcy A. Neville, Members of Council. Absent: Paul R. Martin and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Also present were: 1 Councilmen Elect, 1 resident and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.
The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM.
Mr. Ferebee said the library would be re-opening on Tuesday, January 3rd. He said that Meredith, with the help of volunteers, including Marcy, had done a good job getting everything put back together. He said that Mike Whitney has hooked back up the computers.
He said the skating rink is ready for ice, as soon as the weather permits, saying that the Town Hall is receiving calls asking when it is going to open.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that he was applying for an extension, until 6/30/12, on the Holt House grant.
He said the 1st reimbursement payment, in the amount of $17,400, for the May flood, was received today from FEMA. He said he suspected that the remaining $54,000 would come in the next few days.
Mr. Ferebee said that the money for the B.A.N. was in and said there were flood bills in tonight’s vouchers for payment.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that he and Randy Douglas were meeting with DEC tomorrow morning to discuss debris cleanup along the river.
He said he has a long term recovery conference call next Wednesday with the Department of State.
Mr. Ferebee asked the Board Members present if they were familiar with the Assessment Relief Act signed into law by the Governor. He said it gives Towns the option to enact a local law to reimburse tax money to owners of property who lost more than 50% of its value due to Tropical Storm Irene.
The Board discussed the deadline date of March 1st for assessments and how the system works.
Mr. Ferebee informed the Board that after staying under the 2% tax cap there is no money available for reimbursements. The Board Members present seemed to agree. He said the tax levy would be changed for 2013.
Mr. Ferebee said he intends to call DEC tomorrow to get an onsite permit issued to move material from the bend in Gulf Brook near the fire house to each side of the bridge on Bucks Lane. He said with an excavator this should take about half of a day.
Kent Wells suggested to the Board that they consider having an excavator spend a day or a day and a half cleaning out the bottleneck near the firehouse. He said this material could be used at the bridge. He said that in 2 to 4 months it is going to be flood season again and that the County bridge needs protection. He said in all the stabilization plans he had heard the Corp. of Engineers plan made the most sense.
When Mr. Ferebee again said he would get the onsite permit, Mr. Wells commented that DEC is not going to like the sandy material that was put near the bridge.
Resolution No. 230 – 11
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Supervisor’s Monthly Financial Statement for November as presented and file it with the Town Clerk. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent
Mr. Ferebee presented Ms. Neville with a plaque for her dedication as a Town Board Member from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2011. He told Ms. Neville he has enjoyed working with her and will miss her.
He said he also had a plaque for Mr. Jaques, who was not here tonight.
Resolution No. 231 – 11
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the following bills for payment, including those that were prepaid. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent
Multi-fund Vouchers numbered 859 to 909, totaling:
General fund - $20,042.07
Highway fund - 47,705.31
Library fund - 911.20
Water District #1 fund - 4,087.27
Water District #2 fund - 5,361.64
CPF - Byways Project - 1,304.89
Resolution No. 232 – 11
Mr. Biesemeyer 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 Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Absent
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Absent
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 PM.
Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
December 30, 2011
William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson