Town of Rochester Town Board
Regular Meeting
November 5, 2020 6:30pm
As of 10-3-2020
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ
Listening Dial in Number +1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 860 6920 0627 Password: 143791
I. Call to Order – Pledge to the Flag – Roll Call
II. 2021 Preliminary Budget Presentation and Public Hearing
Fund Operating Costs Tax Levy % Change in Tax Levy
General Fund $2,343,292 $622,747 +7.41%
Highway Fund $1,825,787 $1,328,927 +3.38%
Total $ $4,169,079 $1,951,674 +4.63%
Special Districts
Accord Lighting $2,520 $2,520 -10%
Kerhonkson Lighting $1,680 $1,680 -14.29%
Berme Lighting $ 600 $ 600 -6.67%
III. *Possible Resolution* (or set date of special meeting to establish Final Budget)
Adoption of 2021 Town of Rochester Budgets
The Town of Rochester adopts the 2021 General Fund, Highway Fund, and Street Lighting Funds budgets, as presented, for the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021 and authorizes the Town Clerk to report a tax levy of $622,747 for General Fund, $1,328,927 for Highway Fund, $2,520 for Accord Lighting, $1,680 for Kerhonkson Lighting, and $600 for Berme Lighting to the Ulster County Department of Finance.
IV. Public Comment Report – Town Clerk
V. Attorney for the Town Report
VI. Town Clerk Report
VII. Supervisor’s Report
October 2020 – Filed with the Town Clerk
VIII. Announcement of October 2020 Financials
Receipts received from the Town Clerk’s office $
Expenditures
Abstract 10-2020
General Fund $52,481.33
Highway Fund $54,481.80
Street Lighting Fund $ 710.56
Grant Account $ 4,097.49
IX. Supervisor’s Update/Correspondence Report
• COVID-19 Report
• Census 2020
• 2021 Ulster County Budget Public Hearings
• IT Upgrade Progress
• Building Conditions Survey
• Courthouse Renovations
• Community Center Filing Room
• NY Rising – Alligerville Firehouse
X. Dept. Updates/Liaison Reports
XI. Highway Supt. Report
XII. Constabulary Report
XIII. Resolutions
A. Action on Minutes
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION: The Town Board accepts the minutes of the August 27, 2020 Audit/Workshop, October 1, 2020 Regular, October 6, 2020 Special, October 14, 2020 Special, October 21, 2020 Special, and October 29, 2020 Audit/Workshop meetings
B. Acceptance of Cash Donations
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION: The Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to accept donations of $200 from the Rochester Seniors and $500 from the Rochester Residents Association to assist in funding the 2020 Town of Rochester Thanksgiving Community Luncheon.
C. Installation of a Street Light
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION: Upon recommendation of the Highway Superintendent, the Town Board designates Old Mine Road between Academy Street and the Rochester/Wawarsing boundary a dangerous portion of roadway, pursuant to NYS Highway Law, Article 11, Section 327. This is proposed to be corrected with the installation of an LED streetlight on a 6-foot arm by Central Hudson on CHG&E pole 100846. With the adoption of this resolution, the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to contract with Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation for the installation and maintenance of such.
D. Authorization to Sign a Contract
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION: Upon recommendation of the Highway Superintendent and Town Supervisor, the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign a contract between C.T. Male Associates Engineering, Surveying, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, & Geology, D.P.C. 50 Century Hill Drive, Latham, NY 12110 and the Town of Rochester for engineering services to prepare and submit funding application to Ulster County for federal transportation funding to be made available by Ulster County Transportation Council to facilitate the design and replacement of the Boice Mill bridge, a town maintained bridge located in the Town of Rochester. The cost for such services shall be a lump sum in the amount of $3,100.00, including any direct reimbursable expenses.
E. Retirement Credits
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION: (TBD, exact wording, pending NYS retirement advisement)
F. *Possible Resolution*
Appointment of Part-Time Laborer
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION: The Town Board appoints _________to fill the vacant position of Laborer on an as-needed, part-time position not to exceed 32 hours per week at a rate of $12.00 per hour, effective November 8, 2020. Laborer duties shall be to work at the Transfer Station and Buildings and Grounds Department under the supervision of the Buildings and Grounds Supervisor.
G. *Possible Resolution* – if budget is adopted
Request to Classify and Establish an Employee Position
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION: The Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to request the Ulster County Personnel Department classify and establish a new employee position of Transfer Station Supervisor, effective January 1, 2021. Subsequent to such designation, the Town Board further authorizes the Supervisor to advertise the availability of such position, subject to the pay scale as included in the 2021 General Fund budget appropriations.
H. *Possible Resolution* – if budget is adopted
Request to Classify and Establish an Employee Position
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION: The Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to request the Ulster County Personnel Department classify and establish a new employee position of Laborer, Highway Department, effective January 1, 2021.
I. Setting a Public Hearing
Amendment to the Town of Rochester Comprehensive Plan
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, the Town of Rochester convened the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code Review Committee on February 6, 2020, and
WHEREAS, the committee has met and made written recommendation to the Town Board, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to amend the Comprehensive Plan appendices as follows:
1. to include the Open Space Plan (2015) in its entirety
2. to include the Historic Resources Report (2008) in its entirety
3. to include the Natural Heritage Plan (NHP) pages 1 – 33
4. to include the Natural Heritage Plan (NHP) Appendix A: Conservation Open Area & Critical Environmental Areas Maps (pages 62 – 71)
5. to include the Natural Heritage Plan (NHP) Appendix B: Catskill Shawangunk Greenway Corridor (CSGC) Symposium Summary Report (pages 72 -76)
6. to include the Natural Heritage Plan (NHP) table of figures and details on working groups (pages 77 – 82)
and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has circulated notice and the documents of such amendment to the Ulster County Planning Board, The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Town of Rochester Planning Board, the Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission, and the Town of Rochester Historic Preservation Commission with request for comment, and
THEREFORE, pursuant to NYS Town Law, Article 16, Section 272-A, the Town Board requests the Town Clerk circulate and post notice of a public hearing to be held December 10, 2020 at 6:30pm, to be held via videoconference in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order 202.1 and successors and requests the Town Clerk post and advertise legal notice of such public hearing.
J. Setting a Public Hearing
Local Law 5-2020, Amendment of Chapter 140, Zoning, Short-Term Transient Rentals
RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, the Town of Rochester convened the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code Review Committee on February 6, 2020, and
WHEREAS, the committee has met and made written recommendation to the Town Board, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board determines with the increase in tourism over the past several years in the Town of Rochester and adjacent areas, there has been an increase in the number of property owners renting to tourists on a short-term transient basis, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed the recommendations and made changes and has developed a local law which imposes mandatory regulations and requirements on all Town of Rochester property owners that desire to rent on a short-term transient basis their property. The purpose of such regulations and requirements are to assure that the properties being rented meet certain minimum safety and regulatory requirements thereby protecting both the property owners, occupants of such housing and the residents of the Town of Rochester, and
THEREFORE, the Town Board requests the Town Clerk circulate and post notice of a public hearing to be held December 10, 2020 to immediately follow the Comprehensive Plan public hearing held at 6:30pm, to be held via videoconference in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order 202.1 and successors and requests the Town Clerk post and advertise legal notice of such public hearing, and
FURTHER, the Town Board requests the Town Clerk to circulate such local law to the Ulster County Planning Board and the Town of Rochester Planning Board for comment
XIV. Discussion/Board Member Time
• Selective Insurance Notification
• 2021 Insurance Contract
XV. Adjournment in memory of
• Rev. Stephen J. Hanson
• Ryan Pommererencke
• Ralph Donnelly
• Arlene VanDermark
• Julie Bartle
• Kenneth Paes
• William Ellsworth
• All suffering worldwide from the COVID-19 virus