2010 May Town Board Minutes

The Town Board Meeting was held on May 6, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.

 

PRESENT:
Supervisor Chipman      Councilwoman Archer     Councilman Cilenti
Councilwoman Michailescu              Councilman Spano               Town Clerk Gundberg                             
ABSENT:
Attorney Christiana
PLEDGE:
Supervisor Chipman opened the meeting and Deputy Superintendent Wade from the Rondout Valley School district led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
One resident asked if the Town purchased the no littering signs. Supervisor Chipman stated that 40 are currently on order.
Mike Baden stated that the Towns new zoning law was used as a model at the Ulster County Planning Board meeting.
YOUTH PROGRAM CERTIFICATE:
A red ribbon Youth Program Certificate was presented to the Town Youth Department from Ulster County Youth Bureau. Supervisor Chipman asked for Councilwoman Michailescu to accept the award on behalf of the Youth Department.
ULSTER COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
Legislator Terry Bernardo was proud to announce a few Town residents appointed to Ulster Countywide positions.
Leon Smith was appointed to Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency.
David O’Halloran was appointed to the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency.
Michael Baden was appointed to the Ulster County Planning Board.
A pride of Ulster County Award was presented to Eugene Melnyczuk for his many years of dedicated service to the Accord Fire District.
RVCS BUDGET PRESENTATION:
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Timothy Wade and Business Administrator Debra Kosinski presented the proposed 2010-2011 School budget and summary.

 

Total budget in the amount of $61,059,188 and projected levy increase of 2.81%
$4 million dollars used to offset the tax levy and to achieve an unreserved fund balance.
A total of 15.2 positions are eliminated including 14.2 teaching/support positions and 1.0 administrative positions, which account for over $1,000,000 in reductions.
A total of 16 teacher liaison stipends are eliminated for a savings of over $88,000
Fieldtrips, clubs, after/before school programs are all reduced by 25% for a net savings of over $94,000
Class size at the elementary schools will range from 15-22 students/class and 15-25 students/class(some exceptions) at the middle and high schools.

 

The following academic programs are maintained: Athletics, AP courses, arts & environmental education programs, kindergarten teaching assistants, summer outreach program, and elementary foreign language.
Reductions in the following programs: Art, foreign language music, special education, physical education, social studies, reading and English Language Arts.

 

Budget vote information: May 18, 2010 from 6am-9pm at the District Office.

 

After the presentation Supervisor Chipman opened the floor to the public.

 

Several residents expressed their concerns about the proposed school budget. During this recession the school administration should work on lowering the budget.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to approve the minutes of the 04/01/2010  Regular Town Board meeting, 04/29/2010 Audit Workshop meeting.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Archer                                                motion carried
SUPERVISORS REPORT:  filed with the Town Clerk.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Supervisor Chipman received an insurance form from Central Hudson in reference to the banners that are going to be displayed throughout the Town of Rochester.
SUPERVISOR’S UPDATE:
The Memorial Day parade is scheduled for May 31, 2010.
LEGAL MATTERS:
Supervisor Chipman stated we are waiting for the response filed by Mombaccus Excavating.
Supervisor Chipman stated the Galewater vs. Town of Rochester has been settled.   
LIAISON REPORTS:
Councilwoman Archer: The ECC participated in the Earth day cleanup cleaning the Berme Rd Canoe entrance to Project 32. A wild flower walk is scheduled for 5/22/10 at 10:30am starting at the Town of Rochester Rail Trail and ending at Berme Rd. in High Falls followed by a tree planting ceremony at 1pm. Rondout Creek cleanup day has now become a multi-community effort and will be held on 6/12/2010.
Councilman Cilenti: Nothing new to report
Councilwoman Michailescu: Youth Commission: The summer program has 13 fulltime and 4 half-day program signups. The Youth Department received a $ 2,000 grant for garden boxes located at the Community Center. HPC: glad to see the groundbreaking for the Veterans Park will take place in 2010.
Councilman Spano: CEO/ Assessor: Because of security access issues the CEO can’t use the RFP system the Assessor currently uses. Fire Department: Len Bernardo, Fire Commissioner stated the Fire Company moving forward with placing security systems at all locations as a precautionary measure.
Supervisor Chipman: ZBA: granted a use variance for a recording studio on Clayhill Rd.
OLD BUSINESS:
Supervisor Chipman stated that he along with fellow association of Towns Supervisors and Highway Superintendents are waiting on a joint response from the County in reference to Shared Highway Services.
NEW BUSINESS:
PETTY CASH FOR JUSTICE COURT:
Resolution # 69-2010:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti that the Town of Rochester Town Board establishes a Petty Cash Fund for the Town of Rochester Municipal Court in the amount of $ 100.00.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Archer                                        motion carried
ADVERTISE SPECIAL MEETING:
Resolution # 70-2010:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Archer that the Town of Rochester Town Board will hold a Special Town Board Meeting on 5/17/2010 at 4:30pm at the Town Hall for the purpose of review of bidding specification for the Creek Road Stabilization Project, and further authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise the same.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano                   
                                                                ROLL CALL VOTE:
                        Councilwoman Archer                             aye
                        Councilman Cilenti                                      nay
                        Councilwoman Michailescu                                aye
                        Councilman Spano                                        aye
                        Supervisor Chipman                                      aye
                                                                        4-1, motion carried
VETERANS PARK LOCATION:
Resolution # 71-2010:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti for the Town Board to approve the establishment of the Veterans Park at the Town Hall proximate to the highway storage area.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano                                    5-0 aye motion carried
AUTHORIZING HIGHWAY TRUCK TO ENTER MEMORIAL DAY PARADE:
Resolution # 72-2010:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti for the Highway Department to enter a truck in the Memorial Day parade.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano                                    5-0 aye, motion carried
RONDOUT VALLEY RAIL TRAIL:
Resolution 73# -2010:
A Motion was made by Councilman Spano and Seconded by Councilman Cilenti that the Town of Rochester participate in an IMA for establishment of a continuous trail throughout the Rondout Valley.
Whereas, the former O&W Railway, now known as the Rail Trail, runs through the New York State towns of Marbletown, Rochester, and Warwarsing, and the Village of Ellenville, and;

 

Whereas, the aforementioned towns, along with the Town of Rosendale, wish to work together to facilitate a continuous rail trail through each of their towns/village from Ellenville to Marbletown along with establishing a connector/corridor to the Town of Rosendale, and;

 

Whereas, the region is host to scenic, natural, recreational and historic resources of statewide, national and international significance, including the northern Shawangunk mountains – home of the Mohonk Preserve, the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, the Sam’s Point Preserve, the Mohonk Mountain House and the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway – the Rondout Creek, a significant number sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and a landscape recognized by the State of New York in its Open Space Plan as “one of the highest priority areas for biodiversity conservation in the northeastern United States,” and;

 

Whereas rail trails provide important recreational opportunities for local residents and play a key role in the promotion of regional tourism, and;

 

Whereas, the challenges and opportunities facing the region are significant and that by working together from a regional perspective, a common agenda for the conservation and enhanced management of the resources of the region can be advanced in a way that supplements but does not supplant local municipal action, and;

 

Whereas, under Article 5 – G Section 119 – o of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, municipalities have the authority to enter into Intermunicipal resolution and jointly perform services regarding subjects each separately has the power to perform, now;

 

Therefore be it resolved, that this Intermunicipal resolution is hereby enacted, and;

 

That the undersigned chief elected official of the communities, as authorized by their respective boards, hereby agree to work together under the title Rondout Valley Rail Trail Committee to help advance the Trail and initiatives for tourism and economic development and the preservation of resources, and;

 

That the committee shall be comprised of the chief elected official of each of the aforementioned municipalities and a second representative designated by each Town and Village, and shall be assisted by a committee Chairperson selected by the committee, and;

 

That the members of the executive committee will represent by their actions the policies, plans and best interests of their local municipalities, and at no time shall those actions interfere with or diminish any powers or authority of any of the participating municipalities, and;

 

That the executive committee may initiate cooperative relationships with other organizations, as well as with the State and county agencies, to further mutual interests and to coordinate relevant activities, and;

 

That the members of the executive committee will work together cooperatively in the decision making process and may develop rules and operating procedures as necessary and appropriate to carry out this initiative, and;

 

Therefore, be it resolved that the Towns and Village listed below agree to the
Adoption of said resolution:                                    
Unanimously approved

 

CHIPS FUNDING:

 

Resolution # 74-2010:

 

A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti that the Town of Rochester Town Board allocate $ 215,000 from the highway unallocated fund balance to spend through account DA-6-5112.100 Capital outlay with the intention to replace those expended monies through NYS CHIPS funding in order to receive CHIPS funding for necessary highway capital projects as the NYS Budget has not yet been settled and further reconcile accounts upon CHIPS approval.

 

Seconded by: Councilwoman Archer                                        motion carried

 

SAFETY NET BILLING:

 

Resolution # 75-2010:

 

A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti that the Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes Town Welfare Officer Susan Mitchell and the Town Supervisor to examine Ulster County Safety Net billing and that all measures are utilized by both of these Town Officers to maintain confidentiality of these statements as required by law.

 

Seconded by: Councilman Spano
                                                                5-0 aye, motion carried.

 

ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to adjourn the meeting at 9:35pm.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano                                   Motion carried
                                                                        
Respectfully submitted,

 

Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk
A Special meeting was held on May 17, 2010 at 4:30pm at the Town Hall.

 

Present:

 

Supervisor Chipman              Councilwoman Archer     Councilwoman Michailescu
Councilman Spano                Town Clerk Gundberg

 

Absent:

 

Councilman Cilenti

 

A special meeting was held for the purpose of review of bidding specifications for Creek Road Stabilization Project.

 

ADVERTISE CREEK RD STABILIZATION PROJECT:

 

Resolution # 76-2010:

 

A Motion was made by Councilman Spano to approve the specifications for the Creek road stabilization project and further authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for the sealed bids with a return date for June 17, 2010 at 11 am at the Town Clerks Office.

 

Seconded by: Councilwoman Archer                                4-0 aye, motion carried

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

A Motion was made by Councilman Spano to adjourn the meeting at 4:45pm.

 

Seconded by: Councilwoman Archer                                4-0 aye, motion carried
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk
The Audit/Workshop Meeting was held on May 27, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Town Hall.
PRESENT:

 

Supervisor Chipman                      Councilwoman Archer     Councilman Cilenti                
Councilwoman Michailescu                Town Clerk Gundberg     

 

ABSENT:
Councilman Spano

 

Supervisor Chipman opened the meeting and Tammy Avery led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

DISCUSSIONS:

 

CHALLENGE FOR CHANGE PROJECT:

 

Rondout Valley Girl Scout Troop 60187 presented the Town Board with their Challenge for Change Project. The troop’s community volunteer project is titled the Rondout Rail Trail Park Picnic Play. They are looking to have authorization from the Town Board to  permit the girls to have their community project  in the Town of Rochester on the Rail Trial at the access off Berme road.

 

A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to allow the Rondout Valley Girl Scout Troop 60187 to conduct their Challenge for Change Project on Town of Rochester property located on the Rail Trail at the access of Berme road.

 

Seconded by: Councilwoman Archer                                motion carried

 

HIGHWAY SHARED SERVICES:

 

Representative of UCDPW David Bolles gave a presentation on the service sharing, service consolidation and cost saving for Ulster County highway services. An overview of highway services and capacity was conducted by analyzing existing data and a collection of additional documents from participant Towns.

 

The analysis was done to provide an overview of highway services and capacity for each of the following areas infrastructure, finance, service, winter and summer maintenance, and human resources.

 

Supervisor Chipman opened the floor to the public.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:

 

Several residents asked for clarification of the shared services.

 

There was a discussion on those that would suffer with these services, loss of jobs, increase in Town tax amounts, and if it is feasible for the Town of Rochester to participate.

 

TIME WARNER CABLE:

 

Councilwoman Archer asked if Time Warner Cable has returned phone calls to the Town Attorney. Councilwoman Archer stated that this issue is becoming a real estate issue as well.

 

LITIGATION UPDATE:

 

Supervisor Chipman stated the Town is waiting on a conference date for the Mombaccus vs. Town of Rochester case.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:

 

A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to approve the following bills as audited this date
                        General Fund 2010 Abstract 5            $          59,511.41
                        Highway Fund 2010 Abstract 5            $        110,438.60
                        Street Lighting                                 $               753.89
                                                                        ______________
                                                                        
$        170,703.90

 

Seconded by: Councilwoman Michailescu                                   motion carried
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE/ VETERANS PARK:

 

11am is the ground breaking for the Veterans Park. 1pm is the start of the Parade followed by the festivities in the Town Park.

 

COPY MACHINES:

 

Supervisor Chipman stated that he met with Xerox on the costs of a 5year lease. He looked into the State bid amounts and Xerox is lower.

 

BARLEY PROPERTY UPDATE:

 

Supervisor Chipman updated The Board on the Barley Store property. The property was condemned in 2003, and The Board should move forward to have the building demolished.

 

GILES EDWARDS PROPERTY:

 

Supervisor Chipman stated that a final notice went to Giles Edwards for removing anything of value from his home.

 

PLANNING BOARD THRESHOLD:

 

The Board agreed to authorize Attorney Christiana to prepare a motion to approve the Planning Boards recommendations for the thresholds.

 

TETHERING LAW:

 

The Board discussed the recent passing of the tethering law in the state of Connecticut.  

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

A Motion was made by Supervisor Chipman to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm.

 

Seconded by: Councilman Cilenti                                         motion carried
                                                                                

 

Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Gundberg                                                                                                                      
Town Clerk