The Town Board Meeting was held on May 5, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.
PRESENT:
Supervisor Chipman Councilwoman Archer Councilman Cilenti
Councilman Spano Town Clerk Gundberg
Attorney Christiana
ABSENT:
Councilwoman Michailescu
PLEDGE:
Supervisor Chipman opened the meeting and Richard Travers led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
No comments made.
VALLEY OF THE GIANTS PRESENTATION:
Maria Reidelbach, Artistic Director, creator of large-scale art projects “ Valley of the Giants.” The idea behind the Valley of the Giants is constructing local Giants throughout the Rondout Valley creating beautiful, charming, folkloric creatures to help bring tourism to our area. She felt this would be a great start to strengthen local community and marketing the group of giants with maps and merchandise giving huge potential to our area.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to approve the minutes of the 04/07/2011 Regular Town Board Meeting and the 04/28/2011 Audit Workshop Meeting.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Archer Unanimously approved
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: Filed with the Town Clerk
SUPERVISOR’S UPDATE:
Supervisor Chipman stated he just sent a $ 20,000.00 check to Provident Bank paying off the last Highway BAN.
INFORMATION CLASS ON NATURAL GAS DRILLING
Resolution # 51 -2011:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to send Supervisor Chipman to an information class on Natural Gas Drilling on 6/24/2011 in Binghamton, NY.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano 4-0 aye, motion carried
Michailescu absent
LEGAL MATTERS: will be discussed in executive session.
LIAISON REPORTS:
Councilwoman Archer: ECC: focus was on Earth day cleanup coordination; quarterly events similar to the Earth day process. Planning Board: 3 applications for the meeting. Starting in June the Planning Board and Zoning meetings will switch meeting nights.
Councilman Cilenti: Assessor’s office: Grievance day is 5/24/2011.
Councilman Spano: Thanked the community for their efforts with the garbage pickup on Earth day. It was a success and unbelievable the amount of garbage on Lucas Ave.
NEW BUSINESS:
REVAL UPDATE:
Michael Dunham President- Valley Appraisal Service gave a status report to the Town Board for the 2011 Update.
INFORMAL HEARINGS:
We have completed the informal hearings with property owners and the breakdown of the number of properties reviewed is listed below by property type.
Residential 125
Vacant land 112
Commercial 21
Gravel Banks 2
Mobile Homes 20
Farm 1
Total: 281
Of the 281 Properties reviewed, 145 were due to inventory related issues. This was due to property owners not returning the data mailers on residential properties and also due to inventory issues with the way the land was classified on vacant lots. The total of 281 informal meetings is a reasonable number considering that over half were related to inventory issues.
GRIEVANCE DAY:
I will be reviewing Grievance Applications with the Assessor as they are received and will put information together to help support the value of property. I will also be available Grievance Day to help the Assessor answer any questions that may come up with the Board of Review during the Grievance proceedings.
ECC APPOINTMENTS:
Resolution #52 -2011:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to appoint Lillian Greene and Laura Finestone to the Environmental Conservation Commission with terms to expire 12/31/2013.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Archer 4-0 aye, motion carried
Michailescu absent
SURPLUS EQUIPMENT SALES:
Supervisor Chipman stated that a list has been compiled and he is planning on advertising for the bid at the Audit Workshop Meeting.
BOARD/COMMISSION CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND LIAISON TRAINING:
Resolution #53 -2011:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to authorize Supervisor Chipman to hold training session for Boards and Commissions with an honorary gift to the Volunteer Gene Moncrief in the amount of $ 250.00.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano 4-0 aye, motion carried
Michailescu absent
TOWN HALL BUILDING REPAIR:
Resolution # 54-2011:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to authorize Supervisor Chipman to obtain approximately 3 structural engineer recommendations for the Building Columns.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Archer 4-0 aye, motion carried
Michailescu absent
AUTHORIZATION TO USE TOWN VEHICLE IN MEMORIAL DAY PARADE:
Resolution # 55 -2011:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to authorize the Town Highway Department to use Town Vehicles in the Memorial Day Parade.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano 4-0 aye, motion carried
Michailescu absent
BOAR CONTRACT:
Resolution # 56-2011:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to authorize Supervisor Chipman to negotiate contract options with another Town’s BOAR for handling Assessment Grievances by a BOAR member brought before a BOAR after first meeting with Town Assessor.
Seconded By Councilwoman Archer
DISCUSSION:
Councilman Spano felt that we should not commit to just one Town that in case of a conflict of interest we might want to contract with other Towns. Councilman Cilenti felt one outlet would work.
4-0 aye, motion carried
Michailescu absent
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Mike Baden Chairman of the Planning Board asked for board approval to explore his own training options for planning board members. He would develop a program proposal and bring it back to the Board for approval.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A Motion was made by Councilman Cilenti to enter into executive session at 8:10pm to discuss legal matters for the Body of Truth decision and to include Planning Board Chairman Mike Baden.
Seconded by Councilman Spano 4-0 aye, motion carried
Michailescu absent
A Motion was made by Councilman Spano to reconvene the meeting at 8:51pm stating no action taken nor monies expended.
Seconded by: Councilman Cilenti 4-0 aye, motion carried
Michailescu absent
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Archer to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 pm.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano 4-0 aye, motion carried
Michailescu absent
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk