The January 30, 2020 Audit/ Workshop Meeting was held at the Town of Rochester Town Hall.

PRESENT FOR THE 6:00PM AUDIT of ABSTRACT 13-2019 & ABSTRACT 01-2020:

Councilwoman Erin Enouen Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Chris Hewitt Supervisor Michael Baden

ABSENT:
Councilman Adam Paddock

WORKSHOP MEETING BEGAN AT 6:50PM

Supervisor Baden opened the meeting and led in the pledge of Allegiance to the flag

PRESENT:
Councilwoman Erin Enouen Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Chris Hewitt Supervisor Michael Baden
Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg

ABSENT:
Councilman Adam Paddock

INTERVIEWS FOR BOARD AND COMMISSIONS:

Historic Preservation Commission:
Francesca Noble & Shirley Avery
Youth Commission:
Deborah Martin
Planning Board/ ZBA:
Heather Gabriel
ZBA:
Bill Barringer
John Dawson

Payments of Abstract 13-2019
General Fund $ 32,226.50
Highway Fund $ 27,124.97
Street Lighting Fund $ 411.87
Grant Fund $ 50.16

Payment Abstract 1-2020
General Fund $ 136,231.83
Highway Fund $ 164,089.85
Street Lighting Fund $ 0
Grant Fund $ 0

Presentation: Watershed Educational Park by Andrew Faust & Councilman Hewitt
Andrew Faust from Rondout Creek Watershed Alliance & Center for Bioregional Living LLC

The Rochester Watershed Educational Park will provide a self-guided walking tour of over 30 pristine acres in the Town of Rochester, NY. The goal is to combine forward thinking and historically informed examples of productive tree and berry crops in a variety of areas around the property; create an educational Agroforestry trail system informed by the Permaculture model of a diverse orchard that blends well with the local ecology (called a Forest Garden); include selected varieties of regionally appropriate and valuable nut trees, fruits, berries, fuelwood, and lumber trees; and provide pollinator habitat and soil improvements throughout the site.

The project will strive to manage any meadows by mowing paths or sitting areas and seasonally interplanting with wildflowers and native grasses. To maintain the diverse wild meadow, simple management like cut and let lie with a sickle bar mower is suggested every other year in late July/early September (after ground birds have nested and with enough time for some regrowth before winter hits). This is what Audobon recommends to enhance songbird and pollinator diversity, and it can be managed by the Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission.

Signage about historical uses and natural succession and land management techniques will be recommended, with signs pointing out specific planted and existing species and habitats of note for their connection to our indigenous ancestors, local colonial heritage, and future uses. The informational signage will highlight watershed science, local ecology, and economic realities and opportunities throughout the property — with strategically located sitting and observation areas. There will also be signage about natural succession and how to “Read the Landscape.”

The early phases of the project will include natural, low-impact trails through the woods with some steps and a switchback here and there to get down to the water at key places (a good example is Shaft 2A in the Town of Wawarsing up to the Stony Kill Falls). This will establish a safe and beautiful trail system with educational signage throughout.

The park will be open to Ulster County residents (possibly for free) and tourists (possibly for a fee). It will also be available for school group field trips, SUNY and other college students for education on watershed science, ecology, evolution, history of farming, land management practices in the region, cultural heritage of the landscape, and more.

The town can work with Rondout Creek Watershed Alliance, Environmental Advocates, Riverkeeper, and other nonprofit organizations to create signage on the Mill Brook about the watershed, with graphics showing the full spread of the drainage of the Mill Brook from where it starts to its confluence with the Rondout and down to the Hudson. This map will show where the observer is standing in the Hudson River watershed. Accompanying this information will be a synopsis of the Mill Brook’s health and that of the larger Rondout watershed it feeds into. One potential collaboration idea is to work with Mohonk Preserve to create red cedar pavilions by the edge of the Mill Brook that mirror the ones on their property in order to encourage visitors to this park to also visit the Preserve.

Picnic areas will also be creating, possibly using the existing sand to make the platforms throughout the park. The majestic white oaks (some of which are over 250 years old) are a natural spot for sitting and relaxing for a picnic. Generally clearing around of all the larger healthier trees is recommended to make them more accessible and to help them to thrive.

It may also be possible to create a community pavilion with a wood-fired pizza oven and barbecue area. Rainwater tanks can feed a sink for washing up and a biodigestor can be installed to fuel the barbecue. A single-track mountain bike trail is also a great option.

We also recommend putting rain gardens off of all parking areas with wetland plants and flowers created as a filtration ditch to mitigate rainwater runoff. The porous parking area and rain gardens will also absorb the runoff from the long driveway.

The on-site sand can also be used for under informational kiosks built with local rot resistant wood. A map that is keyed into the Forest Garden trail can be taken by visitors for a self-guided educational experience, and a protected hardcopy can be posted in the kiosk and at the entry. A website for the park can also provide the self-guided map, with additional links to a seasonal calendar of events that can include recreational sports, nature education, community meals, ecological farmer trainings, and more.

Potential project partners:
Open Space Institute
Mohonk Preserve
Rondout Creek Watershed Alliance
Catskill Native Nursery
Department of Environmental Conservation
Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission
Riverkeeper
Borrego Solar
Environmental Advocates
William’s Lumber
A&M Hardware
Outline of the scope of work
Phase 1
Begin background research on all of the species that exist on the property now and find sources for what we want to plant in the Agroforestry/Forest Garden plantings.
Walk and thoroughly assess the site to establish an idea of a good layout for trails that lead to significant or rare locations on the property. Begin to asses our needs for tree plantings, signage, sitting and observation areas, steps or switchbacks, and more.
Some minor cutting, moving material, flagging, and staking to go over the ideas with Chris Hewitt and other Town stakeholders.
Total=$2,600
Future phases TBD

DISCUSSION:
Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code Review Committee:
Supervisor Baden reminded the Board to bring their recommendation for the committee to the February meeting. This is going to be 2 meetings a month a couple hours per meeting over the course of a year or more.
General Code update:
Supervisor Baden is working with Town Attorney Christiana on reviewing conflicts within the online e-code. We are 1/3 of the way reviewing laws that may conflict with State, Federal or Town laws. Some conflicts are as simple as spelling errors. The corrections will be presented to the Town Board at the February Audit meeting. The Board has until 4/1 to send in the recodification.
Policies:
Supervisor Baden stated that at the new elected officials training there were recommended policies to update or adopt that the Town Board is going to look in to. For example the investment policy hasn’t been updated since 1993.
IT Vendor/Cybersecurity:
Supervisor Baden stated he will put together a spread sheet for the next meeting so the Board can decide between 3 proposals.
Recycling & Composting:
Councilwoman Enouen went to the UCRRA facility to see the operations. She was able to see first-hand the importance of proper recycling of materials and what is considered recyclable. She stated that she is planning on attending the transfer station a few Saturdays to help educate residents on proper recycling and check out the composting operations.
Ulster County Personnel Dept. letter:
Supervisor Baden received a letter from Ulster County Personnel Department stating the Constables for the Town are subject to civil service examination. Currently there is no test in the state for this it may be years before the constables have to take the exam.

Executive Session
A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt to enter into executive session at 9:05pmThe Town Board motions to enter into executive session for the purposes of
1. Discussion of matters leading to the appointment of particular individuals considered for boards and commissions.
2. Discussion of matters leading to the employment of particular individuals.
3. Discussion of matters regarding proposed litigation.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Paddock-absent

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen to reconvene the meeting at 10:20pm with no action taking nor monies expended.
Second: Councilman Hewitt
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Paddock – absent
APPOINTMENT TO THE CONSTABULARY:
Resolution # 62-2020:

A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt upon recommendation of Chief Constable, the Town Board appoints Anthony Vignone and Justin Rearick to fill the vacant positions of Constable (provisional), part-time, at $12.00 per hour, on a 520-hr. probationary basis, pursuant to the Policy and Patrol Guide as approved by the Town of Rochester. This appointment is subject to meeting the training criteria set forth by NYS DCJS for Peace Officers and all employment requirements for the Town of Rochester and Ulster County Civil Service. The Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to amend the 2020 salary and wage schedule.
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Paddock-absent

AUTHORIZATION FOR TOWN ATTORNEY TO COMMENCE LITIGIATION:
Resolution # 63-2020:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen that the Town Board authorizes the Attorney for the Town commence litigation for “Breach of Contract” by Robert Freer.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Paddock-absent
ADJOURNMENT:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen to adjourn the meeting at 10:29pm .
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Paddock-absent

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK