Town Board Audit/Workshop Meeting – July 2020

The Town of Rochester Town Board held the July 30, 2020 audit at 6:00 pm and the Workshop meeting at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center.

PRESENT FOR THE 6:00PM ABSTRACT 7-2020 AUDIT:

Councilwoman Erin Enouen Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Chris Hewitt (6:12PM) Supervisor Michael Baden
Deputy Clerk Christina Ferrara

ABSENT:

Councilman Adam Paddock Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg

PRESENT FOR THE 6:30 PM WORKSHOP MEETING:

Councilwoman Erin Enouen Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Chris Hewitt Councilman Adam Paddock (6:40pm)
Supervisor Michael Baden Deputy Clerk Christina Ferrara
Town Attorney Mary Lou Christiana (via phone)

ABSENT:

Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg

DISCUSSIONS

MEETING LOCATION:

How does everyone want to do the meetings? If the sound quality can be remedied, the Board will have meetings at the Community Center. If not, the Board will continue to have the meetings through ZOOM. Councilwoman Enouen to investigate better microphones and report back to the Supervisor.

“DEEP HOLE” -PARKING /REFUSE/COVID-19 (LL #4-2020)

Discussion on resolving and weighing the pros and cons with the ongoing issues at local swimming holes. Attorney Christiana suggested looking into DEC regulations on water contamination that can be enforced. The Board also discussed ideas of signage, a dumpster, no parking, towing and no trespassing.

TRANSFER STATION

Councilwoman Enouen is looking into possible signage for residents to have a better understanding of what is accepted as recycling so we can be a better sustainable transfer station.

BUILDING CONDITIONS RFP

Supervisor Baden would propose a similar RFP as with the IT Consultant RFP. Exception will be a one-time assessment of all 14 buildings conditions and come up with a 5-year plan. Supervisor Baden wants to present this now, so the Board can look at it and vote at the next Town Board meeting.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN & LAND USE COMMITTEE REFERRALS

The Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code Review Committee reviewed the goals Section of the 2007 adopted Comprehensive Plan, many of the goals have been met.
The Comprehensive Plan Review Committee submitted the following suggested adoptions;
1) Recommendations regarding the Open Space Plan, Natural Heritage Plan and the Historic Resources Report making them addendums to the Town of Rochester Comprehensive Plan.
2) Recommendation for a new section §140-26A Short Term Transient Rentals to be added to the Town’s Zoning Code.

CONSTABULARY

Supervisor Baden talked to 2 of the 3 members of the Ad-hoc Committee they have yet to complete their report. Supervisor Baden will do a follow up this week.

INTERVIEWS FOR BOOKKEEPER/SUPERVISOR CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY

Supervisor Baden received 75 applications, interviewed 12, and narrowed it down to 4 candidates. He will check personal and professional references and will submit a recommendation to the Board at the August Town Board meeting.

SPECTRUM AND BROADBAND

The Town is currently halfway through the contract. Supervisor Baden has been in contact with the Regional Rep. and Congressman Delgado’s office regarding the issues of lack of broadband in Ulster County. There is a Bill in front of the State Legislation requiring the public service commission to provide better mapping. Town of Rochester has about 70% coverage but a lot of gaps that need to be connected. The Board discussed the importance of a cell tower up on Samsonville Rd just finding location and a carrier is key.

GENERAL CODE UPDATE

Supervisor Baden and Attorney Christiana were working on the analysis of Town Codes prior to COVID-19. General Code has been very understanding and have currently extended the deadline to September. Highway, Code Enforcement and Assessor will work on their areas of the Code that need to be addressed. Hopefully, the areas that need addressing will be submitted to the Board by September.

O & W RAIL TRAIL – Williams Lumber Easement / Parking Area

Currently there was a small group that formed an easement with Williams Lumber that will be dissolving, and it is recommended that the Town negotiate a new easement with the owners of Williams Lumber. A member of the Towns Trails Committee recommended discussing with bounding owner the possibility of creating a small parking area.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Supervisor Baden has been in contact with Rick Jones regarding planting trees around the Veterans Park and moving the 9/11 tree behind the flagpole to be made the featured tree. Councilman Hewitt suggested planting the New York State tree the “Sugar Maple”.

Councilman Paddock has been in contact with Rec. Director Ashley Sweeney on focusing on our Seniors. There are several senior groups in our Town. The County Office of the Aging would like to meet with our organizations to see what we can do to bring them together and inform them of programs available. We would like to incorporate our youth with our seniors.

SHARED WORK PROGRAM:
Resolution # 167-2020:

A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to extend the shared work program for the employees currently on it, with the percentages as is until August 29th.
Second: Councilman Hewitt
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

FIRE INSPECTOR VEHICLE / ACCORD FIRE DISTRICT
Resolution # 168-2020

A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to authorize the Supervisor to send correspondence to the Accord Fire District requesting use of William Farrell’s fire district vehicle for his position as Town Fire Inspector, In return Town of Rochester will provide all fuel for the vehicle for the remainder of the year, This is pending the approval by the Town’s insurance agent.
Second: Councilman Hewitt
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

PAVING AT THE HAROLD LIPTON COMMUNITY CENTER AND COURT PARKING LOT
Resolution # 169-2020

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy to pave the Harold Lipton Community Center parking lot and the Town Court parking lot, not to exceed the amount of $18,000.
Second: Councilman Paddock
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

ADJOURNMENT

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy to adjourn the meeting at 8:48pm.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen motion carried

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

Christina Ferrara
Deputy Town Clerk