Town Board Audit/Workshop Meeting – February 2016

The February Audit/ Workshop Meeting was held on February 25, 2016 at 4pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall.
The Workshop Meeting Scheduled for 5 pm.

PRESENT:

Supervisor Chipman Councilwoman Chachkin Councilwoman Fornino
Councilman Drabkin Town Clerk Gundberg Attorney Christiana

ABSENT:
Councilman Spano

PLEDGE:
Supervisor Chipman opened the meeting and Danielle Dubord led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS:

The Board held an interview with Danielle Dubord for a position on the ECC.
The Board held an interview with Rick Jones for the Alternate position to the Planning Board.

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to approve the following;

General Fund Abstract 2 of 2016 $ 26, 345.97
Highway Abstract 2 of 2016 $ 29, 433.85
Street Lighting $ 433.44
_____________
$ 56, 213.26

Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent

CHANGE ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE TO ROAD TRAFFIC COMMITTEE:

Councilwoman Chachkin proposed renaming the Road Safety Committee to the Road Traffic Committee. Safety Committee is too broad and the name can be misleading. We want to help the drivers navigate the roads and look into ways for helping drivers by having additional signs & signals.

Councilwoman Fornino stated that she has concerns; what is this going to cost the tax payers? The board is over stepping our boundaries with Highway Superintendent Kelder. Councilwoman Fornino stated that she doesn’t feel like the roads are the problem, the problem is more of an individual issue. Ways we can improve are by education & enforcement. A committee is not necessary.

Councilwoman Chachkin feels it’s the Boards responsibility to help drivers navigate roads.

Rich Miller, Chief Constable is working on a report on accidents within the Town of Rochester.

Supervisor Chipman asked if the report will have location, age, cause of the accident?

Highway Superintendent stated that he is very much against having a committee. If the committee brings in someone from Cornell or an outside agency the Board is open to huge liability & obligations. There is a Uniform Safety Codes Signing Regulation Guide that is followed. Plus the Town of Rochester is a rural area, we still have a lot of dirt roads some in which may only be 12 ft wide, these roads weren’t meant for heavy travel and the Highway department does their best to keep them maintained and safe, changes to some of these roads are not possible. The problem is people not paying attention, driving too fast & other various distractions. Superintendent Kelder gave examples of incidents both he and his employees have experienced in the past with distracted drivers. Superintendent Kelder also stated most accidents that take place in Town are on State and County Roads not the Town Roads.

Councilman Drabkin stated that he is afraid that if the Board brings someone in for recommendations or any suggested changes we will have to move forward there is no going back. Highway Superintendent has the guide for the standards so we can look at different options but is a committee really necessary?

MOTION TO RESCIND RESOLUTION # 61-2016:

RESOLUTION # 66 -2016:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to rescind Resolution # 61-2016 creating the Road Safety Committee.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Councilwoman Chachkin nay
Councilwoman Fornino aye
Councilman Drabkin aye
Supervisor Chipman nay 2 nay, 2 aye, motion not carried
Councilman Spano absent

Supervisor Chipman stated as of now the committee still stands, we can bring it to vote next week but until then we can look to see what other Towns have done.

Councilwoman Chachkin stated from what she’s hearing it doesn’t seem like we have the support moving forward, and meeting with Cornell may cause liability & signs may not make a difference.

Chief Constable Miller asked what the ultimate goal was regarding the committee ? It is not a bad idea to explore ideas of what the Board may want to do. Find out where the problem areas are, problems with the roads, where to prioritize.

A Lengthy heated discussion continued regarding the committee.

Supervisor Chipman asked Councilwoman Chachkin if she would like to rescind her vote?

Councilwoman Chachkin stated there doesn’t seem to be the support.

Supervisor Chipman stated that if we don’t do a study how will we know where the problem is?

There was no motion to revote.

Attorney Christiana stated that the Board should table the discussion for now, take a week to reflect all the comments made, bring Councilman Spano up to date, the Board can do research without bringing in Cornell or other resources & cancel the field visit with Cornell.

DISCUSSION FOR CHAPTER 38 OF THE TOWN CODE:

The public hearing will be scheduled at the March Town Board Meeting.

ENGINEER FIRM FOR CDBG- COMMUNITY CENTER REHABILITATION PROJECT:

RESOLUTION # 67-2016:

A Motion was made Councilwoman Chachkin that;

WHEREAS, the Town of Rochester request for Qualifications Evaluation Committee has recommended Lothrop Associates, LLP for this project; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Rochester Supervisor has permission, through a subrecipient Agreement between the Town of Rochester and the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, to sign documents pertaining to this project; and

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery has reviewed the process utilized by the Town of Rochester in its procurement of engineering services and consents to the Town entering into a contract with the aforementioned firm.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town of Rochester Town Board, acting as the governing authority of the Town of Rochester, certifies approval of the Town to execute a contract with Lothrop Associates, LLP to perform architectural/engineering design services for the above named project.

Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano-Absent
DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY UPDATE:

Supervisor Chipman stated that the Department of Labor had no information regarding Drug & Alcohol Policy.

UNSAFE BUILDING DISCUSSION:

Councilman Drabkin wanted to discuss the law contesting unsafe buildings in the Town of Rochester Town Code. He recommended changing the language so the appeal goes before the Board not an appeal officer.
Councilwoman Chachkin said if the appeal is before the Board then it is an open meeting.
It was discussed to have a 3 person committee consisting of the Town Supervisor, possibly an engineer &/ or an attorney.
Attorney Christiana suggested that the Board make the amendment first, then appoint a board.

LOCAL LAW CONSOLIDATION:

Attorney Christiana recommends that the Board look at the General Code contract to make sure we are allowed to copy their format.

REQUEST OF EXPENDITURE LINE:

Highway Superintendent Kelder request that the sale of Highway Equipment on Auctions International be placed in the Machinery budget line.
Supervisor Chipman stated he would have to look to see what was allocated, we will look and see if the line can be expended.

ADJOURNMENT:

A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 pm.

Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano-Absent

Respectfully Submitted,

Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk