Town Board Meeting – December 2016

The Town of Rochester Town Board held the Regular Town Board Meeting on
December 1, 2016 at 7pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall.

PRESENT:

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

PLEDGE:

Supervisor Chipman opened the meeting and Councilwoman Fornino led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

MOMENT OF SILENCE:

Supervisor Chipman held a moment of silence in memory of Brenda Striano. Brenda was a dedicated secretary to the Building department for 29 years and will be greatly missed.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:

Carol Fischer asked who was in charge of hiring coaches for the basketball program and if background are completed.
Supervisor Chipman stated that coaches are volunteers and he would look further into the background check situation.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to approve the 11/3/2016 Regular Town Board Meeting, the 11/09/2016 Public Hearing on the Budget, 11/09/2016 Special Meeting, 11/28/2016 Special Meeting.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Drabkin absent
CORRESPONDENCE:

Supervisor Chipman received the Ag & Markets report from NYS regarding our dog shelter. The Shelter passed with flying colors. Supervisor Chipman continued with boarding for 5 Towns is bringing in great revenue to the Town.

SUPERVISOR UPDATE:

LEGAL UPDATES:
Attorney Christiana stated she e-mailed information to the Board members & discussed the Town passing a local law extending deadlines for senior star.

LIASION/ COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilwoman Chachkin: Planning Board: 11/14 approved a lot line improvement for 9 acres on Rock Hill Rd. Approval for the West wind orchard. 12/10 public hearing scheduled associated with subdivision of 11 acres into two lots, 75 acres into three lots. The public hearing on the commercial stable on Route 44/55 remains open. There was a pre-app discussion of a vehicle equipment establishment on route 209. ZRC: non-conforming use proposal will be presented for revisions.
Councilwoman Fornino: Youth Commission: The tree lighting is scheduled for 12/2/16 at 5pm. The Senior Holiday brunch is scheduled for 12/17 from 10-11:30am; The Mary Lee Award will be presented. The Children’s party will take place at 12pm. Letters to Santa can be sent to the Youth Commission as well until 12/16/16. The Thanksgiving Luncheon was a success with 60 meals served and 20 deliveries.
Councilman Drabkin: absent
Councilman Spano: nothing to report other than stating that Carol and her staff did a great job and he enjoyed seeing how the kids in the after school program were a part of the process with making the placemats and center pieces.
Supervisor Chipman: HPC: reviewed the study with Neil Larson. HARP: The Hamlet of Accord Revitalization Project for region 8 bridge replacement on Route 209 power point will be on the Town website. Assessor’s office: all exemption renewals are out, continuing to update inventory as necessary.

NEW/ OLD BUSINESS:

SOLAR ARRAY AT LANDFILL & SANDMINE:

Larry Dewitt spoke to the Board regarding the Solar RFP. 6 proposals were received each with different proposals for different locations. Larry stated he hoped for more proposals but is every pleased with 4 of the outfits. It seems that the Landfill is a little more involved with some complications. Mr. Dewitt also discussed the time sensitivity regarding the proposals and hopes to bring this before the Board to vote at the January meeting.

UPDATE ON ROCHESTER / RONDOUT CREEK BRIDGE:

Supervisor Chipman gave an update on the Rochester/ Rondout Bridge. The New Bridge will be 18 ft. higher than the current bridge; the entire roadway will be over 1000 ft. long, widening Route 209 with 6 ft. shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists. This will help with the connection of the Rail Trail as well. The date of completion is scheduled for August of 2018.

ALLIGERVILLE FIREHOUSE:

Supervisor Chipman stated that 4 RFP’s have been received for the Alligerville Firehouse and a committee has been formed and an architect will be chosen soon.

COMMUNITY CENTER / FOOD PANTRY EXTENSION:

Supervisor Chipman stated that bids for this expansion should be going out in the next month, with hopes of completion of summer of 2017.

REAPPOINTMENT TO THE BOAR:
Resolution # 133-2016:

A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to re-appoint Marge Bonner to the BOAR with a term to expire 9/30/2021.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Drabkin absent

NYS ROAD SURVEY RESOLUTION:
Resolution # 134 -2016:

A Motion was made by Councilman Spano that;

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Rochester Town Board accept all legal and maintenance and repair responsibility for the following roads that the Town of Rochester has already been responsible for but have not been included in the NYSDOT inventory of the Town of Rochester Roads:
Barry Lane
Berme Road – 0.46 miles to be added
Cottage Lane
Countryman Lane
Creek Road – 0.08 miles to be added
Devou Lane
Mountain Road – is not recreational and is town owned and maintained
Peterskill Crossing
Stone House Road
Sundown Road – 0.37 miles to be added
Williams Street
Vandemark Lane

BE IT FURTHER resolved that the fore mentioned road’s beginning and ending points be included as per the 2016 NYSDOT inventory provided to the Town and attached to this Resolution.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Drabkin Absent
HIGHWAY FUND TRANSFER:
Resolution # 135 -2016:

A Motion was made by Councilman Spano to transfer the following funds;
$ 30,000.00 from 5110.1 to 5110.4
$ 38, 346.00 from 5120.1 to 5140.1

Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0 aye, motion carried
Drabkin Absent
DISCUSSION:

Highway Superintendent Kelder stated, “the above transfer is being requested because the highway department had to contract a paving machine with operator (unforeseen costs) this transfer is to offset those costs & we did not spend the money in 5120.1 and there was a sander taken out of 5140.1 which created a negative balance because the sander was intended for 2015 budget- the funds from 5120.1 will off-set this balance.”

APPROVAL OF DATES FOR THE ACCORD SPEEDWAY:
Resolution # 136-2016:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to approve the 2017 Accord Speedway permit and race dates schedule.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Drabkin absent
APPROVAL OF THE BILLS:

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

Highway Abstract 11 of 2016 $ 43,321.75
General Abstract 11 of 2016 $ 40, 673.71
Street lighting $ 423.94
___________________
$ 84, 419.40

Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Drabkin absent

Public Comment Period:

Highway Superintendent Wayne Kelder submitted his letter to retire effective 12/4/2016 at 11:59pm.

Mike Baden stated that Applestone application was rescinded and they are continuing with subdivision. He stated that he is glad to see Becky move on to Brenda’s position; he will miss her but is looking forward to Shaye moving into the position on Planning Board secretary.

Councilman Spano asked about the follow-up meeting with Ulster County Communications & the bridge on Route 44/55.

Councilman Spano also thanked Highway Superintendent Wayne Kelder for his dedicated years of service to the Town of Rochester Highway Department. He has done a tremendous job and wishes him all the best in his retirement.

Supervisor Chipman reiterated thanking Wayne and his family for his years of dedication.

ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilman Spano to adjourn the meeting at 8:00pm.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Drabkin absent

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk