Town Board Meeting Minutes – August 2016

The Regular Town Board meeting was held on August 4, 2016 at 7:10pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall.

PRESENT:

Supervisor Chipman Councilwoman Chachkin Councilman Drabkin
Town Clerk Gundberg Attorney Christiana

ABSENT:
Councilwoman Fornino Councilman Spano

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:

No comments made.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to approve the 7/7/16 Public Hearing, 7/7/16 Regular meeting & 7/28/16 audit workshop meeting.

Councilman Drabkin stated that he hasn’t read the minutes and wasn’t at the meeting.

A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to table the approval of minutes until next month.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 3-0aye, motion carried
Fornino, Spano absent

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: filed with the Town Clerk

SUPERVISOR UPDATE:

Supervisor Chipman discussed with the Board and the audience certain expectations that are expected at all meetings. At last month’s meeting a resident spoke outside of public comment which was uncalled for. “Personal attacks are distasteful and though I agree with the right to freedom of speech it can be done professionally.”

Supervisor Chipman wanted to clarify misleading information that was given during the public hearing last month. A comment was made that large land owners carry the tax burden in the Town of Rochester. Supervisor Chipman stated, “After some research the 12 largest landowners add up to approximately 47 million in taxable value of the 763 million in the Town of Rochester. Once you add in the forestry and agriculture exemptions the burden is even more on residents. Residential homeowners carry the tax burden of the Town not large land owners.”

LEGAL UPDATES:

Attorney Christiana sent an e-mail to Board members discussing litigation.
Currently working on the RFP for Community Solar at the landfill with Larry DeWitt.
A Law is finally on the books for vacant properties, more to come in the future regarding zombie properties.

LIAISON/ COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Councilwoman Chachkin: Planning Board: 7/11 meeting approved minor subdivision on granite road. The Ag/ Tourism application on Samsonville Rd was approved. The public hearing on the acorn school has remained open, still waiting on responses from agencies.
ZRC: 7/27 meeting reviewed the Baden-Fornal proposal. Agreed to forward it to the Town Board.
Councilman Drabkin: The ZBA is holding a special meeting at this time, nothing to report.
Supervisor Chipman: Clarification of liaison duties; liaisons are appointed by the Supervisor to bring information from commission/ board/ department back to the Town Board. Liaisons do not have to attend a meeting.
Councilwoman Chachkin stated asking a member of a board or commission to deliver report to the Board is not a good idea.
Supervisor Chipman agreed and stated that Liaisons will deliver the report.
ECC: Farm walk, September is clean up and testing of water.
HPC: met to discuss the solar energy law. They have concerns with permanent damage being done to buildings.
Assessor’s Office: 1025 parcels of the data verification project are completed. The tentative equalization rate is 100%.

PURCHASE OF PHONE SYSTEM:
Resolution # 110-2016:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to purchase a Town Hall Phone system from CROSS POINT for $ 8965.00 taken out of the contingency fund.

Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 3-0aye, motion carried
Fornino, Spano absent

SOLAR DISCUSSION:

Supervisor Chipman discussed the soil table that Councilman Spano discussed the week prior.
Changes made to pg. 10 of proposal; Farm land and farm land statewide importance as classified by the US Department of Agriculture.

ADVERTISE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW # 3-2016:
Resolution # 111-2016:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to schedule a public hearing on proposed local law # 3-2016 amending Chapter 140 of Town Code regarding solar energy on 9/1/2016 at 7:00pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall and for the Town Clerk to advertise the same.

Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 3-0aye, motion carried
Fornino Spano, Absent

WOOD ROAD DISCUSSION:

The Board discussed an ongoing problem with unlicensed vehicles parked alongside Wood Road. CEO Jerry Davis asked for no parking signs to be placed on Wood Road.
Councilman Drabkin stated that if vehicles are not registered nor have plates the vehicle can be towed at the expensive of the owner.
Councilwoman Chachkin asked if Wood Road can be placed in the Local Law as a road that doesn’t allow parking at any time.
There was a discussion with Constable Miller regarding issuing Town Administered code tickets.
Supervisor Chipman and Constable Miller will discuss with CEO Jerry Davis.

LEASE OF COPY MACHINES:

Supervisor Chipman stated that our lease is up with the old Xerox machines. The New proposal is under the State Bid price so Supervisor Chipman asked the board to approve lease of new machines.

Resolution # 112-2016:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to approve the proposal for 2 new Xerox machines for the Town Hall Building and the Community Center building.

Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 3-0aye, motion carried
Fornino Spano, Absent

HIGHWAY PERSONNEL POLICY AND PROCEDURES:

The Board briefly discussed with Highway Superintendent proposed resolutions submitted to the Board regarding the auditor report. Highway Superintendent Kelder stating that he was under the impression that previous practices couldn’t be done regarding stand by time because no resolution in place allowing for it. Federal rules allow it to be done.
Councilman Drabkin stated that we should log it for a season to see what we are working with. I know it would be weather permitting but let’s see how significant it is.
Councilwoman Chachkin stated that approving 3 of the 4 proposals would be opposite to the resolutions we approved in the corrective action report.

The Board agreed to contact the comptroller on clarifications and look into federal regulations regarding employees on stand-by. The Board agreed to discuss this at the August Audit/workshop meeting.

Ulster County Legislator Ronald Lapp discussed a Youth Sports Expo being built at the old Nevele location. If this goes through it will be great for our local economy.