The February Town Board Meeting was held on February 4, 2016 at 7pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall.
PRESENT:
Supervisor Chipman Councilwoman Chachkin Councilwoman Fornino
Councilman Drabkin Town Clerk Gundberg Attorney Christiana
ABSENT:
Councilman Spano
PLEDGE:
Supervisor Chipman opened the meeting and a young gentleman from the audience led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
No comments made.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to approve the minutes of the 01/07/2016 Organizational Meeting & 01/07/2016 Town Board Meeting, 1/28/2016 Public Hearing & 1/28/2016 Audit/Workshop Meeting.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0 aye, motion carried
Spano-Absent
SUPERVISORS REPORT: Filed with the Town Clerk
LEGAL UPDATES:
SUPERVISOR’S UPDATE:
Supervisor Chipman updated the Board on events that took place this past week. The County Ways & Means Committee held a meeting discussing sales tax revenue sharing. The current plan has the City of Kingston receiving 11.5 %, the County receiving 85.5% & the remaining Towns of Ulster County sharing 3%. The proposed change has the County receiving 88%, the City of Kingston 10% and the remaining 2% shared between all Towns in Ulster County.
Supervisor Chipman stated that if this is approved and we still have to stay within the 2% tax cap there is going to be serious effects to our local government, especially with our non-mandated programs.
Supervisor Chipman held an emergency meeting with the UC Association of Supervisors this week discussing the affects this change will have on the Municipalities. Supervisor Chipman is asking for the Board’s support in requesting no change in the sales tax formula.
ULSTER COUNTY SALES TAX RATE:
Resolution # 32-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to request that there be no reduction in the Ulster County share taxing rate with the Towns of Ulster County & the City of Kingston.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
CORRESPONDENCE:
Supervisor Chipman received a letter from the Rochester Food Pantry thanking the Board for helping them relocate.
LIASION REPORTS:
Councilwoman Chachkin: Zoning Revision Committee: 2 meeting have been held. First meeting was discussing priorities to issues at hand. At the second meeting the committee started submission to body code amending Chap. 38 regarding seating of alternate. There is a big push for solar farms so the committee is drafting solar use provision to the zoning code.
Planning Board: meeting was held on 1/11/16: 4 minor subdivisions applications were received. Hellin property on Upper Whitfield questions dealing with historic property & wetlands. Pre-application for LH Equine on 44/55.
HPC: 1/18/16 meeting held and decided to continue to move forward with the revitalization program on the Hamlet of Accord.
Councilwoman Fornino: nothing to report
Councilman Drabkin: ZBA: nothing to report.
Councilman Spano: absent
Supervisor Chipman: Assessor’s office: ALL EXEMPTIONS DUE NO LATER THAN MARCH 1ST.
NEW/OLD BUSINESS:
PB AND ZBA ATTENDANCE AND TRAINING POLICY UPDATE FROM ZRC:
These proposed changes are for clarifying when an alternate can be seated with the Board. When an alternate should or should not participate in Board decisions. A draft copy of proposed local law will be presented to the Board at the audit workshop for scheduling public hearing.
LOCAL LAW # 1: AMENDING CHAPTER 34-3 (B) OF THE TOWN CODE:
Resolution #33-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin and Seconded by Councilwoman Chachkin that;
APPOINTMENT TO BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW:
Resolution # 34-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Elaine LaFlamme to the BOAR with a term to expire 9/30/2019.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 3-0aye, motion carried
Chachkin – recused
Spano-Absent
Resolution # 35-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Norman Chachkin to the BOAR with a term to expire 9/30/2020.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 3-0aye, motion carried
Chachkin – recused
Spano-Absent
APPOINTMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION:
Resolution # 36 -2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to reappoint Angela Dorris to the ECC with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 37-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to reappoint Stu Dorris to the ECC with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution #38 -2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to reappoint Colin Mc Donough to the ECC with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution #39 -2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Rick Jones to the ECC with a term to expire 12/31/2017.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 40 -2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to appoint Judith Karpova to the ECC with a term to expire 12/31/2017.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 41-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Laura Finestone to serve a Chair to the ECC.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 42-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman to appoint Angela Dorris to serve as Vice-Chair to the ECC.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
APPOINTMENT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION:
Resolution # 43-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to reappoint Ward Mintz to serve on the HPC with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 44-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to reappoint Frank Dannecker to serve on the HPC with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 45-2016:
A Motion was made Councilman Drabkin to reappoint Walter Levy to serve on the HPC with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 46-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to reappoint Alice Schoonmaker to serve on the HPC with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 47-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Elaine LaFlamme to serve on the HPC with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 48-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Alice Cross to serve as Chair to the HPC.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 49-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Ward Mintz to serve as Vice-Chair to the HPC.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD:
Resolution # 50-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to appoint Patrick Williams to serve on the Planning Board with a term to expire 12/31/2022.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 51-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Lawrence DeWitt to serve on the Planning Board with a term to expire 12/31/2017.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 52 -2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to appoint Michael Baden to serve as Chair to the Planning Board.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 53 -2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Adam Paddock to serve as Vice-Chair to the Planning Board.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
Resolution # 54-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to reappoint Cliff Mallory to serve on the ZBA with a term to expire 12/31/2020.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 55-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to appoint Rebecca Collins to serve as the ZBA alternate with a term to expire 12/31/16.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 56-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to appoint Bea Haugen-DePuy to serve as the Chair to the ZBA.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 57-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to appoint Cliff Mallory to serve as Vice-Chair to the ZBA.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
YOUTH COMMISSSION:
Resolution # 58-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to reappoint Jessica Knapp to serve on the Youth Commission with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 59-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to appoint Jessica Knapp to serve as Chair to the Youth Commission.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
Resolution # 60-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to appoint Pamela Stocking to serve as Vice-Chair to the Youth Commission.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
SAFETY MARKINGS ON THE ROAD:
There was a lengthy discussion pertaining to safety markers on the roads in regards to liability and cost.
Councilwoman Chachkin stated she spoke with Dave Orr from Cornell who agreed with Highway Superintendent Kelder regarding edged lines, but supplied information regarding alternative safety markings & road safety. It was suggested that the Town put together a well thought out plan regarding road safety. Councilwoman Chachkin asked that the Board form a road advisory committee to discuss what, where & how to prioritize a plan.
ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Resolution # 61-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to form the Road Safety Committee consisting of Supervisor Chipman, Councilwoman Chachkin, Chief Constable Rich Miller, Highway Superintendent Wayne Kelder, and Deputy Highway Foreman Jeff Frey to discuss safety considerations and meet with Jeff Scott from Cornell for a field visit.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
MUNICIPAL JUSTICE COURT:
There was a lengthy discussion regarding safety issues at the Town of Rochester Courthouse.
Councilman Drabkin agreed that we provide security to the Court Clerks with the understanding that the Board moves in a direction to fix the problem; whether it is consolidating or unifying something needs to be done.
APPOINTMENT COURT CLERKS:
Resolution # 62-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to appoint Shaye Davis to serve as part-time court clerk at $15.00 per hour for a total of 19 hours unless permitted otherwise. And to appoint Anne Marie Ogle to serve as full-time Court Clerk with a salary of $ 31,000.00 annually.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano- Absent
TRAIN/ HIRE OF CONSTABLES:
Resolution # 63-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to authorize Rich Miller to find & train 3 Constables to provide security to the Town of Rochester Court.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano-Absent
AUDIT/ WORKSHOP MEETING TIME CHANGE:
Resolution # 64-2016:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to hold the Audit Meeting for 4pm the last Thursday of the month with the workshop meeting starting no earlier than 5pm and furthermore for the Town Clerk to advertise the same.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano-Absent
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Mike Baden thanked the Board for his reappointment as chair to the Planning Board.
Resolution # 65 -2016:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Chipman that the Town of Rochester requests that the Town of Rochester Constabulary be allowed the ability to utilize resources such as Ulster County Fire & EMS frequencies to help assist the Fire Department with emergency situations.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano-Absent
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 pm.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Spano-Absent
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk