The October Town Board Meeting was held on October 1, 2015 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 Terrance Ward led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
Supervisor Chipman held a moment of silence for the victims of the Oregon Shooting & and for Ed Miller and lifelong resident of the Town of Rochester and Chief for Rochester # 2 Firehouse. He was the longest active member to the Accord Fire District giving 45 years of dedication and he will be deeply missed.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Carol Fischer stated that there was speeding on Old Kings Highway on the agenda and would like to see Academy Street added as well.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to approve the 9/3/2015 Regular Town Board Meeting and the 9/14/2015 Special Meeting.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 5-0aye, motion carried
SUPERVISOR REPORT:
Will be filed once bills are paid
SUPERVISOR’S UPDATE:
The Rochester Food Pantry will need to relocate. As part of the NY Rising project the Rochester Community Center will have an addition built for showers and bathrooms for residents during storms or electrical outages. Supervisor Chipman stated that he will ask the board to vote on a Memorandum of Understanding where the Rochester Food Pantry will utilize Community Development Block Grant monies to construct an addition off the Community Center building to serve a food pantry. Supervisor Chipman stated he met with the engineer and members of the food pantry to discuss building plans. He hopes for a completion by July of 2016.
LEGAL UPDATES: nothing to report.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Supervisor received letters in regard to the Crested Hen Farm application. The Planning Board is still reviewing the application and no decisions have been made.
LIASION REPORTS:
Councilwoman Chachkin: HPC: 9/11 meeting two representatives from the fire district buildings and grounds met with the HPC in regards to the Alligerville Firehouse. The Planning Board: 9/10 meeting gave conditional final approval to the Accord Train Station with the understanding that
“ Graze” will provide shuttle service to the municipal lot and subject to a two year renewal contract. The Planning Board held its 5th and final public hearing for the Crested Hen Farm, only written comments accepted at this time. It was recommended the applicant consider an all weather surface for the driveway.
Councilwoman Fornino: The summer program was a huge success. Over 72 Children attended 16 by scholarship. The After School program has 45 youth attending. Basketball registration was held on 9/28 & 9/30. 10/24/15 the haunted happenings at the Community Center and the Children’s Halloween party will be held on 10/30/15.
Councilman Spano: nothing to report
Councilman Drabkin: pre-application for Crook and Krasden was submitted. The request is to take a 4ft high existing fence and make it 6ft high and 264ft in length. Bohonowych was approved for the variance.
Supervisor Chipman: It was discussed to move Volunteer Day to October 10, 2015 due to the weather. Heritage Day was cancelled.
NEW/ OLD BUSINESS:
SPEEDING ON OLD KINGS HIGHWAY:
A Complaint was made to lower the speed limit on Old Kings Highway. Supervisor Chipman spoke to the Superintendent of the School District & the School Resource Officer on what can be done with the speeding and excess traffic on Old Kings Highway. It was suggested to Supervisor Chipman to have local traffic only during school hours. Supervisor Chipman stated that this is an enforcement problem and recommends submitting a request to the NYS Police and Ulster County Sheriff’s Office to patrol the roads. The Board agreed to submit a letter of request to the agencies.
EMPLOYEE ZERO TOLERANCE DRUG/ ALCOHOL POLICY:
Councilwoman Chachkin has been researching model policies and can draft a policy and circulate to the board for feedback.
NY RISING- COMMUNITY CENTER:
Supervisor Chipman stated he received 36 inquires about the Community Center development project and only 1 proposal was submitted.
APPROVAL OF ENGINEER:
Resolution #105 -2015:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to accept the qualifications of Lothrop LLC and to enter into contract with Lothrop LLC for the Community Center Development plans.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano 5-0aye, motion carried
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING:
Resolution # 106-2015:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin that, the Town of Rochester will utilize Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Funds to undertake improvements at the Rochester Community Center, located at 15 Tobacco Road Accord, NY 12404. Improvements will include the construction of an addition that will be programmed to serve as a food pantry, to be operated by the Rochester Food Pantry organization. This agreement in contingent of the successful approval of documentation and application materials by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery and funding stream availability. The Rochester Food Pantry will distribute emergency food, on an as-requested basis, to hungry families and individuals within and around the Town of Rochester, which consists of several small hamlets in the County of Ulster, New York State. And Furthermore approve Milone & Macbroom, Inc. as the Engineer Firm for the CDBG.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 5-0aye, motion carried
APPROVAL OF THE BILLS:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to approve the following bills;
Highway Abstract 9 of 2015 $ 69,036.06
General Abstract 9 of 2015 $ 68,713.57
Street lighting $ 421.52
__________________________
$ 138,171.15
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 5-0aye, motion carried
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Bob Garrett asked questions about why the fire district building committee met with the HPC. Supervisor Chipman stated the fire company is looking for land to build a new firehouse.
Len Bernardo stated that he hopes there is a recovery and awareness in the policy for drug and alcohol. It is a necessity!
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to enter into executive session at 7:45pm to discuss a personnel issue with the Courthouse and American Towers contract.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 5-0aye, motion carried
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to reconvene the meeting at 8:28pm stating no action taken nor monies expended.
Seconded by: Councilman Spano 5-0aye, motion carried
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 pm.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 5-0aye, motion carried
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk