Town Board Meeting – November 2017

The November 9, 2017 Regular Town Board Meeting was held at 7:10pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall immediately following the Public Hearing on the 2018 proposed Budget.
PRESENT:
Deputy Supervisor Drabkin Councilwoman Chachkin Councilwoman Fornino
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy Town Clerk Gundberg Attorney Christiana

ABSENT:

Supervisor Chipman

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy to approve the minutes of 10/5/2017 Regular Town Board Meeting & and 11/1/2017 Special Meeting.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 4-0aye, motion carried
Chipman Absent

SUPERVISOR’S UPDATE:

Deputy Supervisor Drabkin updated the Board on Supervisor Chipman’s health situation.
Deputy Supervisor Drabkin suggested next year having department head budget material placed on the website for more transparency.

Veteran’s Day : Town Clerk Gundberg stated that some residents were planning on holding a service at the Veteran’s park at 10am on Veteran’s Day 11/11/2017. Deputy Supervisor Drabkin asked that Town Clerk Gundberg contact Troy Dunn & Larry Susi to discuss the plans.

LEGAL UPDATE: memo sent to the Board

LIAISON/ COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Councilwoman Chachkin: Planning Board: 10/12 lot improvements for 2 lot subdivision on Old Mine Rd. Ag/ Business for Applestone. 11/13 2 large scale solar applications for Berme Rd and Lucas Ave. The Public hearing on both Town/ Borrego solar applications have been suspended at the discretion of the Town Board.
Councilwoman Fornino: nothing to report
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy: CEO: for the Month of October $ 9,118.16 was collected, Certificate of inspections collected were $ 10,018.60 with a YTD $ 66,729.60
Town Clerk Gundberg reminded all about the Thanksgiving Luncheon from 11-2pm at the Community Center on 11/23/2017.

APPROVAL OF THE 2018 ACCORD SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE:
Resolution #117 -2017:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to approve the 2018 Accord Speedway racetrack schedule.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy 4-0, motion carried
Chipman absent
DEJAGER LANE DISCUSSION:

The Board agreed to have the Town Attorney and Highway Superintendent discuss the inquiry made by William Wells concerning a portion of Dejager Lane and report back to the Board at the Audit meeting.

GIS LOCAL ROADS:
Resolution # 118-2017:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin at the request of the Highway Superintendent that the Town of Rochester Town Board accept all legal, maintenance and repair responsibility for the roadway located between State Route 209 and Lucas Ave known as Denkensohn Road and to have said road added to the inventory for GIS Local Roads.

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

ADOPTION OF THE 2018 PROPOSED BUDGET:
Resolution # 119-2017:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to adopt the 2018 proposed budget with amendments made.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy 4-0, motion carried
Chipman absent
HIGHWAY BUDGET LINE TRANSFER:
Resolution #120 -2017:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to approve the transfer of $ 44,017.96 from the machinery PS line DA-51301.3 and $ 6,335.00 from the Snow Removal PS line DA-51421.3 to the General Repairs PS line DA-51101.3.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy 4-0, motion carried
Chipman absent

SURPLUS OF EQUIPMENT TO BE PLACED ON AUCTIONS INTERNATIONAL:
Resolution #121 -2017:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to place the 2002 International Bus ( vin # 4DRBJAAF93A955429) & Makita Model 2414, 14” cut-off saw ( serial # 790700E) on Auctions international.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy 4-0, motion carried
Chipman absent

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to enter into executive session to discuss a disciplinary matter.

Motion not carried

BOARD OF ETHICS DETERMINATION:

Councilwoman Chachkin stated she would like the Board to rescind the suspension of John Dawson to the Planning Board. Mr. Dawson was deprived of due process and there is no such line of suspension for a Board or Committee member.

Attorney Christiana has recused herself from this particular discussion

Resolution #122 -2017:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to rescind John Dawson’s suspension from an unlawful act & the position be restored at the first available position available to the Planning Board.

Motion not carried
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy suggested the Board propose that Mr. Dawson show proof of classes for anger management.

Councilwoman Chachkin stated that the Board doesn’t have the power to demand that request.

Resolution # 123-2017:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to table the previous motion.

Seconded by: Deputy Supervisor Drabkin 3-1, aye motion carried
Chachkin nay
Chipman absent

AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF UNIFORMS:
Resolution #124 -2017:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy to authorize Chief Miller approval to purchase uniforms for the Constabulary, uniforms purchase is not to exceed $ 1,200.00

Seconded by: Deputy Supervisor Drabkin 4-0 aye, motion carried
Chipman absent

AUTHORIZATION TO SEND DETERMINATION OF BOARD OF ETHICS LETTER:
Resolution #125 -2017:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy at the request of the Board of Ethics to send a copy of the determination of the complaint filed with the Town Clerk to both parties involved.

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

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:

Billy Farrell Fire Commissioner for the Accord Fire Company asked what the duties of Rich Miller and the Constabulary were.

Deputy Supervisor Drabkin stated that information can be FOILed.

Mike Baden as Supervisor elect asked for Board permission to meet with the Town Attorney to get caught up on what is taking place.

Attorney Christiana stated that confidential information cannot be shared.

Deputy Supervisor Drabkin stated that going through the attorney can be discussed at the audit meeting.

Zorian Pinsky asked why the youth personal service line decreased.

Deputy Supervisor Drabkin stated that Carol Dennin retired and the salary given to the provisionally appointed Recreation Director was less.

Zorian Pinsky also gave recommendations regarding the transfer station permit sticker.

A Local resident who lives near the sand mine was glad to hear the application for the solar farms have been suspended. He continued with how solar panels can affect people’s health and safety

Attorney Christiana stated health and hazard risks is a topic for the planning board

Jaime Roxby asked the Board for figure comparison of the solar farm to the sand mine.

Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy stated if you were to purchase sand at this time the price is $ 6.18 per ton and the Town uses approximately 4,000 ton per year ( $ 24,720.00) if the Town was to mine it a screener costs $ 10,000 per year. The Borrego contract would bring a revenue of
$ 50,000 per year for 20 years.

Mike Baden asked for Attorney Christiana to explain the process of Permissive Referendum

Attorney Christiana stated that the Town Board entered into contract with Borrego Solar. The Public notice was sent to the local newspaper and the newspaper ran the resolution on 11/5/2017. The public has 30 days to submit a petition to the Town Clerk at that time if enough signatures are received a public election will be held. This can be found on Article 7 of NYS Town Law.

A resident living near the sand mine stated that the reflection/ heat will destroy his home. The value of his home will go down and the health and safety of his children are at risk.

Jaime Roxby stated that not only are the solar farms going to change the dynamic of the Town but a lot of other countries that are far more advanced then the US are now seeing the down falls of solar. She also submitted for the record latest reviews regarding the company Borrego Solar’s creditability.

ADJOURNMENT:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Fornino to adjourn the meeting at 8:02pm.

Seconded by: Deputy Supervisor Drabkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Chipman absent

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK