The October Regular Town Board Meeting was held on 10/5/2017 at 7:00pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall.
PRESENT:
Supervisor Chipman Councilwoman Chachkin Councilwoman Fornino
Councilman Drabkin Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy Town Clerk Gundberg
Attorney Christiana
PLEDGE:
Supervisor Chipman opened the meeting and Councilman Drabkin led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
Supervisor Chipman asked for a moment of silence for the loss of Town resident and local business owner Mike Rosselli and for the victims of the Las Vegas Tragedy.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Alex Kamboris a local resident spoke on concerns of the Solar farms being proposed on the Town owned properties at the Transfer Station and Sand mine. He stated that he moved here from the city 31 years ago because of the Town’s beauty and doesn’t want to see a glare of panels as you come over Route 44/55. “ We will become the next Silicon Valley.” He expressed concerns of the possibility of 30 acres of trees being cut and replaced with panels at the Transfer Station.
Supervisor Chipman explained that they have been working on this project for the past two years and there is a lot of misleading information out in the public. He urged Mr. Kamboris to attend the Planning Board meeting scheduled for 10/12/17 where the plans for these projects will be discussed. He continued with how the project will bring a great revenue stream to the Town that will help all the taxpayers and residents can sign up for cheaper electric rates.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to approve the following 9/6/17 Regular Town Board Meeting, 9/28/2017 Zoning Revisions/ Audit Workshop Meeting.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 5-0aye, motion carried
SUPERVISOR’S UPDATE:
The NYS Comptroller’s Office report states that the Town of Rochester has an AID financial distress of 12.9%. Supervisor Chipman stated that this is great news, revenues & expenses are good. The unallocated fund surplus is in good shape and the Town is in great shape fiscally.
LEGAL UPDATES:
Attorney Christiana stated that she hadn’t sent a legal report to the Board yet. She is asking for a quick executive session with Chief Miller at the end of the meeting.
LIAISON/ COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilwoman Chachkin: Planning Board: 9/11 meeting approved 2 acre transfer on Krum Road, a 4 lot subdivision on Old Pilgrim’s way, large scale solar application has been reviewed. There is a public hearing scheduled for 10/12 on the sand mine site. New application has been submitted from Cypress Creek for solar on a lot located on Berme Road. Held 2 pre –app’s for an Agriculture retail site on Old Whitfield Road & Applestone Inc.
Councilwoman Fornino: Youth Commission: 10/27/17 the Children’s Halloween Party from 5-7. The pie contest and talent show were a huge success at heritage day.
Supervisor Chipman: Carol Dennin the Recreation Director will be retiring and moving to South Carolina at the end of the month. “ She’s been the spirit, the heartbeat of this Community, we are going to miss her dearly, she’s done so much for the seniors and so much for the kids.”
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy: Building Dept: for the month of September $ 11,687.93 was collected. And a year to date collection of $ 66,939.00. “A Friendly reminder that October is breast cancer awareness month so if you see anyone that you haven’t seen in a while that’s a survivor say hi or glad that you are here.”
Supervisor Chipman stated to Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy “As a two time survivor we are glad you are here.”
Councilman Drabkin: nothing to report
Supervisor Chipman: nothing to report
NEW/OLD BUSINESS:
SURPLUS OF HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT:
Resolution # 104-2017:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to place a 2003 Chevy pick-up for sale on Auctions International.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy 5-0aye, motion carried
JCAP GRANT:
Resolution # 105-2017:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to allow the Court to apply for the $ 30,000.00 JCAP grant to replace the roof of the Courthouse and the construction of offices in the new addition to the building.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 5-0aye, motion carried
CENTRAL HUDSON FIXED RATE HIKE:
Supervisor Chipman letter opposing Central Hudson overall rate hike of 20%. We are being asked to pay for things that reflect NYC. We are using less power so Central Hudson wants to charge us more.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TREE TRIMMING AND REMOVAL BID:
Resolution # 106-2017:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy to seek sealed bids for tree trimming and removal for the Highway Department. Bids are due on 10/23/2017 at 11am at the office of the Town Clerk where they will be opened and read aloud. Furthermore the Town Clerk is to advertise the same.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 5-0aye, motion carried
ULSTER COUNTY PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDATION:
Resolution # 107-2017:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Chipman to recommend the re-appointment of Mike Baden to serve on the Ulster County Planning Board.
Seconded by: Councilman Drabkin 5-0aye, motion carried
Mike has been a wealth of information for our Town, we can’t thank you enough!
ZONING CHANGES TO PROPERTY ON MILLHOOK ROAD:
Supervisor Chipman discussed zoning designation changes to 4 properties on Millhook Rd.
Attorney Christiana recommended that the properties be combined first they apply to the Board for a zoning change.
APPOINTMENT TO THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Resolution # 108-2017:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Robert Freer Full-time HMEO to the Highway Department.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 5-0aye, motion carried
APPOINTMENT TO THE CONSTABULARY:
Resolution # 109-2017:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to appoint Walter Miller to the constabulary at the hourly rate on the salary and wage schedule.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 5-0aye, motion carried
ZONING CODE 140-25: PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT:
The Board discussed that currently there is no density limitation. The recommendation is to move it to 3.
Councilman Drabkin stated that if the engineers have to do the calculations and there is a plan in place why should the Board limit the number?
Attorney Christiana stated that if there is no set number in place then the Planning Board can be accused of being arbitrary.
Councilman Drabkin: good point!
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Mike Baden thanked the Board for the recommendation to the Ulster County Planning Board.
Nora Feingold stated she was representing the Clove wood area regarding the Crested Hen. When the Crested Hen application was granted there were a lot of conditions that went with it. One being the barn doors were to be closed. The doors are never closed during an event and there have been disturbances that required State police to attend. Residents in the area are complaining but not all could be here tonight about the owners of the Crested Hen being blatantly arrogant not following the conditions.
Supervisor Chipman stated that he would talk to the CEO & Constable.
Chief Miller stated that he sat on the Berme Road side during an event in September and at no time were the doors left open, you couldn’t hear much at all.
Barbara Fornal stated that there was one single incident and the State police were called other than that there hasn’t been a single complaint.
Councilwoman Chachkin stated that the Crested Hen were only given a 2 year approval and they are going to want to have a clear record when it is time to reapply.
Gerry Fornino asked if comments are still welcomed for Air BnB?
The response was yes.
Steve Fornal stated that the Las Vegas Shooter was an Air BnB member.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Chipman to enter into executive session with Attorney Christiana and Chief Miller regarding litigation at 8:03pm.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 5-0aye, motion carried
A Motion was made by Supervisor Chipman to reconvene the meeting at 8:15pm stating no action taken nor monies expended.
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to adjourn the meeting at 8:15pm.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy 5-0aye, motion carried
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK