The September 7, 2017 Regular Town Board Meeting was held 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 Mary Lee led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Public Comment:
Mary Lee spoke regarding the Little Ones Learning Center. It is a free early literacy program held at the Rochester Reformed Church in Accord. The mission of the program is to bring the joy of reading to children and to improve literacy in the home. In 2016 there were over 200 participants at Little Ones with over 3,000 books to choose from. The group handed out packets of scheduled reading times throughout the week and a series of events/activities coming up in the following weeks.
Supervisor Chipman thanked Rich Miller for the table and chairs.
Jill Spero stated for the record that she is a frustrated resident regarding the project cat situation. At the August meeting while Jill was speaking she stated that Councilwoman Chachkin called to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Spero felt that she should have been given the same respect as other topics and deserves fair time.
Supervisor Chipman apologized for Jill feeling that way, it is never the intentions of The Board to dismiss a topic. Councilwoman Chachkin indicated as though she didn’t attempt to adjourn the meeting.
Lisa Acton asked if The Board has made a decision for a request for a committee to deal with the cats morally and respectfully and more importantly legally.
Supervisor Chipman stated that no discussion has been made, there is a lot more involved to this topic and a decision can’t be made without legal advisement.
Lisa Acton asked the Board to adopt the laws that already exist and the Town Board is ignoring laws that do exist.
Jill Spero stated the Board should be asking project cat where these cats come from and find a happy medium.
Steve Fornal suggested that rather than generalities the group should be more specific as to what they would like the Town Board to do.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to approve the 08/03/2017 Regular Town Board meeting, 08/03/2017 public hearing & 08/31/2017 Audit workshop meeting.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 5-0 aye, motion carried
SUPERVISOR’S UPDATE:
Supervisor Chipman updated The Board of the potential Central Hudson rate increase for 1 year. Central Hudson is proposing a 20% rate increase over the cost of 1 year to off-set the costs for improvements to software and training. Supervisor Chipman stated that he will continue to update the public and The Town Board. Upcoming public hearings are scheduled for Kingston, Poughkeepsie & Athens.
LEGAL MATTERS: an e-mail was sent to the Board member and a brief Board meeting with the Town Attorney will take place after the regular business meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilwoman Chachkin: Planning Board: met on 8/14 approved stables for LH equine horse boarding. Pre application for a 2 lot subdivision on project 32 Rd. 8/28 meeting was held to discuss the Borrego solar arrays, subdividing both Airport Rd and the Sand mine located on Route 209. A discussion of variance on set-back for the Airport Rd. property was made.
Councilwoman Fornino: the summer program was a great success!! The after school program starts 9/11/17. On 9/23 the youth commission is working with the RV Lions club on a fall festival at the Town Park. There will be children activities, live music, food and vendors. 9/30/17 Heritage day will take place from 10-3pm on Main St. Accord.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy: Building Department for the month of July $ 11,246.15 collected for building permits, $ 1,104 in C/O for a total of $ 12,386.15. Total year to date
$ 53,139.07.
Councilman Drabkin: nothing to report
Supervisor Chipman: HPC: 9/15/17 7pm at the Rochester Reformed church presenting navigating segregation in the Town of Rochester during the sixties.
NEW/OLD BUSINESS:
APPOINTMENT TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
Resolution # 96 -2017:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to appoint Erin Enouen to the ZBA with her term to expire 12/31/2019.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy 5-0aye, motion carried
Resolution # 97-2017:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Chipman to appoint Stephanie Bludau-Tor to the ZBA
Motion not carried
Resolution #98 -2017:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to appoint Bruce Psaras to the ZBA with a term to expire 12/31/2019.
Seconded by: Supervisor Chipman 4-0aye, motion carried
Drabkin -abstain
APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD:
Resolution # 99-2017:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Chipman to appoint Sam Zurofsky serve as the alternate to the Planning Board with a term to expire on 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Chachkin 4-0aye, motion carried
Drabkin-abstain
ALTERNATE ZBA POSITION APPOINTMENT:
Resolution # 100-2017:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy to appoint Bill Barringer to serve as the Alternate on the ZBA with a term to expire 12/31/2018.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino
DISCUSSION:
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy stated that a person can in many ways be well versed in what they do. Many positions held are to adhere to needing a degree and this particular candidate has life time experience of the Town. His skills, abilities & wealth of information of the Town make him a viable candidate.
Supervisor Chipman stated the Board was fortunate to interview a wide variety of applicants and he appreciated each one of them.
Councilwoman Chachkin stated that she agrees with what Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy presented and has also voted in the past for appointments on the same basis.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilwoman Chachkin aye
Councilwoman Fornino aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Supervisor Chipman aye
Councilman Drabkin Abstain 4-0aye, motion carried
Drabkin- abstain
NATURAL RESOURCE PLAN:
Supervisor Chipman stated that the joint grant with Town of Wawarsing regarding the natural resource plan needs to be accepted. Supervisor Chipman stated that we are simply accepting the plan we do not have to implement it.
Resolution # 101-2017:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Chachkin to accept the Natural Resource Plan.
Seconded by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy 5-0aye, motion carried
REQUEST FOR THE PURCHASE OF KUBOTA TRACTOR & MOWER:
Resolution #102 -2017:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy to purchase a Kubota Tractor & Mower for the amount of $ 87,339.40 from Westchester tractor.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 5-0aye, motion carried
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy asked if the tractor was hydraulic driven? The answer was yes.
REQUEST FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW HOLLAND EXCAVATOR:
Resolution # 103-2017:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy to purchase a New Holland Excavator for the amount of $ 68,802.75 from Westchester Tractor.
Seconded by: Supervisor Chipman 5-0aye, motion carried
Supervisor Chipman stated both quotes are based on the state bid so no other quotes are required.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mike Baden thanked the Town Board for filling the positions and if the information can be sent to Shaye Davis in the planning/ZBA office.
Supervisor Chipman thanked Christina Ferrara for all her extra work while Town Clerk Gundberg was out on maternity leave.
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to adjourn the meeting at 8:07pm.
Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 5-0aye, motion carried
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk