The Town of Rochester Town Board held the Workshop Meeting on November 20, 2023, at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord, NY 12404
Supervisor Baden called the meeting to order and lead in the pledge allegiance to the flag.
Councilwoman Michael Coleman Councilwoman Erin Enouen
CouncilmanAdam Paddock Councilwoman Charlotte Smiseth
Supervisor Michael Baden Deputy Town Clerk Christina Ferrara
Acceptance of Agenda:
Resolution # 361-2023:
The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts the agenda as prepared by the Town Supervisor with two additions SEQRA LL-11-2023, Remove discussion item B (Ambulance District Contract).
MOTION: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilman Paddock Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
October 2023 Financial Report – filed with the Town Clerk and Town Board – Completed and sitting on the Supervisor’s desk.
Discussions:
Request for Reimbursement / Highway Fund – Passes a letter and an email to the board.
Security RFP Proposals Review
CONTRACT WITH DDCUES, LLC:
Resolution # 362-2023:
MOTION made by Councilwoman Smiseth to authorize the Supervisor to accept the security proposal by DDCUES, LLC PO Box 57 West Point, NY 10996 and to initiate contract in the amount of $4,000.00.
Second: Councilman Paddock Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
UC Personnel New Positions Duties Statement:
Supervisor Baden: The county suggests the job title be changed from chief to lead.
Job title doesn’t give it any different responsibilities or authority. The word “Chief” means something different in Justice Court System than it does in personnel. Recommendation is to stay away from the term chief.
Councilman Coleman:As much as we value the contributions that person currently performing this role in the town; we’re asking Ulster County to create a position that anybody or any other town could utilize. Agreed a chief title means something in the organization and with the community.
Councilwoman Enouen: We need to have a conversation with at least two board members, an employee with the most knowledge, HR consultant, or board meeting, we need everyone together to discuss this. Did Mr. Richardson review this yet?
Supervisor Baden:No, wanted to hear from the board first.
Zoning and Subdivision Code update and Possible Special Meeting
November 30, 2023, Audit meeting and Three Public Hearings
December 5, 2023, Town Board meeting
December 14, 2023, in hopes to vote on the Local Laws
December 15, 2023, moratorium expires.
Any changes made must be made the night of the 5th if needed come back the 14th and vote.
Councilwoman Enouen: Let’s wait for feedback from the 500 letters that were sent out.
RESOLUTION:
SEQRA REVIEW FOR LOCAL LAW # 11-2023:
Resolution # 363-2023:
SEQRA Local Law 11-2023 The Town of Rochester, Town Board classifies Local Law 11-2023 as a Type II action for the purposes of SEQRA review and no further review is required.
MOTION: Councilman Coleman Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
ROLL CALL
Councilwoman Michael Coleman – Aye
Councilwoman Erin Enouen – Aye
Councilman Adam Paddock – Aye
Councilwoman Charlotte Smiseth- Aye
Supervisor Michael Baden – Aye
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
RESOLUTION:
ADOPTION OF LOCAL LAW # 11-2023:
Resolution # 364-2023
Adoption of Local Law 11-2023 The Town of Rochester Town Board adopts Local Law 11-2023: Tax Cap override for the town fiscal year 2024 and requests the Town Clerk file such law with the New York State Department of State.
Footnote: FYI- approx. $40,000 over the tax cap
MOTION: Councilwoman Enouen Second:Councilwoman Smiseth
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
Towpath Rd – Oil / Chip with vehicle damage – 2 Correspondence:
Supervisor Baden: According to the Highway Superintendent we shouldn’t reimburse more than $500.
Councilwoman Enouen: This will come from the highway budget.
Councilman Coleman: If everyone agrees that we pay for this then I’m okay, BUT BE CLEAR, there must be proper signage, people must be mindful. Residents also need to be aware.
Councilwoman Enouen: Has concerns of precedence, liability, knows it’s the Highway Superintendents job to make sure the roads are clear and passible during roadwork. Shouldn’t the highway department be submitting a voucher?
Supervisor Baden:Yes, however the first I’ve heard about this was Friday. The Highway Superintendent cannot just tell people they will get reimbursed; that’s up to the town board.
Councilwoman Smiseth: I feel strongly we need to end this. I think this could be putting us into a weird liability situation. I’m fine with paying, I just want to hear how everyone else feels.
Supervisor Baden: They provided receipts, agreed we need to resolve this and make sure this doesn’t happen next season.
The board had some questions about the insurance and liability. The Supervisor said he’d seek answers from the Town Attorney and the Insurance company; he’ll ask highway to prepare a voucher for $500 then will try to have an answer by next Thursday.
2024 New Employment Positions:
Discuss the email in executive session.
Resolution: The Town of Rochester Town Board motions to enter into Executive Session at 7:09 p.m. for the purposes matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion of particular persons.
MOTION: Councilwoman Enouen Second: Councilman Coleman
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
Resolution: The Town of Rochester Town Board motions to exit Executive Session at 7:19 pm.
MOTION: Councilwoman Enouen Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
Discussion and Resolutions
2024 Preliminary Budget Review and Adjustments
To be motioned, seconded, discussed, and voted on, individually or in groups, as presented by Board members.
AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET:
Resolution # 365-2023:
General Fund -To accept the amended medical and vision line for final adoption.
Res #1 Motion Supervisor Baden 2nd Councilman Coleman Aye- All
Res #2 MotionSupervisor Baden 2ndCouncilman Paddock Aye -All
Highway Fund – To accept the amended dental and vision line for final adoption.
Res #3 Motion Supervisor Baden 2ndCouncilman Coleman Aye -All
General Fund – To add a new budget line: Parks and Recreation Administration, working title as Grounds and Rail Trail Manager $5200.
Res #4 Motion Councilman Coleman 2nd Councilwoman Smiseth Aye -All
AMBULANCE DISTRICT:
Waiting to get the budget from KAFAS Ambulance District.
Chair of the ambulance advisory committee, David Bollin feels comfortable to stay with the budgeted funds and feel they can continue to operate as a whole.
ASSESSOR POSTION:
Town Board had a lengthy discussion about the Assessor’s position and salary.
Councilman Coleman Left @7:55PM
Resolution # 366-2023:
MOTION made byCouncilman Paddock to amend the budget line to $78,000.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
Coleman absent
Resolution # 367-2023:
MOTION made by Supervisor Baden for budget line Town Board equipment to be reduced from $4000. to $0.00.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
Coleman absent
Adoption of 2024 Final Budget
Resolution # 368-2023:
The Town of Rochester Town Board adopts the 2024 Final Budget in the amounts, as proposed after amendments made on November 20, 2024
ADOPTION OF 2024 FINAL BUDGET:
2024 FINAL Budget Appropriations Revenue From Fund Balance Tax Levy
General Fund – 2,944,845.
Revenue – 1,951,374.
Fund Balance – 500,000.
Tax Levy – 493,471.
Highway Fund – 3,838,317.
Revenue – 2,246,095.
Fund Balance – 0
Tax Levy – 1,592,222.
Ambulance District -189,000.
(KAFAS)
Revenue – 0
Fund Balance – 0
Tax Levy – 189,000.
Ambulance District – 23,000.
(High Falls)
Revenue – 0
Fund Balance – 0
Tax Levy – 23,000.
Lighting Districts
Accord 3,500.
Revenue – 0
Fund Balance – 1,800.
Tax Levy – 1,700.
Kerhonkson 2,320.
Revenue – 0
Fund Balance – 1,200.
Tax Levy – 1,120.
Berme Road 660.
Revenue – 0
Fund Balance – 300.
Tax Levy – 360.
MOTION made by Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
Coleman Absent
MOTION made by Councilwoman Enouen to adjourn at 8:14 pm.
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
Coleman Absent
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
CHRISTINA FERRARA
DEPUTYTOWN CLERK