Town Board Regular Meeting – March 2024

The Town of Rochester Town Board held the Regular Meeting on March 7, 2024 at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord, NY
To View the Meeting
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ

PRESENT:

Councilman Michael Coleman Councilwoman Emily Dindial
Councilwoman Erin Enouen Councilwoman Charlotte Smiseth
Town Sueprvisor Michael Baden Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg

Supervisor Baden called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

RESOLUTIONS:

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Resolution # 131-2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town Board accepts the agenda, as prepared by the Town Supervisor.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

PRIVELEDGE OF THE FLOOR: GAR APPRAISAL:

Presentation at the request of the assessor of potential use of GAR Appraisal services for Town of Rochester property revaluation.
• Cindy Baire, GAR Appraisal
• Jeremy Baracca, Town of Rochester Assessor

PRIVELEDGE OF THE FLOOR: ULSTER COUNTY MAGISTRATES :

Presentation at the request of the Ulster County Magistrates Association, RE: CAP Court
• Justice Kyle Barnett, Ulster County Magistrates Association
• Justice Laflamme, Town of Rochester

PRIVELEDGE OF THE FLOOR: MUNICOLLAB:

Presentation at the request of the Planning Board Chair of potential purchase of software from Municollab, an Ulster County based software provider for Planning Boards.
• Marc Grasso, Town of Rochester Planning Board Chair
• Lou Klepner, Municollab
• Abe Uchitelle, Municollab

SUPERVISOR’S FINANCIAL REPORT:
• January 2024 – Filed with the Town Clerk
• February 2024 TBD

JANUARY 2024 FINANCIALS:
Revenue January 2024
General Fund $ 555,733.29
Highway Fund $ 804,213.38
Total Expenditures January 2024
General Fund $ 339,851.65
Highway Fund $ 293,499.51
Street Lighting Fund $ 0.00
Capital Fund $ 0.00
Ambulance Fund $ 0.00
Escrow Fund $ 3,539.58
FEBRUARY 2024 FINANCIALS:

Revenue February 2024
General Fund $ 183,764.83
Highway Fund $ 922,653.41

Expenditures
Abstract 14-2023
General Fund $6,470.68
Highway Fund $12,840.58
Street Lighting Fund $366.74
Capital Fund $0.00
Ambulance Fund $0.00
Escrow Fund $0.00

Abstract 2-2024
General Fund $49,993.74
Highway Fund $83,723.33
Street Lighting Fund $760.70
Capital Fund $0.00
Ambulance Fund $5,750.00
Escrow Fund $2,757.64

Total Expenditures February 2024
General Fund $ 143,119.20
Highway Fund $ 78,221.76
Street Lighting Fund $ 1,127.44
Capital Fund $ 0.00
Ambulance Fund $ 5,750.00
Escrow Fund $ 2,757.64

SUPERVISOR’S CORRESPONDENCE REPORT:

Various resident correspondance

2024 County Agricultural District Inclusion: runs from 3/1-3/30, information can be found in both the Clerk and Assessor’s offices.

Ulster County Nature Bus – UCAT: offering free rides to various parks and trails throughout the county, residents can bring their bikes on the bus with them.

Congressman Pat Ryan – 2024 Hudson Valley Priorities
Supervisor Baden attended a meeting on Congressman Ryans priorities from his stand point. 2025 the Town of Rochester is moving from District 19 to 18 making Ryan no longer our Congressman.

UCRRA E-Newsletter: you can sign up on their website for information

UCRRA – Recycling Memo

Supervisor’s Update

GRANT:

2024 JCAP Grant Awarded to Town: The Town was awarded the grant with the hopes to make improvements to the meeting room.

NY Rising – Alligerville Firehouse: the work is completed, we are working on closing out the paperwork.

Annual Financial Report (formerly known as Annual Update Document): working with RBT to finalize the report. We will be filing for the 30 day extension which is common.

Upcoming Meetings/Events

TOWN BOARD UPCOMING AGENDAS:

March 14 Workshop Meeting – Work on Zoning Map

March 14 – RFSB for Record Storage Building received and available

Wednesday March 27 – Audit meeting date due to Good Friday – RFP scores to be tabulated

ATTORNEY FOR THE TOWN REPORT:

Will be holding a meeting with Councilman Coleman and Spectrum representative.

TOWN CLERK / TAX COLLECTOR REPORT:

For the month of February $ 47,434.20 was collected.

Tax Collection: for the month of February $ 789,363.35 was collected.

HIGHWAY SUPT. REPORT: nothing to report

DEPARTMENT UPDATES/ LIAISION REPORTS:

Councilwoman Dindial: Court: audited Justice LaFlammes cases, the documents were very organized everything was reconciled and we plan to audit Justice Albaughs cases on the 14th. The report will be made available no later than the 25th for the board to vote on at the meeting on the 27th.

Councilwoman Smiseth: Eldercare: it was a slow month but Rich was able to help with 2 basements that flooded. It was discovered one roof was leaking and Rich was able to help get assistance with the roof.
Housing Committee: met with Kai from the UC Planning Department discussing affordable housing.
Rec Dept: St Patrick’s Day luncheon is 3/15 at 11am. There is a Narcan training on 3/20 at 10am. The Easter Egg hunt is scheduled for 3/30 at 12pm and photos with the bunny will be held on 3/27. Sign ups required for all. Also want to work on getting the outside storage shed for the Rec Dept.

Councilwoman Enouen: Ag Committee: the first meeting was discussing the visioning of the committee. They will be submitting recommendations for zoning changes to the Town Board and looking at possible signage for right to farm communities.
ECC: a request was made that the ECC expend some of their funds to purchase seeds and collaborate with the HPC on a event. April will start the plastic collection again at the Transfer Station.
Transfer Station: will schedule interview for vacant position.

Councilman Coleman:
ZBA: 2 applications before the ZBA, 1 public hearing continued.
Ambulance District: met with Dave Bollin regarding the the Ambulance district.
Nothing new to report on the Fire Company.
Rail Trail/ Parks: met with Jeff to discuss the expectations with the park and rail trail. Discussed garbage disposals for dog poop and fencing at the park and community Center.
Constabulary:
The Constabulary answered 13 direct calls for service and other duties in January of 2024.
These included:
• 10 Neighbor to Neighbor and Quality of Life Complaints
• 2 Resident Traffic Complaints (Whitfield Rd, Samsonville Rd.)
• 1 Environmental Complaints, (Cherrytown Rd.)
• 4 New Building Department Violations
• 1 New Court Cases Opened
• 9 Court Proceedings Remain Open
• 0 Court Proceedings Closed

Town Clerk Gundberg: HPC: working on scheduling events for the year. Hoping to have Alligerville Hamlet talk series in May. The Commission is in the beginning stages of joining with the ECC on an Earth Day event with forensic horticulturist Mike Gaige. The Ash tree festival is scheduled for June 1st.

Town Supervisor Baden: Assessor’s office: Thank you to Joanne our Assessor’s Aide for all her hard work during exemption season and the Town Clerk’s office for their assistance.
Food Pantry: Supervisor Baden wanted to thank the pantry for their assistance in providing food on a holiday to a family without food or money. Thank you to Bob and all others a part of the process.

Councilwoman Smiseth: wanted to let everyone know that if they are ever in need of assistance the Rondout Valley Food Pantry could also provide assistance if anyone is ever in need or can’t get in touch with their Town’s pantry.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Dan Richfield: asked the for the Board to review the current short-term rental law. He explained two parcels of land he owns one has been able to be registered as a Short-term Rental the other is in the process of being built with the intent to be a short-term rental but with the Town’s current law / cap his property wouldn’t qualify. A letter was submitted to the Town Board regarding his request.

RESOLUTIONS:

ACTION ON MINUTES:
Resolution # 132 -2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman

The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts the minutes of the February 1, 2024 regular business meeting, as amended, the February 8, 2024 Workshop meeting, and the February 29, 2024 Audit meeting, as presented.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION:
Resolution # 133 -2024:

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts donations of $20 Joan Kowal and $ 142.43 from St. Paulie textile.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

AUTHORIZATIION TO PREPAY ABSTRACT3-2024 VOUCHER:
Resolution # 134 -2024:

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to make prepayment from the General Fund the amounts of $10,341.76 and $1,498.28 and from the Highway Fund in the amounts of $13,386.30 and $2,600.35 to MVP Healthcare for the March 2024 Employee and Retiree Health Care Plans, respectively. The MVP billing was received late for the February voucher due to a cyber security issue involving the vendor’s billing vendor.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT TO THE CLIMATE SMART TASK FORCE:
Resolution # 135 -2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second:Councilwoman Dindial

The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Stephen Springston, Julie Goldscheid, and Valeria Gheorghiuto to serve as a members of the Climate Smart Task Force and requests the Town Clerk advise of the Oath of Office requirement, if required.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT:
Resolution # 136 -2024:
Motion: Supervisor Baden
Second: Councilwoman Enouen

The Town of Rochester Town Board, as requested by the Ulster County Magistrates Association, authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between the Ulster County Sheriff and the Town of Rochester allowing the Town of Rochester to utilize the Ulster County Jail in pre arranged circumstances, as presented.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

YOUTH RECREATION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT:
Resolution # 137 -2024:

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

APPOINTMENT OF CONSTABLES:
Resolution # 138-2024:

Motion: Supervisor Baden
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
Discussion: The Board discussed at length the training eligibility, the civil service exam and employees that have not returned.

Pursuant to Town Law Article III §20(1)(b), that the Town Board authorizes the following appointments in accordance with the adopted Grade and Wage Schedule, contingent on completion of any qualifications or certifications as may be required to fulfil the position. All appointments directly dealing with youth shall be contingent on completion of background checks. All appointees shall serve for a term of one year effective January 1, 2024, subject to the pleasure of the Town Board or as mandated by New York State statute.
Constable (PT) (provisional) Marc Cathcart
Constable (PT) (provisional) Richard Miller
Constable (PT) (provisional) Jose Velasco
Constable-Probationary (PT) (provisional) Christopher Lopez

CHANGE IN DATES OF 2024 RACE TRACK PERMIT: amendment to resolution #378-2023
Resolution # 139 -2024:

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Enouen

The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes amendment to the racetrack permit renewal, approved with resolution # 378-2023, awarded to Accord Speedway, Inc., pursuant to Town of Rochester Code §107-4C and all other conditions as specified in Town of Rochester Code §107. The amendment is as follows

“The Town Board further accepts the racing schedule as presented for 40 actual racing dates and 8 potential rain dates. Dates listed as rain dates may be utilized only in the case of replacement of a rained out approved event date.”

On request of the Speedway owner, the date of Saturday June 22, 2024 is removed and replaced with Saturday June 8, 2024 from the 40 racing dates.There is no change to the total number of approved dates.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT:
Resolution # 140 -2024:

Motion: Supervisor Baden
Second: Councilwoman Enouen

The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to enter into agreement with Toshiba DocuWare Cloud 4 software at a cost of $304 month. for a 60 month term and $4,000 for installation, configuration, project management, and training (20 hours @ $200 per hour) to be paid in monthly installmants for 60 months. The software includes 4 named users licenses, 30GB cloud storage.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

MUNICIPAL PARKS AND RECREATION SUBWARD AGREEMENT:
Resolution # 141 -2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman
Discussion: The Board discussed the project, and the funds the Town is responsible for.

The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign a contract between the County of Ulster, a municipal corporation and a county of the State of New York with principal offices at 244 Fair Street, Kingston, New York 12401, and the Town of Rochester, a municipal corporation with principal offices at 50 Scenic Road, Accord, NY 12404 as subrecipient of a subaward of funds provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for the purpose of building public restrooms and replacing the roof to the existing pavilion at the town of Rochester Park located at 50 Scenic Road, Accord, NY 12404 in accordance with the terms and conditions, as set forth in the Agreement.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN COMMITTEE:

Each Board member will find a representative and bring it to the Board at the audit meeting.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

ULSTER COUNTY HOUSING ACTION FUND:

There is a grant opportunity due in May.

LOCAL LAW PROPOSAL- KERHONKSON HAMLET ZONING MAP CHANGES:

The Board agreed to keeping the change to the original request from the homeowner. Though the other changes can be discussed with the remainder of the zoning map amendments.

ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY OF ;

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board adjourns the meeting at 9:30pm in the memory of;

Wilfred Neff (former Town Supervisor)
Thomas “TJ” Rinaldi
Lucy Padilla
Joan Hagan
Mildred Marsh
Jack Smith
Naomi Price
Edward Richmond
Christopher Pinkerous
Nancy Brewschwall
The People of Palestine and Israel
The people of Ukraine
All suffering worldwide from the COVID-19 virus

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG

TOWN CLERK