The Town of Rochester Town Board workshop meeting was held on April 17, 2024 at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road Accord, NY 12404
To View the Meeting
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ
PRESENT:
Councilman Michael Coleman Councilwoman Charlotte Smiseth
Deputy Supervisor Erin Enouen Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg
Town Attorney Marylou Christiana
ABSENT:
Supervisor Michael Baden Councilwoman Emily Dindial
Deputy Supervisor Enouen opened the meeting and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
RESOLUTIONS:
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Resolution # 164-2024:
Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts the agenda as prepared by the Town Supervisor with the additions of moving a portion of the executive session to be held prior to the zoning map updates, discussion of the BOAR vacancy position, brief garden followup, and possible coalition watershed of towns resolution.
Aye: 3 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Dindial, Baden-absent
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
BOARD DISCUSSION WITH MEMBERS OF KAFAS:
The Board met with 3 members of KAFAS to discuss what the needs and expectations are to move forward with signing the contract. The Town of Rochester Town Board values the organization tremendously and would like to work together to accomplishing the goal of getting a contract signed so payment can be disbursed.
Quarterly financials are to be sent to the Town Board in order to receive disbursements of money.
Members of KAFAS explained changes made moving forward and asked for the Board to work with them during this transition. It was agreed that the first quarter financials be received by the May Town Board meeting.
SUPERVISOR REPORT AND STATUS UPDATES:
FINANCIAL REPORT- filed with the Town Clerk
100TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR KERHONKSON FIRE CO.:
Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company 100th Anniversary Parade will be held on June 1, 2024.
1:00 PM – Route 209 to the firehouse on Main Street. “Hillbilly Parade” on stage from 2:30-5:30 PM, followed by the trophy presentation at the Firehouse..
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN STATUS UPDATE:
Deputy Supervisor Enouen stated how the Board made appointments at the 4/4 town Board meeting, they are working on scheduling their first meeting with Ted Fink.
GAR PROPOSAL TO BE DISCUSSED AT MAY BUSINESS MEETING:
The Board is waiting on getting a proposal to review at the May Town Board meeting.
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT:
Must be submitted to the State no later than 4/30/24. Our accountant will draft a resolution to be adopted at the Audit meeting.
ROCHESTER AMBULANCE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS NEXT STEPS:
The Board agreed to the timeline of what is expected moving forward. It was agreed that the Board shouldn’t extend the delay much further into the year and if we don’t have a contract signed by the May audit meeting other options need to be discussed.
CHARTER SPECTRUM PROPOSAL CONTRACT REVIEW:
Resolution # 165-2024:
Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Deputy Supervisor Enouen
The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the charter spectrum contract as presented and approved by the Town Attorney.
Aye: 3 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Dindial, Baden-absent
Big thank you to Councilman Coleman for all his efforts in getting this contract completed.
4/25/2024 AUDIT MEETING CHECK IN:
Deputy Supervisor Enouen stated that she has a conflict with the audit meeting so Supervisor Baden will chair the meeting.
The agenda is to have the continuation of the public hearing on the zoning amendment, the presentation of the Annual Financial report and the approval of bills.
COURT SECURITY & CAMERA AT COURT:
The Board agreed to schedule a meeting with the Justice and Constables to discuss solutions regarding security coverage and access to the security cameras.
It was agreed to have this done at the May Town Board meeting
HIGHWAY ROOF NEXT STEPS:
The Board had received one quote for repairs to the Highway gargage. As per the procurement policy the board agreed additional quotes are required. After a brief discussion it was agreed that this project go out to Bid. Deputy Supervisor Enouen stated she will bring something to the May meeting.
TOWN CLERK’S SAFE:
Town Clerk Gundberg discussed concerns of the Town Clerk safe. It was agreed to gather quotes for a new safe.
PRESENTATION OF QUOTES FOR MICROSOFT 365:
The Board discussed software programs that each department uses. Deputy Supervisor Enouen stated she will be meting with deparmtents individually in May to discuss the needs of their offices.
Councilman Coleman will continue to look into options with Microsoft 365.
BOAR POSITION:
The Board agreed to interview the applicant that applied for the position that has a term expiring 9/30/2025 at the audit meeting.
APPLICATION FOR ZONING DESIGNATION CHANGE:
Another application for a zoning designation change has been submitted to the Town of Rochester Town Board. Deputy Supervisor Enouen asked the Board if they would like to have the applicant come before the board to discuss the reason of the request. It was agreed to have the invite the applicant to the workshop meeting.
GARDEN PROPOSAL:
Deputy Supervisor Enouen stated that she will connect with Carol Metsger on the next steps for the pollinator garden in front of the food pantry.
COALITION OF WATERSHED TOWNS:
Resolution # 166-2024:
Motion: Deputy Supervisor Enouen
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town of Rochester Town Board makes nomination for ExecutiveCommittee of the Coalition of Watershed Towns of Regular Members;
David Edinger, Councilmember, Town of Olive
Greg Vurckio, Councilmember, Town of Denning
Alternate Members;
Peter DiSclafani, Supervisor, Town of Shandaken
Mary Ann VanBenschoten, Councilmember, Town of Marbletown
Aye: 3 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Dindial, Baden-absent
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TERM OF OFFICE:
A request was received from Highway Superintendent Frey requesting his term be changed from a 2 year to a 4 year term.
Town Attorney Christiana stated that request would have to go on to next years ballot , it would not meet the deadline for this election.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Deputy Supervisor Enouen
The Town of Rochester Town Board motions to enter into Executive Session at 8:30pm for the purposes of
discussion of matters leading to the employment, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person.
Aye: 3 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Dindial, Baden-absent
RECONVENE THE MEETING:
Motion: Deputy Supervisor Enouen
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town Board reconvened the meeting at 8:54pm with no action taken nor monies expended.
Aye: 3 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Dindial, Baden-absent
ZONING CODE UPDATES:
The Board agreed they would like to continue the review of the mapping at the May 9th meeting in hopes of knowing where they stand after that meeting in terms of scheduling another info. Session and public hearing. It was agreed to try to schedule the public hearing on zoning amendments the same night of the info. Session.
The Board continued to work on the zoning map amendments, concentrating mainly on the PL-10 designations.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town of Rochester Town Board motions to enter into Executive Session at 10:02pm for the purposes of
discussion of matters leading to the employment, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person.
Discussion of advice of counsel litigation settlement offer
Aye: 3 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Dindial, Baden-absent
RECONVENE THE MEETING:
Motion: Deputy Supervisor Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town Board reconvened the meeting at 10:25pm with no action taken nor monies expended.
Aye: 3 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
Dindial, Baden-absent
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: Deputy Supervisor Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town of Rochester Town Board adjourns the meeting at 10:26pm.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK