The Town of Rochester Town Board held the Regular Meeting on February 1, 2024 at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road Accord New York 12404
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 Supervisor 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 # 99-2024:

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town Board accepts the agenda, as prepared by the Town Supervisor with 2 additions of hire of temporary clerk to the CEO, the quote of the Town Board tablet and possible of moving the phone discussion to privilege of the floor.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

PRIVELEGE OF THE FLOOR:

Dennis Doyle, Ulster County Planning Director & Steve Peterson- Ulster County Emergency Management gave a presentation on potential UC communications Tower on town property.

Ted Fink, Greenplan- gave a presentation of the Community Preservation Plan and how it can benefit the Town of Rochetser providing permanent protection for environmental resources needed.

Kathy Gordon, Phone system discussion- an update to the phone system was discussed and 6 quotes were provided.

SUPERVISOR’S FINANCIAL REPORT:

November and December 2023 report – Filed with the Town Clerk

SUPERVISOR’S CORRESPONDENCE REPORT:

Various resident correspondance were sent by emails.

ECC 2024 Report

Insurance Claims History: we had a 5 % increase which was great considering the amount of claims that are filed against the Town.

SUPERVISOR’S UPDATE: Supervisor Baden stated that he spoke with Ulster County Personnel regarding the Constable positions.

GRANTS UPDATES:

NY Rising – Alligerville Firehouse: sirens are working, bell is working, heat is working.

BridgeNY – Boice Mill Road Bridge; next meeting scheduled for 2/20 at 6:30pm at the Community Center. There was a request for making the channel narrower, it’s going to be a higher cost to the project.

2024 Bridge NY-submitted the culvert application to the state and the Project 32 Bridge application to the regional DOT and Ulster County. We will know if we will be awarded the bids within the next 3-9 months.

Food Pantry update- Annual report received

TOWN CLERK/ TAX COLLECTOR REPORT:

For the Month of January $ 5,954,010.75 was collected. The Tax Warrant to the Supervisor has been satisfied in the amount of $ 3,154,902.38. A huge thank you to my deputies Christina and Courtney for all their help in the success of collection of taxes along with keeping up on Town Clerk duties.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:

Thank you to the Highway crew for all their long hours.
The Bucket Truck is now in our possession.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES/ LIAISON REPORTS:

Town Clerk Gundberg: HPC: 2/4 starting at 1pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, Historic preservation consultant Marissa Marvelli will cover the financial benefits of listing your home and town historic districts in the National Register of Historic Places. Listing unlocks tax credit and grant programs for homeowners, commercial developers, non-profits, and local governments. Marvelli outlines the process from start to finish, as well as lists of available grant and loan resources available for restoring historic structures.
HPC is hoping to schedule 3-4 Hamlet talk series for the year. Hoping to hold Alligerville in March if the building is available.
Next meeting is 2/12.

Councilwoman Dindial: Court: a correspondence was received regarding the the requirement of providing a interpreter for a person before the Court. Everything was handled.

Councilwoman Smiseth: Eldercare: 2 new signups.

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT TOWN OF ROCHESTER HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Housing Committee, established by the Town Board in 2022, began meeting in January of 2023. Our mission is to ensure “to the greatest extent possible, that the town remains an affordable place to live…It is clear that Rochester must find ways and establish guidelines to help make housing affordable for people of all age brackets.”
Future growth must “maximize the ability of people of all means to find an affordable place to live in Rochester by providing for a range of housing choices and lot sizes.” (per Town Comprehensive Plan). Our chartered mission as the Town’s Housing Committee, is to “review and analyze the housing needs of the citizens of Rochester, to advise on housing policies and initiatives, to develop strategies to improve housing options, and to
recommend zoning changes or the adoption of local ordinances that best serve the
housing needs of Rochester’s citizens.” (per Resolution # 2021 Establishing Housing
Advisory Committee)
The following are our initial recommendations to the Board, from our first year of work:
1. REGULATION OF SHORT TERM RENTALS
a. We recommend that the TOR continue the cap on non-owner occupied STRs of no more than 2% of available housing units. According tohttps://participate.ulstercountyny.gov/, the 2022-2023 snapshot indicates our
town had 134 registered STR properties comprising 3% total housing stock (4,062 total households). Data shows that there are many additional unregistered STR properties operating, therefore the actual STR % is definitely higher.
b. Increase efforts to identify non complying rentals AND provide for stiffer penalties and fines for noncompliance:
For example: $500 for first offense, $2000 subsequent offenses; for 3 or more violations, revocation of permit.
c. Limit non-owner occupied rentals to 180 days, 26 weeks of bookings.
d. Limit all rentals to 2 occupants per bedroom (+1-2 children)
e. Require STR units to share registration numbers with their online listing and display placards on site.
f. Any revenue from STR fines goes into a Town Affordable Housing Fund, to be allocated and used for purposes of broadening housing opportunities or improving housing conditions in town.
g. Utilize Granticus to monitor non-compliance
https://www.kingston-ny.gov/filestorage/8399/10476/15217/18599/Host_Compliance_Kingston_2021-03-02.pdf
h. Create an easy-to-use complaint system for residents to report issues related to short-term rentals. Establish a dedicated CEO phone mailbox or an online portal where concerns such as noise complaints, overcrowding, or property damage can be reported promptly.
i. We, as a committee, fully endorse enhanced enforcement around STR violations/complaints and streamlining the complaint filing and remediation process to allow for more transparency and efficacy. We
believe improvements can be made to the current procedure.
2. AUTHORIZE A TRANSFER TAX TO FUND AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND
We understand that the Board is considering a ballot initiative in 2024 to institute a Town transfer tax which would create a conservation fund. We propose the Town use half the 3% tax (or whatever the proposed total % is), 1.5%, to grow a Town Affordable Housing Fund, supporting either new affordable housing opportunities, stabilizing existing rentals, or encouraging long-term/full-time rentals to low and moderate income residents.
3. AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN ZONING CODE
A. We recommend that the Board explore solutions to create opportunities for “as of right” multi-family dwellings under the Code in strategic areas such as abandoned seasonal residential campuses/bungalow colonies or along Route 209, subject, of course, to County health & local building code requirements.
B. We strongly support allowing mixed use development options along the Route 209 corridor, including as-of-right densification for residential uses. The Town population is aging and not all residents have access to their own reliable transportation, so providing residential options along arterials is vital.
C. We recommend any zoning changes necessary to encourage adaptive reuse of seasonal residential housing. For example, permanently situated tiny houses*
could be permitted on old bungalow colonies on less than 1 acre per unit and could serve young and aging adult populations in our community well.
a. * Prefabricated dwellings equal to or under 400 SF can be a much more affordable alternative to building ground up and can be constructed upon a slab, crawl space or basement foundation on smaller (more affordable)
lots.
4. INFORMATION PORTAL
A. Facilitate a mechanism for public outreach where information around housing can be shared with the community such as adding a page/tab on the town’s new website dedicated to Housing ( where housing opportunities, adopted initiatives, compiled ADU info/resources, housing related announcements from county or state, fund or grant programs available etc.can be posted). This can also serve possibly as a portal for the committee to collect feedback from residents on their ideas & needs.
5. Looking Ahead:
A. In our first year we secured funding from Ulster County to conduct a study of all parcels in the Town to determine which ones might be suitable or most viable for building affordable housing. The study should be ready this spring. Once we have the data, we may recommend targeted zoning changes for a particular
parcel or parcels, but it is premature for us to make specific recommendations, other than what we have stated above, until we have the data before us.
B. We also plan to assess options for expanding the universe of stable long term renting opportunities within the Town, including but not limited to encouraging conversion of short term rentals to long term rentals and researching how best to incorporate a housing rehab program to help property owners fund improvements
of substandard conditions or provide energy efficient upgrades to rental properties which would help lower utility costs to renters and extend longevity of dwelling structures.
C. We will also explore what the Town can do to encourage the development of Accessory Dwelling Units and how to better educate the community about the existence of this option.
During the next year, with Ulster County’s encouragement, guidance, expertise and assistance, the TOR should be in the position to better accommodate and serve our town in its housing needs by moving ahead on the fronts stated above.
We look forward to further addressing the town’s housing needs and advocating for solutions that align with the goals of the Town’s Comp Plan while also working towards Housing Smart Community certification.
Recreation Department:Adult paint class scheduled for 2/9 and 2/13. Valentines Day festivities will take place with the after school program. Councilwoman Smiseth also stated that she did a walk through on the storage facility and stated that she will be bring the discussion back to the Board at the workshop meeting.
Councilwoman Enouen: ECC: there was no quorum so it wasn’t an official meeting but lots of public participation discussions included toxic dumping in the region, controlled burns, planting of trees,. The yearly report was submitted, working on Earth day event. The ECC will be collecting plastic the first Saturday of the month again starting March 1st. Third nature series event for February 15th will be creating document of carbon tree.Planning Board: had a lively meeting with approximately 90 people in attendance for the public hearing on Accord Speedway request for commercial events. A workshop meeting followed on the 22nd . There is a full agenda for the Planning Board with lots of activity going on.Website: would like to schedule a meeting soon with Mike and Kate. Agriculture Committee held their first meeting on 1/31 with 5 members in attendance.

Councilman Coleman: 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
Interesting Occurrences:
In January, resident’s complaints have decreased slightly overall. Short term rental properties continue
to generate many complaints, especially on Holidays, Fridays and weekends. Mainly the complaints are
regarding, trespassing, loud noises, road/driveway blockages and household trash dumping. We continue
to work independently and with the building department on those issues. During the month we have
worked with the NY State Police on several occasions to provide evidence that will be used to further
ongoing investigations. Neighbor to neighbor complaints have remained stable this month and all have
been defused without further action necessary.
ZBA: happy that that Town Board will fill the vacancies. 2 variances have been granted, working on another.
KAFAS: there was talk of purchasing a new ambulance. Fire Co.: thank you to all of our amazing volunteers.
Spectrum will be discussed later in the evening.
Supervisor Baden: Assessor’s office: very busy with exemptions, the Assessor’s office does a great job assisting amd explaining the process. At the March Town Board meeting we will have a presentation from a reval company that our Assessor recommended.
Town Park: we still have no contract from the County so we can’t move forward until then. There is another park funding opportunity with the potential for water access.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Sue Bruck: Good evening I am speaking tonight about Supervisor Baden‘s malfeasance, be it either intentional or due to cognitive impairment. For those of you that don’t know, my name is Sue Bruck and I’m the one who filed the article 78 against the town regarding the municipal parking lot. This was after every other option was exhausted. I put my money where my heart is because I believe in town safety. 13 months after the attempted murder the parking lot is no safer.

You need to be aware that as a town body your lack of action now leaves you wide open for gross negligence cases. You have been put on warning more than once that the back parking lot is not safe. You have been advised that Supervisor Baden shows a bias where I am concerned. You have continued to allow Supervisor Baden to be in charge of the day-to-day activities regarding the back parking lot which facilitated the attempted murder on 12/30/22, rather than have Board Member Enouen take over these duties. Supervisor Baden’s continued biases have delayed any safety measures being put in place. It is time for you to step in and oversee this situation as Supervisor Baden is unwilling or unable to put the town’s best interest first, He gate keeps what information he shares with you. His responses to the petition have been untrue and at times defaming. The petition was filed in April and it is now February. This could’ve been handled, expeditiously and professionally and without an Article 78 and the town could be a lot safer now if Supervisor Baden had been removed from the process.

The town board and the public need to know what’s happening behind the scenes.

One of Supervisor Baden’s statements was that I don’t understand the town budget, that the constabulary did not have a budget. You can check any of this by contacting Scott Greene yourself. Supervisor Baden, of course, is going to say that I don’t know anything because he likes to defame and discredit me as he also did with the Ulster County government, wherein he wrote that there are mental health concerns since the death of my husband. This is both vile and untrue, as well as defaming. For the record, I have never ever had any law-enforcement agency called to my home, my place of business, or any other location because I became so emotionally unstable and violent that I punched a hole in a wall. I also have never been required, asked or expected to complete an anger management course. And I will leave that there.

This is again why I asked for him to be removed from anything tha tinvolves me or my late husband. I responded to Supervisor Baden’s budget comment with the truth, as you know it, that there are three budget line items for the Constabulary in our town. They are listed under Court Officers. They are listed under Code Enforcement and they are listed again with their own budget for shift hours.

Supervisor Baden next responded with the constabulary can’t work past 9 PM. Did you know that that was his response because it was just before that statement that you, as a body, passed a motion that allows a stipend for the Constabulary to work after hours and overnight hours?

Then he stated that the state would not accept a law if it was 30 days of it being voted into local law by the town, which is absolutely untrue. He was just using delay tactics. So that’s another untruth – again billable hours on taxpayer dollars without the appropriate goal in mine.

His goal has been to come after me personally and he will tell you that I’m coming after him personally, but I’m coming after him professionally, and if he cannot handle being called to task when he does things that are wrong professionally, then he does not deserve to be in a position of power or leadership in our town and he can feel free to resign again if he’s so chooses.

The next thing that Supervisor Baden came back with was that there were no available hours. There was no budget left for the constabulary. And you can just check through last year‘s budget numbers and look at the actual and see how many hundreds of hours that were not used for the constabulary. You easily could’ve used those hours to secure safety in that back parking lot where two people felt so comfortable and had such unlimited access to the back parking lot that they felt completely comfortable to smoke meth in broad daylight. How would you like that in your backyard?

Then Supervisor Baden wants everyone to believe that you can just call the sheriff or the troopers if you have an issue in the back parking lot ,which again just make two phone calls to both of those agencies and they will tell you that it is outside of their purview to enforce local law. Local law is to be enforced by local law enforcement, which is why we have a Constabulary and it is not being used to deter crime as it should be.

He also has led you to believe that you need to have new signs in the back parking lot. That’s not true, but it makes it look like he’s trying to do something.

He will also try to tell you that you need to hire a security consultant. As I said a year ago, we need a security consultant like we need an electrical consultant to advise you to turn out the lights. That is absolutely ridiculous. You have hundreds, if not 1000+ hours of patrolling that you did not use and no security cameras. There’s nothing for a security consultant to see and yet there’s plenty that you can do.

You have been put on notice that the parking lot is dangerous. Until you act and make it safer, you will be guilty of gross negligence for any further injuries and damages. Make corrections now.

TOWN BOARD MEMBER TIME:

Councilwoman Enouen stated that the Board couldn’t discuss the topics mentioned in Ms. Bruck’s statement because we are still in litigation.

Supervisor Baden stated all board members have received all correspondences.

SEQRA REVIEWS:

LOCAL LAW C-2024: AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 140, ZONING:
Resolution # 100-2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman

As Lead Agency for the SEQRA review of Local Law C-2024 ,The Town of Rochester Town Board determines the action will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment based on the Town Board review
1. having been classified as a Type 1 Action under 6 NYCRR Part 617.4(b)(1) and (2),
2. having held two public hearings,
3. referring such local law to the Ulster County Planning Board and Town of Rochester Planning Board for comment,
4. considering comments received, and
5. having reviewed Parts 2 and 3 of the EAF Full Form encompassing the Environmental Quality Review of such action.
ROLL CALL:

Councilman Coleman aye
Councilwoman Dindial aye
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Smiseth aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 motion carried

SUNDOWN ROAD CULVERT, BRIDGE NY 2024 APPLICATION :
Resolution # 101-2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

As Lead Agency for the SEQRA review of the Sundown Road culvert, BridgeNY 2024 application,The Town of Rochester Town Board determines the action is a Type 2 action under 6 NYCRR Part 617.5(c)(2), and no further SERQA review is necessary.

ROLL CALL:
Councilman Coleman aye
Councilwoman Dindial aye
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Smiseth aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 motion carried

PROJECT 32 ROAD BRIDGE, BRIDGE NY 2024 APPLICATION:
Resolution #102 -2024:

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

As Lead Agency for the SEQRA review of the Project 32 Road Bridge, BridgeNY 2024 application, The Town of Rochester Town Board determines the action is a Type 2 action under 6 NYCRR Part 617.5(c)(2), and no further SEQRA review is necessary.

ROLL CALL:
Councilman Coleman aye
Councilwoman Dindial aye
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Smiseth aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 motion carried

ACTION ON MINUTES:
Resolution # 103-2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts the minutes of the January 4, 2024 Organizational Meeting, January 4, 2024 Regular Business meeting, January 10, 2024 and January 20, 2024 Zoning Informational meeting, January 11, 2024 public hearing, January 11, 2024 Workshop meeting, and January 25, 2024 Audit meeting, as presented

Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION:
Resolution # 104-2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts donations of $20 from Carol Metsger for Flowers for Thanksgiving event.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

ADOPTION OF LOCAL LAW 3-2024:
Resolution # 105-2024:

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board renames Local Law C-2024, a local law amending §140, Zoning of the Code of the Town of Rochester, to Local Law 3 of 2024 and adopts same, and requests the Town Clerk file notice of adoption with the NY Department of State, Ulster County Planning Board, Town of Rochester Code Enforcement and Planning Board, and publish the notice in the Environmental Notice Bulletin.

Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT:
Resolution # 106-2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman

The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign a contract with Marbletown First Aid Unit, High Falls, NY in the amount of $23,000, to be paid in four installments as per the contract, for emergency first aid services for the High Falls and Alligerville area of the Town comprising the High Falls Ambulance District for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT:
Resolution # 107-2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilwoman Enouen

The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign a contract with DDCues, LLC, West Point, NY to provide TOR with various physical site security consulting services. DDCues will assist TOR in assessing potential security threats and vulnerabilities and in analyzing, developing and creating concept designs for site-security solutions for certain designated sites within the Town of Rochester. These efforts are intended to complement and enhance TOR’s existing security measures, efforts, and protocols.

Councilwoman Smiseth amended the motion to included the 10/13/2023 proposal shall be exhibit A in contract.
Councilwoman Enouen seconded the amendment.

Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF TOWN FACILITIES:
Resolution # 108-2024:

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Enouen

The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes Wild Earth Wilderness School to utilize the Town Municipal Parking Lot as drop-off and pick-up point for their bus to camp for the Summer 2024 Season. The dates of use are July 8 through August 2, 2024, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (no camp on Wednesdays). The bus will pick up between 9am-9:15am and drop off between 3:15pm and 3:30pm barring any weather delays or extenuating circumstances. Wild Earth Wildeness School has provided a Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the Town as an additional insured.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT OF CLERK TO JUSTICE ALBAUGH:
Resolution # 109-2024:

Motion: Supervisor Baden
Second: Councilwoman Enouen

Pursuant to Town Law Article III §20(1)(b) and upon advice and consent of Justice Albaugh, The Town Board hereby appoints Lee Ann Warren to serve as the Clerk to Justice Albaugh, effective January 1, 2024, as funded per the 2024 Grade and Wage Schedule.
Justice Albaugh shall determine the duties and work schedule of the Clerk to Justice, subject to the adopted budget.

Aye: 4 nay: 1-Smiseth abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION:
Resolution # 110 -2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Phil Christopher to serve as a member of the Historic Preservation Commission for a term ending December 31, 2026 and requests the Town Clerk advise of the Oath of Office requirement.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW:
Resolution # 111-2024:

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Marc Grasso to serve as a member of the Board of Assessment Review for a term ending September 30, 2028 and requests the Town Clerk advise of the Oath of Office requirement.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
Resolution # 112-2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board reappoints Charlie Fisher to serve as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term ending December 31, 2028 and requests the Town Clerk advise of the Oath of Office requirement.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS ALTERNATE:
Resolution # 113 -2024:

Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilman Coleman

The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Hans Fetscherin to fill a vacancy as alternate member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term ending December 31, 2024 and requests the Town Clerk advise of the Oath of Office requirement.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD:
Resolution # 114-2024:

Supervisor Baden nominates Peter Nelson no other nominations made.

Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman

The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Peter Nelson to serve as a member of the Planning Board for a term ending December 31, 2030 and requests the Town Clerk advise of the Oath of Office requirement.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD:
Resolution # 115-2024:

Councilwoman Enouen nominated Rick Jones, no other nominations.

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Rick Jones to fill a vacancy as a member of the Planning Board for a term ending December 31, 2026 and requests the Town Clerk advise of the Oath of Office requirement.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF ETHICS:
Resolution # 116-2024:

Supervisor Baden nominates Ken Stephens to the Board of Ethics, no other nominations.

Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth

The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Ken Stephens fill a vacancy as a member of the Board of Ethics for a term ending December 31, 2027 and requests the Town Clerk advise of the Oath of Office requirement.

Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF ETHICS ALTERNATE:
Resolution # 117-2024:

Councilwoman Smiseth nominates Cathy Frankel to Board of Ethics, no other nominations.

Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman

The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Cathy Frankel to fill a vacancy as alternate member to the Board of Ethics for a term ending December 31, 2026 and requests the Town Clerk advise of the Oath of Office requirement.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

DISCUSSIONS:

ESTABLISH DATE AND TIME FOR CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE INTERVIEWS:

It was agreed to hold interviews at the Audit meeting on 2/29 @ 6:30pm.

CHARTER SPECTRUM PROPOSAL:

Councilman Coleman stated that Spectrum has come down in price, looks to be a reasonable offer. The Board directed Attorney Christina to connect with the Spectrum representative and review the contract.

COUNCILWOMAN ENOUEN/SMISETH HR RESOLUTION:

The Board reviewed the outline that Councilwoman Enouen put together as HR Liaison and gave a brief background as to why she and Councilwoman Smiseth would like to facilitate.

ATHORIZATION OF STAFF MEETINGS:
Resolution # 118-2024:

Motion: Supervisor Baden
Second: Councilwoman Dindial

The Town Board authorizes Councilwoman Enouen and Councilwoman Smiseth to facilitate staff meetings on an as needed basis.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

SUBDIVISION CODE:

Supervisor Baden stated that he is working on the updates.

ZONING CODE AND ZONING MAP:

The Board will dedicate the March workshop meeting to the zoning map amendments.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman

The Town of Rochester Town Board adjourns the meeting at 10:15pm in memory of;

Detective William E. Moylan Jr.
Diane McCord (former Town of Esopus Supervisor, Town Clerk and Town Board member)
Frank Joseph Coddington Sr.
Judy Kay Garlinghouse
Vaughn Stancage
George Stephen Panchyshyn
M. Richard (Dick) Davenport
Robert D. Cosgrove
Joseph Blank
Paul Roxby
Manfred Kastner
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