Town of Rochester Town Board held the Regular Meeting on November 2, 2023 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 Erin Enouen
Councilman Adam Paddock Councilwoman Charlotte Smiseth
Sueprvisor Michael Baden Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg
Supervisor Baden opened the meeting and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Resolution # 347-2023:
Motion:Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town Board accepts the agenda, as prepared by the Town Supervisor with added discussion item with the Town Attorney regarding an item change in State for Tax law regarding senior exemptions and discussion of making the digital property card the official record.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
SUPERVISOR’S FINANCIAL REPORT:
October 2023 report filed with Town Clerk and Town Board
Revenue October 2023
General Fund $ 118,578.45
Highway Fund $ 818.48
Expenditures
Abstract 10-2023
General Fund $60,970.23
Highway Fund $85,552.21
Capital Fund $39,502.74
Street Lighting Fund $0.00
Ambulance Fund $0.00
Escrow Fund $4,587.50
Total Expenditures October 2023
General Fund $
Highway Fund $ 134,648.78
Capital Fund $39,502.74
Street Lighting Fund $0.00
Ambulance Fund $0.00
Escrow Fund $4,587.50
SUPERVISOR’S CORRESPONDENCE REPORT:
Supervisor Baden announced the correspondences received for the month.
SUPERVISOR’S UPDATE:
O&W Rail Trail project: The surface of the trail is complete and now moving to the replacing of the bridges.
Grant Updates:
NY Rising – Alligerville Firehouse: new filtration system has been purchased, there is methane in the water so Supervisor Baden will meet with the Fire Commissioners next week.
BridgeNY – Boice Mill Road Bridge: the preliminary design has been approved, next will meet with the consultant. The Board discussed the idea of a public presentation.
Ulster County ARPA Park Funding: The legislature approved the contract in October. We are hoping for the contract in the near future.
Preliminary Budget-2024: Supervisor announced that there will be approximately and $ 6.75 increase per 100,000 assessed value.
The public hearing will be held on 11/9/23 at 6:30pm with a public hearing to follow on the tax cap.
ATTORNEY FOR THE TOWN:
The tax assessment lawsuit that was filed has bene settled, waiting on the judge to sign off.
TOWN CLERK/ TAX COLLECTOR REPORT:
RESIGNATION:
Seth Woodbury, Bookkeeper and confidential secretary to the Supervisor.
CANNABIS APPLICATION RECEIVED 10/19/2023:
BACK HOME FARM LLC
4967 ROUTE 209
ACCORD, NEW YORK 12404
For the month of October :
The Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration organization is holding a coat drive from October 23- November 10th at various locations with the Town Clerk’s office being one of them.We are open 8-12 & 1-4 Monday- Friday. Veterans Day pancake breakfast will take place on Saturday November 11,2023 from 8-10:30am hosted by the Accord Fire Co. The breakfast is free to all Veterans and their spouse, all others will be $ 8.00 per person with the proceeds going to the Hometown Hero Banner project. There will be a Veteran service at 11am at the Town of Rochester Veteran Park followed
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:
Supervisor Baden stated that the Highway Department has been busy with assisting the vendor assigned to the Rail trail.
DEPT. UPDATES/ LIAISION REPORTS:
Councilman Coleman:
ZBA: would like to talk about allowing the ZBA chair to have a conversation with the CEO about an application. May need a Town Board resolution.
EMS/ Fire Co.: appreciate both squads and the Fire Co., thank you for your service!
Spectrum: spectrum is willing to reengage with us and have the conversation
Councilwoman Smiseth:
Eldercare: 5 new signups.
Housing committee: working on new task, currently we have a pause with the County. The committee is going to review ADU, Short term rental law and the zoning code
Councilman Paddock:
Constabulary: The Constabulary answered 14 direct calls for service and other duties in October of 2023.
These included:
• 10 Neighbor to Neighbor and Quality of Life Complaints
• 3 Resident Traffic Complaints (Mettacahonts Rd, Lower Whitfield Rd,Samsonville Rd)
• 1 Environmental Complaints, (Municipal Lot)
• 3 New Building Department Violations
• 0 New Court Cases Opened
• 10 Court Proceedings Remain Open
• 1 Court Proceedings Closed
Interesting Occurrences:
This month we had an interesting Month in our Town. A resident contacted us directly to report the
front door to a residence, they were watching for their neighbor was wide open. Working with the NY
State Police, it was ultimately determined that the door had been left open inadvertently by the owner
when they left to deal with a family emergency. The home was secured and nothing was reported missing.
Traffic complaints from local residents this month consisted primarily of speeding and parking along
town roads. Garbage dumping of household trash and other debris on town roads remains an ongoing
issue. Short term rental properties continue to generate many complaints, especially on Holidays, Fridays
and Weekends. This month the main complaint was people wandering onto adjacent properties.
Neighbor to neighbor complaints have decreased this month, with noise complaints being the most
common. All have been defused without further action necessary. We continue to monitor the areas in
which the most complaints frequently occur.
Rec. Dept.: 11/10 Kingston Audiology Center will hold a free screening to seniors and veterans from 11-2pm., Thanksgiving luncheon will be held on 11/17 11:30-1:30pm., 11/29 Holiday wreath workshop call to sign-up.
Councilwoman Enouen:
Transfer Station: this Saturday is plastic bag recycling at the transfer station.
Supervisor Baden:
Supervisor Baden stated that UCRRA fees are not going up as much as originally stated. He will plug the numbers and see if there is need for an increase in ticket pricing.
Town Clerk Gundberg: HPC: the HPC held their HPC awards on Friday October 27th. Accord Market, 21 Main St., Accord
Owner: Henry Rich
HPC Rationale: The building now occupied by the Accord Market was a signature commercial building along Main Street, recognizable in historic photos and would be a loss if its profile was removed from the business district. The owners restored the building while paying attention to historic details and attempting to dovetail modern code requirements with antique building features.
Alligerville Firehouse
Accord Fire Department (Peter Nelson and Bob Garrett) and Alfandre Architecture (Rick Alfandre)
HPC Rationale: The HPC had hoped to preserve the Alligerville Schoolhouse for decades and there was great concern that it would be allowed to fall into complete disrepair rather than being restored. The fire department stepped up and integrated the building into the modern firehouse design with the help of their architect and volunteer efforts of many of the firemen.
Alligerville 1859 Dutch Reformed Church, 18 Church Lane, Alligerville
Peter Forsythe and Dawn Mueller
HPC Rationale: The building was a hub for worship in the 19th Century and could have fallen into disrepair or reconfigured away from its original footprint. The current owners have worked to restore the building over the years and most recently are restoring key aspects of the building that will preserve its character for years to come.
Congratulations to these recipients.
The Pataukunk hamlet talk was held on October 14th at the Community Center with approximately 30 people in attendance. It was a great time the residents loved it and they are planning on hosting 4 next year in various locations Whitfield, Tabasco, Mombaccus and Alligerville were the hamlets discussed so look for that starting spring of 2024.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: no comments made.
TOWN BOARD MEMBER TIME- OTHER TOPICS:
Councilwoman Enouen: working on the website, hope to have it up and running by the end of the year.
Councilwoman Smiseth: If you know of anyone in need of food this holiday season please reach out to the RV food pantry.
ACTION ON THE MINUTES:
Resolution # 348-2023:
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Paddock
The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts the minutes of the October 3 Workshop,October 12 Workshop Meeting, October 19 Workshop Meeting, October 25 Workshop Meeting, and October 26 Audit Meeting, as presented.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS:
Resolution # 349 -2023:
Motion: Supervisor Baden
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts donation of a handcrafted sandbox for installation at the Town Park by Sarah and James Farrell.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION:
Resolution # 350-2023:
Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts donations in the total amount of $50 from Nancy Smith, $300 from Zach Kleinhandler for Thanksgiving luncheon, $50 from Rochester Seniors in memory of Gerry Gray, and $132 in various donations from Heritage Day.
AUTHORIZING A GRANT APPLICATION:
Resolution # 351 -2023:
Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilman Paddock
The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town of Rochester Town Court to apply for a JCAP grant in the 2023-24 grant cycle up to $30,000.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING – LOCAL LAW 12 OF 2023: CHAPTER 125 SUBDIVISION:
Resolution # 352-2023:
Motion: Councilman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town of Rochester Town Board sets a public hearing on Local Law 12 of 2023, Amendment to Chapter 125, Subdivision, of the Code of the Town of Rochester, to be held Thursday November 30, 2023 at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord, NY 12404 and requests the Town Clerk circulate public notice.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING- LOCAL LAW 13 OF 2023: CHAPTER 140, ZONING:
Resolution # 353-2023:
Motion: Councilman Paddock
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town of Rochester Town Board sets a public hearing on Local Law 13 of 2023, Amendment to Chapter 140, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Rochester, to be held Thursday November 30, 2023 immediately following the public hearing on Local Law 12 of 2023, at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord, NY 12404 and requests the Town Clerk circulate public notice.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN AN EASEMENT AND BOUNDARY LINE AGREEMENT:
Resolution # 354-2023:
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman
Discussion:
The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign an “Easement and Boundary Line Agreement” between the Town of Rochester, 50 Scenic Road, Accord, NY 12404 and Marilyn Tetlow, 54 Scenic Road, Accord, NY, 12404, subject to receipt and review and approved by the Attorney for the Town.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
DISCUSSION:- POSSIBLE RESOLUTIONS:
Assessor request: Supervisor Baden stated that Assessor Baracca sent a request for the Board to review changes that can be made to senior exemptions and making the digital property card the official copy. The Board agreed to look into it further.
2024 Contribution to Town of Wawarsing towards Kerhonkson Pool: Supervisor Baden stated that we give the Town of Wawarsing $ 22,000 per year towards the upkeep of the Kerhonkson pool. The Town of Wawarsing is asking for $ 30,000.00. The Board will discuss it further during the budget meeting.
Climate Smart Community call for Committee Members/ 2024 Boards and Commissions members:
Councilwoman Enouen agreed to spearhead a information session on 12/3 providing information on the Town’s Boards and Commissions , how to get involved, and hold a info session on what climate smart community entails.
Security RFP Proposals Review: Supervisor Baden asked the Board to review the quotes and will discuss further at the workshop meeting.
ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF :
Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town Board adjourned the meeting at 7:46pm in memory of the following;
Margerite “Peggy” Lapp
Gordon Brown
Daniel Johnson (former Wawarsing Councilman)
Dennis Weis (Town of Kingston Town Clerk)
Lillian Gregory
Edward Gillespie
Catherine Metrick-Hart
Diana Traver-Romanek
Richard McElree
Jan Wullum
Raymond Lawrence Jr.
Geraldine Gray
Robert Andersen
Marcia (Marcy) Schaef
Elizabeth” Betty” Kawalachuk
Landon DeLease
Jon Tolbert
All suffering from gun violence in Maine
The people of Isreal and Palestine
The people of Ukraine
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK