The Town of Rochester Town Board held a Special Meeting on July 8, 2021 at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord, NY 12404
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ

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

PRESENT:
Councilwoman Erin Enouen Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Chris Hewitt Councilman Adam Paddock
Supervisor Michael Baden Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg

ABSENT:

Town Attorney Marylou Christiana Highway Superintendent Jeff Frey

ULSTER COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION : ULSTER COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- APPLICATION TO THE NYS OFFICE OF HOMES AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL:
Resolution # 224 -2021:

A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt that the Town of Rochester Town Board approves and endorses Ulster County in its application to NYS Homes and Community Renewal for funding under the NYS Main Streets Program

WHEREAS, Ulster County desires to apply for $500,000 in financial assistance through the 2021 Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) under the NYS Office of Homes and Community Renewal and

WHEREAS, the application proposes funding to assist property owners to complete building renovations; and

WHEREAS, the proposed funding will contribute to ongoing community revitalization efforts; and

WHEREAS, the grant application requires that the applicant obtain the approval and endorsement of the governing body of the municipality in which the project will be located.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of Rochester approves and endorses the 2021 CFA for NYS Office of Homes and Community Renewal NY Main Street Program assistance prepared and to be submitted by Ulster County, upon adoption of Resolution 304-2021 by the Ulster County Legislature.
Second: Councilman Enouen
Discussion:
Councilwoman asked who this grant is meant for?
Supervisor Baden: stated that it is for the Granary on Main St.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy: Is the Town responsible for the $ 500,000? Is there an expiration date? Should the Town be endorsing a project for a Corporation? Will it go to the Planning Board for review? Is this publicized anywhere? Should we be educating all residents for grant opportunities?
Councilman Hewitt: The Town endorsement is part of the the criteria of probably 20 requirements. I don’t feel like we should have to educate the public on a grant. The CFA website is very informative, applying for a grant will help a corporation which helps us as a Town move forward.
Supervisor Baden : the County is doing the application we are just endorsing it because it is located in our Town.
Councilwoman Enouen: clarified that the applicant is Ulster County, they are applying for funding that would go to this project. Most times it’s a matching grant, highly competitive and extremely vigorous process.
Supervisor Baden: this is very similar to the Arrowwood farm grant that was applied for a couple years back.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

TRANSFER STATION EMPLOYEE DUTIES:
Resolution #225 -2021:

A Motion was made by Councilman Baden that The Town of Rochester Town Board adopts the employee duties for the Transfer Station, as presented by Councilwoman Enouen and amended on 7/8/2021 and that the Town Supervisor will submit to the Town Attorney and Human Resource Consultant for verification that there are no discrepancies with the Employee handbook and County and State law.
Second: Councilman Enouen
Discussion: the Board discussed minor changes of wording and additions to the listed duties. Big thank you to Councilwoman Enouen for the time and efforts she put in getting this information to the Board.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

TRANSFER STATION EMPLOYEE VACANCIES:
Resolution #226-2021:

A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt the Town of Rochester Town Board establishes a subcommittee of Supervisor Baden, Councilwoman Enouen, and Transfer Station Supervisor Frey to interview and make recommendation to the Town Board of candidates to fill vacant Laborer positions.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
Discussion: Supervisor Baden stated that an ad was placed on indeed the week before Forth of July and we have a considerable amount of responses.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy asked if a committee needs to be formed and if Dave can be added to the list of those interviewing since he is doing the job.
Councilwoman Enouen wasn’t sure how that would work with Dave not being in management of a supervisory role.
Supervisor Baden stated he wanted to stay consistent with the process, because this is what the Board did for the Planning and Zoning position.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

COPIER CONTRACT:
Resolution #227-2021:

A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden that the Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign contract with Toshiba for a 60 month contract with 7,000 black and white pages per month, black and white overage of .0075 per page, color pages .049 per page for two toshiba machines and features for finisher with stapling, hole punch, booklet enabling, saddle stitch 4 drawer x 500 paper capability, effective August 1, 2021 as soon there after as soon as tobisha can fullfill.
Second: Councilman Paddock
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

AUD FINANCIAL REPORT:
Resolution # 228-2021:

Supervisor Baden stated that the AUD is finally complete and highlighted areas of the report. The Fund balance at the end of 2020 was $ 1,158,651.00. We are in good shape! It was discovered that there was $ 105,000 set aside in the grant fund which consisted of 3- $35,000.00 payments to go towards cable vision , Broadband. Supervisor Baden stated this was transferred to capital projects once it was identified. There was a $ 72,000 debiting / crediting error on employee health insurance that our accountants were able to figure out all but
$ 17,000.00. It was made clear that there is not $ 17,000 missing just an accounting error.

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen authorizing Supervisor Baden to give authorization for Sickler, Allen, Torchia and Churchill to file the 2020 AUD on behalf of the Town of Rochester.
Second: Councilman Paddock
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

APPOINTMENT OF CONSTABLE:
Resolution #229 -2021:

A Motion was made by Councilman Paddock to hire Donald Koeppen Jr. to a part-time provisional probationary position of Town Constable effective upon receipt of DCJS certification.
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

PUBLIC COMMENT:

One resident asked why the Sheriff Department can’t cover court when the Town has a shortage. They are considered court officers and used to cover the courthouse.
Supervisor Baden stated that the court officer criteria has changed significantly.

Another resident stated more patrolling needs to be done at deep hole the road was almost closed off the other day.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen to enter in executive session at 8:35pm for the purposes of discussion of the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real properties.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen to reconvene the meeting at 9:08pm with no action taken nor monies expended.
Second: Councilman Hewitt
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

ADJOURNMENT:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen to adjourn the meeting at 9:09pm.
Second: Councilman Hewitt motion carried

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK