Town Board Workshop Meeting – December 2022

The Town of Rochester Town Board held their workshop meeting on December 21, 2022, at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road Accord, New York 12404.
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ

Present:
Councilman Michael Coleman Councilwoman Erin Enouen
Councilman Adam Paddock Councilwoman Charlotte Smiseth
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:
Resolution # 477-2022:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen that the Town of Rochester Town Board accepts the agenda, as prepared by the Town Supervisor with additions of a resolution for Cross Point contract, a driveway permit refund and two discussion items TORE and a meeting with the Attorney.
Second: Councilman Coleman
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

SUPERVISOR ANNOUNCEMENTS – UPCOMING MEETINGS/ EVENTS:

Public Hearings – Thursday December 29 @ 6pm
Local Law CC-2022, Chapter 140 Zoning Addendum, Wireless Communications Facilities
Local Law DD-2022, Chapter 140 Zoning Addendum, Contractor Storage Yards
2023 Organizational Meeting – Tuesday January 3, 2023 @ 6pm
Senior Brunch – rescheduled to Friday January 6, 2023

PRESENTATIONS

OSI: REHABILITATION OF O & W TRAIL, ACCORD TOWN HALL TO MAIN ST. KERHONKSON:

The rehabilitation project will include 5 sections of the 3.2 mile of trail to be repaired. The total project cost allotted is $ 565,000.00. Construction to begin April 2023 with hopes of completion by October of 2023.

ACCORD LLC: GRANARY PROJECT: REQUEST FOR ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE OVERLAY (EEO):

The Presentation of the proposed project is the revitalization of the existing Accord Granary site through the construction of a restaurant, artist studio, bed and breakfast, bike shop, 8-foot-wide rail trail and provision of 36 additional parking spaces.

RESOLUTIONS:

NOMINATION TO ULSTER COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL:
Resolution #478 -2022:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen that the Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to make nomination to the Ulster County Executive the name James Easley to serve as the Town of Rochester representative on the Ulster County Environmental Management Council.
Second: Councilman Paddock
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

NOTICE OF JANUARY 2023 REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING:
Resolution # 479-2022:

A Motion was by Councilwoman Smiseth that The Town of Rochester Town Board sets the January 2023 Regular Business meeting to be held Thursday January 5, 2023, at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Rd., Accord and requests the Town Clerk circulate legal notice of the meeting.
Second: Councilman Paddock
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
REFUND OF DRIVEWAY PERMIT:
Resolution # 480-2022:

A Motion was made by Councilman Paddock that the Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes Supervisor Baden to refund Cynthia Landon Graham in the amount of $ 50.00 for a Driveway permit.
Second: Councilman Coleman
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

CONTRACT WITH CROSSPOINT CONNECT:
Resolution # 481-2022:

A Motion was made by Councilman Paddock to authorize Supervisor Baden to sign contract with Crosspoint Connect, Inc. 9 Marions Way Woodstock, NY 12498 for a period of 12/25/2022-12/25/2023.
Second: Councilman Coleman
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

DISCUSSIONS:

RINGSQUARED CONTRACT CHANGE PROPOSAL:

Supervisor Baden stated that this company provides the phone lines to all spaces. This will potentially save the Town $ 28.00 per month a resolution will following in January.

POSSIBLE RFP FOR TOWN HALL HEATING SYSTEM:

We received a free quote of $ 28,978.00 to replace the heating system in the Town Hall. Supervisor Baden stated that we can put out an RFP and attempt to get 3 quotes and decide what we want to do from there.

AMBULANCE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT CONTRACTS:

The Board agreed to schedule another meeting to hold interviews for the Ambulance Improvement District Commission with the other Boards and Commissions interviews. The Board was satisfied with the existing ambulance contract.

CHARTER SPECTRUM EXPANSION PROPOSAL:

Councilman Coleman stated that there was a drop from 16 to 15 and a price of $ 108,000.00 I asked if it could be done with $ 75,000.00 and now just waiting to hear back.

TORE EXCHANGE:

There’s been a water drainage issue and volunteers attempted to fix the issue by using a jack hammer against the retaining wall causing it to break. This was taken upon themselves; they were not given permission. Supervisor Baden stated for the moment the outside is shutdown.

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 128- TAXATION PROPOSAL:

The Town Board was supplied with addition increase to the Senior and Disability exemption amounts. After a brief discussion the Board decided to increase the income eligibility with proposed local law 1 & 2 of the 2023 year.

AUTHORIZE TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING:
Resolution # 482-2022:

A Motion was made by Councilman Coleman that the Town of Rochester Town Board schedule a public hearing on proposed local law 1 of 2023: amending Chapter 128, Taxation of the Code of the Town of Rochester Article V, Exemption for Disabled Persons with Limited Income for 1/5/2023 at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road Accord, New York 12404 and for the Town Clerk to advertise the same.
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

AUTHORIZE TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING:
Resolution # 483-2022:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen that the Town of Rochester Town Board schedule a public hearing on proposed local law 1 of 2023: amending Chapter 128, Taxation of the Code of the Town of Rochester Article IV, Senior Citizens Tax Exemption for 1/5/2023 immediately following the public hearing on proposed local law 1 of 2023 at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road Accord, new York 12404 and for the Town Clerk to advertise the same.
Second: Councilman Paddock
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

The Town Board recessed the meeting to have an Attorney meeting at 9:45pm.

The Town Board reconvened the meeting at 10:23pm.

ADJOURNMENT:

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen to adjourn the meeting at 10:25pm.
Second: Councilman Coleman motion carried

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk