The Town of Rochester Town Board held the Workshop Meeting on October 1, 2024 at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord, NY
To View the Meeting
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/@townofrochester4383
PRESENT:
Councilwoman Renee Ciardi Councilman Michael Coleman
Councilwoman Emily Dindial Councilwoman Charlotte Smiseth
Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg
Supervisor Enouen called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA
Resolution # 281-2024
The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts the agenda as prepared by the Town Supervisor.
PRESENTATION OF THE 2025 TENTATIVE BUDGET:
Town Clerk Gundberg presented the 2025 Tentative Budget to the Town Board as per Town Law 106.
Tentative Budget was filed on 9/30/2024.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
BUDGET DISCUSSION:
General overview and discussion:
Supervisor Enouen gave a overview of the budget process and if exceeding the tax cap that it must be done by Local Law. One priority is to create a pay scale for living wages in Ulster County for employees. There is quite an increase in Health insurance, retirement and workmens comp.
Department review with Town Clerk:
The Board reviewed the budget of Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Registrar and Records management.
Budget homework discussion:
Supervisor Enouen asked the Board to do their homework in looking for grant funding opportunities and other ways of revenue that could help with this process.
SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS FOR BUDGETING:
Resolution # 282 -2024:
Motion: Supervisor Enouen
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town of Rochester Town Board schedules special meetings for the purpose of Budget review for 10/3/2024 at 6:30pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall, 50 Scenic Road Accord, NY and for 10/14/24 at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center 15 Tobacco Road and 10/18/24 at 2:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road Accord, NY 12404 and requests the Town Clerk to circulate notice.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
DISCUSSION / REVIEW:
PLANNING BOARD VACANCIES:
Currently we have no Chair or Vice Chair to the Planning Board. There is documentation that needs to be signed for otherwise it will hold up applicants. Supervisor Enouen circulated an email to the 5 remaining members on the Planning Board asking for interested persons in the position of chair to reach out and one member showed interest.
APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR TO THE PLANNING BOARD:
Resolution # 283 -2024:
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman
Discussion: Councilwoman Dindial would like the Board to wait until we can find more candidates.
The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Rick Jones to serve as Chair to the Planning Board with a term expiring 12/31/2024.
Aye: 4 nay: 1-Dindial abstain: 0 motion carried
ULSTER COUNTY PLANNING BOARD COMMENTS: LOCAL LAW J OF 2024:
The Town Board reviewed with the Town Attorney the recommendations of Local Law J of 2024 received by the Ulster County Planning Board.
JCAP GRANT RFB:
No bids were received. Will discuss next steps another time.
ROCHESTER AMBULANCE DISTRICT UPDATE:
Working on updates
2024 POSITION ADJUSTMENTS:
OTHER MATTERS:
LETTER RE: ADU FUNDING:
Supervisor explained to the Board that the Town of Rochester was excluded from the second round of funding for the ADU’s Ulster County Housing Smart Communiites initiatives grant assistance program. It was explained that the municipalities that were used were based on a criteria; the number of applicants received in round one, municipalities with ADU friendly regulations and municipalties with water and sewer districts. The Town housing committee submitted a letter with the request to send it to the Ulster County Housing department. After reviewing the letter and a brief discussion the Board agreed to send a letter.
AUTHORIZING THE TOWN SUPERVISOR TO SUBMIT LETTER TO COUNTY REGARDING ADU:
Resolution # 284-2024
Motion: Supervisor Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Dindial
The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to submit letter on behalf of the Town Board and The Town of Rochester Housing Committee regarding the eligible funding for ADU’s through the Ulster County Housing Smart initiative program.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
RESOLUTIONS:
CREATION OF MUNICIPAL CODE AIDE:
Resolution # 285 -2024:
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town of Rochester Town Board establishes the position of Municipal Code Aide at the hourly rate of pay of $ 30.00 for 37.5 hours per week provisional.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
BUDGET AMENDMENT:
Resolution # 286 -2024:
Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second:Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor as the Budget Officer to amend the 2024 General Fund Budget to include funding for the position of Municipal Code Aide and the Zoning Coordinator position:
From 8664.120 to 8664.112 – $39,600
From 8664.114 to 8664.112 – $12,075
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
APPOINTMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE AIDE:
Resolution # 287 -2024:
Motion: Supervisor Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town of Rochester Town Board appoints Alyssa Farrell to the postion of Municipal Code Aide – Provisional at the hours and rate established effective 10/07/2024.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town of Rochester Town Board adjourns the meeting at 9:35pm motion carried
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK