STATE OF NEW YORK April 7, 2010

COUNTY OF DELAWARE

TOWN OF MASONVILLE



The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Masonville was called to order at 7:30 p.m.



PRESENT:

Supervisor: Craig DuMond

Councilmen: George Denys, Kathy Ryan, Betty Scott, Mike Spacaforno

Town Clerk: Pamela Walker

Hwy. Supt: Chuck Smith


ALSO: Steve Tiska, Ernst Keidel, Kathy Kolopchin, Jeri Brayman, Elaine Bradish, Dick June, Bob Basile, Melissa Thomas, Nick Genovese


MINUTES:

Motion by Mike Spacaforno to accept minutes as presented, seconded by George Denys, all in favor carried.



FLOORTIME:

  1. Karl Ayres from Troop 99 in Sidney spoke on working on the Pioneer Cemetary to earn his Eagle Scout Badge. Karl said he plans to straighten and repair the fence surrounding the cemetery as the project. Karl hopes to have the project completed by August. Craig & the Board gave congrats to Karl, gave him permission to complete the project and thanked him for choosing the Town of Masonville.

Motion by George Denys to authorize Karl Ayres to work on the Pioneer Cemetary as part of his Eagle Scout project, seconded by Kathy Ryan, all in favor carried.

  1. Steve Tiska asked where the Town was getting the money from to complete all the work pertaining to the pole barn and Town Hall expansion project. He said the Town Hall and building reserve fund was established a long time ago, has learned nothing about what the projects involve and wants to know “where the money is going”. Craig replied he objected to Steve’s statement, saying both projects, in their entirety, have been thoroughly discussed at open Town Board meetings. Craig told Steve he knows exactly what the pole barn cost as Steve was provided documentation per his request containing all the numbers. Craig said he took exception to Steve calling his, as well as the Board’s integrity into question. Craig stated he cannot fathom why Steve continues to do things to cause the Town problems and then turn around and complain about how the problems are solved. Craig stated he will do whatever possible to protect the Town’s taxpayers and complete these projects, some of which are a result of Steve’s complaints, the absolute cheapest way possible. Craig refuses to hire independent contractors at prevailing wage rates when Town employees can do the same work as in-kind work, saving the taxpayers thousands. Craig, however, as a final way to address Steve’s concerns reported “as reported numerous times before, funds for the pole barn project were derived from the building reserve fund. The Town Hall project will consist of the remaining funds from the reserve fund (approximately 75k) as well as a bonding of $250,000 which includes finishing and furnishing the interior. Craig says this is very conservative and needs enough wiggle room to properly complete the project. Craig is also hopeful additional member item funds from Senator Bonacic will be awarded, which will also drive the project down. Craig stated any left over funds will be rolled back into the bond to reduce the amount barrowed and lower subsequent payments. Craig and the Board all agreed the project must be completed. The Town Hall is not ADA compliant, which include the voting (polling) place, the court is completely out of compliance regarding necessary security requirements. This could result in the Town Court being abolished, losing our local control and home rule over court functions. Most importantly the Town would stand to lose approximately 25k per year in revenue from the court, which in this years budget would reflect a 6% tax increase. The Town has been holding Town Board meetings at the Church due to the ADA issues and cannot continue to take advantage of the Church’s generosity indefinitely. Additionally, the Fire Department also has a host of ADA compliance issues as well and, with the completion of the Town Hall update, the Fire Dept. will be able to hold meetings at the Town Hall, alleviating their issues. Craig stated he and the Board are the last ones that want to spend this type of money, however, the Town is in a difficult spot and failure to act will only make things worse. The Town must take care of itself or face an uncertain future and risk possible erosion of Home Rule by the State. Craig then told Steve whatever action is legally required relative to the Town Hall expansion project will take place, affording transparency and public input through every step of the process.



HIGHWAY REPORT:

  1. Attended annual hearing testwith the D.P.W. in Delhi

  2. Rebuilt our cut off saw

  3. Preparing Chevy truck to paint

  4. Hauled sand to stock pile

  5. Getting trucks ready for summer, taking wings off

  6. Sweeping roads

  7. Changed a collapsed pipe on Steam Mill

  8. Installed new rear tires on the Ford Tractor

  9. Attended the State mandated violence at workplace class

  10. Preparing equipment for summer

  11. Servicing Fire Department Trucks

Chuck reported that he has had some correspondence with an insurance company representing a driver that was involved with a collision with one of the Town trucks. Chuck stated the owner’s insurance company is trying put the blame of the accident on the Hwy. Truck. The accident investigation conducted by the NYSP put the driver of the car at fault. The Town’s insurance company is handling the matter to ensure the driver’s insurance company covers damages to the Town truck.


OLD BUSSINESS:

  1. Craig gave the board an update on the Town Hall project. Craig said the Town is looking at $250,000 for 18 years at about a 5% interest rate. The initial impact on the tax levy for 2011 will be approximatately 4% for the project. The initial year will be the most difficult as this will require a new expenditure line, however, once in the budget the line will remain flat. The Town also has approximately $75,000 in the reserve building fund that will be used subject to a permissive referendum.



NEW BUSSINESS:

  1. Craig said the Town has made out well with snow plowing on County roads and at this time the Town is $3,500 short of the anticipated revenue contained in the budget but should gain that and then some during the months of October-December.


COMMITTEE REPORT:

  1. George spoke on Truck # 7 and should be surplused and asked if the Town wanted to bid 1st or try auction.

Motion by George Denys to put Truck # 7 up for bid for next months meeting and if Board rejects all bids then to put it in the auction, seconded by Kathy Ryan, all in favoe carried.

  1. George asked the Board about clean up days and asked for a date to set.

Motion by George Denys to set Masonville clean up days for May 14th & 15th same as last years ad, seconded by Kathy Ryan, all in favor carried.

  1. George read the CEO report for the month of March.

  2. Mike Spaccaforno spoke on the Town Hall project and said that the plans should have an enginneering stamp on them next week. The plans will then be sent to the CEO for final approval. Mike asked that maybe the Highway crew can get started on some of the ground work if possible.


RESOLUTIONS:

#16- AUTHORIZATION TO EXPEND BUILDING RESERVE FUNDS. So move by Kathy Ryan, seconded by George Denys, all in favor carried. Copy Attached.



RECOMMENDED MOTIONS:

  1. Upon recommendation of the Town Supervisor; the Town Board direct the Town Clerk to immediately place a Legal Advertisement in the Town’s Official Newspaper containing the following:** Legal Ad** Notice is hereby given that the Town Board of the Town of Masonville, Delaware County, New York at a regular meeting thereof held on April 7, 2010 duly adopted pursuant to section 6-c of the General Municipal Law, a resolution subject to permissive referendum, the proposed of which is to expend Building Reserve funds, in an amount not to exceed $105,000, to pay a portion of the cost of the pole barn and Town Hall building projects. So moved by George Denys, seconded by Mike Spaccaforno, all in favor carried.

  2. Upon recommendation of the Town Supervisor; the Town Board authorize the Town Attorney to proceed with a bonding process for an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the Town Hall Expansion Project; said bonding process to be completed in accordance with NYS Law and Comptrollers regulations. So moved by Kathy Ryan, all in favor carried.


SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  1. Craig gave everyone a reminder to get the State mandated 3 month retirement reporting requirement completed and given to the Town Clerk.

  2. Craig spoke on the County and radio issues. Craig said that the County is partnering with 2 different phone companies to receive a federal broadband grant through stimulus funding. The county’s share of the project will end up being less than 1 million dollars which can be satisfied through in-kind services performed by County personnel. This should result in the project having a zero impact of the budget, which is excellent news as the Federally mandated project started at 25 million.

  3. Craig said that at the County level he voted against 2 resolutions that were passed, 1 being a Countywide assessment program that in Craig’s opinion would be the beginning of doing away with local tax assessors. Craig stated again, this is another attempt at removing Home Rule from local governments. The other resolution involved a comprehensive study at public transportation in the County. Craig stated even though he agrees that efficiency can be realized through shared service transportation agreements with various County agencies, he also felt this study would move the County in the direction of creating a County-wide transportation program. Craig feels that the government is already making people too dependant of government services at this would just further this cause.


Motion by George Denys to pay all audited bills, seconded by Mike Spaccaforno, all in favor carried.


GENERAL:

63. Quill Corp. 39.94

64. Del. Co. Dept. of Public Works 96.00

65. Joe Reynolds 127.92

66. George Denys 156.20

67. Axtells & Bradtke Lumber 14.05

68. Laurie Burpoe 7.03

69. Laurie Burpoe 80.00

70. Laurie Burpoe 525.00

__________

1,046.14



HIGHWAY:

34. Mirabitos 6004.34

35. Federal Property Assistance 50.00

36. Federal Property Assistance 125.00

37. Certified Laboratories 139.00

38. Kimball Midwest 82.47

39. Charles Smith 9.85

40. Olivers Sales & Services 436.40

41. R.L. Armstrong 1232.81

42. Parts Plus 941.89

43. Federal Property Assistance 150.00

44. Dags Auto Parts 255.53

45. Truck Body Specialists 29.36

46. Lawson Products Inc 584.31

47. Fleetpride 214.00

48. York Modern Corp. 486.28

49. McCarthy Tire Service 909.00

50. John F. Winn 559.52

51. Vantage Equipment 219.52

52. Sidney Tire 80.00

53. Gand L. Auto Supply 1150.24

54. E&R Popes Excavating 1717.00

55. Tallmadge Tire 992.68

56. Fastenal Co. 910.45

_____________

17,279.65



The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.





___________________________________

Pamela Walker, Town Clerk