State of New York July 1, 2009

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: Doug McKown, George Denys, Mike Spaccaforno, Kathy Ryan

Town Clerk: Pamela Walker

Hwy. Supt.: Chuck Smith



PUBLIC:

Tom Cardi, Steve Tiska, Ernst Keidel, Kendal Craig, Mr Ramage, Jeri Brayman, Steve Roff, Elaine Bradish, Nick Genovese, Doug Earl, Linnea Wilson



MINUTES:

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


CORRESPONDENCE:

The Town Clerk received a correspondence from Steve Tiska which was handed over to Craig DuMond, Supervisor to answer.


The Floor was opened up to Rich Ostis from Rally NY. Rich said that he sent out 6 letters to land owners affected by the proposed Rally route he is requesting from the Town. Rich said he only received 4 letters returned and that 2 were for it and 2 against it. In addition, Rich reported that he personally visited nearby houses and said the residents he visited were in support of the Rally. Rich stated that his organization would need an answer regarding the requested special use road permit by the next Town Board meeting for planning purposes. Craig replied that a public hearing will be held at the beginning of the August meeting at that an answer will be given at that time.



FLOORTIME:

  1. Steve Tiska spoke on last month’s minutes and questioned the attorney’s fees being paid to Town Attorney Frank Wood. Craig said the Board has been compelled to enforce a number of unlawful and unhealthy property clean ups and that unfortunately it costs money to do what is right. Craig stated that attorney’s fees will be billed to the responsible property owners and ultimately have little to no impact on the budget.

  2. Steve Tiska asked that the previous months meeting minutes be changed to reflect Masonville Fire District rather than Masonville Fire Department. The Board so moved.




HIGHWAY REPORT:

  1. Patching potholes

  2. Cut 2 large trees on Beals Pond Rd.

  3. Mowed Cemeteries.

  4. Mowing roadsides.

  5. Helped Town of Sidney pug mill Parker Hollow Rd.

  6. Installing drainage pipes.

  7. Took the old F-550 to the auction and it did do good so Chuck said to open bids tonight.

  8. New F-550 has arrived.

  9. Set the dump body on new truck and is working on the truck to finish and put on the road.

  10. Found $1612.00 worth of tires with the surplus program but we were only charged $150.00 (brand new)

  11. Talked to Walt Geidel with the Town of Walton about the Rally and he said the roads after the rally were in fine shape if not better

  12. Gravled Getter Hill, Gifford Rd and part of Steam Mill


Craig opened the Truck bids

  1. Copenhagen-$9551.00- Truck must have a scan test first and pass before purchase

  2. Rudy Whitbeck-$1250.00


Motion by George Denys to award the bid to Copenhagen Fire Dept. for $9551.00, seconded by Doug McKown, all in favor carried.



OLD BUSINESS:

1.Craig spoke on the Town Hall grant. He and Mike met with representatives from the USDA, answered questions, took pictures. The representative agreed Masonville is in dire need of a Town Hall facility. Craig said the grant maximum is $50,000, with a low-interest loan offer for the remainder of the work. Craig said the Town should have a proposal from the USDA by the next meeting.

2.Craig reported that the Town will remain at 100% equalization this year without a reassessment. This is good news for the Town as well as the taxpayers. The Town will receive additional State-aid to offset the general fund and the taxpayers will receive continued transparency as well as full State deductions such as STAR, Agriculture, Veterans, etc.



NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Craig asked the Board to look at a proposed change to the Dog Control Law, in section 5. The proposed changes will include a leash provision. A exemption will be made for hunting dogs engaged in lawful and proper activities, etc.

  2. Steve Tiska expressed his concerns about public buildings and side walks. Steve wants an independent contractor to conduct an ADA inspection of the Town Hall, as well as other Town buildings. Craig replied that the plans for the new Town Hall were prepared by a handicapped engineer and he is comfortable all the ADA issues are addressed and properly planned for. Steve said the Town should legally protect itself and insisted the independent inspection be completed. Craig said it would be a waste of time and taxpayer money to have a second inspection completed and reiterated that current engineer is a disabled individual. Steve suggested the Town look at the Town of Sidney or Unadilla’s sidewalk law as it covers everything; ice removal, maintenance, etc. Steve also complained about the ADA compliance issues at the Fire Department. Craig said this is not a Town Board function as the Fire District has it’s own elected body and referred Steve to the Fire Commissioners. Steve replied he would. Steve asked Craig to reply to the letter he sent him regarding all these issues. Craig replied all the issued in his letter were discussed in the open meeting and he was given answers to his questions publicly. Craig said the minutes will reflect Steve’s concerns as Craig’s responses and no other reply will be given. Steve Tiska replied ok.

  3. Jeri Brayman went to Aldred Grays Aution and bought a picture of the Town’s old trucks, which she gave to the Highway Depart to display. Craig thanked Jeri for her contribution.


COMMITTEE REPORT:

  1. George Denys Read the CEO report.

  2. George said that T-Mobile is working with Joe on the proposed cell tower being planned on private property on Cole Rd.

  3. George said that he has spoke with several people on the road rally and said that 6 were against it and 2 for it.

  4. Mike Spaccaforno said that he is taking the drawings of the Town Hall to a State Codes representative that Joe recommended in Utica to go over them.

  5. Craig reported that the clean up policy mailing was not completed last month, however, property owners should see them arriving this month.

  6. George reported that CEO Joe Reynolds is doing a great job.



RECOMMENDED MOTIONS:

  1. Upon recommendation of the Town Supervisor; the Town Board schedule a Public Hearing on August 5, 2009 at 7:30 pm concerning the request for a “Special Use Road Permit” by Rally NY, regular meeting to follow. Such Public Hearing will be advertised in the Town’s official newspaper, Tri-Town News, as well as WCDO radio as a public service announcement. So moved by Kathy Ryan, seconded by George Denys, all in favor carried.

  2. Upon recommendation of the Town Supervior; the Town Board Schedule a Public Hearing on August 5, 2009 at 7:30 pm concerning a revision to the Town’s Dog Control Law, regular meeting to follow. So moved by Kathy Ryan, seconded by George Denys, all in favor carried.

  3. Upon recommendation of the Town Supervisor; the Town Board authorize the Town Supervisor to renew the service contract with the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society for canine boarding services for stray and/or seized dogs in accordance with the existing contract. So moved by Kathy Ryan, seconded by George Denys, all in favor carried.

  4. Upon the recommendation of the Town Supervisor; the Town Board authorize the recommended Ballot for executive Committee of the Coalation of Watershed Towns.Two-Year Term- Regular -Bob Homovich, Supervisor, Town of Colchester, Bill Layton, Supervisor, Town of Tomkins, John Meredith, Supervisor, Town of Walton. Alternate- Craig Dumond, Supervisor, Town of Masonville, Ed Snow, Mayor, Village of Margaretville. So moved by George Denys, seconded by Kathy Ryan, all in favor carried.



SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  1. Craig asked everyone to look at this month’s budget report. Craig pointed out that the Town is on a solid fiscal track for the year thanked everyone for the fine job in holding the line concerning expenses.

  2. Craig spoke on the County emergency communication system. The current radio system is more than 50 years old. The system will need to be upgraded by 2013 or the County will lose all its radio frequencies for police, fire and ambulance services. The cost for the new system is up to 25 million and the County is attempting to secure grants to assist with this endeavor.

  3. Craig reported that 14% of county property owners not pay their taxes in 2009 compared to 6% in 2008. This is compelling and a direct reflection of the current economy.



Motion by George Denys to pay all audited bills, seconded by Kathy Ryan, all in favor carried.


GENERAL:

128. Kortright Creek Financial Services 733.33

129. Masonville Postmaster 40.00

130. Skate Creek 250.00

131. Michelle Ellis 150.00

132. Laura Denys 150.00

133. Barbara Arnott 150.00

134. NYSEG 290.33

135. Frontier 66.10

136. NYSEG 230.00

137. Quill 29.98

138. Qwuill 67.88

139. Quill 82.99

140. Village of Sidney 2500.00

141. The Tri Town News 6.16

142. NYS Town Clerks Assoc. Inc. 50.00

143. The Walton Reporter 5.53

144. Craig DuMond 18.48

145. Laurie Burpoe 100.00

146. Laurie Burpoe 750.00

147. Joe Reynolds 224.48

148. Frontier 66.07

149. Frontier 325.26

150. Masonville Postmaster 56.00

151. Gettsburg Flagworks Inc. 200.00

152. Sidney House of Flowers 100.00

153. Del. Sports Center 138.25

154. Federal Property assistance 250.00

155. Laing Trucking 23.75

156. The Water Bottle 16.00

157. Jess F. Howes 720.22

158. Linnea Wilson 900.00

________________

8,690.81



HIGHWAY:

100. Vision Ford 33,868.00

101. Brian Backus 99.98

102. Warrens Excavating 5523.30

103. Kimball Midwest 324.59

104. Tarco Steel Inc. 54.01

105. Federal Property assistance 150.00

106. Fleetpride 20.62

107. Roy Teitsworth Inc 37.00

108. Kuhns Equipment Repair 270.00

109. Zee Medicial 61.86

110. Dags Auto Parts 439.50

111. Catskill Tractor 69.27

112. Frey Heavy Duty 243.09

113. R.L. Armstrong 222.08

114. G&L Auto 472.97

115. Jess F. Howes 550.48

116. Suit Kote Corp. 1002.52

117. John Questel 500.00

118. Chuck Smith 30.60

119. Fastenal Co. 139.95

120. Zep Sales & Service 167.19

121. Tallmadge Tire 4847.39

_______________

49,094.40


The meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm






____________________________________

Pamela Walker, Town Clerk