Town of Red Hook Town Board
December 21 2004
Red Hook Town Board Workshop

A workshop of the Red Hook Town Board was held Tuesday December 21, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. with the following in attendance:

Supervisor - Marirose Blum Bump
Councilwoman - Sue Crane
Councilwoman - Jean Bordewich
Councilman - Harold Ramsey
Town Clerk - Margaret E. Doty
Absent: Councilman James Ross
 

Supervisor Blum Bump welcomed everyone and opened the floor for discussion.

Rosemarie Zengen for The Save Our Town Committee said she has asked to be on the December 27th agenda but still no agendas posted.

Rosemarie said her committee is concerned with nepotism in Red Hook Town government since Bill O'Neill who is the father in law of one of the Supervisor Blum Bump's siblings.

Mr. O'Neill was asked by a unanimous vote to do legal business, why wasn't Mr. Trezza asked to do it?  Is he your legal council or Deputy?

I have called several townships on the salaries they pay there attorneys- Hyde Park $85,000 a year, Pleasant Valley $50,000 and Al Trezza doesn't receive any pay like that.

This is my fourth request to be put on the Agenda for a meeting. On December 13, 2004 I was called by Ms. Ruggiero and asked if I wanted to be on the agenda that evening, giving me less than 4 hours notice.

The board stated unanimously that I would be on the December 27th meeting. I insist on being on the Agenda as I have several new questions that The Save Our Town Committee needs answers to.

We wish the Town Board a Happy Holiday Season and hopes that the New Year allows for more open government and fairness for all Red Hook residents.

Councilman Ramsey said our business meetings and workshops notices are listed in the newspaper.

Mrs. Zengen said she was confused; what is the difference between workshop and business meeting.

Councilman Ramsey said workshop is where we bring items in for discussion and Business Meeting is where decisions are made by vote.

Rosemarie Zengen said she wanted to be on the Agenda and to take as long as necessary to get all her questions answered.

Councilwoman Bordewich asked for a copy of the questions so she could be prepared to answer them.

Rosemarie said yes she would see that the Board got a copy of her committee's questions before the meeting.

Rosemarie Zengen said that allowing the derogatory remarks Kathy Stewart made about Al Trezza was totally out of order.

Councilman Ramsey said I agree there is a time to speak and a time not to speak.

Supervisor Blum Bump thanked Rosemarie for coming.

The Town Board meeting schedule for 2005 was discussed but no decisions were reached as they will discuss this with Councilman Ross.

Reorganization meeting will be held January 4, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. followed by a workshop.

Councilman Ramsey said on the Fire Contracts, the Tivoli Fire Contract just needs to be signed by Mayor Molinaro. The Red Hook Fire Contract with correction just needs to be signed by the Director of the Red Hook Fire and initialed by Mayor Cohen who had signed before the corrections.

Supervisor Blum Bump and Attorney Albert Trezza signed for the closing on the John Steiner Farm today at the County.

Councilwoman Bordewich suggested a thank you be sent to Mr. Steiner from the Town Board.

The Gazette Advertiser asked Supervisor Blum Bump to submit a 650 word article on her accomplishments for 2004.

On the RFP update, the committees are interviewing for Planner, Engineer and CPA.

Association of Town Policy is that the people who are eligible to attend are those of whom classes are offered for.

The Town Appointments for 2005 were discussed with each committee reviewed.

Councilwoman Bordewich said we can affirm this on December 27th.

A copy of a letter had been received from resident Richard Schiafo who had comments which he had sent to the N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany on the Proposed Remedial Action Plan, Perx Property. He feels this site should be given a clean bill of health before one unit of senior housing is built.

Rosemarie Zengen questioned what went on at the Recycle Center.

Councilwoman Bordewich said TJ Hackett had a handle on what took place out there so he would take care of any problems.

Rosemarie Zengen questioned did Chris Gilbert have 5 violations on one of his properties?

Councilman Ramsey said he believed those violations were all corrected.

Mrs. Zengen questioned how long Mr. Trezza's term is.

Councilwoman Bordewich said it ends December 31, 2005.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich and carried meeting adjourned 9:48 p.m.

Town Clerk


Margaret E. Doty