January 23, 2004
8:12pm
Regular Monthly Meeting — Red Hook Town Board
A regular monthly meeting of the Red Hook Town Board was held January 23, 2004 at 8:12 p.m. at the Town Hall 7340 So. Broadway with the following in attendance:
Supervisor – Marirose Blum Bump
Councilman – James Ross
Councilman – Harold Ramsey
Councilwoman – Sue Crane
Councilwoman – Jean Bordewich
Deputy Town Clerk – Susan McCann
Absent – Town Clerk Margaret Doty
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Blum Bump.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Crane we dispense
with reading of the minutes.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwomen Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich - Aye
Opposed - None
Supervisor read the monthly report for December 2003. – Copy Attached
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich to accept
the Supervisor’s Report as read.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwomen Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich - Aye
Opposed - None
Supervisor Blum Bump states there will now be a public comment period
Betty Mae Van Parys, clerk and secretary of the Planning Board questions what
her status is in regard to the Planning Board. I’ve heard the Feb. 2nd Public
Hearing has been cancelled.
Supervisor Blum Bump replies yes it has been cancelled.
Supervisor Blum Bump said we had accepted your resignation to both positions,
and then I heard from you that you want to remain on the Planning Board.
Betty Mae Van Parys said her appointment is still in effect.
Supervisor Blum Bump replies at this point you asked to resign and it just
hasn’t been discussed.
Councilman Ross said we never discussed nor did we accept any resignation.
Supervisor Blum Bump will let Betty Mae know what her status is.
Betty Mae requested the Loraine Wheeler take minutes for the Planning Board if
the Feb. 2nd meeting is not cancelled.
Supervisor Blum Bump said they will consider it.
RESOLUTON 2004 #1
RE – Theodore J. Eglit, Jr. CPA
Resolution was offered by
Supervisor Marirose Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman James Ross Authorizing
Theodore J. Eglit, Jr. CPA to Conduct Annual Cash Audit of Town Justices, Town
Clerk and Tax Collector.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwomen Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich - Aye
Opposed – None
There will be a Special Town Board meeting Tuesday January 27, 2004 at 9:00
p.m. which will be a business meeting of the Town Board. Deputy Town Clerk
will notify the newspapers.
Comprehensive Plan/Zoning proposal that the Town of Red Hook put in place a
task force of volunteers of the community to conduct an audit of our zoning
laws including the overlay district, federal historic district and others to
develop charts dealing with zoning change, development permitting and planning
to enhance understanding for our citizens and also the Town Board. Bring in
training for our board and also town offices in both their roles in the
community as well as our own laws and how to administer them. Also examine our
comprehensive plan and zoning codes. It’s been 10 years since we have had a
major review and a great deal has changed.
Any interested volunteers please apply to the Town Board. The task force will
last one year. Interested parties can either call the Town Hall or submit in
writing
Councilman Ross asks is this something different from the Zoning Review
Committee.
Supervisor Blum Bump said the Zoning Review Committee hasn’t met in a while,
so the committee may be renamed. The committee will have between 6-8 members.
Councilman Ramsey questions are we looking for a comprehensive report or
periodic reports from the task force.
Supervisor Blum Bump informs that there will be a statement of purpose and an
outline for the year. We will have periodic reviews.
The task force will be pretty intensive so volunteers should expect a meeting
per week. Other chairs of various boards will have input.
As Town Supervisor I am committed to acquiring St. Margaret’s for our public
and community; in discussion with Hannaford.
Supervisor Blum Bump read the Town of Red Hook Investment Policy which is
reviewed annually.
Copy Attached
Motion offered by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Crane to
accept the Investment Policy.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed- None
The Town of Red Hook’s original investment policy originally adopted on Oct.
27, 1988 is reviewed annually and this investment policy is approved by
unanimous vote by the Red Hook Town Board.
Councilwoman Crane read a letter submitted by Beth Mead dated Jan. 21, 2004
addressed to Supervisor Blum Bump and Board Members from the Agricultural
Advisory Committee. At their Jan. 20th meeting reviewed the John Steiner
application for farmland protection program. Six members present voted
unanimously that Dutchess Land Conservancy on behalf of John Steiner has
submitted a complete application as specified by the program guideline.
Members rated the farm based on criteria set forth in the Farmland Protection
program. The AAC recommends that the Town Board fund up to fifty percent (50%)
of the total project cost.
Councilwoman Crane also read memo she had written dated Jan. 23rd which she
said was basically the same. The AAC (serving as Farmland Protection Program
Committee) unanimously recommends that the Town Board resolve to expend
$652,171.50 from the municipal bond reserve to Purchase of Development Rights
of 228.26 acres of the John Steiner Farm. Total number of points from criteria
summary sheet is 250 out of 310.
A short environmental assessment form is completed with the Town Board serving
as lead agency and it appears to have no necessary need for any more than a
short environmental form.
Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Supervisor Blum Bump that we accept
the SEQRA review.
Councilman Ross suggests briefly explaining our answers on the SEQRA form.
Mary Ann Johnson reminds the board to declare a negative declaration.
Motion by Councilman Ross,
seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich to Declare a Negative Declaration.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
RESOLUTION 2004 #2
RE – John Steiner Farm
Resolution for the approval of the
purchase of Developmental Rights of the John Steiner Farm and the Issuance of
a Bond Anticipation Note in the sum of $652,171.50 to effectuate the purchase.
Copy Attached
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross to adopt the
resolution.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwomen Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed- None
Supervisor Blum Bump offers congratulations to all who worked so hard on this.
Becky Thornton acknowledges it’s a historic moment.
Councilwoman Crane would also like to acknowledge Becky’s hard work. We are
very grateful.
New Appointments
Planning Board Chairman – Paul G. Thomas Esq., replacing Marcy Appell
Water Board member- Mike Leevy, replacing Jim Flanagan
CAC – Laurie Husted, replacing Gary Dearborn
Paul Thomas is following the long and good service of Marcy Appell as chair of
planning board.
Supervisor Blum Bump thanked Marcy for her good work all those years.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich to appoint
these new appointments.
Councilman Ross would like to discuss Paul Thomas as chairman of Planning
Board. I spoke to Paul this afternoon and he would make a very good member of
the planning board however the proper way to do this is ask our present
chairperson to mentor a new person who we hope to groom for our new chairman.
A lot of knowledge and experience there and I feel that would serve the best
interest of the Town. I’m very much in favor of Paul as a member of the
Planning Board but I could not vote as member and chairman since he has not
served on the planning board at this time.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich that we
appoint Paul G. Thomas Esq. be named for a 1 year term as chair of the Red
Hook Town Planning Board.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich - Aye
Opposed - Councilman Ross
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich to appoint
Mike Leevy to the Town of Red Hook Water Board.
Mike replaces Jim Flanagan. The term is for 2 years.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed – None
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Crane that Laurie
Husted fill a position on the CAC left open by the departure of Gary Dearborn.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed – None
One of my primary goals as Supervisor is to keep Red Hook a rural small town.
To do that, we must use our planning and zoning tools as effectively as
possible. I have met with our Town staff, with the Dutchess County Planning
Dept, our land use attorney and with outside experts such as Scenic Hudson.
What I have learned is that we have a master plan and a zoning code that do
not match up. We also have important maps and overlays called for in our
zoning code that have not been created or adopted. We have an open space plan
that was completed, but not formally adopted. We have excellent GIS-based maps
of natural resources that haven’t yet been incorporated into planning board
reviews, but we can use new technology to make them part of the process. With
new technology it will be possible to better integrate these tools, and I want
to do this as soon as possible, and with proper training.
To move forward in a way that supports our goal of keeping Red Hook a rural,
small town and that is consistent and fair to everyone, I believe we must
consider a six-month moratorium on subdivisions and new construction in Red
Hook. I am asking my fellow Board members to work with me and our attorneys,
Keane and Beane, between now and the next Board meeting to draft such a
moratorium. I welcome public input as well. We will schedule a public hearing
once the proposal is drafted.
Marcy Appell said the Open Space Plan was adopted by the Town and there are
maps and code is written waiting for adoption.
Supervisor Blum Bump read memo she sent to Board members dated Jan. 23, 2004
regarding Freedom of Information requests. We will be working with Town
employees and our attorney to create a set of FOIL procedures, and those will
be reviewed by the Town Board and disseminated publicly to our residents.
At our December meeting we realized that there were questions concerning the
bond covering the employee’s of our Town; especially the Judges. Gerry Haight
from Pleasant Valley Insurance Agency sent a note saying that our Judges are
indeed bonded for $100,000 each. This will be reported to the county as
required.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
TOWN JUSTICE:
Supervisor Blum Bump read Town Justice 2003 Annual Reports submitted from
Judge Griffiths and Judge Page.
TOWN CLERK:
Deputy Town Clerk Susan McCann read Town Clerk report for December 2003.
Recycling stickers will be sold Saturday Jan. 23rd and 31st -8:00a.m.- 1:00
p.m. Over 500 permits have been purchased so far.
BUILDING INSPECTOR:
Councilwoman Bordewich read report for December. 8 permits- 2 single family;
20 searches at $35.00 each. Bob Fennell has gone back to try and close out
open building permits. Closed out 31 -$2,613.00. 45 inspections for the month.
Update for the year – single family dwelling 2001- 36 permits
2002- 61 permits
2003- 56 permits
DOG CONTROL:
Councilwoman Bordewich said there is no dog control report for this month.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
SENIOR HOUSING:
Councilwoman Crane reported she sent a memo to members of the former Senior
Housing Committee to update them and invite them to reactivate as a Task
Force. In addition to housing we will look at other needs of seniors in our
community. We’ll report after we meet.
CAC:
Ruth Oja has no report. Next month she will have the annual report.
Supervisor Blum Bump would like to add the Recreation Commission to the
agenda.
The Recreation Commission submitted their 2004 Capital Improvement project
list and one their items is time sensitive and they would like to make the
order before Jan. 30th.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Crane to approve
those items which they hope to purchase on sale before Jan. 30th.
Councilwoman Bordewich clarifies …some of the playground equipment is time
sensitive, also the field mower and utility vehicle.
Councilman Ross says the Recreation Commission had information that a couple
of playground items were going up in price. The new state contract prices come
out Feb. 2004 and may not include the utility vehicle they want.
We should check with them before the end of the month and see if they are
concerned about that one.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross that just the #1
playground items on sale that need to be ordered before Jan. 30th are
approved.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich - Aye
Opposed – None
WATER BOARD:
Councilwoman Crane read report submitted by Hank Van Parys.
Average gallons – 78,000 per day
Bard College will be using water for 2 weeks
Well Levels- Well #1 – 58 feet Well #2 – 43 feet
Coliform Report – none detected
Filtration Status – Work is about complete. New filters are operational. Rich
Cain will monitor pressure on filters regularly to determine filter
cleaning/changing requirements. Turbidity meter was to be installed on Thurs.
Jan. 15. Change orders were received for a replacement and a new air pressure
relief valve. We questioned the need to replace the existing valve, but the
engineer believes that though it is currently not operational, it is important
for protection of the pumps. Total cost for the two valves is 672.00. I
concurred with the change order.
Pump House Heater – Heater is ceiling of filter room needs to be replaced. Ted
Kudzy is checking on a replacement.
Correspondence:
- Received letter from Shanley, Sweeney, Reilly & Allen, P.C. concerning
Hannaford’s $2,000 annual payment for maintenance cost for the new town road
Hannaford Drive.
- Letter received from Mayor David Cohen strongly objecting to the subdivision
on Glen Pond Road. Concerned about preexisting wells that are 200’ from the
lot line.
- Request from Marc Molinaro to be included in the review of the Daycare
Center proposal in front of the Red Hook ZBA
- Time Warner and Cablevision have agreed to extend the terms of our
agreements for carriage of Fox Sports New York and the MSG Network until
January 15, 2004 while we continue our negotiations.
- NYMIR – received copy of Biannual Loss Report for period 7/1/03-12/31/03
- Received letter of resignation from Paul Fredericks as the chairman and
member of the Zoning Review Committee.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross that we accept
Paul Fredericks resignation and thank him very much for serving on this
committee.
All in favor -
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed – None
Councilman Ross comments on Supervisor Blum Bump’s memo to the Town Board
members dated Jan. 23rd regarding FOIL requests. It is his understanding by
law the Town Clerk is already the records officer and if it is a public record
in her mind anyone requesting records she has to make a copy for them at a
cost predetermined.
Supervisor Blum Bump said it’s her understanding the Town has the option to
name a records officer and that records officer will be charged with receiving
these requests and will determine if they are to be provided.
Councilman Ross….they have to be provided within 10 days
Councilwoman Bordewich said Supervisor Blum Bump talked to Joel Sachs and some
records such as personnel records are not required by law.
Councilman Ross…personnel matters have always been that way.
Councilwoman Bordewich…I don’t see this as a change only a reiteration of the
process. The new wrinkle is attempting to notify people whom material is
requested for; attempting to- not required by law. For example if records are
requested on me as they were than I would be notified.
Councilwoman Crane is not comfortable with that because tonight is the first
time I’ve seen this memo and I’d like time to sleep on it. Especially it’s not
required by law and we are giving up staff time to contact people. I don’t see
the purpose on following up on every foil request. It could be preserved by
someone wanting to pursue Freedom of Information as a kind of threat and I’m
not fond of that idea.
Foil requests will be reviewed and discussed at the next board meeting.
Councilman Ramsey… we are not reviewing what goes out but how. Foil requests
are written in stone, its public information.
Councilwoman Crane… what I am asking to review is the part that the Supervisor
attempts to contact people who have had the foil requests.
Councilman Ross… there are certain things we discussed tonight that I feel
such as the foil requests and the moratorium I’d like a little more warning.
These are things that should be discussed at workshop before we bring them up
at a meeting.
Supervisor Blum Bump said yes these are proposals for discussion. This will be
on the agenda for the next meeting.
At this time Supervisor Blum Bump opens the floor for public discussion.
Marcy Appell… I’d like to discuss Paul as Planning Board Chair. It’s been my
recommendation that anyone who is chair should really at least have a year of
sitting on the planning board. I’d like to go on record that it is extremely
difficult for Paul to come in and operate without knowing anything.
Robert McKeon…. I have a few miscellaneous comments on the planning board. I’d
like to see that there is some representation from the villages on the
planning board. I think it’s important for better communication. It is one
township.
As far as FOIL, in my opinion I wonder if people would feel welcome to look at
plans which they have the right to do, that they will be very much discouraged
if they know you are getting on the telephone to call that neighbor. I don’t
think it will improve their relationship.
Betty Mae Van Parys…I have used that FOIL request for several years and passed
it around to different departments. The top part is filled out by person
requesting, I fill out bottom and that goes into the file so if owner comes in
they can see who has looked at their plans. I feel each department should
handle their own requests. It’s simplifies going one on one and we are looking
to be efficient and go by the law.
Councilwoman Bordewich… sounds like a good system.
Councilman Ross…once you make a request that’s part of the record as well.
Councilwoman Bordewich…. It’s good to get different ideas and come up with an
overall procedure.
Jeanne Douglas…. I don’t have a comment it’s more of a question. My
appointment is up this year and I wonder how long I’m going to be a holdover.
Supervisor Blum Bump replied we are working very hard on the reappointments
and we are having a special meeting in January to continue working on
appointments, so come and see me.
With no further comments Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by
Councilwoman Crane to adjourn meeting at 9:50 p.m.
All in favor -
Supervisor Blum Bump - Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich - Aye
Opposed – None
Deputy Town Clerk
Susan McCann