Town of Red Hook Town Board
Regular Business Meeting
February 8, 2005

Click here - public hearing Ethics Committee

A regular monthly meeting of the Red Hook Town Board was held Tuesday February 8, 2005 with the following in attendance:

Deputy Supervisor - William O'Neill
Councilman - James Ross
Councilwoman - Jean Bordewich
Councilman - Harold Ramsey

Absent: Supervisor Marirose Blum Bump and Councilwoman Sue Crane

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill opened the meeting at 7:50 p.m. with the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

Motion by Councilman Ramsey, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich and carried dispensing with the reading of the minutes from the January meeting.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill read the Supervisor's Monthly Statement for January.

Motion by Councilman Ross, seconded by Councilman Ramsey and carried approving the Supervisor's Report for January.

Deputy Supervisor opened the floor for public comments.

John Douglas Chairman of Disaster Preparedness had attended a conference on Home Land Security on how to obtain funding for fire departments. He presented and distributed copies to the Deputy Supervisor. He explained that a fire company like Tivoli eligible for 1 million dollars, a fire truck with all the equipment, an ambulance, generator etc. but you can't expand a building.

Councilman Ramsey said just to let you know Tivoli has put in for this over the past few years and Tivoli has received grant money over the past years. They are looking to do so again as the grant comes due in March. I do think Red Hook has applied but don't think they got accepted last year. We will look into this as I am sure both fire companies will apply for it.

John Douglas said they also have grants for safety and health that you can apply for through the State Department of Labor. Applications can be obtained for the grants on the website.

John Douglas expressed concern on the recent increase of our fee schedules from 2 to 5 thousand for the cost of fees to build which he felt were high.

The third thing he question was the disbursement amount of $459,898.83 in the month of January. This leaves you $1.2 million in the bank account. You are going to run out of money in three or four months.

Councilman Ross pointed that it varies every month but we haven't gotten our tax money yet which is due the end of February.

Save Our Town Rosemarie Zengen said we read in the Gazette Advertiser that Larry Kopczak does not reside in the Town of Red Hook. Has his resignation been accepted been accepted by the Town Board?

Deputy Supervisor said he has submitted a letter of resignation.

Rosemarie Zengen thanked the Board for the work they put into Field Day a dollar for the Town, a dollar for the County and Jean who looked into SEQRA, very grateful.

I am concerned with Kathy Stewart Gonzalez's private taping for her own use. I think the public should be asked if they want to be taped on a private tape before each meeting.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill replied it was well noted.

Rosemarie Zengen said as of Thursday there was no agenda in the morning and when we asked for five days before a meeting I was hoping that the weekend was not included as we do not have access to the Town Hall on weekends and with open meetings we should be notified in advance.

Councilwoman Bordewich said it was e-mailed and given to the clerk on Thursday. I think the weekends are counted.

Resident Linda Keeling said she had not heard back from the Supervisor concerning correction in the December minutes.

Councilman Ramsey said he would get back to her on this.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill closed the public comment period and continued with the meeting.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill announced that there was a press release made February 7, 2005. The Field Day Music Festival originally scheduled for July 16th and 17th of 2005 has been rescheduled for the summer of 2006.

A combination of factors including scheduling conflicts relating to the dates of the 2005 festival, talent availability and the continuing specter of the New York State Mass Gathering Laws led to the decision to postpone the festival.

Jeanne Douglas questioned if the permit that they were issued in 2005 will still be good for 2006.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill responded no they would have to start all over again to obtain a permit as with this withdrawal it all ended.

Councilman Ross said that conditional permit was paid only for this summer anyway.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill said next we vote to approve the new voting district map.

RESOLUTION 2005 #4
RE - Increasing Election Districts to Eight

Resolution was offered by Councilman Harold Ramsey, seconded by Councilwoman Jean Bordewich and carried unanimously, reapportion and increase the Town of Red Hook's Election Districts to Eight Districts.

Councilman James Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Jean Bordewich - Yes
Councilman Harold Ramsey - Yes

Councilman Ross said the reason for the changes to our voting districts is the population as we can only have so many in each voting district so we had to split it up and increase to 8 election districts.

Discussion of Election Districts it was decided that 4 and 6 be held at the Town Hall and request that 7 and 8 be held at the Red Hook Firehouse.

Rosemarie Zengen suggested the Elks as a possible voting place as there are twelve handicapped places.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill said the third item on the Agenda is the appointment of the Town Engineer.

Councilwoman Bordewich said six firms had responded to our RFP and the committee had reviewed and interviewed four firms and the recommendation to the Town Board is that we appoint two Town Engineers because our needs fall into two categories, one our everyday needs of the Planning Board and occasionally the Highway Department which would need a Town Engineer. Number two would be major projects requiring architectural skills such as our highway garage.

The recommendation is that we appoint D.F. Wheeler Associates and Morris Associates as our Town Engineers. D. F. Wheeler would handle the day to day projects with the Planning Board and the Highway Department; Morris Associates would handle the largest scale projects such as the highway garage. Planning could also use Morris Associates. The Town Board reserves the right to go out and RFP other firms and any other projects we have we feel would warrant it.

Resident Marcy Appell asked if hiring Morris Associates would be a conflict of interest as they have been with Bard College for years.

Councilwoman Bordewich said they had discussed this with Morris Associates who said they would continue to work with Bard College and Lore Associates but would not take on any new clients. D.F. Wheeler will be for the most part working with Planning and the Highway. We would ask Morris Associates to do the Highway Garage and any other major projects.

This appointment is for one year ending 2005, this way we can see how it works out and if it doesn't we can go out for an RFP.

RESOLUTION 2005 #5
RE- Appointing Town Engineers D.F. Wheeler Associates and Morris Associates.

Resolution offered by Councilwoman Jean Bordewich, seconded by Councilman James Ross and carried appointing D.F. Wheeler Associates to handle day to day projects with the Planning Board and Highway Department. Morris Associates to handle major projects such as Highway Garage. This appointment is for one (1) year ending December 31, 2005.

Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

On the proposed fee changes for Planning Board, Zoning Department and the Zoning Board of Appeals:

Councilman Ramsey pointed out that on the Planning Board Fee Schedule we still had questions so we were not ready to make a decision, and that they should meet with the Board at our next workshop.

John Douglas questioned how much a building permit would cost for a 4,000 sq. ft. house.

Councilman Ramsey said with the rate schedule just read it would cost you approximately $850. We are really increasing our fees to cover our cost only.

Rosemarie Zengen asked if you could have penalties added for not getting the right permit rather than take down their building or remove their shed, could penalties be added to the raising of the fees for people not getting a building permit.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill said that is not the subject we are discussing here tonight this is a fee schedule unless the Board wishes.

Councilman Ross said he has asked that very question himself and it does not allow us to do that but does allow us to take it to court before the judge and the judge can levy a penalty.

RESOLUTION 2005 #6
RE - Fee Schedule for Zoning and Building Department

Resolution was offered by Councilwoman Jean Bordewich, seconded by Councilman James Ross and carried accepting the revised fee schedule for the Zoning and Building Department.

Copy Attached

Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

Councilwoman Bordewich said at our last workshop we talked about our ZBA fee that the secretary Jeanne Douglas had pointed out a big expense of postage for applicant. They should receive $150 plus postage cost.

Councilman Ross had no problem with it, as he felt it was a reasonable thing to do.

Councilman Ramsey said I understand when you have certified mail that you are required to send out. All we are looking at is to recoup our cost, so the fair way to do this to charge the applicant.

Motion by Councilman Ramsey, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich that the applicant be charged $150.00 for the application fee plus certified postage.

Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

RESOLUTION 2005 #7
RE - Amending Article II Section 13-7 of Chapter 13 Ethics Code of Red Hook

As Adopted by Local Law #10-1976 on April 13, 1976.

Resolution offered by Councilman Harold Ramsey, seconded by Councilman James Ross and carried.

Article II Section 13-7 Chapter 13 Ethics of the Town Code is hereby amended as follows:

13-7 Establishment; membership.

There is hereby established a Board of Ethics consisting of five (5) members, to be appointed by the Town Board, who shall serve without compensation at the pleasure of the Town Board. A majority of the members shall be persons other than officers or employees of the Town of Red Hook, New York but shall include one (1) member who is an elected or appointed officer or employee of the Town of Red Hook, New York.

Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

Deputy Supervisor read a letter from Richard Trotti Assessor requesting additional hours for his clerk during the months of February, March, April and May as needed basis.

Councilwoman Bordewich said we discussed this at our workshop and had contacted Personnel with her part time position she could not exceed her hours. We did check and she would still come under part time.

Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich, seconded by Councilman Ross and carried approving the extended hours for the Assessor's Clerk.

Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill read a copy of the resolution to apply for Quality Communities Grant.

Councilwoman Bordewich explained we would be allowing the Supervisor to sign for a grant application which we are submitting jointly with the Villages and the school, applying to the state for financial assistance in inter-municipal planning as we grow. The two villages, the school and I have met with a grant writer. This grant has to be filed by February 25th so we have to approve the signing of it tonight. This will tie together our planning and zoning efforts.

Councilman Ramsey said it is great the school with their expertise and knowledge is involved because of the big part of our tax burden.

Councilwoman Bordewich said this would also involve other municipalities that are part of our school district. This will be real step forward as we continue to grow and do our best in an intelligent way and if Clermont and Milan are not we are still going to feel the impact of school taxes.

Rosemarie Zengen questioned if Supervisor Blum Bump was the Lead Agency.

Councilwoman Bordewich said the Town of Red Hook was Lead Agency she would just be signing for the town. One of us has to be the Lead Agency.

County Legislator Marc Molinaro explained that the application authorizes the Supervisor sign on behalf of the Town who would act as Lead Agency of the grant fund.

Rosemarie Zengen said she had problem with the verbiage in the resolution and want to change it so the Town was Lead Agency.

Wording was changed to read the Town of Red Hook, which is Lead Agency.

RESOLUTION 2005 #8
RE - N.Y.S. Quality Communities Grant

Resolution offered by Councilwoman Jean Bordewich, seconded by Councilman James Ross and carried authorizing Supervisor Marirose Blum Bump to sign as amended for the Town of Red Hook as Lead Agency.

Copy Attached
Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

The proposal for a grant consultant was discussed at a workshop and the correction on the proposal were made so Ted will be notified to submit the proposal and the Town Clerk will advertise for a Grant Consultant.

Motion by Councilman Ramsey, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich and carried appointing Interim Successors for Disaster Preparedness-Deputy Supervisor William O'Neill, Highway Superintendent Wayne Hildenbrand and Councilman James Ross.

Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich, seconded by Councilman Ross that we approve the $500 increase funding for the CAC due to the tremendous popularity of their Energy Conference held at the Fisher Center with 350 in attendance.

Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Agricultural Advisory Committee:

Chairman Robert McKeon reported his committee lost one person and they do have an opening.

Requesting conservation easement grant to state Agriculture and Markets and would like permission from the Town Board to apply to the Dyson Foundation with the same application. Scenic Hudson has won the award from the Winnakee Land Trust. The Town of Red Hook should also recognize them for their contribution to us in farm preservation and planning.

Received a lot of response in our land easement proposal. Meeting with large landowners to donate easements, large portion of their holding. Couple of landowners interested in our PDR Program.

Would like to establish an Agricultural school here in Red Hook. This would be on a working farm for the education.

Councilwoman Bordewich asked if you don't get the Agricultural and Markets Grant you would like to apply to the Dyson Foundation. We will let you know by next Tuesday.

CAC:

Ruth Oja thanked the board for their donation and help in sponsoring the Energy Conference. At present the CAC is looking for 2 Junior High students to attend the summer Environmental Camp.

The CAC is working on updating the historical survey for the Town, architectural, cultural and historical with pictures and tax identification numbers. These are in big binders and are available to Zoning and Planning.

Planning:

Councilman Ross said the Planning Board met Monday February 7th with 3 Public Hearings and old business discussion. New business- another new subdivision before them.

Recreation:

Councilman Ramsey reported that Rec. Commission met on January 10th and discussion was the damage snowmobiles had done at the park, a police report was filed and a letter will be sent to the paper to keep snowmobiles out of the Rec. Park.

Bids have gone out to repair our tennis courts. Paul Hughes will be contacted to do some repair of the fencing around the tennis courts. Scott McCarthy will be contacted to so some redirecting of lights around the tennis courts.

Benches replaced in the kiddies portion of the playground area.

The next week will be held February 14th.

Zoning Board:

Councilman Ross said the Zoning Board meets Wednesday February 9th - 2 Public Hearings and one review.

Disaster Preparedness Committee:

Councilman Ross said Disaster Preparedness Committee met on January 21st. Members submitted information on local oil suppliers for the Disaster Plan and also list of local veterinarians who are willing to be on call depending on emergency. Reviewed the first part of the Plan and requested information on the Interim Successor which we provided tonight. The next meeting will be February 18th.

Councilman Ramsey said now that we have appointed the engineer we will begin looking at a highway garage.

Councilwoman Bordewich said they should consider designing the garage for energy efficiency.

Zoning and Building Department:

Councilwoman Bordewich reported 8-Permits and 72 old permits which were closed out.

Inspection permits were not included.

Dog Control:

Councilwoman Bordewich reported on the Dog Control that two dogs had been picked up, both being returned to their owners.

Working on dog licensing with the Town Clerk.

Purchasing:

Deputy Supervisor read the Purchasing Report submitted by Ted Kudzy from January 12th to February 7th.

25 Purchase orders issued in the amount of $59,955.00 largest amount going to International Salt Co. for $14,628.00.

Construction Co. for repair on the well site for $2400.

Bids have been sent out for the repairs on the tennis courts.

Recycling:

Deputy Supervisor read the report from TJ Hackett Recycling Center Annual Report, 46 tons of cardboard, low grade paper 105 tons and magazines 50 tons, co-mingle (bottles and cans) 25 tons, metal 75 tons and extra waste generated at the center 2.5 tons. The peak times at the center are April, May and June.

Still need to sell more recycle stickers and will continue to monitor cars.

John Douglas questioned what we received for metal did we make a profit or loss.

Councilman Ross said we get any where from $30 to $60 depending on how compact the steel was.

John Douglas said he heard you could get more if you went outside of Dutchess County.

Councilwoman Bordewich said she would discuss this with TJ Hackett on Saturday.

The next two workshop meetings of the Town Board Tuesday February 15th and Wednesday February 23rd.

Deputy Supervisor opened the floor for another comment period.

Resident Linda Keeling said she was wondering if the Town would like to get involved in the tree planting like the Village does and maybe get a tree committee together.

Councilwoman Bordewich said she knows the Supervisor would like to have an active tree committee like the wonderful and active tree committee in the Village and I for one would support that. I think it would be great if we could get a tree committee together.

Linda Keeling said maybe we could get this through a grant.

Deputy Supervisor said he would pass this on to the Supervisor and we will work on it.

Motion by Councilman Ramsey, seconded by Councilman Ross auditing and approving for payment bills for General Fund and the Highway Fund bills no. to

in the amount of $

Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich, seconded by Councilman Ross the meeting adjourned 9:13 p.m.

Town Clerk


Margaret E. Doty