Town of Red Hook Town Board
Workshop Meeting
April 27, 2005

A workshop meeting of the Red Hook Town Board was held Tuesday April 27, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. with the following in attendance:

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

Also present - Deputy Supervisor William O'Neill
Absent - Councilwoman Jean Bordewich


Supervisor Blum Bump opened the meeting with the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.
Supervisor Blum Bump than opened the floor for a 15 minute comment period.


Resident Victor Behoriam said he would like to point out to the Board was his dissatisfaction with the advertised agenda and came here tonight and find a different agenda with CH Energy Land Purchase being removed and that was the reason I attended this meeting, to express my opinion. This is very unfair for people who came for that discussion. Since you are planning on meeting at 9:00 p.m. behind closed doors to discuss this you make it sound like you have the power to negotiate with an individual or company to purchase land on the Town's behalf. I can't find anything in Town codes or in my experience where the Town Board has the right to borrow money and purchase real estate that is not directly related to health, welfare and safety to the Town. I would appreciate having it explained to me.


Supervisor Blum Bump said this is in our Subdivision Code we have the right to purchase land.

Mr. Behoriam said than I can get a copy of chapter and verse as I searched and did not find it.

Supervisor Blum Bump said yes you can and I suggest you call the Town Attorney.

Mr. Behoriam said that is fine but I would like this information to be given out to the public. This maybe a wonderful project and I may support it but I can't support what I know nothing about.

Councilman Ross said this Board would not do that without putting out a referendum making the public aware I can assure you of that.

Supervisor Blum Bump said the first step is to have the land appraisal and we are waiting for that. The second step the Town Board would proceed if they so desire to put together an offer. The third step would be the public would be educated and than a public referendum.

Mr. Behoriam questioned if the Board already had an appraiser and how much will it cost.

Supervisor Blum Bump said the Board has an appraiser and the cost is $3500.00.

Rosemarie Zengen from Save Our Town Committee said she has the same problem as the gentlemen who just spoke as I was told Central Hudson would be on the agenda. You have to have the agenda printed 3 days in advance so the public can see it. You are in violation of the open meetings law. You have to correct this problem as I don't know why this keeps happening.

The other issue is the Kathy Stewart issue this has not been addressed so I hope by May 10th this will be discussed so we will be back at that meeting.

Don Kent resident questioned if Central Hudson issue was going to be on the agenda for next week, I will hold my questions till then.

The Supervisor said the Executive Meeting tonight we will be discussing Central Hudson. We have a very tight time frame to make this offer. The next step is for the Town Board to decide whether or not they want to make an offer.

Supervisor Blum Bump asked Deputy Supervisor O'Neill to explain the time element.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill explained that Central Hudson only made their announcement a couple of months ago that they wished to sell this land in the northern corridor which the CAC, Recreation and Agriculture Committees which thought would be valuable to the community

When we met with Central Hudson it became pretty apparent there was a time line they wanted this done as soon as possible. Any kind of purchase of land would not be done by the Board but with a public referendum.

Legal requirement for purchase of land would be specifically stated for public purpose. The land is 17 parcels which we now have to come up with what the Town would do with this land as we have to have an idea of its use.

Next few days we hope to have results of the appraiser for which we spent $3500.00.

The time frame Central Hudson gave the Town till April 22nd. The Board asked for extension and got until May 2nd.

There are a number of things discussed...partnership, sale back to property owners etc. All of these things are on going. The Board is trying to get this all together by May 2nd if the Board decides to purchase land subject to referendum.

The referendum would be between the time the offer was made and accepted or not by Central Hudson. If the offer is accepted than the referendum could be the middle of June maybe the 15th of June.

It would probably take 4 months for Central Hudson to go through the Public Service Commission in Albany to have the approval of the sale of their land so they want to have numbers and commitments in June so by the fall they would finalize the agreement.

John Douglas asked what internal organizations such as the Rec. Commission, Agriculture Committee and CAC where do they stand on this.

Robert McKeon said he would like to reply to John's question. He said all those committee members were present they all argued in favor. The landowners of whom these parcels run through would be interested in buying back.

John Douglas said it is my understanding all these committees met and agreed so what is the next step.

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill...Town Board has to make an offer to the seller a structural offer.

Glenn Goldstein resident said we could make an offer in line with the appraisal, we could make an offer and Central Hudson is under no obligation to accept this.

Councilman Ramsey replied that this was correct.

Resident Don Kent said I see this property for bike trails, soccer field and even safe roads connecting Tivoli and Red Hook thus making this Town more livable.

Brad Howland resident and president of the Red Hook Soccer Club involved with the Rec. Commission so it will help people understand why I am so passionate about this purchase. Can't justify all the property but would like to see the three parcels for recreation purposes especially for the 500 soccer players so far I have 189 signatures in favor of this purchase of the three parcels.

I.T. Committee member Jay Greenblatt introduced his other committee members who were present, Loraine Wheeler, Wayne Hildenbrand, Debra Marks and Richard Wambach.

With the aid of projector Jay showed what the committee actually does, what they are working on...the GASB 34 issues, document imaging, system security and internet/web/e-mail.

Very informative and following through with a new security system for our computers. Will also be working on computerizing the records of the Planning and Zoning Board making research easily accessible.

Have a plan for GASB 34 fixed assets inventory and infrastructure inventory. This information will be all gathered in one place for easy access.

Richard Wambach said he would like to discuss the Town Website. The last few months our focus was on the Town Departments, consultation of methods and procedure for committee official data, give and take back and forth to get everybody to present the materials then set up a little procedure how we are going to get it to a public state. We have been the liaison in each of the departments so when we receive their information we get it posted in an accurate and timely fashion. We are offering technical support by the phone, e-mail and in house meetings with departments on educational and assistance basis so we can enhance that efficiency of getting that information done. On going revising lay out of pages that are getting heavy traffic to make the data tracking more users friendly.

Recent accomplishments on the web for past several months have developed and published the building and zoning on line form system for the convenience of public access system they can be easily downloaded from the web.

Have also implemented Van Guard Software to reduce and eliminate gray material or junk mail. 90% is being eliminated before it gets to your computer. A new product from SCA in the fall of this year will design and tract materials for the Planning and Zoning Boards past, present and future activities of even the building department.

Jay said we would like to possibly show this program to these departments this fall and than implement it in 2006. We think this will be a big help to all these departments.

Supervisor Blum Bump thanked the I.T Committee for their presentation.

On the Ethics Law Rev. Fred Cartier a member of the committee thanked the two former members Mary Cioffi and Richard Trotti.

He explained the purpose of the law is to establish standards of ethical conduct for officers, employees and consultants of the Town, this will provide a clear guidance on such standards to facilitate the consideration of potential ethical problems before they arise to minimize unwarranted suspicion and to enhance the accountability of government to the people by requiring public disclosure of financial interests that may influence the actions of Town Officers and employees.

Chairperson Susan Goldstein explained that this is a new law that a lot of research from other municipalities of similar size was done. We tried to make it very clear purpose and how to do it right so if someone had an ethical question their rights and procedures are all laid out.

Did research on gifts Town Officials, employees, Board or Committee embers may accept or solicit we left at $25.00 as it varied with the different towns.

Councilman Ramsey said he has read through and thanked the committee for a great job. There were a couple of things he did notice and would get back to Chairperson Goldstein with the changes.

Councilwoman Crane thanked Susan Goldstein for the hours she put in on this law. Have you constructed any disclosure form for anyone who is elected or employee by the Town who serves as a committee member? It is important to have on file even though they may not have a conflict of interest there is a way what perceived conflicts could be and that should be part of the Ethics Code.

Chairman Goldstein we can get disclosure copies and that will be part of the Ethics Law.

Supervisor Blum Bump thanked the committee for all their work.

Chairman of the Agricultural Advisory Committee Robert McKeon said the Conservation Easement Law was all set to go. It has been reviewed by Keane & Beane and also by Attorney Albert Trezza. Because of the time we need to have a public hearing very soon and get it adopted so it will be effective in 2006.

After much discussion it was decided that a public hearing will be held on May 10th.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ramsey and carried a public hearing be held May 10, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. on the Conservation Easement with copies available at the Town Clerk Office.

Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Crane - Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

Motion by Councilman Ross, seconded by Councilman Ramsey that we close this meeting 9:00 p.m. and go into "Executive Session" to discuss Central Hudson and the e-mail item that the public has asked us to discuss.

Supervisor Blum Bump - No-to the e-mail
Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Crane - Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Yes

Supervisor Blum Bump called the meeting to order at 11:24 p.m.

Councilman Ramsey said he had a few items he wished to discuss.

Have you signed the "Memo of Understanding" on this reval for the State.

Supervisor Blum Bump said she would not sign without first going over it with Richard Trotti our Assessor.

Councilman Ramsey pointed out that May 1st was the deadline to get into this 6 year program or we loose the $5.00 per parcel.

Supervisor Blum Bump said she would get with the Assessor on this.

Councilman Ramsey was also concerned with increasing the Rec. Park Fees for a subdivision but it needs to be discussed further before reaching any decisions.

Councilman Ramsey said we haven't heard back from Mr. Trezza and the Westview Road. He was supposed to speak to Doug Wicks concerning the billing he wants the Town to pay the cost.

Supervisor Blum Bump suggested that he contact Mr. Trezza.

Councilman Ramsey questioned the Memorial Park request for donation.

Supervisor Blum Bump said a letter had been sent to the Village requesting more information on this project.

Councilman Ramsey said Hardscrabble Day is on and they would be having a meeting here on May 7th.

Councilman Ramsey asked about the police agreement with the Village.

Supervisor Blum Bump said the Attorneys are meeting for signing the contract that we are using the Village Police and than we will discuss what we want them to do.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ramsey and carried meeting adjourned 11:35 p.m.

Town Clerk, Margaret E. Doty