Town of Red Hook Town Board
Workshop Meeting
April 5, 2005

A workshop of the Red Hook Town Board was held April 5, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. with the following in attendance:

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

Also present: Deputy Supervisor William O'Neill, Attorney Albert Trezza and approximately 30 residents in attendance.

Supervisor Blum Bump opened the workshop with the reading of some prepared comments for the appraisal of Central Hudson property.

Red Hook has a commitment to protecting local property values and encouraging local farms and businesses. Today we have another opportunity to protect our Town's future.

There is a large block of land currently on the market. This block of land forms a corridor roughly 7 miles long and about 400 feet wide. This corridor cuts through the middle of Red Hook from Milan to the Hudson River.

A number of offers have already been made for this property. If we protect Red Hook's lands, we not only protect Red Hook's quality of life, we protect Red Hook businesses.

One of the biggest concerns of an acquisition this size is the financial impact of local residents. The last thing we want to do is raise taxes. We are already talking with potential investment partners and local property owner to help fund the purchase.

To move forward she is recommending three next steps.

Appraisal of the Central Hudson property.
Find investment partners
Set up a public referendum

Supervisor Blum Bump than opened the floor for comments.
The first question asked was cost of the appraisal.

Supervisor responded $3,500 or up to.

Another gentleman asked the price for the land?

Deputy Supervisor O'Neill said Central Hudson was asking 3.35 million.

Another question was the amount of taxes that are now paid on that land.

Councilwoman Crane said it is approximately $52,000.

It was expressed by others what should be done now is put the effort in what you plan to do with the lands.

Attorney Trezza said we don't have the luxury of putting together a plan. Central Hudson has a time schedule, the end of 2005. We have to start with the appraisal, so let the Town go out for an appraisal.

Supervisor Blum Bump read a letter from resident Attorney Caroline Rider recommending the Town spend the money to have an appraisal of the land Central Hudson is offering.

Rosemarie Zengen questioned if the property would go up for a referendum.

Supervisor Blum Bump said yes it would and closed the comment period.

Deputy O'Neill reported on the Working Group. He said the resolution had been revised. The Inter-municipal Task Force would be comprised of eleven members, three (3) for each Village and five (5) from the Town with Bill O'Neill as Chairman.

The resolution was establishing Planning Board policies on School District Referrals.

The Lead Agency is established by the Board.

If an application has the potential to generate school aged children it is refer to the school district for review.

Meeting again on May 2nd along with Greenplan Inc. and the two Villages.

On the special projects meeting with Morris Associates, Peter Setaro and the Highway Garage and also meeting on the road from Hannaford.

The cost of the one acre of land the Town is interested in adding to our existing property is $25,000, hopefully we will close on it next month after Morris Associates look over the plans.

Attorney Albert Trezza explained that the "Open Meetings Law", it gives the public the right to attend meetings of public bodies listen to debates and watch the decision making process in action.

A public body may permit you to speak at open meetings but is not required to do so.

The law requires that notice of the time and place of all meetings be given prior to every meeting. If a meeting is scheduled at least a week in advance notice must be given to news media not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting and the notice posted in a public place.

When a meeting is scheduled at less that a week in advance notice must be given to the public and news media at a reasonable time prior to meeting and again notice posted.

The Supervisor has the right to call an "Executive Session" under certain criteria.

An informational meeting with only two board members, no decisions can be made. If more than two Board members are present it is a business meeting.

Marcy Appell suggested the public be notified in advance if the Board plans on going into Executive Session.

Attorney Trezza said on the appointment of a member of the Review Board as an extra is only for one year.

Attorney Trezza said he had been notified that the settling on the John Feller property is on Friday at my office.

Peter Girardi resident asked when Mr. Watch and Mr. Trotti would be appearing to explain the reval to the public.

Councilman Ross said we should take the complaints, it is our job.

Councilman Ramsey...we should have another informational meeting with him so people can get a better understanding.

Councilwoman Crane felt we should ask Mr. Watch to come and meet with the public.

After discussion it was decided we ask him to come on April 11th as the first date and April 13th as alternate. Supervisor Blum Bump will contact Mr. Watch on these dates.

Supervisor Blum Bump read a letter from Charles Callejo giving the Town Board a Financial Report on Panda's Public Access Channel.

On the Inter-municipal Cooperative Agreement, Legislator Marc Molinaro said the contract is signed and funding has already been committed for 2004.

This final document for Panda has been completed and we will be meeting with them within the next six weeks.

Al Trezza said he has reviewed it and is satisfied.

Supervisor Blum Bump said Greenplan would like to hold a 2 hour workshop on SEQRA to be presented to the Town Board, Red Hook Village Board, Village of Tivoli and Planning Board. The first date is May 17th at 7:30 p.m. the second choice is May 3rd at 7:30 p.m. Deputy Supervisor O'Neill will contact both Villages on the date.

The presentation by the Village Police for additional services will be at our Board meeting April 12th.

Laurie Husted will be discussing Recycling at the Board meeting April 12th.

The appointment of John Schmitz to the IT committee will be at the Board meeting.

Highway Superintendent Wayne Hildenbrand made a presentation on his needs for the Highway Department.

The water tanker is 30 years old and parts are no longer available. They need the tanker for dust control especially in the developments. It is also used for cleaning equipment.

Highway Superintendent Hildenbrand said they would put their water tanker out for bid as maybe some one could use it.

The second item needed would be a basic truck with a plow and wing. The old Mack which was 25 years old blew an engine. With high cost of repair, he felt it would be better to purchase a new truck and bond it for 5 years as the cost would be approximately $100,000.

The third item was the replacement of the Sweeper. The hopper went on it and after researching the hopper would cost $90,000 to replace. A new Sweeper would cost $160,000. This is a necessary piece of equipment especially for our roads as we need to sweep and clean roads. The catch basins are also cleaned with the Sweeper and we have 550 catch basins in the Town.

After much discussion the Town Board suggested Superintendent Hildenbrand go ahead and research the prices of water tanker, sweeper and plow truck.

Supervisor Blum Bump read a copy of the Resolution authorizing the Town to have an appraisal of the Central Hudson's vacant property from Williams Road to Route 9G.

Pursuant to provisions of Town Law and in conjunction with the proposed purchase of the subject parcel it is necessary for the Town to obtain an independent appraisal setting forth the fair market value of the property.

RESOLUTION 2005 #11

RE - Appraiser for Central Hudson Property

Resolution was offered by Supervisor Marirose Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman James Ross and carried.

Copy Attached

Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Crane - No
Councilwoman Bordewich - Yes
Councilman Ramsey - Abstain

CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter from County Legislator Marc Molinaro correcting the day of the meeting- Hardscrabble Day to be held at the Watts de Peyster Hall on Saturday April 9th at 9:00 a.m.

Former Planning Board Chairman Paul Thomas thanked the Town Board for their letter as it was a privilege to work for the Board and the Town.

Received a letter from Harold Fell Sr. on behalf of the recently formed Monument Committee. Their purpose is to improve the Monument in the Village Memorial park. This letter is a request for financial support.

Letters were sent to Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Hillary Clinton and Congressman John Sweeney requesting their help in saving the Community Development Block Grant Program and restoring its funding.

On April 27, 2005 the Ethics Committee will be giving a presentation to the Town Board on the revised Ethics Law.

Marcy Appell asked about St. Margaret's.
Supervisor Blum Bump replied the committee of three are working on a possible Tenant and plan for the building as we need to have a viable plan. A grant application for $350,000 has been file so we will know in June as that is when it is due.

Rosemary Zengen from Red Hook's Save Our Town said Councilwoman Bordewich what are you going to do about Kathy Stewart's E-mail to John Watch slandering everyone.

Councilwoman Bordewich said I don't think the Town Board should get into personal disputes.

Rosemarie Zengen said this isn't personal it's about slandering Town officials and I feel Kathy Stewart should be dismissed from any board she is serving on.

Supervisor Blum Bump said we will be going into "Executive Session" to discuss this.

Rosemarie Zengen asked Councilwoman Bordewich, Councilman Ross and Councilwoman Crane to give their word that they would look into this and get back to her not just dismiss it.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross and carried the meeting adjourned 10:40 p.m.

Town Clerk
Margaret E. Doty