Town of Red Hook Town Board
Regular Monthly Meeting
June 14, 2005

A regular monthly meeting of the Red Hook Town Board was held Tuesday June 14, 2005 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 at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

Supervisor Blum Bump read the Supervisor's Report for May.

Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilman Ramsey and carried the Supervisor's Report was accepted as read.

RESOLUTION 2005 #17

RE - Budget Adjustment

Resolution was offered by Councilwoman Sue Crane, seconded by Councilman Harold Ramsey and carried authorizing the Supervisor to make the necessary Budget Adjustments.

Copy is attached

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

Motion by Councilman Ross, seconded by Councilwoman Crane and carried unanimously dispensing with the reading of minutes from the May meeting.

At this time Supervisor Blum Bump opened the floor for the public comment period.

Karen Paterson resident from the Town of Milan questioned why Milan residents are paying more than their fair share of the Red Hook School taxes. She feels the Town of Red Hook's Equalization Rate did not keep pace with the rapid increase of property value.

Councilman Ross said we hired the same firm you did to do our revaluation so I am sure it will be even. As far as the equalization rate that is something that is set by the State and we really have no control over.

Supervisor Blum Bump said she will discuss this with our Assessor.

Councilman Ramsey asked where Mrs. Peterson came up with 210% as he had talked with Mr. Watch who said it was 2.1 percent increase. I don't know where you got 210% as I have not heard that, must be a miss communication.

Mrs. Peterson said she got it from MJW's office.

Councilman Ramsey said the other concern you stated the Star Exemption for Red Hook residents may be almost double the exemption Milan residents will enjoy.

The Star exemption is a State Exemption it is not a different exemption for each town. I suggest you talk to your assessor when you have the new assessed valuation.

Supervisor Blum Bump closed the public comment period.

The appointments of the Inter-municipal Task Force are the first order of business.

Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilman Ross and carried appointing William O'Neill as Chairman, Karen Schneller MacDonald, Brenda Cagle from the CAC, Charles Laing from Planning Board and Timothy Ross from Zoning Board of Appeals.

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

On the proposal for the new Ethics Law Rev. Fred Cartier was present to answer questions.

Councilwoman Crane said she had only one concern and that was that there be a form attached to the law that would enable anyone serving on a Town Board or a Town Committee to be able to reveal or state any conflict they might see that they have and that was not in the original paperwork. I think is should be an addendum to the Ethics Law. Making it easier for people to declare what they think may be a Conflict of Interest.

Rev. Cartier said they did not have a form.

Councilwoman Crane said she would get a copy. This would be used for a conflict of interest or a perceived conflict of interest. I would be able to pick up this form and say here is where I am on this issue, it may or may not be important but it would be for me to declare publicly that I see it as a possibility. This is an open and honest statement involvement on an issue so I will get a copy of this form for your committee to review.

Councilman Ramsey said he had already submitted his concerns on the Ethics Law to the committee.

Councilman Ross said he had no problems just a few corrections.

Supervisor Blum Bump said she had asked Attorney Trezza to read it and he said he found nothing objectionable.

Supervisor Blum Bump thanked Rev. Cartier and his committee and asked that they submit the Ethics Law in its final form so a public hearing date could be set in July.

Motion by Councilman Ramsey, seconded by Councilman Ross appointing Victor Cornelius of Endeavor Inc. as grant writer for single grant application for the Acquisition and Adaptive Re-use of St. Margaret's Home and if appropriate a Conservation Easement/Preservation Covenant to the Deed of the Assisted Property.

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

Supervisor Blum Bump read a copy of the resolution authorizing and directing her to file an application for funds from the N.Y.S. Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and to execute a project agreement with State for such assistance to the Town of Red Hook for the Acquisition and Adoptive Re-use of St. Margaret's Home and if appropriate a conservation easement/preservation covenant to the deed of the assisted property.

RESOLUTION 2005 #18

RE - Grant for St. Margaret's Home

Resolution offered by Councilwoman Sue Crane, seconded by Councilman James Ross authorizing the filing of the grant for St. Margaret's Home.

Copy Attached

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

Councilman Ramsey said with this grant $350,000 is the maximum and it is a matching grant so we look at the building itself being donated as the other half of the matching grant so this is no cost to the Town other than the writing of the grant itself. St. Margaret's Committee has been working on this and we are hoping that cost will be covered by use of the building.

Supervisor Blum Bump said Hannaford would like to gift the building to the Town and the Town would like to accept it however we need to be in a position where we need to find the reuse of the building and have to talk of accepting the building.

Planning Board member Jennifer Fier said I was wondering if we could negotiate with Hannaford to repair the road and drainage that goes through Hardscrabble Plaza.

Supervisor Blum Bump said that is a question that has come up and is being looked into.

The Red Church Building Fund is attempting to ascertain a grant and hopes the Supervisor and Town Board will support their endeavor with letters to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Supervisor Blum Bump said she has written and encourages the Board members to do so.

The Red Church is having Patriot's Sunday July 3rd 11:00 a.m. Worship Service and at 12:30 Family Picnic, tickets are available.

Supervisor Blum Bump said the Town of Milan has requested a letter of support from the Town for the rerouting of truck traffic off of County Route 54.

County Legislator Marc Molinaro said if not Route 54 than it could be Route 79 or 80 and the people on those routes wouldn't want it or on any route for that matter. I would be happy to talk to the Department of Public Works and get some information for your next meeting from Mr. Murphy.


DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Highway Department:

Councilman Ramsey reported that the Highway Department has advertised for road bids which will be opened July 5th and awarded July 12th. Have had on going meeting with Morris Associates on the Highway Garage.


Disaster Preparedness:

Councilman Ramsey said the Disaster Preparedness Committee has completed their Plan and will be getting it to the Board to review. Thanked all the members for all their work on this plan.

Planning Board:

Councilman Ross said the Planning Board will meet this coming Monday. The Zoning Board of Appeals met last Wednesday three proposals and two variances that they acted upon.

Agricultural and Open Space:

Councilwoman Crane said we are all aware of work the Agriculture and Open Space Committee has been doing regarding Conservation Easement with the Public Hearing still on going 7:15 p.m. on July 12th. This is a topic that takes a lot of consideration we have to credit this committee with a tremendous amount of work and pull together this proposal for Town law.

Senior Services Committee:

Councilwoman Crane said the Senior Services Committee is sponsoring an informational seminar Wednesday June 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at the Red Hook Fire House. Medicare Prescription Drug Program and the Prescription Drug Discount Card. These are important issues to the seniors.

CAC:

Supervisor Blum Bump reported the CAC had favorable comments in support of the Conservation Easement as a tool and also support a 7 to 10 year plan. They are also working with the Go Green Initiative.

Household Waste Day was a success with 92 people participating.

Conservation Energy they are working on plans for the Highway Garage as green as possible.

Chairperson Ruth Oja intends to create a wetlands education center and boardwalk over the wetlands at the Rec. Park.

Purchasing Dept:

Councilwoman Crane reported on Purchasing Report May 10th to June 14th.

International dump truck ordered for the Highway Department $99,086.00 purchased under state contract.

In May roofing heat tapes were installed to prevent ice build up.

Fastrac cleaned up and filled up a manhole on Aspinwall Road.

Purchase orders have been issued for summer recreation arts & crafts for Tivoli and Red Hook.

June 22nd Ted Fink our Town Planner will be holding a SEQA workshop 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Planning and Zoning members from the Town and Village are urged to attend.

July 19th Karen Schneller MacDonald will give an hour presentation on the wetlands.

Councilman Ramsey said it has been an on going concern of the wetlands on Fruit Bud and John Kuhn and Doug Strawinski have been working on it. They have a proposal from Hickory Creek Consultants to review this project what we can do and how to fix the problem. They are also looking at a grant for this project.

Tivoli Day is June 18th all day festival with parade at 6:30 p.m.

Louis Dondero questioned if we could know what parcels you are negotiating for.

Supervisor Blum Bump said we are still negotiating with Central Hudson but as soon as we know if they accept our proposal we will let you know.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ramsey meeting adjourned 10:14 p.m.

Town Clerk, Margaret E. Doty