Jan. 16, 2008 Town Board Meeting Minutes

Present:
Knox - Town Supervisor
Foster - Councilwoman
Jeanette - Councilwoman
Whiteford - Councilman
Coller - Councilwoman - came @ 7:12pm
Eells - Town Clerk
White - Highway Superintendent

Guests:
Bobby Knox
Lisa Powers
Ed Franklin
Bob Best
L.D. Jeffries

The meeting was called to order at 7:03pm by Supervisor Knox.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES:

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to accept the minutes from 12/19 and 01/02 with the change of the DEO salary that was wrong in the 01/02 minutes it should have been 2,054.00 not 1,054.00.

Jeanette - yes
Foster - Yes
Knox - yes
Whiteford - Yes
Coller-A

Motion carried.

REPORTS

Clerks Report:

We sold 6 dog licenses, 1 certified copy, 1 marriage license, fax & copy money and $730.00 in Decals for a total revenue for the month of December of $918.00. I have taken in $158,085.61 * 13.27% in taxes up to 01/14/2008.

Supervisor's Report:

1. The financial records for December have been turned into the Town Clerk.
2. Town records for 2007 have been turned into the auditor, with a release to check with the banks.
3. A letter went to the lawyer to check for outstanding warrants against the town.
4. 3 Checks totaling $370.00 each were received from the town from Evah Foster, Etta Hance and the Activity Board to pay for a window at the new museum that they donated.
5. I contacted Keewayden State Park about the 2006 grant money still owed us and they are checking on it.
6. We are waiting on the final cemetery payment of $2,400 from the North Country Authority.
7. I contacted the lawyer about the AMP resolution; he wants to see the Howrey LLC Agreement to look over.

Highway Superintendent's Report:

1. Most of our time continues to be spent on snow removal.
2. During the recent thaws we had no major flooding. We had some water forced into or near the roads from the ditch line full of snow.
3. The motor has been removed from #12 and we are working on rebuilding the cab mounts and floor panels.
4. We have been trimming back brush on several roads. Monday we brought the excavator in for service and it will be going out on brush cutting.
5. We have been working on digging back the blind curve and ditch line in front of Grants on the Cassidy Road in prep for blasting.
6. We have been patching roads as time and weather allows.
7. We are working on getting a 5’ x 40’ pipe from the salvage yard in Watertown that will be installed on the Cassidy Road.
8. The men have been very busy and I thank them.
9. I need board approval for scrap metal to be sent to the salvage.
10. I received a letter from the County stating the lazy River Bridge will be closed for 3 weeks.
11. I presented a list of SPECS to the board for the new P/U that I want to put out to bids.
12. Knox stated that the truck should be advertised as a 2008 and the size of motor should be added.
13. White handed in a check for $197.60 from Timm’s Salvage for scrap metal.

Resolution #23: P/U Bids

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to put bids out for a new P/U with the added information.

Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes
Whiteford - yes
Coller - yes

Motion carried.

AMP:

Bob Best was asked to explain the resolution in Support of State Legislation Creating a Public Power Authority they wanted signed to the board. Bob stated that a group of 21 towns can not go in as a utility for court purposes that is why a Utility needs to be formed. One board will run the whole thing; the Supervisors and Mayors can designate people for the board and the Governor will do the selecting. The board will consist of 9 people; 7 will come from towns. The Utility will get bonds and the towns will not be responsible to pay back anything on the bonds. So far 10 towns have signed the resolution. Gouverneur has rejoined the group.

Resolution # 24: Tabling the Resolution to Support Creating a Utility

A Motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to table the resolution for two weeks until the lawyer can review the Howrey LLC Agreement. The board will meet on January 30th at 7:00pm.

Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes
Whiteford - yes
Coller - yes

Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Lisa Powers presented the board with an estimate for the cost of 1/2 of building two dug outs at the Russell Fireman’s Field on the main ball field. They want the town to pay the other half of $1,485.42.

Resolution #25: Dug outs

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to help the Russell Pee Wee’s build two dug outs at the Russell Fireman’s Field at the cost of $1,485.42.

Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes
Whiteford - yes
Coller - yes

Motion carried.

Lisa Powers also commented that the port a potty at the ball field were not clean; she feels they should be cleaned more often or check on other suppliers.

Lisa Powers also asked where the $250.00 the Pee Wee’s donated for the 200th celebration was used. Knox stated it was used for float prizes and gifts.

Lisa powers also asked about alcohol on the ball fields when the kids were playing. Knox stated when he was in charge he talked to the people and asked them not to drink when the kids were playing. He also suggested that when the committee gets together suggest putting something in writing and all enforce it.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Resolution #26: Audit

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to pay the following bills with these added transfers.

General: vouchers # 1-40           $67,170.79 ($81,311.97 TE includes fire departments vouchers)
Highway: vouchers # 1-21           53,059.78
Fire Districts: vouchers # 1-3      36,805.00

Street Lighting: voucher #1        Russell $513.69
                                             DeGrasse 173.14
                                                          $686.83

Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes
Whiteford - yes
Coller - yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #27: Highway Transfers

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to authorize the supervisor to do these transfers:

From the Fund Balance:

$3,532.82 to D5130.4 Machinery Contingent
6,295.43 to D5142.4 Town Snow Removal
10,072.61 to D5148.4 County Snow removal

Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes
Whiteford - yes
Coller - yes

Motion carried.

Resolution # NBT Corporate Authorization Resolution

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to sign the NBT Bank Corporate Authorization Resolution.

Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes
Whiteford - yes
Coller - yes

Motion carried.

Hosley Road Abandonment:

Supervisor Knox stated that he wanted to find out if the town had to hold a public hearing before it was abandoned. He will check with the town lawyer.

Resolution #29 - Tabled

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to table the Hosely Road Abandonment until the next meeting on January 30th.

Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes
Whiteford - yes
Coller - yes

Motion carried.

Supervisor Knox asked the board about appointing Roger Linden as town lawyer for 2008 it was tabled last month. Councilman Whiteford stated he thought Knox was supposed to check with other lawyers on rates, etc. Knox said he would check out some before the next meeting; but for now they would pay Roger Linden the 2008 rates he is asking.

Supervisor Knox asked the board how they want to proceed with the new lib/museum building. The board said move on; so the in floor heating will be next. Knox asked if the highway men could help out to lay wire mesh. Knox will need some PVC pipe to use with the wiring. The town will hire Mike Anson to do the cement work. The new doors that were bought need to be replaced with shorter ones at a $5.00 difference in cost and the town will pay the difference on them. One door will be kept for replacing the Town Hall door.

Councilwoman Foster asked the board to look at the Town Hall bathroom; the walls are bubbling up and peeling off. She would like it redone. Councilman Whiteford stated that the board should discuss the CEO codes for Hamlets and districts at the next meeting; he also something should be done to help defer heating costs on the Town Hall; like repairs and winterizing. The highway committee decided to meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm.

A motion by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Supervisor Knox to adjourn the meeting at 9:10pm. All were in favor Motion carried.