Jan. 20, 2010 Town Board Meeting Minutes

Present:
Supervisor Best
Councilwoman Burnham
Councilwoman Coller - absent
Councilwoman Jeanette - arrived 7:25pm
Councilman Whiteford
Town Clerk Eells
Highway Superintendent White

Guests:
37 people attended the Public hearing
Matilda Larson

The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Supervisor Best.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Whiteford.

The floor was given to:
Matilda Larson from St. Lawrence County Planning Office did a presentation for the CDGB Housing Grant.

She explained that in 2007 a grant was written for the South side of Russell and now the Town is writing a grant for the North side of Russell. 2 public hearings are to be held the next one is February 17th at 6:30 pm. She explained the steps that are taken for the grant. We are applying for a $400,000 grant. The deadline for the grant is April 23, 2010.

The grant is given by income qualification and they look to see what will bring the home back to standard living conditions. Matilda did a "Why Create A Community Plan" list with the residents; She asked them what do you like about Russell? Here is the response from the residents.

1. No traffic lights; feels they are ugly and the town is safer.

2. Beautiful scenery

3. Get in touch with nature

4. Born and raised here; connected

5. Lib/Museum/Theater and people come together for them

6. Hard working Fire department

7. Potential for new things like fixing up old school

8. Water availability

9. A whole lot of nothing; enjoys the peacefulness

10. Room for growth

11. Good school district

12. Good weather

13. Accessibility to high speed internet

Then Matilda asked them what would you like to see change for the better?

1. Clean up garbage around homes

2. Sidewalks and roads

3. Water/sewer

4. Houses need repairing

5. Power generated locally

6. Theater restored/ a park by the river/ playground

7. More business development/ with local dairy

8. Promote small businesses (a way to know what’s available)

9. Would like to see another church

10. Increase access to high speed internet

11. Don’t see increase in the tax rate the way it has been

Then she asked what sentence the residents would use to describe Russell after these changes.

It would be a beautiful, inviting, clean, safe, progressive, prosperous, self sufficient community.

She had the residents do a sticky dot note to see what 5 things from their list would rate highest on the list.

1. 31 votes- repair homes

2. 26 votes- increase local power

3. 19 votes not increasing the tax rate

4. 16 votes- clean up

5. 11 votes- improve sidewalks and roads

The 421F Program was discussed; A Local Law was passed by the Town implementing a tax break for the people who apply for the grant. The Town passed the local law in 2008 and Real Property stated that properties are retroactive, can’t go back to 2008. If the work was started before the local law was passed you can’t go back to implement the tax break. The Town Board will make sure the future residents who get the grant will be informed about the form to be filled out to get the tax break. Supervisor Best has a call into the Town lawyer to discuss the situation.

Matilda asked the residents for a Letter of Support to be handed into Tess or sent to the St. Lawrence County Planning Office or brings it to the next Public Hearing on the 17th.

Matilda stated the funding will be announced in the fall and construction will start in 2011.

Matilda was thanked for her presentation.

Councilwoman Burnham left for an emergency call at 7:45pm.

Supervisor Best called the regular meeting to order at 7:52pm.

Legislature Report: Fred Morrill

Supervisor Best gave the floor to Fred Morrill:

1. He was given Vice-Chair position

2. The 2010 Budget is in good shape but is concerned about the 2011 budget.

3. The sales tax was defeated 8 to 7 vote so they need to look for cuts.

4. We need to be careful not to cut public safety too much.

   Supervisor Best asked if the sales tax issue will come back up. Fred stated if you are on the losing side of the votes you can’t bring it back up.

5. Fred stated that 5 positions were cut in highway; they were retirees and will not be refilled.

   Superintendent White stated that he heard there was 70-100 hours to one pay period in overtime.

6. Fred stated we are not saving what was expected. We will do 3 crews from 4 crews for the summer. Jerry Powers stated the County shouldn’t look at how to make cuts but how to generate revenue.

Supervisor Best asked Matilda if she had anything more; she said she wanted the board to pass this resolution on priorities for the grant.

Resolution #34: Authorizing the Town of Russell to Adopt a List of Community Priorities Developed with Assistance from the St. Lawrence County Planning Office.

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette,

Whereas, Russell residents participated in a community planning process facilitated by the St. Lawrence County Planning Office on January 20, 2010, and

Whereas, residents were asked to identify what they liked about their community; what they would like to see change; envision what the community would look like if all its needs and challenges were addressed; and prioritize community needs based on this vision; and

Whereas, after a thorough discussion based on these guidelines, the Town’s residents identified the community’s top priorities as follows,
1. 31 votes- repair of homes
2. 27 votes- Generate local power; wind, water, etc.
3. 19 votes- not to increase the tax rate
4. 16 votes- clean up garbage in the community
5. 11 votes- improve the sidewalks and road conditions.

Now therefore, be it resolved, that the Town of Russell hereby adopts this list of community priorities, and intends to address Russell’s housing issues through a 2010 Community Development Block Grant housing rehabilitation application that will be submitted by St. Lawrence County.

Best - Yes
Burnham - absent
Coller - absent
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes

Motion carried.

Supervisor Best opened the floor for Ed Franklin:
Ed stated his assessment doubled after he had the grant work done.
Supervisor Best has a call into the town lawyer to see if something can be done seems the work on Ed’s home started before the Local Law for a tax break was adopted also so it will help the next applicants not get caught in the same situation.

Acceptance of the minutes:

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to accept the minutes from 12/16/2009 and 01/06/2010 as presented by the town clerk.

Best - Yes
Burnham - absent
Coller - absent
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes

Motion carried.

REPORTS

Town Clerk's Report:

We sold 11 dog licenses, 1 building permit, 1 certified copy, 1 impoundment fee, 1 marriage license and $50.00 in DECALS for a total revenue for the month of December of $218.00.

Supervisor's Report:

Energy audits

1. Application accepted & funded for 5 buildings

2. Contract with Scott Shipley

3. Started today

4. $500 fee to NYSERDA

5. Reports to be used to apply for funding for energy products

Housing grant Application

1. Letters sent to voters on northern section of town

2. Attend Sen. Aubertine’s grant research presentation (RB at supervisor’s association)

Fuel for Health Center

1. Fuel being paid by EJ Noble

Cell Phones

1. Discontinue cell phone for Dick, save $70 a month

2. Switch Larry to AT&T for coverage over most of Russell

Reserve Accounts

1. Tom Peet (CPA) cash in separate checking account, run activity through general funds books

2. Cemetery reserve account and Theater reserve account- they have control over the money.

Edwards-Knox School

1. Pump for pump house - Harvey Thomas arranging for school to sell new pump to the town for $1.00

2. Sanding & material (tentative)
   a. Continue as is for this year
   b. 2011 school will have their own equipment
   c. Town allows school to self load at town pit
   d. Town & school to sign a agreement, town not liable for injuries to school employees or equipment
   e. Larry will go over the running of town equipment with all school employees

Local Law passage regarding exemption of assessment resulting from housing rehab program

1. State law states that exemptions can only be for work started after effective date of local law

2. Local Law passed after date that the work started

3. Local law and school’s resolution not sent to County real property

4. To avoid this problem with the second phase of rehab:
   a. Town Clerk has faxed the Local law to County real Property
   b. Supervisor will contact Edwards-Knox to have them pass a resolution (if they have not done so) and mail it to the County real Property.

Dick’s unemployment

1. Called attorney and faxed objection to NYS

Town/RFD Relation

1. Meeting on Friday

Russell Citizens Advisory Committee

1. Meeting on the 28th (tentatively) of small group to start organizing structure

2. Appoint citizens to committee at February board meeting

Reiterate Committees responsibilities for February Board meeting

1. Highway - propose contract for capital improvement-Larry will not have that info until March

2. Development of Horse Activities - appoint citizens at February meeting- David Whiteford has a report for later

3. Theater Committee - appointments

4. Cemetery Committee - appointments

5. Town/DCSR Relations - meeting date needed

6. Town/RFD - report on meeting, identify issues

AMP Report

1. Authority Committee to pass amendment to bill next Tuesday

2. Face Book - can check out AMP on face book

Letterhead/Business card

1. Handed out a sample of a letterhead I did up and a sample business card

Highway Superintendent Report: Larry White

1. The snow and rain has kept the trucks busy but we had no major break downs; through this warm up we have run a grader over most of the paved roads and they are in good shape.

2. We completed the work on the Mack and have it on line now.

3. We have removed the plow harness from the 1998 Chevy for the bids.

4. We have replaced several pins and bushings on the Back Hoe as well as several hoses.

5. We are bringing the equipment in the shop and going through them to make necessary repairs and help prevent down time this summer.

6. The 2006 International is at Stadium International for an oil leak on the motor.

7. I have talked to Bob about a computer at the barn and we are working on lining one up for replacement.

8. I would like a resolution from the board to request bids for a grader and brush hog to be in by our February meeting.

9. Bob you requested the projects for CHIP’s to be ready for February, however the County bid sheet will probably not out until early March, so I will have them ready for our March meeting.

10. The men have all worked well with good progress and I thank them.

Jerry Powers asked Highway Superintendent White why the highway part of the tax increases was so high. Superintendent White stated that when revenue comes in it is split 50% General and 50% Highway and I feel it should be 75% Highway and 50% General because we gave up the county roads.

Assessor Report: Donna Goodwin

I tried to set new land values in August and September, to no avail. The new land values were not set until December. This leaves me little time to do a quality revaluation. Properties in the Town of Russell have consistently sold for more than the assessed value, and everyone should know that when a "REVAL" is done next year; it is extremely likely that most parcels will have a higher assessment. Newer residential and building permit parcels should be close to the level we need. We don’t want to lose any more STAR, so we need to get our Level of Assessment back up to 100%.

Below are the STAR figures for the past three years; to show you how much we are losing.

Basic	Enhanced
’07 - ’08 - $32,900	$62,280
’08 - ’09 - $30,000	$56,800
’09 - ’10 - $28,200	$56,490

These figures are the amount deducted from your assessed value, before calculating the tax. (Ex: $20 per thousand tax levy is now costing “Basic” $94 more per year, and “Enhanced” $115.80 more per year than ’07-’08)

DEO Report:

N/A

CEO Report:

N/A

AMP Report:

Reported in Supervisors report

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Resolution #35: Audit

A motion was made by Councilwoman Jeanette and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to pay the following bills.

General vouchers # 1 to 52: $38,136.16
Highway vouchers # 1 to 23: $39,744.26
Street Lighting #1:     Russell $482.00
                              DeGrasse 155.07
                                           $637.07

Best - Yes
Burnham - absent
Coller - absent
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes

Motion carried.

Ball Field:

N/A

Highway Report:

Superintendent White stated there was no meeting held, Councilman Whiteford stated he was there but no one else was. He commented on the lights all being on when no one is at the barn. Superintendent White stated he will talk to the men about it. The Highway Meetings will still be the 1st Tuesday of every month.

Resolution #36: Agreement to spend Town Highway Funds

A motion was made by Councilwoman Jeanette and seconded by Councilman Whiteford

Whereas, Pursuant to the Provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law, we agree that monies levied and collected for the repair and improvement of highways, and

Whereas, received from the State for the repair and improvements of highways, shall be expended as follows,

Therefore, General Repairs, the sum of $160,461 may be expended for General Repairs upon 80.81 miles of Town Highways, including sluices, culverts and bridges having a span of less than five feet and boardwalks or the renewals thereof,

Therefore, also, the said improvements will be presented to the board at another meeting,

Therefore, be it resolved, that no monies set aside for such improvements shall be expended, nor shall any work be undertaken on such improvements, until approved by the majority of the Town Board. This agreement shall take effect when it is filed with the County Superintendent of Highways.

Best - Yes
Burnham - absent
Coller - absent
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #37:

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette

Whereas, the Town of Russell is desirous of St. Lawrence County Department of Highways providing shared services such as paving, shoulder widening, signage, road stripping, blasting and other routine maintenance activities to the Town, and

Whereas, both the Town of Russell and the County of St. Lawrence are desirous of promoting partnering efforts for the safety of the traveling public in St. Lawrence County, and

Whereas, in this joint cooperative endeavor, the Town of Russell and the County of St. Lawrence desires to be reimbursed for their expenditures, and

Whereas, the Town is aware that the County may incur liability in the providing of the services and wishes to indemnify the County in this regard,

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Town of Russell hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the County of St. Lawrence from and against liability, loss, damage, claim or action resulting from the work performed by St. Lawrence County department of Highway’s. The Town of Russell does not indemnify and hold harmless the County for any liability, loss, damage, claim or action which arises during the actual performance of services by the St. Lawrence County Department of Highway’s. Said St. Lawrence County Department of Highway’s and the County of St. Lawrence assumes the liability for losses, damages and claims for the actual physical performance of the work, and

Be it further resolved, that the following request for General Liability (GL) coverage is as follows:
On an “Occurrence” basis, with the following limits:
$1,000,000 Each Occurrence
$2,000,000 general aggregate
$1,000,000 Products Aggregate
$1,000,000 Personal Injury
$50,000 fire damage Legal Liability
$5,000 Medical Payment Expense

Be it further resolved, that St. Lawrence County shall be an additional insured on the GL Policy, via ISO endorsed CG 2026

Best - Yes
Burnham - absent
Coller - absent
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes

Motion carried.

Superintendent White presented the board with specs for graders:

1. Used 1993 DRESSER model 850 with 7,365 hours on it - $65,000

2. Used 1989 DEERE Model 670B with 8,405 hours on it - $34,000

3. 1994 DRESSER Model 850 with 2,661 hours on it.

4. 9 more that all range between $53,000 - $275,000 from Milton Cat

Larry feels the 1994 Dresser model 850 would be the better buy; less hours of tear on it and very little rust. They will allow $12,000 trade in for our grader. It was owned by the Town of Brownville.

Resolution #38: New Used Dresser Grader

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette

Whereas, the Board authorizes the purchase of a used 1994 Dresser Model 850 with 2,661 hours on it Serial # G580010U201014 at the cost of $44,500 from Southern Maine Equipment sales

Whereas, Southern Maine Equipment sales will allow a $12,000 trade in for our Grader,

Therefore, the cost of the 1994 Dresser 850 Grader will be $32,500

Best - Yes
Burnham - absent
Coller - absent
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #39: Hold over time

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette

Whereas, the Russell Town Board agrees to pay hold over time at the end of the year at that years rate

Whereas, no time will be held over for the new year.

Best - Yes
Burnham - absent
Coller - absent
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes

Motion carried.

Bids were opened for the Snapper Snow Thrower and the Plow and Frame.

Resolution #40: Bids on Snow thrower and Snow plow & frame

Whereas, the Town Board accepted the top bid of $252.00 from Robert Eells for the Snow plow and frame off the 1998 Chevy pick up

Whereas, the town Board accepted the top bid for the Snapper snow thrower of $163.00 from Sally Hunkins

Best - Yes
Burnham - absent
Coller - absent
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes

Motion carried.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.