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Present:
Supervisor Best
Councilwoman Burnham
Councilwoman Coller
Councilwoman Jeanette
Councilman Whiteford
Town Clerk Eells
Highway Superintendent White
Guests:
23 people attended the Public hearing
Andy Reiter
Matilda Larson
Ike Guyette
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. She introduced Andy Reiter; he does the cost estimates
for the homes; they want the homeowners involved with the selection of the contractor. Matilda did a presentation
for the CDGB Housing Grant; explaining the ins and outs of the projects. She stated this was an informal meeting
that she will take questions throughout.
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 held. 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. A windshield survey was done on the north side of the Grasse River and this was the findings: 350 dwellings units counted; 80% (279) stick-built, 20% (71units) mobile homes.
Condition of stick-built homes:
56% (157 units) in standard condition
38% (106 units) in substandard condition
3% (7 units) seasonal
2% (5 units) vacant
1% (4 units) in dilapidated condition
279 units total
Condition of 71 mobile homes:
23% (16 units) in standard condition
75% (53 units) in substandard condition
3% (2 units) in dilapidated condition
71 units total
Units will be rehabilitated to achieve HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HSQ), and all applicable federal, state and local codes.
The grant is given by income qualification and they look to see what will bring the home back to standard living conditions. Eligible rehabilitation work may include, but is not limited to the repair or replacement of:
Lead based paints and Asbestos removal was discussed.
| Applicant | Grant | Security Term | Loan as % of Project | Interest Rate | Security Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeowner | 100% | 3 years w/o loan | Varies. If client chooses a contractor that is not the lowest qualified bidder, client may borrow difference between lowest qualified bid and selected bid. | 0 - 3% per annum | Up to 5 years |
| Landlord | 75% | 5 years w/o loan | 25% | 3% per annum | Up to 7 years |
Matilda stated it is likely homeowners assessments will go up so:
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. 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.
Matilda asked the residents for a Letter of Support to be handed into Tess or sent to the St. Lawrence County Planning Office the letters can still be accepted until the end of March. Matilda stated the funding will be announced in the fall and construction will start in 2011.
A question was asked about income eligibility; Matilda stated it is on a sliding scale example:
Household size of 1 up to $30,750
Household size of 4 $43,900
Household size of 8 $57,950
A copy of the sliding scale is in the town Clerk’s Office for review.
Matilda stated a presentation on Federal Fair Housing Law hearings will be April 14th and board members are welcome to attend.
The Public Hearing ended at 7:10pm.
The People and Board thanked Matilda and Andy for the presentation.
Supervisor Best called the regular meeting to order at 7:25pm.
A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to accept the minutes from 01/20/2010 as presented by the Town Clerk.
Best - Yes
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Motion carried.
We sold 13 dog licenses, 1 building permit, 3 certified copies, 2 impoundment fees, snow plow and snow thrower monies and $44.00 in DECALS for a total revenue for the month of January of $603.00. I have received 63.81% of taxes in the amount of $768,004.80 as of 02/16/10. I have handed in my vouchers for authorization for my hotel reservation for the Town Clerk’s Association Conference in April that I will be attending. All were in favor of the Clerk Report.
A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Burnham:
Councilman Whiteford stated he wanted to know why the Hwy Superintendent didn’t get board approval before
purchasing his computer. Superintendent White stated he only needed approval if it was $5,000 or more according
to the Procurement Policy. He also thought the board did approve it; Councilman Whiteford said he thought they
approved him getting 3 quotes on one and then bring it to the board. Councilman Whiteford stated he doesn’t have
a problem with him getting it he has a problem with not having board approval like we have always done it. Supervisor
Best stated that he assumed the board used the procurement policy; Councilman Whiteford stated the procurement policy
stated anything up to $2,500 needs 3 quotes. Supervisor Best stated they got 3 quotes and they are in the town barn; but
Councilman Whiteford stated how would the board know that if they were not presented to the board. Councilwoman Jeanette
stated she never knew the procurement policy existed. Councilman Whiteford stated that for the board to have a good
working relationship the Supervisor should have informed them on changes he would use in how he does things. The
Procurement Policy should be gone over every year. It will be on the agenda for next month. Audit committee continued
with the report:
General vouchers # 53 to 98: $16,051.77
Highway vouchers # 24 to 48: $53,462.27
Street Lighting #2: Russell $549.97
DeGrasse 177.70
$727.67
Best - Yes
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to accept the Supervisor’s report. All were in favor. Motion carried.
The floor was given to Jerry Powers:
He stated to the board that he found a trailer he wants to buy for his son; but it is a 1979 but has
been all redone over and up to code. He will need to get a variance but the board wants the Code Enforcer to
go look it over and take pictures before they decide to give a variance.
Supervisor Best stated that he has been in contact with the USDA and will meet with Tim Burley. There could be some stimulus money for the Hamlet of Russell but there is a time restraint in the spring. They will send out surveys to the Hamlet residents to see what interest there is in the water/sewer district.
Ann Davis asked if the town doesn’t use all the fire wood they cut would they sell it to the public. Superintendent White stated it takes a lot of wood for the barn.
A motion by Councilwoman Burnham and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to accept the Highway Superintendents report. All were in favor. Motion carried.
N/A
N/A
Ike came in and the board asked him to check out the trailer Jerry Powers is interested in buying to see if it’s up to Standard Code and take pictures.
Reported in Supervisors report
N/A
Superintendent White stated that the committee met and the brush hog was discussed. He would have to put another $2,200 into it and you can hardly get a day’s work out of it before it breaks down. He showed some pamphlets to the board of some brush hogs price will range between $14-18 thousand. Larry will do research and get 3 bids and come back to the board.
Supervisor Best stated we would like to settle the property problem; can we buy it back. They want to lease the ball field, and put up a building. They would like the electrical circuit. They feel a calendar of events for the ball field could be kept. Repair the building that is there. It would be available for all groups to use. Councilman Whiteford stated he wants both fire departments to be able to use it and any other organization.
Courtney talked with Tim and they will meet the 2nd Friday of March.
They would like to put flower baskets on poles on Blanchard Hill rd. They were thinking 10 more baskets.
A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Coller,
Discussion before resolution was voted on:
Bobby Knox stated that 3/4 of the field belongs to the town. A field was donated by Cutt’s. If they build
a building they should have a diagram etc. done. Councilwoman Jeanette where is DeGrasse’s Christmas decorations,
we use to have 4 but they asked for 16.
Whereas, the Town of Russell accidentally built the building currently housing the Russell Health Center on property owned by the Russell Fire Department, and
Whereas, the Russell Fire Department has offered to supply electrical power to the medical center well and to service the well pump as needed, and to provide emergency power to the well pump,
Therefore, the Town of Russell is tentatively agreeing to purchase property from the fire department which would ensure the Health Center is on Town property only, and
Furthermore, the Town of Russell is agreeable to having the fire department provide normal and emergency power to the pump supplying water to the medical center, and
Furthermore, the Town of Russell is willing to negotiate compensation for
the fire department to include one, some, all or a combination of the following possible compensation options:
Furthermore, the Town is willing to broaden the scope of negotiations to include the Town’s use of fire department land on the southern shore of the Grasse River, and
Furthermore, the Town is willing to consider a resolution to place flowers along Blanchard Hill road as an offer of good will.
Best - Yes
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Coller,
Whereas, the RVFD and Town Committee are negotiating improved relations and specific projects and goals to settle long standing issues, and
Whereas, the RVFD has made concrete proposals regarding the land issue over the building of the Health Clinic on RVFD land and,
Whereas, the Russell Town Board wishes to take steps to show our desire to show the town’s good will for the negotiations and,
Therefore, the town Board authorizes an additional 4 flower baskets be ordered for putting along Blanchard Hill Rd from the corner of CR24 and the ball field, and
Furthermore, the Russell Town Board authorizes the purchasing of steel to make and install hangers for the baskets of flowers.
Best - Yes
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Jeanette and seconded by Councilman Whiteford,
Whereas, persons living in the Hamlet of Russell have expressed an interest in establishing a sewer and /or water district, and
Whereas, there appears to be a wide spread concern that the private systems may be impacting the ground water and possible well water, and
Whereas, the establishment of a sewer and/or water district may be crucial in the improvement of the quality of life in the Hamlet,
Therefore, the Town Board approves taking a survey of the property owners in the Hamlet of Russell to obtain information on the condition of septic systems and wells and the level of interest of property owners to create a sewer and/or water district, and
Furthermore, the Town Board looks forward to seeing the results of the survey so it can make a determination to commission a feasibility study of a sewer and/or water district.
Best - Yes
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette,
Whereas, the U.S. Constitution mandates a headcount every ten years, which is accomplished by the decennial Census process, and
Whereas, population data from the Census are used to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as boundaries for legislative districts across New York State and within St. Lawrence County, and
Whereas, Census data are widely used by every level of government in New York to allocate over $40 billion in program funds, and
Whereas, Census data are used by the private sector for market research and to plan operations and expansions, and by individuals to research their communities, and
Whereas, the Census Bureau has asked for assistance of local governments organizations and individuals across the country to help build public awareness about why the Census is important, and to encourage every person in their community to participate,
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Town of Russell does hereby support the efforts of the Census Bureau and of St. Lawrence County’s Complete Count Committee to promote participation by all residents of Russell in the 2010 Census, and
Be it further resolved that the Town of Russell does hereby request that local agencies, service organizations and community leaders throughout the Town of Russell work together to promote maximum participation in the Census.
Best - Yes
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette
Whereas, the Town Board is interested in the creation and use of renewable energy within the Township, and
Whereas, the Town has property exceeding 2 acres in size and with a southern exposure, and
Whereas, the New York Power Authority has asked municipalities with appropriate land to consider submitting their municipalities as possible sites for renewable energy, especially sites with a southern sun exposure, and
Whereas, the Supervisor has responded to NYPA in sending NYPA the Town’s interest in being a host site,
Therefore, the Town Board agrees and declares its interest in being considered as a host site for solar, or other renewable energy project.
Best - Yes
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Burnham and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette
Whereas, Governor Patterson’s proposed 2010-2011 State Budget eliminates funding for the medium security Ogdensburg Correctional facility, which would force the New York State Department of Correction to close, and
Whereas, the medium security prison was welcomed in Ogdensburg in 1982, at a time when other municipalities in New York did not want a prison, and
Whereas, the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility has provided employment to residents of the City of Ogdensburg for the past 28 years, and has provided valuable manual labor through work programs to the City of Ogdensburg and other not for profit organizations in the greater Ogdensburg community, and
Whereas, closing of the Ogdensburg Correctional facility will result in the loss of more than 287 jobs at the facility, many held by residents, and will result in untold job losses at businesses that support the facility and businesses that serve the employees of the facility, and
Whereas, the unemployment rate in St. Lawrence County is one of the highest of New York State’s 62 counties, and
Whereas, the median income of residents in St. Lawrence County is one of the lowest of New York State’s 62 counties,
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Town of Russell strongly opposes the closing of the Ogdensburg Correctional facility, and urges Governor Paterson and the State Legislature to provide the necessary funding to keep the Ogdensburg Correctional facility open.
Best - Yes
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette
Whereas, the Town Board’s original intent in passing Local Law #1 of 2008 was to encourage property owners to repair or undertake capital projects on their real property, and
Whereas, the Town Board also intended to have property owners take advantage of this local law, and
Whereas, there have been instances of this local law not being acted upon
to actually implement the law, such as Therefore, the Town Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor, in consulting
with the Town Attorney, the Assessor, the Code Enforcement Officer and the Town Clerk, to devise a course of action
to implement the local law, and Furthermore, to inform the property owners of the law and how it works, and Furthermore, to present such a plan at the March Town Board meeting
Best - Yes Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Burnham Discussion: Robert Best sits on the chair so he will abstain from a vote. The resolution was denied by the board. A motion was made by Councilwoman Coller and seconded by Councilman Whiteford Whereas, the Russell Assessor has requested that the REVAL of Real
Property be postponed by one year, and Whereas, Jane Powers, the director of County’s Real property Department
has recommended that the Town’s REVAL of real property be postponed by one year, Therefore, the Russell Town Board will postpone the REVAL of real
property until a future time.
Best - Yes Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilwoman Burnham and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to accept David’s report, all
were in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to go into Executive session
at 9:35pm to discuss Personnel Issue. All were in favor motion carried. A motion was made by Councilwoman Burnham and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to exit executive session at
9:59pm all were in favor motion carried. A motion was made by Councilwoman Jeanette and seconded by Councilman Whiteford Whereas, the Town Board authorizes for the unemployment insurance be
increased by $1,000 Whereas, the $1,000 will be transferred out of A1010.4 Legislature Board
contractual expense Therefore, the $1,000 will be transferred into account A9050.8 unemployment
insurance Employee Benefits
Best - Yes Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilwoman Jeanette and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to adjourn
the meeting @ 10:10 pm. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Resolution #: Funding for Interstate I98 Project
Ann Davis asked how it will benefit the Town of Russell. Supervisor Best stated it will put Russell within 13
miles from the interstate. Councilwoman Jeanette feels there is more important places for town monies.
Old Business:
Resolution #51: Postponing Revaluation of Property
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Public Discussion
Horse Trails & Fishing Committee: David Whiteford
Final Agenda Item
Resolution #52: General Transfer of Money
Burnham - Yes
Coller - Yes
Jeanette - Yes
Whiteford - Yes
Respectfully submitted by
Tess Eells
Russell Town Clerk
