September 17, 2008 Town Board Meeting Minutes

Present:
Knox - Town Supervisor
Coller - Councilwoman - absent
Foster - Councilwoman
Jeanette - Councilwoman
Whiteford - Councilman
Eells - Town Clerk
White - Highway Superintendent

Guests:
Bobby Knox
Larry & Linda Cook
Fred Morrill

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Supervisor Knox.

Acceptance of the Minutes:

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to accept the minutes from 08/20/2008 as presented by the Town Clerk.

Supervisor Knox would like it added that he thought the Teamsters negotiation was not handled right; he wants it known that last time the contract was renewed it was board members with him and he didn't like it being handled with a back door session and this time it was the 4 board members and he was not even included.

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

Motion carried.

REPORTS

Town Clerk's Report:

We sold 9 dog licenses, 3 marriage licenses, 6 building permits, 1 certified copy and $1,370.00 in DECALS for a total revenue for the month of August of $1,602.00.

Supervisor's Report:

1. Financial records have been turned into the town clerk for the month of August.

2. The town received 2 checks from the Russell Public Library for $3,519.46 and $2,534.21 towards the new building.

3. We need to discuss fuel bids, a furnace for the new Library/Museum, set up a budget meeting for October 6, 2008 at 7:00pm and discuss the bid for painting the new Museum/Common Room.

4. Supervisor Knox got a quote from Kevin Albern Painting & Construction Co. of $3.100 to tape and an application of 3 coats of rapid coat joint compound, sand and prime all ceilings and walls in the new common room and museum complex. They wanted to be paid 1/2 up front so Supervisor Knox calls the board members and got the okay to pay 1/2 of the bill.

Highway Superintendent Report:

1. We widened and raised a section of the Cook Road that has been flooded several times a year.

2. We spent several days helping the Town of Edwards trucking material on the River Road.

3. Our prep work for 2009 is going well. We hope to have it completed by the end of this month. The last of the CHIPS money has been used and I have sent in for our final payment of $12,629.05.

4. We made it through the high winds with mostly minor tree and brush problems.

5. We have got the parts for the brush hog and have completed the mowing on the south side and should be done with the north side next week.

6. We are working on getting our trucks inspected and have only 2 left to go.

7. I have been working on the budget sheets for 2009. I need to know what we are going to do about the county roads; and I need to know what the board wants to do for salt mix for the town roads.

8. The men have all worked well and I thank them.

9. Superintendent White presented the board with a breakdown on the number of trips our trucks make a year with sand and salt to give the board an idea of the cost. This can help them decide if doing the county snow removal is worth it. He feels the town is losing too much money.

10. White handed in 3 checks; DeGrasse Fire Department for fuel $1,117.60, Timm’s Salvage for scrap metal $ 307.50 and a pipe installation $129.00.

11. Should I double salt cost in budget or adjust the salt.

Assessor Report: Donna Goodwin

I am still working on building permits and correcting inventory on some parcels. I am concerned with the attached figures affecting our Equalization Rate next year. There is quite a difference between sale price and assessed value. The state will be using these figures and believe us to be under assessed.

Legislature Report:

1. Fred stated he didn’t think we would be offered more than $600 per mile extra from county for county roads; there is no support for it at legislature level.

2. Councilman Whiteford asked Fred what will happen if we pull out from doing county roads. Fred said it wouldn’t be a problem if just Russell pulled out but if three or four more towns pulled out it would be costly. The county would probably have to buy more trucks.

3. Fred also stated that opening up the contract for salt was a favor to the towns.

4. I will not be here next month.

5. We hope the tax levy will not exceed 5% this year.

6. The jail is coming along and they are under budget; the left over funds will go towards the payments.

7. We voted not to hire more maintenance workers for the jail.

Resolution #64: Rejecting County Snow Removal Agreement

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to reject the St. Lawrence County of Highways Three Year Winter Maintenance Agreement at the current offer of money they are offering at this time.

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

Motion carried.

Supervisor Knox asked the board if they wanted Donna Goodwin to start the paperwork for the REVAL in 2009. We need a resolution to get it started. No response.

AMP Report:

N/A

DCO Report:

N/A

CEO Report:

N/A

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Resolution #65: Audit

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to pay the following bills:

General vouchers # 300-327: $12,746.77 ($12,747.37 TE)
Fire Districts #:                 
Highway vouchers # 186-204: $21,464.01
Capital Improvement #
Street Lighting #9:   Russell $429.22
                            DeGrasse 138.03
                                         $567.25

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

Motion carried.

Highway:

Superintendent White thinks the town should come up with an alternative heating system for the town barn. Supervisor Knox stated that last year they used 4,697.30 gallons cost $14,132.51. The Library used 599.2 gallons cost $1,783.61 and the town hall used 2,431.8 gallons cost $7,199.37.They will check on a wood or coal furnace.

Ball Field:

N/A

OLD BUSINESS:

Supervisor Knox stated he hasn’t heard anything back on the Time Warner Cable contract.

NEW BUSINESS:

UNION PROPOSALS FOR HIGHWAY MENS 3 YEAR CONTRACT:

Union Proposal and board members response presented by Councilman Whiteford. The board members met with the highway men and their business agent Mickey Smith on September 2, 2008.

1. Article 13: Holidays - Article 13.1: Add Veterans Day - Board yes

2. Article 13: Holidays -Article 13.3: Add Thanksgiving, New Years Day and July 4th for the days that will be paid double time. - Board no

3. Article 16: Personal Time - Increase to 40 hours. - Board no

4. Article 17: Funeral Leave - Add: An employee shall be paid for the time lost, not to exceed one (1) working day per calendar year, to attend the funeral service of someone other than immediate family. - Board yes

5. Article 24: Wages and Hours:

	Effective 1/1/09	Effective 1/1/10	Effective 1/1/11
M.E.O.	$15.60	$16.60	$17.60
Boards Offer	3.5%	3.5%	3.5%
	$14.97	$15.42	$15.96

6. Article 24: Wages and Hours:
If in the event that a M.E.O. has a license revoked for any reason, his rate of pay will revert back to $7.50 per hour until he has his license reinstated.

This was changed to read:

If in the event that an M.E.O. has a license revoked for any reason, his rate of pay will revert back to $10.00 per hour until he has his license reinstated.

7. Article 24: Wages and Hours:
Sick Time: Increase the maximum allowed to 600 hours. Board yes.

8. Add: The Town shall give $100.00 each January of the contract toward the purchase of OSHA approved safety shoes. Receipts form these shoes must be presented to the Superintendent before reimbursement will be made. If the cost of the shoes is less than $100.00 that amount will be reimbursed and considered full payment for that contract year. The understanding is that these shoes will be worn daily. Board yes.

9. Add: Upon retirement of an employee with fifteen (15) or more years of service and age 55 years of age and drawing New York State Retirement, the employer will pay 50% a year toward the cost of health insurance for the retiree. Upon retirement of an employee with twenty (20) years or more of service and age 55 years of age drawing New York State Retirement, the employer will pay 75% a year toward the cost of health insurance for the retiree. Upon retirement of an employee with thirty (30) years or more of service, the employer will pay 90% a year toward the cost of health insurance for the retiree. It will be the responsibility of the retiree to submit each month a copy of the insurance bill to the employer before receiving payment which will be calculated on a monthly basis. The retiree will continue to receive this monthly payment until he/she becomes eligible for Medicare. Payment will end upon the death of the retiree.

The Board chose to:

• Twenty (20) years service at age 55 years of age offer to pay 25%

• Twenty five (25) years of service at age 62 years of age offer to pay 50%

• Thirty (30) years of service and at age to receive Medicare offer to pay 100% on Medicare Supplement.

10. All other articles remain same.

11. Add: If the Highway Superintendent for the Town of Russell feels it necessary to have multiple shifts for the winter plow season then he/she will set the time and adjust the time to the hours that serve the town best. These shifts can run from 10/15 to 4/15 of each year.

Supervisor Knox stated that the State Comptroller recommends not getting into long term insurance. He also stated he was not happy how it was done and in a one setting meeting to make the decision. He stated that Edwards will not pay the high cost of insurance.

Councilman Whiteford stated that the retiree gets the insurance not the family.

Councilwoman Foster stated her and another school retiree both get their insurance paid for life from the school.

Supervisor Knox stated he called the Teamsters to say it was an illegal meeting and they said if the board contests it now they will file unfair labor practice.

Councilman Whiteford stated he called the town lawyer and he said it was not an illegal meeting and they knew the decision was tentative and had to be brought up for full board approval.

Supervisor Knox asked what the board wanted to do.

Councilman Whiteford stated he wanted to vote and pass it as it is.

Resolution #66: Union Proposals for 3 year contract

A motion was made Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to sign the Three (3) year Articles of Agreement by and between Teamsters Local 687 and the Town of Russell which runs from 1/1/2009 and expires on 12/31/1011 with the changes as presented.

Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - no
Whiteford - yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #67: Local Law

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to adopt a Local Law to have a Real Property Tax Exemption for Capital Improvements to One and Two Family Dwellings. It will give a 8 year tax break to participants. A public hearing will be held.

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

Motion carried.

We will set up a public hearing for either October 6th or the 15th. Tess will ask the town lawyer how he will handle it.

Tess asked the board if the town justice and she could get caller ID put on the line. Tess will call and check it out.

Supervisor Knox asked the board if they received a letter from Tess requesting a counter be put in her office for safety matters. Tess will get a quote on the cost she expects it to run. She would like it done before January 1, 2009.

Councilman Whiteford asked Supervisor Knox about some investment changes on two of the highway men. Supervisor Knox said he made no changes it was error.

Superintendent White asked the Supervisor where we stand with the county; Supervisor Knox will call Mr. Dashnaw and if no new offer is made we will not sign the contract.

Supervisor Knox presented the board with a quote from Kevin Albern to paint the new common room and museum with 2 coats for the cost of $1,800.00. The board thought it was high so Superintendent White will see if the men can do it.

Supervisor Knox will get quotes on a new boiler for the new Library/ Museum by the next meeting on the 6th.

Councilwoman Foster asked if some men could get together and hang one of the stage curtains up.

Supervisor Knox stated he would have to transfer money to account A1010.2 for doing the insulation and boiler. Superintendent White stated that next month he would need money transferred into the highway account for fuel.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to adjourn the meeting at 9:15pm. All were in favor. Motion carried.