October 5, 2008 Special Town Board Meeting Minutes

Present:
Richard Knox - Town Supervisor
Carol Coller - Councilwoman
Evah Foster - Councilwoman
Courtney Jeanette - Councilwoman
David Whiteford - Councilman
Tess Eells - Town Clerk
Larry White - Highway Superintendent

Guests:
Jack White
Rodney Bristol

The meeting was called to order at 4:00pm by Supervisor Knox.

Supervisor Knox stated he needs to submit a budget to Bill Dashnaw saying we do not have a budget meeting until October 6th. He was waiting in hoping to get more money from the county. The county is leaving the amount as is, and they are passing a resolution on the 6th to let Russell go.

Supervisor Knox recommends that we keep the three year agreement with the county. He feels with the health insurance, fuel, salt increases and having to budget $36,792 for payroll it would be a burden on taxpayers. Maybe eventually we can get out of the agreement. Knox stated he put 2 weeks payroll in General Repairs.

Superintendent White asked where the money comes from to budget the 2 weeks in General; Knox stated from the tax base. White stated that our town lost $56,000 doing county roads. He understands where Knox is coming from in trying to cushion the tax increase over a couple of years; but the town can not keep absorbing the loss year after year. He also stated that towns that plow for the state make money and the county makes 10% off them also. White discussed the wear and tear on our trucks it does doing county roads with little reimbursement for it. White also pointed out the town eats $1.07 a gal on fuel.

Councilwoman Jeanette asked what loss we take if we give up the county roads?

Councilman Whiteford also pointed out we use our sand from our pit and we get no reimbursement for that either. White stated he does budget $3.00 a yard in the budget for sand, but it costs more than that. No reimbursement for loader usage and hauling is budgeted.

Knox stated we will never get state rate but it is hard to throw it back at the tax payers.

Jack White stated our trucks will last longer if we do not do County roads. He also stated that tax payers should be saying the town trucks are being beat up on county roads and you want to do it again.

Rodney Bristol stated that overtime would not have to be paid for doing county roads.

White stated that at a Legislature meeting Fred Morrill told them that the figures Superintendent White put together on the loss the town makes had seemed pretty accurate and the legislatures did not even care.

Knox stated that on a mild winter a profit could be made. He also pointed out that White is looking at purchasing a new loader and brush hog.

Knox recommends not hiring another man when the position comes up because we won’t be doing county roads. White stated personal should not be cut he can use the extra time for summer jobs.

Councilwoman Foster stated she can not see losing money every year doing county roads. Councilman Whiteford agreed that money should not be lost at the rate it is.

Jack White stated next year adjustments can be made.

Knox stated that next year there is no guarantee in revenue; we will have to cover 52 weeks payroll. Knox stated that Bangor had to lay off their highway department. Interest rates have also fallen back. Knox also called to have our money raised from $3,500 to $4,500 for maintenance of the North Woods Road; no response yet from them. He talked to Fred Morrill to see if the county will do 1/2 of increase for salt, Fred will ask the Legislatures.

Knox got a quote on Compu-Spread Model CS-440 installed $5,650 or Compu-Spread Model CS-420 installed $3,550 training and Calibration will be provided from RT. 11 Truck & Equipment Sales and Services. They would help save on materials.

Rodney Bristol stated that some salt has to be in sand or it freezes up in the trucks at certain times depends on the temperature.

White stated that he needs to know how the board wants to handle the salt for this year. Should he use 10% or 5%. Salt budget will be $30,000 and fuel will be $10,000 increase.

Councilwoman Foster asked how many other towns have rejected the agreement. Knox stated only us so far. But other towns gave them up before; Canton, Potsdam and a couple other ones. White stated that as far as he knows they do not regret it either.

RESOLUTION # 68 Opting out of 3 year agreement

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to opt out of the St. Lawrence County Department of highway Three Year Winter Maintenance Agreement starting plowing season 2008-2009.

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

Motion carried.

Superintendent White got a call from the county that they were putting together bids for fuel; they would not be over the OGS state bid though. Knox stated we need to check and see if the contracts we have with Griffith Energy and MX Fuels is for two years or not. White will call and get more info.

White stated that salt is $85.00 a ton now for our 1400 ton anything over the 1400 ton will be a different rate.

Meeting adjourned at 5:00pm.