October 15, 2008 Public Hearing / 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:
Harvey Thomas
Paul Hull
Brian Given
Marion Rice

The Public Hearing was called to order at 7:04 PM by Supervisor Knox

PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT LOCAL LAW 1 of 2008 ALLOWING A REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS.

It was presented to the guests and no one had any questions pertaining to the Local Law.

RESOLUTION #70

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to close the public hearing at 7:08pm and open up the regular board meeting.

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

Motion carried.

Acceptance of the minutes:

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to accept the minutes from 09/17, 10/05, 10/06 with a change from the 10/06 where it stated Misc. for the North Woods Rd. Maintenance - it should have been an increase from $3,000 to $4,500, not $3,500 to $4,500 as presented by the Town Clerk.

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

Motion carried.

REPORTS

Town Clerk's Report:

We sold 12 dog licenses, 5 building permits, 7 certified copies and $6,594.00 in DECALS for a total revenue for the month of September of $6,773.00. Tess also told the board she wanted to appoint Jennifer Clary as a second clerk.

Supervisor's Report:

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

2. I met with Gouverneur hospital people they are ready to start renovating on the old library building. They have $37,500 in grant money to use.

3. I ordered a furnace for the new library/museum building on November 1st from Howland Pumps. I have quotes coming in for installation.

Superintendent White asked who installed the furnaces in the town barn; Knox said AEON; White stated that one of them is hooked up wrong and needs to be straightened out.

Highway Superintendent Report:

1. Most of last month has gone into 2009 prep work. The only work left on Boyd Pond and Blanchard Hill Roads is to cut the shoulders.

2. We removed the brush and ditched the south end of the Forbes Road.

3. We mixed approximately 250 tons of mulch and are using it to patch in the pipes that have been replaced and sections of 2009 projects that had to be removed.

4. We are working on getting the plows and sanders ready. The screener has been moved and set up for work next week.

5. We have problems with the clutch assembly on the chipper; and we used the Town of Edwards chipper to finish on the Boyd Pond Road.

6. We will need to make transfers to pay the bills.

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

8. White handed in a check to the supervisor for fuel from the Russell Fire Department in the amount of $277.68.

Assessor Report: Donna Goodwin

It is increasingly difficult at best to find streets when there are no road signs. I continue to try to find all properties with building permits or problems.

Legislature Report:

N/A

AMP Report:

N/A

DCO Report:

N/A

CEO Report:

N/A

Harvey Thomas: Russell Fire Department Chief

• Harvey presented the board with a budget summary for 2009.

• He explained they would like a 2.5% increase in the fuel budget for 2009 and a 3% increase for fuel in 2010. The rest they will leave the same. They would like their equipment fund left at $10,000.

• Knox asked them how they wanted the fuel budgeted, they have fire and rescue contract. Harvey stated to put it in the fire contract.

• The fire department may be getting rid of Casino Night and do other fund raisers.

• Brian Given stated that the fire department is buying pagers and giving them to new members as an incentive to get new members. They have 30 members now.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Resolution #71: Highway Transfer

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to transfer these monies into the General Repairs account.

From account D2770 $1,800
From account D2650.2 $5,977.08
From account D2650 $500.00
From account D5031 $2964
Into account D5110.4 general repairs account

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #72: Audit

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

General vouchers #328-370: $11,343.47 ($11,199.91 TE)
Fire Districts #:                 
Highway vouchers #205-220: $30,965.59
Capital Improvement #
Street Lighting #10:   Russell $413.72
                              DeGrasse 136.98
                                           $550.70

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

Motion carried.

Highway:

Superintendent White stated that the salt was delivered. We need to charge Comp time to town snow removal now.

Ball Field:

N/A

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

Supervisor Knox stated that the new Library/Museum is coming along fine now.

He got authorization to sign the NYS Teamsters Council Health and Hospital Fund PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT.

He explained that the town received from the DEC a grant application if the town wants to deal with invasive plants in this area.

Resolutions:

Resolution #73: Life Flight Contract

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to present this resolution for LIFE FLIGHT.

WHEREAS: North Country LIFE FLIGHT, Inc. is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation which is responsible for all aspects of patient care by providing medical equipment, training medical personnel and administering the medical portion utilizing the New York State Police helicopter based in Saranac Lake and private fixed-wing aviation resources; and

WHEREAS: The New York State Police and private fixed-wing aviation resources do not provide a medically trained team or medical equipment for patient transports; and

WHEREAS: The people of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and St. Lawrence Counties receive a vital emergency medical service which is free of charge to critically ill and seriously injured patients, and, therefore municipal governments are asked to pledge monies for this worthwhile program;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Town Board of the Town of Russell hereby authorizes the supervisor to enter into a contract with North Country LIFE FLIGHT, Inc. for the purpose of operating the medical component of the medevac program, which will serve its residents and visitors, and paying the amount of $150.00 which represents the Towns share for 2009; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED: That the sum of $150.00 is hereby appropriated to Account A3989.4 for payment to North Country LIFE FLIGHT, Inc.

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #74: Adopting Local Law No. 1 For 2008

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to adopt the Local Law No. 1 for 2008 allowing a Real property Tax Exemption for Capital Improvements to One-Family and Two-Family Dwellings.

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

Motion carried.

Superintendent White presented the board with quotes for a new wood furnace for the town barn.

Quote #1 Decker Heating & Construction - Model CL7260 - $16,257.00

Quote #2 Fobare Construction and Excavation -Model ML36 -$13,150.00

Quote # 3 Gokey Enterprises LLC - Model 5500 - $10,588.00

RESOLUTION #75: Wood furnace for Town Barn

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to Accept the quote of $13,150.00 from Fobare Construction and Excavation 180 Johnson Road Rensselear Falls, New York 13680 for a Model ML36 Portage and Main Wood Furnace.

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

Motion carried.

BUDGET:

The only changes to the tentative budget were Russell fire added for fuel. Russell fire Dept. Operation went to $41,166.

The DeGrasse Fire Equipment went from $5,000 up to $7,500

Tax Levy is still a 13% increase over last year. A $50,000 home out side of the lighting district will pay ($64.50) more than last year. This is due to the increase cost of health insurance, heating oil, fuel for trucks, salt prices, increase to cost of parts and blades, increase in payroll due to not plowing the County roads, and 3.5% raises for employees.

White talked about the budget for a new loader.

Knox asked if a separate account should be started for fuel for snow removal and general repairs.

Councilman Whiteford asked White if he could keep track of how much fuel is used this year now that county roads are not being done to see the difference it makes.

White indicated that he felt like the board did not think he handled the money right for the fuel.

The board decided to leave the accounts the way they are for this year.

RESOLUTION #76: Preliminary Budget

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to pass the tentative budget as the Preliminary Budget. A public Hearing will be held on November 12th at 7:00pm. So any person may be heard in favor of or against any item there it contained.

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

Motion carried.

Supervisor Knox stated to the board that he received a letter from the US Postal Service stating some things that need fixing when the PO was inspected. The town can not afford to do them all right now so a letter can be sent on describing what we can do and letting them know that the rest is too big of an expense at this time.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to adjourn the meeting at 9:35pm. All were in favor. Motion carried.