November 18, 2009 Public Meeting and 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:
Larry Cook
Bobby Knox
Fred Morrill
Linda Matthews
Kim Jeanette
Bill Howard
Bob Best
Harvey Thomas
Iris Thomas
Sandra Burnham

The Public Hearing for the Preliminary Budget was called to order at 7:00pm by Supervisor Knox.

Supervisor Knox opened the floor for discussion of the Preliminary budget.

He stated that:

• General had an 182,162 tax levy

• Highway had a 471,493 tax levy

• Fire Department has a 92,499 tax levy

• St. Lighting has a 9,000 tax levy for a total tax levy of 755,068

He stated that the sales tax came in 100% plus an extra $833; he split it between highway and general.

He stated that sales tax is 50% distribution and 50% populations.

He stated that the board lowered the sales tax and he would like to see it put back in the budget.

Fred Morrill disagreed with the 50% distribution and 50% population; he stated the legislatures opted to keep it the same. Supervisor Knox showed him the letter he received from the county, Fred asked for a copy of the letter.

Robert Best questioned the expense of 33,990 transfers. He also questioned the 21,403 in Legislative Board under equipment. Supervisor Knox stated it was work on the clinic.

Mr. Best stated that there should be a line showing the expected budget for 2010. He would like to see the expected fund balance for 2010 not 2009.

Supervisor Knox stated that the fund balance for general will have around 16,000.

Mr. Best questioned the 109,490 in the actual expenses in the highway appropriation.

Supervisor Knox asked if there were any more questions on the preliminary budget.

Resolution #96

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to close the Public Hearing at 7:45pm and go into the regular meeting.

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

Motion carried.

Acceptance of the minutes:

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to accept the minutes from 10/21 as presented by the Town Clerk.

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

Motion carried.

REPORTS

Town Clerk's Report: Tess Eells

We sold 17 dog licenses, 4 building permits, 15 certifies copies, and $5,251.00 in DECALS for a total revenue for the month of October of $5,546.00.

Supervisor's Report: Richard Knox

1. The financial records for the month of October have been turned into the Town Clerk.

2. The Town received $4,500 from the Town of Canton for the North Woods Road.

3. The Town received $2,100.00 from the Town Justice for October for court fines.

4. The Town received $650.00 from E.J. Noble Hospital for rent.

5. The highway CD was rolled back into the highway checking account so we will get higher interest on our money.

6. The Town received $62,135.43 from St. Lawrence County for sales tax; $28,719.60 was put into the general and $33,415.83 was put into the highway. We received 100% of our budgeted amount plus $833.91. Of this amount $416.95 went into general and $416.96 went into highway.

Highway Superintendent Report: Larry White

1. Handed in a check for $830.84 for fuel from Russell Rescue, Inc. And handed in a bill for work done down cellar for $1,027.48. Tess will call next week to have fuel delivered so the pipe cement can set.

2. We completed filling our 2nd wood shed and estimate we have 100 cords of wood on hand. We plan to fire up the boiler at the end of the month. We are now heating only the section of the barn where most of our work takes place.

3. We did a pipe replacement on the Donnerville Road and a driveway on the North Woods Road.

4. We replaced rear tires on the 2006 International and one front on the Mack.

5. We have re-graded most of our gravel roads and hope they hold until they freeze up.

6. All the drilling and approximately ½ of the blasting is done on the Cole Road.

7. We have worked with the property owners and DEC on the Smith Road and have lowered the water level approximately 2 feet.

8. We have removed the head from the Grader and it is being repaired again.

9. We continue to replace road name signs as time allows.

10. We have 4 trucks ready for winter. The Mack is in need of repairs and I am waiting for an estimate.

11. We purchased a 1998 Pick-up from the county for $525.00. We would like to keep the old one for parts.

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

Legislature Report: Fred Morrill

1. We are working on the budget still; we do not want to use the fund balance.

2. There will be no contingency used for pay raises for employees.

3. I would like to see the tax rate go down.

4. Contracts are not settled yet.

5. We gave our salary back it was lowered 10%.

Councilman Whiteford asked Fred how many recycle stations the county has; Fred stated 4. David stated that 1/2 of the trash is taken to Rodman. Fred stated they need to hire a recycle coordinator he stated the county recycles 2%. Fred stated that a sliding scale should be used for recycling. He stated the tax payers pay nothing; if the costs go up the tipping fees go up. Fred stated that they now have a solid waste coordinator and he feels he will do a good job.

Dog Enforcement Officer Report:

N/A

CEO Report:

N/A

AMP Report: Bob Best

Bob stated we have a tentative agreement with National Grid. An agreement with IPP (Brookfield) that we will not use Eminent Domain to take the dams and transmission lines. There is no one in Albany opposing them.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Resolution #97: Audit

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to pay the following bills:

General vouchers # 371-412: $14,998.04
Highway vouchers # 197-216: $18,638.31
Street Lighting #11:   Russell $427.45
                              DeGrasse 137.84
                                           $565.29

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

Motion carried.

Councilwoman Foster asked for the floor. She asked Councilwoman Jeanette if she made the statement that she and Supervisor Knox were taking money from the town. Councilwoman Jeanette stated; no she did not! She said she said that a CD was moved to a checking account.

Ball Field:

N/A

Resolution #98: Highway Transfer

A motion was made by Councilwoman Coller and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to transfer these amounts into general repairs as requested by the highway superintendent; from the work the men did for the town. The amounts to transfer are $1,027.48, $1,768.00, $1,800, $2,674.28 and the fuel money from DeGrasse Fire Department.

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

Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Councilman Whiteford presented a letter from Daniel Beachard requesting a variance:

To: The Town Board of Russell
RE: Local Law #1 Regulating Mobile Homes in the Town of Russell.
I am writing this letter to respectfully request a variance from the Town of Russell regarding Local Law #1: Regulating Mobile Homes in the Township. I purchased my home before I knew there was such a law. I would appreciate the variance so that I would be in compliance with the Local Laws.
Respectfully yours,
Daniel Beachard.

Resolution #99: Variance for Daniel Beachard

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to grant a request for a variance regarding Local Law #1 of 2009 regulating Mobile Homes in the Town of Russell to Daniel Beachard due to the fact he was unaware of the local law when he purchased his trailer.

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

Motion carried.

A resolution for a Standard Work Day and Reporting was presented to the board.

Resolution #100: Standard Work Day Reporting resolution

A motion by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to table this resolution until next year.

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #101: General Transfer

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to transfer $100.00 from the Contingent account into the Historian expense account A7510.4.

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #102: Silver Star Banner day

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette:

WHEREAS, the Town of Russell has always honored the sacrifice of the men and women in the Armed forces and

WHEREAS, The Silver Star Families of America was formed to make sure we remember the blood sacrifice of our wounded and ill by designing and manufacturing a Silver Star (service) Banner and Flag and,

WHEREAS, to date The Silver Star Families of America has freely given thousands of Silver Star (service) Banners to their families, and

WHEREAS, the members of the Silver Star families of America have worked tirelessly to provide the wounded of this Town and Country with Silver Star (service) Banners and Flags and Care Packages, and

WHEREAS, The Silver Star (service) Banner in a window or a Silver Star (service) Flag flying, that people remember the (sacrificed) for this Town, State and Nation, and

WHEREAS, the people and Supervisor of the Town of Russell wish that the sacrifice of so many in our Armed Forces never be forgotten.

NOW THEREFORE, I Richard Knox, Supervisor of the Town of Russell do hereby proclaim my appreciation of the Silver Star families of America and honor their commitment to our wounded Armed Forces members. I hereby declare May 1st "Silver Star Banner day" the permanent and official day to honor the wounded and ill soldiers of the Town of Russell.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereinto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the Town of Russell in the State of New York (this month of) November (day of) 18th in the (year of) 2009.

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

Motion carried.

Supervisor Knox asked the board what they wanted to do about the budget.

Councilman Whiteford stated that when he was out campaigning people said they wanted to see changes in the town. He feels monies should be used to do feasible studies for sewer, playground and wind power. He also thinks that horse trails should be looked into more and be promoted. He stated he has asked this before but it did not get done.

Mr. Best stated he would check with the Planning Office.

The fund balance should have enough money in it for studies.

Mr. Best stated that to lower tax rate it should be done by cutting expenses not lowering revenue.

Resolution #103: State Retirement

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to lower the State Retirement expense in the 2010 budget by $2,000 in the general part and $4,000 in the highway part.

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #104: Adopting the Preliminary Budget as the 2010 Budget

A motion was made by Councilwoman Coller and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to adopt the preliminary budget with these changes: State Retirement in general lowered $2,000 and State Retirement in highway lowered $4,000; as the 2010 adopted budget.

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

Motion carried.

Supervisor Knox stated that $197.75 for fuel from the Degrasse Fire Department will be coming.

Councilwoman Jeanette stated that she wants to be taken off the audit committee. She stated she has not done them in a few months because she is busy with her family.

Councilwoman Coller asked Highway Superintendent White when the Smith Road will be fixed; he stated the men are patching now so they could be doing it soon or it could be done today.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to adjourn the meeting @ 8:53pm. All were in favor.