December 16, 2009 Town Board Meeting Minutes

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

Guests:
Larry Cook
Bobby Knox
Fred Morrill
Linda Matthews
Bob Best
Matilda Larson

The meeting was called to order at 7:08pm by Supervisor Knox.

Acceptance of the minutes:

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to accept the minutes from 11/18 as presented by the Town Clerk with the amendment of in the minutes it was stated that $1,800 was to be put into the highway account and it should have been $1,500 as requested by Supervisor Knox.

Coller - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes

Motion carried.

Supervisor Knox gave the floor to Matilda Larson from the St. Lawrence County Planning Office:

Matilda stated that she was there to ask for a Memorandum of understanding to be done by the Town Board to secure their services for the preparation of a housing rehabilitation grant. Matilda explained that their staff did a windshield study of the north side of Russell on November 13th they found:

• 350 homes on the north side and 45% were in standard condition.

• 106 were in substandard condition.

• 4 homes were in dilapidated shape.

• 71 were mobile homes in which 20% were of housing stock; 75% were in substandard condition.

• 2 mobile homes were in dilapidated shape.

They are writing grants for Brasher, Canton and Russell. She will send the Public hearing notices to Tess, they should be done before the next meeting in January. The more people that come and show interest the better the chance of getting the grant will be.

Resolution #105: Memorandum of Understanding

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to authorize the supervisor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the provision of Services between the St. Lawrence County Planning Office and the Town of Russell, New York for the preparation of an application to the New York State Office Community Renewal to fund housing rehabilitation activities under the NYS Community Development Block Grant Program.

Coller - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes

Motion carried.

Supervisor Knox stated that he had conversations with contractors that say they were not aware of the bidding on the homes. He feels that St. Lawrence County should do it like Jefferson County and send out letters to all the contractors not just having the home owners pick three.

Matilda stated that they like to involve the home owners as much as possible. She will bring Supervisor Knox’s statement to the attention of the Planning Office.

REPORTS

Town Clerk's Report:

We sold 4 dog licenses, 2 building permits, 1 certified copy, fax and copy money, 4 impoundment fees and $699.00 in DECALS for a total revenue for the month of November of $887.00.

Supervisor's Report:

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

2. The Town received $1,375.00 from the Town Justice for October for court fines.

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

4. The Town received $6,893.77 from St. Lawrence County for Mortgage Tax.

5. The Town received $593.68 from the Development Authority for the cemetery monument repairs. General Fund transferred $41.14 back into the cemetery fund.

Highway Superintendent Report: Larry White

1. Handed in a check for $96.75 from Timm’s Salvage.

2. We completed the blasting and clean up on the Cole road.

3. We moved the excavator back to the pit and continue to screen sand as time and weather allow.

4. We got the head for the grader repaired and have the machine back on line.

5. We have been working on the Mack truck; we have removed the rear axles to replace the trunion housing that was delivered last night. I estimate our cost to be $1800-2000 for the repairs. We received a shop cost estimate for the job of $6000.

6. We have the poles set and the floor graveled in for the pole barn and will work on it as weather allows.

7. The snow and rain has kept the plows busy with no major problems.

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

Legislature Report: Fred Morrill

1. We are voting Monday on the 1% sales tax increase. The resolution is written as a 1% sales tax increase and taking the tax off of heating sources for homes. It would be 1/3 more in sales tax revenue for municipalities and could create property tax decrease; we have 7 solid votes but need eight.

2. Fred thanked Mr. Knox for his cooperation throughout the last 3 years. Mr. Knox thanked Fred for getting a plaque done for Fay Loop for turning 100.

DCO Report:

N/A

CEO Report:

N/A

AMP Report:

N/A

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Resolution #106: Warranty on New Loader

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to extend the warranty on the new loader for a five (5) years or 2500 hours at the cost of $5,730.00. The money will be transferred from the highway fund balance and into the machinery account.

Coller - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #107: Audit

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster and seconded by Supervisor Knox to pay the following bills with the addition of the $5,730 for the warranty on the new loader:

General vouchers # 413 to 448: $19,178.16
Highway vouchers # 217 to 237: $31,653.10
Street Lighting #12:   Russell $444.39
                              DeGrasse 143.03
                                           $587.42

Coller - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes

Motion carried.

Ball Field:

N/A

Highway:

N/A

Resolution #108: General Transfer

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to authorize the supervisor to transfer these amounts in general from the contingent account # A1990.4 to:

A1110.4 Court $2,500
A1670.4 central printing $2,683
A3310.4 traffic control $300

Also to increase these expense accounts back to the 2009 budgeted amount because the town received 100% of the sales tax projected.

Audit A1320.4 to $6,200
Operation of Plant A1620.4 to $32,000
Communications A1650.4 to $6,500
Clerk a1410.4 to $2,800
Dog Control A3510.4 to $2,800

Coller - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #109: Highway Transfers

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to authorize the supervisor to do these transfers:

In account #D5110.4 general repairs to be increased to the budgeted amount for 2009 of $58,000 due to the town getting 100% of sales tax that was projected and:
From account # D5110.4 general repairs $420 into account # D5112.4 Capital Improvement
From account # D5130.1 Machinery personal services $2,300 into account # 5140.1 Misc. personal services.

Coller - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #110: 2009 Audit with Pinto, Mucenski - Hooper Van House & Co.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster and seconded by Supervisor Knox to authorize the supervisor to sign the contract with Pinto, Mucenski -Hooper Van House & Co. to do the yearly audit ending December 31, 2009, for the maximum fee of $6,000.

Coller - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #111: Putting Snow thrower and truck plow out to bids

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to put the 824 Snapper 8Hp snow thrower as is, and a Myers 7 ft electric over hydraulic plow and frame off from a 1998 Chevy Pickup as is out for bids. Bids can be sent to the Russell Town Clerk PO Box 628 Russell, NY 13684 by January 19th 2010 to be opened at the Town Board meeting.

Coller - yes
Foster - yes
Knox - yes

Motion carried.

Sale from the plow will go into the machinery account and sale of the snow thrower will go into the general fund.

Public Discussion:

Bob Best had 3 questions about the 2010 budget.

1. What was the $3,000 under Legislature for; Supervisor Knox stated for promoting the town.

2. What is the right? The 182,126 on pg 3 under town tax rate or the 180,042 on the summary page; Supervisor Knox stated the 180,042 on the summary page.

3. In highway is it the $467,493 on the summary page or the 441,493 on the tax levy page, Supervisor Knox stated the 467,493 on the summary page.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to adjourn the meeting @7:55 pm. All were in favor.