December 17, 2008 Town Board Meeting Minutes

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

Guests:
Bobby Knox
Bob Best
Ike Guyette

The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by supervisor Knox and seconded by Larry White.

Acceptance of the minutes:

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Foster to accept the minutes from 11/19 as presented by the town clerk.

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

Motion carried.

REPORTS

Town Clerk's Report:

We sold 5 dog licenses, 2 building permits, 3 certified copies, 2 impoundment fees, a town hall use donation, fax and copy money and $1,262 in DECALS for a total revenue for the month of November of $1,560.

Supervisor's Report:

1. The financial records for the month of November have been turned into the town clerk.

2. The Town received $739.79 from the Russell museum that they received from the Old Taxpayers Association.

3. The Town received $1,749.50 from NYS court fines.

4. Postal rent went up to $468.50.

5. The general fund transferred $642.40 from account A1620.4 into the highway for the work they did on the sidewalk and containment wall down cellar.

Highway Superintendent Report:

1. He handed 1 check to the supervisor in the amount of $207.20 from Timm’s Salvage for scrap metal.

2. We have replaced 1 pipe crossing on the Lazy River Road and patched sections of others.

3. The new boiler is working well. The barn is warmer than past years with a good fuel savings.

4. We continue to cut fire wood and trim brush as time and weather allows.

5. By having 3 shifts in place we have cut the amount of overtime needed; most of it occurs on the weekend.

6. We have been ditching sections of the Pyrites, Hill and Hewlett Roads and have others lined up as the weather allows.

7. One of the garage doors fell, due to the cables breaking and the door had to be replaced.

8. Due to the amount of snow and ice we have spent most of our time plowing and sanding.

9. The men have worked well and I thank them.

Assessor Report: Donna Goodwin

1. We have finally received the Enhanced STAR Renewal forms and cards for those in the Income Verification Program. I am getting those in the mail today.

2. I will be submitting values for the completed Building Permits this week.

3. There will be no office hours on Christmas Eve, but I will be working at home that week.

4. At this time, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I would like everyone to know that I enjoy my job here and all of the people I’ve met. A very special thank you to Tess Eells, who is so helpful you just can’t imagine. Thank all of you for a pleasant year.

AMP Report:

1. Bob Best stated he wanted the resolution passed to allow the Towns of Waddington and Madrid to join AMP.

2. Engineers from Florida were hired; WHH Enterprise to do a preliminary report and a map with recommendations.

3. They have a democratic sponsor now; Addie Russell.

Supervisor Knox asked Bob if a cut off date will come at letting more Towns to join. Bob said yes unless the Town would be a big asset to AMP like Ogdensburg.

DCO Report:

N/A

CEO Report:

Ike Guyette handed in a copy of the plans for the new 300 foot AT&T cell tower that is going up on the Forbes Road.

Legislature Report:

N/A

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

HIGHWAY FUND TRANSFERS:

Resolution #84:

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

• $1,000 from the Fund Balance into D5110.4

• $702 from the Fund Balance into D5112.4

• $1,521 from D5148.1 into D5112.1

• $8,738 from D5148.1 into D5140.1

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

Motion carried.

GENERAL FUND TRANSFERS:

Resolution #85:

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

• $10,000 from A1620.3 into A1010.2 (floor)

• $16,500 from A1990.4 into A1010.2 (insulation & boiler)

• $1,286.40 from A2770 into A1010.2 (windows)

• $793.79 from A2770 into A1010.2 (from the museum for electric)

• $22,000 from A2770.1 into a1010.2 (library grant)

• $13,000 from the fund balance into A5132.4 (town barn boiler)

• $500 from A1990.4 into A1410.4 (town clerk)

• $2,000 from A1990.4 into A1620.4 (operation of buildings)

• $600 from A1990.4 into A3620.1 (CEO)

• $254.50 from A3989.4 into A3310.4 (safety)

• $300 from A7140.1 into A7340.4 (summer program)

• $500 from A1990.4 into A9050.8 (unemployment)

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #86: Audit

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to pay the following bills with these transfers of monies.

General vouchers # 414-441: $25,146.14 ($25,146.24 TE)
Highway vouchers # 235-246: $17,110.43 ($17,109.81 TE)
Street Lighting #12:   Russell $481.01
                              DeGrasse 151.08
                                           $636.09

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #87: Authorizing the Supervisor to Borrow Money

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to authorize the Supervisor to borrow $15,000 - 20,000 from the highway account to pay bills and to be put back on December 24th.

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

Motion carried.

Highway Report:

Supervisor Knox stated that one of the highway men approached him and asked if he could pick up his boots on Town credit instead of paying for them first.

Resolution #88: Buying Boots

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to allow the men to purchase boots at a store the Town has credit with (Rex’s etc.) up to $100.00 with steel toes; if over the $100.000 the men are responsible for the difference in the cost.

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #89: Reappointing Dick Harmer to Board of Review

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to reappoint Dick Harmer to a five year term on the Board of Assessment Review starting 10/01/2008 to 09/30/2013.

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #90: Allowing the Towns of Waddington & Madrid into membership with AMP

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Supervisor Knox to vote to grant the Town of Waddington and the Town of Madrid full membership in the alliance for Municipal Power.

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #91: Putting the furnace out to bids

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman foster to put the Lennex Pulse Propane: 80,000 BTU, 12 volt, and 60 HZ: 1 phase boiler out for bids. Send the bids to the Russell Town Clerk by January 7th 2009.

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

Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Supervisor Knox contacted the County Treasurer on the old Shell Station Owned by Arland Parker that has gone up for taxes. He explained to them that the Town would take it down and load it for them just to get it cleaned up. The County said to put it in writing as to what the Town will do. The State can come in and clean up the underground contaminates if any.

Resolution #92: Old Shell Station

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Coller stating that the Town of Russell is willing to assist the County in the demolition of the Old Shell Station at 3620 County Route 24 tax map # 147.028-4-18. The Town of Russell will assist in tearing down the building and load the debris into trucks at no expense to the County. The County will be responsible for the trucking and tipping fees. If the Town of Russell can assist in any other way feel free to contact us.

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #93: Organizational Meeting

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to have the Town Clerk advertise the Organizational Meeting for January 7th 2009 at the Town Hall at 7:00pm.

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

Motion carried.

Resolution #94: Contract with Pinto, Mucenski & Watson

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox and seconded by Councilwoman Coller to authorize the Supervisor to sign an agreement with Pinto, Mucenski & Watson, P.C. to do the audit for 2008 at the cost of $5,460.

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

Motion carried.

Superintendent White stated he needs a more clear statement sheet on what he has spent and what transfers have been made so he can balance out better. He also stated that the auditors should move money over sooner than June.

Supervisor Knox stated that Carmen has all the old duct holes plugged up.

Supervisor Knox asked the board what the Town should do about the electric heat at the old library building. The board said it should be unhooked so it can not be used.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Supervisor Knox to adjourn the meeting at 8:10pm. All were in favor. Motion carried.