PATTERSON TOWN BOARD MEETING
PATTERSON TOWN HALL
1142 ROUTE 311
PATTERSON, NEW YORK 12563
MARCH 13, 2013
MINUTES
PRESENT: MICHAEL GRIFFIN, SUPERVISOR
KEVIN BURNS, COUNCILMAN
CHARLES W. COOK, DEPUTY SUPERVISOR
ROBERT MCCARTHY, COUNCILMAN
ANTOINETTE KOPECK, TOWN CLERK
DONALD M. ROSSI, TOWN COUNSEL
Salute to the Flag and Roll Call.
Supervisor Griffin called the Patterson Town Board meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with 20 in attendance.
REPORTS
Mr. Griffin asked the clerk to file the reports as read.
Code Compliance - February
Code Enforcement - February
Dog Control Officer - February
E.C.I. - None
Putnam Lake Fire Dept. - None
Patterson Fire Dept.-None
SUPERVISOR REPORTS
None
MINUTES
Mr. Cook made a motion to approve the following minutes:
Public Hearing - Flood Damage Prevention - February 13, 2013
Town Board Meeting Minutes - January 30, 2013 (Tabled form 2/13/2013)
Town Board Meeting Minutes - February 13, 2013
Seconded by Mr. Burns. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
AUDIT OF BILLS
Mr. Cook made a motion to accept Abstract No. 4 as written:
General Fund $66,792.99, Highway Fund $80,357.43, Waste Water Treatment Plant $10,630.46, Putnam Lake Light District $846.52, Patterson Light District $698.91, Putnam Lake Refuse District #1 $20,454.55, Patterson Refuse District #2 $32,210.23, Patterson Park District $1,147.60, Putnam Lake Park District $685.58, Alpine Water District $914.54, Dorset Hollow Water District $688.35, Fox Run Water District $6,203.31, Trust & Agency $270.00, Grand Total Abstract $221,800.47.
Seconded by Mr. Burns. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Burns, yes; Mr. Cook, yes; Mr. McCarthy, yes; Mr. Griffin, yes.
ROBERT MCCARTHY
STAR PROGRAM FORUM FOR SENIORS – ANNOUNCEMENT
Mr. McCarthy stated Assemblyman Steve Katz will be hosting a forum on the Star Program for Seniors on Friday, March 15, 2013 from 12:20 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Yorktown Town Hall, Yorktown, New York.
HOLSTEIN REQUEST – WAIVER OF FEES
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approve the request to waiver the Application Fee of $75.00.
Seconded by Mr. Burns. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
MAPLE AVENUE PARK IMPROVEMENTS – ADVERTISE FOR BIDS
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to ask the Town Clerk to advertise for bids for renovations at Veterans Memorial Park to be open on April 8, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Seconded by Mr. Cook. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
MICHAEL GRIFFIN
TOWN JUSTICE’S REQUEST – ACCEPT RESIGNATION/HIRE COURT OFFICER REPLACEMENT
Mr. Griffin made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Patricia Sliman.
Seconded by Mr. Cook. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
Mr. Griffin made a motion to approve the Judge’s request to hire Frank Gallipani as the replacement Court Officer at a rate of $22.00 per hour, to include all standard hiring practices to be followed prior to Mr. Gallipani’s starting date.
Seconded by Mr. Cook. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
TOWN JUSTICE’S MEMO – CHANGE IN COMPENSATION
Mr. Griffin stated I discussed this with the Town Attorney and it has to do with changing of compensation for Elected Officials during their terms of office. The Town Attorney suggested that this should be discussed in Executive Session, so I will move this to Executive Session.
RESIDENTS REQUEST, LOCAL LAW BANNING FRACKING MATERIALS –
DISCUSSION
Mr. Griffin stated as everyone is well aware the County has recently passed a legislation that would ban the County from using fracking waste on their roads or accepting fracking waste into any of their sewage treatment plants. I have been approached by several residents, one in particular, who has asked if the Town Board would consider passing similar legislation, so there would be no issue with a Home Rule, but we would take the same steps to protect the Town, the wells and the drinking water, etc.
Ms. Edie Keasbey stated I think you should also include all Town properties. That was part of the County thing too, as well as any of our STP’s. I know it is basically Russ’ decision but I’m sure he will agree. It has radioactive elements in it, heavy metals and a lot of stuff we are not privy to know which means probably it is not fit to know. I hope you will do it.
Mr. Burns stated would we know it when we are buying it, do they have to disclose it.
Mr. Griffin stated all of the companies that do this stuff consider it proprietary and they won’t tell you what is in it. I think we should just agree not to use it. I don’t think we want to take on that kind of issue and I don’t think Russ would have any intention of using it on the roads. I don’t know if the DEP would allow us to process it at our Sewer Treatment Plant or if we would want to.
Ms. Keasbey stated it doesn’t work.
Mr. Griffin stated five years from now we could find out that there is a serious problem with it and we have to start changing our sand filters etc., it’s not worth the risk
Ms. Keasbey stated it is hazardous waste and it should be treated as hazardous waste.
Mr. Griffin stated if the Board would like I could talk to the Town Attorney and Town Planner about the possibility of drafting up an ordinance that would not violate the Town
Highway Superintendent’s Home Rule or his authority.
SEWER EXTENSION – UPDATE
Mr. Griffin stated the Town Planner met with Bob Ravallo from the DEP. There seems to be renewed interest in tying Thunder Ridge into the A&P pump station and send it down to the sewer plant. However, the DEP found the current proposed agreement with the A&P rather objectionable because it would have the DEP paying for almost the entire cost of the billed out from Thunder Ridge all the way to Front Street. The Town Planner has worked on some modified language and it has been shared with the Town Board. I would like everyone to review it and if you have any comments please pass them along. We will eventually have more meetings with the DEP to discuss some engineering issues they have with us.
Mr. Williams stated actually I haven’t worked on any modified language. I don’t believe we signed the agreement with Patterson Commons, but there is a clause in there that the DEP is very concerned about and they would like it taken out. It might be in everyone’s best interest to modify it but as it is part of the contract negotiations that is ongoing, I would like to talk to the Board about the direction we want to take with this in Executive Session.
Mr. Griffin stated if the Board is agreeable, we can add that to Executive Session as well.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – LEGAL
Mr. Griffin deferred his Executive Session – Legal to the end of the meeting.
KEVIN BURNS
CONFERENCE REQUEST(S)
Mr. Burns made a motion to approve one Conference Request as submitted.
Seconded by Mr. Cook. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
BUDGET TRANSFER(S)
Mr. Burns made a motion to approve Budget Transfer No. 6 for the 2013 budget.
From: Appropriated Fund Balance $11,069.00
To: LOSAP Service Award $11,069.00
Seconded by Mr. Cook. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
PLPAB – UPDATE/REQUEST(S)
Mr. Burns stated I was not able to attend the last Park Advisory Board meeting but I do have some updates. The Town Board received the memos on proposed policies on the boats, the use of the beach and the men’s softball league. They are looking for approval to implement these policies.
Each of the following policies was read and conversations ensued:
Putnam Lake Park District Boat Policy - they will do a press release, put signs at the market, notices on the Town website and the PLPAB website and on the board in front of the VFW regarding the policies to remove your boat by April 15 and have it returned to the lake by May 15 tagged. You can pick up the tags at the Town Clerk’s office. Contact the PLPAB for more information.
Putnam Lake Park District Beach Identification – PLPAB will be ordering 2,000 bands priced at less than $500.00. Up to four (4) ID bracelets will be provided for each Putnam Lake residence. You can pick them up at the Town Clerk’s office at the Town Hall.
Mr. Burns made a motion to approve the PLPAB to purchase 2,000 bands in an amount not to exceed $500.00.
Seconded by Mr. Cook. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
Putnam Lake Park District Softball League Budget:
Mr. Burns made a motion to approve a total budget of $11,000.00 for the league. The budget would equate to $1,100.00 per team to join the league.
Seconded by Mr. Griffin. Discussion.
Mr. Griffin stated I would like to hear from Joe D’Elia.
Mr. D’Elia stated my hope was that we could get this back down to $10,000.00 where we originally had it. That extra $100.00 is an extra $300.00 increase from last year and that could be a deal breaker.
Conversation ensued.
Putnam Lake Park District Men’s Softball League - Tabled
Mr. Burns stated we have a letter from Ed Gerrity asking permission to go into the boat house to remove his material that he previously left there.
Mr. Burns made a motion to allow Ed Gerrity into the boat house to remove his roofing planks material.
Seconded by Mr. Cook. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
Mr. Burns made a motion to approve the purchase of two (2) 8 x 10 mini sheds for the Putnam Lake Advisory Board for an amount not to exceed $1,550.00 each for a total amount of $3,100.00 delivered and installed from Bay Horse LLC. Three bids were obtained.
HIGHWAY REQUEST – AWARD AUCTION BIDS
Mr. Burns made a Resolution for Sale of Highway Department Auction Items:
R-0313-01
WHEREAS, the Town Highway Department has offered various items for sale at auction through Auctions International, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, as set forth in certain e-mail dated March 13, 2013 from Margaux Miller, Highway Secretary, the Town Highway Superintendent has recommended the acceptance of bids on said items as described in a certain other e-mail from Auctions International dated March 12, 2013, a copy of which is annexed hereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Patterson hereby approves the sale of the items at the prices therefore as set forth in the annexed e-mail; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Highway Superintendent and the Town Supervisor are hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents and perform any and all acts as may be necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Seconded by Mr. McCarthy. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
CHARLES COOK
RECREATION REQUEST(S)
Mr. Cook stated the Fashion Show will be held on Friday, May 3, 2013 at the Recreation Center.
Mr. Cook made a motion to approve Gaetano’s to provide the food for the Fashion Show in an amount not to exceed $2,125.00.
Seconded by Mr. Burns. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
Mr. Griffin stated in the interest of full disclosure since my wife is the nominee for the award this year, I don’t know whether or not I should recuse or vote.
Mr. Burns stated as long as she is not catering I don’t think it is a problem.
HOPKINS’ REQUEST – WAIVER OF FEES
Mr. Cook made a motion that the Town Board approves waiving any fees relative to this homeowner on Lake Shore Road for one year with a comeback by the Building Inspector.
Seconded by Mr. Burns.
Mr. Griffin stated discussion. Basically we are just waiving the renewal fee. He has two open permits and what I am reading here is that he is recommending that fees are waived until such time as the gentlemen’s financial situation improves.
Mr. McCarthy stated yes, for one year.
Mr. Griffin stated yes, for one year. Okay that is fine.
All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
COMCAST NOTIFICATION – CLOSING CARMEL OFFICE – 4/6/13
Mr. Cook stated the Comcast Service Center currently located at 21 Old Route 6, Carmel, New York will be closing effective April 6, 2013. They will be opening a new and enhanced service center at 15 Backus Avenue, Danbury, CT on April 8, 2013. The new center is located adjacent to the Danbury Mall.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. McCarthy stated NYSEG will be cutting our trees in the Town around our power lines.
If you have any questions regarding this work you can contact Samuel Miller at 845-278-8120 Ext. 229 within five (5) business days.
PUBLIC RECOGNITION
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION LEGAL
There being no further business, Mr. Cook made a motion to go into Executive Session at 8:45 p.m.
Seconded by Mr. Burns. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
Mr. Burns made a motion to close Executive Session at 9:30 p.m.
Seconded by Mr. McCarthy. All In Favor: Aye. Carried.
Mr. Griffin called the meeting back to order at 9:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Burns made a motion to adjourn the Town Board meeting at 9:30 p.m.
Seconded by Mr. McCarthy. All in favor: Aye. Carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________
Antoinette Kopeck, Town Clerk