Minutes
Minutes….The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Remsen Town Board was held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 and called to order by Supervisor Roger Helmer at 6:32PM at the Remsen Town Hall.
Members PRESENT:
Supervisor Roger Helmer
Councilman Duane Jones
Councilman Robert Wilcox
Councilperson Donna Hamilton
Highway Supt Richard Roberts
Town Attorney Tod Lascurettes
Members ABSENT:
Councilman Thomas Murphy
Also present: Bonnie Allen, Sue Martin, Julie Dragulski, Jack Fox, Judy Helmer, Lynn Surprenant, Susan Bartholomew, Judge Kahl, and Tonya Brown.
Julie Dragulski, OneGroup, was present to review the Towns insurance policy and answer questions. The Town increased the umbrella portion of the policy from $1 million to $3 million in 2016. The Town may choose to further increase the umbrella limit for a cost of $500 per $1 million of additional coverage. The possibility of adding the Remsen Barn Festival Inc. as an additional insured was discussed. Julie Dragluski will review the insurance policy held by the FOTA in previous years. Tod Lascurettes will research whether the FOTA’s 501-c3 status would preclude the Town from covering the group for insurance purposes. The issue will be discussed again at the February meeting.
The minutes for the December 14, 2016 regular meeting were read and accepted.
The Town of Trenton has agreed to renew the Remsen Recycling Program Contract under the same rates and terms as 2016.
Resolution #1-17 was offered by Donna Hamilton to renew the Remsen Recycle Program contract with the Town of Trenton for a cost of $14,000 to provide one day a month for Remsen residents to use the Trenton Recycling Center through December 31, 2017. Seconded by Duane Jones. Ayes –Helmer, Jones, Wilcox, Hamilton. Nays – 0.
The following yearly appointments were offered:
Deputy Supervisor Duane Jones
Budget Director Roger Helmer
Deputy Town Clerk Bonnie Allen
Town Justice Clerk Eric Jackson
Codes Officer Adrian Grenier
Attorney Tod Lascurettes
Bookkeeper to Supervisor Bonnie Allen
Registrar of Vital Statistics Kristy Allen
Dep. Rec. of Taxes Deanna Waterbury
Official Newspaper Rome Sentinel
Official Depository Adirondack Bank
Regular Meeting 2nd Wednesday of the month/6:30pm
Planning Board 5 yrs/Richard Pertz
Variance Board 3 yrs/Jack Fox
Resolution #2 -17 was offered by Robert Wilcox to accept the yearly appointments, as offered. Seconded by Duane Jones. Ayes –Helmer, Jones, Wilcox, Hamilton. Nays – 0.
Judge Kahl was present to administer oaths of office.
Resolution #3 -17 was offered by Roger Helmer to authorize Poland Bookkeeping to make necessary end of year transfers. Seconded by Robert Wilcox. Ayes –Helmer, Jones, Wilcox, Hamilton. Nays – 0.
Sue Martin, NOCCOG, was present to review announcements. Registration is now open for the 2017 Tug Hill Local Government Conference on March 30th. There will be an electronics policies and cyber security workshop held on January 24th at SUNYPOLY. DEC is offering an Urban and Community Forest Grant program; applications are due March 1st and Tug Hill can offer grant writing assistance.
Councilman Wilcox asked Highway Superintendent Roberts to put together a list of the current trucks owned by the Town, along with mileage and approximate maintenance costs, so that the Board may begin considering options for new equipment purchases.
Councilman Jones asked if there has been any recent development in the grant funding that was allocated by the NYS Dormitory Authority for the Phelps Rd Bridge project. Supervisor Helmer stated that he has signed and submitted additional paperwork, but has yet to learn when the money will be received.
Supervisor Helmer stated that the condition of Fairchild Rd is good after the Highway Department came through with the Grader.
Duane Jones offered Resolution #4-17 to pay the General Fund bills in the amount of $27,401.38 on #1-17 Abstract. Seconded by Donna Hamilton. Ayes –Helmer, Jones, Wilcox, Hamilton. Nays – 0.
Robert Wilcox offered Resolution #5-17 to pay the Highway Fund bills in the amount of $28,936.59 on #1-17 Abstract. Seconded by Duane Jones. Ayes –Helmer, Jones, Wilcox, Hamilton. Nays – 0.
Codes Enforcement Officer, Adrian Grenier, submitted a report for December.
Kristy Allen, Town Clerk, submitted a report for December.
Superintendent Roberts thanked the Board for the support he has received thus far. Roberts would like the Board to consider clear-cutting an area of the sand pit located on Swamp Rd. They have reached a point where they are pushing up trees to get to usable sand. Roberts would like to consider clearing 15-20 acres. There was discussion regarding the need to bid, determining the number of acres to clear, flagging the area, not cutting the area with the good timber at this point, and reviewing the survey maps. The topic will be discussed again in February. Also, the flood light at the old Highway Garage on Fairchild Rd will be disconnected, as it is no longer needed.
Assessor Tonya Brown addressed the Board regarding the possibility of opting-out of the solar exemption available through Real Property Tax Law 487. The Town must opt-out of the exemption or property owners may apply for a 15 year tax exemption for solar panels. The Towns of Trenton and Forestport have opted-out. If the Town wishes to opt-out, Assessor Brown is willing to attend a public hearing to answer questions.
Meeting adjourned at 7:28pm.
