HARTWICK TOWN BOARD MEETING
December 14, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 6:40. Those present were Supervisor Pat Ryan, Councilmen David Butler, Eileen Barown, and Delos Field. Also present were Attorney Lynn E. Green, Consulting Planner Tavis Austin, members of the Participation in Government class, and members of the community. Absent: Councilman Ken Hotaling.
The Pledge to the Flag was conducted.
The Town Board audited vouchers to pay the monthly bills.
MOTION: Delos Field moved to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2009 Regular meeting, and the November 16, 2009 work session/budget workshop. Eileen Barown seconded, and the motion passed with all votes "Aye."
Bids
Tavis Austin explained the bid process for the Community Center foundation. Three bids were received. Pat Ryan opened the bids at 7:25 PM from the following contractors:
- Bill Claudy contracting $47,493 a check for 5% was included
- Tom Swatling $11,500 cash for 5% was included
- Stevens Excavating $37,900 a check for 5% was included
MOTION: Dave Butler moved to have the bids reviewed by LaMont Engineering, and the Board will award the bid next Monday Dec. 21st. Delos Field seconded, and the motion passed with all votes "Aye."
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gerry Gage commented on use of the Community Center, and that the highway gate was open on the weekend, and sand and salt were taken
Anita Briggs-Jones stated that the deadline for commenting to the DEC on the DEIS for gas drilling is Dec. 31.
Orrin Higgins praised Larry Bard's work at the Library and Community Center.
MOTION: Dave Butler moved to approve Abstract 12 for $293,434.66 to pay the December bills so far, from the following Funds:
General $ 27,257.80
Highway $240,658.14
Library $ 1,586.42
Streetlights $ 501.00
Water $ 1,942.16
Capital Project $ 16,000.00
Fire $ 5,489.14
There will be more bills before the end of the year.
Delos Field seconded the motion, and it passed with all votes "Aye."
Financial Reports:
The Board discussed the Expense, and Revenue reports for November, as well as the Balance sheet.
- Overdrawn lines will be balanced by Budget Resolution.
- There is a possibility of receiving more FEMA money for the 2006 Flood Expenses.
- CHIPS funds have not yet been received.
- Money for the Capital Project is expected from Rural Development.
MOTION: Eileen Barown moved to approve the Town Clerk's report for November showing
Gross Income of $1,967.00
Paid to Supervisor for General Fund $ 313.28
Paid to State and County Agencies $1,653.72
Total Disbursements $1,967.00
Dave Butler seconded the motion and it passed with all votes "Aye."
MOTION: Dave Butler moved to approve the Justice Report for November showing income for Justice Folts $1175.00
Justice Higgins $3555.00
Total $4730.00
Eileen Barown seconded the motion and it passed with all votes "Aye."
From the Supervisor:
- Fire Inspection violations at the Library have been corrected, and the building has passed inspection.
- According to the State Comptroller, members of the NYS Retirement System must track their hours for 90 days.
- Access to Town Financial Reports must be made available on the Town Website. The Audit, Annual Report, and Budget will soon be posted on townofhartwick.org.
- The report of Community Center usage so far this year was reviewed.
- While the Ambulance is being painted, Unadilla is lending one. Hartwick will pay for insurance for the duration of the loan.
- The annual MOSA bill will be included on the Property Tax bill for 2010.
Attorney's Report
- Lynn Green reported that there is a new Tier 5 for employees which will result in a savings for the Town.
- Other Tier issues were discussed.
Committees Reports
- Ken Hotaling had provided a quote for a new mower tractor from Kubota.
- Delos Field provided one from John Deere.
- A trade in may be possible.
- A narrower blower is needed to clean the sidewalks efficiently.
Other Official Matters
Tavis Austin discussed works in progress
- Larry Bard reported that the tractor hadn't been repaired correctly
- Tavis and Delos Field will check with Springfield Tractor
- The Town Hall ceiling has been insulated
- The Highway Building Ceiling will be done the week of December 21.
- When the Community Center foundation work is done, electrical and plumbing work need to be considered.
Other Issued which were discussed:
- Furnaces and oil tanks
- Town signs
- Highway equipment evaluation
- Flood maps
Highway Concerns
- Various Health Insurance plans will be studied
- Presently the Town pays 75% of dependent coverage up to a ceiling of $36,000.
- In 2010 Highway employees will need to pay more per month
- Ricky Clark was appointed "Working Supervisor" for 2009 with an extra $.35 per hour. This job does not move to another employee when Ricky and Ed Rood are both away.
Appointments to the Board of Assessment Review will be made in January.
A date will be set for the Town Buildings Use Committee.
Legal fees for the Historical Association
Re: the South Hartwick School House
- The Historical Association has been decreed owners of the building.
- Legal fees of $7,450 are due.
- The Association requests help from the Town Board to pay these fees.
MOTION: Pat Ryan moved to contribute $4000.00 to the Hartwick Historical Association to help pay their legal fees. Eileen Barown seconded, and the motion passed with all votes "Aye."
RESOLUTION 12-A-09 Seasonal Roads
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the following roads in the Town of Hartwick are declared SEASONAL-LIMITED-USE HIGHWAYS from November 1, 2009 through April 1, 2010:
Harrison Hill Road from Marlette Road, toward CO HWY 46 .5 mi.
Grass Road from ST HWY 205 to Pleasant Valley Road .59 mi.
Bunn Hill Road 025 mi. from ST HWY 205 toward Pleasant Valley Road, .5 mi.
Field's Road from CO HWY 45 to Pleasant Valley Road .38 mi.
Lippitt Road from CO HWY 45 to Todd and Steven's Road .71 mi.
Steven's Road .10 mile from Lippitt Road to CO HWY 45
Todd Road from Tower's Road to Steven's Road .92 mi.
Conover Road from Maples Road to East Hill Road .31 mi.
East Hill Road 1 mile from CO HWY 11 to Chase Road, 1.05 mi.
Bice Road from Bissell Road, towards Bush Road, 1 mi.
Kinney Road from CO HWY towards Brunner Road, .75 mi.
Nersesian Road from Town of Otsego line towards Mott Road, .2 mi.
Goey Pond Road .2 mi. from ST HWY 28 towards CO HWY 45, 2.5 mi.
Perkins Road from Petkewec Road, towards CO HWY 59, 1.6 mi.
MOTION: Dave Butler moved to pass Resolution 12-A-09. Delos Field seconded, and the motion passed with the following vote: Barown-Aye; Butler-Aye; Field-Aye; Ryan-Aye.
Resolution 12-B-09-Change of Meetings
The importance of separate Fire and Water Commissioners' meetings was discussed.
MOTION: Dave Butler moved to table Resolution 12-B-09. Delos Field seconded, and the motion passed with all votes "Aye."
Resolution 12-C-09
To transfer the funds among line items in the following funds to balance the 2009 Budget through November 30, 2009:
|
GENERAL FUND
|
|
|
|
|
TO
|
|
FROM
|
|
|
A1110.4
|
$3,550.10
|
A1110.407
|
$2,500.00
|
|
|
|
A1990.4
|
$1,050.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A1430.4
|
$285.93
|
A1990.4
|
$285.93
|
|
A1620.1
|
$423.91
|
|
$423.91
|
|
A1620.4
|
$1,813.78
|
|
$1,813.78
|
|
A1640.1
|
$156.72
|
|
$156.72
|
|
A1640.4
|
$216.40
|
|
$216.40
|
|
A1640.41
|
$261.36
|
|
$261.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A1340.4
|
$500.00
|
A1340.1
|
$500.00
|
|
A7150.422
|
$7,370.00
|
A7150.4
|
$7,370.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A1220.2
|
$173.00
|
A1220.4
|
$173.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A7310.4
|
$1,140.06
|
A1990.4
|
$1,140.06
|
|
A8560.4
|
$395.53
|
|
$395.53
|
|
A8810.1
|
$1,112.50
|
|
$1,112.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
$17,399.29
|
|
$17,399.29
|
|
HIGHWAY FUND
|
|
|
|
|
TO
|
|
FROM
|
|
|
DA5110.1
|
$813.55
|
DA5110.4
|
$813.55
|
|
DA5110.1
|
$2,736.07
|
DA5120.4
|
$2,736.07
|
|
DA9089.8
|
$780.73
|
DA5110.4
|
$780.73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DA9720.6
|
$0.01
|
DA5130.2
|
$0.01
|
|
DA9720.7
|
$81.48
|
|
$81.48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
$4,411.84
|
|
$4,411.84
|
|
FIRE FUND
|
|
|
|
|
TO
|
|
FROM
|
|
|
SF9720.7
|
$0.07
|
SF9720.6
|
$0.07
|
|
TOTAL
|
$.07
|
|
$.07
|
|
WATER FUND
|
|
|
|
|
SW8330.43
|
$340.00
|
SW9330.4
|
$340.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
$340.00
|
|
$340.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dave Butler moved to pass Resolution 12-C-09. Eileen Barown seconded, and the motion passed with the following vote: Barown-Aye; Butler-Aye; Field-Aye; Ryan-Aye.
No action was taken on a resolution for further Budget Resolutions.
MOTION: At 9:35, Delos Field moved to adjourn the regular meeting and enter Executive Session to discuss hiring employees, and litigation matters concerning the Commons and Dreams Park. Eileen Barown seconded, and the motion passed with all votes "Aye."
MOTION: At 10:05, Dave Butler moved to exit Executive Session and reopen the regular meeting. Delos Field seconded, and the motion passed with all votes "Aye."
Resolution 12-D-09
Whereas the Town of Hartwick has several Entities pursuing Article 7 Assessment Review proceedings against the Town, and
Whereas, it has been suggested that the Town Attorney may have a conflict of interest, and
Whereas, the Town Attorney does not want any appearance of impropriety, and
Whereas, Attorney Rodney Klafehn of Laurens, New York is experienced in such matters, it is
Resolved that Attorney Rodney Klafehn be retained by the Town of Hartwick to defend the Town in the pending Article 7 Assessment Review proceedings at a rate of $150.00 per hour, and it is
Further Resolved, that the Supervisor be authorized to sign a retainer agreement with Attorney Klafehn.
MOTION: Eileen Barown moved to pass Resolution 12-B-09. Dave Butler seconded. The motion passed with the following vote: Barown-Aye; Butler-Aye; Field-Aye; Ryan-Aye.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20.
Respectfully Submitted,
Regina M. Palmer
Town Clerk
