Town Board Meeting — Monday, December 10, 2001
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Hartwick was called to order at 7:00 PM on Monday, December 10, 2001 by Supervisor Niedzialkowski. All councilmen were present with the exception of Kathleen Chase. Mary Balcom moved to accept the minutes of the November 12, 2001 meeting as read. David Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
Correspondence / Public Comment
- A letter has been received from Time Warner Cable stating that their rates will increase. Mr. Green stated that when the franchise agreement is renewed, we can negotiate for a percentage of the increase in rates to come to the Town.
- Dave West of the County Codes office has sent a letter stating that the Woodbeck property on County Route 11C has been condemned and that HFD #2 will be asked to do a controlled burn at the property.
- A note was received from a member of the water district thanking the town for the good quality and clarity of the water.
- Mr. Thering brought up the possibility of an ordinance against adult entertainment in Hartwick. Mr. Green stated that the Planning Board must get commercial zoning in effect.
Bid Opening
One bid was received for the Highway Department's ad for a 4x4 diesel pick-up truck. Mrs. Niedzialkowski moved that the bid not be opened and be rejected without viewing it, and that the bid be returned to the bidder. The truck will be put out for bid again and invitations to bid will be mailed to several dealers in the area. The bids will be opened at the January 14 Board Meeting at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall. Mr. Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
Mrs. Telfer gave a Planning Board update. Mrs. Telfer gave a Bicentennial Commission update. Mr. Butler gave a Firemen's Convention update.
Old Business
- Mr. Thompson and Ed Rood looked at the street parking in front of the Kinney Memorial Library and found that there is too much of an incline from the sidewalk to the road for parking. Behind the library would not do for parking, as that is where the septic is situated. Mr. Field suggested that the front spots be designated as "handicapped" or "elderly" parking. Mrs. Niedzialkowski will speak with the librarian about this proposal.
- Mrs. Balcom moved that the money from the state for the STAR administration be put into the general fund and that the salaries of the assessor and town clerk/tax collector be adjusted if necessary to compensate for the increase in workload. Mr. Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
- Mr. Butler moved to add Chlorinator Road (after the second driveway) to the list of seasonal roads which will be closed from December 1 through April 30 yearly. Mr. Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
- Mr. Butler moved that due to the weather, necessity, and time constraints, the procurement policy be waived and the concrete floor at the freight house should be installed by Harry Jungclaus for a price of $1,460, including a 4' footer. Mrs. Balcom offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
New Business
- Mrs. Balcom moved to appoint Sal Licata to the Board of Assessment Review for the term October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2005. Mr. Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
- Mr. Field will get prices on overhead doors for the freight house. He stated a carpenter will be needed for one day to do the framing for the door. Mr. Field will contact Bill Pijnenburg about this work.
- Mr. Butler moved to appoint Mark Hopkins as Voting Machine Custodian for the term January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. Mrs. Balcom offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
- Mr. Field moved to authorize the Supervisor to sign the Dog Control Officer Contract, and to approve the salary of $2,000/year to Mr. Marvin Mulford, Dog Control Officer. Mr. Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
- Bob Covert will not accept reappointment to the Planning Board upon expiration of his term December 31, 2001. Notice shall be placed in the newspaper requesting letters of interest be sent to the Planning Board and Town Board.
- A meeting to audit the books for 2001 will be held on Monday, January 28, 2002 at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall.
- A joint meeting with the Town Board and Planning Board will be held on Monday, February 18, 2002 at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall.
- Mrs. Niedzialkowski moved to approve Resolution 12-A-01, which authorizes the supervisor to sign the County Snow and Ice Agreement, which currently expires December 31, 2001, for a period of one year only, thus expiring on December 31, 2002. Mr. Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
- Mr. Kelly stated that Chase's Brook, which runs between Greenough Road and Route 28, needs some attention as it is causing terrible flooding due to the turns in its bed. Mrs. Niedzialkowski will discuss this with Ed Rood and the DEC, as it is a protected trout stream.
Business
- Mrs. Balcom moved to accept the Supervisor's Report for November 2001. Mr. Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
- Mrs. Balcom moved to accept the Clerk's Report for November 2001. Mr. Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
- Mrs. Balcom moved to accept and approve for payment Abstract 012, with a total warrant of $86,568.12. Mr. Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
- Mr. Vincent Rozella paid $750 toward his Planning Board debt, and still owes $1,141.01 by the end of the year per his signed contract with the Town. Mr. Rozella stated that he may not have the balance paid by then.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM on a motion by David Butler and a second by Delos Field. All votes aye.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne M. Telfer
Town Clerk