Town Board Meeting — Monday, January 14, 2002

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Hartwick was called to order at 7:00 PM by Supervisor Niedzialkowski. All councilmen were present, including new councilperson Eileen Balcom. The pledge to the flag was conducted. Thirteen members of the community were present. Mrs. Niedzialkowski welcomed the public and the new town board.

Public Comment

• Dick Thompson thanked all who voted for him and encouraged everyone to be open with him. Gold Star exemption for mothers and fathers of men and women killed in action during wartime has been passed by Resolution at the County. If the Town is interested, a local law must be passed. Mr. Butler questioned the word "war" and stated that the wording is something that may need attention before passage by the Town. Mr. Thompson stated the County's qualification for "war" is any action using armed forces.
• Ferd Thering would like to discuss this action with the Town Board before any decisions about the above-mentioned resolution are made on the town level.
• Carol Niedzialkowski read a letter received from the Senior Citizens thanking the Town Board for their support during the year.
• Carol Niedzialkowski read a letter from Suzie Conklin regarding a proposal for renovations of the Community Center so that the inside appearance of the Center could be improved for not only the Bicentennial, but for general use. She will provide estimates for labor and materials, and will request donations from other places.

Organizational Meeting

• Mary Balcom moved to appoint Lynn Green, Jr. as town attorney for the term January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2003. Carol Niedzialkowski offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Carol Niedzialkowski moved to appoint Mary Balcom as deputy supervisor for the term January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. David Butler offered the second and all votes were aye.
• Joanne Telfer appointed Michelle Dibble as deputy Town Clerk.
• David Butler moved to appoint William Ruparshek as deputy Highway Superintendent. Mr. Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Carol Niedzialkowski moved to appoint Joanne Telfer as the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the period January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. Joanne, in turn, appointed Michelle Dibble as the deputy Registrar. David Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Carol Niedzialkowski moved to appoint Joanne Telfer as Marriage Officer for the term January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. Mr. Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Carol Niedzialkowski moved to appoint Anita Harrison as the Town Historian for the period January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. David Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Mary Balcom moved to appoint Alice Hughes as the Town Bookkeeper at a rate of pay of $9,300 per year. Delos Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Carol Niedzialkowski moved to appoint Dick Kelly and Ferd Thering as co-chairmen of the Town Planning Board. David Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye. Mary Balcom moved to appoint Joanne Telfer as Planning Board Intake Clerk at a rate of pay of $150/month. Mr. Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Mrs. Niedzialkowski appointed Delos Field and David Butler to the Highway Committee.
• Mrs. Niedzialkowski appointed Mary Balcom and Eileen Balcom to the Personnel Committee.
• Mrs. Niedzialkowski appointed herself and Dave Butler to the Summer Recreation Committee.
• Mrs. Niedzialkowski appointed Dave Butler, Mary Balcom, and Eileen Balcom to the Finance Committee.
• Mrs. Niedzialkowski appointed Mary Balcom and Delos Field to the Building & Grounds Committee.
• Resolution 1-A-02: Designating the official depositories for the Town to be Charter One, Key Bank, Wilber Bank, Central National Bank, and NBT. So moved by Mary Balcom and seconded by Eileen Balcom. All votes aye.
• Resolution 1-B-02: Town Board meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall. So moved by David Butler and seconded by Eileen Balcom. All votes aye.
• Resolution 1-C-02: Rate of pay for the elected and appointed officials as set forth in the budget for the town for 2002. So moved by David Butler and seconded by Mary Balcom. All votes aye.
• Mary Balcom moved to authorize the Supervisor to make payments in advance for the utilities, health insurance, union payments, postage, and payroll-related items. David Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• David Butler moved to authorize the Supervisor and/or Deputy to invest Town funds in accordance with the Town Investment Policy. Mary Balcom offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Mary Balcom moved to approve the Annual Report as the reporting device for the Supervisor to officially report the year-end totals. David Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Mary Balcom moved to set the rate of pay for mileage reimbursement at 32 cents per mile. David Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• David Butler moved to pay the election inspectors a fee of $6.50/hour with an additional $10.00 to the election chair. Eileen Balcom offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Eileen Balcom moved to appoint the Freeman's Journal as the official newspaper with the Daily Star as the substitute paper. Mr. Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.

Regular Meeting

The minutes of the December 10, 2001 meeting were accepted as corrected on a motion by David Butler and a second by Mary Balcom. All votes aye. Mr. Butler commented about the minutes on the website.

Old Business

• The Librarian will park by the steps to enable additional parking on the flat area in front of the library.
• Mr. Jarvis was present to discuss the South Hartwick Schoolhouse situation. Mr. Jarvis owns the land on which the schoolhouse sits, but the town owns the schoolhouse, and once it is decided that the town does not want the schoolhouse any more, ownership defaults to Mr. Jarvis. Mrs. Balcom suggested that the Historical Society review the situation and report at the next Town Board meeting as to their suggestions for the schoolhouse.

New Business

• Regarding the 4x4 pick-up truck for the Highway, no bids were received. Mr. Rood has suggested purchasing the truck off of the State Contract. Mrs. Niedzialkowski will secure the state contract bid specs and advertisement for bids according to state contract will be made at that time. David Butler moved to put the truck out to bid in the Freeman's Journal based on the state specifications. Bids to be opened at the February 11 Town Board meeting. Delos Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Library Appointments: A letter from Judy Green was received stating she would not accept reappointment to the Library Board, and thanked the Town Board for their support. David Butler moved to appoint Barbara Dorsey for the term January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, and she will serve as Treasurer; Joanne Telfer for a term of January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2006, and she will serve as Secretary; Martha Heneghan for the term of January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2006; and Diane Domion for a term of January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2006, and Diane will serve as President. Delos Field offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Mary Balcom moved to authorize the Supervisor to sign the contract with the Chenango County SPCA. David Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye. Mrs. Balcom moved that the dog owner shall pay the entire cost of the impoundment. Mr. Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Resolution 1-D-02 — budget resolution regarding the General fund. So moved by Mary Balcom and seconded by David Butler. All votes aye.
• Resolution 1-E-02 — budget resolution regarding the Highway fund. So moved by David Butler and seconded by Delos Field. All votes aye.
• Resolution 1-F-02 — budget resolution regarding the Water fund. So moved by Mary Balcom and seconded by David Butler. All votes aye.
• Resolution 1-G-02 — budget resolution regarding the Library fund. So moved by David Butler and seconded by Mary Balcom. All votes aye.
• Eileen Balcom moved to approve the Supervisor's Report for December 2001. David Butler offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• David Butler moved to approve the Clerk's Report for December 2001. Mary Balcom offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• Delos Field moved to approve the Clerk's Annual Report for 2001. Eileen Balcom offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• The dog officer's report for December was received and accepted.
• A facilities tour will be held on Saturday, February 23 at 9:00 AM, beginning with the Highway Department and cold storage and going through the town facilities.
• David Butler moved to accept and approve Abstract 001. Mary Balcom offered the second and the motion carried with all votes aye.
• The Water Meeting to be held on January 28, 2002 at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall.
• The Fire Commissioners' meeting will be held on January 21 at 7:00 PM at Fire Hall #2.
• A snowmobile rescue drill will be held on Piermott Lane at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, January 15.
• A CPR Course will be held on February 13 and 21. Pre-register with Debbie Clegg before January 15.

Public Comment

• Mr. Thompson gave a general update on the County business.
• Mr. Petri discussed his thoughts on the schoolhouse, and felt that if Mr. Jarvis will be keeping the historical integrity of the schoolhouse, the Historical Society will be in favor of him having the building.
• Keith Parr questioned what is happening with the Freight House. Ms. Niedzialkowski stated it is a legal issue and therefore the board has no comment. Mr. Green stated that the insurance company has the file now for their review.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 on a motion by Mary Balcom and a second by Eileen Balcom. All votes aye.

Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Telfer
Town Clerk

Back to the Town Board Next minutes: February 11, 2002