Town of Amenia

Special Meeting

March 11, 2004

 

THE MEETING BEGAN AT 7PM

 

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS RECITED

 

EMERGENCY EXITS WERE POINTED OUT BY THE SUPERVISOR

 

ROLL CALL

 

SUPERVISOR HUNDT                      PRESENT

COUNCILMAN RUSSELL                PRESENT

COUNCILMAN DEVINE                  PRESENT

COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE            PRESENT

 

COUNCILMAN CARROLL              ABSENT

 

 

Building Inspector Resignation

Supervisor Hundt said that she received a resignation from Building Inspector, Don Smith.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION AND TO ADVERTISE FOR A CERTIFIED BUILDING INSPECTOR IN THE POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DEVINE

AYES----4                   ABSENT—1                                      MOTION CARRIED

 

Transfer Station Attendant

Supervisor Hundt said that the position has been advertised and three candidates have been interviewed for the transfer station attendant position.

She said she would like to appoint Dennis Rooney to that position at this evenings meeting. 

Councilman Devine said that he felt the position needed someone who is without physical limitations and he felt that Mr. Rooney would not be able perform the job duties because he has had recent surgery.

 Councilman Russell said he was concerned about the same issue but he felt the candidate expressed energy and a willingness to be creative.  He said he was impressed with Mr. Rooneys’ recycling ideas.

Councilwoman Doyle said that she was impressed with Mr. Rooneys’ initiative and she liked his attitude in being a more cost effective; she added that he also serves on the Conservation Advisory Council.

 

 

 

 

 

Town of Amenia

3/11/2004

Page 2

 

A MOTION WAS MADE TO APPOINT DENNIS ROONEY AS THE TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT FOR $15. PER HOUR BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RUSSELL

AYES----3                   NAYS—1                    ABSENT–1                MOTION CARRIED

Supervisor Hundt                Councilman Devine          Councilman Carroll

Councilwoman Doyle

Councilman Russell

 

 

 7:17 PM         A MOTION WAS MADE TO ADJOURN THE MEETING BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RUSSELL

AYES----3          ABSENT—1                                   MOTION CARRIED

 

 

WORKSHOP NOTES

 

Norm Benson

Mr. Benson said that he has been a lifelong resident of the Town.  He said that the Town should consider aquifer protection because it is a precious resource.  He said that an aquifer is not an underground river it is rather a basin that stores water.  Mr. Benson said that there was an article in Car & travel about the Town of Amenia.  He said there is a deep muck aquifer on Bog Hollow Road, a sand & gravel aquifer by the Old Borden Milk Factory, and a big production well located by the State school but that one is polluted by MTBE.

He said it is also important for the Town to control land use.  He said that the Town should consider writing it into the new Masterplan as a priority.  He said the Town of Pawling hired Russell, Urban, & Mead to do an extensive study and the senior hydrologist from Chazen Co. prepared another map to aid the project.  He said the Town should consider these projects because it will help locate what is under the ground is just as important as what is above it.

Councilwoman Doyle said that Russell, Urban, and Mead can do a similar map for the Town of Amenia for $1,000.

Mr. Benson was asked about how important would a Wastewater District be.

He responded that the Town of Dover has a similar situation in that septic systems are crowding the wetlands and preventing growth.

Elizabeth Whaley Avery

Ms. Whaley Avery asked if sand and gravel mining affects the underground water sources.

She also asked if failing septics impact aquifers.

Mr. Benson responded that he only foresees problems when underground water becomes surface water.  He said that underground water is protected and less likely to be contaminated by the elements of the environment.  Mr. Benson said that failing septics can affect aquifers in they perc over land and are within a close proximity to an aquifer.

 

Town of Amenia

March 11, 2004

Page 3

 

Myrnie Hoanzl

Ms. Hoanzl questioned Mr. Benson about the effects of detergent from washing machines into the water supply.

Mr. Benson said this would be an issue the department of health or DEC should address because it is a pollution issue.

 

Amenia Fire Company

Supervisor Hundt said that Warren Gordon was not available to attend this evenings meeting and they are waiting one more report and they will be working on a plan of action.

 

300th Anniversary Proclamation

Supervisor Hundt said that they will introduce an official proclamation at next weeks meeting

 

Comprehensive Plan

Councilwoman Doyle said that they will soon be ready to adopt a vision statement.

She added that she would like to present certificates of appreciation to all the members that have dedicated their time and energy on the Comprehensive Plan committee.

 

O’Handley Drive

Supervisor Hundt said she just received an easement agreement from the Town Attorney Arabella Teal that was forwarded to Ms. Hoanzl.

Ms. Hoanzl responded to the Board that she was not pleased with the paperwork she received.

She said she attempted to contact the Highway Superintendent but he was not available.  Ms. Hoanzl said that the agreement failed to mention the stagnant pond and the property also carries a mortgage.  She added that he lawyer reviewed the paperwork and disagrees with every part of it.

She said that she has waited three months and will now turn it over to her attorney to draw up the easement.

NYSEG- wind power presentation

Supervisor Hundt said there will be a representative from New York State Electric & Gas that will be doing a presentation on wind power.

 

Town wide Reval- Assessors office

Supervisor Bonnie Hundt said that she spoke to Ron Gazzoli, the assessor regarding doing a re-valuation in 2005.  She said that it has not been done since 1991 and that he has met with a representative that has done it in adjoining towns.

 

Floods- Millers Auction

Judy Carlson informed the Board that the Highway Superintendent, Stan Whitehead will be requesting permission to place a 1976 International Truck plow and sander and international tractor with sickle bar as well as the water department truck in the auction on March 27th.

Town of Amenia

March 11, 2004

                                                Page 4

 

 

Ms. Carlson said that they will also be requesting permission to place a 1976 piece of equipment to Wheelers junk yard next week.

 

Recreation

Councilwoman Doyle said that they will need to postpone a Public Hearing regarding the Inter-municipal recreation agreement because they are currently waiting to receive the model legislation from the village of Millerton.

Councilwoman Doyle said that they are reviewing the Lions club proposal regarding the property adjacent to the Amenia ballpark.  She said there will be a meeting with DEC to walk the property.

Councilman Russell said that the Easter Egg Hunt will be on April 10th at ten a.m tentatively at the Amenia Fish & Game.  He said that it will be open to Town of Amenia residents and Fish and Game members. 

Town Clerk, Julia Bouffard added that they will need a motion to spend $250. Towards items needed for the egg hunt. 

Councilwoman Doyle said that they will stuff the plastic eggs Friday, April 9th and there will be pizza available for all those that help.

Councilman Russell said that the Wassaic park clean up is scheduled for April 17th at 10am.  He said they will need money for supplies and Foodtown has offered its maintenance staff to help in the clean up.

Councilwoman Doyle said that they had obtained a bid from Millbrook Fence and Dan Katz requested that it be forwarded to him.

She added that Matt Salmons applied to be on the Recreation Committee and that appointment can be made soon.  Councilwoman Doyle said that Ann Linden had requested and was issued a certificate of insurance as a rider for the Community Day and if there were any charge the Historical society would cover it.

Councilwoman Doyle said that Antoinette Critelli is currently working on a brochure on recreational activities by season and it will soon be available.

She said that the Town will be taking down the left over Christmas decorations and if anyone would like to help on Tuesday at 1pm.

 

Technology Fair

Supervisor Hundt said that the Technology Fair will be held tomorrow, March 12, 2004 at Silo Ridge Country Club.  She said that all the booths have been sold out.

 

Highway

Judy Carlson informed the Board that next week they will be presented with the agreement to spend Highway Funds.  She said once the Town Board signs the agreement it will be forwarded to the Commissioner of Highways for a signature.  She added that they will need to obtain quotes for the Wassaic sidewalk project and will need to obtain a survey outline specific details because the County will be doing a project near this one.

 

Town of Amenia

March 11, 2004

Page 5

 

 

Conservation Advisory Council

Councilman Russell said there will be a meeting with the EMC on March 16th at 7:30pm

He said that the CAC will be having round table discussions regarding the aquifer protection plan.

He added that he felt it would be wise to proceed with the aquifer map at a cost of $1,000.

 

Enhancement Committee

Councilwoman Doyle said that they have met with Mark Morrison and revised the plan to design #2.  She said they are working on forming a timeline and a realistic budget.  She said the revisions include reducing the amount of bump outs without sacrificing the plan.

 

Emergency Response Committee

Councilwoman Doyle said that they are planning a table top exercise at a future meeting to do a trial disaster and working on a Dam disaster plan.

Lana Anguin Cohen said that she would like to add Judy Carlson from Highway Department as a member  to the committee.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Sharon Daniel Kroeger

Ms. Kroeger present a aerial photo of Maxon Mills and said that it is a worthy project that the residents should invest in.

 

 

9:02PM           THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

   Julia A. Bouffard

Amenia Town Clerk