Town of Amenia

 

 

THE MEETING BEGAN AT 7PM

 

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS RECITED

 

EMERGENCY EXITS WERE POINTED OUT BY THE SUPERVISOR

 

ROLL CALL

SUPERVISOR HUNDT                      PRESENT

COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE            PRESENT

COUNCILMAN DEVINE                  PRESENT

COUNCILMAN RUSSELL                PRESENT

 

COUNCILMAN CARROLL              ABSENT

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

No Public Comments were received

 

NYSEG- wind power

Supervisor Hundt said that last week she had an opportunity to meet with Cathy Sullivan Deeks and Keith Christianson from Community Energy regarding the benefits of wind power and they would like to do a presentation before the Town.

Keith Christianson- Community Energy

Mr. Christianson presented a video presentation about wind power in New York State.  He said there are currently almost a dozen municipalities that are providing energy through wind power.

He said that Community Energy is sponsored by NYSERDA which is funded as part of Governor Patakis’ office. He added that the wind power benefits include no emissions, fuel free, energy independence, fixed price- no increases, less centralized which would make a reduced terrorist target. He said the Town of Fishkill is currently receiving 60% of their power from wind.  He said that NYSEG is very cooperative in setting up and billing procedures.  He said there are also residential programs available.  He said on average 1-2 birds die per turban per year and there is a concern to correct this.

 

 Comprehensive Plan- George Rodenhausen

Mr. Rodenhausen said he is an attorney that submitted a bid to work on the comprehensive plan in February.  He said is involved in environmental land use and a certified planner for over 30 years.  He said he has worked with the Town of Dover, Hyde Park, Village of Red Hook, Lloyd, and the city of Poughkeepsie.  He said he has reviewed the 1991 Masterplan, zoning  and subdivision regulations.  He added that he felt the original 1991 plan had 15 points that were never implemented while the new recommended action plan has 15 yet to be done.  He said that his


March 18, 2004

Page 2

 

recommendations are that the Town should not attempt to go through the masterplan revisions apart from the zoning process.  He said if the Town decides to separate it usually takes a long time to proceed with the zoning.  He said that in general, people don’t recognize the standards of the masterplan until zoning is addressed.  Mr. Rodenhauser said that his estimate of the process would be about 10 workshops with committees, 10 meetings with the Public, and then onto Public Hearings.  He said that he feels the amendments are appropriate for the Town and has worked with Towns that want to bring back economic development into their hamlets.  He said the necessary way to do this is to add more zoning guidelines to assist the Planning Board.  He added that he is also the Planning Board attorney for the Town of Dover and for Greenway.

 

Councilwoman Doyle asked about the transfer of development rights and PDR(purchase for development rights)  and why it was placed outside the scope of work.

Mr. Rodenhauser responded that it is usually not part of the scope and done by Local Law through deed restriction and conservation easement and it is part of the PDR law that can include term restrictions.

 

TOWN HALL LEASE

Town Attorney Arabella Teal said she has heard from the Amenia Fire Companys’ attorney.  She said that the lease has been revised and she is waiting for the copies for the Town Board to sign.  She said she was unable to obtain a time frame of when they would be available.

Supervisor Hundt said she had expressed her concerns about the condition of the boiler and air conditioner system.

Mold Update

Supervisor Hundt said that she received a letter from President Warren Gordon from the insurance company stating that the mold was caused by the condition of the building and that the insurance company would not be liable for any costs.  She added that the mold condition will probably intensify in the warmer weather.  Supervisor Hundt said that the letter she received implied that the mold is attributed to the building being without rain gutters.

Town Attorney Arabella Teal informed the Board that she can write the Fire Company’s attorney  a letter in respect to the mold condition and request that it be remedied prior to the Town Board sign the lease.

 

Comprehensive Plan

Supervisor Hundt said that she had Town Attorney Arabella Teal prepare a non-binding resolution to pass on the Implementation Committee of the Comprehensive Plan to prepare the plan for adoption.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO ACCEPT THE NON-BINDING RESOLUTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RUSSELL

AYES—4                    ABSENT—1                                                  MOTION CARRIED

March 18, 2004

Page 3

 

 

Comprehensive Plan (con’t)

Certificates of Appreciation

Councilwoman Doyle said that the Comprehensive Plan Committee met almost every Monday night from September 2002 until December 2003.  She said that she prepared Certificates of Appreciation for the Chairman Harry Clark as well as the members that served on the committee.

 

O’Handley Drive

Supervisor Hundt said that one of the property owners(Ms. Hoanzl) on O’Handley Drive did not find the easement acceptable to sign.

Councilwoman Doyle said that she spoke to Mrs. Grey and she was told that they would be ready to sign but they were unable to find a notary.

 

Highway

Town Highway Superintendent Stan Whitehead requested the Town Board to sign the Agreement to spend Highway funds.  He added that this budget totaled $243,325.00 including $90,000. From the Community Development Block Grant and $38,325 from CHPs’ monies.

He said that his projects for 2004 included the following:

Flint Hill Road....................2,000 feet of bank run and gravel...............50 thousand

Wassaic.............................. Sidewalks & Lighting................................90 thousand

Lake Amenia Road..............4 inches of blacktop...................................48 thousand

West Lake Amenia Road.......................................................................16 thousand

Mr. Whitehead that if there were any additional funds left he intends to seal the Town roads.

He added that he will be requesting  bids for the Wassaic sidewalk project and need estimates for engineers to obtain 3 price quotes.

Councilwoman Doyle commented that the Enhancement Committee has been working on a style for the Town and requested that the bids include the style and character of the community that reflects the Towns’ theme such as the Fountain Square project.

Floods Auction

Highway Superintendent Stan Whitehead said that the Highway and Water Department will be placing equipment that is unused or has been replaced in the auction on March 27th which include:

1980 International Tractor, 1976 International Dumptruck with plow and sander,1971 sweeper, 1967 sweeper, a broom for a tractor, 1974 roller, a tow behind paver, and the 1989 Chevy 4x4 one ton Water truck.

He added that there is a 1976 International Dumptruck that will need to be disposed of at Wheelers Junkyard.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO ACCEPT THE AGREEMENT TO SPEND HIGHWAY FUNDS BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DEVINE

AYES—4                    ABSENT—1                                                  MOTION CARRIED

March 18, 2004

Page 4

 

Proclamation- 300th Anniversary

Councilwoman Doyle read the proclamation regarding the Town of Amenia’s 300th Anniversary.

 

Building Inspector Resignation

Supervisor Hundt said she received a resignation from Don Smith, who serves as the building inspector/fire inspector.  She added that they will be interviewing candidates for the position.

 

RECREATION

Inter-muncipal Recreation Agreement

Councilman Russell said that they will be holding a Public Hearing and the Towns’ share of the agreement will be about $1,000 per year. 

Councilwoman Doyle said that a Local Law will need to be developed.

Summer Program

Councilman Russell said that the summer recreation program will be held in Millerton this year and they have received the paperwork from the village of Millerton to use their pool for summer camp. 

Councilwoman Doyle said she spoke to Jennifer Parks who will be the new director and the cost will be $5,000. For the Town of Amenia.  She added that she was not sure how the summer help had been hired in the past.

Lana Anguin Cohen responded that the summer help in the past was hired from both Millerton and Amenia.

Councilman Russell added that they did discuss the acquisition of land next to the ballpark from the Amenia Lions Club and the next step would be to meet with the DEC to find out the allowable uses for the property.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO ACCEPT THE CONTRACT FROM MILLERTON FOR THE SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DEVINE

AYES—4                    ABSENT–1                                                    MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Russell said that there will be a clean up at the Wassaic Ballpark on April 17, 2004 and the Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 10th at 10a.m.  He said the Town will need to allocate $250. For this event.

 

Aquifer Protection

Supervisor Hundt said that Norm Benson gave a presentation on aquifers at last weeks workhop meeting and a map will need to be purchased to move forward and identify the water sources within the Town.. 

Councilwoman Doyle added that the map will lead to an overlay district that will be included in an ordinance that will be in the Masterplan and can be used as a very good planning tool.  Supervisor Hundt said that the cost for the base map is $1,000. And for the boundary map is $600.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO SPEND $1,600. ON AQUIFER MAPS PREPARED BY


 

 

 

March 18, 2004

Page 5

 

RUSSELL, URBAN, AND MEAD BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RUSSELL

AYES----4                               ABSENT—1                                      MOTION CARRIED

 

 

Gasland -Bonding Resolution

Supervisor Hundt said that the Planning Board has requested that the Town Board require the Gasland applicants to post a bond by resolution.  She said the resolution will be ready at next months meeting.

 

Amenia Ballfield fence

Councilman Russell said that they received an estimate from Millbrook Fence to repair the fence at the ballfield.  He said the original estimate did not include a fee to repair the backstops.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO AUTHORIZE PETER CLAIR TO PROCEED WITH THE FENCE PROJECT AT THE AMENIA BALL FIELD FROM MILLBROOK FENCE AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $2950. BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DEVINE

AYES–4                      ABSENT–1                                                    MOTION CARRIED

 

Highway Garage

Councilwoman Doyle said that she spoke with Kathy Cheng regarding the property and was obtaining information from the adjacent site known as the Old Amenia Landfill.  She said that the closest well from the landfill site to the proximity of the potential Highway garage site has been coming up clean for approximately a year and a half.  She said the town has two choices either to buy the land outright or invest 2-5 thousand dollars to place a well on the property that may be able to be used later for Highway use.  Councilwoman Doyle said that the next step would be to set up a meeting with the owner of the property; she added they she is also pursuing an extension on the funds for a salt shed.

 

Committee Reports

Councilwoman Doyle said there are a few community members that have expressed interest in serving on the committees.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO APPOINT MATT SALMONS TO THE RECREATION COMMITTEE AND MOIRA KELLY TO THE WASTEWATER COMMITTEE BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RUSSELL

AYES----4                   ABSENT–1                                                    MOTION CARRIED

March 18, 2004

Page 6

 

Supervisors Report

Supervisor Hundt said that recipes for the Historical society cookbook are due by March 31st.

Supervisor Hundt said that the Planning Board has been served with an Article 78 regarding Jacks Garage.  She said that Rose Greer, the bookkeeper has requested permission to attend a seminar in May.

 

Councilwoman Doyle said that the Town received a bill from Pig Farm photos as part of the Town’s facade plan; she added that it is part of the Enhancement project so the Town’s portion of this fee would be $134.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO PAY PIG FARM PHOTOS $134. BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DEVINE

AYES—4                    ABSENT—1                                      MOTION CARRIED

 

A MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY

TOWN BOARD MEETING WITH A CORRECTION BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DEVINE

AYES----4                   ABSENT–1                                        MOTION CARRIED

 

Councilwoman Doyle said the next meeting will                                                                                                                        

Conservation Advisory Council

Councilman Russell said the last meeting was cancelled due to weather conditions and David Burns from the EMC was not able to speak to the council.

Councilwoman Doyle said she would invite him to speak at the next Town Board meeting.

She said that she will be speaking to Gino Robustelli regarding a Wassaic creek clean up day; she said that he had suggested April 20th because it is Earth Day.

 

Councilwoman Doyle said she and Supervisor Hundt will be having a meeting with Roger Ackley on April 5th to discuss funding issues.

Emergency Response Committee

 The next Emergency Response Committee meeting will be held on March 29th and Ken Davidson will be the speaker.

 

Wastewater Committee

Councilwoman Doyle said that she spoke to Councilman Carroll and he expressed that he would like to remain on the Wastewater Committee and so Councilman Russell will be taken off the committee.

 

March 18, 2004

Page 7

Property Re-Evaluation

Katharine Dunlop questioned that the Town had only received one proposal regarding the re-val and what information is available regarding it.

Supervisor Hundt responded that she has met with the assessor and John Watt who represents the firm that would be doing the work.  Supervisor Hundt said that it has not been done since 1991 and the awaiting the proposal and once it is in there can be more discussions.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Moira Kelly

Ms. Kelly said she has been in discussions regarding a mural for the Towns’ 300th Anniversary to be painted on Foodtown Grocery store wall.  She said the project will take 2 months to complete and cost in the 12-15 thousand dollar range.    She questioned the Town Board as to who will be responsible for the insurance liability costs.

Attorney Teal responded that there are issues that need to be addressed as who is supervising the children and the ratio of children per adult.

Joe Platt

Mr. Platt commented that there is no town pool in the Town of Amenia and we have to send the children to Millerton.  He said with community help and funding, it can be possible to have our own program.

Councilwoman Doyle said that he should bring his ideas to the Recreation meetings that are held on the first Tuesday of the Month at 7pm at the Town Hall.

Bob Cooke

Mr. Cooke said that Town Board has done a commendable job and they should look into the states program called the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program.  He also said that pressure needs to placed on the cablevision company regarding returning Channel 6 to the customers.

Myrnie Hoanzl

Ms. Hoanzl said that the easement she received from the Town was to acquire her property rather than an agreement to enter the property to repair or maintain the pipe.  She said she checked with several banks and you need to have the banks permission if there is a mortgage on the property.

She said that the Town Board will need to pay the fee from her attorney that prepared the easement as it was not done properly by the Town attorney.

Councilwoman Doyle said that they are not willing to pay a fee because it is not a Town road..

9:22 PM          A MOTION WAS MADE TO ADJOURN THE MEETING BY COUNCILMAN DEVINE

SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR HUNDT

AYES—4                    ABSENT–1                MOTION CARRIED

 

Respectfully Submitted

Julia A. Bouffard

Amenia Town Clerk