July 15, 2004

 

 

LOCAL LAW #1 of 2004

7:00PM           PUBLIC HEARING

 Supervisor Hundt opened the Public Hearing regarding Local Law #1 of 2004, pertaining to escrow accounts and the reimbursement of consultant fees.

No Comments were received

A MOTION WAS MADE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR LOCAL LAW #1 OF 2004 BY SUPERVISOR HUNDT

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARROLL

ALL AYES                                                                           MOTION CARRIED

 

 

THE MEETING BEGAN AT 7:06 PM

 

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS RECITED

 

EMERGENCY EXITS WERE POINTED OUT BY THE SUPERVISOR

 

ROLL CALL

SUPERVISOR HUNDT                                   PRESENT

COUNCILMAN DEVINE                                PRESENT

COUNCILMAN RUSSELL                              PRESENT

COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE                           PRESENT

COUNCILMAN CARROLL                             PRESENT

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Sharon Kroeger

Ms. Kroeger read a statement that she prepared and requested the Town Board consider postponing the Re- Evaluation for 1-2 years.  She said that there is a citizens group forming to relay input to the Town Board.  Ms. Kroeger said that there is a high percentage of state land in our Town.  She added that she felt Wassaic would be affected more that any other hamlet within the Town because there is more modest dwellings and a mix of high, middle and low incomes within the hamlet of Wassaic.

Supervisor Hundt questioned Ms. Kroeger why she felt Wassaic would be affected more in a re-evaluation.

Ms. Kroeger responded that many volunteers that serve on the fire and rescue squads reside in these modest dwellings.  She said she would like to see the Town Board take control of the re-val and proceed with a careful approach.

Pat Nelligan

Mr. Nelligan addressed the Town Board and stated that he disagrees with Ms. Kroeger and said he does not feel the hamlet of Wassaic is in any particular jeopardy during a re-val of the Town.

He added that he is distressed to see that a tall structure in the hamlet of Wassaic( Maxon Mills)  is in disrepair has not been addressed by the Town Board or building inspector after complaints


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have been made over the past year

Councilman Carroll said he has spoken to the building inspector about the building Mr. Nelligan is referring to.

Mr. Nelligan said he overheard an inappropriate message left for the bookkeeper and would like to have the Town Board take the opportunity to listen to this message from a committee member.

 

Dan Killmer

Mr. Killmer said that he is very concerned about the speeding in Town and drivers are neglecting to obey the posted signs.  He asked the Town Board if they can draft a letter or speak to the enforcement agencies to provide more police surveillance or speed stops within Amenia and Wassaic.

 

RE-EVALUATION

Ron Gazzoli-   Assessors presentation

Mr. Gazzoli presented a sample town and parcels to show how a re-val would affect owners and their assessment compared to their taxes.  He said some have been over assessed, some have been under-assessed but in the end everyone will be adjusted so that everyone pays their fair share.

Jerry Thompson asked Mr. Gazzoli what are the exceptions, what about sales that have been made within the last 3-4 years.

Ron Gazzoli responded that all properties will be assessed and their will be a comparison of the sale price versus the assessment.

Harold Noah asked Mr. Gazzoli asked how will expensive homes versus moderate homes increase, will it be at the same rate?  He questioned whether residential, commercial, or vacant land be assessed similarly so that there will be no inequities.

Town Assessor Ron Gazzoli said that the value of residential, commercial and vacant land comparison would be market driven based on sales within the Town as well as surrounding towns.

Mr. Noah asked whether it has been studied whether there will be social consequences from a town wide re-evaluation. He added that if commercial properties increase 5 times and residences are doubled then commercial properties owners would be hit disproportionately and unfortunately business prospects would be affected and society would suffer as a whole.

Mr. Gazzoli responded that the purpose of a re-val is to bring everything back in balance and if data and the market proved that commercial property has gone up 5 times that it should be assessed accordingly.

Darlene Reimer asked whether it was possible to take the figures to determine the overall result on real estate and property values.

Councilwoman Doyle said that she spoke with the assessor from Unionvale and Lagrange and said they had done their re-val in 1991 at the height of property values and shortly after that the market went bust. She added that the Town of Dover might be interested in joining Amenia in a consortium and work hand in glove with the office of Real Property Tax.  She said she would like to schedule Harry Gurtelson to speak on August 12th ‘s meeting.

 

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LOCAL LAW # 1 of 2004

A MOTION WAS MADE TO ADOPT LOCAL LAW #1 OF 2004 AS TOWN LAW REGARDING THE ESCROW ACCOUNTS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR CONSULTANT FEES BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR HUNDT

ALL AYES                                                                MOTION CARRIED

 

Wind Power

Supervisor Hundt read Resolution #18 of 2004 regarding the Town of Amenia accepting wind power as an energy source for a portion of the power that is provided within the Town.

Supervisor Hundt said the increase would be $949. Next year but that it is a more environmental friendly source and would help the future of energy.

Councilman Devine said that he questioned whether it was acceptable to spend more for this source of electricity than we have to.

Town Attorney Arabella Teal said that no decision has to made solely on the financial aspect but rather the value for the cost.  She said although it may not be the lowest price it gives the best value and meets the needs of the Town.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION #18 OF 2004 REGARDING THE USE OF WIND POWER AS AN ENERGY SOURCE AT AN INCREASE COST OF $949.  BY SUPERVISOR HUNDT

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RUSSELL

ALL AYES                                                               MOTION CARRIED

 

LAND ACQUISITION

Councilwoman Doyle said that she sent letters and received responses from the following landowners that were contacted to find out whether their land was still for sale for a possible site for a highway garage and salt shed.  She said that the owners of Richard Allen Sand and Gravel and Harlem Valley Materials said that there property is still available but Walt Culver said he was not interested in selling any property at this time.  She said the next step for the town to proceed would be to obtain appraisals of the property to determine their market value. Councilwoman Doyle said that Don McGrath had been recommended but was unavailable.  She said she spoke to Pete Hubbel and he estimated the cost of the appraisal would be about $1,500 for the Harlem Valley Materials property and $2,000-2,500. For the Richard Allen property. 

Councilwoman Doyle added that there are two properties that would need survey work; she said Main Street in Wassaic in which the CDBG grant is funding an antique lighting project and the streetscape project on Mechanic Street in Amenia.

 

Supervisors Report

Supervisor Hundt said that she would like to thank all those that were involved in the garden tour.

Supervisor Hundt said that on Saturday, July 17th will be Wassaic Day as part of the towns’ 300th anniversary; she said there will be locations and maps to visit with  barbecue at the firehouse.

Supervisor Hundt said that Sunday, July 18th will be Bike New York; she said it will begin in


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Millerton and have about 650 riders and a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Railtrail.

Supervisor Hundt said that there will be a meeting next week with cablevision to install Optimum Online.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF LAWRENCE MOORE AS COURT CLERK TO JUSTICE MOORE AND TO APPOINT MAUREEN MOORE TO THE POSITION OF COURT CLERK TO JUSTICE MOORE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN DOYLE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARROLL

ALL AYES                                                                             MOTION CARRIED

 

Tennis Courts

Councilwoman Doyle said that they have received the lease agreement from last year from the tennis courts and the school has been contacted to determine their future plans for the courts. 

 

HIGHWAY

Highway Superintendent Stan Whitehead said that they have received the new tractor and are using it.  He said that the power company is assisting the highway department in cutting tree limbs and branches which results in a savings to the Town.  He added that he is concerned about private roads that are being created without bonds collected from the Town.  Mr. Whitehead questioned the board about the difference from a driveway to road.

Councilman Carroll commented that he forsees problems when several houses are built with a road that has no turn arounds and the engineer signed off on the project without a site visit.  Mr. Whitehead added that this particular road has two dead ends and the building inspector was contacted after the road had been completed. Town Attorney Arabella Teal said that it is very important to have a site visit by the building inspector prior to the final approval.  Councilman Carroll said that this site has been identified as a country lane and they may not be required to post a bond.  Councilwoman Doyle said that she will add this issue to be reviewed by the consultant that will be reviewing the Towns’ zoning code. 

Darlene Reimer added that a bond has more clout than an escrow account.

Supervisor Hundt said that the CPIC (Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee) can also address this topic.

 

JUDGE MANNING

Highway Superintendent Stan Whitehead said that he will be serving Judge Manning notice to remove the gate on Wilson Eaton Road.

 

BAND CONCERT

Councilwoman Doyle asked Highway Superintendent Stan Whitehead to remove brush at the Amenia Ballpark so that additional parking may be created for the upcoming band concert.

 

Wastewater

Darlene Reimer said that the wastewater needs to firm up the land acquisition to proceed.  She


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said that they would like to request a legal document to transfer the land by August,2004 in order to meet funding deadlines.  Ms. Reimer added the next Wastewater meeting will be held on August 9, 2004. 

Councilman Carroll asked Ms. Reimer if the Wastewater District were voted down in a referendum what then would happen to the land.

Ms. Reimer responded that the land would refer back to Silo Ridge and this is stated in the agreement.

Supervisor Hundt thanked Darlene Reimer for all the work she has put into this project.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY 

Councilwoman Doyle said that the Town Board has one more applicant to review for Town Attorney and that is George Rodenhausen on either July 19th or 20th.

Councilman Devine questioned whether the Town Attorney could be paid an hourly rate versus a retainer.  Town Attorney Arabella Teal said that the Town Board decides how the contractual arrangement is set up with the attorney.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE TO SET A SPECIAL MEETING ON JULY 22ND AT 7PM BY SUPERVISOR HUNDT

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RUSSELL

ALL AYES                                                     MOTION CARRIED

 

RECREATION

Councilwoman Doyle said that they have received two proposals regarding a recreation comprehensive plan and are waiting for one more.

Councilwoman Doyle said that the Band concert is scheduled for Sunday, August 15th at the Amenia Ballpark from 5:30-7:30 and is a free concert.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE TO APPOINT JEANNE REBILLARD TO CO- CHAIR OF THE RECREATION COMMITTEE AND LOU CESA TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE BY COUNCILMAN DEVINE

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RUSSELL

ALL AYES                                                     MOTION CARRIED

 

 

Affordable Housing

Councilwoman Doyle said there is an interest in creating an affordable housing committee.

Supervisor Hundt said that she was willing to serve on the committee. Councilwoman Doyle said that Betty Rooney is also willing to serve on this committee and they are recruiting a few more members if anyone is interested.

 

 

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PUBLIC COMMENTS

Myrnie Hoanzl

Ms. Hoanzl said she saw the picture of the Supervisor and Highway Superintendent in the newspaper cutting a ribbon on O’Handley Drive and felt that the previous Town Board deserved credit in helping the road become a Town road.

 

Dan Kilmer

Mr. Kilmer asked the Town Board if they heard any news about Channel 6 WRGB returning to cablevision because there are a lot of residents that rely on this channel.

Supervisor Hundt said she will be having an upcoming meeting with cablevision.

 

9:33 A MOTION WAS MADE TO PAY CLAIMS AND ADJOURN THE MEETING BY SUPERVISOR HUNDT

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARROLL

ALL AYES                                                                 MOTION CARRIED

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted

 

    Julia Bouffard

Amenia Town Clerk