Town of Olive July 3, 2001 Meeting

Members Present:	Berndt Leifeld, Supervisor
	Cindy Johansen, Council Member
	Bruce La Monda, Council Member
Members Absent:	Linda Burkhardt, Council Member
	Helen Chase, Council Member
Others Present:	Everett Cook, ZBA Member
Recording Secretary: Sylvia Rozzelle, Town Clerk

Minutes of the regular monthly meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Olive held Tuesday, July 3, 2001, 7:30 pm at the Town Meeting Hall in Shokan, NY.

On a La Monda/Johansen motion the Town Board approved the minutes of the previous month’s meetings as submitted by the Town Clerk.

Under Correspondence: In response to the Town Board’s letter (#31-01) to NY State and US representatives regarding the closing of the Bushkill Bridge, Supervisor Leifeld introduced the following correspondence:

Congressman Maurice Hinchey stated in a letter to NY City DEP Commissioner Miele that in view of the critical problems associated with the closing of the Bushkill Bridge he requests the DEP’s assistance in constructing a temporary access over the Bushkill Stream.

In a letter to NY City DEP Director Michael Principe, NY Assemblyman Kevin Cahill asks that the City of New York seek a temporary and immediate solution to alleviate the crisis created by the closing of the Bushkill Bridge.

In a letter to Robert Dennison, Regional Director of the DOT, Ulster County Legislature Chairman Ward Todd requests a traffic light be installed at the Winchell’s Corner intersection since the closing of the Bushkill Bridge has caused a very difficult and hazardous traffic situation there.

On a Johansen/La Monda motion the Town Board approved payment of the following preaudited bills: Highway Vouchers #156-#180, $49,742.57; Prepaid General Fund Vouchers #276-#277, $283.50; General Fund Vouchers #278-#325, $20,340.50; Special Fire District Voucher #1, $151,700.00; and Special Lighting District Voucher #6, $33.62.

Supervisor Leifeld stated that Senator Charles Schumer’s office is setting up a meeting with the Town of Olive representatives, the NYS DOT representatives, and the highest engineering official they can get from the DEP. Supervisor Leifeld stated he would like to invite local engineers and contractors to attend this meeting, as their expertise could be valuable. Supervisor Leifeld questioned the City of New York wasting money on the existing bridge when a temporary bridge would work. Supervisor Leifeld stated that all state and federal officials are being helpful. He stated that, hopefully, if the right people look at the situation then a better solution could be figured out.

Council Member La Monda stated he would like the Attorney for the Town to see if the town would have any basis on which to file a class action for negligence against the City of New York. Supervisor Leifeld stated that Kevin Scanlan has suggested the town declare a state of emergency; however, the Town Attorney stated that is not advisable since this situation does not fit into the legal bounds of a state of emergency.

On a Johansen/La Monda motion the Town Board approved payment of the following preaudited bills: Highway Vouchers #156-#180, $49,742.57; Prepaid General Fund Vouchers #276-#277, $283.50; General Fund Vouchers #278-#325, $20,340.50; Special Fire District Voucher #1, $151,700.00; Special Lighting District Voucher #6, $33.62.

Under Old Business: Supervisor Leifeld stated a public hearing on the Codification of Town Laws will be July 23, 2001, 7:30 pm at the Town Meeting Hall in Shokan, NY.

Supervisor Leifeld stated a public hearing on the Masterpage wireless application would be August 2, 7:30 pm at the Town Meeting Hall in Shokan, NY.

Supervisor Leifeld stated the Tongore Pines Senior Housing facility dedication is Wednesday, July 25th, 2:00 pm.

Supervisor Leifeld stated a workshop meeting would be held July 17th with Olive CARES, a citizen group supporting responsible environmental solutions, to discuss their proposed amendments to the wireless law. He noted the meeting is at 7:30 pm at the Town Meeting Hall in Shokan, NY.

Regarding the Davis Park rehabilitation survey results, Supervisor Leifeld stated that out of 2,947 cards mailed, 1091 were returned—384 “no” votes, 680 “yes” votes, and 27 were returned “undeliverable”. He noted the percentage as being 65% for and 35% against.

Council Member La Monda stated that Council Member Burkhardt asked if he, on her behalf, would make a motion to proceed with accepting the bid and contract for the Davis Park project. Supervisor Leifeld seconded the motion. Roll vote being: Johansen, yes; La Monda, yes; and Leifeld, yes. Supervisor Leifeld stated there’s not one person on the Town Board that would spend this kind of money on just a swimming pool. He noted this facility is for the existing recreation and parks program with the project to include new bathrooms and showers, total handicapped accessibility, and it will accommodate new mandates coming next year. He noted the recreation program stands on its’ own and is a bipartisan entity in this town. He stated that by the town saving money over the years the Town Board is able to do this. He stated he feels the money should be spent this way.
Supervisor Leifeld stated the monthly income through May as $44,708.55 and interest through May as $36,366.50

The following committee reports were submitted:

POLICE liaison Council Member Johansen issued a combined report for April and May (#35-01) noting the Town of Olive Police assisted other police departments 14 times, assisted fire department or first aid 14 times, assisted motorists locked out of their vehicles 7 times, assisted the town highway crews 4 times, and personal assists to local citizens 17 times. She noted the Fourth Grade Bennett Elementary Bike Rodeo, sponsored by the Olive Police Department and spearheaded by Officer Leifeld, was completed with approximately 70 helmets handed out to three 4th grade classes.

Supervisor Leifeld stated that in an attempt to combat the mosquito problem the county would conduct a countywide tire amnesty program July 28th through August 4th.

Town Clerk Rozzelle acknowledged newly accessioned materials to the Town Archives and thanked George Quinn of Boiceville for donating a map from 1858, Bill Pitcher of Bloomington for his donation of a photograph and information regarding five of the first twenty-two Eagle Scouts ever honored—all five being from West Shokan; and thanked Arthur Sampsen for his donation of a political poster of once Town Supervisor Jacob Merrihew.

On a Leifeld/La Monda motion the Town Board approved the transfer of $13.50 from A1990.4 Contingency to A8189.4 Recycling.

Supervisor Leifeld introduced Paul Frieary from the Town of Shandaken. Mr. Fiery stated he has recently been involved with the cell tower issues in the Town of Shandaken with the proposal for a 192 feet tower behind the Phoenicia Diner that will accommodate Verizon and Cellular One. He stated the next closest cell tower now is next to Zena Road noting the company’s objective is to provide cellular service on Route 28 from Kingston to Route 88. He stated his concern is that the Town of Shandaken is not taking the proper approach to it. He stated municipalities couldn’t stop the cell towers from coming in; however, towns can state where they go and what they may look like. He stated that approximately 175 residents in Shandaken filed an Article 78 regarding the issue against the Town of Shandaken. He stated their group does not want to stop cell towers but would like to provide for the needs of the cell tower company and the needs of the community. He stated they have had difficulty with their Shandaken Town Board in addressing the issue but hopes that the Town of Olive and Shandaken can work together for proper installation of this technology. He stated he feels the companies should develop a master plan instead of putting them in piecemeal as they are now doing. He stated the difficulty they are facing now is getting their Town Board to properly address these issues. He stated that Ulster County has a railroad easement that could possibly be one source of least impact. He stated he is present before the Olive Town Board to see if Olive would be a joint front to deal with this issue. In response to what he means by a joint front, Mr. Frieary stated if the two Town Boards could get together to approach the cellular companies in an attempt to work out a solution to achieve a better result than that of the companies coming in and picking sites. He stated it would be nice to get the two boards to sit down at the table with the cellular companies. Council Member Johansen asked if the Shandaken Town Board is aware of this. He stated he is coming to Olive first to see how they feel. Supervisor Leifeld stated he would not want to get involved with the personal opinions of the Shandaken Town Board and suggested Mr. Fiery go to the Shandaken board members and if they are willing to talk to the Olive board members then Shandaken should request it. Supervisor Leifeld stated he does understand that if two or three towns get together to talk to the cellular companies it could be beneficial further noting this has been done through the Town Supervisor’s Association especially along Route 209. Council Member La Monda stated that between towers, bridges, and swimming pools this Town Board has a full plate. He noted he is not particularly interested in getting involved with the Town of Shandaken’s internal bickering. Supervisor Leifeld stated that Mr. Frieary could leave the room tonight assured that this Town Board would be willing to sit down with the Town of Shandaken board if they should be asked to.

All business pertinent having been discussed the Town Board adjourned at 8:20 pm on a Leifeld/Johansen motion in memory of Maria Guiseppa Mazzone, Michael John Scanlan, August R. Schnitzler, Frances Louise Shultis, Stefan Skrabak, and Arthur L. “Zeke” Waterfall.