Town of Olive
County of Ulster
State of New York
September 3, 2002

Minutes of the audit meeting and regular monthly meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Olive held Tuesday, September 3, 2002 at 7:30 pm.

Others Present: Everett Cook, ZBA member; and Tom Planz, Fire Chief

The Town Board audited the vouchers and bills for the month of August until 7:40 pm at which time Supervisor Leifeld called the regular monthly meeting to order.

On a Leifeld/La Monda motion the Town Board dispensed with the approval of the minutes until the October meeting.

The following correspondence was read and filed:

#64-02

Rosalie Burgher, Librarian of the Olive Free Library, thanked the Town Board for their cooperation in providing passes to the swimming pool for the children who participated in their summer reading program, “Splish, Splash, Read!”.

#65-02

Supervisor Leifeld noted the Catskill Economic Development Summit and Local Government Days would be held October 2nd and 3rd at Belleayre Mountain Ski Center.

On a La Monda/Chase motion the Town Board approved payment of the following preaudited bills: Highway Vouchers #235-#265, $18,562.69; General Fund Prepaid Voucher #375, $30.00; General Fund Vouchers #376-#424, $26,137.42; and Pool and Bathhouse Project Vouchers #22-#23, $8,646.51.

Old Business: Supervisor Leifeld stated John Hansen had donated a piano/organ to the Senior Citizen Center and thanked him for his donation.

Supervisor Leifeld stated three price quotes were received on a pool cover for the swimming pool. He noted the one recommended for purchase is a loop-loc cover with a ten (10) year warranty on the cover and a two (2) year labor warranty. On a La Monda/Chase motion the Town Board unanimously approved purchasing the cover from JHS Enterprises at a cost of $7,379.00.

Supervisor Leifeld stated the Fire Company would like the Town Board to move with something regarding the Service Awards Incentive program. Council Member Chase stated she thought the Fire Department was going to get correct figures on how many people were affected. Chief Tom Planz stated he did a survey of the department and this information was presented to the insurance company. Supervisor Leifeld stated the service program would be a town expense of approximately $100,000.00 annually for ten years and noted that every time the town has done something of major expense they have always gone to the public for their opinion. Supervisor Leifeld stated that if the town had to pay for a full time fire department it would be an incredible figure. Supervisor Leifeld made a motion to have this issue be presented to the Town Attorney for placement as a mandatory referendum on this November’s ballot. This motion was seconded by Council Member La Monda and passed unanimously to have the Town Attorney prepare necessary papers to put this on the November ballot. Concerns were expressed about the time limitation regarding press releases and informational meetings on the proposed Service Awards Program for the Olive Fire Department.

Supervisor Leifeld noted the town junkyard law is being enforced with one specific person being personally informed by the Supervisor and the Zoning Officer to remove junk from a specified marked off area. Supervisor Leifeld stated the law was explained in full to this property owner in that if he did not clean up a specified area then the town would clean it up and he would reimburse the town the cost of having the junk removed.

Supervisor Leifeld noted the Empire Zone is now requesting another letter of commitment from the Town of Olive. He stated he has not signed the letter yet since he wanted to talk to the three businesses to see if they are still interested. General consensus of the Town Board is that all three businesses should make clear their commitments to paying the fees prior to the town signing the letter.

Supervisor Leifeld noted that interest received through July as $14,229.18 and cash received through July as $54,350.09.

The following committee reports were read and filed:

FIRST AID liaison Council Member Chase stated on September 15th the First Aid Unit would be dedicating the Church Street First Aid Unit in the name of Jim Thomas, a devoted neighbor who has willingly and attentively cared for the property seeing that the grass is mowed and the snow removed. The building will be named the Jim Thomas Training Center.

PARKS & RECREATION liaison Council Member Chase submitted report #66-02 stating the pool will be open on weekends for the next two weeks. She stated that many wonderful comments have been made by residents of all ages expressing their appreciation in using the pool for laps before and after the recreation program. She noted that Sunday, September 8, 2002, at 4 pm is the formal dedication of the Pete Tosi Memorial Pool. She noted that most of the summer sports have finished and soccer is beginning.

FIRE DEPARTMENT July report #67-02 showed fifty (50) responses by the five fire companies—fifteen (15) of which were for false automatic alarms. Fire Chief Tom Planz submitted a graph (#68-02) showing the major increase in automatic alarm responses by the Olive Fire Department since 1986. The major increase in automatic alarms has occurred since 1996. Council Member La Monda made a motion to investigate the implementation of a false alarm law. Council Member Johansen seconded the motion stated that the Town Board had previously spoken to the Town Attorney regarding the issue. Discussion occurred as to how to handle the numerous alarms from the Onteora School with the general consensus being the school should not be charged.

HIGHWAY Committee liaison Council Member Johansen submitted report #69-02 noting that two Highway employees, Alfred Barringer and Lowell Anderson, recently retired and a combined farewell party was held to wish them well in their retirement. The department completed maintenance work on town machinery, blacktopped Longyear Road, and has paved several other town roads. She noted that discussion occurred about the need to contact the County Highway Department concerning the effect their closure of Route 213 would have on Mill Road. She noted it was agreed that a letter to the county should be sent before the project starts to make them aware that the town would be looking for the county to help repair Mill Road when the project is completed.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY representative Anne Altshuler stated the major issues discussed were not that close to home other than the Mettacahonts Stream in Samsonville has experienced a large fish kill probably from chemicals used by large pond owners.

TOWN CLERK Rozzelle stated the worst fears that Town Clerks had about the new DECALS system (Dept. of Environmental Conservation Automated Licensing System) were in fact realized when hunting licenses went on sale August 26th. She read correspondence #70-02 from Barbara Decker, President of the NYS Town Clerks Association, outlining concerns and frustrations about the inappropriate manner in which the DEC has handled the system problems.

On a Leifeld/Burkhardt motion the Town Board unanimously approved the following fund transfers:

  

 


Supervisor Leifeld distributed 2003 tentative General Fund budget sheets to Town Board members stating he would like to have their input about any issues or concerns regarding the budget. He stated he would like to schedule a meeting to discuss the tentative budget. General consensus of the Town Board was to meet October 7th, 7:30 pm at the Town Meeting Hall. Supervisor Leifeld noted the Union contract that normally expires at the end of December, does not expire until June of 2003.

Supervisor Leifeld noted that Bob Burgher resigned as Planning Board member and two people have come forward that are interested in this volunteer position—Joe Friedel (#71-02) and Robert Oakes (#72-02). Supervisor Leifeld noted the Town Board had previously interviewed Bobby Oakes prior to the last appointment. On La Monda/Burkhardt motion Robert Oakes’ name was placed in nomination. On a Johansen/Chase motion Joe Friedel’s name was placed in nomination. Roll vote being for Robert Oakes: Johansen, no; Chase, no; La Monda, yes; Burkhardt, yes; and Leifeld, yes. Mr. Oakes’ term will begin immediately and will expire 12/31/02.

Supervisor Leifeld asked if the Town Board was in favor of the resolution endorsing the Catskill Interpretative Center. Council Member La Monda stated he is hesitant to act on something prior to formal support being offered by Shandaken, the town to house the project. Supervisor Leifeld moved to send a letter to Governor Pataki endorsing the CIC pending approval of the Shandaken Town Board. Council Members Chase and La Monda seconded the motion.

Council Member Chase stated that Senator Bonacic has presented information regarding grants available and the town has come up with ideas for enhancing the park. Council Member Chase stated the library has a need for increasing its space and the historical society is in need of a museum; but it is necessary for the town to submit the grant.

Supervisor Leifeld stated at the last Town Board meeting Mannah Joe Greene of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., had asked the Town Board to review a resolution supporting the immediate closure and safe and orderly decommissioning of the Indian Point Nuclear Facility. Supervisor Leifeld stated the general consensus of the Town Board is that it is not a Town Board concern but Town Board members will deal with the issue individually.

All business pertinent having been discussed the Town Board adjourned at 8:45 pm in memory of Lawrence C. Selzo.



Sylvia Rozzelle, Town Clerk