Minutes of the audit and monthly meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Olive held Tuesday, March 2, 2004, 7:00 pm at the Town Meeting Hall in Shokan, NY. The Monday, March 1, 2004, audit meeting was postponed until March 2nd so Town Board members could attend the Onteora School Board meeting.
Members Present: Berndt Leifeld, Supervisor
Henry Rank, Council Member
Helen Chase, Council Member
Linda Burkhardt, Council Member
Member Absent: Bruce La Monda, Council Member
Recording Secretary: Sylvia Rozzelle, Town Clerk
Others Present: Everett Cook, ZBA Member; Gene Sorbellini, Recreation Director; Jimmy Fugel, Highway Superintendent; and Paula Minew, Planning Board Member
The Town Board audited the bills for the month of February until 7:30 pm at which time Supervisor Leifeld called the regular monthly meeting to order.
On a Rank/Burkhardt motion the Town Board approved the minutes of the January 13th and February minutes as submitted by the Town Clerk and corrected on page 188.
Recreation Director Gene Sorbellini stated that parents involved in Little League have raised over $3,000.00 for a batting cage and now will need electrical service installed at Shokan Park. He stated their request through him is to have electric installed so they can sell their concessions and continue raising funds. Supervisor Leifeld asked if any of the Town Board members were aware of this fund drive to purchase a batting cage. He stated he doesn’t want to ruffle any feathers but it would have been nice if the Town Board knew about this since there are concerns regarding insurance liability. He stated our insurance company isn’t going to be too thrilled about this. Council Member Chase stated it was in one of her reports, but a long time ago.
The following correspondence was read and filed:
Supervisor Leifeld stated DEP representative Dan Davis has started an Esopus Creek Stream Planning Focus Group noting that a few on this committee are Mike Molloy, Bob Cross, and Berndt Leifeld.
On a Chase/Burkhardt motion the Town Board unanimously approved payment of the following audited bills: Highway Vouchers #20-#61, $33,794.69; Prepaid General Fund Voucher #51, $222.00; General Fund Vouchers #52-#108, $22,142.58; SF Fire Department Voucher #1, $101,831.00; and SL Special Lighting Voucher #2, $34.44.
Supervisor Leifeld recognized Steve Thayer and Terry Carle who had requested addressing the board regarding Peck Road. Steve Thayer stated he has lived off of Peck Road for 16 years and there are four sections of that road that should be dug out and more base put in. He stated there are a couple of pipes, especially near Secors where logging has occurred, that are problem areas. He stated you need four-wheel drive to pass over the road. Highway Superintendent Jimmy Fugel stated the road is a dirt road noting the muddy conditions are expected during the spring thaw. He noted the road has only been open year round for the past three years. Superintendent Fugel stated last year the department dug it out, ditched the shoulders, and have cleaned the area where they logged at least twice a year. Mr. Thayer asked if they could put something on the road other than the fine dust they use now, not suggesting oil and chip. Superintendent Fugel stated he had planned to put at least a foot of shale on a portion of the road this year with the funds he now has. Mr. Thayer stated he and Mr. Carle are here at the board meeting to try to get him the money.
Council Member Chase stated it was a privately owned road until about two years ago. Mr. Thayer stated he thought it was always a town road. Superintendent Fugel stated it was the last seasonal town road in Olive. Council Member Chase stated it wasn’t a town road before three years ago. Mr. Thayer and Mr. Carle stated they disagreed with Council Member Chase stating there was an agreement that the town would not maintain it year round. Council Member Chase stated she is speaking as one of the owners as her property butts up to Peck Road and she stated that previous Highway Superintendent Bob Brueckner had said the town right of way is from the center of the road. Superintendent Fugel stated Peck Road is a town road by use and there is no set distance on the right of way. Council Member Chase stated Bob Brueckner told her that the town has to have from the center of the road. Mr. Carle stated that is a subdivision requirement for a town road when you want to subdivide off of a substandard road. Mr. Carle stated that two years ago the utility companies came in and put their poles immediately at the edge of the road and there is one pole that is six feet into the road. Mr. Carle stated that the one pole is an old problem but the new poles should not have been put in as they were. Supervisor Leifeld asked Highway Superintendent Fugel what can we or can we not do now. Superintendent Fugel stated he intends to dig it out doing ½ of the road this year and ½ of the road next year and perhaps paving it all the third year. He noted he would like to see the houses built on this road prior to putting the topcoat noting it would be more cost effective to pave the road. Supervisor Leifeld asked if it would it be feasible to talk to Central Hudson on moving the poles. Highway Superintendent Fugel stated trees need to be cut at the beginning of the road to improve site distance. Mr. Carle stated that the Highway Superintendent needs more money to get the road upgraded and paved. Superintendent Fugel stated just to put the top on would be around $50,000.00
Under Old Business: Supervisor Leifeld requested a motion to empower the Supervisor to sign a contract with the UCSPCA. Council Member Burkhardt asked what happens to the dog when it goes to the SPCA with Council Member Chase noting they have a no kill policy. On a Burkhardt/Chase motion the Town Board empowered Supervisor Leifeld to sign said contract. He noted that on a 30-day notice the Town Board could opt out.
Town Clerk Rozzelle read the draft letter (#15-04) to the DEC regarding the Town Board’s comments on the Crossroads Ventures DEIS. On a Leifeld/Burkhardt motion the Town Board unanimously approved sending said letter.
Supervisor Leifeld noted the open position on the Board of Assessment Review was advertised in the newspaper with there being one applicant expressing interest. On a Leifeld/Rank motion the Town Board unanimously appointed Bert Ketchum to fill this position. Mr. Ketchum’s term will being immediately and will expire 9/30/04.
Supervisor Leifeld stated Richard Ostrander has resigned from the Board of Police Commissioners. On a Leifeld/Burkhardt motion the Town Board approved sending a letter to Mr. Ostrander thanking him for his volunteer service to the town. Supervisor Leifeld placed the name of Vincent Bruck as a candidate for filling this vacancy. Supervisor Leifeld stated that years ago on a previous vacancy the commission had spoken to Mr. Bruck about filling the position feeling it would be beneficial to include the school in the process. He noted at that time Richard Ostrander had expressed interest and all felt that his qualifications and police experience would be valuable to the commission. On a Leifeld/Rank motion and unanimous board approval Vincent Bruck was appointed to the Police Commission. Supervisor Leifeld stated he was not happy to see Richie leave the commission noting he is sorry Richie chose to leave this position since he was such an asset to the commission.
Supervisor Leifeld noted cash received for January 2004 as $2,637,921.04 and interest in January as $840.32.
The following committee reports were read and filed:
FIRST AID liaison Council Member Chase submitted report #16-04 noting the unit responded to seventeen calls in February, passed with flying colors the NYS DOH Bureau of EMS inspection, and raised $700.00 at the February spaghetti dinner.
PARKS AND RECREATION liaison Council Member Chase submitted report #17-04 noting adult softball had a preseason meeting, adult and youth basketball has reached its halfway point, the soccer management team for Youth Soccer has met for the second time, the ski program was cancelled due to lack of interest, and Erin Jones will be returning as Pool Coordinator and Andrew Burkhardt as Senior Life Guard.
FIRE DEPARTMENT report #18-04 showed a total of 49 responses during the month of January. Gene Sorbellini expressed a thank you for voting in the service awards program noting it really works with more volunteers attending calls.
TRANSFER STATION liaison Council Member Burkhardt noted the town would be applying for funding for Transfer Station repairs from the Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling Program.
HIGHWAY Committee liaison Council Member Rank stated there was no meeting during the month of February but submitted February report #19-04 noting the department plowed four times, hauled 580 tons of sand, and cut brush on Upper Boiceville Road, Brunel Drive, Deerfield Road, DeSilva Road, and part of Bostock Road. Supervisor Leifeld stated the town has signed a contract with the Union taking it through 2006.
TOWN CLERK Rozzelle noted that during February $123,885.56 in taxes were collected for Ulster County with other clerk revenues totaling $6,641.51.
On a Leifeld/Chase motion the Town Board unanimously passed by roll vote Resolution #2 of 2004 supporting legislation amending the Help American Vote Act to provide for private and secure voting. Roll vote being: Rank, yes; Chase, yes; Burkhardt, yes, and Leifeld, yes.
All business pertinent having been discussed the Town Board adjourned at 8:38 pm on a Leifeld/Chase motion in memory of Robert Green and Vera Ina Warren.
Sylvia Rozzelle, Town Clerk
