|
Town Board Minutes |
Zoning Board Minutes |
| Special Meeting January 5, 2007 A special meeting of the Jewett Town Board was held on January 5, 2007 at 11 A.M. Present were Supervisor Michael Flaherty, Board members Thomas Hitchcock, Charles Kutcher, and Elaine Warfield, Harry T. Wilson, Appointed Assessor Nancy Wyncoop bower and the town clerk. A motion was made by Supervisor Flaherty, 2 nd by Councilman Wilson and carried to go into executive session at 11:01 a.m. concerning personel matters. A motion was made by Councilman Wilson, 2 nd by Councilman Kutcher and carried to come out of executive session at 11:40 a.m. A compensation package for 2007 for Assessor Nancy Wyncoop Bower was agreed to on a motion made by Supervisor Flaherty, 2 nd by Councilman Wilson and carried. A copy of the compensation package is on file in the town clerk's office. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m. on a motion by Supervisor Flaherty, 2 nd by Councilman Wilson and carried.
__________________________ Patricia Merwin Town Clerk
Organizational Meeting January 10, 2007 The organizational and regular meeting of the Jewett Town Board was held on January 10, 2007. Attorney Rappleyea swore in Councilwoman Elaine Warfield elected in the November 2006 election to fill the vacancy left by Councilman Paul LaPierre. This is a three-year term on the Town Board. The organizational meeting was opened. Supervisor Flaherty made a motion to adopt Resolution #1, 2nd by Councilman Hitchcock and carried. Resolution #1 lists the appointment for 2007. Supervisor Flaherty made a motion to adopt Resolution #2, 2nd by Councilman Hitchcock and carried. Resolution #2 refers to salaries, benefits, purchase agreements, etc. for the highway department. In item #8 the sentence is to state that insurance buyouts are paid quarterly. After reviewing the Town Clerk’s annual report and audit of the cash book a motion was made by Councilman Hitchcock, 2nd by Councilman Kutcher and carried to approve the annual audit. The Board did an audit of the Justice Books. A motion was made by Councilman Hitchcock, 2nd by Councilman Wilson and carried to approve the annual audit. The regular meeting was opened. Councilman Hitchcock made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 13, 2006 regular meeting, 2nd by Councilman Kutcher and carried. Councilman Wilson made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 20, 2006 year-end meeting, 2nd by Councilman Hitchcock and carried. Councilman Wilson made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 21, 2006 special meeting, 2nd by Councilman Kutcher and carried. Councilman Wilson made a motion to accept the minutes of the January 5, 2007 special meeting with some grammar corrections, 2nd by Councilman Hitchcock and carried. The Board reviewed the Building Inspector’s report. Included was an additional listing of unsafe buildings. The Zoning Officer went over his monthly report with the Board. Supervisor Flaherty made a motion to accept the report from Assessor Nancy Bower, 2nd by Councilman Hitchcock and carried. Superintendent Mallory said the highway department has been quiet because of the warm weather and the crew has caught up on odd jobs. Under courtesy of the floor Town Historian Janet Nicholls said she would like to give a report at the February meeting about ideas for the historian’s position. Courtesy of the floor was closed. Councilwoman Warfield presented draft copies of a newsletter along with information on bulk mailings. Any suggestions are to be sent to the Councilwoman. Councilman Wilson made a motion to adopt Resolution #3, 2nd by Supervisor Flaherty and carried. Resolution #3 gives Councilwoman Warfield permission to spend up to $1,500 to develop and mail out the newsletter. Councilman Wilson spoke on the historic issue he brought up at the December 13, 2006 meeting. Councilman Kutcher spoke briefly with Jackson Wandres about the project to reconstruct the dam at Colgate Lake. Mr. Wanders belongs to “Friends of Colgate Lake.” Attorney Rappleyea looked at the recommendations the planning board made about changes to the Sign Law. A Public Hearing was scheduled for the February 14th meeting on Local Law #1 of 2007 entitled “Building Code”. The public hearing will begin at 7 P.M. A Public Hearing was scheduled for the February 14th meeting on Local Law #2 of 2007 entitled “ Temporary Moratorium on Adult Use”. This public hearing will follow the previous public hearing. A Public Hearing was scheduled for the February 14th meeting on Local Law #3 of 2007 entitled “A Six Month Extension on the Moratorium on Major Subdivisions.” Supervisor Flaherty will notify New York City that there were no comments about the conservation easement. A Public Hearing was scheduled for the February 14th meeting on Local Law #4 of 2007 entitled “Senior Citizen Exemption”. The hearing will follow the previous hearing. A Public Hearing was scheduled for the February 14th meeting on Local Law #5 of 2007 entitled “Disability and Low Income”. The hearing will follow the previous hearing. A Public Hearing was scheduled for the February 14th meeting on Local Law #6 of 2007 entitled “Veterans Exemption for a Gold Star Parent”. This hearing will follow the previous hearing. Supervisor Flaherty informed the Board that a letter has been sent to the Board of Elections about moving the voting room. Supervisor Flaherty made a motion to adopt Resolution #4, 2nd by Councilman Wilson and carried. Resolution #4 concerns application for an L-TAP Grant. Time Warner Cable has a customer survey out. They can be obtained at the town offices or from the Town’s web site: www.townofjewett.com. The survey will also be placed in the newsletter. Attorney Rappleyea gave updates on the following. B. D’Acunto. “The return date was two days ago. Their attorney asked for an extension of 1 month which was granted.” C. Under Article 78. “The return date is set for the 16th. We must have an answer at that time.” The Supervisor’s monthly report was given to the Board and bank statements were made available for review. The audit committee of Councilmen Wilson and Hitchcock audited the bills prior to the meeting. Councilman Hitchcock made a motion, 2nd by Councilman Kutcher and carried accepting the Supervisor’s November financial report. Supervisor Flaherty said “he has been asked by residents if a adopt a road program can be started in the Town. All Board members were in agreement on this project. A workshop to discuss the feasibility study done on town facilities was scheduled for Wednesday, January 17th at 7 P.M. in the Municipal Building. The Board discussed scheduling at least two regular monthly board meeting for Saturday’s in the spring or summer. Councilman Hitchcock asked the Board to consider a resolution asking Sheriff Hussy to step aside until his legal matters are cleared up. There being no further business the meeting was at adjourned at 8:55 P.M. on a motion by Supervisor Flaherty, 2nd by Councilman Kutcher and carried. ____________________________
January 4, 2007 TOWN OF JEWETT Roll Call: Chair: Jane Bostrom The Planning Board welcomes back Gene Beers who has been ill, our new member J.R. Quakenbush, and our new secretary Susan Laubmeier. Agenda Item 2: Approval of Minutes of December 7, 2006. Mrs. Kutcher made the motion to approve the minutes of December 7, 2006. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was five ayes with Mr. Beers and Mr. Quackenbush abstaining; the motion carried. Agenda Item 3: Application for Special Use Permit for Carol and Nathan Miles of 173 Beaches Corner Road, Jewett, NY; Tax Map 130.00-4-33.21; District: Rural Residential. Two Family Residence. History from minutes of December 7, 2006: “The applicants are proposing to convert a living area above the existing garage into a separate dwelling unit. They recently discovered their Certificate of Occupancy from a previous building permit allowing an addition to the dwelling to incorporate the garage was only temporary. They are attempting to correct the situation, repair the previous construction and change the existing one-family dwelling into a two-family dwelling. They have received a Certificate of Non Conformity from the Zoning Enforcement Officer regarding the location of the shed in the front yard. After review of the application and supporting documents, Mrs. Bostrom requested a detailed plot plan showing the entire parcel with all existing structures and accurate measurements. In addition, the required number of parking spaces, which is 2 per family, must be indicated on the plot plan. Mrs. Dwyer gave the applicant short-form SEQR to be submitted at the next meeting of January 4, 2007.” On January 4, 2007, the Planning Board reviewed additional drawings submitted by the Miles. Mrs. Bostrom expressed concern that they were not drawn to scale, and it was noted that only three of the required four parking spaces were shown in the drawings. Received was a copy of the original blue print for the septic system and a copy of the tax map with the building hand drawn upon it, and floor plans of the dwelling. Mrs. Muth pointed out that the earlier drawing was drawn to scale: this was the copy of the blueprint for the septic system. Mrs. Kutcher suggested that we receive a new copy of the tax map, circling the area of the house, with a note “Refer to page B” which would be the detailed copy of the house from the septic system blueprint. This was agreed to. Further discussion arose as to the size of the parking spots. Mrs. Muth suggested 10 x 20 feet. This was agreed to. The new drawings will contain parking spots drawn to scale. Also discussed was the fact that the special use permit limits approval to one special use and the Miles had applied for two: as Two Family Dwelling and a Seasonal Rental Business. Mrs. Bostrom read the law and definitions. It was decided by the Miles to opt for the Two Family Dwelling. Nathan Miles said most of the renovations were complete and Tom Cross had been waiting on the Board’s decision regarding the application of the permit before he would finalize the inspection. A motion was made by Ms. Muth to schedule a public hearing for February 1, 2007 pending receipt of the amended plot plan with parking spaces drawn to scale within 10 days of the next meeting. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kutcher, and carried with seven ayes. Mrs. Bostrom instructed the Miles to notify all adjoining property owners by certified mail at least 10 days prior to hearing date. Ms. Laubmeier gave the Miles the cover letter to send to their neighbors and the sign to be posted in the front yard of their property. Agenda Item 4: Application for Sign Permit for Gene Gordon Realty, Inc., broker for William King of Round Hill Road and County Route 40, Jewett, NY; Tax Map #s 113.00-2-19 and 113.00-4-19: District: Rural Residential and Rural Conservation. Mr. Gordon was not present. He did submit his application by December 22 as requested by the Code Enforcement Officer. However, he may not have known that he was expected to attend the meeting. Mrs. Bostrom said Mr. Gordon had phoned her prior to the meeting. They had discussed the permitted size. However, data accompanying the application stated that the sign was 32 square feet, not 24 square feet. There have been public complaints about the safety of the placement of the sign blocking visibility from the road. The sign may also be in a right of way. Mrs. Bostrom read a letter from Mr. Gordon to the Zoning Enforcement Officer in which there was a reference to a letter Mr. Gordon received from the ZEO. We do not know what action the ZEO took. Ms. Muth suggested we have the ZEO measure the sign for compliance, and if it is in violation, have it taken down. In question are the size of the sign, the location of the sign for right of way and traffic visibility. A motion was made by Mrs. Kutcher to take no action on the permit on the basis of Mr. Gordon’s absence and inadequate information and to send a letter to Mr. Gordon so stating; motion seconded by Ms. Muth. Seven ayes carried the vote. This letter is to be CCed to ZEO and Town Board. Agenda Item 5: Application for Sign Permit for Lilla Godlewski of 765 Maplecrest Road (Co. Route 40) and 187 Hauser Road, Jewett, NY; Tax Map #113.00-4-4; District: Rural Residential. Reference was made to the Sign Law Discussion from December 7, 2006 minutes. Ms. Godlewski has two signs for her pottery business which do not conform to the local law. Mrs. Bostrom pointed out that signs must be on Ms. Godlewski’s own property, so a letter from a neighbor upon whose land the sign sits is invalid. Ms. Godlewski pointed out that to move to a more appropriate area on her own property would conflict with a highway sign, as the entrance to her studio is off Hauser Road. Ms. Muth enquired whether she had a circular driveway and why not put the sign off Maplecrest Road. Ms. Godlewski countered that the location of that driveway near a gully makes it a safety concern for visibility. Mr. Beers pointed out with the Lady Bug Antique as a precedent, the placement of the sign has a directional element. A directional sign is permitted off property and is supported by Local Sign Law Section III.A. “No more than two off-site signs may be permitted by the Planning Board for businesses, churches, or service organizations located in the Town of Jewett. Such off-site signs may be erected only if necessary for directional purposes and may be no larger than two square feet in area with a maximum of one-foot in height and two-foot in length.” This sign, which is larger than the first, has a directional arrow on it, but is technically not a directional sign because it also states Ms. Godlewski’s hours and phone number. Mr. Beers pointed out that regarding the size of the signs, Ms. Godlewski should be OK if she agreed to swap the positioning of the signs, as the smaller of the signs is within the size described by law for a directional sign, and the larger of the signs within the size allowed for a business sign on one’s own property. Ms. Godlewski agrees to do these modifications: the 2-foot by 2-foot sign is to be moved to the end of her driveway and to move the smaller sign as a directional sign on to her neighbor’s property, for which she has a signed letter of permission. Ms. Godlewski is to return next month with the changes made before the Planning Board can give her approval. Agenda 8: Report from County Planning Board Representative Gene Beers stated that he would be attending the next meeting. Agenda 9: Other Business There being no other business, Mrs. Nicholls motioned to adjourn meeting; Mr. Beers seconded. Seven ayes carried the motion. The meeting closed at 9:55pm. Respectfully Submitted, Susan Laubmeier, Clerk
_____________________________
|