November 3, 2004

The regular meeting of the Jewett Town Board was held on November 3, 2004. Supervisor Michael Flaherty called the meeting to order at 7PM. Present were Board members Paul LaPierre, Thomas Hitchcock, Charles Kutcher and Harry T. Wilson. Also present were Superintendent of Highways Robert Mallory, Building Inspector Robert Bosworth, Zoning Officer William Dwyer, and Mt. View Estates representative Rob Panasci, Esq., Program manager Bob Ravallo, Town residents Jane Bostrom and Paul Rosedale, Attorney for the Town Tal G. Rappleyea and the town clerk.

The public hearing on the 2005 preliminary budget was opened.

There were no comments from the public.

The public hearing on the Veterans exemption for the 2005 tax roll was opened.

Resident Paul Rosedale thanked the Board for considering this exemption.

The public hearing on the senior and disabled low-income exemption was tabled. Attorney Rappleyea explained that this exemption has not been presented to the County finance committee and the Town should wait until the County moves on this exemption.

The public hearings were closed.

On a motion by Flaherty, 2 nd by Kutcher and carried the preliminary budget for 2005 was approved as the 2005 annual budget.

A Local Law “Creating Alternative Veterans Exemption Pursuant to Section 458-A of the Real Property Tax Law” was approved on a motion made by Flaherty, 2 nd by Wilson and carried.

Councilmen LaPierre and Hitchcock recused themselves.

The Supervisor's monthly report was given to the Board. Due to the early date of this months meeting bank statements were not available.

Minutes of the October 13, 2004 regular meeting and the October 6 th and 20 th budget workshops were accepted on a motion by Kutcher, 2 nd by LaPierre and carried.

The Building Inspectors written monthly report was accepted on a motion by Hitchcock, 2 nd by LaPierre and carried.

The building inspector was instructed to take action on the trailer on Losse Road and redress the fallen barn on Colgate Road.

The Zoning Officers written monthly report was accepted on a motion by Hitchcock, 2 nd by LaPierre and carried.

The zoning officer was instructed to send Mr. Miller a notice of violation.

Resolution #26 was approved on a motion by Flaherty, 2 nd by Kutcher and carried. This resolution is a transfer of monies to buy the plow truck.

ROLL CALL Aye 5 Flaherty, Hitchcock, Kutcher, LaPierre and Wilson.

Nay 0

Resolution #27 was approved on a motion by LaPierre, 2 nd by Kutcher and carried. This resolution authorizes Lamont Engineers to submit a grant application to the CWC for the purpose of making improvements to the Carr Road bridge on Rt. 23A.

ROLL CALL Aye 5 Flaherty, Hitchcock, Kutcher, LaPierre and Wilson.

Nay 0

Resolution #28 was approved on a motion by Flaherty, 2 nd by LaPierre and carried. The Justice Court received grant monies in the amount of $3950.00. This resolution moves the grant monies into the justice's contingency account.

ROLL CALL: Aye 5 Flaherty, Hitchcock, Kutcher, LaPierre and Wilson.

Nay 0

Old business:

Mountain View Estates representative Rob Panasci, Esq, and program manager for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade program Bob Ravallo spoke with the Board.

At the October meeting the Board discussed a petition from Mountain View Estates seeking approval of the formation of a transportation corporation in order to posses a speedies permit.

Under the law there are bond requirements that have to be made. One is a performance bond to build and complete the program. The second is a bond to cover operation and maintenance.

Attorney Rappleyea said there is some resistance to doing an O & M bond from the cities portion because they have to pay any additional O & M cost that the project currently doesn't have to pay.

Mr. Ravallo will try to draft something that both parties can agree to.

This item was tabled until the December meeting.

Resolution #29 was approved on a motion by Flaherty, 2 nd by Wilson and carried. Resolution #29 will create a local law to amend any Town laws mentioning any fees by removing any reference to those fees therein. The Town Board will establish all application fees and any similar fees.

ROLL CALL: Aye 5 Flaherty, Hitchcock, Kutcher, LaPierre and Wilson.

Nay 0

A public hearing on this local law was scheduled for the December 8 th, 2004 meeting.

Changes in the sign law were discussed. This item was tabled until the December 8 th meeting.

Supervisor Flaherty gave an update on the Hunter landfill. “The DEC gave a full speed ahead for the artificial wetlands. There may be a small cost charge back to the Towns. The timetable has been scheduled and monies have been reserved for the environmental facilities corporation.”

Supervisor Flaherty gave on update on the ambulance. “ It's moving alone and all four Towns, Jewett, Prattsville, Ashland and Windham, will join in the inter-municipal agreement.”

One application has been received for the job of part-time building inspector.

The Board agreed to place an ad for the position in the Daily Mail.

Interviews will be scheduled prior to the December 8 th , 2004 meeting.

The finance committee of Councilmen Hitchcock and LaPierre audited the bills prior to the meeting.

Councilman LaPierre made a motion recommending the Board approve the audit. Councilman Hitchcock 2 nd the motion and all Board members voted Aye.

The general fund was $6,242.77 on abstract #11, claim numbers 260 to 279. The highway fund was $11,381.26 on abstract #11, claim numbers 167 to 176.

Supervisor Flaherty will execute the contract with the Columbia Greene Humane Society.

A Public Hearing for a local law, “Written Notice Dangerous Conditions” was scheduled for December 8 th , 2004 meeting.

A workshop was scheduled for December 15 th , 2004 at 7PM for the Board to review the employee handbook.

Councilman Hitchcock asked the Board to look into enhancing the appearance of the property around the memorial by planting trees. Councilman Wilson will ascertain information from the Arboretum on what types of trees could be planted in the area around the memorial.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM on a motion by LaPierre, 2 nd by Flaherty and carried.

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Patricia Merwin Town Clerk