Town Board

March 8, 2006

A regular meeting of the Jewett Town Board was held on March 8, 2006. Supervisor Michael Flaherty called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Present were Board members Thomas Hitchcock, Charles Kutcher, Paul LaPierre and Harry T. Wilson.
Also present were Building Inspector Tom Cross, Superintendent of Highways Robert Mallory, Zoning Officer William Dwyer and Attorney for the Town Tal G. Rappleyea.
Highway crew Shawn Jaeger, Waylon McCullar, Jason Tompkins and Philip Benjamin. Planning Board Chairwoman Jane Bostrom, town residents Ann Dwyer, Bill Mead, newspaper reporter Mike Ryan and the town clerk.

Minutes of the February 8, 2006 regular meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Councilman Hitchcock, 2nd by Councilman Kutcher and carried.
Minutes of the February 11, 2006 meeting on Colgate Lake were accepted as presented on a motion by Councilman Wilson, 2nd by Councilman LaPierre and carried.
These minutes were not complete as many of the conversations were not intelligible on the tape recorder.
Minutes of the February 25, 2006 workshop meeting on the RFP’s were accepted on a motion by Councilman Wilson, 2nd by Councilman LaPierre and carried.

The Supervisor’s monthly report was given to the Board and bank statements were made available for review.

The building inspector gave a monthly written report.
He reported that he has been working on unsafe buildings and had pictures for the Board to look at and decide which ones he will send cooperation letters too.
Councilman Hitchcock made a motion to accept the report, 2nd by Councilman LaPierre and carried.

The zoning officer gave his written monthly report.
He has obtained the information on Mr. Streinherr’s cars and will have it ready to give the town judge on March 27th.
Current photos on Rappleyea’s garage were reviewed. The pictures appear to show he is not expanding but he does need to apply for a junkyard permit and put up a fence.
Attorney Rappleyea reported on Matthew’s. An order has been prepared and the judge will sign it tomorrow then Mr. Matthews can be transported to town court.
Councilman Kutcher made a motion to accept the zoning officers report, 2nd by Councilman Hitchcock and carried.

Bids were opened for a one-ton truck. There was one bid from Catskill Buick Pontiac for $27,570 with trade in.
The Superintendent reviewed the specifications and reported that they met all the criteria.
Supervisor Flaherty made a motion to accept the bid, 2nd by Councilman LaPierre and carried.

Attorney Rappleyea researched information on the establishment of a town constable position.
They are listed as a “peace officer” and may do just about everything a sheriff or state trooper can do except execute search warrants.
The Board discussed the constables job being from Memorial Day to Labor Day specifically working in the Colgate Lake area.
Councilman Hitchcock suggested the town petition the DEC for a trainee trained in public relations to fill this position for the summer.
Councilman Wilson said there is a time constraint as we are only 8 weeks away from the summer season beginning.
Attorney Rappleyea said an off duty sheriff or local police officer could be hired.
Supervisor Flaherty will contact the state commissioner explain the situation and ask what help can be given the town.
Councilman Wilson will find out the cost if the town has to hire a constable.
Attorney Rappleyea will work on a draft littering law and parking law for the April meeting.

Supervisor Flaherty said the DEP is doing a conservation easement of 108.7 acres off of Goshen Street.
There is a 120-day comment period. The planning board will be asked to comment.
This item was tabled.

The Board received the Jewett and East Jewett yearly annual financial reports.

The discussion on health insurance was tabled until the April meeting. Supervisor Flaherty is having an insurance broker look at the different plans.
It was suggested that once a plan is chosen a representative from that company speak with the board.

Under old business:

A meeting has been scheduled on March 14th at 5PM and 6PM to interview the two companies selected for their RFP’s.

The finance committee of Councilmen Wilson and Hitchcock audited the bills prior to the meeting.
Councilman Wilson made a motion recommending the Board approve the audit. Councilman Hitchcock seconded the motion with all Board members voting Aye.
The general fund was $19,846.33 on abstract #3, claim numbers 44 to 63. The highway fund was $9,502.89 on abstract #3, claim numbers 33 to 47.

Councilmen Kutcher and Hitchcock were appointed as the finance committee for April, May and June.

The Board reviewed the to-do list.

Councilman Wilson made a motion to add the Daily Mail on as an official Town newspaper along with the Windham Journal. Seconded by Supervisor Flaherty and carried.

With regret the Board accepted a letter of resignation from Councilman Paul LaPierre effective April 1, 2006.

Councilman Hitchcock “I’ve served with you now for 8 years, going on the 9th. It has been a pleasure having you on board. You’ve added to this Board. We’ve had our disagreements but we’ve always left friends and shaking hands. You’re going to be sorely missed, I’m going to miss you personally and I know this board is going to miss you. I’m sorry but I understand. I just want to thank you as a citizen and fellow board member for the years of dedicated service you have given to the Town.”
Supervisor Flaherty “My feelings are exactly what you just heard and even more so because we’ve been together longer.”
Councilman LaPierre “It has been my pleasure to serve with all of you folks and I have enjoyed it. In the time I’ve spent on the Board I think the Board has become a progressive forward thinking vocal board.”

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM on a motion by LaPierre, 2nd by Kutcher and carried.

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Patricia Merwin Town Clerk

March 14, 2006

A workshop session of the Jewett Town Board was held on March 14, 2006.
Supervisor Michael Flaherty called the meeting was called to order at 5PM. Present were Board members Thomas Hitchcock, Charles Kutcher, Paul LaPierre and Harry T. Wilson and the town clerk.

The purpose of the workshop was to hear presentations made by the two companies chosen by the Board for their RFP’s.

Both presentations were an overview of what the next step would be in the process. Such things as a building condition survey, interview of staff, needs assessment and statistical information.

Andrew Alesia from Alesia-Crewell made the first presentation.

Scott Wallant and his associate from Wallant made the second presentation.

The Board discussed the pros and cons of each.

Councilman Wilson thought Mr. Alesia firm had a better infrastructure and voted for Alecia.
Councilman Hitchcock said he could go with either one. The Alesia firm had more experience but was more cost.
Councilman Kutcher said Mr. Wallant firm did more research prior to tonight’s presentation and voted for Wallant.
Councilman LaPierre said he liked both but the Wallant firm did more preliminary work and was 1/3 the cost of Alesia and voted for Wallant.
Supervisor Flaherty said the Wallant firm did more preliminary work and voted for Wallant.

The project went to Wallant.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 on a motion by Flaherty, 2nd by LaPierre and carried.

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Patricia Merwin Town Clerk

Planning Board