A regular meeting of the Jewett Town Board was held on June 12, 2002. Supervisor Michael Flaherty called the meeting to order at 7PM. Present were Board Members Thomas Hitchcock, Mark Middleton, Paul LaPierre, and Attorney for the Town Tal G. Rappleyea, Superintendent of Highways Robert Mallory, some residents and the town clerk. Absent was Councilwoman Marilyn Haarklau.

A motion was made by Hitchcock, seconded by Middleton and carried to accept the minutes of the May 8, 2002 regular meeting as presented.
Supervisor Flaherty said he spoke with both Fire Departments. The Jewett Fire Department promised something for tonight's meeting but nothing has arrived. The East Jewett Fire Department has all their forms done and renewed. The Supervisor will ask for copies of the forms to be placed on file in the Town offices.
Councilman Hitchcock asked about the full financial disclosure statement promised from the Jewett Fire Department. They indicated they have more money then was shown on the report and would provide the Board with the accounting of these monies. The Councilman said "it's still public money and if we're the ones looking at it we should have a full accounting of their finical status." A letter was suggested requesting the information so the Town has something on file. All Board members in agreement with sending a letter.

On the appointment to the Greene County Planning Board in the May meeting Councilman Hitchcock said his concern, which was not stated in the minutes, was he "didn't know any more about what the position entailed then he did before. We have in the past interviewed for positions that are open. The individual involved was not in question, it was what comes before that Board."
Councilman Middleton stated that "we have the right" to have the candidate come before the Board and explain what she does.
In the future the Board will interview any candidate.

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

The Board reviewed a written report from the Assessor. A motion was made by Hitchcock, seconded by Flaherty and carried accepting the report.

A motion was made by Flaherty, seconded by LaPierre and carried approving Resolution #9.
This resolution increases the marriage license fee from $15.00 to $25.00 thus giving the Town more revenue. ROLL CALL: Ayes 4 Flaherty, LaPierre, Hitchcock, Middleton
Nays 0
Absent 1 Haarklau

A motion was made by Flaherty, seconded by LaPeirre and carried approving Resolution #10.
The resolution gives approval for the Town to enter into contract with the various recreational, cultural and other services the Town can not provide. This would be done on an annual basis.
ROLL CALL: Ayes 4 Flaherty, Hitchcock, LaPierre, Middleton
Nays 0
Absent 1 Haarklau

The Board discussed replacement of 911 signs. The Town provided the initial sign at no cost to the homeowner. Some of these have been misplaced.
LaPierre made a motion; seconded by Middleton and carried to require the homeowner to pay for any additional 911signs at cost and the Town will be responsible for putting the sign up.

Supervisor Flaherty informed the Board that an audit has been conducted by an independent auditor, CPA Barbara Cherenocvsky. A written report is attached to her voucher.
The Supervisor said he would like to have Ms. Cherenocvsky come back and teach the bookkeeper
how to reconcile the accounts and bring everything up to date.

A letter of resignation was received from ZBA member Dan Emil and accepted by the Board.
Supervisor Flaherty will contact Tom Wilson to ask if he is interested in the position on the ZBA and will bring the information back to next months meeting. The Board has previously interviewed Mr. Wilson. The Board was in agreement with asking Mr. Wilson to fill the position.

Kilmer property- unsafe building.
The Building Inspector has received no response to the original certified letter that was sent. There was no response to the letter written by the Town Attorney. The tax collector reported that the second tax notice letter was returned with "Deceased" stamped on the front.
Councilman Middleton said that someone was on the property at Easter time.
Attorney Rappleyea was given permission by the Board to have a title company do a search, for $50.00 to $100.00, of surrogate court records and see if an estate has been opened in the owners name and who is receiving notice on their behalf.

Under old business:
1) Work will begin to replace the Municipal Building roof shortly.

2) On the Town wide pickup: Superintendent Mallory said he has no plan and would like ideas from the Board. He did state that he would like to begin the pick up on September 2nd and go through the month of September. Pick up would be according to the four-snow plow runs, which will cover all the roads in the Town.
Board members did suggest no construction debris, no refrigerators with doors, no closed paint cans, no household garbage, 4 to 6 tires per household. The Board agreed these things should be left to the Superintendents desecration.
Councilman Middleton suggested the ad should read "Town Wide Residential Pick Up".
The Councilman also suggested the runs be broken into quadrants so items are not left out by the roadside for a month.
Items will have to be brought to the nearest Town road or main highway.
The Superintendent will have a plan for next months meeting.

3) Policy Committee: Middleton and Hitchcock
Councilman Middleton reported that a lot of time was spent gathering information.
Councilman Middleton, "One of the things that became totally apparent was there is a lot of legalize" in the information, well beyond the scope and ability" of the committee "to do legally and properly for the Town."
Documents received from about 13 other Towns "have been done by professionals."
Councilman Middleton suggested a company called "Amtek". They can put together a
proposal that can be continually updated. The charge will be approximately $3,000.00.
Councilman Middleton: "They will come and meet with the Board" and gather
information to produce a handbook for the Town.
Councilman Middleton will set up a meeting with a representative from Amtek one hour
before the regular meeting in October.

4) Councilman Hitchcock presented the Board with a draft picture of a monument stone to
commemorate September 11, 2001. The Councilman presented a proposal from Bruce
O'Brien of New York Quarries, Inc. The monument stone would be approximately 6 feet
tall with a width of 36 inches at a cost of $1,355.00.

A motion was made by Hitchcock, seconded by Flaherty and carried approving the
proposal from New York Quarries to do a September 11, 2001 memorial
monument stone with modifications to a time change and place change.

Under courtesy of the floor:
Ron Rausch introduced himself to the Board. He works with the local Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District. His position is water assistance program coordinator, assisting the Towns and the residents to find their way through the watershed rules and regulations. He will also help out with grants to facilitate opportunities whether it's for grant writing or technical assistance.

Under other:
1) Councilman LaPierre passed out to the Board the "balance of the update on the survey." The last two pages are a summarization of "the comments and the narrative questions." There were approximately 532 responses to the survey or 33% to 35%.
The Board has already addressed many of the concerns noted on the survey such as roadside
litter; junk cars and derelict buildings.
Councilman LaPierre, "There is no conclusion. I thought this information is best assessed and
conclusions drawn by whatever activity in the Town, whether it's the Town Board, Planning
Board or whatever. Look at it and interpret it how you will. The basic information that supports
these overviews is tabulated and available to look at in more detail".
The Councilman will revise the cover sheet to reflect the update and the information will be
placed on the Town web site and printed copies will be available in the Town offices.

2) Councilman Middlton brought the Board a suggestion for the back of the "Welcome to
Jewett" signs. This had been discussed at a previous meeting.
The decal is blue and the letters will be striped out to read "Have a Nice Day".
Councilman Middleton and his uncle will do the work.
A motion was made by Flaherty, seconded by Hitchcock and carried approving the decals for the backs of each "Welcome to Jewett" sign at a cost of $15.00 each. The cost includes the making and
installation.

3) Councilman Hitchcock said the Town signs "need to have some care and maintenance."
He asked that the highway department weed -eat around the signs. Superintendent Mallory will take care of this item.
The Councilman said he would like to encourage individuals to adopt a sign and have the Town provide pots for people to plant flowers in.
Supervisor Flaherty suggested a surround around the post of a more permanent nature.
Councilman Middleton suggested the Board establish a beautification committee in the Town.

Councilman Hitchcock volunteered to write a notice to solicit people to adopt a sign and maintain it during the growing season with flowers. The notice can go in the paper and on the web site.
Board members were all in favor of the idea.

4) Councilman Hitchcock, "Logging on the Wieninger property was heatedly discussed at several meetings". "That was not a clear cut. It did not spoil tourism on the MountainTop; it did not spoil anything. You can barely tell where the logging was done".

5) Councilman Hitchcock, "On Memorial Day weekend Helga & Werner Pscherer held a chapel
dedication . It's a beautiful thing they've done on their property in the Town. It was very nicely done".

6) Councilman Hitchcock asked if the Board wanted to continue looking into work on the Miles Bridge? The Town tried for a grant but was denied. The Supervisor said he would check into a grant from the water shed.
Councilman Hitchcock, "I think it has historic value because of the nature of the construction. I was looking to get volunteers to do some work, beautification, pedestrian, whatever it takes. I think it's a good idea".

7) Councilman Hitchcock, "We were given information about health insurance. Did we go any further with that as far as changing it?"
Supervisor Flaherty, "We remain status quo. It would have meant a small benefit loss to our retirees so we told the insurance agent to forget about it".

8) Councilman Hitchcock asked if there were any progress on the Rt. 23C & Rt. 296 property? Supervisor Flaherty informed the Board there has been no response to the letter he wrote concerning the 3-acre parcel and the 6-acre parcel has been sold.
Councilman Middleton said he "would still like to pursue the piece if property on Co. Rt. 17. If you can glean off of the survey, people are looking for a little business, a little of this and a little of that. All of that can be encompassed and incorporated in a hamlet. You could create the only real little business district we have, which it's zoned for, right on Rt. 17. You have a church, a meeting hall, garage, and post office. What a place to site the Town house and actually create a little hamlet where maybe you could have a coffee shop or a barber shop or real estate office. To me, that's the makings of any kind of a shot that this Township has at having a hamlet, in my estimation, is right there in that corridor. By relocating the Townhouse there with some recreational facilities I think that would foster growth in that direction. Just read some of the comments that the people want, they don't want big business but they want some sense of community. If we acquire that we could have a fair ground, a place where the Town hall would be, maybe even a little health community office. That would foster that kind of growth and keep it in the targeted area that the zoning is allowing right now. Not having to worry all a sudden about someone opening up shops in other sections of Town which are going to challenge our zoning and everything else. That's what I'm gleaning off of these responses. That would be the makings of a real hamlet of Jewett, right in that section."
Supervisor Flaherty, "We've talked about it before. There still could be a lot of resistance. This building and the building before this were always in this site".
Councilman Middleton, "I understand that and respect that old thoughts die-hard. The realty is if this Board has division to try to move the Town ahead, we've had division to move ahead on the zoning, we've gotten responses on the survey, it's all leaning to looking for a little sense of community. There's no where else in this Town, unless I'm mistaken, where we could start to build a hamlet where there would be a business district, unless we went on the Rt. 23A corridor. I think it's worth the effort to try to step out and look at a referendum to see what the peoples voice may be".

9) Councilman Hitchcock, "About the salt barn, it was mentioned we need a little more land. Any contact with the people that own that?
Supervisor Flaherty, "No."
Councilman Hitchcock, "Do we want to try to enlarge the size of that?"
Supervisor Flaherty, "Cobleskill Stone & Gravel has taken over Falke's Quarry, they should be a regular provider for us. We would not have to stockpile as much stone and that will give us more room to store equipment."
Councilman Hitchcock, "I got the impression there wasn't a great deal of room on the back of the salt barn to get around."

Superintendent Mallory, "If we do adopt more roads in the next 2 or 3 years then we may have to extend the salt barn back, in that case we wouldn't have the room."
The Superintendent said he would inquire about the Town purchasing more land in back of the salt barn.

10) Councilman Hitchcock asked if the Town has a policy on ambulance calls for residents picked up outside of the Town?
Supervisor Flaherty said "we don't and this was explained to the gentleman." The Supervisor said he suggested the gentleman set up a pay schedule with the ambulance-billing department.
Attorney Rappleyea commented that the "other slippery slope is resident versus non-resident."
Councilman Hitchcock said "he would recommend that we pay for anybody in Jewett or if any resident of Jewett is picked up in a bordering Town that we pay that as well. The Councilman further stated that he couldn't think of all the times that he might have a problem he would be in the confines of Jewett.
Supervisor Flaherty said he agreed. "The only problem is when Benedictine was operating their clinic on Rt. 17 people from all over the mountaintop came to that clinic. If the Doctor deemed they needed hospital care we were paying to transport those people. I petitioned every single Town whose people used our service and asked for money back and was told nothing."
Councilman Middleton asked if there was a possibility of a Mountain Top agreement that we would cooperate accordingly?
The Supervisor stated that "we in Jewett don't have the resources to give back something we receive. We're down to first responders and can't transport."
Councilman Middleton, "Unfortintually, we do have to be cut and dry about this. How are we going to fund it?"
Councilmen Middleton suggested the Town put together a paragraph and adopt it as a policy.

The Supervisor will have some language for the Boards review at the July meeting.

On a motion by Flaherty, seconded by Hitchcock and carried the Board went into executive session on a financial matter. On a motion by Flaherty, seconded by LaPierre the Board came out of executive session.

It has come to the Towns attention that there is an outstanding ambulance bill from a Jewett resident in the amount of about $105.00. The Town Board has agreed to pay the bill by a motion made by Flaherty, seconded by LaPierre and carried.

Bills were audited and ordered paid. The general fund was $7,512.41on abstract #6, claim numbers 138 to 166. The highway fund was $7,817.00 on abstract #6; claim numbers 86 to 103.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 PM on a motion by Flaherty, seconded by Middleton and carried.

___________________________________________
Patricia Merwin Town Clerk