A regular meeting of the Jewett Town Board was held on July 9, 2003. Supervisor Michael Flaherty called the meeting to order at 7PM. Present were Board members Paul LaPierre, Mark Middleton and Thomas Hitchcock. Also present were Superintendent of Highways Robert Mallory, Zoning Officer William Dwyer, Building Inspector Robert Bosworth, newspaper reporter Mike Ryan, and several town residents, Attorney for the Town Tal G. Rappleyea and the town clerk.

A motion was made by Flaherty seconded by Hitchcock and carried to accept the June 11, 2003 minutes as presented.

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

Building Inspector Bosworth gave his monthly written report to the Board.
The Board discussed several outstanding letters on unsafe buildings. The Building Inspector was instructed to send letters to the Chierchio's on County Rt. 23C and Mr. Loser on Colgate Road. Also reissue letters to Ferber on Merwin Street and Hatch on County Rt. 40. Send a letter to Ruiz on 23A asking him to secure the building for public safety and send a letter to Mr. Elias on Carl Road encouraging him to keep up the good work.

Zoning Officer Dwyer informed the Board that from the 22 properties discussed last month he has sent out 11 letters concerning the junkyard law. Two parties refused delivery and receipts have been received back on the remaining. He has seen positive action on several of the properties.
He has worked on six applications for building and zoning permits, issued two certificates of conforming use and is processing two timber harvesting permits.

Attorney Rappleyea updated the Board on the drive in theater application. " The current owner is either renting it or has it under contract to sell to Charles Sweet. He made an application for a special use permit to the Planning Board to be able to reopen it. The Planning Board went through the SEQR process. They notified DOT and DOH and everybody else. No one had any objections or any comments other than the DOH saying that at some point, as they get nearer to opening, they'll need to contact them with regard to water and septic."
"There was a public hearing last Thursday night. There were some folks that spoke out against it and the public hearing was closed. That was one of the first things on a very heavy agenda. The Board at least tabled discussion and a vote on it, at a minimum, until the end of the hearing and maybe for a special meeting later on depending on how quickly they got through the agenda."
"There were five or six no shows and so by 9 PM they were finished. They then discussed the case and reviewed what they'd done on the SEQR. They looked at traffic and the other impacts and determined that because noise did not appear to be a factor, because it is all going to be by radio and not with any speakers they approved the special use permit."
"I'm working on the written approval right now."

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Terence Reilly addressed the Board concerning the drive in theater. He owns land adjacent to the drive in theater. Mr. Reilly did attend the public hearing held by the Planning Board and presented his grievances at that time. He presented the Town Board with a four-page letter indicating those same grievances and spoke to the Board on why he was against the drive in theater re-opening.
Mrs. Reilly commented to the Board that "what was appropriate 20, 30 or 40 years ago on that road may no longer be appropriate in that location right now."

Courtesy of the floor was closed.

On a motion made by Flaherty seconded by LaPierre and carried the Board went into executive session. On a motion by Middleton seconded by Hitchcock and carried the Board came out of executive session.
The Board agreed to postpone a land purchase resolution pending a meeting with the principals.

A motion was made by Hitchcock seconded by Flaherty and carried to approve Resolution #12. This resolution changes a portion of Peck Road from a two-way road to a one-way road. Greene County will assist the Town with signage and barricade's.
ROLL CALL: Aye 4 Flaherty, Hitchcock, LaPierre, Middleton
Nay 0

A motion was made by Hitchcock to renew the contract to maintain the Towns web site with Peter Peters from August 1, 2003 to August 31,2004. Seconded by Middleton and carried.

The Board discussed putting historic and current photo's on the web site, also a directory of services. A notice will be placed in the newspaper asking for general information on activities and coming events or photo's from individuals or organizations in Town including surrounding communities.

Under Old Business:

A motion was made by Hitchcock seconded by LaPierre and carried approving new carpeting for the entrance and stairs in the Municipal Building. This will not be done before September 1st.
The September 1st date will allow the Superintendent of Highways time to obtain quotes for paving the parking lot. He will bring the information to the August meeting.

Supervisor Flaherty reported to the Board that the IRS has rescinded the "failure to deposit" penalty. The action was taken based on the "good history of timely filing and timely paying" by the Town.

The DOT has responded to the Town's request concerning intersection studies on Butternut Lane, Cramer Road and Beaches Corner Road. Butternut Lane and Cramer Road are under the county's jurisdiction. The state will look at Beaches Corner Road and Rt. 296 and report their findings.
Superintendent Mallory has spoken with the county Superintendent about the other two intersections. The county Superintendent is very busy at this time but he will check on these issues.

Derek Dailey sent his resume to the Town. He would like to be considered for the opening on the Planning Board.
The Board scheduled an interview with Mr. Dailey at 6:30 PM prior to the August 13, 2003 regular meeting.

Under other:

Councilman Hitchcock asked that Elaine Warfield be sent a letter of thanks for starting the Town's web site.

Councilman Hitchcock has looked into the possibility of having safe driving classes in the Municipal Building. The instructor receives $40 per session. If there are ten or more participants the charge per person would be $30.
The Councilman asked if the Town was interested in sponsoring the course.
Board members were in favor of the providing the venue and the participants pay their own cost. The Councilman will bring more information to the August meeting.

Councilman Hitchcock said that over the July 4th holiday he was told that Colgate Lake was heavily used.
The Supervisor will write a letter to DEC, as was done last year, indicating the Town's concern.

Councilman LaPierre will do a draft of what the Board would like to look for in awarding a scholarship from the Town. This is for next year's graduation in both school districts.
The Board agreed that it should be somebody who has demonstrated a commitment to community and some sort of civic responsibility. This would be by recommendation of teachers or community members.
It will not necessarily be awarded if no one is available to receive it.

Councilman LaPierre asked about the Public Health Officer getting involved in checking ditches. His concern is the west Nile virus.

Bills were audited and ordered paid. The general fund was $16,066.42 on abstract #7, claim numbers 144 to 164. The highway fund was $86,669.00 on abstract #7, claim numbers 100 to 119.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:30PM on a motion by Flaherty seconded by Hitchcock and carried.

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Patricia Merwin Town Clerk