Town Board

July 13, 2005

A regular meeting of the Jewett Town Board was held on July 13, 2005. Supervisor Michael Flaherty called the meeting to order at 7PM.
Present were Board Members Thomas Hitchcock, Paul LaPierre, Harry T. Wilson. Absent was Councilman Charles Kutcher.
Present were Building Inspector Thomas Cross, Assessor Georgette Krauss, and Attorney for the Town Tal G. Rappleyea, Superintendent of Highways Robert Mallory, Town residents Jane Bostrom, Janet Nicholls, Werner Pscherer, newspaper reporter Mike Ryan and the town clerk.

A letter will be sent to Town resident and new US citizen Michelle Cumpelik inviting her to the next Board meeting to congratulate her and present her with a new US flag.

A motion was made by Hitchcock, 2nd by Flaherty and carried accepting the minutes of the June 8, 2005 regular meeting adding the following discussion items.
Assessor Krauss’ written report stated that the Town had an increase of approximately $17million over last year’s assessment roll and the total assessed value of the Town is around $217,000,000.
Zoning Officer Dwyer reported he was still giving a monthly report to the Town Judge about Mr. Blodgett’s property on Beaches Corner Road. Some of the debris has been cleaned up, but a lot remains. This property was recently sold and the new owner was made aware of the lien on that parcel. Mr. D’Acunto on Boy Scout Rd. is still advertising his business. Attorney Rappleyea will make a motion of contempt in Supreme Court.
Minutes of the June 20, 2005 workshop were accepted on a motion by LaPierre, 2nd by Wilson and carried.

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

The Board scheduled the August 10th Board meeting at 7PM in the Jewett Fire House.
The September 14th Board meeting at 7PM was scheduled in the East Jewett Fire House.
The October Board meeting was rescheduled for Saturday October 8th at 10AM at the Municipal Building with the annual cider day to follow.

Building Inspector Tom Cross informed the Board that he has issued over 30 building permits to date. He’s working on the unsafe buildings file and will try to have more information for the next meeting.
A motion was made by Hitchcock, 2nd by Wilson and carried accepting the building inspectors report.

The Zoning Officer’s monthly report was given to the Board.
Attorney Rappleyea informed the Board that he has filed a motion of contempt in Supreme Court concerning Mr. D’Acunto from Boy Scout Road. This matter is set for trial in November in the County Supreme Court.
The Zoning officer had indicated to the Supervisor that he was only going to site Mr. Blodget for the two cars on the property because most of the debris has been cleaned up.
A motion was made by Flaherty, 2nd by Wilson and carried accepting the Zoning officers report.

Highway Superintendent Mallory reported:
a.) All the FEMA disaster areas have been tentatively approved by the State and Federal agencies. There were a total of 22 projects.
b.) Scribner Hollow road will be subbed out.
c.) A 9-foot culvert was installed in Bobolin Road.
d.) The CHIPS application has been sent in for $44,400. The projects were Lossee Road and Griffin Road.
e.) A resident complained about ditch work done on Ford Hill Road. Superintendent Mallory said the Town can do work 25’ either side of the center of the road. He had measured to make sure it wasn’t over the 25’. He is going to follow standard procedure and seed and mulch the ditches on Ford Hill Road.
f.) The discussion to make Butternut Drive one-way was tabled. The new property owners contacted the Superintendent and said they were willing to work with the Town on this matter.

A motion was made by Flaherty, 2nd by Wilson and carried giving the Superintendent permission to purchase two sanders.

The Board agreed to ask the County for a $150 per month increase in rent for the Senior Center. At present the rent is $750 per month.

The finance committee of Councilmen LaPierre and Wilson audited the bills prior to the meeting.
Councilman Wilson made a motion recommending the Board approve the audit. Councilman LaPierre 2nd the motion and all Board members present voted Aye.
The general fund was $9,401.98 on abstract #7, claim numbers 160 to 174. The highway fund was $22,869.16 on abstract #7, claim numbers 97 to 111.

On a motion by Flaherty, 2nd by LaPierre and carried the Board went into executive session concerning possible litigation. On a motion by Flaherty, 2nd by Wilson and carried the Board came out of executive session.
The Supervisor will send a letter to the Town of Ashland saying the Town of Jewett is not interested in funding a survey at this time.

Assessor Georgette Krauss said she was in the process of going field review.

Attorney Rappleyea passed out a draft “Property Maintenance Law” for the Board to review and discuss at the August meeting. This draft is a combination of the junk law and the unsafe buildings law.

Attorney Rappleyea also passed out a draft to modify Article VI, Section 3 in the road design of the subdivision law.
Under Section 3 an A-1 paragraph is already in the code and an A-2 paragraph would be added concerning motor paving of private roads. The Board asked to have paragraph 2 modified by adding a release clause stating that if in the future the road is brought up to Town specification and the Town takes over the private road the owners are released from the obligation of maintaining the road.

The Board scheduled a workshop to continue discussion on the “Future of Jewett”.
The Board would like to invite the AMTEK representative to discuss medical insurance for retirees at that time.
The meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 9AM in the Municipal Building pending the availability of the representative. The Supervisor will contact the representative.
The Board will also discuss any other business that might come before them.

Two quotes were received for air conditioning the Municipal building.
1.) Kool-Temp Heating & Cooling, Inc. for installation, labor and materials:
$9,230.
2.) Catskills Mechanical for installation, labor and materials: $6,0000.

A motion was made by Flaherty, 2nd by LaPierre and carried approving Resolution #9. This resolution gives the bid to Catskills Mechanical for $6000 to air condition the Municipal Building and use the funds repaid to the general fund from the loan to the highway fund.
ROLL CALL: Ayes 4: Flaherty, Hitchcock, LaPierre, Wilson.
Absent: Kutcher Nays 0
July 13, 2005 page 3 of 3

Supervisor Flaherty was asked to obtain information on the warranty and service for the air conditioners.

At the workshop meeting held on June 20th, 2005 a newsletter, meeting location and welcome packet were discussed. It was suggested that at the next Future of Jewett workshop the Board formalize exactly who will be doing what on these items.

Councilman Hitchcock asked that at some point the Town and State discuss the Town’s concerns about the uses and abuses at Colgate Lake.

Councilman Hitchcock obtained some old pictures from Clara Thompson. They will be going on the Town web site.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM on a motion by Wilson, 2nd by LaPierre and carried.

___________________________
Patricia Merwin Town Clerk

July 27, 2005

A meeting of the Future of Jewett committee was held on July 27, 2005. Supervisor Michael Flaherty called the workshop to order at 9A.M.
Present were Board members Thomas Hitchcock, Charles Kutcher, Paul LaPierre and Harry T. Wilson.
Also present was AMTEK representative Michael Richardson and the town clerk.

Effective this September the current CDPHP plan will no longer be available to the Town. CDPHP gave 5 options to look at.
Supervisor Flaherty said that Avid care 15 with riders was the most consistent with the current plan with a $5 co-pay increase.
The Board will review the options and discuss them at the August regular meeting.
Councilman Hitchcock asked that highway personnel also look at the options and then inform the Board of their opinions.

A motion was made by Flaherty, 2nd by Wilson and carried to send notice to the Town and County Planning Boards of the proposed amendment added to Article VI, section 3 in the Subdivision law on private roads.

Michael Richardson discussed insurance benefits after retirement for the highway employees.

Councilman Wilson said the Board has looked at several choices. This is complicated and there are many factors.

Councilman Hitchcock stated that it is our ethical and moral obligation to provide health insurance at retirement for the highway employees.

The Board determined that the qualifiers for retirement would be 25 years of continuous service, age 62 with single coverage until they reach age 65 and they receive
Medicare.
Councilman Wilson calculated that the cost would add approximately $3,300 per year to the budget.

This plan can be changed at any point in time.

Mr. Richardson will have a written proposal for the Board by Friday afternoon.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 11 A.M. on a motion by Wilson, 2nd by LaPierre and carried.

______________________________
Patricia Merwin Town Clerk

Planning Board

July 7, 2005

Roll Call: Chairperson: Jane Bostrom
Members: Joan Kutcher, Janet Nicholls, Paul Rosedale and Carol Muth
Attorney: Tal Rappleyea
Absent: Gene Beers

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
Members discussed the problems encountered with the Public Hearing notices published in the Windham Journal. Although the notices were submitted correctly, the paper’s June 30 notices stated the hearings would NOT be held. The correction notices published the following week, July 7, were also incorrect. Mr. Rappleyea advised the Board that each of the hearings could be opened at this meeting; members could receive comments from the public; and then each would be adjourned until the August 4, 2005 meeting. Members agreed with this procedure. Mrs. Nicholls will confer with the Windham Journal to verify that the August 4 notices are published correctly. Members discussed holding a special meeting on July 21; however, a quorum might not be available.

Agenda Item 2: Approval of Minutes of June 2, 2005.
Mrs. Muth made the motion to approve the minutes. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

Agenda Item 14: Application for Special Use Permit for Marilyn Stefans of 47 Finnish Lane, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 111.00-4-30, District: Conservation. Present: Marilyn Stefans, Vahan Khawzadian
Mrs. Stefans is requesting a Special Use Permit for construction of a one-family home on 9.48-acres in the Conservation District. After review of the application, members determined the applicant should provide a plot plan, drawn to scale with all dimensions, including the frontage width. Mrs. Stefans will provide the plan and members agreed to place her on the August agenda.

Agenda Item 3: Public Hearing on Application for Minor Subdivision for George and Sally Hildenbrand of 87 Cross Road, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 128.00-5-2.2, District: Rural Residential. Present: Sally Hildenbrand, Bruce Maben.
Mrs. Muth made the motion to open the Public Hearing. Mr. Rosedale seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the hearing opened at 8:15 pm. The applicant submitted the certified receipts of mailing of the notices. There were no comments from the public. Mrs. Muth made the motion to adjourn the hearing and continue it at the August 4, 2005 meeting. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the hearing was adjourned at 8:18 pm.

Agenda Item 4: Application for Minor Subdivision for George and Sally Hildenbrand of 87 Cross Road, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 128.00-5-2.2, District: Rural Residential. Present: Sally Hildenbrand, Bruce Maben.
Mrs. Hildenbrand submitted the Agricultural Data Statement and the application was referred to the Greene County Planning Board which determined it to be ‘no jurisdiction’. No action was taken since the Public Hearing was adjourned.

Agenda Item 5: Public Hearing on Application for Special Use Permit for Rebecca Murray of 87 Cross Road, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 128.00-5-2.2, District: Rural Residential. Present: Rebecca Murray, Bruce Maben
Mrs. Muth made the motion to open the Public Hearing. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the hearing opened at 8:20 pm. Ms. Murray submitted the certified receipts of mailing of the notices and certification of sign posting. Mrs. Bostrom read the letter from Joanne Allar expressing concern about the quality of life of the community after allowing subdivisions in the Town; she had no personal objection to the application. There were no other comments from the public. Mrs. Muth made the motion to adjourn the hearing and continue it at the August 4, 2005 meeting. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the hearing was adjourned at 8:21 pm.

Agenda Item 6: Application for Special Use Permit for Rebecca Murray of 87 Cross Road, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 128.00-5-2.2, District: Rural Residential. Present: Rebecca Murray, Bruce Maben
Ms. Murray submitted the Agricultural Data Statement and the application was referred to the Greene County Planning Board, which approved the application. No action was taken since the Public Hearing was adjourned.

Agenda Item 7: Public Hearing on Application for Minor Subdivision for Jane Eisenberg and Jack Cohen of 3894 Route 23C, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 130.00-1-13, District: Rural Residential. Present: Jane Eisenberg
Mrs. Muth made the motion to open the Public Hearing. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the hearing opened at 8:22 pm. Ms. Eisenburg submitted the certified receipts of mailing of the notices. There were no comments from the public. Mr. Rosedale made the motion to adjourn the hearing and continue it at the August 4, 2005 meeting. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the hearing was adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Agenda Item 8: Application for Minor Subdivision for Jane Eisenberg and Jack Cohen of 3894 Route 23C, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 130.00-1-13, District: Rural Residential. Present: Jane Eisenberg
No action was taken since the Public Hearing was adjourned.

Agenda Item 9: Public Hearing on Application for Minor Subdivision for Charles and Jeanine Mulholland of 35 Sugar Loaf Trail, East Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 132.00-3-62, District: Rural Residential. Present: Charles & Jeanine Mulholland.
Mrs. Nicholls made the motion to open the Public Hearing. Mrs. Rosedale seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the hearing opened at 8:25 pm. The applicants submitted the certified receipts of mailing of the notices. There were no comments from the public. Mrs. Muth made the motion to accept the application as complete and adjourn the hearing to be continued at the August 4, 2005 meeting. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the hearing was adjourned at 8:42 pm.

Agenda Item 10: Application for Minor Subdivision for Charles and Jeanine Mulholland of 35 Sugar Loaf Trail, East Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 132.00-3-62, District: Rural Residential. Present: Charles & Jeanine Mulholland.
The applicant submitted five copies of the Mylar and the DEP Notice of Complete Applications and Design Approval letters on Lots 3 and 2. Lot 1 is now noted as Lot 3 and is 3.435-acres. Deed descriptions were not provided but will be provided at the next meeting.

Agenda Item 11: Application for Minor Subdivision for Saverio & Constantina Accardi of Little Timber Road, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 146.00-4-25, District: Rural Conservation. Present: Mr. Saverio Accardi, Mr. Bruce Maben
Mr. Maben submitted descriptions of the properties. Ms. Susan J Kohan will be providing the proposed deeds in a week. Mrs. Muth made the motion to appoint the Planning Board as Lead Agency under this action. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. After the SEQR review, Mrs. Nicholls made the motion to determine there are no adverse environmental impacts of the action. Mr. Rosedale seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. After review of the application and supporting documents, Mrs. Nicholls made the motion to accept the application as complete and to schedule the Public Hearing for August 4, 2005 at 7:30 pm. Mr. Rosedale seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. Mrs. Bostrom instructed the applicant regarding required notices to all applicants within 500 feet.

Agenda Item 12: Application for Minor Subdivision for Robert and Rosaleen Maske of Little Timber Road, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 146.00-4-22, District: Rural Conservation. Present: Mr. Saverio Accardi, Mr. Bruce Maben
Mr. Maben submitted descriptions of the properties. Ms. Susan J Kohan will be providing the proposed deeds in a week. Mrs. Muth made the motion to appoint the Planning Board as Lead Agency under this action. Mrs. Nicholls seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. After the SEQR review, Mrs. Nicholls made the motion to determine there are no adverse environmental impacts of the action. Mr. Rosedale seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. After review of the application and supporting documents, Mrs. Nicholls made the motion to accept the application as complete and to schedule the Public Hearing for August 4, 2005 at 7:30 pm. Mr. Rosedale seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. Mrs. Bostrom instructed the applicant regarding required notices to all applicants within 500 feet.

Agenda Item 13: Application for Boundary Line Adjustment for Maurice Mudge of 639, 645 and 667 Route 296, Jewett, NY, Tax Map No. 113.00-3-5 and 113.00-3-4, District: Rural Residential. Present: Christine Valachovic of Kaaterskill Associates.
Ms. Valachovic submitted [1] a signed Application for Boundary Line Adjustment, [2] two Applications for Certificate of Non-Conforming Use, [3] copies of the current deeds and drafts of the new deeds, and [4] revised plats showing the location of the water supply and the septic system on both lots. She stated that the locations of the well and septic are approximate. Mr. Rappleyea stated the deed descriptions are sufficient. Mrs. Bostrom noted that a Special Use Permit would be required in order to use the property for commercial or office use. After review of the application and supporting documentation, Mrs. Kutcher made the motion to approve the Boundary Line Adjustment. Mr. Rosedale seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE: Mrs. Bostrom – AYE; Mrs. Nicholls – AYE; Mrs. Muth – AYE; Mrs. Kutcher – AYE; Mr. Rosedale – AYE; Mr. Beers – ABSENT; and VACANT. Mrs. Bostrom signed the Mylar and copies and instructed the applicant to file it within 30 days in the County Clerk Office.

Agenda Item 15: Report from County Planning Board Representative – Gene Beers. Mr. Beers was not present.

Agenda Item 12: Other Business: The Board has been informed the Bongiorni subdivision application has been withdrawn.

There being no other business, Mr. Bostrom made the motion to close the meeting. Mr. Rosedale seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The meeting ended at 9:42 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joan Kutcher, Acting Secretary
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Jane Bostrom, Chair