JANUARY 9, 2007

Regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Chester was held January 9, 2007 at 7:30 pm in the Town of Chester Municipal Center, Chestertown, NY.

Roll Call: Frederick Monroe, Michael Packer, Frank Shaw, Edna Wells and Karen DuRose. Mark Schachner - attorney for the Town.

RESOLUTION #7: APPROVE MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETINGS.

Introduced by Mr.Shaw, 2nd by Mrs.Wells to approve the minutes of the December 12th and 28th Town Board meetings and the January 3, 2007 reorganization meeting. AYE 5 NO 0

RESOLUTION #8: CLARIFICATION ON RESOLUTION #203 OF DECEMBER 28, 2006 MEETING IN REGARDS TO “OPT OUT” ON HEALTH INSURANCE.

Introduced by Mr.Shaw, 2nd by Mrs.Wells to clarify the wording of Resolution #203 of the December 28, 2006 minutes: Bargaining unit and non-bargaining unit, employees of the Town of Chester, who are eligible for health care coverage be treated separately but equally in the calculation of remittance. AYE 5 NO 0

Privilege of the Floor:

Janet Nieradka - inquired as to why there wasn’t any Christmas decorations in the park in Pottersville. Mrs.Nieradka said she missed not seeing the decorations and it was always well done.

The girls that normally decorate felt that new decorations are needed and also would like to have outlets installed, so that lead cords are not strung across the park. Councilperson Wells stated that some of those people have been invited to the meetings for input as to what is needed.

Outlets to be considered in the spring.

Old Business:

Pottersville Street Light project - waiting for the replacement on globes that arrived broken. Contractor recommends separate fuses for each pole be installed in the event that a light should fail to operate, all lights would not go out, Town Board agreed.

Burn barrels in hamlets - Supervisor Monroe has contacted Dr.Delman and Janet Moon. Discussion on burn barrels and that local residents should contact Department of Environmental Conservation in regards to the illegal burning of garbage in burn barrels.

Councilperson Shaw does not feel that to ban the burning of wood in barrels should be considered, this could then lead to the banning of wood stoves. He strongly stressed that it is illegal to burn garbage and that people doing so (hamlets or other areas) need to be told not to by the proper authorities and residents that are being affected by the “smell” of other residents burning “garbage, etc” need to call DEC and complain.

Councilperson Shaw and Packer request that in the response to Dr.Delman that burning garbage is illegal and that DEC should be notified, if DEC does not meet their responsibilities in pursuing the complaint then the Town Board should be notified and the Town will then take action in contacting DEC.

Affordable housing - tabled

Maxam complaint regarding Redmond storage building property - Supervisor Monroe has talked with Highway Superintendent Clark in regards to the complaint. Supervisor Monroe will contact Mr.Redmond in regards to the plowing of snow across Foster Flats Road and request that snow not be left in highway or Town right of way. Town has had to (in the past) use more equipment for removal of snow in that specific area.

New Business:

RESOLUTION #9: AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN MOUNTAIN VIEW MEMORIAL CONTRACT FOR HEADSTONE REPAIR.

Introduced by Mr.Shaw, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose authorizing Supervisor to sign contract for 2007 with Mountain View Memorial for headstone repair. AYE 5 NO 0

RESOLUTION #10: AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR, DEPUTY SUPERVISOR AND TOWN CLERK TO SIGN GLENS FALLS NATIONAL BANK RESOLUTION.

Introduced by Mr.Shaw, 2nd by Mrs.Wells authorizing Supervisor Monroe, Deputy Supervisor Packer and Town Clerk to sign Glens Falls National Bank Resolution. Copy attached. AYE 5 NO 0

Nicole Howe - grand opening of youth center - Town Board is in favor of having a grand opening. Donations have been received for the youth center.

Health department water samples- letter of apologize received from Health Department.

Chestertown water tank encroachment- discussion on buying land or requesting an easement. Supervisor Monroe will talk with Mr.Pereau in regards to an easement.

Notice of claim re:-burn pile - has been submitted to Town’s insurance company.

Councilperson DuRose inquired as to requirements for residents to have cable. 15 houses per mile are needed and Town submits request for areas. Cable contract will be reviewed - note that contract is for 10 years and last Franchise Renewal Agreement was December 1998.

Discussion on appointing an advisory committee.

Councilperson Wells inquired about a “snow gun” maker for Dynamite Hill. Discussion on state requirements for “ski center”, at this time the Town is exempt because of prior existence. Supervisor Monroe will check on the regulations governing an existing ski area if improvements are made. Cost of operation and materials (compressor, hoses, man hours, etc) maybe a significant expense. Councilperson Shaw also commented on the safety issues and the conditions of man made snow compared to regular snow fall.

RESOLUTION #11: AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF ABSTRACT.

Introduced by Mr.Shaw, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose authorizing payment of abstract and approve claims paid prior to audit:

General fund $26,958.20 (595-632)

Highway fund 12,990.45 (249-268)

Chtwn water 1,165.73 ( 65- 70)

P’ville water 496.29 ( 48- 53)

Library 715.83 ( 55- 56)

Loon Lk Pk Dist 16.91 ( 12 )

General Fund 2007 $17,127.48 ( 1- 12)

AYE 5 NO 0

Motion by Mr.Shaw, 2nd by Mrs.Wells Town Board went into Executive Session at 8:30pm to discuss Word of Life assessment litigation and also Maxam litigation. Motion by Mr.Shaw, 2nd by Mr.Packer Town Baord resumed regular session at 9:30. No action taken.

Motion by Mr.Monroe meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.