December 9, 2008

Regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Chester was held December 9, 2008 at 7:30 pm in the Town of Chester Municipal Center Chestertown, NY.

Roll Call: Fred Monroe, Mike Packer, Edna Wells, and Karen DuRose. Steve Durkish - absent. Mark Schachner - Attorney for Town.

Bid openings:

One bid was received for fuel oil, diesel and kerosene.

Buckman’s Family Fuel Co.Inc., Box 448, Chestertown, NY 12817

Bid - markup $.22 per gallon on fuel oil, low sulfur diesel fuel, kerosene and $.18 mark up on fuel oil for 5000 gallons minimum delivery at municipal building. Servicemen available.

RESOLUTION #185: ACCEPT BID FROM BUCKMAN’S FAMILY FUEL CO, INC. FOR FUEL OIL, DIESEL, AND KEROSENE DELIVERIES FOR THE YEAR 2009.

Introduced by Mr.Packer, 2nd by Mrs.Wells to accept bid from Buckman’s Family Fuel Co. Inc. P O Box 448, Chestertown, NY for the delivery of: #2 fuel oil, kerosene, and diesel with a mark up of $.22 per gallon and fuel oil for the town hall only with a mark up of $.18 per gallon. Delivery will be to ski hut at Dynamite Hill, health center, Quonset hut and highway garage and Town Municipal Center.

AYE 4 NO 0

Two Bids received for Senior Transportation:

Warren - Hamilton Community Action, Box 968, 190 Maple Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801. Total $$9,620 for 2009: 52 trips cost per trip $185.

North Country Transport LLC, 14 Braley Hill Road, Bolton Landing, NY 12814

52 weeks cost per week $450.

RESOLUTION #186: ACCEPT BID FROM WARREN-HAMILTON COMMUNITY ACTION FOR SENIOR TRANSPORTATION FOR THE YEAR 2009.

Introduced by Mr.Packer, 2nd by Mrs.Wells to accept bid from Warren-Hamilton Community Action, Box 968, 190 Maple Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 for Senior Transportation for the year 2009 in the amount of $9,620 for 52 trips. Cost per trip is $185.

AYE 4 NO 0

Two bids received for the removal of wood chips: (bidder pay town)

John Howe, Box 14, Pottersville, NY 12860 - amount of bid

Pay town $5 a ton and John will pay town an additional $2 a ton to load the chips in his truck.

Adirondack Const. Enterprises, 159 Palisades Rd., Brant Lake, NY 12815 - amount of bid $9,200 - (trucking and equipment to remove the wood chip pile).

RESOLUTION #187: ACCEPT BID FROM JOHN HOWE FOR REMOVAL OF WOOD CHIPS.

Introduced by Mrs.DuRose 2nd by Mrs.Wells to accept bid from John Howe, Box 14, Pottersville, NY in the amount of $5 a ton and an additional $2 a ton (loading fee) for the removal of the wood chips.

Conditioned on Supervisor checking with Adirondack Construction bid proposing to charge the Town $9200 for removal of wood chip pile.

AYE 4 NO 0

Public Hearing:

Public hearings for purpose of entering into contracts with:

North Warren Chamber of Commerce to act as advertising agency for the Town of Chester in the amount of $14,000 (A6410.4).

North Warren Emergency Squad to furnish emergency ambulance service in the Town of Chester in the amount of $60,000 (A4540.4).

North Creek Fire District to provide fire protection in the amount of

$30,000 (SB3410.4).

Riverside Volunteer Fire Co to provide fire protection in the amount of $7,000 (SA3410.41) and Chestertown Fire Co to provided coverage in the Riverside Fire District in the amount of $5,000 (SA3410.42).

Supervisor Monroe declared public hearing open at 7:40pm. No comments were heard from the floor. Public hearing was closed.

Discussion on North Warren Emergency contract tabled to Executive session.

RESOLUTION #188: AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS FOR YEAR 2009.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose authorizing the Supervisor to enter into the following contracts for the fiscal year 2009:

North Warren Chamber of Commerce to act as advertising agency for the Town of Chester in the amount of $14,000 (A6410.4).

North Creek Fire District to provide fire protection in the amount of $30,000 (SB3410.4).

Riverside Volunteer Fire Co to provide fire protection in the amount of $7,000 (SA3410.41) and Chestertown Fire Co to provided coverage in the Riverside Fire District in the amount of $5,000 (SA3410.42).

AYE 4 NO 0

RESOLUTION #189: ACCEPT MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER MEETINGS.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mr.Packer to accept minutes of the November 5 and 12th Town Board meetings. AYE 4 NO 0

Privilege of the floor:

Nicole Howe inquired as to the snow on the sidewalk in Pottersville, across from the Pottersville Garage, and when it would be removed. John West commented that this was a “constant battle”, as it is a state road, and that Roger plows snow there, and town adds to it. He felt that most of the accumulation was from the garage. State will come and pick up when called. John also stated that Roger has cars parked on the sidewalk, if not snow then cars have to be walked around.

Discussion on contacting Pottersville garage and also not having town (when sidewalks are plowed) pile snow on the sidewalks.

RESOLUTION #190: CONTACT POTTERSVILLE GARAGE REQUESTING SNOW NOT BE PLOWED ON TO SIDEWALK.

Introduced by Mr.Monroe, 2nd by Mr.Packer authorizing that Pottersville Garage be contacted and request that snow not be plowed/piled on sidewalk across from the garage.

AYE 4 NO 0

Bill Mosher - Animal Control Officer - explained the recent dog bite issue in Pottersville on Agard Road and how it was handled. Dog was current on rabies shot and quarantine was done at home. Mr.Mosher also was in contact with town attorney and letter will be sent to dog owner requesting that dog be muzzled when off owners property.

Old business:

Response to APA comments on request for approval of zoning amendments - tabled.

New business:

RESOLUTION #191: SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR A SAFETEA-LU TRAILS GRANT BY LA GROUP.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose:

Whereas, the Town Board desires to advance the development of a trail segment which will result in a continuous trail system from the hamlet of Chestertown at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 8 for approximately one mile to the Chester Recreation Park; and

Whereas, the Town Board authorized the LA Group to proceed to file an application for funding a feasibility and development plan for the Phase One of the Hamlet Trail, to be funded through the SAFETEA-LU Recreational Trails Program which is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and NYS Department of Transportation, and administered by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and

Whereas, the Town understands there is a grant match component of 20 percent of the project total that is the responsibility of the municipality; and

New Therefore Be It Resolved as Follows:

The Town of Chester resolves to authorize the filing of this grant application and supports the total project cost of $400,428 for which the cash match is $50,428 the in kind portion is $150,000 and the requested grant amount is $200,000.

AYE 4 NO 0

RESOLUTION #192: RATIFYING HIRING OF TEMPORARY PART TIME COURT CLERK. Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mr.Packer ratifying the hiring of Sally Cook as a temporary part time court clerk by Judge McDermott.

AYE 4 NO 0

RESOLUTION #193: RE-APPOINT JOHN GRADY TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.

Introduced by Mr.Packer, 2nd by Mrs.Wells to re-appoint John Grady to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Term is for five years. Jan.1, 2009 -Dec.31 2013.

AYE 4 NO 0

RESOLUTION #194: AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN CONTRACT WITH CONVENIENT MEDICAL CARE FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING.

Introduced by Mrs.DuRose, 2nd by Mrs.Wells authorizing Supervisor Monroe to sign Contract with Convenient Medical Care for Drug and Alcohol Testing to provide drug and alcohol testing service for 2009. AYE 4 NO 0

RESOLUTION #195: AUTHORIZE SALE OF 25 HP PUMP TO THE TOWN OF WARRENSBURG.

Introduced by M.Packer, 2nd by Mrs.Wells authorizing the sale of 25 HP pump (from the water department) to the Town of Warrensburg for $2,500. AYE 4 NO 0

John West explained that the front end loader, used by parks and at transfer station, is in need of a complete brake job. Approximate cost is $7,000. Money is not in budget but could be transferred.

RESOLUTION #196: AUTHORIZE REPAIRS TO FRONT END LOADER.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose authorizing repairs to on the front end loader used by the Parks Department. Cost $7,000. AYE 4 NO 0

Supervisor Monroe reported that health insurance cost is increasing. Agreement with CSEA states that health insurance plan shall not be changed without “negotiating such changes with CSEA.” Supervisor Monroe informed CSEA about alternative plans. CSEA not interested.

Councilperson Packer inquired about doing logging on town property.

Discussion on having timber cruiser mark and estimate volume for area behind town hall and Dynamite Hill property.

RESOLUTION #197: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR A TIMBER CRUISER.

Introduced by Mr.Packer, 2nd by Mrs.Wells to Request for Proposals for a timber cruiser to look at town property at Dynamite Hill and behind the Town Hall. Approximate acreage is 150.

AYE 4 NO 0

Councilperson DuRose inquired on the Theriot Ave barricade. Supervisor Monroe has not contacted engineer yet.

RESOLUTION #198: AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF ABSTRACT AND AMENDMENTS TO 2008 BUDGET.

Introduced by Mrs.DuRose, 2nd by Mrs.Wells authorizing payment of abstract and approve budget amendments:

General Fund $ 99,703.13 (558-616)

Highway Fund $ 55,581.15 (217-239)

Chestertown water $ 1,519.65 ( 75- 80)

Pottersville Water $ 1,545.04 ( 73- 78)

Library $ 2,071.91 ( 59- 60)

Loon Lk Pk Dist $ 514.95 ( 20 )

Schroon Lk Pk $ 400.00 ( 4 )

Attached to minutes are amendments to the 2008 budget.

AYE 4 NO 0

Motion by Mr.Monroe, 2nd by Mrs.Wells Town Board went into Executive session at 8:05pm to discuss North Warren Emergency Squad contract and court clerk position. Motion by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mr.Packer Town Board resumed regular session at 9:15pm. No action was taken.

RESOLUTION #199: AUTHORIZE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ATTEND ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS MEETING IN FEBRUARY, 2009 AND AUTHORIZE PRE-PAYMENT OF BUS REGISTRATION.

Introduced by Mr.Monroe, 2nd by Mrs.Wells authorizing that any elected official, assessor and any other town employee, with approval of the Town Board, may attend the Association of Towns meeting to be held in New York City on February 15-18, 2009 and also authorize the pre-payment of bus registration. AYE 4 NO 0

RESOLUTION #200: AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH NORTH WARREN EMERGENCY SQUAD WITH AMENDMENTS.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose:

Authorize Supervisor Monroe to enter into contract with North Warren Emergency Squad to furnish emergency ambulance service in the Town of Chester in the amount of $60,000 (A4540.4) with the following amendments:

1. Require restructuring of Board of Directors to not include any paid employees, directly or indirectly paid with money for the service.

2. Further modification requiring that the Town Board be provided with audit reports for the last two years.

3. Detailed accounting of all squad expenditures.

The amendments would be provided in a form acceptable by the Town Board. AYE 4 NO 0

Motion by Mr.Monroe meeting was adjourned at 9:23pm.

_____________________________

Town Clerk