OCTOBER !3, 2009

Regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Chester was held October 13, 2009 at 7:30pm in the Town of Chester Municipal Center, Chestertown, NY.Roll Call: Frederick H Monroe, Mike Packer, Edna Wells, Karen DuRose and Steve Durkish. Bob Haffner - filling in for Mark Schachner.

RESOLUTION 121: ACCEPT MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING.

Introduced by Mrs.DuRose, 2nd by Mrs.Wells to accept the minutes of the September Town Board meeting. AYE 5 NO 0

Privilege of the Floor:

Arnold Jensen - Loon Lake - from September meeting in regards to floating objects and definitions in New York State Navigation Law.

Mr.Jensen suggested that minor modifications be made to the town zoning. He stated the reason being is that more people are putting out markers, balls, floating objects in the lake (some of which are “eye sores“) beyond the allowable 50’. Discussion on this being changed to 75’ from shore line.

Supervisor Monroe felt that beings Mr.Jensen is the lake constable, he could enforce things that are in violation of the Navigation Law.

Town Board will review the suggestions for floating objects distance from shore line, with attorney for the town and then submit to APA.

Bob Flynn - Loon Lake - milfoil - continued from September meeting - Mr.Flynn, acting on behalf of Rob Freligh, submitted to the Town Board a list of names for a committee to help with milfoil (phone numbers and addresses will be needed). Also submitted to the board was an outline for controlling the growth and spread of Eurasian Milfoil and a list of volunteer hours and areas where milfoil was harvested this summer.

Further discussion on increasing the park district budget by $20,000 for 2010, to be used for milfoil harvesting. Town Board agreed to do this and will be included in the proposed 2010 Loon Lake Park District budget.

RESOLUTION 122: APPROVE REQUEST OF STEVE SMITH TO USE AUDITORIUM.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose approving request of Steve Smith to use the auditorium on November 13, 2009 Friday for a music concert. A donation of $100 will be made to the Town to cover use of utilities. AYE 5 NO 0

RESOLUTION 123: ADVERTISE FOR SCHROON LAKE PARK COMMISSIONER.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mr.Monroe to advertise for Schroon Lake Park Commissioner for the Town of Chester, to fill the vacated term of Gary Smith. Term expires December 31, 2010 (3 year term). AYE 5 NO 0

RESOLUTION 124: APPROVE REQUEST OF COURT CLERK TO ATTEND VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW CLASS.

Introduced by Mrs.DuRose, 2nd by Mrs.Wells approving request of court clerk to attend Vehicle and Traffic Law class at Warren County Municipal Center on October 27, 2009 at 6:15 pm. Mileage and registration payable by the Town. AYE 5 NO 0

Town of Chester Historical Society is requesting occupancy tax funds (approximately $3,750) to be used for a DVD project - to be done with the help of Jeremy Little and a company that would copy the DVD, promoting the Town of Chester. Supervisor Monroe wanted to know how this project would be billed - by season or how. A breakdown would be needed on mileage and equipment and a proposed contract. Supervisor Monroe did state that the project would be eligible for occupancy tax funds. Funding would not be able to be done upfront. A copy of the county contract (for occupancy funds) may be able to be used for a guide.

Loren Pereau - felt that an infringement of his rights, in regards to the barricade on Theriot Ave. Town Board had no further comments.

Old Business:

Revised draft of timber harvesting local law - town board reviewed the draft.

RESOLUTION 125: ACCEPT TIMBER HARVESTING DRAFT AND SUBMIT TO APA.

Introduced by Mr.Packer, 2nd by Mr.Durkish to accept timber harvesting draft for the Town of Chester Zoning law and submit copy to the Adirondack Park Agency for their review. AYE 5 NO 0

Dynamite ski hut attendant - not all applications received - tabled

Deputy water superintendent - tabled for executive session

New Business:

Contract signed for boom truck and scaffolding - work starts October 26, 2009. on the chimney at the Town municipal center.

Darrowsville Church - Councilperson Packer feels that the church is unsafe and needs to be “knocked down”. Mary Jane Dower suggest that some of the boards be salvage and used to make an area to enclose the bell. She will give all paper work to Supervisor, that she has.

Town Board will work with who ever owns church or is responsible for it in regards as to the unsafe condition of the church.

Rescue squad - no paid members on board - Bill LaPierie and Kevin White from North Warren Emergency Squad. The audit report has been completed and Supervisor Monroe has copy. Discussion on paid members being on the board. Mr.LaPiere stated that the board members are volunteers and are elected in a democratic way. Mr.White stated that only a couple are paid members.

Discussion on the by laws and adjustments and for this to be done by January. Mr.White stated that a longer time frame would be required.

Councilperson DuRose doesn’t have a “problem” with paid members on the board.

Councilperson Wells felt that perhaps a full time employee shouldn’t be on the board. Councilperson Durkish and Packer agreed with Supervisor Monroe.

Tabled until a plan is presented.

Water rents - increase? Water rents are not adequate to run the water districts. User fees are suppose to pay the operation cost. Auditor feels that there should be an increase to cover the cost. If water rents are increased the tax rate may be able to be reduced. Discussion on increasing the fee by 10% (rounding of to the nearest dollar) on all charges, with the exception of the connection charge.

RESOLUTION 126: INCREASE WATER RENTS IN THE WATER DISTRICTS BY 10%.

Introduced by Mr.Monroe, 2nd by Mr.Packer authorize an increase in the water rents for the Chestertown and Pottersville water district of 10%. AYE 5 NO 0

RESOLUTION 127: SET DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON 2010 BUDGET.

Introduced by Mr.Monroe, 2nd by Mrs.Wells to set date for public hearing on the 2010 budget for November 5, 2009, Thursday at 7:30pm.

AYE 5 NO 0

Quotes for fence around Pottersville water tank. 2 quotes received:

Blythefield Fence, Box 325, Chestertown, NY 12817 $6,122.

AFSCO Fence Supply, 34 Big Boom Rd, Queensbury, NY 12804 $5,585.

RESOLUTION 128: ACCEPT QUOTE FROM AFSCO FOR FENCE.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose to accept quote from AFSCO Fence Supply Co., Inc., 34 Big Boom Road, Queensbury, NY 12804 in the amount of $5,585. Work will start soon. AYE 5 NO 0

Councilperson Wells has been approached about the availability of people using the town municipal center to walk in for exercise. Board felt this was alright. Individuals will be required to sign a hold harmless waiver.

RESOLUTION 129: ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO WALK IN MUNICIPAL BUILDING FOR EXERCISE AND SIGN WAIVER.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mr.Durkish to allow individuals to walk in the municipal building for exercise providing that they sign a hold harmless waiver. AYE 5 NO 0

Animal Control Officer, Bill Mosher, will be on disability. Supervisor Monroe has received the report that Mr.Mosher will be on disability from the Town of Johnsburg for six months. Councilperson Wells felt that the Town of Chester needs ACO coverage. Supervisor Monroe said that Mr.Mosher may be able to do what is needed for the Town of Chester or could advertise. Tabled to executive session.

Discussion on use of Dynamite ski hut - Councilperson Packer feels that the town needs to charge for the use of the building, as a lot of times people using the hut are not from the Town of Chester, and he also felt that “Dynamite Hill is an expense to the Town and should try to get something back out of it“. Most using building are non-profit (scouts, CWI, guild). Residents and non-residents would need to be charged the same. Councilperson Durkish felt that the fee would compensate the cleaning of the building etc.

List of rules and regulations for use of building to be drafted.

As of January 1, 2010 a $25 fee will be charged for use of the building.

RESOLUTION 130: CHARGE FOR THE USE OF DYNAMITE SKI HUT AND CREATE A LIST OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ANYONE USING BUILDING.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose to charge $25 for the use of Dynamite Ski hut for all non-profit individuals, starting January 1, 2010. A list of rules and responsibilities will be drafted by Councilperson Durkish. John West will monitor building and report back to Town Board. AYE 5 NO 0

RESOLUTION 131: AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF ABSTRACT, APPROVE CLAIMS PAID PRIOR TO AUDIT AND AMENDMENTS TO 2009 BUDGET AND 2009 BUDGET AMENDMENTS.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mr.Packer authorizing payment of abstract and approve claims paid prior to audit and accept 2009 budget amendments:

General fund $45,899.69 (425-490)

Highway fund $33,361.01 (182-204)

Chtwn water $ 1,378.86 ( 62- 69)

P’ville water $ 1,335.90 ( 49- 57)

Library $ 1,540.68 ( 40- 43)

AYE 5 NO 0

Motion by Mr.Monroe, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose the Town Board went into Executive Session at 9:30pm to review applications for deputy water superintendent and animal control officer position. Motion by Mr.Monroe, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose Town Board resumed regular session at 10:10pm. No action taken.

RESOLUTION 132: AUTHORIZE HIRING OF KIMBERLY FRAZIER FOR DEPUTY WATER SUPERINTENDENT.

Introduced by Mr.Packer, 2nd by Mrs.Wells authorize hiring of Kimberly Frazier for deputy water superintendent. AYE 5 NO 0

Motion by Mr.Packer meeting was adjourned at 10:10 pm.

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Town Clerk