TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON
REGULAR MEETING
March 15, 2006
The regular meeting of the Town of Northampton was held on Wednesday, March 15, 2006, the meeting was called to order at 7 PM in the Municipal Building, 412 South Main Street, Northville, NY.
PRESENT: Supervisor: Linda Kemper
Councilmen: Carl Reece, Bob Ellsworth, Darryl Roosa and
Randy Palmateer
RECORDING SECRETARY: Elaine Mihalik-Town Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: Chris Richardson-Highway Superintendent,
Ken Cramer, Water & Sewer District Superintendent
Matthew Rabin–Leader Herald
Jack Farquhar, Dennis C. Poulin, Colleen Cordone, Donald Farren, Willem Monster,
Frank Bendl, Jim Conkling, Debra Cramer, Michael Warner, Warren S. Taylor,
Ivar Anderson, John Ferguson, Pat Richard, Raymund Hatch Jr., Guy Poulin and
William Mackey,
MINUTES: Councilman Reece motioned to accept the minutes of the February 15, 2006 regular meeting as presented by the Town Clerk, seconded by Councilman Roosa, passed by, 5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Palmateer, Roosa and Ellsworth 0-Nays
Councilman Palmateer motioned to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing on the “Proposed Comprehensive Plan” held February 23, 2006 as presented by the Town Clerk, seconded by Councilman Roosa, passed by, 5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Palmateer, Roosa and Ellsworth 0-Nays
COMMUNICATIONS
JUSTICE REPORT: Councilman Palmateer motioned the approval for the Justices and Court Clerk to attend “DOCS” Training Session on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 in Albany, NY, seconded by Councilman Ellsworth, passed by,
5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Ellsworth, Roosa and Palmateer 0-Nays
Councilman Reece motioned to accept the Justice report of 31 cases handled and $3,127.50 collected in fines for the month, seconded by Councilman Palmateer, passed by, 5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Ellsworth, Roosa and Palmateer 0-Nays
ANIMAL CONTROL: Council Roosa read the Animal Control report submitted by Mr. Duesler.
ELECTIONS: The Northville Central School is looking into borrowing two of our election machines for the school elections to be held on May 16th.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ASSESSOR: The Exemption Filing Deadline and Taxable Status Day was March 1. The Predecision Collaboration meeting was held last month with ORPS at the County Office Building in Johnstown. Their preliminary estimate 78.3 as a Market Value Ratio is in support of an Equalization Rate of 78 and this will be put on our 2006 Tentative Assessment Roll. Mr. Boulton has made several comments in response to the letter from Herb Hammons to the Town Board regarding the Assessment Roll.
Supervisor Kemper noted although it hasn’t been posted in the paper yet, she has had three people who have expressed an interest in the position of the appointed Assessor. Mr. Boulton will be leaving us as of June 30, 2006. This will be posted in the newspaper and we hope to get someone trained or at least started for that position, Supervisor Kemper stated she believes June 1, 2006. The board will be reviewing applicants and doing interviews in the mean time.
ZONING: Currently there are no applications pending for review to the Town Zoning Board of Appeals. In regards to the zoning issue with Logan’s Campground, Mr. Curtis has completed his final inspection.
Attorney’s written comments. A Public Hearing has been scheduled for the proposed Local Law for Demolition to be held at the same time as the next town board meeting on April 19, 2006 at 7 PM.
PLANNING BOARD: Supervisor Kemper gave an update of the SMSI Grant. She had met with Lori Heithoff, from the Dept. of State while attending a Conference in NYC.
Ms. Heithoff stated we should have a determination in mid-May of whether we were successful or not and what score we received and why. Ms. Heithoff stated that, how everybody rated high on the scoring will be posted on their website.
Jim Conkling noted that they did not have a meeting this month because they didn’t have a quorum. Both he and Supervisor Kemper have interviewed several candidates for the vacancies on the Planning Board, that are more than acceptable and he expects action by the town board soon.
Mr. Conkling has given the Town Board preview materials for the upcoming public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan. (1) Scott Henze’s responses on the Land Use Analysis were made on the notes of the minutes from the Public hearing on the Proposed Comprehensive Plan, Scott Henze has responded in italics to the original document; (2) A copy of the Land Use Analysis; and (3) Tom Shearer’s August 29, 2006 letter to the Planning Board on the issues. Many of the people present at the meeting two weeks ago did not have the current Land Use Analysis.
(1) Mr. Shearer gave us his input in August, those issues were responded to and many of them were changed in that report. You will find that most of those issues that were approached were resolved and frankly, some we just didn’t think were that important.
(2) The Sacandaga Park Water & Sewer Section, the numbers were incorrect. Mr. Conkling noted that the Sacandaga Water & Sewer Districts are a problem and that problem needs to be resolved. It should be resolved by a long-term plan for those people. There are a few goals, such as the fire hydrants noted in the comprehensive plan.
(3) Mr. Conkling has received input from Mr. Taylor, Mr. Anderson and Willem Monster. There are some issues that should be addressed when we do zoning. (a)
(a) It is alleged that the document they have been working on for two years is not a comprehensive plan and it is. There is no question about it based on their training with the Dept. of State, the acceptance by the Fulton Co. Planning Board, and all the training they received. What this plan does is establish a broad base that establishes an agenda for the town Mr. Conkling stated.
(b) There was indication we missed valuable constituents. He was in contact and sent copies to the Library, to every clergy in the area, the Historical Landmark Commission, the Merchants Association, on the town website, approximately 30 copies have gone to the public and he has given a presentation to the Historical Society, Masons, the Lions Club and Civic Association. He met with 5 superintendents of schools and has been to the APA to talk about this.
(c) The picture of the proposed (Delia) highway complex has been removed.
Supervisor Kemper has received comments from the LA Group, which is a professional and prestigious Group. Any member of the public is entitled to a comment, and she is not the one to criticize if someone wants to do this at his or her own expense.
It was Mr. Conkling assumption that comments from someone such as the LA Group or anyone else would be included when we take up zoning.
The Town of Northampton Town Board will be holding a Public Hearing on the Proposed Comprehensive Plan, tomorrow night, March 16, 2006 at 7 PM here in the Town hall. The plan is available on the town website, at the library and in the Town Clerk’s office.
JOINT YOUTH: We worked on the Youth Budget, it’s available in the Village Treasurer’s Office for anyone to review. The Town of Northampton, Village of Northville, Town of Benson and Edinburg are participates in the Joint Youth Program. The Town of Hope has decided not be involved. We have placed an ad for summer hires for the summer recreation program. Tentatively they are planning an Easter Egg Hunt.
HISTORIC LANDMARK: Mr. Taylor announced they would be having a Public Hearing on April 27, 2006 at 7 PM regarding the Spire House on South Main Street and listing that house on the Historic Landmark Listing.
The Godfrey Shrew House in Fish House will be taken under consideration for nomination to the listing in the National & State Registers on March 14, 2006.
Supervisor Kemper motioned to approve the Historic Landmark Commission seeking a “Preserve New York Grant” through the Preservation League, up to $10,000 for a consultant to help produce a historic resources survey of the Town of Northampton, and if awarded, to accept and expend funds under the grant, seconded by Councilman Reece, passed by,
5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Palmateer, Ellsworth and Roosa 0-Nays
CEMETERIES: Weather permitting the cemeteries will be opened on April 1st.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: The individual who maintains the website will be leaving the end of April and we need to come to a decision on how we are going to keep the information updated and what we can work out.
AMBULANCE: The Northampton Ambulance Service reported that member responded to 8 calls, volunteered 66 man-hours and traveled 223 miles during the month of February. Donations were received in memory of Emma Deming and Eleanor Lewek. Members are scheduled to refresh their CPR skills and will participate in a “Wellness Day” sponsored by the Northville Central School on May 13th.
TRANSFER STATION: The County Dept. of Solid Waste has included a new category “tubs and lids” which includes yogurt cups, margarine tubs, whipped topping containers and lids.
NORTHVILLE FIRE DEPT.: The Fire Department responded to 7 calls and volunteered 182 man-hours during the month of February 2006. Probationary firefighters Jason Baker and David Downing began attending Firefighter 1 training at the Fire Training Center this month. Lieutenant’s Matt Ginter & Ed Schulte were both promoted to Captain this month to fill vacancies. The new Emergency One Pumper Tanker has been placed in service.
SACANDAGA WATER & SEWER: The Town Clerk has available for review the 2005 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for the Sacandaga Park Water District, it’s at the Public Library, and is posted on the town website.
Ken Cramer presented and read the Town of Northampton Water and Wastewater monthly report. He has from New York Rural Water Association a hold a harmless & indemnification agreement that must be approved and signed by the town board prior to the smoke test date (May 9th). Mr. Cramer read a memo he submitted to the town board regarding setting up a Capital Reserve Fund and to begin preparing a long-term plan for future expenses. Mr. Cramer read the original agreement on specific purposes of a sewer use ordinance.
Supervisor Kemper referred to the e-mail sent to her from H. Baum dated 3/15/06 and the Town of Northampton Resolution #2004-21 with the attached memo.
Supervisor Kemper read the proposed Resolution #2006-02 and then opened for Public Comment at 8:40 PM.
Colleen Cordone questioned the Sewer Tax on the Real Property billing and the sewer user billing if both were going to be raised.
Supervisor Kemper stated it was strictly being raised on the sewer user fees.
Colleen Cordone questioned what about new people being put on the system? Is that a good idea or a bad idea? If we can’t control what we currently have how can we start adding more people on to the system? How many more people can we put on or we can’t right now?
Mr. Cramer stated that the rule had been, before someone new can be put on to the system, an equal amount of ini has to be removed from the system. They say we are all right, assuming we fix the problems that have just sprung up. This is not your average every day problem, other than that we are well within means on accepting more on the system by their standards and what our permit actually says.
Willem Monster stated the ini has very little to do with the number of users on the system. The number of users is based on the approximate 200 of gallons a day. The point is if your going to have major capital expenses, you should get more users.
This is an unusual circumstance with the really wet fall we had, the lack of snow. Hopefully, the smoke testing will clear some things up and after they do an actual evaluation we can determine what we are looking at as far as major problems.
Willem Monster thought the idea of using the water meters was to set a fee for both the water and sewer for long term.
Councilman Roosa explained they are collecting data to set a rate. You’re furnishing water to the community, you need to know what they are using and do a lump sum total at the end of the month but you actually have to know how much is passing through the individual houses that are left on. And if your producing more water than is being used then you have a serious leak. You really don’t know until probably you systematically read the bi-monthly, quarterly, annually, bi-annually exactly what you have. Right now neither the town nor the village is ready to utilize the data.
Guy Poulin spoke of the treatment of the water in the system.
Supervisor Kemper Closed the Public Session at 9:02 PM.
RES. #2006-02: Resolution Establishing a Change in Sewer Usage Fees for the Sacandaga Park Sewer District. The resolution was offered by Supervisor Kemper, and seconded by Councilman Roosa, passed by,
VOTE: Linda Kemper Aye Bob Ellsworth Aye
Carl Reece Aye Darryl Roosa Aye
Randy Palmateer Aye
TOWN CLERK REPORT: The Town Clerk has received “Notification of Renewal of Liquor License” from the Sacandaga Link Inc., 126 Pine Avenue, Northville, NY.
The Town Clerk will be on vacation April 1st – 11th.
SUPERVISOR REPORT:
Raymund Hatch noted there are approximately 20 EMS that fall within the 5 years membership qualifications. The firefighter/EMS has to own property and reside within the jurisdiction, stated Supervisor Kemper.
HUD: Supervisor Kemper motioned to have the Supervisor sign a Discharge of Mortgage for Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Morgan, seconded by Councilman Palmateer, passed by,
RES. #2006-03: Resolution to Update Established Standard Reportable Work Day for Each Elected & Appointed Position in the Town of Northampton.
The resolution was offered by Supervisor Kemper and seconded by Councilman Reece, passed by,
VOTE: Linda Kemper Aye Bob Ellsworth Aye
Carl Reece Aye Darryl Roosa Aye
Randy Palmateer Aye
RES. #2006-04: Resolution to Update Mileage Reimbursement to Conform with that of the County and State.
The resolution was offered by Supervisor Kemper and seconded by Councilman Ellsworth, passed by,
VOTE: Linda Kemper Aye Bob Ellsworth Aye
Carl Reece Aye Darryl Roosa Aye
Randy Palmateer Aye
OLD BUSINESS: We have the old pickup truck to put out to bid and we will need to take pictures to place on the online site. The alternative is to wait for the fall and put it out to bid with the county.
At a previous meeting it was questioned on the use of the building and why the public can’t use the building without having the amount of the insurance coverage as a binder naming the town and the village as co-insured. A resolution was passed a few years ago by the previous board stating that it was mandatory to anyone using the building did have to have the insurance. Supervisor Kemper has spoken with our insurance representative and at the board discretion, we could have if the people who wanted to use this building, but does not have insurance for their organization, sign a hold harmless agreement. She will look further into this.
NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Palmateer motioned to do the same as last year and post in the Hamilton County News, an Ad for the fire fighters/EMS week, seconded by Councilman Ellsworth, passed by,
5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Palmateer, Ellsworth and Roosa 0-Nays
Councilman Ellsworth asked if you a can make some progress on the Junk laws. David Curtis has made several recommendations and it has to be decided what is the best approach to do it. He recommended redoing the entire law. Which is going to be tedious and time consuming. What we can do is put verbiage in it because it lacks the definitions and a couple of phrases that will toughen up the penalties. Mr. Curtis recommended hiring someone to do the citations, go to court etc.
The County (the Demolition Team) has started looking into removing trailers, junk and big obstacles for a fee to the homeowner and this can be levied on their taxes. They are trying to work with the communities.
Councilman Roosa questioned that an ad was posted for backup water or wastewater operator and you had no response. Can we go the next step and ask the interested parties that wish to be trained, to submit a letter of interest? Supervisor Kemper stated this is something that should be discussed with Ken Cramer. Mr. Cramer stated he thought it was a good idea. We will post a notice for anyone interested to submit a letter of interest to Ken Cramer. The individual must understand that they have be available to do the training and go to school.
WARRANTS: Councilman Reece motioned to accept and ordered to pay the warrants, seconded by Councilman Ellsworth, passed by,
5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Palmateer, Ellsworth and Roosa 0-Nays
March 2006 Warrants
General $13,309.28
Highway 8,169.97
Sacandaga Fire District 0.00
Sacandaga Lighting 1,475.80
Sacandaga Water District 1,008.00
Sacandaga Sewer District 2,239.17
TOTAL WARRANTS 26,202.22
Ray Hatch questioned that somebody at the end of May is going to decrease the speed limit to 45 on State Highway 30 in the Town of Northampton. Then in September the speed limit gets increased back to 55. Who does that decrease and increase and at whose request?
The board stated they are not really sure.
Mr. Hatch assumes there had to be procedures to follow and is there anyone on the board who could find out, who or how that speed limit gets decreased or increased? He’s never seen any notification on this happening.
It was suggested that maybe the Town Board could approach the NCS and have a student help out with the town website.
Dennis Poulin stated the residents should be attending the NCS board meetings the biggest business in town. There are lights in the district that could be eliminated to save money that have more than one light on a pole.
Mr. Hatch asked if anyone on the board was in charge of the streetlights, to see if they are working properly and report back with ones that need to be fixed and do a follow up? Councilman Roosa stated he would look into that.
INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION: Supervisor Kemper motioned to enter into Executive Session to discuss matters pertaining to appointments at 9:36 PM, seconded by Councilman Reece, passed by,
5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Ellsworth, Palmateer, and Roosa 0-Nays
OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION: Councilman Reece motioned to come out of Executive Session at PM, seconded by Councilman Ellsworth, passed by,
5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Ellsworth, Palmateer, and Roosa 0-Nays
The board unanimously approved to post the position of Anti-Blight Officer/Community Enhancement Officer in the local newspaper, to see if there is any interested person for that position.
Supervisor Kemper motioned to approve on the Town Planning Board and appoint as members Donald Farren (to replace the vacancy of Ben Close) his term will expire December 31, 2013 and Theo Horesco (to replace the vacancy of Linda Kemper) his term will expire December 31, 2009 and to appoint Ivan Anderson as an alternate, seconded by Councilman Roosa, passed by,
5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Ellsworth, Palmateer, and Roosa 0-Nays
Supervisor Kemper motioned to approve on the Town Zoning Board of Appeals and appoint as member Jeff Daum (to replace the vacancy of James Ryan), his term will expire December 31, 2010, seconded by Councilman Reece, passed by,
5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Ellsworth, Palmateer, and Roosa 0-Nays
The next regular Town Board/Public Hearing meeting will be held on April 19, 2006 at
7 PM.
The Playground Committee meeting will be held on April 27, 2006 at 6:30 PM.
The Joint Intermunicipal meeting will be held on April 27, 2006 at 7:30 PM.
Dennis Poulin wanted to congratulate the students of the NCS local team and parents of these students, on their taking part in the state Odyssey Tournament. These students will compete in this program with students in schools from 20 other regions around the state at the University of New York at Binghamton this Saturday.
ADJOURN: Councilman Palmateer motioned to adjourn at 10:15 PM, seconded by Supervisor Kemper, passed by,
5-Ayes: Kemper, Reece, Ellsworth, Palmateer, and Roosa 0-Nays