TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY
YEAR END TOWN BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY, 12/28/2017 AT 12:00 NOON
SALLY P. CARLSON, SUPERVISOR PRESENT
FRANK STOW, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
RICHARD SENA, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
DUNCAN MCNEILL, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
LOUISE ORTMAN, COUNCILWOMAN ABSENT
OTHERS PRESENT: Dave Stapleton, Attorney; Nancy Thomas, Town Clerk; Howard Peacock, Justice; Brad Lawson, Zoning CEO; Dan Strickland, Highway Sup’t.; Robin Miller, Bookkeeper
- PLEDGE
- MINUTES: 12/11/17
- MOTION # 150 OF 2017
- MCNEILL MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE 12/11/17 TOWN BOARD MEETING AS SUBMITTED BY THE TOWN CLERK. MR. STOW SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, MCNEILL, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- PUBLIC COMMENT:
- CORRESPONDENCE:
The following correspondence has been received by the Town of North Harmony and is available for review at the offices:
- TOWN OF ELLERY – SEQR – LEAD AGENCY DESIGNATION – Positive Declaration Public Scoping – 12/28/17, 7:30 PM at Fluvanna Fire Dept. – 3536 Fluvanna Ave.
- CHIPS – $152,078.28
Mrs. Carlson said we had received CHIPS funds in the amount listed above.
Mrs. Miller said NY Paving has also issued revenues in the amount of $58,142.12, for a total of $210,220.40.
- OLD BUSINESS
- CEMETERY CHARGES
Mrs. Carlson said she would like to see our Cemetery charges at the same level as Ellery.
- MOTION # 151 OF 2017
- MCNEILL MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING CEMETERY CHARGES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2018:
Grave Lot/resident Grave Lot/ non-res. Burial/full Burial/cremation disinterment
$600.00 $1,200.00 $800.00 $400.00 $800.00
Plowing (if required) Burial/Infant
$50.00 $275.00
MCNEILL SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, MCNEILL, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- CLP – Ellery cannot be lead agent on SEQRA – (Letter from Hopkins, Sorgi, & Romanoff) County or DEC must be lead agent
- NEW YORK PAID FAMILY LEAVE – Motion to opt out
Mrs. Carlson said since we are a municipality, we have the option of not participating in the NYPFL.
- MOTION # 152 OF 2017
- SENA MOTIONED THAT THE TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY OPT OUT OF THE NEW YORK PAID FAMILY LEAVE PROGRAM. MR. MCNEILL SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, MCNEILL, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
Mrs. Thomas said she had sent a letter to the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board advising them that the town wished to opt out of the NYPFL program and forwarded a copy of the letter to The Hartford who handles our NY DBL policy. Employees were notified by letter as well.
Mrs. Carlson said we had sent the letter in advance of the meeting because we were only allowed a short window to act on this.
- EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK CHANGES
- MOTION # 153 OF 2017
- SENA MOTIONED TO TABLE CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. MR. MCNEILL SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, MCNEILL, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- SEWER DISTRICT – No referendum required because no petition filed – Still need $2.5 million to reduce cost enough for project to proceed.
Mrs. Carlson said $5,000,000.00 has been received in Grant funding for the sewer project from NYS Clean Water, but $2.5 million is still needed to make the project affordable for residents. She said she had spoken to representatives from the BPU about water, but she does not feel it is feasible to pursue that at this time.
Mr. Sena said he had a long conversation with Dave Leathers about it and he said there is a lot of misinformation about it. He said on the positive side the BPU indicated they would be willing to help by providing grant writing services.
Mrs. Carlson said it is just too bad that it cannot be done in conjunction with the sewers.
There was further general discussion of imminent domain and other issues.
- WINDOWS AT COMMUNITY BUILDING
Mrs. Thomas said she had sent a letter to Mr. Finch, Contractor on 12/14/17, regarding the issue of the windows losing their moisture seal.
Mrs. Carlson said perhaps we should send it again, Certified.
- NEW BUSINESS:
- 2018 MEETING DATES – (Columbus Day?)
1/8/18; 2/12/18; 3/12/18; 4/9/18; 5/14/18; 6/11/18; 7/9/18; 8/13/18; 9/10/18; 10/8/18; 11/12/18;
12/10/18
- MOTION # 154 OF 2017
- STOW MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING MEETING DATES FOR 2018:
1/8/18; 2/12/18; 3/12/18; 4/9/18; 5/14/18; 6/11/18; 7/9/18; 8/13/18; 9/10/18; 10/8/18; 11/12/18;
12/10/18. MR. SENA SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, MCNEILL, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- YEAR END FUND TRANSFERS (Copy of Transfers attached to minutes)
Mrs. Miller read the General Fund Year End Transfers totaling $1,496.21 into the record. She said there were no transfers necessary for the Highway. She indicated that these do not include the vouchers received today.
- MOTION # 155 OF 2017
- SENA MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL FUND YEAR END TRANSFERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,496.21 AS OUTLINED IN THE DOCUMENT PRESENTED BY THE BOOKKEEPER. MR. MCNEILL SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, MCNEILL, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- APPOINTMENT OF REGISTRAR AND DEPUTY
Mrs. Thomas asked if the board would re-appoint her as Registrar and Stephanie Gibbs as Deputy Registrar prior to 1/1/18 so that there is no gap is service.
- MOTION # 156 OF 2017
- SENA MOTIONED TO APPOINT NANCY THOMAS AS REGISTRAR AND STEPHANIE GIBBS AS DEPUTY REGISTRAR EFFECTIVE 1/1/18. MR. STOW SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, MCNEILL, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 PM.
Nancy M. Thomas
Town Clerk
