TOWN BOARD 11/12/2019 (Public Hearing LL#4-2019)

TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY

PUBLIC HEARING/SEQR

LOCAL LAW #4-2019 

AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION 635 AIRCRAFT LANDING STRIP

MONDAY, 11/12/2019 6:30 PM

ROBERT YATES, SUPERVISOR                                                                                    PRESENT

DICK SENA, COUNCILMAN                                                                                        PRESENT

DUNCAN MCNEILL, COUNCILMAN                                                                           PRESENT

LOUISE ORTMAN, COUNCILWOMAN                                                                        PRESENT

STEVE SENSKE, COUNCILMAN                                                                                   PRESENT

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Dave Stapleton, Attorney; Brad Lawson, Zoning CEO; Robin Miller, Bookkeeper; Nancy Thomas, Town Clerk 

            Mr. Yates brought the hearing to order at 6:30 PM.  He said Mr. Lawson had submitted a Municipal Zoning Referral to County Planning on the action and had received a reply from Planning dated 11/8/19, that it was “a matter of local concern”.

            Mr. Stapleton said he had conversation with Mr. Lawson and there were some minor language/semantic changes to the law under paragraph B. 1. Conditions which he reviewed with the board.

            Mr. Lawson said he did not feel the Planning Board would have any issue with the minor changes.

            Mr. McNeill asked about Section B. 2. Posted Signs as it relates to the size/visibility of the signs and high-tension wires.

            Mr. Lawson said he does not know what the FAA requires as far as signage for landing strips. 

            Mr. Stapleton said any application would be referred to the Commissioner of the NYS-DOT for review and recommendation.

            Mr. Senske asked if this applies to drones.

            Mr. Lawson said there has been no issue with drones, and they had decided not to address it at this time.

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TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY

LOCAL LAW #4-2019

AMENDING ZONING CODE SEC. 635 AIRCRAFT LANDING STRIP 

Section 635 – Aircraft Landing Strip 

1. Purpose – In order to protect residents from the creation of unsafe conditions or nuisances, the following conditions shall be considered prior to the granting of any permit for an aircraft landing strip.
2. Conditions –
3. Location – Potential airstrips, helipads or any piece of land used to land any form of human occupied aircraft shall be located a minimum of 1000 feet from any human occupied dwelling. Landing or take off of any human occupied aircraft in the R-1 through R-5 districts and the TC 1 through TC 4 districts is strictly prohibited with the exclusions of emergency aircraft temporary operation.  The location and use of any land in all other zoning districts for such potential airstrips and/or helipads shall be allowed only after the issuance of a Special Use Permit pursuant to Section 905 of this Zoning Law.
4. Posted signs – Airstrips shall be posted with signs of sufficient quantity to alert any person entering the area that aircraft may be present.
5. No dwellings shall be in the immediate clear area of the ends of the airstrip.
6. All commercial development proposed to be located on the airstrip property must be allowed in that district.
7. Referral to State – Prior to acting on any aircraft landing strip permit request, the Municipal Board shall, by resolution, request the NYSDOT Commissioner to review the proposed airstrip and make a recommendation in accordance with Section 249 of General Business Law.
8. Permit Requirements – All requests for permits shall include a description of the type and quantity of aircraft using the facilities, frequency of flights, a map drawn to scale showing the airstrip and prevailing winds as well as dwellings in the neighborhood and proposed commercial development.
9. Severability – If any section, provision or part of this local law is held to be invalid, in whole or in part, such determination of invalidity shall not affect the validity of any of the remaining sections, provisions or parts of this local law.
10.     Repealer – All Local Laws or Ordinances and parts thereof inconsistent with this Local Law are hereby                 repealed.
11.  Effective Date – This local law shall take effect immediately on filing with the Secretary of State of the State                 of New York.

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• SHORT EAF – PART 1 – PROJECT INFORMATION

Mr. Lawson prepared the SEQR and the board reviewed Part 1 which he had completed.

• SHORT EAF – PART 2 – IMPACT ASSESSMENT
              Mr. Stapleton reviewed questions 1. – 11. with the board and all were answered “no or small impact”.
   
• SHORT EAF – PART 3 – DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE
  There were no questions or concerns expressed by the board members.
   
• MOTION # 124 OF 2019
  MR. SENA MOTIONED FOR A NEGATIVE DECLARATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE SEQR FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #4-2019 – AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION 635 – AIRCRAFT LANDING STRIP.  MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED.  YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0).  THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
  
•  MOTION # 125 OF 2019
• MR. SENA MOTIONED TO ADOPT LOCAL LAW #4-2019 – AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION 635 – AIRCRAFT LANDING STRIP.  MR. MCNEILL SECONDED.  YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0).  THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.

• MOTION # 126 OF 2019

ON A MOTION MADE BY MR. SENSKE, SECONDED BY MR. SENA AND NONE BEING OPPOSED, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS ADJOURNED AT 6:50 PM.

 Nancy Thomas

Town Clerk

 

 

TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY

BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, 11/12/2019 7:00 PM

ROBERT YATES, SUPERVISOR                                                                                    PRESENT

DICK SENA, COUNCILMAN                                                                                         PRESENT

DUNCAN MCNEILL, COUNCILMAN                                                                           PRESENT

LOUISE ORTMAN, COUNCILWOMAN                                                                        PRESENT

STEVE SENSKE, COUNCILMAN                                                                                   PRESENT

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Dave Stapleton, Attorney; Brad Lawson, Zoning CEO; Howard Peacock; Justice; Pierre Chagnon, Legislator; Rick Ayers; Joanne Fisher; John Stow, DCO; Robin Miller, Bookkeeper; Nancy Thomas, Town Clerk 

• PLEDGE
  

• MINUTES: 10/15/2019
  

• MOTION # 127 OF 2019

1. MCNEILL MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE 10/15/19 TOWN BOARD MEETING AS PRESENTED BY THE TOWN CLERK. MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0).  THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
   

• PUBLIC COMMENT:
• RICK AYERS / JOANNE FISHER – POULTRY PROCESSING PLANT/FARMERS MARKET BUILDING IN AG DISTRICT

            Mr. Ayers said he is looking to possibly purchase 20 acres in the AG District from the JoAnne Fisher property located on Open Meadows Road.

            Mr. Lawson said he and Mr. Ayers had discussed the possibility of locating a poultry processing facility at the location.  He said that use would probably fit in the AG district with a Special Permit, but what doesn’t fit in with our code is the Farmers Market that he would like to have with it.  He said what had been intended was that Mr. Ayers would come to the Planning Board meeting that should have been this evening but was delayed for the board meeting because of Veterans Day. 

            Mr. Ayers said he would like to operate a poultry processing plant and sell poultry on the farm which is allowable and have a marketplace to do that.  He said this would require a facility.  He said Mr. Lawson’s interpretation of Farmers Market is a gathering of farmers.  Mr. Ayers reviewed his proposal based on USDA Exemption regulations for a custom poultry slaughter business.  He reviewed all the criteria involved in that action.  He said he wants to get involved in the producer/grower part of the business which would allow him to raise, grow, package and sell directly to the public up to 1,000 birds a year.  He said this falls under the Poultry Products Inspection Act and that is the exemption he can file for and why he needs the facility.  He said the facility would have to pass all State and Federal guidelines which are very strict.  He also reviewed Ag and Markets law for those present as it relates to his intentions.  He said what he wants to do is build a poultry processing facility and would start out custom with the ability to sell live birds and process if people want that.  In the second year, if it appears there is a market for it, he would like to file for a 1,000-bird exemption which would allow him to grow, process, package and sell them.  He said he would have to build a processing facility and market in one building that would be 34×80 sq. ft.  

            Mr. Lawson said he would like to take this to the Planning Board because we do not have a direct processing plant use in the AG District and a farmer’s market in the AG district does not exist in our zoning. 

            Mr. Ayers said he had been in this business for some time in the Franklin, PA area and would like to move to this area.

            Mr. McNeill questioned where the building would be located on the property.

            Mr. Ayers said there would be no permanent structure for the birds.  They are housed in portable units that are called chicken tractors which are 6×10’ and hold 35 birds each and are moved every day.  He said there is no smell and no manure lagoons.  He said typically it takes about 42 days to raise a bird.

            Mr. Lawson said this would really be a matter for the Planning Board.

            Mr. Stapleton said if it is a use that is not addressed in the Zoning Law, a variance cannot be allowed without proof that the property cannot be used for anything else that you can get a reasonable financial return for (i.e. any of the other uses that are allowable in that district).  He said probably the Planning Board would need to review all the AG District as a whole and ask them to come up with a reason why the zoning law should be changed to allow this type of activity. He said also SEQR regulations cannot be segmented (i.e. phase 1 and phase 2) for a project.  He said there could also be consulting requirements involved in the SEQR to analyze the project. He said the process can be lengthy and referenced the Reverie Cheese Processing facility.

            Mr. Ayers said the purchase of the property is contingent on his ability to move forward with his business plans.  He said at most he would only want to handle 3,000 birds.

            There was further general discussion and it was determined that this should be forwarded to the Planning Board.

            Mr. Yates noted that the property is adjacent to federal wetlands and that would require a lengthy evaluation process.

• CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence has been received and is available for review:
  

• OLD BUSINESS:
  

1. Water Service Agreement for review, Dave Stapleton ?

            Mr. Stapleton said he and Mr. Yates had met with representatives from the BPU and had compared the old agreement with the new agreement.  He said he had changed his original opinion and if the town intends to enter into a 10-year agreement the board should have a work session about this agreement (i.e. water charges for Sunrise Cove and BOCES).  He asked the Clerk to provide to the board members with the old and new agreement, with his notes in the margin, and let everyone review them and contact either Mr. Yates or himself with questions.  Prior to the next board meeting they could have a 5-10 minute discussion.

            Mr. Yates said the contract must be completed by the end of December 2019.

            Mr. Sena said he had spoken to Dave Leathers about the contract and he had indicated he was also willing to answer any questions the board has.  He said he had asked Mr. Leathers about “improving the existing lines should be limited to $7,500 per incident” (BPU would pay); he asked what the average incident cost is (i.e. line freeze up, etc.) because the town would be responsible for anything above the $7,500.  He said Mr. Leathers would be providing him with that answer and is open to all questions.

            It was discussed that the BPU contract is pretty universal for all the entities they deal with. 

            Mr. Sena said with the new administration in Jamestown, there may be some positive changes as far as this is concerned in the future. 

2. Bids for flagpole for New Building Project

            Mr. Yates said he has received one bid of $1,700 from Geer-Dunn for a flagpole.  He said he would like to have an external halyard because of issues with the internal halyards at Veterans Park freezing up. 

• NEW BUSINESS

1. Employee Handbook – Revision to Vacation Days and Accrued Hours           

• MOTION # 128 OF 2019

MRS. ORTMAN MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING REVISIONS TO THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK EFFECTIVE 11/12/2019:

Pg. 24

ARTICLE 10.  HIGHWAY EMPLOYEES’ PAID VACATION DAYS

          Effective 1/1/2019, after one year of employment, each full-time employee shall be entitled to the following paid vacation time based on the length of employment status.

Calendar Year beginning January 1^st             Hours

0 to 1 year                                                    0

2nd                                                              48

3rd                                                               56

4th                                                              64

5^th*                                                              80

6^th-7^th                                                          96

8^th-10^th                                                        100

11^th                                                             104

12^th                                                             112

13^th                                                             120

14^th                                                             128

15^th                                                             136

16^th                                                             144

17^th                                                             152

18^th*                                                             160

 

        *M.E.O.’s hired in 1987 will continue to earn an additional 8 hours per year vacation time with no maximum limitation on total accrual time that may be carried over from calendar year to calendar year.

          *M.E.O.’s hired in 2014 will receive 96 hours vacation in year 5.

          After permanent status is reached, vacation time will be awarded on January 1^st of each year.

          As of 1/1/2019, vacation days may be carried over from year to year up to a maximum total accrued time of 80 hours.  No cash payments.

*MUST BE TAKEN IN NO LESS THAN ONE HOUR increments.  NO HALF HOUR increments.

          *Two-week prior notice will be required for a week or more vacation.  Approval by the Highway Superintendent will be required.

 Pg. 26

ARTICLE 17.  HIGHWAY EMPLOYEES’ AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PAYABLE

17.1  Highway Employees’ Accrued Vacation Days – not to exceed 80 HOURS at Retirement/Termination. No cash payments.

1. MCNEILL SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES. NO (0).  THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.

 

2. Renew Court Security Contract for 2020 with Chautauqua County Sheriff

            Mr. Yates asked Mrs. Thomas if she had received a new contract from the Sheriff.

            Mrs. Thomas said we don’t usually receive that contract until the first of the year.

            Mr. Yates said he had reviewed the 2019 contract and had not seen any need for changes.

            Mr. Chagnon said that contract will be on the Legislature agenda for this month.

3. Moving Dog Shelter or surrender dogs to SPCA

            Mr. Yates said this had been discussed last month.  He said Mr. Stow’s report said he had recently picked up a dog on Cheney Road and held it for 7 days and indicated at this time it can be transferred to another facility; adopted; or euthanized as per law. 

            Mr. Stow said he had taken it to the Chautauqua County Humane Society (CCHS) today.  He said the fees to contract with the CCHS for Animal Holding Agreement are $15/day for 5 days or $75.00; if someone redeems the dog, they would have to pay the redemption fee to the town and the $15/day holding fee to the CCHS.  He said if the dog must be euthanized, the cost to the town would be $50.  He said the Ag and Markets Inspector had contacted him last week for an update on the situation and he had told her it was to be discussed at the board meeting.  He said the Inspector will be conducting another inspection because of the “Unsatisfactory” rating we had received due to the shelter situation.  Mr. Stow said the main reason he does not want the shelter at his home is because of an incident where someone had tried to break into the holding shed and he did not want that safety issue for his family.

            Mr. Senske said he feels a contract with the CCHS is the best solution to the situation.

            Mr. Yates said if it becomes too expensive to the town to use the CCHS, the situation could be revisited in the future.

            Mrs. Thomas said she had requested and received a contract template from the Director of the CCHS that can be used for this.

• MOTION # 129 OF 2019

1. SENSKE MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERVISOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, INC. (CCHS) FOR THE HOLDING OF ANIMALS (DOGS) FOR THE TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. MR. SENA SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0).  THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
   

4. Standard Workday and Reporting Resolution for Elected and Appointed Officials: Howard Peacock; Vickie Stow; Robin Miller

            Mr. Yates said Mrs. Thomas had provided a NYS-LRS Standard Workday and Reporting Resolution for posting.  He asked why Mrs. Thomas was not on the list.

            Mrs. Thomas said the Retirement System usually requests these Record of Activities (ROA’s) and this action for these employees was not requested.  She said elected/appointed persons are required to submit a ROA every 8 years, but they can submit one at any time if their hours change. She said she is currently working on a ROA for the NYS-LRS.

            Mr. Senske questioned Mrs. Miller about the report which indicates she works 29 days a month. 

            Mrs. Miller said the calendar she kept shows she worked 707 hours for the 3-month period.  She said the standard workday established for the town is a 6-hour workday and that is how it is calculated.

            There was further general discussion.

            Mrs. Thomas said that Mr. Yates was provided with copies of the ROA’s for all to share with the board.  She said the resolution must be posted for 30 days before submission to the NYS-LRS.

• MOTION # 130 OF 2019

1. SENA MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING STANDARD WORKDAY AND REPORTING RESOLUTION FOR THE NEW YORK STATE AND LOCAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM. MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES. NO (0).  THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.

Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of NORTH HARMONY hereby establishes the following as standard work days for elected and appointed officials and will report the following days worked to the New York State and the Local Employees’ Retirement System based on the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the clerk of this body:                                 

Title	Name	Standard Work Day (Hrs/day)	Term Begins/Ends	Participates in Employer’s Time Keeping System  (Y/N)	Days/Month (based on Record of Activities)
Elected Officials
Justice	Howard E. Peacock	6	1/1/2017-12/31/2020	N	4.45
Appointed Officials
Bookkeeper	Robin M. Miller	6	1/1/2019 – 12/31/2019	N	29.46
Court Clerk	Vickie L. Stow	6	1/1/2019 – 12/31/2019	N	22.28

 

On this _____12th______day of ______November______, 20_19_                                                      

 

__________________________________________  Date enacted: ____________________________

      (Signature of clerk)

 

I, __Nancy M. Thomas__, clerk of the governing board of the __Town of North Harmony__, of

the State of New York, do hereby certify that I have compared the foregoing with the original resolution passed by such board, at a legally convened meeting held on the _12th_ day of __November__, 2019_
on file as part of the minutes of such meeting, and that same is a true copy thereof and the whole of such original. 

 

I further certify that the full board, consists of _5_ members, and that __5__ of such members were present at such meeting and that _5_ of such members voted in favor of the above resolution.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto

Set my hand and the seal of the

 

__________________________________________

____Town of North Harmony______

(seal)

      (Name of Employer)           

 

6. BAN Payment and Renewal – BOCES Road Push (matures 11/20/19) $64,587.30

            Principal pmt.            $10,098.59 (incl. $98.59 over est. int.)

            Interest pmt.              $  3,001.41

            Total Pmt.                   $13,100.00

            Renewal 2020             $54,488.71 

• MOTION # 131 OF 2019

1. SENA MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS TO MAKE PAYMENT TO M&T BANK ON THE BAN FOR THE BOCES ROAD PUSH WHICH MATURES ON 11/20/19 AS FOLLOWS:

             Principal amount                  $64,587.30

            Principal pmt.                        $10,098.59 (incl. $98.59 over est. int.)

            Interest pmt.                          $  3,001.41

            Total Pmt.                              $13,100.00

            2020 Renewal amount          $54,488.71

FURTHER, THE SUPERVISOR IS AUTHORIZED TO RENEW THE BAN WITH M&T BANK IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,488.71 AT AN INTEREST RATE OF 4.54%. MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED.  YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0).  THE MOTION WAS CARRIED. 

Mr. Sena noted for the record that BOCES pays for this BAN.

Dick Sena – Snow Report – 1 foot in November 2019

Blue Star Mothers – Packages for Military Service Persons

            Mr. Sena noted the box for donations for the Christmas boxes to be sent to our Military personnel.  He said this year it is closer to home as he has a nephew who is stationed in Iraq and Syria. 

9. Southern Tier West (STW) – Fall Planning & Zoning Conference

            Mr. Sena said he Pat Rice and Phil Strand had attended the conference at JCC.  He said the training was 5 hours and covered topics: Solar Energy Regulations; Farmland Protection/Agricultural Viability; and Regulating Communications Facilities.  He said there are a lot of new things, especially related to solar and communications.  He said the big thing with solar is farms and ties in with Farmland Protection because many large solar facilities are using farmland.  He said it costs $1.5-3 million per mile to put in 3 phase infrastructure which is the preferred.  He said there are areas in our town that should be viewed in relation to that.  He said there is a lot of funding/grants available to help farmers. He said large concerns are topsoil retention and they are suggesting municipalities develop regulations to protect that (i.e. if a solar farm is located on farmland to strip the land of topsoil and stockpile it for future use).  He said they are also suggesting abandonment clauses for solar farms that have outlived their usefulness.  He said he has a great deal to share with the Planning Department.  He said one of the large concerns municipalities are facing is they have no ability to refuse telecommunications companies (i.e. 5G which requires some type of tower every 300-500’).  He said all this needs to be looked at as far as fee schedules, etc.  He said the state has provided a fee structure and Resolution that is acceptable to most of these companies and it is something the town should be reviewing for possible adoption.  If a company proposes infrastructure in a town for a new tower, the town has 150 days to review; if it is 5G, they only have 90 days to review and approve.  He said this is all governed by Federal (FCC) regulations.

            Mr. Yates asked if there were any questions about the health concerns related to 5G.

            Mr. Sena said they were told that these concerns are pretty much unfounded. He said they want towers to be taller because of these concerns. 

10. Drake Forest Road

            Mr. Stapleton said he had spent time with the abstract company regarding the road and proposed action.  He said they had reviewed the Wheeler map; GIS map and other documents.  He said one of the old tax maps circulated shows the road ending from Eggleston Hill Rd. to halfway through Mr. Wheeler’s property and it does not continue to Warner Rd.  The tax map shows that portion as a private access road.  There is a turnaround noted at the southerly line of the Leach property. 

            There was further discussion that Mr. Wheeler’s only concern is that he has access to his property from Warner Road.

            Mr. Stapleton said the law seems to be that if it has ever been used as a highway and people continue to drive or walk across it; it continues to be a highway.  He asked at this point if the town feels comfortable in going forward with the abandonment as discussed at the previous board meeting.

            Mr. Strickland said he would need to write a letter to NYS indicating that the town has never received any CHIPS or other funding for the maintenance of that section of road.  He said then we should leave the burden of proof on any person who may have interest. 

            Mr. Stapleton said highway law says that if the town wants to do this, the majority of the board must approve it and the town would have to file the abandonment with the local Clerk.  He said if that is done, we should somehow indicate the exact footage (i.e. from Warner Rd. to the turnaround).  He said the distance to lot line 58 on the Holland Land Co. map is 2,055 north of Wheeler’s road.  He said even if the town abandons the road, they cannot stop people from using the road. 

• MOTION # 132 OF 2019

1. MCNEILL MOTIONED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ABANDONING INTEREST IN DRAKE FOREST ROAD (AKA. Drake Road; Goodrich Road; “abandoned road”; “highway”; and Eggleston Hill Rd. Extension) IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE NYS-DEC PLANNED USAGE OF THE ROAD. MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED.

• Discussion:

Mr. Stapleton this action is being taken even though it has not been proved that the town has any interest in the Road.

Mr. Strickland said the NYS-DEC intends to seek funding for work on the road.

YES (5):  SENA, MCNEIILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.

• REPORTS

PIERRE CHAGNON, LEGISLATOR

            Mr. Chagnon said the following occurred at the October Legislature meeting:

• We presented a commendation to Fredonia High School for receiving the prestigious designation as a 2019 National Blue-Ribbon school, one of only 7 in New York State and one of only 312 in the country.
• We assessed a fee of $2.4 million to Cassadaga Windfarm to repair County roads in the towns of Arkwright, Villenova, Charlotte and Cherry Creek after construction activities are completed.
• We increased the 2019 Budget by $500K for road salt, due to anticipated increased usage to start the winter season.
• We accepted several grants to the County Department of Mental Hygiene: $765K to study tools for preventing and treating opioid addiction; $1 million to implement addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies; $4 million to expand a mental health system of care for children 0 to 8 years old, college aged students 18 to 21 years, and their families; and $700K per year for chemical dependency residential and treatment programs.
• We adopted a whopping 54 changes to the County Executive’s 2020 Tentative Budget, including the removal of the proposed use of $1 million of fund balance. With these changes we were able to adopt the 2020 Budget with an increase in the tax rate of $.08 per thousand assessed valuation, only a 1% increase.

• Chagnon said the west side sewer project is pretty much on schedule for most of the tasks and one task is ahead of schedule. He said Mr. Ortman could also give a report since he is on the sewer board.

KEVIN OKERLUND, ASSESSOR

           Mr. Yates said there has been an etiquette issue with Mr. Sorg, Appraiser for the Assessor.  He said there was an instance where he was on someone’s property without any advance notice and that is not a good idea.  He said he would contact him and speak about this. 

HOWARD PEACOCK, JUSTICE

            Mr. Peacock read the following report into the record:

COURT REPORT FOR MONTH OF OCTOBER 2019

November 12, 2019 Board Meeting

            $33,423.00 in fines, fees, and surcharges was collected by the Court and given to the Town of North Harmony CFO for the Court cases reported to the NYS Comptroller for October 2019.  We opened 154 new cases and closed 210 cases.

 BRAD LAWSON, ZONING C.E.O. (Copy in Minute Book)

            Mr. Lawson reviewed his report for those present.  He said he had been contacted by someone interested in putting in a large solar farm.  He said there was no information given at this time as to the possible location. 

            Mr. Yates said he had been through the process at his farm 3 years ago.  He said NYS is looking to create opportunities for alternate renewable energy to be used approximately 35% more in the next 10 years or so.  He said he was approached by a large company that wanted to do 20 acres on his farm.  He said by the time all the research was done, they could only support about 1 acre on his farm.  He said he has large power lines on his hill and National Grid would not allow the solar company access.  He said caution should be used when people are dealing with these types of entities as there is a lot of speculation involved. 

            Mr. Lawson said the Planning Board would really like to see the Transient Rental Law moving forward so that people are aware.  He said there may be a complaint about a person with some cars on College St.  He said he has things underway on that and the man has a permit to build a garage to house them.  There was brief discussion of the cow and chickens at two separate homes in Ashville.

NANCY THOMAS, TOWN CLERK (Copy in Minute Book)

            Mrs. Thomas said she had received a package from the Association of Towns (AOT) to share with elected officials regarding New Town Officials Training sessions offered in Rochester 1/8-10/20 and in Albany.  She said they are also offering a webinar on 12/12/19 for new officials. 

• MOTION # 133 OF 2019

1. SENA MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE TOWN CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2019 AS SUBMITTED.  MR. SENSKE SECONDED.  YES (5):  SENA, MCNEIILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.

 ROBERT YATES, SUPERVISOR (Copy in Minute Book)

• MOTION # 134 OF 2019

1. SENA MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE SUPERVISORS MONTHLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2019 AS SUBMITTED.  MR. SENSKE SECONDED.  YES (5):  SENA, MCNEIILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.

• MOTION # 135 OF 2019

260. MCNEILL MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE GENERAL FUND VOUCHERS AS REVIEWED AND AUDITED EARLIER IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,260.87.  MR. SENSKE SECONDED.  YES (5):  SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.

•  MOTION # 136 OF 2019

308. MCNEILL MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE HIGHWAY FUND VOUCHERS AS REVIEWED AND AUDITED EARLIER IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,308.83.  MR. SENSKE SECONDED.  YES (5):  SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES.  NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.

•  MOTION # 137 OF 2019

ON A MOTION MAKE BY MR. SENA, SECONDED BY MR. SENSKE AND NONE BEING OPPOSED THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:35 PM. 

 

Nancy Thomas

Town Clerk