REGULAR MEETING - Athens Town Board

Supervisor Albert Salvino called the regular meeting of the Town Board to order with the Pledge of Allegiance on October 5, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. with the following people in attendance: Councilman John F. Lubera; Councilman Robert F. Butler, Jr.: Councilman Eugene J. Hatton; Councilwoman Colleen D. Fischer; Highway Superintendent John J. Farrell and Town clerk Linda M. Stacey.

These people were also present: Attorney Virginia (Smith) Benedict; Bookkeeper/Budget Officer Mary H. Brandow; Assessor Laura L. Chase; Code Enforcement Officer George Holsopple and April Paluch.

The following bills were audited by the Board and ordered paid:
General Abstract #19, vouchers #419 through #435 inclusive for $67,787.84.
Highway Abstract #18, vouchers #140 through #154 inclusive for $50,369.78.

Assessor Laura L. Chase reported that she had attended the Assessor Training School for continuing education September 27-30, 2009. She received 12 credits.
Assessor Chase advised the Board that the cost of Assessor Training might only be partially reimbursed in the future, by the State.
Exemption renewals were begun earlier this year, to accommodate the residents that go south for the winter.
Board of Assessment Review member needed.
Assessor Chase presented Board members with figures for the purchase of desks and chairs.
She is also requesting an air condition for her office.
Discussion

Bookkeeper / Budget Officer Mary H. Brandow went over the Supervisor's Report.

Councilman John F. Lubera made a motion seconded by Councilman Eugene J. Hatton to accept and approve the Supervisor's Report as presented. Carried. Ayes-5(Salvino; Lubera; Butler; Hatton; Fischer) Noes-0 Absent-0 Abstentions-0

Code Enforcement Officer George Holsopple informed the Board that Peckham had received their permit for the new tank.
Mr. Holsopple, the Fire Chiefs of West Athens Lime Street, and the Village of Athens are to do a walk around the Peckham property tomorrow, to get an idea of what is actually there.
Code Enforcement Officer Holsopple advised the Board that on the corner of Leeds Athens Road and Route 9W, someone is doing business as a refuse receiver. Mr. Holsopple stated that he would give this person a notice. He will also check with the Assessor to see how long this building has been a Multiple Dwelling. (It used to be a one family residence.)
Code Enforcement Officer Holsopple spoke about getting a metal desk. The list price is $349.00, with free shipping. It has four drawers, which lock.

Highway Superintendent John J. Farrell reported that the Highway Department had removed and replaced deteriorated culvert pipes, where needed.
All vehicles have been inspected. Truck #6 should get new brakes.
All grad all work has been finished.
They have been mixing sand and salt in preparation of the winter weather.
Truck #8 has had the backlights rewired. This truck will be getting new tires.
They are working on filling the sand shed.
Mr. Farrell advised the Board that a post was rotted out on a corner of the Town Garage. (This is being repaired.)
He has done an inventory on signs.
Next month he wants to change the yield signs on High Hill Road and Schoharie Turnpike to STOP signs.
He advised the Board that he would need a resolution to do this, as it has to go to the County and the State. (These signs should have been stop signs all along.)
He will be contacting Madsen Overhead Doors to come and adjust the garage doors.
The surplus pickup truck is going to be on the internet.

Councilman Hatton thanked Highway Superintendent Farrell for his help on Clean up Day.

Attorney Benedict will draw up the contract between KathodeRay (for website design) and the Town of Athens.

Councilman Eugene J. Hatton made a motion seconded by Councilman John F. Lubera to approve the Town Clerk's Report as presented. Carried; Ayes-5(Salvino; Lubera; Butler; Hatton; Fischer) Noes-0 Absent-0 Abstentions-0

The Board reviewed three sample letters of support for Greene IDA's application for assistance through ESDC's Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund.

On the motion made by Councilman Eugene J. Hatton seconded by Councilman John F. Lubera the following RESOLUTION #2009-49 was adopted:

I am writing in support of Greene County IDA's application for assistance through ESDC's Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund. The IDA's proposed project will invest over $4 million in the Athens Industrial Park, making the park more marketable and competitive in the regional economy. The project will include a $1 million wastewater treatment facility, $2 million rail expansion project and $1 million in property acquisition costs. The project will support the IDA's goals of attracting and retaining businesses in Athens and Greene County.

Greene County has been struggling to market the Athens Industrial Park to various businesses due to the lack of necessary infrastructure, including easily accessible rail transportation. The project being proposed in this grant application will improve rail access making the property and County more competitive in terms of spurring new economic development. The rail access will benefit a company called Northeast Treaters which will be able to expand their operation within the Athens Industrial Park. Where they are currently utilizing truck transportation to move their product, improved rail access will decrease their operating costs as well as reduce their carbon footprint. It is important that the State of New York continues to support the attraction, retention and expansion of businesses in Greene County and the Athens Industrial Park to create jobs for local residents.

The Greene County IDA has been working diligently to continue to create economic opportunities for the County, and this is an extremely important economic development project. I would strongly encourage you to assist the company in going forward with the industrial park improvements by awarding funds through the Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund.

The above letter was adopted by the Board and signed by the Supervisor. Ayes-5 (Salvino; Lubera; Butler; Hatton; Fischer) Noes-0 Absent-0 Abstentions-0

Attorney Virginia Benedict discussed the proposed Right to Farm Law. She advised the Board that a small committee would have to be appointed and formed. She suggested that the committee be made up of one Board member, one farmer and one outsider (or neutral party), or two of each.

Attorney Benedict stated that someone has to be appointed to complete the Assessment on an annual basis for the Workplace Violence Prevention Policy.

Supervisor Albert Salvino appointed Councilman Robert F. Butler, Jr. to be the one who completes the assessment for the Workplace Violence Prevention Policy.

Board members were reminded that a member needs to be appointed to the Board of Assessment and Review, as their term begins October 1, 2009 and expires September 30, 2014.

Zoning Law Comments were made by the Board. Discussion followed.
DEC Burn Law was discussed.

Councilman Hatton reported that Clean up day went smooth. Not many people showed up.
The ones who did come stressed their appreciation of such an event.

As there was no further business to come before the meeting, a motion to adjourn was made by Councilman John F. Luberaseconded by Councilman Eugene J. Hatton and carried.
Ayes-5 (Salvino; Lubera; Butler; Hatton; Fischer) Noes-0 Absent-0 Abstentions-0
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.


Linda M. Stacey, CMC
Town Clerk