Catskill Town Board Monthly Meeting
Catskill Town Hall
August 5, 2008 6:30 pm
Attendance: Peter Markou, Supervisor
Robert Antonelli, Councilman
Lewis O’Connor, Councilman
Patrick Walsh, Councilman
Michael Smith, Councilman
Elizabeth Izzo, Clerk
Supervisor Markou opened the meeting with a moment of silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Markou reviewed the minutes:
07/01/2008 Monthly Town Board Meeting
Motion Councilman Antonelli
Second Councilman Smith & Walsh
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0
07/16/2008 Monthly Town Board Committee Meeting
Motion Councilman Antonelli
Second Councilman Walsh
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0
Supervisor Markou reviewed the following resolutions:
RESOLUTION # 94-2008 APPOINTMENT OF TOWN HISTORIAN
Councilman Smith offered the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, there has been a vacancy for the position of Town Historian, due to the illness of long-time Historian, Betty Larsen, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to have a presence for the Town’s historic activities, so
THEREFORE, WE, the Catskill Town Board, do hereby appoint Richard Philps, a Catskill
Resident, to the position of Town of Catskill Historian, effective immediately.
Councilman Antonelli seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0 Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 95-2008 REQUESTING DESIGNATION AS AN EXPLORE NY 400 COMMUNITY.
Councilman Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the New York State Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial
Commission was established under Chapter 590 of the laws of 2002, to plan, develop and
Coordinate the 400th anniversary, in 2009, of the voyage of exploration made by Henry
Hudson and Samuel deChamplain, as well as the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s
Steamship voyage up the Hudson River; and
WHEREAS, these historic voyages of exploration in 1609 would change the world
forever and lead to the European settlement of the New World and the innovation of
steam travel and commerce in 1807, establishing the Hudson River and Lake Champlain
as a corridor of trade, communication, politics and ideas and that further, this vital north-
south corridor of water created other water links such as the Champlain and Erie Canals,
which provided opportunities inland and encouraged the westward movement through
these water routes; and
WHEREAS, the State and the Federal governments recognize the voyages or exploration
and invention to be of historical importance and significance to New York State and the
nation and recognize the tradition to observe these contributions made by Hudson,
Fulton, and Champlain, by commerating these events in 2009,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that as an Explore NY 400 Community, the
community may use the Explore NY logo, link to the Explore NY 400 website, and may be eligible for either state or federal grant money to assist in Quadricentennial planning, events, legacy projects; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Town of Catskill supports the mission of the Hudson-
Fulton-Champlain Quadricentiannial Commission, and requests designation as an Explore NY 400 Community, and will be an active partner by establishing an Explore NY 400 Committee, and will cooperate to it’s fullest with the Commission in making the 400th Anniversary a successful historic New York State event.
Councilman Smith seconded this motion
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0 Motion Carried
Councilman O’Connor asked if this would be a matching grant. Supervisor Markou stated yes, in kind service. Councilman O’Connor asked how much. Supervisor Markou stated $45,000.
RESOLUTION # 96-2008 APPOINTMENT OF CODE
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
(PROVISIONAL)
Councilman Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, Denise Sossa has been working in the Code Enforcement Office part-time, and
WHEREAS, there is a need for a full-time Code Enforcement Officer, and
WHEREAS, Denise has taken the civil service exam for Code Enforcement Officer and is currently awaiting the results of that exam, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby appoints Denise Sossa to provisional full-time Code Enforcement Officer effective August 7, 2008.
Councilman Smith, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 1 (Councilman O’Connor) Absent 0 Motion Carried
Councilman O’Connor questioned if there was enough money in the budget for benefits. Supervisor Markou stated yes.
RESOLUTION # 97-2008 RE-APPOINTMENT OF ROGER
MOORE TO BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW
Councilman Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, Roger Moore’s term on the Town of Catskill Board of Assessment Review will expire on September 30, 2008 and
WHEREAS, the Sole Assessor for the Town of Catskill, Nancy McCoy, has recommended that he be re-appointed as a member of the Board of Assessment Review, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Moore has expressed an interest in being re-appointed to the Board of Assessment Review, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board, re-appoint Roger Moore to the Town of Catskill Board of Assessment Review effective October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2013.
Councilman Walsh, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0 Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 98-2008 APPOINTMENT OF PART-TIME
PLANNING/ZONING CLERK
Councilman Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Board’s of the Town of Catskill are in need of a part-time clerk, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to fill this position, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board appoints Patricia Case as clerk effective August 5, 2008.
Councilman Smith, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 1 (Councilman O’Connor) Absent 0 Motion Carried
Supervisor Markou asked Linda Speckman how many hours she will be working. She stated it would be a 20 hour work week plus meetings.
Councilman Smith asked what department she would fall under. Supervisor Markou stated it would be the Code Enforcement Office.
Councilman O’Connor questioned if there was money in the budget for this position. He wanted to know if any other person in the Code Enforcement Office would be able to handle this position instead of hiring another person part-time.
Councilman O’Connor wanted to know where the funds for this position would be drawn from. Supervisor Markou stated it would be from Planning/Zoning. Councilman O’Connor stated that in today’s time, we should try to tighten up a bit.
Ms. Speckman stated that Mr. Izzo, past Supervisor, budgeted for this position. Councilman Antonelli concurred.
RESOLUTION # 99-2008 TOWN OF CATSKILL NEW
CEMETERY FEE SCHEDULE
Councilman Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, costs have been escalating in the preparation of burials, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board felt it was necessary to increase costs to prevent deficits in the Cemetery budget, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board adopt the following fee schedule effective August 5, 2008 (attached).
Councilman Smith, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0 Motion Carried
Supervisor Markou stated the fee schedule was not changed for Town of Catskill residents but has been changed for Greene County residents and out of Greene County residents.
Councilman Antonelli stated that since the Town maintains the Cemetery with taxpayer funds, and there have been many inquiries from people who do not live in the Town or Greene County for that matter, who want to be buried here, at a substantially less cost, he felt it was fair to increase the rate. A rate schedule can be obtained at the Town Clerk office.
Supervisor Markou reviewed the County resolutions:
Resolution #280-08 As Amended: Resolution in Opposition of the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation’s Proposal to Prohibit Open Burning Across New York State
Resolution #285-08 Awarding Fuel Oil Bids
Resolution # 305-08 Approving Reimbursement to Community Colleges (Catskill’s share is $3,257.24)
Resolution #306-08 Authorizing Chargeback of Assessment Roll
Related Services and Materials
(Catskill’s cost is $976.00)
Supervisor Markou discussed new business. He stated that Senator Seward made an award to the Catskill Community Center in the amount of $250,000 for infrastructure improvements. He also stated that he received a call from the Governor’s office stating that the CDBG grant the Town submitted for the Center, in the amount of $400,000, has been approved.
Supervisor Markou reviewed the reports:
Town of Catskill Comptroller’s Report for the Month of June 2008
Town of Catskill Ambulance Report for the month of July 2008
Town of Catskill Cemetery Report for the month of July 2008
Town of Catskill Highway Report for the month of July 2008
Town of Catskill Code Enforcement Report for month of July 2008
*Copies of all reports are available at the Town Clerk’s office upon request.
Supervisor Markou opened for floor to public comment. Kellie Darling, Director of the Catskill Community Center, approached the Board and thanked the Supervisor for attending the press conference with Senator Seward. She also stated that the Summer Recreation Program is almost over and stated that the program has been wonderful. She and Don Osborn stated they are both in amazement of how things are going.
Mr. Harry Burnett from Kiskatom approached the Board in regards to the change in the noise ordinance. Councilman Smith stated that since there has been an enforcement of the existing Town Law by the Sheriff’s Department (in Kiskatom), the Board will be taking a wait and see approach. An amendment may not be necessary.
Supervisor Markou asked if anyone else wished to address the Board. With no comment, a motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Antonelli and seconded by Councilman Smith. Meeting ended at 6:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Izzo
Town Clerk
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