Monthly Town Board Meeting
Catskill Town Hall
December 6th, 2005 7:00 P.M.
Attending: Supervisor, Joseph Izzo
Councilman, Joseph Hanusik
Councilman, Chuck Balsano
Councilman, Joseph Leggio
Councilman, Robert Antonelli
Town Clerk, Karen Sprague Johnson
Also Attending: Code Officer, John DelVecchio
Supervisor Izzo, welcomed everyone and opened the meeting with a moment of silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES TO BE ACCEPTED:
11/01/2005 Monthly Town Board Meeting
Motion Councilman Antonelli
Second Councilman Leggio
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
11/09/2005 Public Hearing # 14-2005 (2006 Prelim. Budget)
Motion Councilman Antonelli
Second Councilman Leggio
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
11/16/2005 Monthly Town Committee Meeting
Motion Councilman Antonelli
Second Councilman Leggio
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
11/17/2005 Bid Opening # 1-2005 (Ford Ambulance)
Motion Councilman Antonelli
Second Councilman Leggio
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
RESOLUTION:
RESOLUTION # 100-2005 REAPPOINTMENT TO TOWN OF CATSKILL
PLANNING BOARD
Councilman Leggio, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, a Town of Catskill Planning Board term will expire on December 31, 2005, and
WHEREAS, Peter Gustas is interested in being reappointed to this position, so
WE THEREFORE RESOLVE, to reappoint Peter Gustas to the Town of Catskill Planning Board, his term to expire on December 31, 2012.
Councilman Antonelli seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 101-2005 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR & VICE- CHAIR TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD
Councilman Leggio, offered the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill Planning Board recently held a meeting, and , by consensus, recommended the reappointment of Dan Howard, as Chair, and Peter Gustas, as Vice-Chair, for 2006, so
THEREFORE, WE, the Catskill Town Board do hereby appoint Dan Howard and Peter Gustas, as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, to the Planning Board for the year 2006.
Councilman Hanusik, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 102-2005 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CONTRACT
Councilman Antonelli, Presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Catskill Town Board requested proposal’s for professional services on a Joint Town and Village of Catskill, New York Comprehensive Plan, and,
WHEREAS, the Town Planning Board has received one proposal within the time frame specified, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby approve, upon the recommendation of the Joint Town and Catskill Comprehensive Plan Committee the proposal submitted by Saratoga Associates Landscape Architects, Engineers, and Planners, P.C. in the amount of $40,000 for professional services on the Joint Town and Village of Catskill Comprehensive Plan.
Councilman Leggio, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
This Resolution will go to the Village for approval also.
RESOLUTION # 103-2005 UPDATE FOR EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK ON SICK LEAVE and RETIREMENT 41j.
Councilman Leggio, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Catskill Town Board wishes to update the Employee Handbook by amending section 803, “Sick Leave” Policy for Non-Union employees in order to be consistent with the “Sick Leave” provisions of the 2005-2008 CSEA Contract recently approved by the Town Board, and
SEE ADDENDUM ATTACHED
WHEREAS, the above reflect the need for the Town of Catskill to modify and add to the Town of Catskill’s personnel policies based on changes in laws and work conditions, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby approve the above amendments to section 803, “Sick Leave” to the Town of Catskill’s Employee Handbook.
Councilman Antonelli, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 104-2005 NAMING OF PRIVATE ROAD - FOR
911 INFORMATION
Councilman Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, Vincent DeGennaro has applied to the Greene County Department of Emergency Services for a private road name owned by Mr. DeGennaro, and
WHEREAS, Mr. DeGennaro has requested that the name of the private road be “Vincent Road”, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill Highway Superintendent has reviewed this request and finds the name of Vincent Road acceptable, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby approve the request of Mr. DeGennaro to name the private road “Vincent Road”.
Councilmen Leggio & Hanusik, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
COUNTY RESOLUTIONS :
Resolution # 374-05 Establishing Fees for Filing of Subdivision
Maps
Resolution # 387-05 Authorizing Lease Agreement - Aging/ Town
of Catskill ( Senior Center Lease )
(Gr. Co. and Town/Village - Meal Program)
Resolution # 398-05 Authorizing Distribution of Mortgage Tax
(Catskill’s share is $142,992.18 )
Resolution # 400-05 Approving Reimbursement to Community Colleges (Catskill’s Charge is $ 12,247.13)
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter from Senator James L. Seward, confirming his commitment of $120,000, from the Multi-Model Program, toward resurfacing High Falls Road. This was included in the 2005-2006 state budget. NYS DOT should be contacting you in the near future as they will be processing the disbursing of funds.
Copy of a letter, from Supervisor Izzo, sent to Ronald Zduniak, regarding his request for extending the Palenville Lighting District, and the steps required. Supervisor reviewed this request and have not heard any thing as yet.
Letter of acknowledgement, sent by Supervisor Izzo, for donation sent by Harry Law, for the Town of Catskill Ambulance Services . Mr. Law inquired about a cart, and Ambulance Administrator, Matt Lebowitz, has contacted Mr. Law about his request
Invitation from Severn Trent Environmental Services, to their annual Holiday Party, to be held at the Holiday Inn Fishkill, on Friday, December 9th, 2005, from 4:30 to 9:30PM.
Letter to the Town of Catskill, from Time Warner Cable, regarding changes and restructuring of the local cable system. They will becoming a limited liability company and now operates as Time Warner NY Cable LLC.
Correspondence from Chief Administrative Judge, Jonathan Lippman, to Jean Close, Court Clerk, announcing a grant award to the Town Court Office of a Computer, and funding for a filing cabinet and shredder, with the total value of the award $1,525.00.
Letter to Supervisor Izzo, from Time Warner Cable, regarding certain changes, effective January, 2006, including adjusted rates and a copy of letter sent to customers.
Copy of correspondence, written by Lee Ann Morgan, Fyke Rd, and sent to Peckham Materials, St Lawrence Cement, Cranesville Cement, and Town Supervisor Izzo, regarding Fyke Rd. problems. Joe spoke to Joe Wildemirth from Peckham regarding the truck traffic concern and the possibility of using Olympus Palace road. He said that the slope of the road makes that impossible and it would be unsafe for the trucks. There is no alternative method at this point for the trucks. Supervisor Izzo, spoke to Joe Wildermuth, of Peckham Materials and it not possible to use Olympus Palace Rd., because of the slope of the road and the cost that it would be to change the road, and as to the truck bringing down equipment, it was just a one shot as the equipment is being stored for the winter season.
Letter from Catskill Mountain Housing Development Corp., with information about a grant they received for repairs for income qualified single family homeowners in NYS. The funds will be available in January
REPORTS:
Town of Catskill Comptrollers Cash Report for the month of October 2005.
Town of Catskill Highway Report for the month of November 2005.
Town of Catskill Cemetery Report for the month of November 2005.
Town of Catskill Code Enforcement Report for the month of November 2005.
Town of Catskill Ambulance Report for the month of November 2005.
Total calls for the ambulance for the month of November was 272.
* Copies of all reports are available at the Town Clerk’s office upon request.
Supervisor Izzo said he had a letter from Matt Liebowitz, our Ambulance Administrator in regards to the bids that we received on the new ambulance. The Town Board members all received a copy. On November 22, 2005 Matt met with Town Attorney James Wagman to review the bids for the new ambulance.
In the bid specs we were very specific on the patient compartment meet the drawings provided so we could maximize the space requirements for all the necessary equipment to help standardize our fleet. Upon reviewing the bids it appears that Northeast Rescue’s vehicles meets the specifications for exactly what we asked for. Based on this it is the Ambulance Administrator’s recommendation as well as Mr. Wagmans that we eliminate the other two bids and accept the bid from Northeast Rescue Vehicle.
The three bid prices were as follows: Northeast Rescue Vehicles : $ 51, 989.00
Autolectric: $ 51, 452.00
Custom Rescue: $ 45,395.00
The reason in regards to Customs Rescue lower price is because this was on the floor ambulance that did not meet the inside specifications for patient care. Councilman Joseph Leggio asked if the other one met our specs. His only question is we go out to bid and then we take the highest bidder? Supervisor Izzo recommends meeting with the Ambulance Administrator at the next meeting to discuss his rationale behind recommending that bid. The specifications were written by the Town based upon the Ambulances they currently have. Ambulance Administrator, Matt Leibowitz, arrives and is asked by Councilmen Leggio why he accepted Northeast’s bid over the others and what differences existed between the three bids. He explains that the dimensions of the patient compartments differed and the other bidders did
not meet the required specifications. Northeast has provided the Town with ambulances in the past. Mr. Leibowitz, wants to keep the fleet standardized, and the low bidder gave us less space then we have now. The Ambulances that we have now would be the same as the new one, and the lowest bidder did not give us that.
Supervisor Izzo announces we have a copy of the NYS Department of State application grant we filed pertaining to the Joint Comprehensive Planning Committee with the Village and Town.
There are letters for first time homebuyers regarding attempts to create an affordable homeownership project. Flyers are being disbursed to determine interest and brochures are available on the affordable homeownership project with general information about the grant. The Town Clerk’s Office has copies of these.
Mr. Ruggiero from the Heart of Catskill would like to speak before the Board. Mr. Ruggiero introduces two board members also present: Diane Zipp, from St. Lawrence Cement and Gary Kistinger, of Palenville. They would like to discuss the refunding of the salary for the Executive Director of the Heart of Catskill Association. A comment was made by an individual at a recent meeting that she has never seen Main Street so crowded. Although the Heart of Catskill does not take full credit, he feels they are partially responsible and contributed significantly to the development of Main Street. Ms. Zipp feels some people minimize the Heart of Catskill Executive Director’s position. The salary for this position has not changed since 1999. The position was created to be only for 24
hours per week, however, the Director has dedicated considerably more hours per week to the position. She is requesting that the Town and Village of Catskill share the expense of the salary with the Heart of Catskill for the following reasons: The Executive Director has done many things to provide growth to Catskill, she has a wealth of knowledge for both businesses and individuals, and she claims as the Village grows, so does the Town. Ms Zipp, requests passing a Resolution to include the salary in the budget.
Mr. Hudson Talbot has four buildings on Main Street and feels the Director was very helpful and supportive. Mr. Talbot has been in Greene Co. for 20 years, but this is his first year in Catskill, and Linda has been there helping with the first building and the consecutive ones. Mr. Talbot feels Linda is a asset to the HOCA, and the Town Board should be aware of that.
Councilmen Leggio asks if they are going to bring it up for a vote. Supervisor Izzo says they will discuss it at the next Committee Meeting which will be on 12/21/2005. He would like to speak with Mr. Seeley from the Village about the issue. The Town Board has been funding this position since it conception, and inside the Village of Catskill, there has been tremendous progress, however, there does not seem to be the same results outside of the Village. Residents of the Town, outside the Village, ultimately pay for the Heart of Catskill. The hope was that the program would become self-funding. The Town is not currently inclined to consider funding that position based on the lack of development outside of the Village. The Town is supportive of the Heart of Catskill
Association, however, he believes the organization should move towards the private sector.
Councilmen Leggio asks if the Village has approved funding for next year. Mr. Seeley claims that the Village hasn’t started the Budgeting process yet, but more than likely the Village will fund it, and Mr. Leggio, asked at the same amount, and Mr. Seeley, said probably yes. Councilmen Leggio explains that the Town Board requested monthly reports from the organization and did not hear anything until the issue with funding was addressed. Mr. Leggio would like to see something done outside of the Village. He would like to see a future plan of the Association, and he is not opposed to doing some funding. Mr. Kistinger explains that some is being done outside the Village such as the ribbon-cutting event at the Woodbine Inn, and HOCA had meeting at the Country Club in Palenville this year. We are in touch with Mike Clark, who owns the Palenville House, which is a bed and breakfast.
Supervisor Izzo clarifies that he would like to see the Association become self-funded, because if it is going to survive it needs to stand on its own, just look at the outcome of the Community Center. It is an example of how organizations rely on tax money and ultimately cannot rely on that, they used to get 50-60% of there money from the State. Supervisor Izzo would like to see a plan on how HOCA will raise money other than through the Village and Town.
Councilman Leggio, said that Music in the Park, funding is done separately, Supervisor Izzo, also said that it was funded separately, along with the shows at the Point, so it is for a total of $7000 to $8000, over the salary for the HOCA director.
Ms. Zipp explains that funding is difficult to acquire from businesses. St. Lawrence Cement sponsors events for the HOCA, however, there are not many large business around to contribute. There are many things HOCA does that are not funded by the Town. The Association cannot rely on businesses alone because requests are constantly made to them for funding from various sources.
In January there will be a joint meeting between the Town and Village Boards, and the Heart of Catskill is invited to attend at which time the issue can be discussed further. The Town will certainly fund the organization, and they will discuss the amount at a future date. Mr. Ruggerio, said that they have approached other business, such as Price Chopper, and have been turned down, Home Depot has been approached also, but they have not helped either. St. Lawrence Cement Co, has been the one who has been most helpful. Supervisor Izzo, knows that they helped the Town of Catskill enormously, that is not even a issue, but we need to know how the organization is going to fund itself in the future.
Village President Seeley announces that on Saturday, December 10, 2005 there will be a Holiday Stroll to draw people in to see the new stores and the Town Board is invited to attend. Also, he has received information from a shared municipal services incentive grant program. There is $2.3 million dollars available for each successful applicant not to exceed $100,000. He would like the Town and Village to apply jointly and share services to receive the grant money. Supervisor Izzo explains the Town has the same grant and would like to discuss it the joint meeting.
During the joint meeting, Mr. Seeley would like to discuss the possibility of using the old fire bay under Village Hall for the Ambulance. Supervisor Izzo agrees to discuss it at the meeting.
Supervisor Izzo suggests going into a grant to dissolve the Village of Catskill and just have the Town of Catskill. He would like to review the pros and cons and the possibility of doing this, with a realistic plan in the future.
Code Enforcement Officer, John DelVecchio, explains he is having a meeting with Mike Bliss , on 12/09/05 regarding the structural evaluation for Karen Roberts’ property if the Board is interested in attending. He also announces that Carin DeNat‘s property, the trailer park, is down to a frame and a few pieces of tin left. The garage is down on the property on Vosenkill Road, (Valentine / Ward property) however, the trailer is down but still needs to be cleaned up.
With nothing else Supervisor Izzo, presented to Councilman Balsano, a proclamation and a clock for his years of service to the Town of Catskill from 1994 to 2005, with best wishes from all the residents of the Town. Councilman Balsano, said that he wanted to thank the voters of the Town of Catskill, for the honor of being able to serve them in his capacity as Councilman, there have been some trying times, but he feels that a lot has been accomplished in his years on the Town Board.
Supervisor Izzo, at this time said that the Board needed to go into executive session, to discuss a issue regarding the Ambulance employees being unionized. There will be a hearing on 12/20/2005 that the Supervisor needs to attend with the NYS Labor Department, and also Mr. Izzo, invited Mr. O’Connor to attend the session as he will be a member of the Board in January.
Supervisor Izzo, wished everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at the Town.
Councilman Antonelli, made motion and Councilman Leggio, seconded the motion at 8:01 pm to adjourn to executive session.
Executive session ended at 8:17 pm, with motion from Councilman Antonelli and seconded by Councilman Leggio.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Sprague Johnson
Catskill Town Clerk
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