Monthly Town Committee Meeting
Catskill Town Hall
December 21, 2005 7:00 PM
Attending: Supervisor, Joseph Izzo
Councilman, Joseph Hanusik
Councilman, Chuck Balsano
Councilman, Joseph Leggio
Councilman, Robert Antonelli
Town Clerk, Karen Sprague Johnson
Supervisor Izzo, welcomed everyone to the meeting and then opened it with a moment of silent prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance and wished everyone Happy Holidays.
There is a presentation tonight by Smart Technology Inc. which will take place before we start the meeting. Its a safety, mobility, and tracking solution for our Ambulance Service. The meeting was turned over to them at this time.
Paul Wood from Cellular One introduced himself and said that they have a new product that they are partnering up with called Smart Technology, which is a GPS fleet management system. This product works great with ambulances and emergency vehicles. To give us more information on this product he introduced two people from Smart Technology Inc. Wayne Rossa and Patrick Speeckaert. They will show everyone how it works and Paul will show how it works with Cellular Ones data number.
Wayne Rossa said he has been involved with the company for a little over four months. He has been a Medic for 33 years and a Fire Chief as well. There are a lot of GPS systems out there, but this system’s main focus is on the safety factor. The system is a quarter of the cost of competitors equipment. This system requires no software and can be accessed by the internet. The system has a lot of intricate features that work well with an ambulance service. Two local ambulance services have signed up and will start using this system in the next couple of days.
This system can give a cost analysis by tracking mileage and idle time. A small box is mounted to the ambulance and has a memory system. This automatically tracks vehicle maintenance and alerts and alarms can be sent via email or cell phone to make the dispatcher aware of this. The system gives the date and time and all the information that is going on at that particular time and is capable of inputs as well as outputs. The unit has extensive driver history and is secure and can be accessed only by passwords. When the phones are not working this system will work. The system is made of two technologies as follows:
1) GPS Satellite which is owned and maintained by the U.S. Government.
2) Cellular Network that transmits the data to an internet server to keep
the history of all that is being done in the last two months, then this
information can be changed.
As many vehicles as you would like can be tracked at one time. The information can be stored and the alerts and alarms can be set for specific things and reporting can be set for specific times for each vehicle. There is also a replay function that can let you review the reports. These help to match the information with the reports.
Councilman Chuck Balsano asked if a designated person had to monitor the system. The system will store the information so a dispatcher will not be needed. Messages will be sent by phone or e-mail to send a message to let you know what has occurred with the vehicle in question. The reporting system can be automatic and does not have to be personally monitored. The system will go into the data base and generate the information that you are asking it to check. The system will alert the supervisor by cell phone or e-mail. The reports can also be set up to send a report every day for each vehicle.
The program has been in operation since 2002. The service is on 24 hours seven days a week. There are two servers if one should fail the system will automatically switch and connect to the other server. Paul Wood said if there were any more questions they are working very closely with Ambulance Supervisor, Matt Liebowitz and would be available to answer any questions that anyone has. Paul said the a demo could be tried on one of the ambulances for a week if the board would like. The box that is mounted in the vehicle is being sold at cost for approximately $450.00 dollars. Installation runs between $50.00 to $100.00 per vehicle. There are two charges after that per month which come at a discount.
Supervisor Izzo said that the Demo can be set up as soon as possible and that we have the fee schedule and will make a decision as to what we will do. Supervisor Izzo thanked them all for coming and wished them a Merry Christmas.
12/06/2005 Monthly Town Board Meeting
RESOLUTIONS:
We received a purchase order to buy Kitchen equipment for the Senior Center and we would like to encumber the money in the 2005 budget. The follow is a resolution to encumber those funds.
RESOLUTION # 107-2005 ENCUMBERING FUNDS - SENIOR CENTER.
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill has received a purchase order to buy kitchen equipment for the Senior Center in the amount of $4,009.57 from Sysco Inc., so
THEREFORE, WE the Catskill Town Board hereby encumbered the amount of
$4009.57 from the following account A67724.5, Senior Center from the Town of Catskill 2005 Budget and authorize the Town Supervisor to place such amount in a reserve account for the purpose of purchasing Kitchen Equipment for the Senior Center.
Councilman Joseph Hanusik , seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
The low or high bidder has not been chosen for the ambulance yet we just have to make sure we have the money in the bank when the decision is made.
RESOLUTION # 108-2005 ENCUMBERING FUNDS - AMBULANCE
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following of consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill has received bids to purchase a new ambulance for the Town of Catskill Ambulance Service,
SO, THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby encumbered the amount of $51,989.00 which represents the highest bid, from the following account, A45404.4 Ambulance Contractual 2005 Budget, in order to have enough money available when the appropriate bid is chosen and authorize the Supervisor to place such amount in an account for the purpose of purchasing an Ambulance for the Town of Catskill Ambulance Service.
Supervisor Joseph Izzo, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 109-2005 2005 YEAR END BUDGET TRANSFERS AND
REVISED APPROPRIATIONS.
Councilman Joseph Hanusik, presented the following for consideration and adoption.
WHEREAS, the following budget transfers and revised year end appropriation for 2005, need to be made to the following accounts:
General Fund
A45404.4 Ambulance Cont. $71,047.09
Total General Fund Transfer $71,047.09
Highway Outside Town
DB 5112.2 CHIPS $22,936.99
DB 5110.1 General Repairs $ 7,038.70
Total Highway Transfer $29,975.69
SO, THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby approve the following transfers and revised revenue appropriation from the below accounts:
General Fund
A45404.35 Ambulance EMS $15,047.09
General Fund Revenue
A2680 Insurance Recoveries $56,000.00
Total General Fund Transfer $71,047.09
Highway
DB 5142.1 Snow Removal $ 7,038.70
Highway Outside Town Revenue
DB 3501 State Aid Highway $22,936.99
Total Highway Transfer $29,975.69
Councilman Robert Antonelli, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 105-2005 RE-APPOINTMENT TO THE TOWN OF
CATSKILL ZONING BOARD.
Supervisor Joseph Izzo, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, a Town of Catskill Zoning Board term will expire on December 31st, 2005, and
WHEREAS, Leonard DiStefano, is interested in being reappointed to this position, so
WE THEREFORE RESOLVE, to reappoint Leonard DiStefano, to the Town of Catskill Zoning Board, his term to expire on December 31st, 2010.
Councilman Joseph Hanusik, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 106-2005 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN & VICE
CHAIRMAN TO THE TOWN OF CATSKILL
ZONING BOARD.
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill Zoning Board had their monthly meeting, and by election recommended the re-appointment of Leonard DiStefano, as Chairman, and Margie Garafalo, as Vice Chairman for 2006, so
THEREFORE, WE, the Catskill Town Board do hereby appoint Leonard DiStefano and Margie Garafalo, as Chairman and Vice-Chairman to the Zoning Board for the year 2006.
Councilman Joseph Hanusik, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
CORRESPONDENCE:
Correspondence was received from Kay Stamer, Executive Director of the Greene County Council on the Arts, Inc. with the Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ending June 30th, 2005 attached.
A letter was received from Art Klein of Functional Sculpture, LTD. 354 Main St. Catskill, NY, in regards to support for HOCA’S, Director Linda Overbaugh.
Meeting notice was received from Mary Mangione, from the Hudson River Valley Greenway. There will be a Joint Board meeting on Wednesday January 11, 2006 at Columbia-Greene Community College in Hudson, NY.
Correspondence was received from the New York State Dept of Conservation regarding a notice of complete application for St. Lawrence Cement Co. LLC. The applicant proposes to stabilize an eroded road that leads to a barge loading dock on their property in the Town of Catskill in Greene County.
Twin Counties Cultural fund & Greene County Council on the Arts has been awarded a grant in the amount of $799.00 by a panel of artists and community leaders and the GCCA Board of directors. This is in reference to the Catskill Glee Club for concerts for 2006.
REPORTS:
Town of Catskill Comptrollers Cash Report for the month of November 2005
* Copies of all reports are available at the Town Clerk’s office upon request.
A correspondence was received from Clough Harbour & Associates LLP regarding the proposal for Implementation of a Web-Based Geographic Information System CHA proposal No. X14571-P1. This application will be accessible via the internet and will not require any additional software to operate. The system is for the Building and Code Department and is a web based mapping application using maps on line and the data bases will be available for free and will be obtained from the State, our Greene County data bases, etc. The zoning map is available to be loaded onto the system.
Supervisor Izzo proposed to the Board that this system be available on our Town website and free to all the town residents. This system does not include the Village of Catskill. The Village of Catskill could be added on and Supervisor Izzo will speak to the Village in January. The System is $9,000.00 a lump sum amount. Clough Harbour will host and maintain the system for a period of three years for an annual fee of $3,000.00 dollars per year. They are prepared to start work immediately upon the Town’s authorization. So this is for the Board to look at and review. The Town got a notice about this after Linda Sampson from Code Enforcement went to a seminar. Linda feels that it would be helpful in the Zoning and Planning board. Code Enforcement Officer John DelVecchio agreed that this would be helpful in the office
so this is the proposal that Clough Harbour came up with. Supervisor Izzo felt that if the Village was put on we could somehow prorate the cost of the system and share the cost. The price to have the Village on also is minimal. Training is provided to use the system for up to 10 users. All the particulars will have to be discussed with them. The Board would like to have Michael Bianchino come down to give a presentation on the system and Supervisor Izzo said he will make arrangements for that at our next Town Board meeting in January. The Planning and Zoning boards will be asked to be present so they can also view the system.
Supervisor Izzo gave a brief update on the meeting that took place on December 20, 2005 with the Public Employees Relation Board in regards to the Unionization of the Ambulance Dept. When we left the meeting it was with the understanding that a Union will be authorized by the Public Employee Relations Board and we should be getting a formal notification of this in the first week of January. Once this is done then we will have to negotiate a contract.
Supervisor Izzo asked if anyone had anything further to discuss at this time.
Dan Howard asked that the board be careful before incurring expenses on Mobile Data. He feels that different plans should be looked at and to check to see what is available under state contract, and to check them carefully before coming to a decision.
Angelo wanted to know if the board discussed HOCA’S funding. The board has not discussed this issue. Angelo said if they could fund Linda Overbaugh’s salary it would be nice, but with the way they presently generate funds like with the Music in the Park is with memberships. They already pay 1/3 of her salary and feel accomplishments have been made.
Councilman Joseph Leggio said that the Town board was supposed to meet with the Village last week to sit and discuss how much the Village was going to give. Supervisor Izzo said the Village has funded through June of 2006 because of the way their budget runs. The Town of Catskill’s budget is funded until the end of each year. Angelo said he feels he can safely say that the Village of Catskill will continue their funding. Supervisor Izzo asked how HOCA anticipated funding Linda Overbaugh’s salary fulltime or how would they generate the money?
Supervisor Izzo asked if HOCA is prepared to pay the increase in salary that they are asking for. Angelo said they are prepared to address the fact that she hasn’t had a raise since 1999. HOCA is looking for the Town to contribute to this salary. HOCA would like to eventually be self sufficient but does not have a time frame to give the board. Supervisor Izzo said that the board cannot give an answer as to their contribution to the salary until some answers are given to the Town Board. Angelo said that HOCA will have their Board meeting in January and he will return to the Town board with some answers so a discussion can take place. Councilman Joseph Leggio said that as far as the Music in the Park series goes many communities besides our own enjoy that and maybe we could join forces with Greene County
Tourism and still provide the same services to the area. Supervisor Izzo asked Angelo if he could be invited to the monthly HOCA meeting. Regina wanted to add some comments to this discussion. She stated that the Heart of Catskill Organization cannot run as a volunteer organization. She has heard the complaint that some people on the Town Board think that HOCA is only for the Main Street Village and not for the Town. This is not true Linda Overbaugh spends an enormous amount of time responding to a numerous amount of phone calls from people who want information, directions and advice on where to stay or dine. These questions directly affect the town. People have come into the office from Palenville and Leeds asking for information to see what assistance is available to them in whatever form.
Since Main Street is the seat of economic activity for the Town it’s to everyone’s advantage that the storefronts get filled and that Main Street gets revitalized. Main Street is much better than it was a couple of years ago. We need a dedicated person who makes good business decisions and is committed to change for the Town. Regina said this year HOCA is not able to take on an additional burden with the monies this year but hopefully with the revitalization and better membership this may be possible in the future.
Councilman Robert Antonelli said it’s very interesting that the rumor has it that its Councilmen Antonelli and Leggio against this, because that’s not true. He feels that if all these things are being done for the Town of Catskill, then they should be put in a report and then presented to the Town Board so they can see what is being done. The Town Board does not know what Linda Overbaugh does for the Town and the board would like to know. A report was presented two weeks ago only because HOCA was trying to get money from the Town. Councilman Antonelli agrees with Supervisor Izzo in the fact that HOCA needs to eventually become self sufficient. Sooner or later it has to come off the governments responsibility. Taxpayers can’t constantly complain that their taxes keep going up.
The whole key is the reports, they would have justified what HOCA wanted if the Town Board had seen reports every month. Angelo suggested if funding is granted it could be made mandatory that reports are made available. Councilman Antonelli said that it shouldn’t have to be that way because we are talking about a good amount of money. Supervisor Izzo said he will be in attendance at HOCA’S monthly meeting and then the Town Board can discuss it.
Supervisor Izzo wished everyone a Happy Holiday, and Healthy and Safe New Year.
It was announced that this is Councilman Chuck Balsano’s last scheduled meeting. Supervisor Izzo said he has served the board for 12 years and will be missed.
Councilman Chuck Balsano spoke and said he would like to thank everyone who supported him and for having the opportunity to serve the Town. He thanked everyone.
Dan Howard asked Supervisor Izzo when the swearing in ceremony will take place. The ceremony will take place on Sunday January 01, 2006 . Councilman Antonelli recommended 1:00pm like its always been. Supervisor Izzo said he will have to remind everyone to sign the Oath Book or they are not officially in office.
The Reorganization Meeting is January 3, 2006 at 6:30 pm.
With nothing else, Supervisor Izzo asked for a motion to adjourn, Councilman Antonelli, made the motion to adjourn at 8:07 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Sprague Johnson
Town Clerk
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