Government Operations Meeting
Catskill Town Hall
December 17, 2008 4:00 pm
Attendance: Peter Markou, Supervisor
Robert Antonelli, Councilman
Lewis O’Connor, Councilman
Patrick Walsh, Councilman
Michael Smith, Councilman
Elizabeth Izzo, Town Clerk
Also Attending: Michael Sterthous, Town Attorney
Matthew Leibotwitz,Ambulance Supervisor
Supervisor Markou opened the meeting. Matt Leibowitz spoke about the ambulance billing proposal. The question at hand was to either buy or rent the equipment. The company would rather have us buy the equipment. If we buy then their take would be 8% versus 10%. Councilman Antonelli recommended we buy the equipment. Councilman Walsh stated if we could afford to buy then we should. Councilman O’Connor agreed to buy outright but asked how we would pay for it since it wasn’t included in our budget. Supervisor Markou stated the cost would come out of fund balance. Supervisor Markou is more comfortable with them installing the equipment. This is real time equipment and there is a check and balance system to make sure the bill is correct before being sent. Supervisor Markou would like to see a contract and Matt will work on that.
Supervisor Markou asked Mike Sterthous about the confidential document he sent. Because this was regarding an employee issue, Councilman Smith made a motion to enter into executive session and Councilman Antonelli seconded.
Executive session ended at 5:15 pm and the government operations meeting resumed.
Supervisor Markou mentioned several infrastructure issues that the Town will be facing in 2009. A copy of the feasibility study was given to the Town Board members from Delaware Engineering for the potential Leeds sewer project. He stated there has been an increase in the cost of the Cementon Sewer upgrade. He stated the Town still has the USDA check to develop Water District #3 and there is still the issue of extending the South Cairo district extension.
Supervisor Markou reviewed the Quadricentennial projects. There is $45,000 available for funding. Supervisor Markou would like to fund those projects that directly benefit the people of the Town and Village of Catskill. He is advocating for transportation to the Half Moon, the picnic at Dutchman’s Landing, the dedication of Town Hall and the dedication of the Little Red Schoolhouse with a reading of Rip Van Winkle. He would like the other Board members to review the projects and make their recommendations at the January meeting.
Supervisor Markou spoke about the PBA and their continued rental of the building in back of Town Hall. They still owe rent; $2,400. ALS has found a new location in Leeds, so they will be vacating and the garage will be used to house Town vehicles.
Councilman Antonelli does not want to renew their lease, but if the Board decides to renew, then it should be on a month to month basis.
Supervisor Markou will continue discussions with them about the back rent and the possibility of continued rental.
Supervisor Markou reviewed the resolutions for tonight’s meeting.
With no further comment a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilman Antonelli and seconded by Councilman Smith. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Izzo
Town Clerk
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