Catskill Town Board Monthly Committee Meeting
Catskill Town Hall
June 18, 2008 6:32 pm
Attendance: Peter Markou, Supervisor
Robert Antonelli, Councilman
Patrick Walsh, Councilman
Michael Smith, Councilman
Elizabeth Izzo, Clerk
Absent: Lewis O’Connor, Councilman
Supervisor Markou opened the meeting with a moment of silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
He then reviewed the following resolutions:
RESOLUTION # 76-2008 APPROVE AWARD FOR GREENE
COUNTY YOUTH FAIR
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, there has been a request from the Greene County Youth Fair, asking Towns to help offset the cost of the fireworks display at this year’s event, and
WHEREAS, this yearly event celebrates achievements of youth in our County and provides something for all residents in our County, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board do hereby award the sum of $300.00 to the Greene County Youth Fair to offset the cost of the fireworks display.
Councilman Michael Smith, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1(O’Connor) Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 77-2008 AUTHORIZE TOWN BOARD TO
RETAIN SHALLO, GALLUSCIO, BIANCI
& FUCITO FOR 2007 YEAR END AUDIT
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Catskill Town Board would like to have a year end audit for the year 2007, and
WHEREAS, the Catskill Town Board would like to retain the outside firm of Shallo, Galluscio, Bianci, & Fucito to complete this audit, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board authorize the firm of Shallo, Galluscio, Bianci, & Fucito to complete the 2007 year end audit for the fee of $7,000.
Councilman Patrick Walsh, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1, (O’Connor) Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 78-2008 TO ESTABLISH THE POSITION OF
DEPUTY HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to establish the position of Deputy Highway Superintendent pursuant to Town Law §32.2, and
WHEREAS, the Deputy Highway Superintendent, in the absence or inability of the Town Highway Superintendent, shall act and be vested with all powers and duties of the Town Highway Superintendent as provided by law, and
WHEREAS, the Highway Superintendent shall appoint a person to this position within five days after the establishment of this office, and if the Highway Superintendent fails to do so, then the responsibility to appoint this position falls on the Town Board, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby approve the establishment of the position of Deputy Highway Superintendent.
Councilman Michael Smith, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1, (O’Connor). Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 79-2008 APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION
FOR DEPUTY HIGHWAY
SUPERINTENDENT
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Town Board established the position of Deputy Highway Superintendent for the Town of Catskill, and
WHEREAS, the job description for this position was prepared by Public Sector HR Consultants, LLC, the Town of Catskill’s Human Resource advisors, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby approve the job description for the position of Deputy Highway Superintendent.
Councilmen Walsh and Smith, seconded this motion
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1 (O’Connor). Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 80-2008 FOR PUBLIC SECTOR HR
CONSULTANTS LLC FOR
HIGHWAY AUDIT
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Catskill Town Board wishes to conduct a management audit for the Town of Catskill Highway Department, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill utilizes Public Sector HR Consultants LLC for their Human Resource services, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby approve Public Sector HR Consultants, not to exceed $3,000, not including mileage reimbursement, to conduct a management audit at the Town of Catskill Highway Department.
Councilman Michael Smith, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1(O’Connor). Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 81-2008 RETAIN WHITEMAN,
OSTERMAN, & HANNA FOR
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
FOR AMBULANCE AND
HIGHWAY
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of Catskill and the United Public Service Employees Union (Ambulance) and the Town of Catskill and CSEA Highway Contract are due to expire on December 31, 2008 respectfully, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill would like to retain the law firm of Whiteman, Osterman, & Hanna to represent the Town in negotiations for both the UPSEU (Ambulance) and CSEA contract negotiations at a rate of $200 per hour, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby authorize the Law Firm of Whiteman, Osterman, & Hanna to represent the Town of Catskill in the upcoming negotiations.
Councilman Patrick Walsh, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1(O’Connor). Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 82-2008 AUTHORIZE DELAWARE ENGINEERING
TO CONTRACT WITH FRED COOK JR., INC FOR CEMENTON INFRASTRUCTURE
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill has entered into a professional agreement with
Delaware Engineering for wastewater engineering services for Cementon Sewer, and
WHEREAS, Delaware Engineering would like to engage Fred Cook Jr., Inc. to provide
TV monitoring of the Cementon infrastructure to determine the level of infiltration at cost
of $1,600.00, and
WHEREAS, this is per requirements of New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board hereby approve Delaware Engineering to
engage the services of Cook Company to complete this study at the cost of $1,600.00.
Councilman Patrick Walsh, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1(O’Connor) Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 83-2008 APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR CLERK/
COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE
Councilman Robert Antonelli , presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill’s Comptroller’s Office needs a Senior Clerk, and
WHEREAS, there is a current Civil Service List for this position, and
WHEREAS, the Town Comptroller has interviewed individuals on this list, and
WHEREAS, the Town Comptroller is recommending Carol Kenyon be appointed to this position, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board appoint Carol Kenyon to the position of Senior Clerk in the Comptroller’s Office effective June 30, 2008.
Councilmen Walsh and Smith, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1(O’Connor) Motion Carried.
Supervisor Markou reviewed correspondence:
Letter from Time Warner Cable in reference to their separation from Time Warner Inc.
Letter from NYSDEC stating the new flood insurance maps for Greene County are effective.
Letter from NYSDEC to Gary Harvey, Greene County Hwy Dept, authorizing bridge repair on Honey Hollow Road in the Town of Catskill.
Supervisor Markou stated there was no new business. He then asked for public comment.
Mr. Izzo approached the Board. He spoke of the increased price of gasoline and the increased price of heating oil and how he has been thinking of the possible role of the Town in trying to aid the residents/business owners in obtaining the least optimum price for fuel. He is unsure if legally the Town can implement his suggestion, but may, under the Town’s police power and their power under public health and aging be able to do so. It is a suggestion that the Town purchase or make arrangements to have fuel oil purchased under State Bid and extend the State bid price to the resident’s of the Town of Catskill. He understands that the idea sounds simple but the implementation isn’t. He is hoping that even if this doesn’t come to fruition that the idea is out there, and
maybe could be picked up on a higher level.
Supervisor Markou stated it is an outstanding idea and it will be pursued. Councilman Smith stated the concept of the Town to minimize the cost to our citizens is admirable, but in the implementation, if the Town is to become responsible, a certain amount of fuel that is going to be given to the citizens, then we become responsible for the payment. Mr. Izzo stated he envisioned the Town having no responsibility for the fuel oil other than the fact that it allows the residents to take advantage of a price. Councilman Smith stated, if a program is implemented for fuel, then the homeowner becomes responsible for a set price and pay a certain amount. If the Town goes to the fuel companies, and they state the are looking at x gallons of oil at a certain price, then they may want the Town to put up x
number of dollars as prepayment and then we would be the receiver of the payment of fuel oil cost for the Town’s citizens. Do we want to be placed in a position where we have absolved the oil companies of the responsibility of collection?
Mr. Izzo states that that could be a possibility, but this could be part of the discussion as to whether or not the Town wants to pursue that and how the payment can be made so it holds the Town harmless to a certain degree. In the discussion going forward, then the County may need to be a part or other municipalities may need to be a part.
Mr. Izzo stated that this is an idea for the Board to look at. If the Board determines that it is a financial burden then maybe this idea could extend up the ladder of government who may be able to implement it.
Mr. Izzo also asked about the resolution for the Deputy Highway Superintendent. He wanted to make sure that in its passing of this resolution, the Highway Superintendent has five (5) days to appoint a person and if he doesn’t then the Town Board appoints the person. He wanted to make sure that the Highway Superintendent knows this resolution has passed.
He also asked about the resolution to have an outside firm audit the 2007 year end book, since that was his last year as Supervisor, as to why the Board thought this should be done. Supervisor Markou stated it was his idea. He went to finance school and they suggested this be done.
Mr. Izzo stated that an audit hadn’t been completed for some time, and that he understands that the Town’s accounting department cannot audit their own books. He believes it is a prudent decision on the Board’s part. When he became Supervisor, it wasn’t done because a State audit was completed.
Councilman Antonelli wanted to state that the oil idea is great and that he is correct in that a lot of people will have a difficult time affording heating oil. He would also like to see subsidizing for natural gas and propane.
Mr. Ed Schindler, Catskill Soccer Club, addressed the Board and gave an update to the soccer fields. They were hoping to start the project in May of this year. It was brought to their attention that because they were disturbing more than one acre, stormwater management permits were needed from DEC. He contacted engineers and the price was astronomical. He contacted Greene County Soil and Water who will administer the permit process and the drawings for the soccer club at no cost. The only issue may be the runoff from the parking lot. They are hoping to break ground by August 1st and be able to kick a soccer ball by next Spring.
Supervisor Markou asked if anyone else would like to address the Board. With no further comment, a motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Antonelli and seconded by Councilman Walsh. Meeting ended at 7:02 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Izzo
Town Clerk
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