Monthly Town Board Meeting
Catskill Town Hall
March 7th, 2006 7:00PM
Attending: Councilman, Joseph Hanusik
Councilman, Joseph Leggio
Councilman, Robert Antonelli
Councilman, Lewis O’Connor
Town Clerk, Karen Sprague Johnson
Supervisor, Joseph Izzo, arrived late at 7:25pm
Also attending, Attorney, Michael Sterthous
Councilman Robert Antonelli, announced that Supervisor Izzo, would be late, and opened the meeting with a moment of silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES TO BE ACCEPTED:
02/07/2006 Special Meeting #1- 2006
Motion Councilman Hanusik
Second Councilman O’Connor
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1, (Supervisor Izzo)Motion Carried
02/07/2006 Monthly Town Board Meeting
Motion Councilman Hanusik
Second Councilman Leggio
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1, (Supervisor Izzo)Motion Carried
02/15/2006 Public Hearing #1-2006 (Low Income Senior Citizen & Low Income Disability Tax Exempt.)
Motion Councilman Leggio
Second Councilman O’Connor
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1, (Supervisor Izzo)Motion Carried
02/15/2006 Monthly Town Board Committee Meeting
Motion Councilman Leggio
Second Councilman O’Connor
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1, (Supervisor Izzo)Motion Carried
02/27/2006 Special Meeting # 2-2006
Motion Councilman Hanusik
Second Councilman Leggio
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1, (Supervisor Izzo)Motion Carried
RESOLUTIONS:
COUNTY RESOLUTIONS :
Resolution # 74-06 APPROVING APPORTIONMENT OF DOG LICENSE MONEYS (Catskill amt. remitted--$919.99,
75% of Surplus Apportioned--$501.35)
CORRESPONDENCE:
Copy of Balance Sheet & Profit & Loss Statement for the second quarter period ending December 31st, 2005, from Kay Stamer, Executive Director of Greene County Council on the Arts, Inc.
Letter from Judith Gustafson, Task Force Chair., about a sample resolution on the issue of property tax and school funding reform. The Association of Towns, is willing to support the efforts of the Property Tax Reform Task Force.
NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, has issued a permit to St. Lawrence Cement Co., Rte 9W, for a Barge Loading Dock Repair Work, in the Town of Catskill. Permit is good from February 6th, 2006 to January 31st, 2007. Councilman O’Connor, asked how long it will take, and it states that it restricts the time of year that work can be conducted in the stream bed and banks.
Notice from NYS Public Service Commission, about public statement hearings on Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation’s Proposal to Increase Electric and Gas Rates.
Invitation to the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, for an informational meeting to learn about the heritage of the area. The meeting will be held on March 8th, 2006 from 4 to 6 pm at the Temple Israel, located adjacent to Cedar Grove, the Thomas Cole National Historic Site.
Greene County has appointed Frank Alguire, as Economic Developer for Greene County Planning and Economic Development.
Letter received from Catskill Center for Independence in regard to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002. This is to ensure that all of our citizens have the opportunity to vote privately and independently, including citizens with disabilities.
Report from the Greene County Department for the Aging, for their Twelve Month Services for 2005. The synopsis of the report is available in the Town Clerks office. Councilman Antonelli, said that there are a lot of elderly in the County, and also a lot goes through our Senior Center, also with the meals on wheels. Mrs. Young, said that a lot of the hours are non-paid hours, and a lot of the people volunteer the transportation also.
Copy of letter from the Dept. of the Navy, Corps of Engineers, to St. Lawrence Cement Co., regarding discharge of fill material into the waters of the U.S. of approximately 900 yards of riprap into 0.49 acre of the Hudson River, to repair and stabilize a 2,245 linear foot section of the access road, and a 160 square foot boat ramp will be removed from the waterway, and gravel discharged in to waterway to restore site to pre-existing elevation.
A letter was received from Village Trustee, Forest Cotten, proposing that Greene County embark on a sales tax sharing plan which would be presented to the County Legislators for immediate adoption. Forest has been lobbying for Greene Co. to share the Sales Tax revenue, with the Towns and Villages in the county.
The State of New York Department of Public Service has granted a Temporary Operating Authority to Time Warner-Saugerties Division for its operations in the Town of Catskill, said authority to expire September 9, 2006.
A letter was received from Pat and John Del Giorno commending Village Trustee, Forest Cotten, for his recent proposal to begin a sales tax sharing plan which could potentially save taxpayers money.
An informative letter was received by the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Inc. updating Task Force and Potential Task Force Members of the recent events at their latest meeting. The next meeting will be March 2, 2006 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
EMU Technologies, Ltd. would like to offer their services to the Town of Catskill to fulfill its immediate and future technology needs. This is in regard to the Computer system in Town Hall.
A request was made by O’Connell and Aronowitz on behalf of property owner, Greene Healthcare Associates, Inc., to change the zoning of 159 Jefferson Heights from High Density Residential to General Commercial. This location is at the Columbia-Greene Medical Center, where they would like to put the senior housing. The zoning probably should have been changed before it was sold, Dan Howard, said it depends on what the allowed use is in the area. Mike Sterthous, said he thought they were looking to do some other out side facilities. Councilman Leggio, said he thought is it was a nursing home, hospital, assisted living, it was all the same thing and why would you need a variance for any of those things to begin with. Mr. Sterthous, thinks that there are a few different things going
on with the property, so that is the reason for the re-zoning.
Letter from Catskill Police Department, in regard to the proms and graduation for area schools. Bill DeLuca will be coordinating the public safety aspects of this mock accident scene program for the Police Department, on April 28th, from 9:00am to 11:30 am.
E-Mail from Vince Seeley, reminding the Board about the Joint Meeting at the Senior Center, on Wednesday, March 8th, to develop strategy for the Youth of the community.
Time Warner Cable, has notified the Town about Channel changes that took effect on March 1st, 2006.
Letter from NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, to George VanValkenburg, concerns about Downstream Flooding on property located off of Landon Road, below the Catskill Commons project, in the Village and Town of Catskill.
Letter from NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, to Gary Harvey, Gr. Co. Highway Superintendent, for permit # DEC #1926-00256/00001, for Kaaterskill Creek Bridge Replacement, in the Town of Catskill, this permit expires on March 1, 2007. Dan Howard, asked what road that was, it is located at High Falls Rd., over Katterskill Creek.
REPORTS:
Town of Catskill Highway Report for the month of February 2006.
Town of Catskill Cemetery Report for the month of February 2006.
Town of Catskill Code Enforcement Report for the month of February 2006.
Town of Catskill Ambulance Report for the month of February 2006.
The Town of Catskill Annual Financial Report for 2005, has been filed with the NYS Comptrollers Office.
* Copies of all reports are available at the Town Clerk’s office upon request.
Councilman Antonelli, at this time asked Mike Sterthous, a question that was brought up last night by Joan & Ed Young. It is about the water line project on Landon Ave., it is a Village water line that they are putting in, the project has been going on for at least 20 years. It is a private line and has been added on and extended on over the years, it is at the point now that the water just trickles now, so Councilman Leggio, said that the boards have been trying to find a way to put the project together for many years, and of course the cost is exorbitant. Then we get a new village board and someone says why can’t the Village do it themselves, as they have a commodity to sell, to sell the water, they have to extend the water line, so the Village came up with a price to do the project, now
they would like the Town to help as municipalities do share services, Mr. Sterthous asked if the Town is benefiting, and was informed that the residents on Landon Ave, will benefit, so then Councilman Antonelli, said Mr. O’Connor, did the proposal the labor part was $37,000, from both the Town and Village, because the Town is supplying part of the manpower for the project. Mr. & Mrs. Young’s concern is that they are Town taxpayers, and the Towns budget is already done, so why do they get charged for this project. Mr. Antonelli, said that the water line cannot be done for gratis. Mr. Sterthous, asked where the money was coming out of, and Mr. Antonelli, said that it would come out of the General Fund. Mrs. Young explains that there are twenty-one potential hook-ups. The cost per hook-up would be $7,619. The Town of Catskill labor totals $37,000. The labor costs are already accounted for since paid town employees would be
conducting the work. If the Town does not charge for the labor, it will bring the cost per hook-up down $5,857. Mrs. Young explains that a precedent has been set with the Allen Street sewer line. It was a Village sewer line that was put in using Town labor at no charge to the property owner. The property owners paid for the cost of materials. The residents on Landon Avenue are prepared to pay for the materials.
Councilmen Leggio explains that it is a Village project and the Town is providing the labor to complete it. The time Town employees spend working on Landon Avenue is time spent away from the work they were budgeted to complete.
Mrs. Young explains that if a water line is put in on Landon Avenue, there may be future interest in a development, particularly on three specific properties. This would only be possible if a water line is put in. Future development would assist in reducing the tax burden.
Supervisor Izzo explains that it is not a Town project, but a water system belonging to the Village of Catskill. There is no benefit to the Town of Catskill. All of the revenue generated from that system goes to the Village not the Town. That money can not be gifted to another entity as it is not within their jurisdiction. The money only effects approximately twelve residents. Town residents have needs that must be met, particularly concerning the road system. The money generated by that project will be revenue for the Town Highway Department which will offset Town Highway taxes for next year for everyone, including Landon Avenue residents. This is a Town workforce working for a specific project related to the Village of Catskill and the Town should therefore be paid for the
project as they would be paid for any other water or sewer system done.
Mrs. Young feels that Landon Avenue residents in the Town are being charged twice. Supervisor Izzo explains that they are not being charged twice. They are being charged for a water system that does not belong to the Town of Catskill. The sewer district on Allen Street is paid for by the residents within that district.
Supervisor Izzo states that he will entertain a motion. Councilmen Leggio explains that he would like Mike Sterthous to review the situation and determine if it is legal for the Town Highway Department to do the work without charging it back to the Town residents. Mike Sterthous must review it. He believes that the Village of Catskill can move forward without the Town’s involvement and would still charge the residents in the Town outside of the Village. He doesn’t know if there is a Village agreement with the residents for providing water outside of the Village. Supervisor Izzo says there is not.
Councilmen Leggio explains that they were going to form several water districts throughout the Town. However, the preliminary estimates were approximately three million dollars. On Landon Avenue, it would cost the Town close to $750,000 to do the same project that the Village can do themselves without the additional expenses (i.e. engineering expenses). Mrs. Young says that the water line is a private line that is maintained privately by the residents. They pay a double water rent that all goes to the Water Department which is a separate entity that Village residents do no pay taxes for. A new line would cost the residents. By utilizing Town employees, it may help offset the labor costs depending upon the costs of the outside market.
Mrs. Young says that the Town and Village have been helping each other out without any exchange of money. Councilmen Leggio explains that in this case, the Village Water Department is doing the project who will bill the Village Highway and Town Highway Departments. It is a third entity. Both municipalities are helping a separate entity. Councilmen Antonelli would like to make a motion that Mike Sterhous research it first. Mrs. Young says if the Village were to hire three men to work as laborers it would not be the same wage rate as paying the Town employees, it would be much lower wage brackets. She doesn’t feel it’s right that residents who are already paying the water department to have to pay the same men a second time. Councilmen Leggio would like to second
Councilmen Antonelli’s motion to have Mike Sterthous research the situation. A recommendation is made to take into consideration the Allen Street project. Councilmen Leggio explains that there are circumstances for every area of the Town.
RESOLUTION #24-2006 ISSUING NEGATIVE DECLARATION UNDER THE STATE ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY REVIEW ACT FOR CONTRACT
FOR SALE OF FORMER WASHINGTON
IRVING SCHOOL.
Councilman Joseph Hanusik, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill proposes to enter a contract for the sale of the former Washington Irving School building and surrounding property located at the corner of Thompson Street and Academy Street in the Village of Catskill, Greene County, New York (the “Site”); and
WHEREAS, the Town acquired the Site from the Catskill Central School District pursuant to Section 1804(6)(c) of the Education Law; and
WHEREAS, the Town is the current owner of the Site and now intends to convey the property pursuant to its authority under Section 64(2) of the Town Law; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, pursuant to a Request for Proposal, sought purchasers for the Site;and
WHEREAS, Estate Capital, LLC was identified by the Town Board as a potential purchaser of the Site; and
WHEREAS, the Town is presently discussing the terms of a possible contract for sale of the Site with Estate Capital; and
WHEREAS, the Town board has identified its contract for sale of the Site as a “Type I Action” pursuant to 6 NYCRR § 617.6(a) of the regulations implementing the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”), Article 8 for the Environmental Conservation Law; and
WHEREAS, the Town board completed a full Environmental Assessment form (“EAF”) pursuant to 6 NYCRR § 617.6 (a)(2), a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to 6 NYCRR § 617.3(g)(1) of the SEQRA regulations, the Town Board has limited its SEQRA review to the proposed contract for sale of the Site; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board carefully considered the environmental impacts associated with this action, including reviewing and evaluating the EAF and the criteria for determining significance contained in 6 NYCRR § 617.7(c) and has set forth its determination of significance in a written reasoned elaboration, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
1. The Town Board has given full consideration to the relevant environmental impacts, and to the EAF and accompanying documentation specifically
addressing the contract for sale of the Site.
2. The Town Board certifies that the requirements of 6 NYCRR Part 617 have
been met.
3. The Town Board, as the agency directly undertaking the proposed action, and in accordance with SEQRA, hereby finds that the contract for sale of the
Site will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment and hereby issues a negative declaration with respect to its entering a contract for the former Washington Irving School building and surrounding property.
4. The annexed Negative Declaration is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference. The facts and conclusions set forth in the Negative Declaration are derived from the EAF and other documents, reports and submittals, and other relevant information, including the personal knowledge of the Town Board with the Site and its surrounding area, comprising the record of these deliberations.
5. The Town Board is directed to file the Negative Declaration with the Town
and to distribute copies of it to the Village of Catskill and the proposed purchaser of the Site.
6. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
Councilmen Robert Antonelli & Joseph Leggio seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
After the discussion between Mr. Perkuel and Attorney Sterthous, it was agreed that the purchaser’s attorney and Mr. Sterhous would be in touch so the Sale of Washington Irving can proceed forward.
RESOLUTION # 25-2006 ACCEPT SEQRA LEAD AGENCY STATUS
FOR SALE OF WASHINGTON IRVING SCHOOL.
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption.
WHEREAS, the Town Board has given full consideration to the relevant environmental impacts, and to the EAF, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board certifies that the requirements of 6 NYCRR Part 617 have been met, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, as the agency directly undertaking the propose action, and in accordance with SEQRA, accepts the full EAF, Part 1, Part 2 and has determined that the project will not have a significant input on the environment and
therefore will prepare a negative declaration.
Councilman Joseph Hanusik, seconded this motion.
Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 0, Motion Carried
Supervisor Izzo, said we have another motion to authorize the Town Board to go out to bid for the construction of the Ambulance building which will be located up on Olympus Palace Rd.
RESOLUTION # 23-2006 AUTHORIZE SCOTT DUTTON ASSOCIATES
TO DRAW UP SPECS FOR PROPOSED
AMBULANCE QUARTERS.
Councilman Robert Antonelli, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Catskill Town Board need to construct a new facility for Ambulance Quarters, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to obtain specs for aforementioned facility so it can go out for bidding, so
THEREFORE WE, the Town Board do hereby authorize Scott Dutton Associates to draw up specs for proposed Ambulance Quarters.
Councilman Joseph Hanusik, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 1 (Councilman O’Connor), Absent 0, Motion Carried
Mr. O’Conner asked if the property was in the Towns, name, and Supervisor Izzo, said it was not but he had talked to Mr. Roland, of St. Lawrence Cement Co., and it has been approved, and is going to their attorneys, to be drawn up and the contract will be made by them and then the Board will go over it. The property will be leased to the Town for $1 a year for 20 years, with a option to lease for another 20 years after that, as the Cement Co., does not want to give up that property. Mr. O’Connor doesn’t want to do the drawing of plans, until the deal is signed with St. Lawrence Cement Co., as he feels if the building does not go there, it might make the design for that area null and void, and a new design will be necessary. Councilman Leggio, said that a structure is a
structure, whether it is a metal building or wooden one, it will take 2 months before the plans are done, Supervisor Izzo, said that the last discussion with the architect to make the spec so that it could be done either a steel or wood/concrete building. Mrs. Young, asked about paying taxes on that property, and was told it still would be on the Tax rolls. Arnold Schmatz, feels that we are spending a lot of money unnecessarily on plans, Councilman Leggio, said to him, take the plans, put up the building make a deal with St. Lawrence Cement Co., then turn around and sell it to the Town for $1.00, and you can get the State to do that , Mr. Leggio has no problem with that. Mr. Leggio said that either we move forward with the Ambulance service, or we get out of the ambulance business altogether, Mr. Schmatz, feels that is a good idea, let someone else take care of that for a change. Mrs. Young asked how much the Ambulance cost the taxpayers last year,
Supervisor Izzo, said that it was a little over a million dollars, and the Town received a $1,200,000.00 in revenue. Councilman Antonelli, said that we started this 2 years ago, and the cost has already gone up $250,000. Councilman O’Connor, feels that he can come up with a lower price, and he will pursue that, and come back to the Board within 2 weeks if at all possible and then have a meeting with Scott Dutton and then make a decision, but he feels that we must have in black & white from the Cement Co. that the property is ours.
Supervisor Izzo, said that we now have a proposal for a web based geographical information system, so we need a resolution implement this.
RESOLUTION # 22-2006 APPROVE CONTRACT WITH CLOUGH HARBOUR & ASSOCIATES, FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF WEB- BASED G.I.S. SYSTEM, WITH SUPPORTS.
Councilman, Robert Antonelli offered the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, Clough, Harbour & Associates has proposed a web-based Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) for the Town of Catskill, and
WHEREAS, this system will afford the Town Departments, and residents the availability of much needed information, a listing of which is included in the contract, and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned Company will provide for maintenance of the system; training of users, as proposed, and
WHEREAS, the cost of this service from Clough, Harbour & Associates, will be $9,000.00, plus $3,000.00 a year, for 3 years, for maintenance and up-grading of said system, after which a new 3 year proposal will be submitted by Clough, Harbour, so
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, the Catskill Town Board do hereby authorize Supervisor, Joseph Izzo, to sign said contract on behalf of the Town Board.
Supervisor, Joseph Izzo seconded this motion.
Ayes 3, Nays 2 (Councilmen Leggio & O’Connor). Motion Carried
Councilman Leggio, asked what happened with using the County system, Supervisor Izzo, said the County has a system which is basically Planning it is a test site system right now for economic development, and is not very user friendly, it does not have the data on the system that we need. Supervisor Izzo, said that we are dealing with 2 different departments, economic development and tax map department, it has no zoning data. This system was shown to the Board and it is easy to use, its free of charge for the residents of the Town and Village of Catskill.
Supervisor Izzo, asked if the sub-division has been discussed, Mike Sterthous, said that he has studied several different sub-division laws and is in the process of cutting and pasting and hopes that within the next week or so that will be done and a final copy will be ready for the Boards review.
Vince Seeley, sent the Supervisor a E-mail about discussing the reassessment for the Town and Village, he would like to set up a meeting to at least discuss the re-value for 2007-2008, so a meeting will be set up.
Joint meeting on March 8th, at the Senior Center, to discuss the recreation for the Town and Village.
Councilman Leggio, asked Mike Sterthous, about the Junk Law, where the Code officer said he had no meat, Mr. Sterthous, said he had delegated it out and he would check to see where it was at this point.
Supervisor, said with nothing else he needed a motion to adjourn, and Councilman Antonelli, made the motion at 8:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Sprague Johnson
Town Clerk
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