Catskill Town Board Monthly Meeting
Catskill Town Hall
December 05, 2006 7:00 pm
Attendance: Supervisor, Joseph Izzo
Councilman, Joseph Leggio
Councilman, Robert Antonelli
Councilman, Lewis O’Connor
Deputy, Elizabeth Izzo
Absent: Councilman, Joseph Hanusik
Supervisor Izzo opened the meeting with a moment of silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Izzo asked if Ms. Miller was in attendance, she was to speak to the Board regarding placing a speed restriction on Church Street in Leeds. She was not in attendance.
Supervisor Izzo reviewed the minutes:
MINUTES TO BE ACCEPTED:
11/08/2006 Catskill Town Board Monthly Meeting
Motion: Councilman Antonelli
Second: Councilman Leggio
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1 (Hanusik)
11/15/2006 Special Meeting #6-2006 (2007 Budget)
Motion: Councilman Antonelli Second: Councilman O’Connor/Leggio
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1 (Hanusik)
11/15/2006 Catskill Town Board Committee Meeting
Motion: Councilman Antonelli Second: Councilman Leggio/O’Connor
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1 (Hanusik)
Supervisor Izzo reviewed the County Resolutions:
COUNTY RESOLUTIONS :
Resolution # 363-2006 Authorizing Distribution of Mortgage Tax.
Town of Catskill share is $177,259.01
Resolution # 365-2006 Approving Reimbursement to Community Colleges.
Town of Catskill share for the Fall 2006 semester is
$15,430.23.
Supervisor Izzo reviewed the Correspondence:
CORRESPONDENCE:
Correspondence from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, concerning amendments to Safe Water Drinking Act, requiring all borrowers to complete Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response plans.
Growing Greene email for November stating Greene County Legislature awarded $25,000 grant to plan quality mix of housing options for 21st Century workforce.
Invitation to the Town Board to a celebration of the holiday season, from Severn Trent, on Friday, December 15, 2006, from 5-9:30PM.
The Town is applying for a grant to help implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan.
Twenty-three (23) letters from Town of Catskill Residents, in support for the Catskill Ambulance workers to be fairly compensated for their work.
Time Warner Cable, will be raising rates effective January 1st, 2007, copy of adjusted rates are enclosed. This will affect the Palenville/Kiskatom area.
Notice of Public Hearing on proposed Local Law enacting a Temporary Moratorium on Building Permits, Special Use Permits and Site Plan review with respect to land located on Canoe Hill Rd, Mike Kraut Road, Washington Avenue Extension and Route 9W North in the Town of Saugerties. This is a requirement that the let us know because it affects our boundaries.
Request from Tom Yandeau, Greene County Dept. of Aging for renewal of contract to operate the Meals on Wheels Program, at the Washington Irving Senior Center.
Request from Frank Algozzine, Director of Gr. Co. Real Property Tax Services, to be notified about the maximum income limits to be adopted for 2007, for the Senior Citizen & Disabled Tax Exemptions. A public hearing will be scheduled for this.
Supervisor Izzo reviewed the Reports:
REPORTS:
Town of Catskill Comptroller’s Cash Report for October 2006
Town of Catskill Highway Report for month of November 2006
Town of Catskill Cemetery Report for the month of November 2006
Town of Catskill Code Enforcement Report for the month of November 2006
Town of Catskill Ambulance Report for the month of November 2006
* Copies of all reports are available at the Town Clerk’s office upon request.
There is a meeting scheduled on Monday, December 11th with the Town of Athens Town Board to review/discuss the Fire District Contract-Leeds. This will be held at the Leeds Firehouse at 7:00 pm. A joint public hearing will be scheduled after.
Supervisor Izzo received a letter tonight from Greene County Planning and Economical Development advising the Town Board that Francis McDonald’s term is expiring from the Greene County Planning Board on March 15, 2007. Greene County is asking the Town Board to pass a Resolution recommending a person for the County Planning Board.
Supervisor Izzo gave an update on the purchase of the West Side property for the Ambulance headquarters as well as an update on the sale of Irving School.
Supervisor Izzo asked in anyone in attendance would like to speak before the Board.
Mr. Charles Israelian addressed the Board regarding his neighbor’s cesspool, which overflows onto his property whenever it rains. The owner of the property made a dam in the backyard to deter a natural water runoff that flows into his yard thus causing a shift in the water flow. This dam causes an overflow of water, which then runs into Mr. Israelian’s driveway. He has spoken with Mr. Beers, the Highway Superintendent, who cannot do anything until there is a complete blockage. He has also spoken with Linda Speckman, the Code Enforcement Officer, who states it is a civil matter.
Supervisor Izzo stated he has spoken with Linda Speckman concerning this issue. He states that she has been in contact with the State Health Department because it deals with a septic system, which falls under their jurisdiction. The question still is, is it within the Town’s jurisdiction or the State’s. The reason she states it is a civil matter is because there are three pieces of property being affected with a natural flow of water, that was not created by the Town or the Homeowner’s, and once the water passes the a piece of property and that property owner diverts the flow of water onto a neighbor’s piece of property, it becomes a dispute between the property owners.
Councilman Leggio asked if the septic system on the property is in question. Linda Speckman stated there seemed to be no problem with the septic system. But because the water is running over the septic system, that is creating the smell. If the water is moved away from that area the problem should disappear. Mr. Israelian’s neighbor, Mr. Saunders, does not want the water on his property so he will not remedy the situation.
Supervisor Izzo stated he will speak with Mr. Beers and he will check the property.
Gary Favro, Labor Relations Representative of UPSU, spoke before the Board regarding the ambulance contract, which is currently in arbitration. He states that the current negotiation is unacceptable. He states that the ambulance is making money for the Town.
Councilman Leggio asked where all the excess money is that Mr. Favro stated we have. Supervisor Izzo stated that in the last four years, not including 2006, over the four-year period in total, the Town has a loss of about $195,000. In the first year, the Town lost over $400,000, which was start-up costs, in the second year some money was made, in the third year, some money was lost and in the fourth year the town did show a gain of about $200,000. Over a four period though, we are still showing a loss, but we still have to buy ambulances, meet the condition of the contract when it is resolved, and this will add to the budget. However the fact that we make money, the taxpayers have the right to have that money help reduce property taxes.
Supervisor Izzo states that the contract that is in negotiation is fair and reasonable. The EMT’s are at the high end of the of the pay scale. The Town Board states that this is the first year of a contract that will be built upon over time and what the Town Board is trying to establish is a working plan where we can move forward in the future.
There is a negotiation meeting next week, December 13th.
Supervisor Izzo asked Mr. Fabrizio, of Casings, that there were some questions with the original contract. The agreement was that Casing’s would accept 10 tires per year and after the 10th, they would pay 50 cents per tire for residents. A business, exclusive of auto wrecking/dismantlers, would be allowed to dispose of 250 tires and after that the charge would be 50 cents per tire. Mr. Fabrizio wants to increase the price for businesses to 75 cents per tire.
Councilman Leggio stated that a local businessman brought tires there and had to pay for them. He is unsure of the amount of tires brought, but he had to pay for all the tires brought there. Mr. Fabrizio stated that if there was an error, to have the business bring his receipt and it will be corrected.
Peter Markou, Vice President of the Heart of Catskill Association addressed the Board for their continued support of HOCA. The agreement ends December 31, 2006. Last year’s support was $8,000.
Dan Howard, Chairman of the Planning Board, asked when a person would be appointed to fill the vacancy on that Board. Supervisor Izzo stated a decision will be made on December 20th.
Supervisor Izzo stated that the Board needs to schedule a public hearing for the Malden Fire Contract for 2007.
RESOLUTION # 105-2006 SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR
MALDEN/WEST CAMP FIRE DISTRICT CONTRACT
Councilman Leggio, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the contract for the Malden/West Camp Fire Protection District is due for renewal at the end of 2006, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Catskill must contract with the said Department for fire protection within their boundaries, and
WHEREAS, the Malden/West Camp Fire Department is asking for a 1% increase per year for the five (5) year period, and
WHEREAS, the Catskill Town Board is in favor of holding a Public Hearing for the purpose of establishing the financial consideration to be paid by the Town for said protection,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that a Public Hearing will be held at Catskill Town Hall on Wednesday, December 20th at 6:00 pm to hear public comments.
Councilman Antonelli & O’Connor seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1 (Hanusik) Motion Carried
Supervisor Izzo spoke of setting a public hearing for Sub-Division Regulations.
RESOLUTION #106-2006 SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING TO PROPOSE
A LOCAL LAW FOR
SUB-DIVISION
REGULATION
Councilman Leggio, presented the following for consideration and adoption,
WHEREAS, the Catskill Town Board wishes to propose a Local Law to establish Regulating Subdivisions in the Town of Catskill, and
WHEREAS, this local law would be to promote the orderly growth and development within the Town of Catskill, and
WHEREAS, this local law would help facilitate and implement the Town Comprehensive Plan, so
THEREFORE WE, the Catskill Town Board will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 6:30 pm, at Catskill Town Hall, to hear comments and concerns regarding Sub-Division Regulations by Local Law #5-2006.
Councilman Antonelli, seconded this motion.
Ayes 4, Nays 0, Absent 1 (Hanusik) Motion Carried.
Dan Howard would like to schedule a joint meeting to discuss the comprehensive plan on Tuesday, January 2 which will be held at the Senior Center.
Supervisor Izzo announced that Matt Liebowitz would be leaving as Ambulance Administrator as of January 5, 2007. He will take a position within the State of New York.
Councilman O’Connor stated that residents of Palenville would like to pursue a grant for bike trails, walking trails, park on Old Malden Avenue. He would like to further discuss it at the December 20th meeting.
Councilman Leggio asked if we would be hiring a part-time fire inspector. Supervisor Izzo stated that Linda Speckman will be advertising for the position and has already spoken with in individual who is interested.
Motion to adjourn meeting was made by Councilman Antonelli and seconded by Councilman Leggio and O’Connor.
Meeting adjourned 8:21 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Izzo
Deputy Town Clerk
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