GOODYEAR LAKE ASSOCIATION INC.

MILFORD TOWN BOARD

NOVEMBER 18, 2010 – MINUTES

                                                                        Draft

OPEN MEETING:  Supervisor Thomas Gale called the regular monthly meeting of the Milford Town Board to order at 7:02 pm at the Town Hall in Portlandville. 

ROLL CALL:  Present were Supervisor Thomas Gale, Councilmen John Gill, Olin Waters, Karl Vogel and Harold Couse; Highway Superintendent Richard Atwell, Town Clerk Kenneth C. Sosnowski and concerned townspersons.

There were no bids on the 2004 Ford F-350 truck. 

MOTIONS:   

A motion to accept the Milford Town Board Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2010, was made by Councilman Couse seconded by Councilman Waters.  Vote:  All Ayes.

A motion to accept the Monthly Financial Statement of the Town Supervisor for October 2010 was made by Councilman Vogel seconded by Councilman Waters.  Vote:  All Ayes.

A motion to accept the 2011 Tentative Budget Meeting Minutes of October 5, 2010, was made by Councilman Gill seconded by the Town Supervisor.  Vote:  All Ayes.

A motion to accept the 2011 Preliminary Budget Hearing Minutes of November 4, 2010, was made by Councilman Waters seconded by Councilman Vogel.  The following amendments were noted:  The reserve fund was $40,000 not $50,000.  The Town owned and maintained the street lights of the Town as per rule of the NYS PSC.  The Supervisor’s Monthly Financial Statement does show balances per A, B, DA and DB as per law.  The Town contributed to the Milford Library until it became a tax issue with the Milford School.  Life Insurance A9045.8 covers the Highway Supervisor not the employees.  Councilman Vogel seconded by Councilman Waters made a motion to accept the minutes with the aforementioned amendments.  Vote:  All Ayes.

OPEN FLOOR:

            -  There were numerous citizens concerned with the natural gas drilling going on specifically at the Ross well on the Crumhorn and with proposed gas drilling and hydro-fracturing in the Town of Milford.  The citizens were concerned with water quality, roadway use, the state moratorium and what the Town could do to regulate the drilling companies in terms of environmental impact.  In general it was recognized that the proposed moratorium by NYS and the DEC on gas drilling had not yet been passed by the Assembly.  The DEC lacked the money to do testing and towns could not pass laws against drilling.  The towns could control the use of roads but it would be difficult to prove the roads were damaged by the drilling trucks since other trucks use the roadways such as milk tankers, logging and fuel vehicles.  Scott Brady from the Crumhorn Mountain Boy Scout Camp was concerned with gas drilling, heavy road use and hydro-fracking and handed the Town Board a resolution by the Town of Middlefield.  Lucille Wiggins advised that there would be a meeting Monday on 11/22/2010, at 6pm at the Meadows concerning the Otsego County survey for roads.  She also provided a handout.  The Town Supervisor advised that a prior estimate was given for $8000 per town for the survey.  He wanted the Highway Committee and Highway Superintendent to attend if possible. Other concerns discussed were designated routes for gas drilling trucks (the Town Highway Superintendent has spoken to the company four times and feels they would not be honest using designated routes), an Ad Hoc town committee to get people to think pro-actively about drilling, spills and county response with EMTs and Hazmat Team, Department of Health water testing and proving contamination came from drilling, how loud fracking was and taking a position with an ordinance to stop truck traffic (difficult because it could not be exclusive).

- Vince Stayter advised that the ECO report was inadequate in that it did not specify location, type of violation or the name of the property owner.  He advised it was handwritten and hard to read.  He provided the board with concerns from the GYLA which will be filed by the Town Clerk

-  Art Henry commended the Highway Superintendent for leveling off the brush at the Crumhorn dump area and asked why it was closed off.  After discussion the Highway Superintendent advised that he could not control who dumped there (shingles, vinyl siding, rugs, plastic bags, tires) even if the GYLA provided some patrols and that there was a drainage problem.  He was concerned with a DEC inspection since there was more than leaves and branches dumped there.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:  Superintendent Atwell reported on the following:

q  HUGHSON AND BENSON INSURANCE – Dallas Gedney inspected the truck equipment at the town barn and provided correct specifications.

q  SHALE BANK – garbage is being dumped at the shale bank besides tree and shrub waste and it won’t burn and is filling up the bank.  The Highway Superintendent wanted the Town Board to determine if the GYLA could use the bank and decide on any parameters for use.  The Town of Milford has no dump and will dump trees at the bank but that was all.

q  FIRST SNOW – the new truck is working good and there were no problems.

q   2004 F-350 FORD PICKUP – there were no bids.  Recommended running the notice to bidders again and rewording it with no minimum bid. 

MOTIONS: 

            The Town Supervisor seconded by Councilman Couse seconded made the motion to post the shale bank ‘No Unauthorized Personnel’.  Vote:  All Ayes.

            Councilman Couse seconded by Councilman Vogel made the motion to again place the 2004 F-350 Ford pickup with plow up for bid with no minimum bid, run the bid notice for three days, open any bids at the next regular board meeting and to have the Town Clerk publish a notice to bidders.  Vote:  All Ayes.

TOWN SUPERVISOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:  Supervisor Gale reported on the following:

q  Holiday Decorations – thank you to the Highway Department for putting up the decorations.

q  Time Warner – has provided a current programming list which will be posted.

q  Snow and Ice Contract – sent into the county and copies received.

q  Otsego 2000 – letter concerning drilling and hydro-fracking.  Looking to the county for leadership since the State and DEC is not leading.  They consider agricultural land as sacred.  Letter to be posted and filed.  

q  MOSA – letter concerning a pilot program for electronic waste recycling was sent and is to be posted and filed. 

q  Dryden Mutual – inspected property at 2857 and recommended that the chimney, metal roof and eaves be repaired and the right side front porch be removed.  The Building Committee was tasked to get proposals.

q  Otsego County Code Enforcement  – conducted a fire inspection of the town hall and will be notified when violations are completed.

q  Catskill Center for Independence – The Town Supervisor advised that a monthly booklet was received and land use class is listed for 12-16-2010.

q  Adirondack – Appalachian Regional Medical Emergency Services Council sent a letter required by Sect 3008 NYS Public Health Law that the City of Oneonta Fire Department has submitted an application to expand the area of their ambulance service. 

Resolution 19-10:  The Town Supervisor made a motion rescinding Resolution 17-10 Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution seconded by Councilman Waters and replacing it with a new Resolution 19-10 Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution -  to establish six (6) hours per day as the standard work day to be reported on the Standard Work Day Reporting Resolution and such resolution is to include the last 4 digits of the member’s SSNs, the member’s retirement registration numbers, whether the member participates in the employer’s time keeping system and the actual number of days worked per month for the three (3) month report period.

Roll Call Vote:  rescinding Resolution 17-10 establishing a six (6) hour day as a standard work day to be reported on the Standard Work Day Reporting Resolution.

Councilman John Gill                       Aye

Councilman Olin Waters:                 Aye

Councilman Harold Couse:               Aye

Councilman Karl Vogel:                   Aye

Town Supervisor Thomas Gale         Aye

The Town Supervisor advised Resolution 17-10 rescinded.

Roll Call Vote:  on Resolution 19-10 establishing a six (6) hour day as a standard work day to be reported on the Standard Work Day Reporting Resolution and to include the last 4 digits of the member’s SSNs, the member’s retirement registration numbers, whether the member participates in the employer’s time keeping system and the actual number of days worked per month for the three (3) month report period..

Councilman John Gill                       Aye

Councilman Olin Waters:                 Aye

Councilman Harold Couse:               Aye

Councilman Karl Vogel:                   Aye

Town Supervisor Thomas Gale         Aye

The Town Supervisor advised Resolution 19-10 passed.

The Town Clerk was advised to complete the Standard Work Day Reporting Resolution, mail a copy to the NYS and Local Employees Retirement System, file a copy with all hours submitted in his office for the Town Supervisor, Highway Superintendent and Councilman Couse and complete an affidavit that the Standard Work Day Reporting Resolution was posted and available to the public for 30 days.

Resolution 20-10:  2011 Fire Protection and Emergency Ambulance/Rescue Contract.  The Town Supervisor seconded by Councilman Waters made a motion for the Town of Milford to enter into and approve the 2011 Fire Protection and Emergency Ambulance/Rescue Contract with the Village of Milford.

Roll Call Vote:

Councilman John Gill                       Aye

Councilman Olin Waters:                 Aye

Councilman Harold Couse:               Abstain

Councilman Karl Vogel:                   Aye

Town Supervisor Thomas Gale         Aye

The Town Supervisor advised Resolution 20-10 passed.

At 8:40pm, the Town Board entered into Executive Session on a personnel matter.

At 9:30pm, the Town Board returned from Executive Session.

NEW BUSINESS:

Holiday Open House.

Motions: 

            A motion was made by Councilman Waters seconded by Councilman Gill to hold a Holiday Open House on 12-19-2010 at the Town Hall in Portlandville, from 7 to 8:30pm.

            A motion was made by Councilman Couse, seconded by Councilman Waters to spend $200 for food prior to the audit for the open house.  Vote:  All Ayes.

            A motion was made by Councilman Gill seconded by Councilman Vogel to expend $750 on a lap top computer and software for the 2011 tax collector.  Vote:  All Ayes.

MOTION TO PAY BILLS:  A motion to authorize payment of the following bills was made by Councilman Gill seconded by Councilman Waters.  Vote:  All Ayes.

            General Fund --            vouchers 311 to 343 for $4261.76

            Highway Fund --          vouchers 134 to 143 for $9214.04

            Lighting Fund --            voucher 11 for $122.19

ADJOURNMENT:  A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Couse seconded by Councilman Vogel.  Vote:  All Ayes.  9:44pm.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    ________________________________

                                                                                    Kenneth C. Sosnowski, Town Clerk

MILFORD TOWN BOARD

2011 PRELIMINARY BUDGET HEARING

November 4, 2010 – MINUTES

                                                                        Draft

OPEN MEETING:  Supervisor Thomas Gale called the 2011 Preliminary Budget Hearing with the                                                                             Milford Town Board to order at 7:01 pm at the Town Hall in Portlandville. 

ROLL CALL:  Present were Councilmen John Gill, Harold Couse and Karl Vogel; Town Supervisor Thomas Gale; Town Clerk Kenneth Sosnowski and concerned taxpayers.  Councilman Olin Waters was absent.

PROCEDURE: The Supervisor presented the 2011 preliminary budget to the town board.  The Town Supervisor read the preliminary budget line by line and page by page, explaining the 2011 budget to the Town Board.  He advised that he would be getting a stipend of $350 per month as Budget Officer, explained the contingency account, that the CHPs payments were low and that the town’s portion of county sales tax money went into roadway maintenance.  He summed up the 2011 preliminary budget as follows:

for funding codes A, B, DA, DB, lighting districts and fire protection

total appropriations =                                                        $1,091,899

less total estimated revenue =                                           $   404,543

less total unexpended balance =                                        $   274,350

total amount to be raised by taxes =                                  $   413,006 giving a tax of $2.51/$1000

The Town Supervisor explained that fire protection for the town increased

Concerns from the floor:

- Village of Milford Mayor Sabine Curry asked how many street lights were in the 3 areas of the Town of Milford since the Village had 12 lights and paid $7200/year.   The Town Supervisor did not know but advised that NYSEG was the supplier and that the town owned the lights and had to maintain them.

- Taxpayers wanted the unexpended balance explained, wanted to know how it was estimated,  whether it included the prior years balance and whether the unexpended balance was a real figure.  The Town Supervisor explained the unexpended balance came from allocated money that was not spent, it was estimated for 2011 by looking at total expenditures for 2010 and estimating what further expenses there were for the year and that the prior years balance could be used to estimate the unexpended balance.  He explained the money carried over was used against the budget and that by the end of the year the unexpended balance was as real a figure as possible.

- Art Henry asked if the employee benefits under DA and DB shouldn’t be added together.  The Town Supervisor advised that they were two separate funds.

- Vera Sosnowski asked to have CHPs explained.  The Town Supervisor explained that it was a fund to assist in the cost of road maintenance for the town and became available at the end of the year.

- Jim Havener asked about the reserve fund, how much was in it, and if it was used in the new budget.  The Town Supervisor explained that there was $50,000 in the fund and that it was designated for re-evaluation purposes.  Mr. Havener then asked that if the board knew of a re-evaluation wouldn’t it be prudent to increase the fund to mitigate the cost of the re-evaluation.  The Town Supervisor explained that he has tried to do that when possible but not at the expense of increasing taxes.  Mr. Havener wanted to know when the reserve fund was used and was told it has not been used since it was started in 2006 for re-evaluation.  A reserve fund was set up for purchasing a new truck for the Highway Department and was used specifically for that purpose.

- Mayor Curry wanted to know what happened to surplus money in the town.  The Town Supervisor explained that the unexpended balance used this year was not a surplus but used toward the next year’s budget.  He explained money left over from the year before was rolled over into the unexpended balance for the next budget, the unexpended balance from 2009 was rolled over into the 2010 budget and the unexpended balance from 2010 was to be rolled over into the 2011 budget.

- Vince Stayter wanted an explanation of the contractual expenses under the budget and the Town Supervisor advised it was for a $350 per month stipend issued to himself to do the Budget Officer’s duties.  Mr. Starter advised that under Town Law, Sect. 18.1, town officials couldn’t approve their own contractual expense and pay themselves.  Other taxpayers wanted to know why this money was not claimed as a salary and wanted to know why the Supervisor was paying himself for doing these duties for which he already received a salary.  The Town Supervisor told the taxpayers that he would continue to give himself a contractual salary as Budget Officer for which he gave himself a 1099 form and that he did not have to make that amount public as a salary. He advised that most town supervisors did this and that State Audit and Control advised him that it was OK to do. 

- Mayor Curry and Vera Sosnowski advised that there appeared to be contractual expenses mixed in with salaries and the Town Supervisor advised  that the State said he could.

- Joan Crippen asked if the Town Supervisor submitted a monthly financial report and if it included a balance by department.  The Town Supervisor advised he issued a monthly report and it did not have departmental balances.

- Jim Havener wanted to know if the Board saw what was spent per coded item in the budgeted areas and was advised it was not broken down but listed generally under the main funding codes A, B, DA and DB.

- Francine Stayter asked if there were a data base for contractual expenses where salary items were itemized and was told no, entries were made on a hand written sheet.

- Vince Stayter asked if any thing was allocated to the Milford Library and was told no, that the library said it was not needed.

- Mayor Curry and Vince Stayter asked about employee benefits and were advised Hospitalization and Medical Ins. (A9060.8) covered the Highway Superintendent, State Retirement (A9010.8) covered the Town Supervisor, Highway Superintendent and Councilman Couse, Social Security (A9030.8) was for all employees, Life Ins. (A9045.8) covered highway employees and Disability Ins. (A9055.8) covered the custodian, ZEO and Environmental Officer etc.

The Town Supervisor called the hearing closed at 8:40pm.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,         

                                                                                    ________________________________

                                                                                    Kenneth C. Sosnowski, Town Clerk