The Regular Meeting of the Hartwick Town Board called to order at 6:40 p.m. The Pledge to the Flag was led by Supervisor, David Butler.
Present: Supervisor David Butler, Councilwoman Anita Briggs Jones, Councilman Delos Field, Councilman Kenneth Hotaling
Absent: Councilwoman Julianne Sharratt
Also present: Attorney Lynn Green; Highway Superintendent, Rusty Striesse; Planning Board Chair, Gregory Horth; Hartwick Advisory Committee Members, Martha Clarvoe; Administrative Assistant, Tavis Austin, County Board of Representative, Pauline Koren; McManus Engineering, Jon McManus, Cooperstown Youth Baseball (CYB), David Borgstrom, M.D., and others from the community.
Public Comment was allowed during the Board's review of bills for approval.
County Representative, Pauline Koren, reported on the County's receipt of funds to improve communications and availability of hurricane funds on the County level. Ms. Koren expressed the necessity for Towns to establish a definition of Heavy Industry which is considerate of business owners. Councilman Field asked if there were funding available to assist the Town of Hartwick in accessing greater cell phone coverage in the area. Ms. Koren explained the County is currently working on enhancing services and she will forward the Town's desires.
A resident asked about the status of the proposed Zoning Commission. It was explained the Board will address the Zoning Commission letters of interest at the next schedule Work Session.
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to Close the Town Board Regular Meeting at 7:10 p.m. and open the Public Hearing on Local Law 1 - 2012 Local Road Use and Preservation Law. Councilwoman Briggs-Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
Town of Hartwick
Public Hearing
Local Law 1 - 2012
Local Road Use and Preservation Law
Present: Supervisor David Butler, Councilwoman Briggs-Jones, Councilman Field, and Councilman Hotaling
Absent: Councilwoman Julianne Sharratt
Also present: Attorney Lynn Green; Highway Superintendent, Rusty Striesse; Planning Board Chair, Gregory Horth; Hartwick Advisory Committee Members, Martha Clarvoe; Administrative Assistant, Tavis Austin, County Board of Representative, Pauline Koren; McManus Engineering, Jon McManus, CYB, David Borgstrom, M.D., and others from the community.
The Town Clerk read aloud the Proof of Publication for Public Hearing on Local Law 1 - 2012.
Administrative Assistant Austin advised the Board the Local Law is a Type II action under SEQR and does not need further review.
Floor opened for Public Comment.
MOTION: Councilwoman Briggs-Jones moved to adjourn the Public Hearing and reopen the Regular Town Board Meeting at 7:32 p.m. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
Town of Hartwick
Regular Meeting
(Reopened)
MOTION: Councilwoman Briggs-Jones moved to classify the action LL 1-2012 Local Road Use and Preservation Law as a Type II action requiring no further review. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
MOTION: Councilwoman Briggs-Jones moved to enact Local Law 1 - 2012 Local Road Use and Preservation Law upon filing with State. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to approve Abstract 2 and prepaid bills for the month ending January 31, 2012 in the amount of $249,902.89 from the following funds:
General $ 39,666.83
Highway $ 37,216.08
Library $ 853.05
Lighting $ 535.33
Water $ 65,367.72
Fire $106,263.88
Councilwoman Briggs-Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to approve Town Clerk's Report for January 2012 showing income of $338.00, with Town's portion being $314.00. Councilman Field seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
MOTION: Councilwoman Briggs Jones moved to approve Town Justice Report for January 2012 with reported income totaling $3,390.00. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling to accept the Town Board Minutes of January 9, 2012. Councilman Field seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to accept the Town Board Work Session of January 16, 2012. Councilwoman Briggs-Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
Cooperstown Youth Baseball (CYB) - David Borgstrom, MD
The Board and Dr. Borgstrom reviewed ball field renderings prepared by McManus Engineering. Dr. Borgstrom expressed CYBs long-term vision of three ball fields, concessions (club house), and restrooms.
Attorney Green and Supervisor Butler are to work out details regarding contract for lease of Town property.
The Board agreed it is necessary to schedule a Special Meeting on February 27, 2012 inviting the public to respond to the use of public property for lease to CYB.
The Board agreed the next steps are:
- Final Display
- Public Meeting
- Preparing Lease Options
Dr. Borgstrom asked for permission from the Board to repair the back stop at the original field, clean out cinders and replace with clay, edge the field/bring the field up to code for the Spring season. The Board agreed to allow for this work.
Jon McManus cautioned the Board on making changes once permitting process is in progress. The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan will take approximately three weeks to complete. Topographic survey and boundary survey will be needed as well. Changes mid-term will be time consuming. Jon McManus offered to send out RFPs for Topographical survey. He believes it will cost approximately $2000.000.
Administrative Assistant, Tavis Austin, Report:
- Rebidding of Highway Addition.
MOTION: Councilman Field moved to have McManus Engineering rebid the Highway Garage Addition. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
- West Hill Project. Jon McManus explained: DEC Army Corp. of Engineers is 80-90% done with designs, dewatering is essential, and use of temporary bypass is not feasible due to permitting and budgetary constraints. Mr. McManus further explained DEC has allowed for 6/15 - 9/30/12 deadline for completion deadline. Board discussed the possibility of beginning work on 9/01/12 to allow for excess Dream's Park traffic to dissipate. Mr. McManus agreed with date and expressed an extension could be requested if necessary. NRCS funding was discussed.
- Community Center Heating Upgrade. Mirabito offered three options: Propane fired forced air unit located in Mechanical Room, propane "milk house" heaters in gym, or the use of the old shower room for housing a propane unit.
- Mr. Austin reported Town Hall and Community Center rekeying will take place this week.
- Mr. Austin reported on the delivery of the new Community Center door.
- Mr. Austin reported on the progress with the new Accounting System through Williamson Law Book. Abstract 1 has been completed and financial reports are pending.
- Mr. Austin reported all tires have successfully been removed at a cost of $800.00.
Conservation Advisory Committee Chair, Martha Clarvoe, Report:
- Hawkings & Hurlburt cannot remove one of the recycle containers for additional space to place an electronics container. The recycling containers are popular and eliminating one would be problematic. The Board agreed to dismiss the idea of bringing in electronics recycling on a permanent basis and stay with electronic recycling during Clean Sweep Event.
Supervisor
- Supervisor Butler and the Board discussed Draft Resolution 2-A-2012 Municipal Water for Mobile Food Vending Units.
Town of Hartwick
Resolution 2-A-2012
Municipal Water for Mobile Vending Units
WHEREAS, the Town of Hartwick has an established Municipal Water System, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Hartwick charges users located in the Water District for water and debt service, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Hartwick has determined it is both equitable and appropriate to allow for the purchase of Municipal Water by Mobile Food Vending Units.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Hartwick will supply water to Mobile Vending Units at a cost of $122.50 per year, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, consumption by Mobile Food Vending Units is not to exceed 200 gallons of water per week, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all applications shall be for one party usage; each application shall be presented to the Town of Hartwick Water District Board members for approval, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that once application is approved the approval shall be for one year.
MOTION: Councilman Field moved to adopt Resolution 2-A-2012 Municipal Water for Mobile Vending Units. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
- McManus Engineering Contract. The Board agreed and moved to accept McManus Engineering's Contract for 2012 at the Water Commissioner's Meeting. To ensure the motion to accept the contract is done properly, the Board agreed to move on the matter again in a Regular Board Meeting.
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to accept McManus Engineering Contract for the year 2012. Councilwoman Briggs-Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
Unfinished Business
- BAR appointment. There have been no responses to the ad requesting for interest for the Town's open BAR seat. The Board agreed to advertise again for the position.
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting and enter into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue at 8:10 p.m. Councilman Field seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
Town of Hartwick
Executive Session
Personnel Issue
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to adjourn Executive Session at 8:30 p.m. and reenter the Regular Meeting. Councilwoman Briggs-Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye".
Town of Hartwick
Regular Meeting
(Reopened)
Floor opened for Public Comment
- Ms. Clarvoe asked that the use of chemicals on the ball fields be addressed. She has agreed to find information from the NYSDOH and NYSBOH regarding the issue of the use of chemicals such as pesticides on the ball fields.
- The Board and the public discussed the existence of a Level III sex offender in the Town of Hartwick. This person is known to have several different aliases such as John Henry, William Granger, Freddie Granger, and John Henry Ranger. He has been seen in the community in a small blue car taking picks of children and is not registered in Otsego County.
- Councilwoman Briggs-Jones suggested the Planning Board be used during slower times to review current laws and present to the Town Board with recommendations.
MOTION: Supervisor Butler moved to adjourn the Regular Town Board Meeting at 9:20 p.m. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs-Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", and Councilman Hotaling "aye"
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah McGuire, Town Clerk
