The Work Session of the Hartwick Town Board called to order at 7:04 p.m. The Pledge to the Flag was led by Supervisor, David Butler.
Present: Councilman Dave Butler, Councilwoman Anita Briggs Jones, Councilman Delos Field, Councilman Kenneth Hotaling, and Councilwoman Julianne Sharratt.
Also present: Administrative Assistant, Tavis Austin; Attorney, Lynn Green; Planning Board Co-chair, Gregory Horth; Town Assessor, Matthew Lippitt; and members of the community.
Absent:
Unfinished Business
•· Cooperstown Youth Baseball (CYB). The Town Board reviewed preliminary drawings of the proposed use of space by CYB. The preliminary drawings have been provided by McManus Engineering.
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to accept the preliminary drawings for use of space submitted by CYB/McManus Engineering. Councilman Field seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
•· The Board discussed the long-term plans for the area, and the proposed project's consideration to plans within the Town's Comprehensive Plan.
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to schedule an Informational Meeting to present the plans for Kallan Field to the public and hear public comment on April 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Field seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
•· Attorney Green, Cooperstown Youth Baseball, and Supervisor Butler will work on completing a lease agreement to present to the Town Board for consideration.
•· Administrative Assistant, Tavis Austin, reminded the Board of the employee issues related to wage, holidays, and vehicle are still pending. The Board is currently waiting for a written request from employee.
•· The Board discussed the necessity to purchase a truck for use by the Maintenance Worker/Cleaner. Attorney Green recommended the Board not buy a used vehicle unless the intention is to pay cash. Using a dealer for this type of purchase is a much better option.
•· The Board directed Tavis Austin to continue to try and find a vehicle with a purchase price range of $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 for Maintenance Department.
New Business:
•· Necessity to establish a Health Savings Account (HSA) for new HMEO employee.
MOTION: Councilwoman Sharratt moved to establish an HSA for new HMEO employee at the single rate of $2,600.00. Councilwoman Briggs Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
•· County Planning Waiver. This waiver allows the Town Board to issue land-use permits.
MOTION: Councilman Field moved to allow Supervisor, David Butler, to sign the County Planning Waiver allowing the Town Board to issue land-use permits. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
Public Comment:
•· Caren Kelsey advised the Board the Hartwick Historical Association will be distributing fliers asking for Town resident's opinion on establishing a Historical District in the Town.
•· Caren Kelsey asked the Town Board for an update on the septic issue at the Colwell residence on County Highway 11. The Board agreed to hold a Board of Health Meeting on March 26, 2012 to address the issue further.
MOTION: Councilman Sharratt moved to schedule a Board of Health Meeting on March 26, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. to address issues related to the septic at the Colwell residence, 3011 County Highway 11, Hartwick. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
•· Resident, Regina Palmer, addressed the Board's non-response to her Water Audit Corrective Plan emailed to all Board members. Ms. Palmer read her electronic letter to the Board aloud.
Dear Board Members,
I have read the Report of Examinations for the Hartwick Water District, and have the following response:
Recommendation #1 says that the Town should compile a benefit assessment roll, which describes, among other things, the amount of benefit which each lot or parcel receives from the improvement. It also says that each parcel should be billed according to this benefit.
It is my feeling that the amount of benefit depends on the services each parcel receives. A parcel with active water service receives 100% benefit. If the building is a home with more than one household, each household receives 100% benefit. The same is true for businesses.
A vacant parcel receives 0% benefit, and so does a home that has its own well. Yes, there is potential benefit, but in the present, people shouldn't be charged for services they do not receive. This is especially true for land-locked parcels which are a distance from the water mains.
To say that vacant land or homes with wells get fire protection from the Water District is also questionable, since we are already taxed for fire protection.
If circumstances change, and the owners want water service, they should be charged the cost of connecting their property to the water mains, and start paying the proper water rent at that time. You can relate it to other utilities: just because Time Warner Cable runs past a house, people do not pay for it if they don't use cable TV or internet. They pay an installation fee if and when they request service, and start paying from the date of service.
The Hartwick Town Board, acting as Water Commissioners, is the local Governing Board. You know your town, and should value your ability to serve those who elected you. Traditionally, vacant land has not been charged a water fee. Common sense shows that a water fee which is four times the amount of the property tax for a parcel is not realistic. A municipality is not a money-making entity.
Stand up for Home Rule, and Common Sense.
Since I was involved in the process of the Water District improvements, and was instrumental in setting up the accounts for billing, I would like to volunteer to help review the situation, and to help draft a CAP for the Comptroller's recommendations.
Sincerely,
Regina M. Palmer
•· The Board thanked Ms. Palmer for her response to the Audit.
MOTION: Councilman Field moved to adjourn the Town Board Work Session at 7:45 p.m. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah McGuire, Town Clerk
