TOWN OF SANTA CLARA BOARD MEETINGS

Minutes of a regular monthly meeting of the Santa Clara Town Board held on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the Saranac Inn, NY Town Hall at 7:00pm.

Roll call as follows:
    Present:
  • Marcel Webb - Supervisor
  • Thomas Chipperfield - Councilman
  • David Perry - Councilman
  • Philip Durkin - Councilman
  • Thomas Kimpton - Councilman

Meeting was called to order by Suprv. Webb Motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting made by Philip Durkin seconded by Thomas Kimpton. All members voting Aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Philip Durkin seconded by Thomas Kimpton to accept the minutes of the previous meeting. All members voting Aye. Motion carried.

Suprv. Webb presented Pam Martin with a lovely bouquet of flowers and a card recognizing and gratefully acknowledging her position as Chairman of the Variance Board for twenty years. She has given many hours of service to her community.

Motion by Thomas Chipperfield seconded by David Perry to appoint Michelle Brown-Garcia as Chairman of the Variance Board upon Pam Martin's resignation in September. All members voting Aye. Motion carried

Suprv. Webb said we need a policy on work place violence; Atty Maher has reviewd the proposed policy. All employees will watch a training video as an educational tool. The insurance company said a town policy should be in place. No one may carry a gun in the town vehicles or on town property. Motion by Philip Durkin seconded by Thomas Chipperfield to adopt the new workplace violence policy. All members voting Aye. Motion carried.

John Schaff, Planning Board Chairman, said the Board members have finalized their recommendations and will making a formal presentation to the Town Board. A building is presently being torn down. The owner will keep the lower floor in the same footprint but will add a second story. The second story might exceed the square footage. The Planning Board proposes that when the proposal is complete, a Public Hearing should be scheduled.

The Code Enforcement Officer's report was reviewed. Suprv. Webb said we had been sharing the Code Enforcement Officer with the Town of Franklin but due to changes within the Town of Franklin, we may have Ed Lagree's services full time.

The Unified Court System wants to audit the town Justice's books. Suprv. Webb has received a check from Mr. Beneke in the mount of $25,100.00 in satisfaction of a judgement rendered by Judge Demarest. He has directed Atty. Sonneborn to collect the $500.00 fine levied by Town Justice Sheren.

No word has been received about a grant for record retention. Equalization rates have been updated, Local Law No. 1 relating to construction and regulation of outdoor wood boilers has been filed in the office of the Sec. of State. Michelle Garcia asked if Camp Cherokee has filed any paperworkd and the supervisorsaid no. Larry Altemus asked how the award money would affect taxes and the Supervisor said the Town has some serious problems that need attention. The Board will discuss reparis to the Dist. 1 garage, construction of a salt shed, an addition to Dist. 2 Town Hall. Co. Durkin said if applied to reduce taxes it would affect only one year. Mr. Gunthert said several residents have been alarmed by E911 response to a false alarm and the State Trooper response as well. They will continue to look for the individual responsible fo these calls. Ron Otten said they could file acomplaint with the FCC. Ron Otten is seeking fiber optic connection, either by CEN connect or support Clarkson's pursuit of fiber optic conncection. The Town Board will look into a new sign and the flag pole erection at the same time. The Supervisor has prepared a letter to Nature Conservancy pointing out the needs of the Town which provide services for all residents. We ask the consideration of a donation in lieu of taxes. Follow up letters to heads of tax exempt organizations if the Board approves. Each Board member signed the request letters. The Town Board members have received the Tentative 2010 budget. Co. Chipperfield said that Ed Lagree wanted the Town Board and the Planning Board to meet with Camp Forestcraft. They have individual owners under an LLC umbrella. The need a building permit for proposed renovations and need to contact NYSDEC about a SPEDS permit.

The waterkeeper is trying to work with the brown cottage owners and DEC should continue to work with them as they promised. The Town Board will only meet at a public meeting with our attorney in attendance. Supt. McGill wants to attend a three day seminar in Lake Placid at a cost of $96.00 and he will return meal receipts. Motion by Thomas Kimpton seconded by Thomas Chipperfield to approve the Hwy. Supt's attendance at the seminar allowing $125.00 for the NYS Hwy. Assoc. All members voting Aye. Motion carried.

Supt. McGill said the Floodwood Bridge needs to be repaired and the County will provide the decking. The steel eye beams must be replaced, estimates will be sought and liability issues determined. The repair should be done before hunting season. Supt. McGill will meet with John Hutchins, Contractor and the County engineer. The Supt. would like to put the grader out to bid and use the county grader, under shared services. Motion by Thomas Kimpton seconded by Thomas Chipperfield to prepare a bid notice for the grader for next meeting. He said he is getting prices on a new York rake, the first price was $2700.00 and he will get a second one. The Dist. 1 plow truck needs a new sander. Discussed dry hydrants, Suprv. Webb ghas asked legislator Maroun about the hydrants. He said teh Town must get the permits, but he will check with the fire department to be sure. The money has been budgeted for their replacement for a couple of years.

General Fund vouchers No. 170 to 198 in the amount of $9395.99 and Highway Fund vouchers No. 75 to 82, in the amount of $1454.02 were audited by the Board. Motion by David Perry seconded by Thomas Chipperfield to pay these bills. All Members voting Aye. Motion carried.

Motion to adjourn at 8:45 PM made by David Perry seconded by Thomas Chipperfield. All Members voting Aye. Motion carried.

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Town of Santa Clara
80 County Route 46  ·  Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Phone: 518-891-6240  ·  Email: info@townofsantaclara.com
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