MAY 29, 2012 TOWN OF RHINEBECK TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES

At 6:45 Supervisor Traudt called this meeting to order and Kristin Henderson led us all in the PLEDGE OF ALLIGIENCE.  In attendance were Council members Bruce Washburn, Elizabeth Spinzia, Joe Gelb, Gina Fox and Highway Superintendent Kathy Kinsella.

 

PRESENTATION

 

Jim Jeffreys/Northeast Computer - RFP/tech initiative for Town Hall was held over to June 25^th meeting.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Coregroup Properties Re-Zoning and Zoning Law Amendment

 

Marie Welsh submitted the following letter requesting a change in zoning district of property on Pitcher Road, regarding the former Pitcher greenhouses and commercial property, now owned by Coregroup Properties, LLC.  The owners would like to have the zoning district changed back to its original district when they purchased the property.  The Comprehensive Plan rezoned this area to residential in 2009.  The application is currently before the Zoning and Planning Boards but a rezoning is necessary.  The area is directly across from the ORP zoning. 

 

WELCH SURVEYING

7 ORLICH ROAD

RED HOOK, NEW YORK 12571

(845) 876-1000 FAX: (845) 758-1342

E-mail: WelchSurv@aol.com

 

May 24, 2012

 

Mr. Thomas Traudt, Supervisor

and Rhinebeck Town Board

80 East Market Street

Rhinebeck, NY 12572

 

Re: Coregroup Properties Re-zoning and zoning law amendment

 

Dear Mr. Traudt and town board members:

 

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to bring this proposal before the town board. This request is for a re-zoning of property at 41 Pitcher Road, off Middle Road, in the town. I will explain some of the history of the property and the reasons it should be re-zoned, along with supporting information which should provide the justification for why it should be re-zoned. In addition we are asking the town board to create a definition of a use which is not addressed in the zoning code, and that would cover the small scale events that the Riso's would like to provide at their venue. This would have to have some sort of designation, and a definition of such uses to be covered in the Special Use Permit requirements. Currently there is nothing that covers a use that the current owners would like to be able to provide on their site.

 

Kenneth and Donald Pitcher were the owners of several parcels of land on Pitcher Road and Middle Road in the town. This land has been held by their family since it was conveyed to Walter Pitcher from the Estate of Frederick Cotting by a deed dated March 30, 1896. It was then conveyed to Ralph H. Pitcher, who conveyed it to his sons, Ken and Don. This property has been used commercially since the turn of the 20^th century. There was a major commercial violet growing business on the site, with many employees. Large trucks were commonly on site for shipping and deliveries. As the violet industry declined, the Pitcher's developed a new market for anemones and other flowers for their wholesale and retail business.

 

In 2002 I was hired by the Pitchers to subdivide several parcels of their land, including a 45.5± acre parcel, fronting on the east side of NYS Route 9G and north of Middle Road. The subdivision of this parcel was started in 2005. The Pitchers wanted to sell the greenhouse operation, as it was getting to be too much for them to continue the business, which required significant time and energy, but they wanted to keep their open land which was not needed to support the greenhouses and florist business.

 

Therefore the main reason for the creation of the subject property at that time was for them to be able to sell this part of their property, which included the family's homestead, multiple greenhouses and barns, a retail florist shop in one of the barns, and several rental units. It was their hope that the commercial florist business would carry on, even though they would not be a part of it. There were several small dwellings on the property, which had been used for housing for workers employed by the business. Before the subdivision commenced, a variance was sought and granted by the town's zoning board of appeals on March 15, 2006, allowing the creation of this lot with the one main dwelling and up to four total dwellings on this property, based on the three existing rental units. This variance was granted based on the tight clustering of the existing structures in the commercial area, which pre-dated zoning, and the existing mixed agricultural, commercial and residential uses in the ORP zone where this property was located. It was determined that adding additional acreage was not needed and that granting of this area variance would not have a negative impact on the neighborhood. A variance runs with the land, so that this is now a permitted use of the property, and thus is not affected by the change to the zoning.

 

The planning board then granted approval of the subdivision, creating the subject property, a 7.468 acre parcel located at 41 Pitcher Road. This lot, shown as Lot 1 on Filed Map No. 11929 was created in 2006. The current owners, Dan and Lisa Riso, purchased the property from the Pitchers in Sept. of 2009. It was their intention to continue the sale of flowers from this location, with the intention to grow some of their products in the greenhouses, or possibly rent the greenhouses out for others to make use of the existing space for agricultural purposes. Since this was a commercial property, it appeared that all of this was possible, as multiple principle uses are permitted in the ORP zoning district.

 

In addition to the existing uses, the Riso's determined that they wanted to supplement the existing florist shop and rentals to keep the site viable, especially since the sale of flowers drops off dramatically during the summer months. They came up with the idea of using their property to hold small gatherings and events. This served as a way to showcase the products they were selling along with making use of the beautiful buildings and grounds that they have worked so hard on and spent a significant amount of money to improve.

 

Everything was going well until they received a notice from the zoning enforcement officer that said they were not permitted to hold the events that they had been holding on the site. They had not been aware that they needed a special permit to do these events, and so they engaged me to prepare a site plan for them and prepare an application to the planning board to permit them to operate a small conference center. The reason they applied for a conference center was this was the closest description in the list of permitted uses that seemed to allow them to facilitate the type of service they wanted to provide on their property. However, their property did not meet the criteria for a small conference center, because the lot did not meet the requirements for minimum area or for required access from a state of county highway. They therefore applied to the zoning board of appeals for variances from these requirements. At the same time they were applying for the variances, they started the site plan process with the planning board. Since the

Planning board declared itself lead agent for environmental review; the zoning board could not render a decision until the planning board gave a determination of negative environmental impact for this application.

 

Things got even more complicated, because of another other issue. That is that in a residential zone you are not permitted to have more than one principal use on a site. It was thought that they could get a variance from the zoning board of appeals for this, but this would require a use variance, rather than an area variance. A use variance is much

more complex than an area variance, and difficult to get, as the tests for granting a use variance are quite specific. While I think we would have gotten the area variances for the size of the lot and the access not being from a state or county highway, getting a use variance for more than one principal use would not be likely.

 

This brings us to this request being made to the town board. The owners are seeking to have their property re-zoned back to commercial use. In December of 2009 the town adopted its new zoning law, which changed the zoning district of this property from ORP, a commercial zone, to residential. Due to the existing conditions, including the multiple greenhouses and barns, along with the rental structures and the existing retail florist shop, it is clearly being used commercially. There should not be a problem reverting back to the previous zoning on this property, since it has been used commercially since the turn of the last century, and has never ceased being used commercially, and therefore this change to the zoning district would have less of an impact on the site than changing the use to residential, and possible abandoning of the greenhouses and the barns would have. The change of zone for this parcel has caused it to become non-conforming, not through any choice or action of the present or prior owners. Currently they can continue the existing operation because of being grandfathered, but any increase or change is limited because of being non-conforming. If it should cease operation for the requisite time period, then it would be difficult to get approvals to be able to do again something which has been done on this site for over 100 years. It makes sense to allow the owners to continue something which has existed since long before zoning was instituted in the town. Especially since all the infrastructure was built for the commercial use of the past, and is not conducive to residential use, as it is currently zoned. Also, since the new zoning law created so many different zones at the time of the adoption, it doesn't seem that this could be considered spot zoning. Otherwise much of the town should be considered to have been spot zoned based on all the different zones, especially in this area. This lot and the three adjacent lots are the only lots zoned residential north of Middle Road, and are surrounded by ORP, BP, GW-N and CBN, all commercial zones, including a 38 acre parcel with significant frontage along NYS Route 9G. In addition, the land on the opposite side of Middle Road from this lot is zoned ORP. Since this parcel was previously zoned ORP and is opposite ORP designation, it should not cause any hardship to be re-zoned ORP.

 

In addition the board is being asked to address the need for a provision addressing the need for a venue which allows for the intimate type of gatherings that the Risos wish to provide and for a similar type designation in the town's zoning law. Currently there is no zone in the town that addresses the type of events that the owners wish to hold on their

 

property, such as small second weddings or rehearsal dinners, or similar events. This is the same type of thing, except at a smaller scale, as was done for the Chelsea Clinton wedding at Astor Court, and is rumored to be happening at other sites in the town. The reason the owners were seeking a variance to use the property as a conference center is because there is no provision for this type of venue in the zoning law. However it seems to be an oversight going back even to the prior version of the zoning law, since that law also had no provision for this type of activity. Since it is happening in Rhinebeck, there seems to be a demand for this nature of use. It is my understanding that there has to be a zone in the town that allows for each and any type of use that could be requested.

 

It is clearly a beneficial use of the property and it fills a void in the town for locations to hold these types of functions, contributing to the travel and tourism industry of the town, while keeping alive some of the local history, having to do with the violet growing industry. The adjacent landowners along with several of the planning board and zoning board members have indicated they are supportive of this proposed use.

 

Please take these requests under your consideration, as it would be beneficial to both the owners of the land and to the town to allow this type of use on this site. By changing the zoning on this property to ORP you would be creating the ability for the owners to have more than one principal use on a site and allow them to bring their business back into a conforming and complying condition.

 

In addition to this letter I am preparing the short form environmental assessment form. In the zoning law a proposed amendment to the law can be made by owners of 50% or more of the frontage of real estate to be affected by the zoning change. The Risos own 100% of the frontage of the land where this change is proposed to their property.

 

We are hoping to get this on the agenda of the town board meeting for May 29, 2012. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, or Dan or Lisa Riso, or Tom Le Grand, as we are all familiar with this request.

 

Very truly yours,

Marie T. Welch, LS
MTW/

 

Gina asked if any of the neighbors objected and Marie answered no and in fact the Pitchers actually endorse this request.  They sold this property thinking it was commercial.  Dan Riso explained that he and his wife started this process back in 2009.  We lost 3 greenhouses in the hurricane last year.  We were holding small gatherings in the 3 story barn and a tent has been up just once.  We are trying to supplement the florist business with additional revenue.  The ZEO then cited us for violation of code and here we are.  Gina asked if they have Board of Health approval and Dan stated no food is prepared on site so that is not necessary since the caterers bring the food on site.  Elizabeth asked if there is a limit to the number of guests and Marie replied that barn allows for 75 people.  Elizabeth would like the advice of our Town attorney.  Marie explained they are asking for 2 variances before the ZBA and will need site plan approval from the Planning Board. 

 

Joe explained that a change in zoning is a complex process and to make the change it may be costly.  He asked if the Riso's are willing to help with these costs.  Marie feels this can be handled with just an amendment.  Michael Trimble informed the Board that they are asking for a Use Variance which is very difficult to get from the ZBA.  If the board chooses to rezone you are correcting the zoning and a precedent is not being set.  This is a light manufacturing / commercial area and he believes the rezoning sets less of a precedent than giving a Use Variance.  We are 2 years into the Comp Plan and we need a committee to look at this law.  Members from the ZBA, Planning, CAB and Town Board should sit on the committee.  We need to review this law to see what isn't working which is definitely the case here

 

Bruce stated that this area had a lot of debate when we were setting up the Comp Plan; it was considered the Gateway to Rhinebeck.  We need to have John Lyons look at this request.  Fundamentally we need businesses in Rhinebeck and if we are driving businesses out then we need to look at.

 

Tom Le Grand explained this property has been ongoing commercial property for over 100 years.  This is not a new business it is just changing the floral menu and trying to make the property economically feasible.  Tom Traudt feels the Board needs to decide which attorney we want to use for this case.  Let's discuss further.    

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

June 2^nd   Waterfront Day at Rhinecliff Dock 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

 

June 2^nd and 3^rd  Cancer Relay for Life Walk at Fairgrounds

 

2012 Dutchess County Fair Exhibitor Handbooks available at Town Hall

 

As part of the Bicentennial observance of Red Hook separation from the Town of Rhinebeck J. Winthrop Aldrich, Red Hook Historian will present a program using rare period maps at Rokeby Estates, 845 River Road in Barrytown on June 16^th at 2 p.m.

 

Recreation, Web and Technology Committee and Board of Assessment Review are seeking new members.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

1. Budget Transfers

Elizabeth motioned and Gina seconded to authorize the bookkeeper to make the following budget transfers, amendments, and any necessary bookkeeping entries.

 

GENERAL FUND

 

TOWN CLERK      

Contingency                                         000 01 1910 400         -     $  3,426.10

Codification                                          000 01 1410 460         +    $  3,426.10

Requested by Clerk to cover the updates for local law #2.

 

Estimated Revenues                              000 510                       +    $  3,950.00

Donations                                             000 2705

 

Appropriations                                     000 960                       +    $  3,950.00

Summer Concert Series                        000 06 7270 402        

To increase budget to include the summer concert series.

 

POOL

P.S. Lifeguards                                     000 06 7180 101         -     $     500.00

P.S. Aquatic Director                           000 06 7180 107         +    $     500.00

Requested by Rec Director of Summer Programs.

 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS      

Contingency                                         000 01 1910 400         -     $    117.41

Unemployment Insurance                      000 08 9050 800         +    $     117.41

To cover 1^st Qtr bill.

 

Medical Insurance                                000 08 9060 800         -     $33,898.48                                   

Medical Insurance - Finance                 000 01 1220 804         +    $  7,630.84

Medical Insurance - Town Clerk          000 01 1410 804         +    $11.592.98

Medical Insurance - Hway Super         000 04 5010 804         +    $  5,869.85

Medical Insurance -  Recycling Center  000 07 8161 804         +    $  2,934.96

Medical Insurance - Cemetery              000 07 8810 804         +    $  5,869.85

 

Medical Insurance - Union                   000 08 9060 802         -     $15,261.68

Medical Insurance -                              000 08 9060 804         +    $15,261.68

To move the expenses thru November coverage from the Undistributed Line to individual department lines.

 

PART-TOWN FUND

Medical Insurance                                001 08 9060 800         -     $  1,907.71

Medical Insurance - Planning                001 07 8020 804         +    $  1,907.71

To move the expenses thru November coverage from the Undistributed Line to individual department lines.

 

All were in favor.

 

2. Bruce motioned with Joe seconding to approve Abstract 5 B, vouchers 483-567 for $ 231,541.35.  Elizabeth asked if the police hours seem high with respect to what we have budgeted.  Tom will meet with Pete Dunn and look at the past bills.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

3. On motion by Bruce and second by Joe Capital Project Abstract for 5/29/2012 for $803.25. was unanimously approved.

 

4. Gina moved and Joe seconded to approve Justice Court purchase of new Copier, not to exceed $3,813.39.  All were in favor.

 

5. Bruce motioned and Gina seconded to approve Court annual copier maintenance contract for 12,000 copies for $380.00.  All were in favor.

 

6. Bruce motioned to approve salary schedule for summer lifeguards with Elizabeth seconding.

 

NAME                       HOURLY RATE                  POSITION    

Amber Ackhert                    $ 10.50                    Head Lifeguard         

Candace-WSI                       10.00                    Asst Lifeguard           

Sarah                                      10.00                    Asst Lifeguard           

Zach-WSI                                9.50                     WSI Lifeguard           

Christrian-WSI                        9.50                     WSI Lifeguard           

Nick-WSI                                9.50                      WSI Lifeguard           

Bradley-WSI                           9.50                      WSI Lifeguard           

Julian-WSI                              9.50                      WSI Lifeguard           

Nate-WSI                                9.50                      WSI Lifeguard           

Bredan-On call weekends       8.50                      Lifeguard                  

Kelsey-on call weekends        8.50                      Lifeguard                  

Christine-on call weekends     8.50                     Lifeguard                    Nolan                                      8.50                      Lifeguard                   

John                                         8.50                     Lifeguard                   

Karen Kriker                           8.50                     Lifeguard                   

Laura Farell                             8.50                    Lifeguard                   

Kathryn Watson                      9.50                    WSI Lifeguard           

Aaron Hoffman                      8.50                     Lifeguard                   

Sean T. Phelan                        8.50                    Lifeguard                   

 

Name                             POSITION                             RATE

 

Alyssa                         counselor/Recreation Ass         $ 7.50  

Eric Grim                    counselor/Recreation Ass           7.50      

Megan Parsi                counselor/Recreation Ass           7.50    

Alex Hammond          counselor/Recreation Ass           7.50      

Ari Loeber                   counselor/Recreation Ass          7.50      

Cody Debenedictus    counselor/Recreation Ass           7.65      

Ryan Solomon            counselor/Recreation Ass           7.65      

Kate VandenDolder   counselor/Recreation Ass            7.65      

Kyle                            counselor/Recreation Ass            7.65     

Tyler Figurla                counselor/Recreation Ass           7.35     

Alex                            counselor/Recreation Ass             7.50     

Matt syczyk                counselor/Recreation Ass             7.25    

Aaron Hoffman          counselor/Recreation Ass             7.50

Unknown                      counselor/Recreation Ass            7.35     

Daniel Voilwer            Asst Director/Rec Specialist                    $ 2,800

Danie Lamp               Sports & Games/Recreation Specialist          2,800

Jamie L. Smith            Arts N Crafts/Recreation Specialist             2,800

 

All were in favor.

 

7. Bruce motioned and Elizabeth seconded to approve April 23^rd and May 7^th Town Board meeting minutes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

8. Proposal to survey boundaries and stake control points for natural burial section of Grasmere Cemetery was tabled.  Tom explained that we only

received one bid from Marie Welsh.  Joe suggested having the Cemetery Committee Chairwoman call some surveyors.  Tom will check on the legality of re-biding since there is public knowledge as to Welsh Surveying's bid.  No action taken

 

9. Bruce motioned and Elizabeth seconded to award Wetlands Delineation for TTSM Park to Ecological Solutions, LLC for $1,200 per TTM Park Committee recommendation from Capital Project H62-78 Rhineson Property.  All were in favor. 

 

10. Parsonage Street Bridge funding

 

WHEREAS, Tropical Storm Irene caused damage to our Parsonage Street Bridge which caused NYS to "Red Flag" the bridge, and

 

WHEREAS, the Parsonage Street Bridge will be closed unless the damage is repaired, and

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Rhinebeck Highway Department has given the town board an estimate of $50, 000 to $62,000 to fix the bridge, and

 

WHEREAS, The Town believes we can expect approximately $40,000 from FEMA to repair the bridge,

 

WHEREAS, The Town Board would like to authorize the Highway Superintendent to spend $55,000 to fix the bridge,

 

WHEREAS, The Town Board wishes to use Highway General Fund Balance to fund the town portion of the project,

 

WHEREAS, The Town Board wishes to refrain from increasing total adopted Highway Department appropriations in 2012,

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Rhinebeck authorizes the Highway Superintendent to spend $55,000 to fix the Parsonage Street bridge, and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the bookkeeper is authorized to make the following budget amendments to the Highway General Fund

                                 

Estimated Revenues            002-510 -4961                                             +$40,000.00

Appropriated Fund Balance 002-599                                                        +$15,000.00

Appropriations                      002-960                                                         +$55,000.00

 

Personal Services Parsonage St. Bridge  002-04-5120-101     +$30,000.00

            Contractual for Parsonage St. Bridge        002-04-5120-401     +$25,000.00

      

Offered by Elizabeth Spinzia                                              Seconded by Gina Fox

 

Bruce wants to review personnel services ( 002) in mid August. 

Roll Call Vote:            Councilperson Fox aye

                                    Councilperson Gelb aye

                                    Councilperson Spinzia aye

Councilperson Washburn aye

                                    Supervisor Traudt aye

 

11.   Bruce motioned and Elizabeth seconded to appoint Patricia Wind as Chair of Waterfront Committee.  Bruce reported that Tony Todisco has stepped down and she has agreed to step up.  She is the driving force behind Waterfront Day this weekend.  Joe would like to interview and meet this person before we vote.  Tom pointed out the Board usually take the Committee recommendation and she was originally interviewed when she was appointed to the Waterfront Committee.  Motion carried 4-0 with Joe abstaining. 

 

12. Bruce motioned and Elizabeth seconded to authorize up to $2,500 from H38-54 for materials for 6-10 new picnic tables at the pool.  Bruce explained that some of the tables are 20 years old and are being eaten by wood bees.  Motion carried 5-0.   On another matter Joe is asking about the old truck at the Maintenance building by the Transfer Station; can it be fixed.  Bruce said it can be fixed, it is just very old.  Elizabeth will ask Kathy to talk to her mechanic to give us an estimate.

 

13. Bruce motioned and Gina seconded to authorize disposal of scrap refrigerator from pool.  All were in favor.

 

14. Bruce motioned with Elizabeth seconding to authorize change order to Weston Sampson TMP contract to conduct perk test for ADA field house for $3,000 from Capital Project H62-78 (Rhineson).  Bruce pointed out we have to do this and it is more cost effective to do a change order instead of re-bidding.  All were in favor.

 

15. Outsourcing the operation of the Transfer Station to Panichi Holding Corp d/b/a Royal Carting Service and authorize Town Attorney to prepare and obtain concurrence to the license agreement.  Bruce explained that the Town received 2 bids from Toucan and Royal Carting.  Joe had Shelly do a cost analysis and Bruce stated that usage is shrinking.  Nancy Cunningham reported that Royal would only be open 1 day on Saturdays from 7-2 but they run other transfer stations in the county very successfully.  They may be able to increase usage.  Elizabeth is concerned about cutting hours and she wants to hear from the public.  Gina asked if expanding the hours is negotiable and Bruce said he can ask and the public has been involved since January.  Joe feels we should go back and see if there is flexibility with second day and would like to get more than $100 per month from Royal to cover the cost of the new solar panels.  Bruce is concerned our schedule in the bid package said we would award the contract tonight.  Elizabeth asked if Gary Kenton was keep informed and Bruce replied we modified our bid according to his committee suggestions.  Joe wants to talk to Pam Richardson and Gina wants to shorten hours on Saturday and open on Thursday afternoons.  Bruce stated we cannot hold things out in never, never land; we need to negotiate a contract.  Tom thinks we should move ahead since we have been talking about this privatization for a long time.  We have talked to several companies and we are trying to balance providing a responsible service to our residents at a reasonable cost.  Joe feels that the Royal contract is fine subject to change and we should tentatively go with Royal. 

 

Bruce motioned with Elizabeth seconding to send Royal Carting contract to Pam Richardson to prepare and obtain concurrence to this agreement.  Bruce will call Royal about suggestions.  All were in favor.    

 

16. Bruce motioned and Elizabeth seconded to schedule discussion of GML 103 pertaining to professional services exemptions for June 25^th Town Board meeting.  Bruce would like to have a discussion about how our attorney fees are expensed.  All were in favor.

 

17. On motion from Bruce and second by Elizabeth for a discussion of employee performance evaluation for June 25^th meeting was scheduled.  Elizabeth will circulate appropriate forms.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

18. Gina motioned and Elizabeth seconded to schedule review of 2010/2011/2012 personnel services and benefits expenditures for June 25^th meeting.  Bruce said we have only received 2010 breakdown regarding total compensation package.  All were in favor. 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Elizabeth reminded all the Board members to get with Heinz Sauer to update his Capital Fund Project draft summary.   

 

2.  2011 Annual Update Document availability - Bruce wondered when we are getting it and would like in PDF format.   

 

3.  Pilot Dog Park Program - Bruce reported there is quite a bit in interest in a dog park and he would like to try a pilot to see if it works.  He has talked with our insurance carrier and it is within our liability coverage.  He suggests trying the concept for 18 months.  There are many volunteers who would help set it up and monitor the park.  The Town of Red Hook Supervisor is also interested in this project.  Bruce will attend the June 12^th Red Hook Town Board meeting for further discussion if our Board is interested.  He suggests starting with a steering committee and Red Hook has found a volunteer vet to help set this up at our Stone Church ball fields.  TMP was originally considered but it was decided that the Stone Church location is a more viable place.  Some money would be needed to build a fenced in area.  Gina agrees with this concept and suggested looking into sharing a Dog Warden and Dog Pound with Red Hook.  Bruce will report back at our next meeting.

 

4.  Rhinecliff Advisory Council status -Elizabeth reported this committee was started in May of 2006, the resolution mandated 9 members and later that was changed to 7 members.  There seems to be a lack of vibrancy.  We now have 4 dedicated members that are here tonight.  Tom feels we need to keep in touch with the hamlet and we need this advisory group to help keep the Board informed.  He would definitely like this group to stay together and become more involved.  Elizabeth is concerned that this group is not adhering to its resolution mandate and they are not presenting an annual report.  She and Bruce have been attending all meetings since January 1, 2012. 

 

Andy Sheppard stated that he was elected Chairman of this group at the last meeting.  He has been attending the meetings since it was originated.  We have talked about drainage issues, signage, traffic calming ideas, etc.  The Council has agreed to focus on the drainage west of Kelly Street as our next project.  He will keep the Board informed and have minutes emailed to the Town Clerk.

 

Elizabeth feels we can still address any problems but the Town Board has not committed to spending funds in the hamlet.  She would like to see better communication Joe suggested that Andy meet with Kathy Kinsella regarding the drainage issue.  Tom feels this is a worthwhile group, please let us continue. 

 

Melissa Cohen feels that the old Chair was not following protocol so he has been replaced.  We are really watchdogs for the hamlet and a viable committee. 

 

5.  Update on NYSDOT High Speed Rail Empire Corridor Project - Elizabeth reported this is an economic initiative for a system from New York City to Niagara Falls.  She attended a regional DOT meeting and will keep the Board informed.

 

6. Committee Updates

 

Tom stated that the Cemetery Committee is trying to find a surveyor to survey boundaries in the natural burial area at Grasmere.  Aging Committee is still publishing their monthly newsletter.  The Senior Van is extremely successful; many times the drivers are making 2 trips.  The Fire districts are still working on a consolidation concept. He is concerned that so many of our residents don't have access to cable television.  The Time Warner contract written in 1993 has never been re-negotiated.  Pam Richardson is researching.  The ferry service is moving forward and hopefully the county will help with transporting passengers into the Village of Rhinebeck.  He will be on the Patterns for Progress Forum panel to discuss shared services next month. 

 

Gina reported that the Historical Society is upset over the Quitman easement. 

 

Joe informed the Board that the Affordable Housing Agreement is being actively negotiated with the developer.  Hopefully we will have a final draft within this next month.  We will need to schedule a public hearing when this is received. 

 

Elizabeth reported she has spoken with Mike Trimble to put together LWRP workshop.  Jim Jeffrey's presentation for a RFP for a technology initiative for Town Hall will be rescheduled for the June 25^th meeting. 

 

Kathy Kinsella stated that with the mild winter and dry spring the highway crew has completed Buttonwood and Upper Hook Road projects.  Now we are concentrating on the Parsonage Street Bridge.  On October 18^th the county will be holding a Hazardous Waste Day at the Rhinebeck Town Highway garage.  Please call 845 463-6020 to set up appointment for drop off. 

 

Bruce said the Community Garden is off and running on its own now.  All the participants appreciate the Town's involvement in having this concept come to fruition.  The Events Co-coordinator is forging a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to offer more happenings.  The Summer Concert series is being totally funded by donations this year.  The Recreation coordinator has the summer staffing done, Board of Health approved the pool opening today, and our camp program is almost full; several age groups are closed.  Hopefully in July the TMP Committee will go before the Planning Board for our site plan approval.  Rhinecliff Waterfront Day is this Saturday.  FEMA has approved our disposition.  The dock cleats will be in soon.  We need to work on the feasibility study grant since the time clock is ticking.  The fly traps are working great at the Rec Park.  

 

7.  On motion from Gina and second from Elizabeth pool passes for all permanent Town employees (full time and part time) was unanimously approved.  The children must live in the household. 

 

8.  Results of audits from department liaisons - Tom and Joe handed in their individual audits for their departments which will be filed in the Town Clerk's office.  Elizabeth will meet with Kathy to finalize the 2011 highway audit and report back at the June 25^th meeting. 

 

 

9.  Joel Tyner stated if a letter can be drafted from the Town Board to the Board of Elections regarding the consolidation of our voting districts to reduce the number of polling place; he will follow up at the County level.  Kathy volunteered along with Gina to draft such a letter.   

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

At 9:45 on motion from Joe and second by Elizabeth the Board went into Executive Session pursuant to Public Officers Law Section 105(1) (f) to discuss personnel matters.  All were in favor.

 

At 10:00 on motion from Bruce and second by Elizabeth the Board returned to a business session.  Motion carried unanimously.  Bruce then motioned with Joe seconding to allocate an additional 5 hours per week in bookkeeping for Kimberly Diehl to replace Nancy Cunningham when she retires in August.  All were in favor.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 10:10 on motion from Joe and second by Gina this meeting was unanimously adjourned.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Barbara Cunningham

Town Clerk