Town Board Meeting Minutes 01-20-10

January 20, 2010 Town of Rhinebeck Town Board Minutes

At 5:30 Supervisor Traudt called this meeting to order.

PRESENT: Councilwoman Gina Fox, Councilmen Dan Staley, Joe Gelb, Dan Staley and Supervisor Tom Traudt and bookkeeper Shelly Day

Business

1. 2009 Year End Summary Reports from Justice Courts, Town Clerk, Planning and Zoning Departments, Historian, Highway Department Cemetery, Transfer Station and Recreation were all submitted. The Supervisor explained that Sedore & Co has previously been approved to prepare the 2009 AUD to be filed with New York State for $5,200. The Town would now like them to perform the 2009 financial audit which would make them responsible for compiling the records that are required by law. I am in favor of a 3rd party doing this and then the Town is covered in meeting all the state requirements. Tom will schedule Sedore to come to our March workshop meeting to present to 2008 financial audit. Bruce feels the financial audit done by Sedore does not replace the annual accounting and audit requirements. The AUD gets submitted to the State and the detailed audit comes to the Town. A lot of the items specified by Town Law 123 on the checklist were handled by Sedore last year. Joe Gelb thinks the engagement letter needs to be changed. There was no 2008 internal control audit. Joe feels the way to proceed is to have someone talk to Sedore and modify the engagement letter and refer to Town Law Section 123 audit. Gina agrees that we need Sedore's input. Tom is very comfortable with Sedore and their work. Joe suggested that he and Bruce re-draft the engagement letter tonight after the meeting and then Joe will call Linda at Sedore.

2. Dan motioned and Gina seconded to approve Purchase Orders for printing of 50 Comp Plan for $1,244.75 and 50 Zoning Laws for $1,162.50 at UPS Store. Motion carried 5-0. Bruce moved with Dan seconding to transfer $750 from Zoning printing 01-07-8010-402 and $1,657.25 to Comp Plan 01-07-8020-490 to cover above expenses. All were in favor.

3. Dan motioned and Bruce seconded to authorize Sedore & Co. to prepare the 2009 financial audit for up to $18,000. All were in favor.

4. NYSERDA grant update from Joe: Joe met with Bob Fox who toured the pool and transfer station. He also spoke with Hudson Valley Clean Energy. The initial idea is that the transfer station has the most opportunities. A grant would be to take out electric heat and put in solar. For the Town Garage light sensors were suggested with solar panels and to get rid of the boiler and go to propane. Town Hall needs motion detectors for light and possibly solar on the roof. At the pool, solar could run the pumps and concession stand. Grants are up to $500,000 and our chances increase if the Town is willing to put up 10-15% of the cost. Dan asked who would handle the paperwork; Bob would complete the bulk of the paperwork according to Joe.

5. Indemnification Local Law update from Joe: He will get with Pam Richardson tomorrow and have a draft ready for the January 25th meeting.

Discussion

Joe wants to know if the Board wishes to follow up on Kathy Kinsella's e-mail regarding the Shabazz Jackson composting proposal for the landfill. Gina said she would bring it up to the CAC. Bruce stated that Richard von der Leith does this locally and why would the Town want to compete with a local resident. He feels Shabazz's proposal should be dropped. Residents can go to von der Leith on White Schoolhouse Road. He likes the concept but not the business part. Everyone who does excavating is re-tooling and Rich has spent ½ million dollars in equipment. Joe agrees that Shabazz might be the wrong path but let's canvas others who might be interested. Someone needs to take this on. Bruce volunteered since he has the Recycling Center. Give him a couple of months and he will report back to the Board.

Adjournment

At 6:35, on motion from Gina and second from Dan this meeting was unanimously adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Cunningham

Town Clerk