At 6:45 Supervisor called this meeting to order with Council members Dod Crane, Paul Niedercorn, Linda Souers and Counsel Warren Replansky present. Ellen Silverstein was absent.
Announcements:
The Duchess County Department of Public Works has begun a bridge rehabilitation project on Mill Road that will be completed by the fall. The bridge will be closed to traffic during that time and a detour route will be in place. Any questions may be directed to the County D P W at 486-2925.
This year's Community Development Block Grant applications are now available in the Town Clerk's office. Completed applications must be submitted to the County by October 5, 2007.
The Highway Department will close Mt. Rutsen Road for safety resurfacing on September 17 and18th, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00PM. Southbound traffic from River Road will be diverted to Astor Drive and northbound traffic from Montgomery Street will be diverted to Old Post Road.
The September 11th work session for the new zoning law is cancelled.
Old and New Business:
1. Approving the letter of understanding from the State Department of Transportation regarding construction of a park 'n ride lot on Rt.199 near the 9G intersection, for town board acceptance and whether the board supports the concept of establishing a temporary lot while the permanent lot is constructed. Paul would like to see the DOT go before our Planning Board and the LWRP process. Warren stated it is not required but we can ask them to follow local zoning even though government agencies are exempt from local zoning criteria. Dod questioned if we need to give them our approval and Steve said no. Sally Mazzarella point out this area is a scenic district, waterfront area, historic district and a Greenway area. If the Town if forceful enough the DOT will probably follow our request. Implications to the neighbors need to be considered also. Lighting is another issue. Linda Souers supports the concept but we need to have them go before our Planning Board and LWRP. Warren will draft a letter supporting the Park n Ride lot but suggesting the DOT follow our local process. Steve said one of the specific questions from David Markowitz, DOT representative, is if the Town would support an interim parking lot. The general consensus here tonight is that if that is supported the permanent lot may take longer to build. Dod motioned and Paul seconded to support the concept of the Park n Ride at the 9/9G intersection, opposing the temporary facility and urging details be worked out with both Rhinebeck and Red Hook and present final plans to our Planning Board and to adhere to the LWRP requirement. All were in favor.
2. On motion from Dod and seconded from Paul the request from the Town Clerk to change regular office hours from 9-4 to 8:30-3:30 was unanimously approved.
3. Linda motioned and Dod seconded to approve the budget request from PANDA for a supplemental appropriation of $5,250 as Rhinebeck town share of the cost of organizational upgrades and including a request to waive the quarterly fee of $100 to house the transmission closet. Dod asked if PANDA was hiring a Station Manager in 2008? Kathy Hammer, PANDA Board President and Rhinebeck representative, explained they wish to hire a part time manager for $8,000. Currently there is a temporary volunteer and she is devoting a lot of time. Trying to operate this size organization with volunteers is too large a task. Dod is concerned about hiring a station manager before the budget is complete. He needs to see the argument as to what a station manager will be doing. We have budget restraints.
Steve explained there has been a reduction in PANDA funds without the Board paying much attention. This amount is not much different than what was allocated 3 or 4 years ago. Dod said his criteria is not what was done in the past. We are trying to start a future direction and feel we need to justify this expense. Paul wants to know what the current financial status is. The Court papers do not say what the newspapers are printing. He would like to see these figures out in the public. Steve asked why all of a sudden Paul is concerned. Under his guidance this disaster happened. The criminal investigation is underway. Warren said the records have been provided to the District Attorney’s office. Paul feels there are a lot of allegations as to who is in control and we need to look at the records. Steve stated that Paul’s protégés Joe Ely and Mike Collins lead this organization with no check and balances in place. Kathy Hammer went on the PANDA Board in January 2007 and stated that she has never had the opportunity see the check book. Financial statements were received up to July 2007 from the treasurer Charlie Collejo. On July 13 Mark Durand was voted in as treasurer.
Linda agrees with Dod that we need to see some type of facility and operational plan. Obviously with all the changes we need to be careful. Dod just wants some kind of documentation since the path seems to be changing. He would like to see where PANDA is heading for 2008. Kathy emphasized that we are trying to keep the entity alive the telephone bill cannot even be paid at this point. Steve feels this is an emergency request; we are talking about a supplemental request and not the 2008 budget. Linda thinks we have no choice but to endorse this request but we need to see some written plans for 2008. Dod wants some type of strategic statement. Steve asked as a sign of good faith can we just approve this tonight and have a plan presented at a later date. Dod, Linda and Steve were in favor of giving PANDA $3,465.00 and Paul is against. Vote carried 3-1. Steve will get together with bookkeeper Shelly Day.
4.Dod motioned and Linda seconded to considering a preliminary 2008 Operation and Maintenance Budget for the Vanderburgh Cove Sewer District. Ray Jurkowski explained the 2008 budget will be $83,819. The sludge removal expenses There will need to be a public hearing on this proposed budget.
5. Steve introduced Linda Forbes to explain a request for support from The Heart Safe Club of Rhinebeck. Linda is the parent advisor. Kaitlin Forbes and Amanda Turpin stated the mission of this Club is to promote AED support throughout the community, hold fund raisers and provide low cost AED training. They explained this club was started when 2 Rhinebeck athletics experienced sudden cardiac arrest with a 14 month period. One died and Kaitlen’s life was saved due to the quick response and an AED unit at the high school. Sudden cardiac arrest is more common than breast cancer. The club advocates heart health. Every graduating senior last year received a CPR anytime kit in June. Tonight we want to increase awareness. Starr Library, highway garage, Morton Library, Town and Village Hall should all have these AED units. We would like to donate some units to the Town buildings. Linda wants someone to take responsibility in each building. They would be responsible for doing the monthly checks. Pads have a 2 year shelf live and the battery last up to 5 years. The Town needs to support the training effort. On September 25th the Commissioner of Health and the Department of Health will be announcing the Heart Safe communities within Dutchess County. Certain criteria must be met. Achieving a Heart Safe community is a terrific goal. Steve would like the Board to authorize him to co-ordinate a plan which would identify buildings, staff responsible and the number of employees to be trained. Paul would like to reach out to Board members also for the training. Dod suggested putting money in the 2008 budget. Linda stated an AED unit costs about $1,900.00. On motion from Dod and second from Linda the Supervisor was unanimously given the authority to put together a plan to make Rhinebeck a Heart Safe community.
6. Dod motioned and Linda seconded to consider the draft agreement among the five PANDA municipalities to begin discussions with Time Warner to reach a new franchise agreement that would apply to each municipality. Steve explained that the original agreement back in 1990-92 has been rolled over automatically every 6 months. Steve and Kathy Hammer would like to negotiate a new contract. Paul is worried about negotiating out our internet clause. Steve said there is no intent to eliminate any technology. We will only try to enhance our services. There are other methods to calculate revenue; hopefully we can increase our base. Paul would like to see band worth established. He would much prefer some other agency besides the Buske Group. Dod feels it is reasonable to review negotiations. He sees this as an opportunity for something to be gained. Strength is in numbers and with the leverage of 5 communities, we should have an advantage. Mike Collins stated the Village of Rhinebeck has an extremely important contract and it is important to keep the clause “latest technology.” Henry Young said it is important to move ahead. Time Warner will probably not give that clause again. Dod, Linda and Steve were in favor or re-negotiating and Paul is against. Vote carried 3-1.
7. Paul motioned and Dod seconded to discuss the Highway Superintendent to apply for a Greenway Conservancy 2007 Trail Grant to support education materials, postage and signage related to Rhinebeck’s designation of a Greenway Bike and Walk Tour through the town. Town of Rhinebeck
WHEREAS, the Town of Rhinebeck is applying to the Hudson River Valley Greenway for a grant under the 2007 Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley Annual Grant Program for a project entitle Rhinebeck Bike/Walk Tour to be located in the Town of Rhinebeck,
WHEREAS, the grant application requires the applicant municipality to obtain the “approval/endorsement of the governing body of the municipality in which the project will be located”,
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Rhinebeck hereby does approve and endorse the application for a grant under the 2007 Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley Annual Grant Program, for a project know as the Rhinebeck Bike/Walk Tour and located within this community.
Sally Mazzarella asked what the funds are for? Steve said more signage and mailing the brochures to the community. Sally feels that this may be a duplication of what Winnakee has already done. It would have been appropriate for someone to have talked to Winnakee first. The State and County had to approve the sign location. It is not sensible that Winnakee is not in this process. Linda said this is a Winnakee brochure and agrees with Sally that they should be been contacted. Steve asked if we could approve pending a discussion to bring Winnakee into the process. Dod thinks the request maybe should have come from Winnakee. Sally said a partnership would have been nice. Linda wants to see more information and better collaboration with Winnakee. If you rode around 2 months ago there was plenty of time to contact Winnakee. Dod wants the Board to be aware of how much signage we are talking about. The motion was unanimously approved with the stipulation that Winnakee become involved.
8. Paul motioned and Dod seconded to honor Kurt Grisham’s contribution to the Rhinebeck Chamber Music Society. Warren Replansky stated this is a great individual and has brought world class concerts to the Village. Sally reinforced Warren’s opinion and added his talents and skills are incredible. He has created programs for all walks of life and has brought the magic of music to us. Lance Renzel said he is a highly respected and loved musician. All were in favor of presenting him a plague at our September 24th Town Board meeting.
9. On motion from Paul and second from Dod Abstract 9, checks 2695-2731, voucher 931-976 for $42,854.53 was unanimously approved.
10. Paul motioned and Dod seconded to approve the Town Board meeting minutes of August 27th. Motion carried unanimously.
At 9:15 this meeting was adjourned on motion from Paul and second from Dod with Paul abstaining. Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Cunningham
Town Clerk
