Town Board Meeting Minutes
Posted on: 9/19/2007
Date of Minutes:
08/13/2007
AUGUST 13,
2007 TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
At 6:30 PM
Supervisor Block opened this business meeting.
The Town Clerk ascertained all council members are present. Dod Crane, Paul Niedercorn, Ellen
Silverstein, Linda Souers, Supervisor Block and Counsel Warren Replansky. Nine residents were also present.
Paul motioned
with Linda seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss the federal claim
regarding junk cars which were deposited in
At 6:50 the Board returned to the open meeting on motion from Paul and second
by Ellen. All were in favor.
Announcements:
Rhinecliff Waterfront Day will be held on Saturday, August 11 from 11 am to 5
pm.
The Recreation Department is sponsoring a free outdoor family movie night,
Saturday, August 18th, with a showing of Little Feet, beginning at 8 PM
behind the Starr Library. Please bring blankets or folding chairs.
Rain date will be the following Saturday. August 25.
The Duchess County Department of Public Works will begin a bridge
rehabilitation project on Mill Road (north of Cove Road) August 20 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 about the project may be
directed
to the County Department of Public Works at 486-2925.
PUBLIC HEARING LOCAL LAW 7 of
NO PARKING
At 7:05 this hearing was unanimously opened on motion from Linda and second
from Paul.
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of
Section 1.
This Local Law shall be entitled “A Local Law Amending Local Law No. 2 of 1972
and Local Law No. 3 of 1994 to Regulate Parking and Standing on
Section 2.
There shall be two hour parking allowed on the north side of Shatzell Avenue
from a point approximately 21 feet from Charles Street, said point being the
western terminus of the existing no parking zone, for a distance of approximately
230 feet west on Shatzell Avenue to the existing curbside catch basin.
Section 3.
There shall be no parking or standing on the north and west side of Shatzell
Avenue from the curbside catch basin located at the terminus of the two hour
parking zone, as described in Section 2 of this Local Law, for a distance of
approximately 50 feet curving north to the end of the existing sidewalk and
curb.
Section 4. There
shall be no parking or standing on the south side of
for approximately 27 feet along the sidewalk and curb bulb out.
Section 5.
There shall be no parking on the south side of
of the no parking and no standing zone, as described in Section 4 of this Local
Law, heading west along
Avenue
the end of the existing sidewalk.
Section 6.
It is a traffic violation for any person to violate any provision of this Local
Law as provided in Vehicle and Traffic Law §1800.
Section 7.
If any provisions of this Local Law are held to be unconstitutional or
otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining
provisions of this Local Law shall remain in effect.
Section 8. This
Local Law shall become effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Cynthia Philip
feels this proposal has come straight from the Rhinecliff Advisory Council to
public hearing. They have no agendas for
their meetings and the public should be better informed. She thinks that is not happening with this
group. Steve questioned whether she was
objecting to the proposed law or to the Council procedure and Cynthia said this
should not be considered tonight. Steve
again asked her view and she replied people of the hamlet are not
informed. Andrew Sheppard stated that
the Advisory Council meets on the exact night every month and anyone can attend
the meetings. We try to keep the hamlet
informed. Lance Renzel stated that this
concern originated back in December 2006 by 3 businesses and the Council talked
to residents. This law has been well
thought out. Kathy Kinsella said this
dialogue started last year and is well documented. At 7:20, Paul motioned and Dod seconded to
close this hearing and adopt Local Law 7 of 2007. All were in favor.
Old
Business:
1. As requested by the Rhinebeck Collaboration,
considering short-term
recommendations from the November 2006 Collaboration Conference; the
proposed date
of September 18th for a joint meeting of village, school, and town
boards;
and the need for serious deliberations and possible professional study of
the
far more complicated long-term proposals.
1. Bulk purchasing
Ellen would like to discuss insurance
coverage. Paul feels a purchasing manager
is needed for the Town and Village.
Linda also thinks a paid staff person is necessary to manage all these
managerial positions. Why not start with
a purchasing agent now. Paul stated that
Red Hook already has one. Dod would like
to develop conversation first, it is not appropriate for us to propose this
now. Linda says a point person is needed
to co-ordinate purchasing.
2. Improve promotion, coverage and
general communication through media
Dod questioned
if Town funds can be used to promote us.
said we can promote the Town just not private functions. Steve asked us to keep on track; we will make
sure we can do these listed points before committing.
3.Add school rep
to Arts and Culture Committee - no
discussion
4. Assure new
Web site links to artistic, historic and educational community assets.
- no discussion
5. Create
opportunities for planning and zoning board members to share information and
problem solves together.
6. More involvement of RCSD students in CAC and
other environmental town activities.
7. Continue
efforts to increase collaboration among the fire companies.
8. Increase
cooperation between Recreation Committee and other town committees.
Dod suggested
voting on these 8 ideas and then Paul can bring up other items. Dod then motioned with Linda seconded to
adapt short term recommendations and bring to the September 18th
conference. Motion carried
unanimously. Paul wishes to list the
possibility of exploring a purchasing agent
a sub item under #1 and also involving students in air and water
qualities a sub item in #6.
Linda motioned
and Ellen seconded to set the September 17th as the meeting
date. All were in favor.
2. Kathy reporting on submissions to FEMA for reimbursements of
repair costs
caused by the heavy rains April 14-16.
There were washouts; damage to shoulders and dozen of roads were
damaged. A grant has been filed for
$48,239.89 to cover our labor and equipment costs. It will probably take 6 weeks to get the final
approval. Linda explained that there was
about $11,500 damage at the dock area and a grant has been submitted for that
also. There was deep erosion at the sea
wall where the water was as high as the bench tops. Some repairs have been made by our
staff.
3. Linda motioned and Paul seconded to allow restoration of the soil
and grass areas at the waterfront park and close the park the week after Labor
Day. Linda explained that the boat ramp
and road would remain open. Docks would
be removed right after Labor Day.
The area would then be restored by the spring of 2008. All were in
favor.
4. Paul motioned and Linda seconded to authorize Morris & Associates
to survey Rhinecliff Landing town owned property for $1,800. Linda explained that to do any further
improvement we need to know where the Town property extends. Andrew Sheppard says a kayak storage area is
needed. Cynthia Baer, chair of the
Waterfront Committee stated the original plans call for extensions down to Long
Dock and Slate Dock Roads. Paul said
title searches are needed.
the Town Clerk has all the deeds to Town owned properties in her files.
5. Linda explained that the Waterfront
Committee, herself and Steve met with Ray Jurkowski for an engineer's estimate
of a concrete walkway and retaining wall for the waterside perimeter of
the current Landing after the storm damage.
We need to look at ways to mitigate the situation. His estimate was $23,000. Cynthia Baer said the reason for this idea is
that the old structure is steel and it is continually eroding from the
tide. We need a solid surface to prevent
water from coming through. Barbara Kraft
suggested studying what other communities have done and get a water
engineer. Lots of study is necessary for
a project like this.
6. Linda motioned and Paul seconded to request
an RFP for the waterfront from Morris & Associates. They have offered to do this at no
charge. The Waterfront Committee to
would like to seek prices from contractors for the Landing restoration work in order
to determine whether it’s more efficient to ask town employees to undertake the
project.
All were in favor of a no fee RFP.
7. Paul explained that the Cemetery Committee would like to put out a bid
for
a new truck, with an anticipated cost of $35,000. They are now using a 1984 truck which
continues to have mechanical problems.
Steve is concerned about the price tag for just a cemetery truck. They don’t use that much mileage. Kathy pointed out that the state bid for an
F350 is between $17,000-$21,500. She
needs the specs to get an extra comparison.
Paul said they need a dump truck.
Dod asked if it was in the budget and Paul replied it is in the capital
fund for the cemetery. Steve doesn’t
feel it is ready to go out to bid yet.
Dod suggested that Paul and Kathy get together and figure out the best
scenario and then come back to the Board with their suggestions.
New Business:
8. Paul explained the Cemetery is in a bind for part timers.
has had surgery, and our part timer has quit and Ryan Dowden goes back to
school soon. Ricki Stokes from the
highway department will give us 2 days a week.
The Cemetery Committee would like to hire 4 part timers to use as-needed. Linda asked if
Paul doesn’t think so. Paul motioned and
Dod seconded to hire William Harrell, Michael Lown, Zury Oates and William
Szigethy at $10.50 per hour. Motion
carried unanimously.
9. Considering proposal from the
for
new equipment, including, but not limited to security equipment such as a
structural pass through metal detector and two hand-held wands.
Town Justice William Sanchez explained the state will provide the
equipment. The State is requesting all
courts in
have some kind of metal detection to protect its citizens. Steve questioned the need for metal
detection. Willie replied the state is
recommended this system; it is a portable unit on wheels. Steve needs to be persuaded we need
this. As he sees it, it might be
overkill. Willie stated he has personally
been threatened and several
courts have had shootings. Dod feels
this is an uncomfortable topic in a rural community. He has seen this type of equipment in his
travels but it is usually more urban areas.
He would be interested in knowing the population being affected. Willie replied that in the next 10 years more
communities like Rhinebeck will have this unit.
Linda asked who decides the piece of equipment and Willie said he will
research the best units available.
Kathy Kinsella feels it is sad to think this is under discussion
however violence erupts when it is least expected. Let’s take this precaution. Sharon Rushton thinks if Willie feels this is
necessary, we should trust his judgment.
It is only an application. Ellen
said you never know where there is an unstable person. We need to protect our employees and
residents. Jude Polotaye said every town
and village in Dutchess is putting in for this grant. Andrew Sheppard doesn’t like the idea but if
the state is offering the fund we should take this opportunity. Erin Sanchez feels we need to know our
community cares enough to protect is residents.
BE IT RESOLVED that the
Assistance Program grant application in the amount of $30,000 to receive
security equipment to add their ability to provide security for their personnel
and the public who attend Court sessions.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of
and will help with any needed information regarding construction issues, etc.
BE IT RESOLVED that on August 13, 2007 this resolution was passed
by the Town of
Paul Niedercorn aye
Dod
Crane aye
Linda Souers aye
Ellen
Silverstein aye
Steve
Block aye
Motion passed unanimously.
10. Status report on discussions with the State Department of
Transportation regarding construction of a park 'n ride lot on Rt. 199
near the 9G
intersection. Steve explained that the
parking local law brought this up. That
corner needs a park’n ride. We have
talked to the county and hopefully this will come to fruition. Steve has a meeting with the County next
week.
11. Considering request from the Committee on Aging to hold
a public
meeting during the day in town hall on October 3rd to discuss the results
and
implications of the returning questionnaires on "Growing Older in
Rhinebeck,"
and an allocation of $500 to cover the costs of printing, postage, and
refreshments. Paul motioned and Dod
seconded to approve funding. All were in
favor.
Proposed Actions:
12. On motion from Paul and second from Dod special town board
work sessions on the comprehensive plan and related documents for 5 PM on
Monday, August 27, Tuesday September
11 and Monday, September 17 were unanimously approved.
13. Paul moved
and Ellen seconded to accept the resignation of Rodney Johnson and Darren
Forbes from the Thompson-Mazzarella Park Committee. All were in favor.
14. Paul motioned and Dod seconded to approve AB 8, vouchers 776-887, checks
2567, 2586 and 2596-2657 for $108,009.23.
All were in favor.
15.Paul motioned
and Linda seconded to approve Capital project H27 Dock Abstract 4, vou 5 for
$81.00, capital project H31 Town Hall Improvements , abs 7-vou 10 – check 2588
for $1,603.09, capital project H38 Parks/Rec/pool improvements Abs 11, vou
22-29, checks 2589-91 for $1,783.33, capital project H43 Stone Church
Improvements abs 7 vou 7-8, check 2592 for $333.00, cap project H62 Rhineson
Property abs 5, v6-11, checks 2593-95 for $34,712.02 and capital project H78
Cemetery Improvement abs 8, v 11-14, check 2658 for $1,208.20. All were in favor.
Adjourn
At 9:14 on motion from Ellen
and seconded by Paul this meeting was unanimously adjourned.
Respectfully
submitted,
Barbara
Cunningham
Town Clerk