Town Board Meeting Minutes
Posted on: 1/24/2008
Date of Minutes:
12/03/2007
DECEMBER 3, 2007 TOWN OF
PRESENT: Supervisor Steve Block 13 residents
Councilman Dod Crane Richard Cantor
Councilman Paul Niedercorn
Councilwoman Ellen Silverstein
Councilwoman Linda Souers
Counsel Warren Replansky
Engineer Ray Jurkowski
At 6:49 the Supervisor
opened this meeting. Ray Jurkowski
explained the 2008 Vanderburgh Cove Sewer District budget. The pumping expenses have gone from $22,000
to $80,000 due to the state of the system.
This budget only addresses operational and maintenance expenses. There are no capital improvements. The total budget is $146,464.20.
pointed out that any capital improvements in 2007 would be payable in 2008.
VANDERBURGH COVE SEWER DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING
At 7:02 the public hearing
for Vanderburgh Cove Sewer District was opened on motion from Dod and second
from Linda.
Richard Cantor, attorney for
the Cove residents stated he has a number of objections concerning this budget:
- the district does not actually exist per his
clients. It is not validly formed
district. - This Town Board has no authority to approve
budget expenditures for
residents. - The litigation resolution states that in May,
1990 the district was formed per Section 12A of the and it should have
been created under Section 12. He
asserts that these expenditures are part of the Town’s expenses not a
separate sewer district. - The Cove residents cannot participate in
tonight’s discussion meaningfully since the core of public participation
cannot happen without more detail to the budget.
Howard
Goldman does not feel the cost of the legal fees should be the responsibility
of the Cove residents. The additional
$80,000 for pumping is irresponsible and extreme.
Sally
Mazzarella assumed some capital expenditures would be in the 2008 due to the
failing system. She also expected to see
more detail. There has been a lot of
discussion about the failing system but it is not even addressed in this
budget.
bond but with the lawsuit everything is at a stand still. Dod Crane feels there was a documented
solution and the lawsuit has halted the bonding process. Steve Block pointed out that this board went out
to bid 3 times and then the lawsuit happened.
Time is not on the Town’s side.
The life span of the current system was 10 years and now it has been
almost 20 years. It is on its last
leg. The Town has to protect itself,
this is a district problem.
Dod
questioned how the sludge projection was arrived at in the budget and Ray
explained that the pumping has drastically increased and the past 3 quarters
were averaged. It could get potentially
worse.
Harold
Goldman stated the manholes have not been repaired and questioned why not.
responded these are litigation issues and cannot be discussed. Irene Winnie said the Town Boards has said
they would do maintenance and nothing has happened. Mr. Goldman feels someone has to be
responsible. The residents are being
hurt, not the politicians.
Since
the public has no more comments, Steve said the Board has the choice to keep
this hearing open or close it tonight.
Dod would like to see the pumping costs are appropriate or if there is
room for adjustment. He also feels the
public has spoken but if the Board needs more information, an extension would
be a good idea. Steve suggested voting at the December 27 meeting.
suggested extending the public comment period 10 days December 13th
for written comments. Ray will get the
figures to the Town Clerk within 3 days and email a copy directly to Richard
Cantor.
On
motion from Paul and second from Dod this public hearing was unanimously
extended to December 13th for written comments.
The
hearing was closed at 7:54 pm.
Respectfully
submitted,
Barbara
Cunningham
Town
Clerk