August 9, 2022
TOWN BOARD MEETING
TOWN OF COXSACKIE
August 9, 2022
PRESENT:
Richard Hanse, Supervisor
Thomas Burke, Councilman
Patrick Kennedy, Councilman
Michael Veeder, Councilman
Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk
Linda Wilkinson, Councilwoman
GUESTS:
Carol Metz, Michael H. Rausch, Eliza Spear, Patrick Doyle, Al Kaplan, David Meier, Tad Johnston, Kim Bender, Georgia Wells, Kris Garvey, Richard Garvey
PRESS: Maura Rosner, Daily Mail
A motion to accept the minutes of July 12 was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.
The public hearing was opened on proposed local law #2-2022 Solar Energy Pilot Law; legal notice presented. Supervisor stated that the law was modeled after the County’s and would standardize PILOT rates on solar projects above 50 KW.
Mike Veeder ran some numbers after speaking with Patrick Doyle regarding the PILOT agreement and the Host agreement. He found that there was a big difference between those figures. A PILOT agreement of $8750 over 15 years would be $907,904.39 (split with Town of Athens and school). A Host agreement of $5,000 over 15 years would be $1,729,341.69 (to the Towns and not the school).
Carol Metz asked what difference between Host and Pilot agreements. Host is negotiated directly with the Towns – Coxsackie and Athens. The school does not get any of the Host agreement money. The PILOT is negotiated with the IDA and goes to the Towns, and the school.
A motion to close the public hearing at 7:10 was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
Bids were opened for the demolition and clean-up of 4 County Route 26 property (Quarry Steak House). Legal notice was presented. The following bids were received: Stamford Wrecking Company $105,250.00; Provincial Contractor Services LLC $32,000; Halsted Excavating Corp. $98,000. All three included the non-collusion certificate. Discussion on asbestos abatement. Michael Rausch provided a timeline regarding the structure: 1949/50/51 Rocky’s Tavern was built – single story building (no basement); 1973 purchased and renamed The Quarry Steakhouse; in 1974 large banquet room with peaked roof built on the South side of the original section. Trudy’s Lounge was built in 1981/1982 on the north side of original section. Tad Johnston chimed in on the issue of asbestos – he recommends that an environmental company be hired to do testing; abatement is not a cheap or easy process. The bid award was tabled pending advice of counsel.
Meeting opened for public comments:
Kim Bender and Eliza Spear of the Community Garden addressed the board with an update. All 22 boxes are rented, and they are rapidly expanding. They are working with non-profits, making new connections. The Coxsackie-Athens Rotary has donated a shed to the garden which they would be placing outside the garden wall. They have already approached the Village and wanted to make sure the Town had no issues with it. Looking for some stone; would like to have a pathway to the garden. Discussion ensued. Highway Superintendent will see what he can do to assist.
Michael Rausch, Town Historian introduced himself. He reported that he was present at the Riverside Festival and at the opening of the park with historical images on display at both events. He continues to meet with people and answer phone inquiries. Tom Burke stated that the Town is very fortunate to have Michael and asked that the board remember him at budget time.
Patrick Doyle reported that they are still moving along; continue discussions with Central Hudson.
Tad Johnston of Delaware Engineering addressed the board with his recommendation to award the bid for the Kings Road sewer project. Bids (two) were opened and read publicly on July 15 at Town Hall. Tad has reviewed all the documents submitted with the bid packages; JAT Construction was the lowest bidder at $322,097. Bellamy Construction came in at $454,695. A Resolution to award the bid was presented. Thomas Burke made a motion to award the bid to JAT Construction which was seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent: 1 – Wilkinson
Highway Superintendent Ross reported that his roads are finished (paved and sealed) in accordance with the 284 Agreement. They are trucking for the Village as they are getting ready to do Sunset Blvd. All the stone has been hauled in for Potic Mountain Road. Working with the DEC on applications for repairs to Potic Creek bridge.
Supervisor provided a proposed amendment to the Town’s procurement policy. Cost limitations were increased by 50% . It was noted that these amounts have not been raised in the past 15 years. A motion to adopt the new policy was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent: 1 – Wilkinson
Procurement of payroll services was discussed last month. A motion to retain PayChex as soon as practicable was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent: 1 – Wilkinson
Supervisor asked for Authorization of Town officials/employees to attend AOT meeting February 19-23 in NYC. AOT is giving discounts for early registration by October 31. The hotel rooms are also being discounted if booked by October 31. Thomas Burke made a motion seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried. Anyone deciding to go after the October 31 deadline will have to pay the difference.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent: 1 – Wilkinson
A request to have the Senior Center floor cleaned in the dining room was received by Ken Brooks of Greene County Dept of Human Services. Betty Bellnier currently cleans the bathrooms and has agreed to clean the floors $50 per cleaning, twice a month following Senior Club meetings. The highway department will assist on notice of the stacking and unstacking of the chairs. Thomas Burke made the motion which seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent: 1 – Wilkinson
On motion of Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried the commercial stove at the Senior Center was declared surplus and will be replaced with a new non-commercial stove.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent: 1 – Wilkinson
Donation request was received from the Greene County Historical Society for $750 to assist with the purchase of new signage. Patrick Kennedy made a motion seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried to donated $750. Rick recused himself as he is a member of the Greene County Historical Society Board of Trustees.
Ayes: 3 – Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Abstain: 1 – Hanse Absent: 1 – Wilkinson
General Fund and Highway bills in the amount of $115,190.59 were audited on abstract #8, voucher numbers 2022-544 through 2022-605.
A motion to accept the June Justice reports as presented was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.
Rick stated that his bookkeeper has resigned her position of that and budget officer effective August 31, her last day in the office will be August 25 as she will be taking vacation. A motion to accept the resignation of Karen Pautz was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent: 1 – Wilkinson
Rick has found a replacement for the position of his bookkeeper. Donna Wasilewski will begin her position as supervisor’s bookkeeper September 1. Until that time, she needs to be appointed as a part time clerk to work with Karen until the end of the month, allowing her access to confidential documents, payroll, etc. The rate of pay as part time clerk will be $16 per hour effective August 10.
Thomas Burke made the motion to hire Donna Wasilewski as a part time clerk through the end of August which was seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent: 1 – Wilkinson
Mike noted that he has received Earlton’s budget, they are asking for a two-year contract. He is still waiting on Hose 3.
At 8:08 pm a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing litigation and contract negotiations was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
At 8:23 pm a motion to come out of executive session and adjourn the meeting was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
Copies of all resolutions, agreements, and contracts are on file in the Town Clerk’s Office.
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Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk
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