July 12, 2022
TOWN BOARD MEETING
TOWN OF COXSACKIE
July 12, 2022
PRESENT:
Richard Hanse, Supervisor
Thomas Burke, Councilman
Patrick Kennedy, Councilman
Michael Veeder, Councilman
Linda Wilkinson, Councilwoman
Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk
GUESTS:
Tad Johnston, Carol Metz, Patrick Doyle, Chris Chimento,? not legible, Brenden Riley, Cathy Hewitt, M.K. Garvey
PRESS: Maura Rosner, Daily Mail
The meeting was called to order by Deputy Supervisor, Michael Veeder at 7:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion to accept the minutes of June 14 and June 30 was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.
The public hearing was opened on proposed local law #1-2022 Zoning Amendment to Regulate the Sale of Cannabis; legal notice presented. Supervisor stated that the law would restrict the sale of cannabis to the industrial and commercial zones.
Carol Metz voiced her concerns.
A motion to close the public hearing at 7:07 pm was made by Thomas Burke, seconded by Linda Wilkinson and duly carried.
The regular meeting was opened for public comment.
Patrick Doyle introduced Dylan Levings of DESRI, the new owner/operator of the Flint Mine project. Patrick had worked with Dylan for the last six months and plans to stay involved.
Mr. Levings distributed information regarding their company. Ownership of the Flint Mine Solar project was transferred to them in June.
Carol Metz reported that they had 20 people in for lunch today at the Senior Center. She invited the board to attend lunch one day in July as a gift/thank you. Meals cost $4.00; and need to be reserved a day in advance. Carol serves and delivers meals on Tuesdays. She went on to say that things are running smoothly and once again thanked the board for having the parking lot paved which is still holding up.
Supervisor reported that there is $100,000 in ARPA funding from the County which has been earmarked for the paving of Potic Mountain Road. A Resolution was presented to award the bid for paving of Potic Mountain Road to the Gorman Group and to authorize the Highway Superintendent to purchase stone and related materials in accordance with said quote. A motion to adopt the resolution was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes: 5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder, Wilkinson
Attorney Rappleyea reported on the status of real property located at 4 County Route 26 (Quarry Steak House. He stated that since the owners did not show up for the hearing which was scheduled for this evening at 7:00 pm with their plan to rectify the unsafe structure, the Town has the right to continue with the process of demolition and removal.
Michael Veeder made a motion which was seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried to move forward relative to this matter. The Town intends to demolish the structure and clear the property, all costs to be borne by the owner. The project will be put out to bid immediately. Once bids are received the Town will provide the owner with an additional 30 days to rectify the situation.
Ayes: 5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder, Wilkinson
Proposed retirement resolution and reappointment of Town Assessor was presented for consideration. Gordon Bennett is planning to retire from the Town effective July 19, 2022,
so that he can begin collecting his NYS pension. In accordance with NYS Retirement, Gordon may be reappointed after at least a one-day separation from Employment, however, the Town will have to perform a search for a replacement assessor.
A motion was made by Thomas Burke second by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried to accept the retirement of Gordon Bennett effective July 19, 2022, and reappoint him as Town Assessor effective July 21, 2022, for the balance of his term to end September 30, 2025, at the same rate of pay as before retirement and shall have office hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Ayes: 5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder, Wilkinson
Proposed Local Law #2-2022 Solar Energy System PILOT Law was presented. This law will ensure that municipalities receive PILOT payments that provide a fair and consistent revenue stream for the taxing jurisdictions. This law is based on the County’s model. A motion to schedule a public hearing for August 9 at 7:00 pm on this matter was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Linda Wilkinson and duly carried.
Ayes: 5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder, Wilkinson
A motion to adopt Local Law #1-2022 as presented was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes: 5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder, Wilkinson
Town Clerk passed along a letter received from Gilda & Pete Pascuzzi regarding the speed limit on County Route 51.
Mike Veeder reported that he received the budget for Earlton Fired Department and is waiting for Coxsackie Hose Company No 3. To provide theirs. He and Patrick will begin negotiations soon as both fire protection contracts are up for renewal.
Mike stated that in light of the recent situation with bookkeeper, the Town should look into a payroll service and that Karen be provided with backup. He uses a payroll company for his business; they do the W2’s as well. Discussion ensued. Mike went on to say that since Karen was unable to process the vouchers for tonight’s meeting he is asking if the board can approve the bills via email. The board agreed.
At 7:40 pm a motion to enter into executive session with attorney Rappleyea for the purpose of discussing litigation and contract negotiations was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
At 8:06 pm a motion to come out of executive session and adjourn the meeting was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Patrick Kennedy 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
Read minutes from last month