November 9, 2022
TOWN BOARD MEETING
TOWN OF COXSACKIE
November 9, 2022
Read Budget Workshop Meeting November 16, 2022
PRESENT:
Richard Hanse, Supervisor
Thomas Burke, Councilman
Patrick Kennedy, Councilman
Linda Wilkinson, Councilwoman
Michael Veeder, Councilman
Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk
GUESTS:
Helen Meier, David Meier, Carol Metz, Patrick Doyle, Kris Garvey,
Donna Wasilewski, Wanda Dorpfeld, Joseph Warren, Gordon Bennett
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Hanse at 7:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion to accept the minutes of October 11 and October 27 was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
The public hearing on the 2023 preliminary budget was opened; legal notice presented. Donna, the acting budget officer reported that the Town has not pierced the tax cap in the past 6 years; and has basically been working off the surplus. Surplus numbers are down from one million to $500,000. Health insurance is up about 15%, ambulance workers compensation costs are up about 13% due to claims. The ambulance contract calls for 4% raises retroactive for 2022. Effective January 1 the ambulance pay scale will increase by $2.00 per hour. Currently the tax rate is 22.4% A motion to close the public hearing at 7:10 pm was made by Michael Veeder seconded by Linda Wilkinson and duly carried.
The public hearing on proposed Local Law #3-2022 to override the tax levy limit was opened. A motion to close the public hearing at 7:13 pm was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
A motion to adopt Local Law #3-2022 was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes; 3 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy Noes: 2 – Veeder, Wilkinson
Meeting opened for public comments:
Helen Meier read a prepared statement regarding the Host Agreement with Flint Mine Solar.
Patrick Doyle gave an update on Flint Mine Solar. He would like to have a finalized host agreement in place before the end of the year. He wanted to clarify that the IDA is authorized to do PILOTS; payments are secure.
Carol Metz would like to encourage more people to come have meals at the Senior Center. Linda reported that in January Carol will become Vice President of the Senior Club.
Helen Meier stated that the Senior Center is lovely but what about the kids; there is nothing for the children to do. Rick noted that there are activities for youth through various churches, fire companies, school and the library.
Board members were provided with written reports of Code Enforcement and Chief of EMS.
Gordon Bennett sole assessor was asked to explain proposed Local Law #2-2022 the Solar Energy System PILOT law – a public hearing was held on the proposed law at the August board meeting. Greene County has already passed the law and Gordon urges the Town to do the same. The proposed law will only affect solar arrays larger than 50kw. The law was drafted to combat the low PILOT offers from developers and will provide for fair and consistent revenue stream for the taxing jurisdictions. Real Property Tax Law section 487 gives the Town the option for a PILOT or a solar exemption which gives a wholly exempt status, no taxes are paid for 15 years. This is for installations where the power generated is used primarily on-site. A Host Community Agreement is only an option if a PILOT is in place. Any development that goes through the IDA is not subject to the proposed law. The Town has no control over what the IDA does.
A motion to adopt Local Law #2-2022 as presented was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Wilkinson Noes: 1 – Veeder
A Professional Services Agreement with Delaware Engineering for the Ely Street Water Main extension project was presented. This project will be funded with the ARPA money leftover from the Kings Road Sewer project that the Town received and earmarked for said project. The existing private line would be replaced and extended. The Town has no interest in expanding the project beyond providing water to the present users of the old water line. A motion to authorize the Supervisor to sign the agreement as presented as made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
Ayes: 6 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder, Wilkinson
General Fund and Highway bills in the amount of $213,763.01 were audited on abstract #11, voucher numbers 2022-733 through 2022-792.
A motion to accept the October Justice reports as presented was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.
At 7:55 pm a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter and contract negotiations was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
At 8:30 pm a motion to come out of executive session was made by Michael Veeder seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.
A motion to schedule a budget workshop meeting for Wednesday, November 16 at 6:00 pm was made by Michael Veeder seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
As previously discussed, the Judges have decided to forgo their 4% increase and have asked that it be distributed between the Court Clerks. Both clerks will get 4% and will receive the Judge’s 4% as follows: Jackie will receive $500, and Norma will receive $1493. A motion to approve was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Linda Wilkinson and duly carried.
Ayes: 5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy Veeder, Wilkinson
Linda asked if Tal Rappleyea would be receiving a 4% increase. Rick stated that he would be.
Donna said she would be happy to meet with anyone who has questions before the next meeting on the budget.
Delinquent water and sewer charges were presented; prepared by the Village Clerk. A motion to approve amounts to be added to the January 2023 tax bills as presented was made by Linda Wilkinson seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
Ayes: 5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder, Wilkinson
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