VILLAGE OF ALTAMONT
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
January 3, 2006
Mayor James M. Gaughan
Trustee William F. Aylward
Trustee Kerry Dineen
Trustee Dean Whalen
Trustee Harvey C, Vlahos
7:30 pm
Attending: Attorney, E. Guy Roemer; Clerk, Jean La Crosse; Treasurer, Catherine Hasbrouck; Supt. Public Works, Timothy J. McIntyre; Chief AFD, Daniel Madison and William Hoogkamp; Building Inspector, Donald F. Cropsey, Jr.; DPW, Larry Adams, Jr.; Fire Inspector, Donald Albright; Farnsworth Middle School Students involved in “Links of Love”; 25 guests.
Mayor Gaughan called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Gaughan introduced approximately 12 students from Farnsworth Middle School and their sponsors who are receiving recognition for their humanitarian efforts to aid the victims of Katrina. Bobby Ruggles, one of the students, created a project that resulted to date in donations of $10,000 to Habitat For Humanity. Mr. Ruggles and the student volunteers and their sponsors will continue to raise funds to a goal of $15,000 representing 1500 links or 1500 miles @ $1.00 each to reach out to those in need in the devastated areas.
Trustee Whalen reported that the committee received proposals from two of the ten planning firms that were solicited. Interviews were conducted on December 29th. Both firms proved to be very capable and the interview very informative. The Committee is recommending tonight that the Board authorize entering into contract with Nan Stoltzenburg of Community Planning & Environmental Associates. Public Workshops will commence mid-February.
Keith Lee reported on the activities of the Maple Avenue Park Steering committee who met November 2, 2005 to discuss the various ongoing initiatives for the park and to update the committee members. Items discussed include Pet Patrol; Tot Play area; Culvert/Drainage; Electricity Access, and Proposed Shelter. The complete report was copied to the Board.
Mayor Gaughan thanked ACT, AFD Ladies’ Auxiliary; Altamont Free Library, Altamont Elementary School Art Department and the village staff for supporting the Puppet People’s presentation of “A Christmas Carol” on December 17 in the Village Community Room. The event was well received and attended by approximately 100 guests.
There will be a public information meeting in the Community Room on January 26, 2006 at 6:30 pm to discuss the purpose of a benefit assessment fee added to new water services. The Board of Trustee will hold a Public Hearing on this proposal at the February 7, 2005 Board Meeting when they will consider an amendment to the current Water and Sewer Regulations.
AFD Chief Madison reported on the department’s fire calls during December including a structural fire on Park Street and multiple calls at the Northeast Industrial Park. Timothy McIntyre, Supt. Public Works, was injured in one of these fires on December 8, 2005. Chief Madison presented the Board with a proposal for upgrading the Security Alarm System that was installed in the village offices and fire department in 2002. The Mayor extended thanks to the department for their fine work.
Timothy McIntyre reported on the snow season and plowing problems. Illegal parking creates difficulty for the plow drivers and Commissioner Salerno is addressing the issue. Trustee Whalen offered to plow driveways on Lincoln Avenue.
rustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Roll Call: All in favor.
William Hoogkamp, AFD, reported that the Memorial Stone is complete and shipped to the Village.
he Mayor reports that the public hearings pertaining to Senior and Veteran’s partial property tax exemption and scheduled for tonight are postponed until March 7, 2006 based on new rates and information that are forthcoming at the State and Federal levels.
Trustee Whalen made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to enter into contract with Nan Stolzenburg of Community Planning & Environmental Associates in the amount not to exceed $34.000. $26,327serves as a base contact fee allocated without additional board approval; anything beyond this base amount up to the cap would require additional board approval. Funding is as follows: $6,000 from 2005 fiscal year fund balance accounts and $20,000 is to be allocated from 2006 budget. Roll Call: All in favor
Members of the Comprehensive Planning Committee are: Harvey Vlahos; Dean Whalen; Kate Provencher; Kristen Casey; Donald F. Cropsey; Jr. Timothy McIntyre; Steve Parachini; Maurice McCormick; John Smith; Jeff Perlee; Andrea Dean and briefly, Trustee Dineen.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to accept a bid from VRS Sales of $140,872 for a new Fire Truck mini-pumper. This will replace a 1985 truck that needs considerable repair but will be retained per board approval as a back up. The new pumper will carry 300 gal. of water and better serve outlying areas that are difficult to access. Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to accept the bid as presented and recommended by Chief Madison. Roll Call:
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to hold a Public Hearing on February 7, 2006 at 8:00 pm to consider a transfer from Fire Equipment Reserve Account for the purchase of a Fire Truck mini-pumper. Roll Call: All in favor
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried to accept the slate of new officers for the Altamont Fire Department for approval as submitted as follows: Chief, Daniel Madison; 1st Assistant Chief, Paul Miller; 2nd Assistant, Mark Wertman. Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried to approve the appointment of Ronald T. Stockman, Jr. and Paul Sargent of Altamont to membership in Altamont Fire Department per recommendation of Chief Daniel Madison. Roll Call: All in favor
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to enter into an agreement with New York State Department of Transportation for the Village to accept the responsibility for future work at the Maple Avenue Park and storage facilities. This agreement, transmitted by letter drafted by the Village Attorney, E. Guy Roemer, confirms the responsibility of the Village Department of Public Works in accommodating the NYSDOT should the air space where electrical lines are installed need to be cleared. (disconnect power to the park)
Roll Call: All in favor.
The Board Minutes for December 6, 2005 and December 13, 2005 were accepted with one addition. December 6, 2005 minutes page three paragraph one should include a statement by Trustee Vlahos who recommended that the consideration of a benefit assessment be included in the Comprehensive Planning process rather than as indicated. Roll Call: All in favor
Trustee Dineen made a motion seconded by Trustee Whalen and carried to enter into Executive Session to discuss litigation. All in favor
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried to come out of Executive Session. All in favor
Trustee Whalen made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to enter into Regular Session. All in favor
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to adjourn at 9:05 pm. All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean La Crosse
lerk
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