REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD
TOWN OF GLENVILLE
FEBRUARY 18, 2009
AT THE GLENVILLE MUNICIPAL CENTER
18 GLENRIDGE ROAD, GLENVILLE, NEW YORK
Present: Supervisor Frank X. Quinn, Councilmen Edward F. Rosenberg, Mark A. Quinn, Christopher A. Koetzle and Councilwoman Valerie M. DiGiandomenico
Absent: None
Supervisor Quinn called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM; and Councilman Quinn gave the Invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Quinn asked the Deputy Town Clerk, Rose Mercurio, to call the roll. Everyone was present and accounted for.
Town Council Reports
Councilwoman DiGiandomenico – “Just a reminder that Indian Meadows Park is offering groomed cross country skiing and snow shoe trails for the first time. A volunteer ski enthusiast will be grooming the lengthy trails which will soon result in approximately 3 miles of useable trails. Park hours are from sunrise to sunset.”
Councilman Quinn – “Thank you to all of those who participated at the Indian Meadows over the last week end as we had our Winterfest. Thank you to the Rotary who has been a continued supporter of that event, they once again provided food and as you all know much of the fundraising for those events goes directly back into our park system.
Councilman Koetzle – “The Glenville Business Association held it’s Glenville Business Mixer called “Fall In Love With Glenville” this past week and it was well attended, Councilwoman DiGiandomenico was there. We had a lot of business owners from around the town show up.
We have a schematic here tonight, last meeting we talked about getting a Metroplex grant for façade improvement on Freemans Bridge Road. There are actually two on Freemans Bridge Road, Barrier System and Checkerhills Farm, which will both be receiving 50/50 funding match.
The Committee will continue to search for more businesses within the Town of Glenville that are interested in this. If you need more information you can call Tony Germano here at Town Hall or Jamie MacFarland or e-mail myself and I can get you all you need on it.”
Supervisor Quinn – “Next on our agenda is a public hearing which is to consider any comments or objection to the proposed modification to the plan of sewerage for Extension No. 7 to Sewer District No. 9 in the Town of Glenville.”
Supervisor Quinn opened the public hearing at 7:15 pm.
Gary Male, C.T. Male – “This is also known as Woodcrest Sewer District and last year we did a design and went out to bid for a gravity sewer down to a pumping station which would then have lifted the flow up to a man hole on the next street over. Those bids came in substantially over budget. The lowest bid was $309,000 for the construction alone. We looked at the bids and there were some things we could have done to get some money out of the project but we weren’t going to get the project down to the kind of affordability that we needed or that was envisioned in the original budget so over the intervening months there were discussions held on how we would proceed. We discussed actually moving the gravity
sewer off of the road, we discussed perhaps directional drilling the 8” gravity sewers in. There were a number of options all of which had pros and cons. What we decided to go back to the people with was to propose a pressure sewer system which would envision small diameter pressure sewers with each home having a grinder pump.
The district includes nineteen single family homes. The district boundaries are identical under this proposal as they were last time. The overall project budget remains identical at $290,000 which yields an estimated total user cost of $1,140 a year.
The use of a pressure sewer system, perhaps, is a little controversial it wasn’t preferred, I don’t believe it was preferred by the Town’s Public Works Department and certainly it wasn’t preferred by us but they do work. I firmly believe that this is the least expensive option for a municipal sewer system for that area and is the one that will be affordable for the residents.”
Supervisor Quinn – “While it is least expensive the question I have is how satisfied are you as the engineering firm with the quality of it. Is it adequate to serve the needs of the people, low maintenance, high maintenance what do you see in the future?”
Mr. Male – “My own experience is somewhat limited although actually some years ago I did specify one of these for my church. We put it in because we originally had a septic system and we needed to do something different and we don’t have grade there to get to the sewers so we needed to pump it. We put a duplex unit in and it has been running along without any problems for four or five years and I don’t believe we have had a problem with either one of the two pumps. I believe it will be fine.”
Supervisor Quinn – “While you mentioned the cost is $1,140 a year is as you see it right now, right? What was the original budget that the folks had when we went out to bid?”
Mr. Male – “The original budget was the same $290,000 but the when the bids came in the construction cost would have been around $310,000 and then you needed to add the soft cost to that so the total project budget for that particular would have probably been high three hundred thousands so I don’t believe there was any way that it was affordable. In my view this is the right thing to do.”
Supervisor Quinn – “I have got that, what I was looking for is…as it stands right now, this is $1,140 a year for these people. The people have obviously great need because of the soil conditions and everything else in that area, that is not the issue, but $1,140 compared to what would it have been per year prior to that?”
Mr. Male – “If we had run these numbers out, probably $1,500 - $1,600 a year.”
Councilman Rosenberg – “I understand that when they are running grinder pumps the one thing the board should know is when there is a power outage those pumps don’t work. So if an individual homeowner has a generator their pump would work but the lift station may not, is that correct?”
Mr. Male – “Well there is no lift station in the new proposal. Grinder pumps will pump into the pressure sewer which will go all the way to the receiving man-hole which is from gravity there on. I believe the town within the maintenance budget will have a generator that they can bring over and also power up the homes on a couple of times a day basis but that doesn’t mean that the resident will be able to use the water in the home the same way they would normally, but if you are judicious about the way you use the water during that period it should be fine or as you say if you have a generator of your own. I believe it takes a 35 watt generator to power these up, which isn’t an outlandish
size.”
Paul Matern, 104 Maplewood Drive – “I am not part of this project but the sewer line was passed in front of my house. I have a grinder pump currently that goes up to the manhole. I have two questions, I don’t have any objections to the project but I just have some questions that relates to our property.
How will the sewer line between Woodcrest and Woodhaven along Maplewood Drive be installed? Do we know if that is going to be an open cut or direct drilling?”
Mr. Male – “Yes, it could be either. I was going to bid the job just to do directional drilling but and I think that is going to be the cheapest, there is no reason for us to preclude a contractor that has the equipment and wants to excavate if he or she is going to bid it for less than the directional drill. We will certainly want to offer a bid environment that will get these residents the least cost project.”
Mr. Matern – “In the case it is directional drilling my grinder pump at some point comes out to the right-a-way probably about half way down the property and then it shoots up the right-a-way to the sewer. So if you are doing a directional drilling how are we going to keep from wrecking my line? I don’t know how directional drillings is done, I don’t know if you put a camera down there...”
Mr. Male – “No, there is no camera. There will be some risks in which case we will have to fix it. We will probably call for a couple of test pits. I don’t want to give you an answer right now when we get a bidder I want to talk with the contractor about this situation. We are going to show on the plans in an approximate location so they know there is something there that they could potentially hit.”
Mr. Matern – “So any damage would be fixed.”
Mr. Male – “Yes”
Mr. Matern – “Now once this is in, everything is okay, down the road, I haven’t had any problems with my grinder pump, the line going to the manhole but it is always the possibility that the line could break. If the line breaks it could be yours, it could be mine in the right-a-way so when that happens what do we do to figure out who takes care of the problem?”
Mr. Male – “Obviously there are two lines there, I would say that it would be the town’s responsibility to dig up the spot where it is leaking to see what it is and then in which case I don’t know how in terms of defraying the costs that would be something the town would decide.”
No one else wished to speak; Supervisor Quinn closed the public hearing at 7:26 pm.
Supervisor Quinn – “Item number 6 on the agenda is a public hearing to hear all persons interested in a proposed local law to amend the Code of the Town of Glenville Chapter 255, Vehicle and Traffic.
Supervisor Quinn opened the public hearing at 7:27 pm.
No one wished to speak; Supervisor Quinn closed the public hearing at 7:28 pm.
The following people exercised the privilege of the floor:
Jayne Adams – resident – Ms. Adams is concerned about the lack of the bulk pick up this year in the town. She feels the community is going to look like a dump. She also is concerned about the possibility of there being no leaf pick up this year as well.
Supervisor Quinn explained that the Board is working diligently to find a solution to both of these issues and stay within the budgeted amount.
The following people spoke regarding the proposed Woodlin Club development project:
Andrea McConnelee, resident – Ms. McConnelee stated that she would hate to see the demographics change in her neighborhood. She stated that as far as she knows no one in the neighborhood is opposed to housing, single family houses but the apartments are very alarming for a number of reasons.
Jack McConnelee, resident – Mr. McConnelee expressed his concerns to the board. He stated that the traffic was one concern with that many units. He stated that currently it is difficult to exit onto Glenridge Road.
Vikki Mazzone, resident – She stated that she hopes the statistics that were presented to the Town Board by the developer at their last work session would not influence the decision to approve the development. She commented that the proposed turning lanes and explained how feasible is a turning on St. Anthony’s Lane when parents from the Nursery School park their cars during peak morning hours to drop off children and then again in the afternoon to pick them up four times a day, five days a week. She questioned the safety of those children with the increased traffic. She does not feel any of the suggestions from the developer would solve the problem of the egress onto Glenridge Road much less the increase in traffic
that 116 apartments generate in our neighborhood. She stated that unless the developer can come up with an additional entrance and exit option this apartment complex in our single family neighborhood would not be a good fit.
Angie Pomykai, resident – Ms. Pomykai expressed her opinion regarding the proposed 116 apartment complex project. She supports the issues regarding increased traffic and safety issues. She stated that single family housing would probably work.
Shawn Bushway, resident – Mr. Bushway expressed his opinion regarding the Woodlin Club’s closure. He and his family were members for a very long time and he stated that it was a place for residents to come together. He feels by its closure and the closure of the other town pool will considerably degrade the quality of life of the families in the area. He asked that the Town Board be more creative and also somewhat firm about the loss of that space. He asked if there are things we could do to keep this as an amenity for the town.
Supervisor Quinn encouraged the residents to follow this proposal through its way from one commission to another. The developer is very experienced at doing these kinds of projects and doing them whether the neighbors are happy, glad, mad or sad. So he again emphasized on participation all the way through the process.
Mike Poteran, resident – Mr. Poteran stated that he made a house count, he reported that there are 91 houses in the neighborhood and the fact that they are planning on putting 119 more units and that would be a lot of traffic. He brought to the boards’ attention the fact that when the kids are at the Mayfair Nursery School a lot of the mom’s park their SUV’s along the side there getting the kids in and out. He stated that he believes that would be a major issue.
Mike Kenyon, resident – Mr. Kenyon stated that he is a new resident. He stated that he chose Glenville because it was what was best for his family. He told the board that this project would kill it; it would simply destroy this community. He informed the board that if this proposed development was there he would have never moved into this community. He stated that these types of projects will eventually drag you down and Glenville will turn into Schenectady.
Jim Markowicz, resident – Mr. Markowicz voiced his concerns about the proposed development. He stated that the traffic coming in and out is a concern and also the fact he heard that the developer indicate that they would not have sewer systems there they would have public sewers. He stated that we do not currently have sewers there and asked would we become a new sewer district and have to incur the cost of sewers. He also asked if Glencliff Elementary School would have enough room to support additional students.
Kevin Wood, resident – Mr. Wood echoed everyone’s thoughts. He stated that he enjoys his neighborhood the way it is.
Debbie Potter, resident – Ms. Potter stated that it is an absolutely beautiful neighborhood and we moved there for everybody else’s reasons; it’s quiet, it’s gorgeous and the Woodlin Club was an asset. She stated that the neighborhood is just beautiful and everyone should have a chance to raise their family in a neighborhood like this. She asked if the town could come up with any idea to maybe even maintain the pool area.
No one else wished to speak; Supervisor Quinn closed the Privilege of the Floor
Supervisor’s Comments:
Supervisor Quinn shared the following information
Supervisor Quinn concurred with Councilman Quinn’s comments about the Winterfest, it is a great event for everybody in our community.
February 10th – “I attended a meeting with the General Services Administration – NYS DEC about the GSA properties down in the Industrial Park on Route 5. We discussed the feasibility study regarding the contamination on that site.
There is contamination, it is a plume, it is migrating from the site down into the river and the aquifer protection district and some of the contaminates are showing up over in the Rotterdam wells. They agreed that there is something going on here. It is low enough that it is not causing contamination but it is certainly worth monitoring.
They all agreed on the need to continue monitoring while they solve the problem and they agreed we need to do more than just monitor it so all of the ballplayers at the table agree that they need to do something on the site to decrease the level of the contamination itself don’t just let it migrate and work its’ way out over the next 10, 50, 60 years. The options were multiple. Another agreement that they reached is to keep this off of the superfund site for the money to do this project whether that’s state superfund or federal superfund because then you get in line behind everybody else that has a project in either of these superfund’s.
Now they have to come back and say what is the best or preferred option for cleaning this up or fixing this thing and they would consult with NYS DEC on coming up with the one best solution to do it. GSA would than determine the cost for dealing with that one best solution and then GSA and DEC along with local officials would finalize is this the fix, is this the plan and everybody knows and everybody understands GSA is now and forever will be responsible for the contamination on that site.
GSA has got to figure out where they are going to get the money to clean it up and it has to go in their budget then the issue becomes is it in the regional budget, does it have to go to the national budget, if it does they get in line for the money.
On Tuesday the 24th I will be attending the monthly meeting of the Local Government Council, Center for Economic Growth.
I have asked everyone to turn in their town goals and there thoughts and ideas for ground rules for our operations as we go through this year. I ask you also take out your notes on Fire Protection District No. 4, re-read them. I got contacted by the Mayor of the Village of Scotia and their board is now interested in moving back to some of the original ideas on that to include a possible discussion on what was called at that time “Fire District X” which was a consolidating of paid and the volunteer. I haven’t got their proposal, I am supposed to get it tomorrow but their board is now interested in this. You have all of the hand outs, you got some at the last work session that are as good as any so take them
out, dust them off and as soon as I get their proposal I will get you copies of it because it will call for some work sessions between the two boards.”
Supervisor Quinn moved ahead with the agenda items.
RESOLUTION NO. 55-2009
Moved by: Councilman Rosenberg
Seconded by: Councilwoman DiGiandomenico
WHEREAS, the Town of Glenville awarded the bids brokering for lines of general property casualty insurance and workers compensation to Marshall and Sterling, and
WHEREAS, the bid for the lines of workers compensation for the Town is under budget for each of the Town expense accounts totaling approximately $8,000 exclusive of the under review price of coverage for some of the Volunteer Fire Districts workers compensation costs; and exclusive of a 2% discount for early payment that the Town is in the process of negotiating for,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Glenville Town Board authorizes the purchase of services from Marshall and Sterling of workers compensation insurance not to exceed $115,011 exclusive of insurance for Volunteer Fire Districts workers compensation costs, with the attached invoice.
Ayes: Councilmen Koetzle, Quinn, Rosenberg, Councilwoman DiGiandomenico and Supervisor Quinn
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Motion Carried
RESOLUTION NO. 56-2009
Moved by: Councilman Koetzle
Seconded by: Councilman Quinn
WHEREAS, the Glenville Environmental Conservation Commission currently has six members, with one vacancy, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Glenville advertised the vacancy for this volunteer position, and reviewed the qualifications and experience of the interested candidates,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Patricia Vieta, 610 Wagner Rd., Glenville, NY, 12302, is hereby appointed to the Glenville Environmental Conservation Commission, effective February 19, 2009, for a term ending December 31, 2009.
Ayes: Councilmen Koetzle, Quinn, Rosenberg, Councilwoman DiGiandomenico and Supervisor Quinn
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Motion Carried
RESOLUTION NO. 57-2009
Moved by: Councilwoman DiGiandomenico
Seconded by: Councilman Rosenberg
BE IT RESOLVED that the Monthly Departmental Reports for January, 2009 as received from the following:
Assessor Department
Building Department
Dog Control
Highway Department – Dec & Jan
Human Services – Nov & Dec
Justice Department
Planning Department
Receiver of Taxes
Section 8 Housing Payments
Town Clerk's Office
Water Department – Dec & Jan
be, and they hereby are accepted, approved for payment and ordered placed on file.
Ayes: Councilmen Koetzle, Quinn, Rosenberg, Councilwoman DiGiandomenico
and Supervisor Quinn
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Motion Carried
RESOLUTION NO. 58-2009
Moved by: Councilwoman DiGiandomenico
Seconded by: Councilman Koetzle
BE IT RESOLVED, that the minutes of the regular meeting held on December 3, 17, 2008, and special meeting held on December 29, 2008 be and they hereby are approved and accepted as entered.
Ayes: Councilmen Koetzle, Quinn, Rosenberg, Councilwoman DiGiandomenico and Supervisor Quinn
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Motion Carried
RESOLUTION NO. 59-2009
Moved by: Councilman Koetzle
Seconded by: Councilman Rosenberg
WHEREAS, Richard LeClair, Superintendent of Highways has informed the Town Board that the purchase of one hydraulic thumb attachment would be instrumental in efficiently completing the December 11, 2008 storm damage clean up; and
WHEREAS, the hydraulic thumb would be a great asset for all different aspects of the highway jobs from cleaning ditches to Christmas tree disposal; and
WHEREAS, Superintendent LeClair received two written quotes with Robert Finke & Sons being the lowest quote,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Glenville authorizes the Superintendent of Highways to purchase one Hydraulic Thumb from Robert Finke & Sons of Selkirk, NY in a sum not to exceed $3,110; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the funding for such purchase shall be from the proceeds of 2009 Budget Highway Equipment line 04.00.5130.2000.
Ayes: Councilmen Koetzle, Quinn, Rosenberg, Councilwoman DiGiandomenico and Supervisor Quinn
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstention: None
Motion Carried
New Business
Councilman Quinn – “I have a question regarding the Helen Estates situation. The gentleman who spoke from Woodhaven who stated that he had a vested interest because he is a member of the Woodlin Club, am I correct in hearing maybe the seeds for a discussion of a town pool or something along those lines? He seemed to be applying a little bit of pleasure as to whether that is something we would even entertain, that leads me to my question. The one thing that I did not hear in the initial presentation of this at a work session was are they in the same type of financial duress that Glenhills is in and then Ridgewood and all of the other clubs or is this just a decision by the family to we want to move on and cash in.
Does anyone here know?”
Councilwoman DiGiandomenico – “I am under the impression that the Woodlin Club was sold fairly recently to the present owner, that it is not the original owner. He is not the one that ran the swim club all of those years.”
Councilman Rosenberg – “The person that I was under the impression that purchased it I don’t think ever had any intentions in running the swim club. Historically that particular person is someone who was involved in development on Swaggertown Road where we are bringing public sewer, he was involved in that too in the background but you never heard his name. He is a person who finds lots like this and gets involved somehow and then brings the investor in for the development. I think it is a done deal, I think the pool is going to be gone.”
Councilman Koetzle – “I just want to make sure that the phone book issue we talked about at the last work session is going to be on the next work session. What we are trying to do is get it to a point where we can eliminate some of these phone books ending up at the end of your driveway or in your snow blowers. Any ideas that you may have would be helpful and you could forward those before the work session that would be helpful.
The second item for the work session would be the truth in budgeting that I sent the memo to the board on. I haven’t got back any ideas on that at this time but it may be helpful to submit them before Wednesday so we can review them.
I know we talked about having someone come in from the County and talk about Glendale Nursing Home. I would like to keep that in the hopper as well.”
Councilman Rosenberg brought up a matter regarding an article about the bulk item program in the Spotlight newspaper quoting Councilman Koetzle. Councilman Rosenberg was upset that Councilman Koetzle spoke for the entire board.
After much discussion Supervisor Quinn made a statement that when council members speak with anyone regarding town issues they should state “in my opinion”.
The Town of Glenville Town Board Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
ATTEST:
______________________________
Linda C. Neals
Town Clerk
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