January 10, 2012

The regular meeting of the Lee Town Board was held in the Town Hall, and was called to order at 7:30 PM.

Present were:  Supervisor John Urtz, Councilmen Kevin Gallagher, Alan Trombley, Patrick Hetherington and Karl Matt.

Also present was Town Attorney, David Rapke.

Highway Superintendent, Bill Baker.

The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Kevin Gallagher and CARRIED to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.

Tim Hogan of Hogan Engineering came to tonight's meeting to re-introduce the bidding for the new highway storage building.  He suggests advertising in a few other venues he named that would be at no charge, so that the Town will receive more bids as we only received 1 last year.  Once a few minor revisions are done to the plans, a Special Meeting will be held, and then put out to bid.  It is hoped that bids can be opened in March's meeting.

A motion was made by Kevin Gallagher, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to approve Local Law #1 of 2012 "Brush, Grass & Weeds Law of the Town of Lee, NY".

Highway Superintendant Bill Baker announced that Verizon has completed the project of running fiber optic lines on Podunk Rd. and there were no conflicts with the water line, which was of concern.  Water Supervisor David Piersall also commented and was involved with discussions with Verizon.

Mr. Baker informed the Board that the Town has picked up approximately 4.7 miles according to the official road map and that there are approximately 70 miles of town road.  A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to accept the official road map and road abandonments.

Supervisor Urtz introduced a section of the minutes from 1967 stating that health insurance is available to town officers and employees.  Subsequent to that policy, Mr. Urtz further defined eligibility by mirroring what NYS Retirement used at the time to determine eligibility.  This policy states all employees; elected or appointed whose salary is equal to or greater than the federal minimum wage, multiplied by $2000 are eligible.  Councilman Patrick Hetherington requested tabling the discussion as he is not in agreement with the guidelines that are currently in use.  It was decided to hold another work session to investigate further and discuss.  A motion was made by Karl Matt, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to table.

L. James Jones, Chairman of the Planning Board was in attendance to request an extension on the deadline of 1/31/12 to vote on the appeal made by Bob Carrier to erect a single family unit in Raven Rock Estates.  Not all members of the PB will be available to meet before that date and the requirement is that ALL members vote.  A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to allow voting to be done at the next regularly scheduled meeting of 2/07/12.  It was also stated by Town Attorney that there is no need to hold another Public Hearing on the issue.

A quote was received by Innovative Designs Engineering and Architecture for engineering services for the HVAC system in the Town Hall.  To make adjustments to the existing system and create 3 zones, a total estimated cost of $17,000 was quoted.  Alternatively, a price of $120,000 was given to put in a new system.  It was noted that the existing system is approximately 22 years old and most systems have a 30 year life cycle and that the current system has used up about 70% of its typical life.  The Board has decided to discuss this at the work session to be scheduled.

The Town Board is arranging an informational meeting with Chesapeake Energy to learn more about hydrofracking and how it is done, and also to describe benefits for local governments and landowners.  A motion was made by Kevin Gallagher, seconded by Alan Trombley and CARRIED to tentatively set a date of 2/16/12 at 6PM.  This will be for members of NOCCOG and for Town of Lee residents.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to continue with state bid for low sulphur fuel rather than to go to bid.

A bid was received from Walt Buhler for $200 to purchase the old park gang mower.  This was put out to bid in the past with no response.  A motion was made by Karl Matt, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to accept.

Organizational Meeting

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to enter into agreement with the Association of Towns for 2012, with a membership fee of $1000.00.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Kevin Gallagher and CARRIED to enter into agreement with Carefree Lawn Service for the 2012 season at a cost of $625.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to enter into agreement with NOCCOG for 2012, with a membership fee of $1000.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to pay the Highway Superintendant dues for 2012 at a cost of $75.

A motion was made by Karl Matt, seconded by Alan Trombley and CARRIED to enter into agreement with the Rome Humane Society at a cost of $180 per dog for 2012, contingent upon the return of a representatives signature on the Town's addendum.

A motion was made by Kevin Gallagher, seconded by Alan Trombley and CARRIED to accept the following appointments for the two year period beginning 01/01/2012 and expiring 12/31/2013, unless otherwise stated.

Banks - Berkshire Bank

Newspaper- Rome Sentinel

Meeting Date - Second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall

Town Attorney - David Rapke Esq.

 Zoning Officer - Ivan Pritchard

Head Assessor - Patricia Box, for one year (exp. 12/31/12)

Deputy Supervisor - Eileen Urtz

Deputy Town Clerk - Gene Gehman

Constable - Regular Work - Linda Russello

Constable - Dog Summons - AnnMarie Dolan

Dog Control Officer - AnnMarie Dolan

Bingo Inspector - Linda Russello

Water Superintendent - Debora Finster

Water Supervisor - David Piersall

Budget Director - John Urtz

Town Engineer - hired by contract

Secretary of Planning Board/ZBA - Sharon Merrill

Member Planning Board - Dennis Sexton (reappointed, exp. 2017) - Done

Member Zoning Board - David Russell, Sr. (reappointed, exp. 2016) - Done

Court Clerk - Dawn Tartaglia

Town Historian - Virginia Ackerman

Town Historian - Mary Centro

Accountant - Business Consultants of America (Mike Palinski)

Building Codes Inspector - Vito Piemonte

Building Activities Coordinator - Peter Maio

NOCO - John Urtz

It was announced that the current Procurement Policy and Indemnification Policy will continue in 2012, with no changes.

The books and annual reports of those persons handling Town monies were read, accepted and CARRIED by motion.  Approvals signed by Supervisor John Urtz.   Those are as follows:

Tax Collector - Christine Casadei; motion by Karl Matt, second by Alan Trombley.     

Town Clerk - Sharon Mortis; motion by Alan Trombley, second by Kevin       

 Gallagher

Codes Inspector - Vito Piemonte; motion by Karl Matt, second by Alan Trombley.

Zoning Officer - Ivan Pritchard; motion by Karl Matt, second by Alan Trombley.

Town Justices Dan Furney and Joseph Goetz - Dawn Tartaglia; motion by Alan

 Trombley, second by Karl Matt, subject to an internal audit by Business Consultants Mike Palinski, Town Accountant.

Water Department - Debora Finster; will review report at next meeting due to the unavailability of the software program while switching over the computer network.

Highway Superintendant Bill Baker gave his report to the Board of work completed in 2011, including paving, tree removal, stone & oil, culverts, ditching and catch basins.

Water Supervisor David Piersall questioned the Board whether his request for items needed for the Water Department has been approved.  The Board did not believe there was enough money in the budget for 2012 as his request was made after the budget was completed.  The main item needed is a 3" pump.  It was discussed that the purchase is made and the pump be used by both the Water Department and the Highway Department.  Both departments currently have 2" pumps, which may be sold in the future if not needed.

A work session was scheduled for 1/17/11 at 6:30PM to discuss the following:

            Health Insurance

            Heating & Cooling system

            Highway storage building

A motion was made by John Urtz, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to pay the bills.

General     -       $   70,406.70

                                    Highway   -      $   39,047.59

                                    Water        -      $   85,244.91

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Kevin Gallagher and CARRIED to go into Executive Session for discussion on employee concerns.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 9:25 PM.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to adjourn. The January 2012 Town Board meeting adjourned at 9:27 PM.