November 13, 2012

The regular meeting of the Lee Town Board was held in the Town Hall, and was called to order at 7:36 PM.

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

Also present:  Highway Superintendant Bill Baker and Town Attorney, David Rapke.

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

Linda Peters of Main Street was in attendance to discuss the Public Hearing that was held at the Lee Center Post Office concerning a decrease in post office hours.  Ms. Peters stated that she was embarrassed that only 9 people attended and that no Town Officials were present.  Ms. Peters also requested that the Board Members write a letter requesting that the Lee Post Office stay open.  The Lee Center Post Office has been reduced from being open 8 hours per day, to 6 hours per day. 

Tim Dunn of Bailey, Haskell and LaLonde Insurance was in attendance to review the 2012 - 2013 Renewal Business Insurance Proposal.  Each Board Member was provided a packet showing the proposed coverage.  The total billed premium for 2012 is listed at $31,237 and $33,237 for 2013 according to the proposal.

Paul Phister, Chairman of the Bicentennial Committee, along with Virginia Ackerman and Eileen Gallagher were in attendance to provide the Board a final report regarding expenses for the bicentennial events.  The Town initially budgeted $25,000.  The report shows that there was an actual cost of $27,037.80, and were offset by fund raising such as the LeeOpoly Games, Calendar, and T-Shirt sales to total $16,599.37.  The final projected cost to the Town once the remainder of the fund raising items are sold is $7,545.80.  Board members discussed a gathering to show appreciation to the people who worked so hard on the celebration.

Engineer Tim Hogan was in attendance and recommends holding payment of the final invoice from Richard Alexander Co., who was contracted to erect the new storage building for the Highway Dept.  Work has not been completed, and some things were done incorrectly that need to be addressed.  Mr. Hogan will contact Mr. Alexander to set up a meeting with the Town Board to discuss issues such as the delayed completion of the job, but hopes the Town can put the new building on the Town insurance policy by December 1^st.

Supervisor Urtz announced that interviews were conducted on 10/23/12 for the assistant to the Water Department.  A motion was made by Patrick Hetherington, seconded by Kevin Gallagher and CARRIED to hire Robert Samuels of Meadow Drive at a salary of $7500 per year, effective 12/01/12.

Supervisor Urtz stated that the Board met with Little League for their annual meeting on 10/23/12 and discussed a joint effort for erecting an indoor batting cage at the Lee Town Park.

Correspondence was received from the NYS Department of Transportation denying the Town's request to reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph on Sleepy Hollow Road, between Thomas Rd. and Golly Rd., and NYS Route 26 and Thomas Rd.

A quote was received from David Closinski of Stone & Tile Doctors, LLC for cleaning the grout throughout the Town Hall.  The proposal was for $547.50; Town Board members are not interested at this time.

A request was received from the Tappet Twirlers to use the Lee Town Park for their 2013 car show.  A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to allow use of the park on 8/04/13 from 9 am until 3 pm. 

A motion was made by Patrick Hetherington, seconded by Alan Trombley and CARRIED to accept the internal audit done by Mike Palinski of Business Consultants for the 2012 court records of Judges Goetz and Furney.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Kevin Gallagher and CARRIED to accept the resignation of Joseph Goetz, Court Justice, effective 12/31/12.   The Board discussed and recognized Mr. Goetz's long term work with the Town.  It was decided to advertise for replacement to be appointed.  Interested parties must have resumes to Town Clerk by 12/01/12, so that interviews can be scheduled.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to accept the resignation of Gerald Milles from the position of the Town Park Custodian, effective 11/30/12.  Applications to fill the vacancy will be advertised in the Spring.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to accept the resignation of William Young as ad-hoc member of the ZBA, effective immediately and to appoint Ryckard Campbell as an ad-hoc member effective immediately until 12/31/12.

A motion was made by Patrick Hetherington, seconded by Kevin Gallagher and CARRIED to appoint Ryckard Campbell as a full time member of the ZBA, term - 1/01/2013 - 12/31/17.

It was announced that the contract with Gateway Energy was renewed at a fixed price of:

•·        Gas       .5380 per therm

•·        Elect.    .0611 per KWH

Councilman Kevin Gallagher announced that he has been looking at several different laws from various towns regarding puppy mills.  He states the Board must come together to look at several issues, and also the enforcement.  He asks the Board for input so that he can get started on writing up a local law.

Councilman Patrick Hetherington spoke regarding the increase in County taxes.  The Town does not have additional money in the budget to contribute towards the increase for the residents for this tax season, but would like to plan ahead for the future to look early in the year to better know by November if the Town has any surplus so that the County can be notified in advance if the Town is able to contribute.

A motion was made by Kevin Gallagher, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to schedule an Executive Session for 11/14/12 at 5PM to discuss a personnel matter.

Highway Superintendant Bill Baker mentioned that he is working with the State Police concerning how snowplowing will be done if the Amish are on the roadway with horse & buggy.  One option would be for the Amish to switch lanes, but that would be at their own liability.  Another option would be for them to pull into a driveway to let the plow pass, but there are very few driveways in that area.

Mr. Baker stated that OPP (One person plowing) classes will be scheduled sometime this week.  The current certificates expire 12/31/12.  This is not mandatory training.

A motion was made by Karl Matt, seconded by Alan Trombley and CARRIED to approve the bills:

General     -       $    54,926.69

                                    Highway   -      $   166,416.11

                                    Water        -      $      4,669.36

A motion was made by Patrick Hetherington, seconded by Alan Trombley and CARRIED to adjourn. The November 2012 Town Board meeting adjourned at 9:19 PM.