Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Kirkland held at the Town of Kirkland Municipal Building, 3699 NYS Route 12B, Clinton, Oneida County, New York on April 25, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Present:
Supervisor Annette S. Foley
Councilman Robert J. Meelan
Councilman Nicholas S. Venero
Councilman Michael D. O'Neil
Absent:
Councilman Harvey N. Yando
Attorney for the Town: Anthony G. Hallak, Esq.
Supervisor Foley called the meeting to order.
Michael Griffin, Codes & Zoning Enforcement Officer for the Town of Kirkland, gave a presentation to the Town Board. Mr. Griffin explained in detail the duties of his job. His responsibilities overlap with other Town Code Enforcement Officers and Department Heads such as Building Inspector, Fire Code Inspector, Superintendent of Highways. Mr. Griffin does routine inspections of properties throughout the Town for codes and zoning violations. He noted that property maintenance violations consume the largest part of his time. Mr. Griffin also explained three amendments that should be made to the Town's Zoning Code:
-Property Maintenance Law - establish a time frame for repairing structures that have incurred damage through wind, fire, snow etc. The repairs should begin within a certain amount of days and completed within a certain amount of days. Extensions could be granted by an Enforcement Officer for hardship cases.
-Require a permit for the sale of a personal motor vehicle in a commercial zone or not allow it at all. He said that the Town has no law that prohibits individuals from selling a vehicle in a Commercial Zone.
Also, a time frame should be established on how long a vehicle can remain for sale and how many vehicles can be sold in a year from a particular property.
-Eliminate the word "vacant land" in Section 68-35, B. Mr. Griffin explained that it is very difficult to maintain large areas of vacant land in the country. The Code was intended for maintenance of vacant building lots in populated areas.
Anthony Arcuri, Accountant, gave a presentation on the financial condition of the Town. He prepared the Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2006. Mr. Arcuri said that the Town was in sound financial condition due to the fiscal conservatism of the Board and conservative revenue estimates during budget preparation. Mr. Arcuri noted that the Town has not incurred much debt. The Town has 18 funds, with each fund requiring a separate bank book account along with each monthly reconciliation. Some of the funds are for special assessment districts such as water, sewer and fire protection. Mr. Arcuri suggested that some of the other funds be consolidated. He thanked RoseMarie Arcuri, Supervisor's Secretary, for her assistance
A motion was made by Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman O'Neil to approve the minutes of April 9, 2007 as printed.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the motion was declared carried. (Councilman Yando absent)
Highway Superintendent Jon Scott reviewed the annual Roadside Mowing Agreement with Oneida County. The Town of Kirkland Highway Department will mow the roadsides of the County roads in the Township. The County Department of Public Works will stripe the Town roads, with the Town only paying for the paint.
RESOLUTION #13
Upon motion by Councilman Meelan, seconded by Councilman O'Neil the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that the Kirkland Town Board approve the 2007 Roadside Mowing Agreement between Oneida County and Town of Kirkland.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the resolution was declared adopted. (Councilman Yando absent)
Supervisor Foley received a letter from the Department of Environmental Conservation stating that their staff will continue collecting and testing road kill deer for Chronic Wasting Disease during the spring and summer.
A letter was received from Elaine Muirhead, St. Mary's Avenue, requesting sidewalks on Franklin Avenue. She noted that increased traffic endangers the elderly and handicapped residents, who walk or use wheelchairs in that area.
The Board discussed various options but did not come to any conclusions. Town Attorney Hallak recommended that the Board avoid installing sidewalks because of the legal liability.
Mr. George Graziadei resubmitted his request to lower the speed limit on upper College Hill Road from the Kirkland Town line east to the intersection of Miller Road. Mr. Graziadei submitted the first request in April of 2005. The NYS Department of Transportation did a study and found that the need for a reduced speed limit had not been met.
RESOLUTION #14
Upon motion by Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that the Kirkland Town Board request the Department of Transportation, pursuant to Section 1622.1 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, to establish a lower maximum speed at which vehicles may proceed on College Hill Road between the Kirkland Town line east to the intersection of Miller Road.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the motion was declared carried. (Councilman Yando absent)
A motion was made by Councilman Meelan, seconded by Councilman O'Neil to pay the bills as audited. Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the motion was declared carried. The totals were:
A - $34,256.71, Claim #625-661, 662 void, 663-672; B - $13,671.47, #673-700;
DA - $35,960.55, #701-719; DB - $1,347.04, #720-722
SS1 - $163.53, #723-725; SS4 - $15,187.50, #726
A motion was made by Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman Meelan to go into executive session to discuss a discipline matter of a particular person.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the motion was declared carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman Meelan to adjourn the executive session.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the motion was declared carried.
There being no further business to come before the Town Board, upon motion of Councilman Meelan, seconded by Councilman O'Neil the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Town Of Kirkland
