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 June 11, 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
Supervisor Foley called the meeting to order and asked all to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Richard Hunt, a member of the Kirkland Fitness Trails/Safe Routes to School Committee, gave a presentation to the Town Board. The Committee of twenty members seeks to develop a series of connected trails and sidewalks in the Town and Village to provide community fitness trails and safe walking routes connecting outlying portions of the community with the village center and schools. Mr. Hunt went on to explain that sidewalks make a town a neighborhood and noted the physical benefits of exercise through use of fitness trails and connected sidewalks to school.
Mr. Hunt listed the places where the Committee requested access:
--Village to Hamilton College trails via paths created by National Grid adjacent to the Oriskany Creek
--Village to the ponds on Robinson and Limberlost Roads
--Village to the Kirkland Town Park
--Village to Deansboro Fitness Trail
--Village to Clark Mills
Mr. Hunt explained how the Town of Kirkland could assist the Fitness Trail/Safe Routes to School Committee:
--Develop contiguous fitness trails and sidewalks to allow safe passage to the Village and the School. The Board received a petition, signed by 455 concerned citizens, requesting these trails and sidewalks.
--Co-sponsor grant applications for funding for fitness trails and safe routes to school and a survey for parents regarding walking & biking to school
--Create additional recreation paths in the Kirkland Town Park
--Paint more cross walks on Town roads, educate drivers about stopping at cross walks.
Supervisor Foley said that she can't imagine any Town Board members that does not think this is a fantastic idea, but the trails and sidewalks would need to be maintained and there would be additional liability insurance costs. Mrs. Foley added that taxpayers come to the Budget Hearing and complain about increases in property taxes.
Councilman Meelan said that the grants provide money to build the trails and sidewalks, but the Town pays for continual maintenance and liability. He explained that last year the Town Board cut $100,000 from the Highway Department to try and reach an acceptable budget. He also noted that Whitestown no longer maintains County roads and their highway crew has more time to maintain their complex sidewalk system.
Board members will review the proposal.
Jim Cunningham, Operator of the Clark Mills Wastewater Treatment Plant, gave a presentation on the Request for Proposals (RFP) for engineering services relative to collection system evaluation, flow management plan and growth management plan. (see minutes of March 28, page 24 & May 7, 2007, page 31) He explained that the RFP was sent out to ten engineering firms and five firms responded: Miller Engineering, Manlius, NY, PLS Engineering, Tully, NY, C.T. Male, Latham, NY, Barton & Loguidice, Syracuse, NY, Stearns & Wheler & Shumaker as a team, Cazenovia & Utica, NY. A committee headed by Councilman O'Neil evaluated the criteria submitted by the five firms. The evaluation consisted of qualifications and price and a point system was established to rate the firms:
Miller Engineering, Manlius, NY: 44 points, cost proposal $98,550
PLS Engineering, Tully, NY: 50 points, cost proposal incomplete
C.T. Male, Latham, NY: 81 points, cost proposal $64,000
Barton & Loguidice, Syracuse, NY: 82 points, cost proposal $98,000
Stearns & Wheler & Shumaker as a team, Cazenovia & Utica, NY: 97 points, cost proposal $61,500
Stearns & Wheler & Shumaker will charge $15,700 for the initial scope of Services for this project, flow management and growth management plans, which must be submitted to DEC by August 1. Supervisor Foley has secured a $15,000 NYS grant to pay for this portion of the project. The scope of services after the NYS DEC August 1, 2007 submittal will consist of infiltration & inflow analysis, identifying storm sewers to be removed and sewer repairs or replacements, evaluate the Clark Mills Sewer District for system capacity for development and future growth with recommendations. This evaluation should be complete by the end of 2008. Stearns & Wheler & Shumaker will charge $45,800 these services.
Councilman O'Neil, Committee Chairman, recommended that the Town Board hire Stearns & Wheler & Shumaker for engineering services for the project.
RESOLUTION #20
Upon motion by Councilman O'Neil, seconded by Councilman Meelan, the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that the Kirkland Town Board hire Stearns & Wheler, and Shumaker as a team for engineering services relative to collection system evaluation, flow management plan and growth management plan for the Clark Mills Sewer District in the amount of $61,500.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the resolution was declared adopted. (Councilman Yando, absent)
Mr. Cunningham will draft the contact for the initial scope of services and send it to Attorney Hallak for review.
Councilman Meelan reported that Mike Orsino, Recreation Maintenance Supervisor, wrote the specifications for bidders to replace the roof at the Senior Center. A resolution needs to be adopted to advertise for bids and schedule the bid opening.
RESOLUTION #21
Upon motion by Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman O'Neil the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that the Kirkland Town Board advertise for bids for replacement of the roof at the Senior Citizen Center and open the bids on June 27, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.
Upon the roll call vote four voted aye, none opposed and the resolution was declared adopted. (Councilman Yando absent)
A letter was received from the Town of Marcy requesting a resolution regarding qualifications for election of Kirkland Town Justices.
RESOLUTION #22
Upon motion of Supervisor Foley, seconded by Councilman Meelan the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that any resident of the Town of Kirkland qualified under New York State Law to be a candidate for election may seek the position of Town Justice or any elected position in the Town.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the resolution was declared adopted. (Councilman Yando absent)
A motion was made by Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman O'Neil to approve the minutes of May 7 and May 14, 2007 as printed.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye for the May 7th minutes, none opposed; three voted aye on the May 14th minutes, none opposed, Councilman Meelan abstained, and the motion was declared carried. (Councilman Yando absent)
Highway Superintendent Jon Scott reported that National Signage Guidelines have been adopted. The signs in the Town will not have to be changed until the end of their useful life.
Police Commissioner Venero read a letter of resignation from Nicholas Rotondo, Typist for the Police Department.
RESOLUTION #23
Upon motion of Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman Meelan the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that the Kirkland Town Board accept the resignation of Nicholas J. Rotondo, Typist, for the Kirkland Police Department, effective June 1, 2007.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the resolution was declared adopted. (Councilman Yando absent)
RESOLUTION #24
Upon motion by Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman O'Neil the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that the Kirkland Town Board appoint Christopher English to work at the Kirkland Police Department as a temporary full time seasonal laborer at $10.00 an hour, effective June 18, 2007 through August 31, 2007.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the resolution was declared adopted. (Councilman Yando absent)
Police Commissioner Venero noted that Christopher English has declined health insurance and the option to join the NYS Retirement System.
Commissioner Venero also reported that new bullet proof vests have been purchased for our Police Officers through a grant and their training has been documented. There were 305 complaints for May: 209 Town, 90 Village and 6 outside.
Police Chief English reported that speed complaints have increased and speed trailers have been placed on specific streets. Three speed studies will begin this week. The two new police cars are in service temporarily. Chief English is waiting for a $30,000 grant from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee for computerized E Ticketing systems to install in the new cars.
Supervisor Foley received a letter from the Clark Mills Fire Department requesting assistance from the Kirkland Police during their Firemen's Field Days and permission to use Town roadways for their parade.
RESOLUTION #25
Upon motion by Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman O'Neil the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that the Kirkland Town Board approve Kirkland Police assistance during the Clark Mills Firemen Field Days and parade, June 21 - 23 and grant permission to use Town roads for the parade.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the resolution was declared adopted. (Councilman Yando absent)
Supervisor Foley received a $22,348.41 check from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) reimbursing the Town for money expended as a result of the lake effect snow storms in February 2007. Additional FEMA money will come from Oneida County because the Town plows County roads.
RESOLUTION #26
Upon motion by Councilman Meelan, seconded by Councilman O'Neil the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that the Kirkland Town Board appoint Edward Kaido, 149 Sanford Avenue, Clinton, to be the Town's representative to the Lumbard Commission, effective immediately.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the resolution was declared adopted. (Councilman Yando absent)
A motion was made by Councilman O'Neil, seconded by Councilman Meelan 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 - $11,191.48, Claim #915-988
B - $17,394.02, #1006-1038, 1050
DA - $23,928.19, #989-993
DB - $8,451.46, #994-1005
SS1 - $7,429.75, #1039-1048
SS2 - $24.53, #1049
There being no further business to come before the Town Board, upon motion of Councilman Venero, seconded by Councilman Meelan the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Dianne V. Tuttle, Town Clerk
Town Of Kirkland
