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 September 26, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Present:
Supervisor Annette S. Foley
Councilman Robert J. Meelan
Councilman Harvey N. Yando
Councilman Michael D. O'Neil
Attorney for the Town: Anthony G. Hallak, Esq.
Absent:
Councilman Nicholas S. Venero
Supervisor Foley called the meeting to order and recognized Joseph Abraham, Vice President of the Clark Mills Historical Society. Mr. Abraham would like to use an area in the cellar of the Senior Citizen Building to display the Society's memorabilia. Board members discussed cleaning and painting that area. The Clark Mills Historical Society will move into the building by the end of October.
Councilman Meelan noted that he would like to accept the low bid of Belois Roofing in the amount of $24,600 to replace the Senior Center/Police Department roof. He would also like to wait until next year to replace the roof. The bid price would stay the same except the Town would pay Mr. Belois if the price of nails and/or shingles increased. Mr. Meelan will have Mr. Belois sign an escalator clause.
Councilman Meelan reported that both compressors were used at the Arena to make ice due to the warm weather. The Pro Shop and the concession stand are operating and two businesses are going to advertise on the signboard.
A motion was made by Councilman Yando, seconded by Councilman O'Neil to approve the minutes of August 13, August 29 and September 10, 2007 as printed.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the motion was declared carried. (Councilman Venero absent)
Supervisor received a notice County Executive Anthony Picente has declared a water emergency in Oneida County due to the extremely low water levels at Hinkley Reservoir, which serves as a supply source for the Mohawk Valley Water Authority.
The Town Clerk informed the Town Board that she received a Petition for Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance from Harold Heintz on September 24, 2007. Mr. Heintz requests that the zoning on his 6.9 acre vacant parcel purchased from the Lloyd family located on NYS Route 12B be changed from Residential to Commercial. A copy of the Petition was given to Supervisor Foley and Attorney Hallak.
Attorney Hallak reviewed the petition and the land has not been appropriately subdivided. There was a 2005 subdivision of the Lloyd land and the proposed lot was specifically excluded from the subdivision. The petition is improper. The parcel is contiguous with Town property which is in a designated wetland area and presents problems. Mr. Hallak also noted that all the adjoining parcels to Mr. Heintz's land are residences.
Supervisor Foley reported that the All Cities Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers' Consumer Price Index between 9-1-06 and 9-1-07 was 1.8% and based upon this information the Highway Department contract salary increase for 2008 will be a minimum raise of 3%, not 4%.
Attorney Hallak noted that two months ago we received a proposal from Robert Breining, who is under contract to buy the old mill property on Main Street in Clark Mills, to purchase the vacant land contiguous to the mill and owned by the Town of Kirkland. The land is located next to the Clark Mills Fire Department. The $8,000 offer was rejected and Mr. Hallak had the property evaluated by Paul Hatzinger, Inc., Real Estate Appraisers. The property is encumbered by some sink holes and some other improvement issues. The appraisal valued the property between $9,000 and $10,500. Mr. Breining agreed to purchase the property for $10,500 and he would pay for an environmental study and a survey. Mr. Hallak requested a recommendation to dispose of the surplus property.
A motion was made by Councilman Meelan, seconded by Councilman O'Neil to sell the Town of Kirkland surplus vacant parcel of land off of Main Street, in Clark Mills (part of tax map #315.018-1-1) to Mr. Robert Breining for $10,500. Board members reviewed the map of the area and realized that members of the Clark Mills Fire Department use that land to park their personal vehicles when responding to a fire. The frontage of the Fire Department lot is only 54 feet wide. Councilmen Meelan and O'Neil withdrew their motion. Attorney Hallak will discuss the usage of this land by the Clark Mills Fire Department with Mr. Breining.
Councilman Yando reported that the Towns of Marcy, Paris and Whitestown hire a planner on a part time basis. There are several planner/engineer firms who can be hired on an "as needed" basis. Mr. Yando suggested that a firm be hired and $20,000 be added to the 2008 budget.
Supervisor Foley noted that she has received the Mohawk Valley Water Authority's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the past two fiscal years ending March 31, 2006 and 2007.
Jonathan Scott, Superintendent of Highways, gave an informational presentation on aging highway equipment and replacement. There are 26 main pieces of equipment in the Highway Department at a value of $560,000. An ideal replacement schedule would be as follows: large trucks and plows every ten years, bigger equipment every fifteen years and pickup trucks should be replaced every three years. It would cost $1,168,000 to bring the equipment current this year! Some of the equipment has passed their life expectancies. If there was a finance plan, and heavy trucks were financed for 5 years and kept for 10 years, pickup trucks kept 3 years and the bigger equipment would be financed for 10 years, it would cost between $260,000 and $360,000 a year. Mr. Scott knew that the Town is not in a position to spend that amount of money, but there needs to be solutions for replacement of equipment.
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. (Councilman Venero absent) The totals were:
A - $28,315.37, Claim #1628-1672, 1688-1694, 1717, 1718
B - $30,480.77, #1673-1687
DA - $17,231.97, #1695-1697, 1702
DB - $47,364.11, #1698-1701, 1703-1716
SS1 - $2,765.03, #1719-1726
SS2 - $10,327.50, #1727
A motion was made by Councilman Meelan, seconded by Councilman Yando to enter into executive session to discuss possible litigation and negotiations. Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the motion was declared carried. (Councilman Venero absent)
A motion was made by Councilman Meelan, seconded by Councilman Yando to adjourn the executive session. Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the motion was declared carried. (Councilman Venero absent)
RESOLUTION #44
Upon motion by Councilman Yando, seconded by Councilman O'Neil the following resolution was presented:
RESOLVED, that the Kirkland Town Board approve the settlement of overtime pay issues with Patrick Dougherty for the sum of $7,500 in exchange for general release of any and all issues.
Upon the roll call vote, four voted aye, none opposed and the resolution was declared adopted. (Councilman Venero absent)
There being no further business to come before the Town Board, upon motion of Councilman O'Neil, seconded by Councilman Yando the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Dianne V. Tuttle, Town Clerk
Town Of Kirkland
