Adirondack Town Of Franklin
Adirondack Town Of Franklin

Town of Franklin Board Meetings

PUBLIC HEARING

Board members present:

Supervisor Art Willman, Councilman Al Berg, Councilman Cliff Smalley, Councilman Don Hamm and Councilman Tom Bartiss

Others Present:

Budget Officer Dick Meagher, Highway Superintendent Jacque DeMars, Deputy Town Clerk Autumn LeFebvre, Code Enforcement Officer Rob Drosdowich, Jon MacDowell, Ed Martin, Doris Hamm and Town Clerk Lauren LeFebvre

CALL TO ORDER.

Supervisor Willman called the hearing to order at 6:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Town Clerk called the roll, noting the full board was present.

2015 BUDGET

None

COMMENTS

Rob Drosdowich asked if taxes were going up in 2015. The Budget Officer responded by stating the town's portion of the amount to be raised by taxes has increased by 1.56%. Franklin County has not presented their 2015 budget yet.

ADJOUNMENT/OPEN REGULAR BOARD MEETING Supervisor Willman adjourned the hearing and opened the regular board meeting at 6:37pm.


BOARD MEETING

Board members present:

Supervisor Art Willman, Councilman Al Berg, Councilman Cliff Smalley, Councilman Don Hamm and Councilman Tom Bartiss

Board members Absent:

None

Others Present:

Highway Superintendent Jacque DeMars, Deputy Town Clerk Autumn LeFebvre, Code Enforcement Officer Rob Drosdowich, Jon MacDowell, Ed Martin, Doris Hamm and Town Clerk Lauren LeFebvre

CALL TO ORDER

Supervisor Willman called the meeting to order at 6:37pm.

REVIEW/APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 8,15, 22 2014 MINUTES

The minutes were approved as presented. (A.Berg-C.Smalley m/s/p) All aye

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS The board audited and approved the following claims for payment:

General FundClaims 230-252$6,244.77
Highway FundClaims 183-205$67,357.52
Pre-Pay GeneralClaims 30-33$2,316.34
LandfillClaim 4$644.00

(C.Smalley-A.Berg m/s/p) All aye

5. SUPERVISOR'S REPORT.

Balances on hand as of 10/31/14:

General FundChecking$57,123.83
Savings$75,472.72
CLASS$87,360.09
Historian$3038.00
Kate MT. SRF$9779.00
Cemetery RF$2200.42
Cap. Proj. Bldg$25,449.11
Highway FundChecking$103,937.53
 Savings$140,570.90
 CLASS$538,596.63
 Cap. Proj. Hwy.$45,545.77
LANDFILL CLOSURE CAP RESChecking$8,634.92
 CLASS$24,074.58
FIRE PROTECTIONChecking$11,069.35
 CLASS$685.30

C.Smalley-A.Berg m/s/p) All Aye

HIGHWAY REPORT

A. Superintendent's Report-Superintendent DeMars presented the following report:

  • Borrowed County's Dozer.
  • Hauled sand.
  • Partial salt delivery.
  • Put up sand & salt mixture up.
  • Blue Spruce intersection was patched.
  • Worked on several scoured areas, placing crusher run as needed.
  • Checking and working on many culverts inlets and out lets, clearing debris etc.
  • Prepped trucks for winter.
  • Received new license plates for most vehicles.
  • Received new overweight permits for Units: 2, 3 and 9
  • Gas, fuel and maintenance logs given to Highway Committee

B. Highway Committee Report: None

C. Questions and Comments: Co. Hamm inquired about delivery of the two Tandem Plow Trucks ordered by the town. Superintendent DeMars responded by informing the board the 1st truck (ordered in February) was delivered to Tenco on 8/30. The 2nd truck is scheduled to be delivered to Viking the week of Thanksgiving.

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT

Rob Drosdowich reported for the months of September and October 12 Building Permits were issued, 1 Violation was issued, 3 Certificates of Occupancy issued, 23 site visits and, $440.00 collected in fees.

He also reported that he has found his desk has been broken into more than once. Rob will get information to the Town Clerk regarding purchasing a new locking desk and locking cabinet for building plans. This led to discussion regarding the number of keys to the building that are unaccounted for and/or missing. The Supervisor and Town Clerk will meet to discuss this further and report back to the board.

NEW BUSINESS

A. CDBG/Friends of the North Country Update

Resolution #41 Amending the Policy and Procedures Manual to Include a Provision for Emergency Situations

On a motion by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Hamm, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board will amend the NYS HCR Housing Rehabilitation Program Policy and Procedures Manual, page 2, paragraph 1. b. following this sentence: "Housing rehabilitation assistance will be on a first-come, first-served basis as determined by date of first contact according to the wait list, and a complete Application for Assistance", add the following: "In certain unusual and "emergency" situtations-e.g. a public health hazard-the town board reserves the authority to allow eligible program applicant(s) to move ahead of other applicants out of "date order" (first-come,first-served), under the Town of Franklin Housing Rehabilitation Program.

Those Voting Aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Clifford Smalley
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Thomas Bartiss
Councilman Allen Berg

Those Voting Nay:

None

B. 2015 Budget

A. Resolution #42 Adopting 2015 Preliminary Budget

On a motion by Councilman Berg, second by Councilman Bartiss, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby adopt the 2015 Preliminary as the 2015 Town of Franklin Final Budget.

Those Voting Aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Clifford Smalley
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Thomas Bartiss
Councilman Allen Berg

Those Voting Nay:

None

C. 2014 Justice Audit

A. Resolution #43 ACCEPT JUSTICE COURT ACCOUNTING

WHEREAS, Town Justice Roger Symonds, in compliance with NYS Comptroller guidelines, requested an audit of his accounts; and WHEREAS, Town Supervisor Arthur P. Willman inspected said records on October 28, 2014, bank statements and accounts, inclusive, and found them to be in good order; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin Town Board hereby accepts and approves of the accounting records maintained by Town Justice Roger Symonds.

Those Voting Aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Clifford Smalley
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Thomas Bartiss
Councilman Allen Berg

Those Voting Nay:

None

D. 2015 Fuel Bids

Resolution #44 Authorize Town Clerk to Solicit Sealed Bids for 2015 Fuel

On a motion by Councilman Berg, second by Councilman Smalley, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board does hereby direct the Town Clerk to publicize a Request for Sealed Bids for the purchase of 2015 fuel to be opened at the December 10, 2014 board meeting.

Those Voting Aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Clifford Smalley
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Thomas Bartiss
Councilman Allen Berg

Those Voting Nay:

None

OLD BUSINESS

A. Town Attorney-Supervisor Willman stated the retired attorney and town resident Edward Murphy has located a source to access legal journals and other necessary resources for $95 a month. Mr. Murphy continues to be interested in serving as Town Attorney. Supervisor Willman added that, if appointed to the position, Mr. Murphy would be covered as under the Town's insurance policy. The cost to the Town would be $95 for access to the legal resources necessary to serve in this capacity.

Resolution #45 Appoint Edward Murphy Town Attorney for the Remainder of 2014

On a motion by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Berg, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby appoint Edward Murphy Town Attorney for the remainder of 2014.

Those Voting Aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Clifford Smalley
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Thomas Bartiss
Councilman Allen Berg

Those Voting Nay:

None

COMMITTEE REPORTS.

A. Cemetery - Councilman Smalley reported road material has been delivered and more will be required. .

B. Veteran's - Councilman Berg reported the bronze plaque has been received. He will coordinate retrieval and delivery of the rock, donated by Jon MacDowell, with Mr. MacDowell and Superintendent DeMars .

C. Celebration - Santa will be at the Town Hall on December 20. .

D. Skating - Councilman Smalley is working with the Saranac Lake Civic Center to arrange Town of Franklin sponsored "free skating" ice times.

ADJOURNMENT

A. Monthly board meetings will be held at 5:30pm December-May
B. Year-End Meeting will be held December 30 at 5:30pm

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Supervisor Willman adjourned the meeting at 7:33pm

Respectfully submitted, Lauren LeFebvre, Town Clerk

Click here to see past minutes

Town of Franklin
P.O. Box 209, Route 3, Vermontville, NY 12989  ·  Tel: 518-891-2189  ·  Fax: 518-891-6389  ·  info@townoffranklin.com
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