Adirondack Town Of Franklin
Adirondack Town Of Franklin

Town of Franklin Board Meetings

Town Board Meeting
October 8, 2007 - 7:00 pm

The Town Board of the Town of Franklin held a regularly scheduled monthly Board meeting on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm at the Vermontville Town Hall.

Board members present:

    Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
    Councilperson Janet Ordway
    Councilman Tim Goff
    Councilman Gene Goff
    Councilman Walt Kretser

Others Present:

    Town Clerk Sandra Oliver, Al Berg and Jean Baltzly

CALL TO ORDER
    Supervisor Keith called the meeting to order; the Pledge of Allegiance was recited; the Town Clerk called the roll, and announced the full board was present.

AUDIT OF BILLS
    The following claims were presented and reviewed by the Board:
    GeneralWarrant #10Claims 185 - 208$10,171.74
    HighwayWarrant #10Claims 158 - 173$75,163.39
    Prepay GeneralWarrant #9Claims 49 - 55$1,560.25
    LandfillWarrant #3Claims 4 - 5$2,027.90

1. ADIRONDACK ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS REQUEST FOR FUNDS FOR SURVEY. Discussion was held concerning General Claim #185 in sum of $200 to the Adirondack Association of Towns & Villages (AATV). The organization plans to conduct an intensive, special, one-time survey of economic history, infrastructure and other needs in the Adirondack Park and the $200 represents the Town of Franklin's estimated contribution to the cost of the survey. At Coun. Kretser's suggestion, the invoice was put on hold until AATV determines the actual cost of gathering such data.

2. CONTRACT WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES ("EAS"). Parent company of EAS which performs drug testing for 10 employees of the Town, two of whom are General Fund and eight are Highway Fund. Coun. Gene Goff suggested the Town might consider adopting a policy of mandatory random drug testing for all employees, not just those who operate machinery. Supv. Keith stated the cost of a drug test is $80 (if the test is positive for drug use, the employee must pay for same), however, she thought the cost of requiring all employees to undergo random mandatory drug testing might be prohibitive. Supervisor Keith indicated her satisfaction with EAS services and recommended the Board ratify the contract for another year and authorize her to sign it.

Motion for resolution ratifying contract for EAS services (W.Kretser-T.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 39: RATIFY CONTRACT WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES (EAS) FOR EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE AND AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE SAME WHEREAS, the Town has retained Behavioral Health Services ("EAS") to perform random drug testing for its employees who operate machinery; and WHEREAS, EAS has fulfilled the contract in a satisfactory manner; and WHEREAS, the contract with EAS is due for renewal; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Franklin hereby ratifies the contract with EAS and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute same.

    Those voting aye:

      Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
      Councilman Tim Goff
      Councilman Gene Goff
      Councilperson Janet Ordway
      Councilman Walt Kretser

    Those voting nay:

      None

3. EXTENSION OF CONTRACT WITH ANN HOLLAND FOR GRANT WRITING. Supv. Keith read aloud the extension agreement with Ann Holland. The Board had previously authorized the extension of the agreement. (See Resolution 33 adopted September 10, 2007).

4. CONTRACT WITH EARTH SCIENCE ENGINEERING ("ESE"). General Claim No. 190 in sum of $4,030.90 from ESE was approved for payment covering the costs of its completion of Tasks 2 and 3 with respect to the Town's infrastructure project. Supervisor Keith, having provided copies of the contract with ESE for this work to the Board requested ratification and authorization for signature of same.

Motion for resolution ratifying contract with ESE (T.Goff-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 40: RATIFY CONTRACT WITH EARTH SCIENCE ENGINEERING FOR WORK ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT WHEREAS, Earth Science Engineering, Willsboro, NY, was selected by the Town's Building Committee as the most qualified engineering firm to engineer its infrastructure projects involving rehabilitation of the Town Garage, construction of a new building at Kate Mtn. Rec Park and reconfiguring the Town Hall at Vermontville; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin Town Board hereby ratifies the contract with Earth Science Engineering; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is authorized to execute same.

    Those voting aye:

      Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
      Councilman Tim Goff
      Councilman Gene Goff
      Councilperson Janet Ordway
      Councilman Walt Kretser

    Those voting nay:

      None

Motion to accept claims and authorize payment of all but General Claim #185 - AATV (G.Goff-T.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE

MINUTES OF MEETINGS

The minutes of the September 10, 2007 meeting were amended as follows:

    RESOLUTION NO. 33: EXTEND CONTRACT WITH ANN HOLLAND TO AUGUST 30, 2008 WHEREAS, the Town has entered into an agreement for services with Ann R. Holland for grant writing; and WHEREAS, said contract is due to expire on November 30, 2007; and WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to extend the contract due to the number of outstanding grant applications; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the contract with Ann Holland is extended to August 30, 2008 with no additional funding.

    Those voting aye:

      Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
      Councilman Tim Goff
      Councilman Gene Goff
      Councilperson Janet Ordway
      Councilman Walt Kretser

    Those voting nay:

      None

    (Change per 10-08-07 meeting)

    The minutes of the September 12, 2007 and the October 1, 2007 special meetings were accepted as presented.

    Motion to accept minutes as amended (W.Kretser-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE

SUPERVISOR'S REPORT
    Balances as of September 30, 2007

    General FundCK$29,086.76
    SV$44,474.86
    CLASS$180,058.04
    Highway FundCK$35,015.92
    SV$46,570.35
    CLASS$249,449.18
    Cap Proj Hwy$24,484.41
    LandfillCK$582.48
    CLASS$64,511.88
    FireCK$867.89
    CLASS$2,718.33
    Cap. BuildingCLASS$146,512.23

    Motion to accept Supervisor's Report (J.Ordway-G.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE

BUDGET AMENDMENTS

    Motion for resolution adopting General Fund Budget Amendment No. 2 (G.Goff-T.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 41: 2007 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 2 WHEREAS, in order to maintain a balanced 2007 General Fund Budget, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following 2007 General Fund Budget Amendment is hereby adopted:

    FROM ACCOUNTAMOUNTTO ACCOUNTAMOUNT
    A1410.4 Town Clerk CE$489.00A1410.2 Town Clerk Equip$489.00
    A7310.4 Youth CE $55.00 A7310.1 Youth PS$55.00

    Those voting aye:

      Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
      Councilman Tim Goff
      Councilman Gene Goff
      Councilperson Janet Ordway
      Councilman Walt Kretser

    Those voting nay:

      None

    Motion for Resolution adopting 2007 Highway Fund Budget Amendment No. 2 (J.Ordway-T.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 42 2007 HIGHWAY FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 2 WHEREAS, in order to maintain a balanced 2007 Highway Fund Budget, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following 2007 Highway Fund Budget Amendment is hereby adopted:

    FROM ACCOUNTAMOUNTTO ACCOUNTAMOUNT
    DA 5110.1 Gen Repairs PS$1,826.00DA 5112.1 Improvements PS$1,826.00

    Those voting aye:

      Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
      Councilman Tim Goff
      Councilman Gene Goff
      Councilperson Janet Ordway
      Councilman Walt Kretser

    Those voting nay:

      None

HIGHWAY REPORT A written report describing the progress of the Highway Dept. was submitted by Deputy Highway Superintendent Eric Merrill:

1. ROAD WORK

    a. Paye Road. Paved one mile on Paye Rd. with County equipment and manpower. Put 2-ft wide crusher run for shoulder on new pavement using County equipment.

    b. Goldsmith Road. Pulled shoulders for one mile on Goldsmith Rd, removing over 50 tandem loads of material. In addition, performed brush cutting and raking. Camp Gabriels inmate crew cutting and chipping brush.

    c. Keith Road. Raking

    d. Tyler Road. Raking

    e. Rock Street. Installed 3 culverts

    f. Swinyer Road. Installed 2 driveway culverts

    g. Cold Brook Road. Installed one driveway culvert

2. ASSISTANCE TO OTHER MUNICIPALITIES

    A. Village of Saranac Lake and Town of St. Armand hauling asphalt

3. EMERGENCIES

Disassemble and reconstruct guard rails at bottom of Franklin Falls hills. Put asphalt under guard rails to prevent future washouts.

4. AGREEMENT WITH COUNTY FOR SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL. The towns in Franklin County usually sign a 3-year contract with the County for snow and ice removal of County roads. This year all town highway superintendents met with the County to negotiate new terms. The County made an offer which the town highway superintendents refused, as it did not offer enough compensation. The County has now tendered a one year contract and an increase of 6%. A discussion concerning the actual cost of snow and ice removal on County roads ensued. Coun. Kretser stated the Board did not have accurate figures from the Highway Dept. which calculate not only fuel and man-hours but also wear and tear on vehicles and suggested the Highway Supt. prepare a spreadsheet for each month of the year and include number of loads, number of vehicles and man-hours each day.

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

    Couns. Kretser and Ordway commented on the wonderful job the Highway Dept. did on the emergency repair at Franklin Falls, even to the bump in the road and culvert repair. Supv. Keith noted the Department completed the repair work in only two days.

OPEN FUEL BIDS
    As the Post Office was closed due to Columbus Day holiday, opening fuel bids was tabled to the October 15, 2007 special board meeting.

HISTORIAN
    1. RESIGNATION OF TERESA ESHELMAN. Supv. Keith announced she had received Teresa Eshelman's resignation as Town Historian due to relocation as of October 1, 2007. Mrs. Eshelman has had the position for several decades and has done a magnificent job of documenting the Town's history and providing assistance to genealogy researchers. She requested the Board accept Mrs. Eshelman's resignation.

    Motion to accept resignation of Teresa Eshelman as Town Historian (M.Keith-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 43: COMMENDATION AND RELUCTANT ACCEPTANCE OF RESIGNATION OF TERESA ESHELMAN AS TOWN HISTORIAN WHEREAS, Teresa Eshelman has held the position of Town Historian for the Town of Franklin for twenty-seven years; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Eshelman has performed with enthusiasm, knowledge, courtesy and efficiency; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Eshelman submitted her written resignation effective October 1, 2007; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin Town Board commends Mrs. Eshelman on her outstanding service to the Town of Franklin; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin Town Board accepts her resignation with reluctance.

    Those voting aye:

      Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
      Councilman Tim Goff
      Councilman Gene Goff
      Councilperson Janet Ordway
      Councilman Walt Kretser

    Those voting nay:

      None
      2. APPOINTMENT OF BRADLEY MERRILL Supervisor Keith considered the best person to appoint as Historian to complete Mrs. Eshelman's term which ends on December 31, 2007. She noted the appointee must have an interest in and knowledge of local history and residents. After some deliberation, she determined Bradley Merrill would fit the position best and requested the Board to appoint Mr. Merrill to the position.

      Motion to appoint Bradley Merrill as Historian (M.Keith-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE

      RESOLUTION NO. 44: APPOINTMENT OF BRADLEY MERRILL TO COMPLETE TERM OF HISTORIAN WHEREAS, the position of Town Historian has been vacated as of October 1, 2007; and WHEREAS, Bradley Merrill is an individual who possesses knowledge and has interest in the history and past and present residents of the Town of Franklin; and WHEREAS, Mr. Merrill has expressed a willingness to complete the term of the Town Historian to December 31, 2007; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Bradley Merrill hereby is appointed as Town Historian, term from October 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007.

      Those voting aye:

        Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
        Councilman Tim Goff
        Councilman Gene Goff
        Councilperson Janet Ordway
        Councilman Walt Kretser

      Those voting nay:

        None

CHANGE NOVEMBER MEETING DATE
    November 12, 2007 is a national holiday and the Post Office will be closed. Supervisor Keith requested the Board agree to change the November meeting date from Monday November 12 to Wednesday November 14, 2007. The Board concurred.

    Motion to change November board meeting to Wed. November 14, 2007 (M.Keith-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE

OLD BUSINESS

1. INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE. Supv. Keith, Coun. Kretser, Dave Dekkers and Jean Baltzly met with Mark Ferris of Earth Science Engineering (ESE) and architect _______________ this date to discuss revisions to the Yellow Wood plan for upgrading the Garage and the proposed building at Kate Mountain Recreation Park. Together these projects should cost less than $1 million, not including grants.

    a. Garage. The plan for repair and upgrade of the Town Garage includes constructing an addition onto the rear of the building and lowering the ceiling which will reduce heating costs. The DEC requirement for an oil-water separator will not be necessary as Supt. Rascoe plans to operate the Garage "dry". The Garage will be re-insulated and ESE believes a 40 x 18 ft airport hangar door might be obtained from Clinton County. Supervisor Keith will request these doors as a donation from Clinton County perhaps under a municipal shared services agreement. ESE estimates work on the Garage might begin this year.

    b. Proposed Structure at Recreation Park. The Kate Mountain project is estimated to cost less than $500,000 and will incorporate the Town Justice's chambers with all recommendations made by the Unified Court System. ESE will perform studies this winter regarding proper placement of the building which would meet LEEDS standards and so qualify for LEEDS grants.

    c. Town Hall at Vermontville. Refurbishment of this site has been placed on hold for the time being. Grant funds have been received for a new furnace and for a records room; therefore, only work on these items will be accomplished.

    d. Building Committee. Supervisor Keith thanked Dave Dekkers, Jean Baltzly, Roger Symonds and Coun. Kretser for the good work they had accomplished on the Building Committee.

2. SUBDIVISION UPDATE. Couns. Kretser and Ordway will meet this Wednesday to review and revise documents. They will present the revised documents to the Town Board at the October 15th special board meeting and subdivision workshop.

3. DRY HYDRANT UPDATE. Coun. Gene Goff reported he had placed telephone requests to three individuals requesting price estimates for the installation of a dry hydrant near the Sinkhole Road bridge. Steve Light was the only respondent and said he could install the dry hydrant for $1,000 by the end of October. Coun. G. Goff requested a resolution authorizing same.

Motion to approve Steve Light as contractor for installation Sinkhole Rd. dry hydrant (G.Goff-W.Kretser m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 45: AUTHORIZE INSTALLATION OF DRY HYDRANT ON SINKHOLE ROAD NEAR BRIDGE WHEREAS, residents of Sinkhole Road have requested, and the Town Board in consultation with Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department have deemed it feasible, to construct and install a dry hydrant near the bridge on Sinkhole Road; and WHEREAS, requests for estimates were made to three (3) contractors; and WHEREAS, Steve Light was the responding contractor; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin will engage the services of Steve Light to install a dry hydrant near the bridge on Sinkhole Road using the new configuration; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the cost of such work will not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

    Those voting aye:

      Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
      Councilman Tim Goff
      Councilman Gene Goff
      Councilperson Janet Ordway
      Councilman Walt Kretser

    Those voting nay:

      None

4. RESCUE CONTRACT UPDATE. Coun. Gene Goff reported $27,415.70 will be the amount due under the Town's 2008 contract. The Saranac Lake Area Fire Advisory Board is still in process of attempting to hire a full time EMT for weekdays. Franklin County does not have a job description for same, so the Fire Dept. provided the description and gave it to the Village of Saranac Lake. The Village thus far has taken no action on it.

5. VISIBLE E911 HOUSE NUMBERS AND STREET SIGNS. Coun. Gene Goff quoted NYS Code Enforcement Administration section 505.1, to wit, approved building identification numbers visible from the street or road are required to be in Arabic numerals, 4 inches high. Exceptions to this rule include buildings identified by a 911 numbering system. The Saranac Lake Area Fire Advisory Board discussed past difficulties encountered by fire and rescue crews attempting to locate a building in areas where no street or house numbers were clearly visible. Coun. Gene Goff suggested the Board adopt a resolution encouraging the County of Franklin to enact legislation requiring premise identification.

Motion encouraging Franklin County to enact law requiring premise identification (G.Goff-M.Keith m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 46: RECOMMEND AND ENCOURAGE COUNTY OF FRANKLIN BOARD OF LEGISLATORS TO ENACT LEGISLATION REQUIRING CLEARLY VISIBLE PREMISE IDENTIFICATION AND STREET SIGNS WHEREAS, NYS Code Enforcement Administration section 505.1 exempts 911-numbered premises from the requirement of house numbers clearly visible from the street; and WHEREAS, local fire departments and rescue units responding to calls for assistance in the Town of Franklin have encountered difficulty locating emergencies due to the lack of clearly visible house numbers and street signs; and WHEREAS, the lack of such premise identification endangers the lives and property of residents; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin Town Board strongly recommends and encourages the Franklin County Legislature to enact a law requiring clearly visible premise identification numbers, visible from the street, and clearly marked street signs.

    Those voting aye:

      Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
      Councilman Tim Goff
      Councilman Gene Goff
      Councilperson Janet Ordway
      Councilman Walt Kretser

    Those voting nay:

      None

6. LOCATING EMERGENCIES. The E911 system is in process of attempting to improve service. Currently calls for emergency assistance are dispatched from Malone, and the dispatchers may or may not be familiar with the southern end of Franklin County. Coun. Gene Goff noted that Rick Provost, the Fire Coordinator, is attempting to convince the E911 Center in Malone to be more specific and include the name of individual calling in the emergency. However, many times calls are received from individuals using cell phones in automobiles, and although E911 Center has global positioning satellite capability, by the time they track the caller, the individual may have traveled many miles from the scene of the emergency. The "kinks" in the system are still being worked out.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
    1. RECREATION. Coun. Tim Goff reported that a deficiency in the electrical system at the Rec Park will be addressed by a third-party electrical inspector and will report back to the Board. The bees nest in the breaker box has been removed.

    2. CELEBRATION. A Halloween party will be held for youngsters in Town at the Nazarene Church and at the Town Hall in Vermontville on Saturday, October 27th, although the Haunted Jaunt will not take place.

CORRESPONDENCE
    1. HUD GRANT NOT RECEIVED Friends of the North Country confirmed that the Office for Small Cities did not fund the housing rehabilitation grant application submitted by the Town.

    2. COMPLIMENTS ON SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM. David and Stacey Neale sent a letter lauding the summer youth program. They said their children enjoyed it thoroughly and had high compliments for Kathy Drake and her assistants.

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
  • Asked why all Town savings are not kept in a CLASS account, Supervisor Keith responded that the transfer of funds into and from a CLASS account are cumbersome and take several days and several transactions to accomplish.
  • Concerning a question about the location of funds received from the County, Supervisor Keith replied that received monies will be deposited into the Highway savings account and then transferred into CLASS. Coun. Gene Goff added that in 2008 the County will pay the Town $110,000, so that amount is budgeted as anticipated revenue. In addition CHPS funding in the amount of $104,000 is also budgeted as anticipated revenue, as is interest on CLASS.

ADJOURNMENT
    There being no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm (M.Keith-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE

Respectfully submitted, Sandra J. Oliver, Town Clerk

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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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