Adirondack Town Of Franklin
Adirondack Town Of Franklin

Town of Franklin Board Meetings

MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETING
September 12, 2012 – 7:00 PM

Board members present:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Allen Berg
Councilman Clifford Smalley
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Bradley Merrill

Others Present:

Highway Supt. Jacques DeMars Codes Officer Robert Drosdowich Town Clerk Sandra Oliver Doris Hamm Frances Oliver Ed Martin Derrick Romeo

1. CALL TO ORDER

. Supervisor Arthur P. Willman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM; the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and the Town Clerk called the roll, introduced guests and stated the full board was present.

2. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

ED MARTIN stated he had sold $200 worth of 50-50 tickets over the past few weeks. Congratulations to Ray Scollin who won $100. The Town of Franklin Republican Party donated the other $100 to the Rec Park savings account for use in improving the park.

3. 2012 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT.

Supv. Willman requested a motion for a resolution for the following budget amendment:

RESOLUTION NO. 59: 2012 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT #2 WHEREAS, there is need to balance the 2010 General Fund Budget; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the following transfers of funds are made:

FROM ACCOUNTAMOUNTTO ACCOUNTAMOUNT
A1990.4 Contingent$2,586.00A1620.2 Bldgs Equip$2,198.00
A1910.4 Gen Insurance$374.00
A7810.4 Youth Programs CE$14.00

Those voting aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Allen Berg
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Bradley Merrill
Councilman Clifford Smalley

Those Voting nay:

None

Those Absent:

None

Those Abstaining:

None

4. AUDIT OF CLAIMS

The following claims were submitted for approval and payment on Abstract 9 of 2012:
General FundVouchers 152 – 172$14,537.44
Highway FundVouchers 87 – 100$14,568.65
Prepay GeneralVouchers 28 – 30$1,400.34

Motion to pay claims (A.Berg-B.Merrill m/s/p) ALL AYE


5. MINUTES

Coun. Merrill indicated he had not made the statement in the August 8, 2012 minutes concerning Mary Ellen Keith’s inability to reach Friends of the North Country. The minutes were amended:

D. HUD GRANT APPLICATION UPDATE. The grant application is due for submission on August 17, 2012. Coun. Berg stated he had telephoned Friends of the North Country but no one had ever called him back; Coun. Merrill indicated Mary Ellen Keith had also contacted FONC but had received no response. the Town Clerk said she called FONC but had not had an answer. Supv. Willman said he would call Scott Campbell directly. (Amendment per 9/12/2012 meeting)

The August 8, 2012 minutes were accepted as amended. Motion (A.Berg-C.Smalley m/s/p) ALL AYE

6. SUPERVISOR'S REPORT

Balances as of August 1, 2012

General FundChecking$38,106.76
Savings107,096.47
CLASS107,312.97
Historian3,037.35
Spec Sav Rec Pk275.00
Spec Sav Cemeteries$200.00
Highway FundChecking92,893.10
Savings343,439.38
CLASS538,295.97
Cap. Proj. Hwy.46,519.79
LandfillChecking482.03
CLASS8,733.08
Fire ProtectionChecking34,057.35
CLASS685.34
Capital Project Building5,438.10

Supv. Willman reported he transferred half of the General Fund checking amount into the General Fund savings account. Motion to accept Supervisor’s Report (B.Merrill-A.Berg m/s/p) ALL AYE.

7. TOWN CLERK'S REPORT

REPORT for the month of August 2012

1 dog licenses3.50
9 Building Permits1,979.00
Vitals 1 marr lic;-
4 death ctfs$80.00
--------
Total$2,062.50

Paid to Supervisor$295.50
Paid to NYS Ag&Mkts (dogs)$1.00
Paid to NY Dept Health$22.50
--------
Total$2,062.50

Motion accept Clerk’s report (B.Merrill-C.Smalley m/s/p) ALL AYE.

8. CODES REPORT:

Codes Enforcement Officer Robert Drosdowich reported 9 building permits were issued in August for, 2 demolition permits, and 2 renewals for $1,979.00. He made 13 site visits during the same time. He expressed concern that property owners of the dangerous sites on Swinyer Road were burying the debris from demolished abodes. He indicated it was not illegal for them to do so but he will check with APA and DEC. Coun. Hamm commented that neither site had more than an acre of land and that the premises were near the road. He suggested the Town consider adopting a local law prohibiting the disposal of building materials on lots with less than 5 acres. Supv. Willman will consult with the attorney for the Town.

10. HIGHWAY REPORT

A. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. Highway Superintendent Jacques DeMars reported progress of the Department for the period covering August 9 to September 12, 2012:

• Cut and chipped trees on Plank and Thatcherville Roads
• Assisted Town of St. Armand with paving
• Installed culverts on Goldsmith (3), Cold Brook (5 across road and 2 driveway)
• Patched Bass Lake, Blue Spruce, Plank, Sinkhole Roads and Rock Street
• Ditched Goldsmith and Plank Roads as well as Blue Spruce Drive
• Removed 2 large rocks on Cold Brook Road
• Raked Goldsmith, French and Alder Brook Park Roads
• Rolled Goldsmith on the C.R. 26 end and Alder Brook Park Roads
• Mowed several roads
• Will start to haul winter road sand soon.

Supt. DeMars announced he had successfully negotiated the purchase of a tandem engine from the Town of St. Armand for $1.00.

B. HIGHWAY COMMITTEE. Coun. Berg reported he had looked at the Unit 2 hoist and noticed the body had started to rot out. He recommended the Town consider replacing the tandem within the next year.

Supt. DeMars noted that Unit 3 has a bad box. The Town of Keene is donating a box from one of their surplus vehicles free of charge, and that should extend the life of Unit 3 for another year.

10. NEW BUSINESS

A. ADIRONDACK LEADERSHIP EXPEDITIONS.. Supv. Willman reported he had met with Tracey Edwards, head of ALE in Saranac Lake, and expressed citizens’ concerns about youth escaping in the middle of the night and disturbing Onchiota residents. He invited her to the October 10th Board meeting. On Sept. 6th, Supv. Willman and Coun. Smalley met with Onchiota residents who want to set up both a telephone “tree” as well as an email tree. He is considering expanding the “trees” to include other areas of the Town of Franklin.

B. AWARD BID FOR 20-TON TRAILER.. After much consideration, the Board determined that the Versatile Trailer, Morrisonville, NY bid - 20 CAM 925TA trailer for $15,396 was the best deal. Coun. Hamm indicated he had been in touch with Versatile, discussed various options, and opined the Town purchase the 20’ flat plus beavertail and double break deck for a total of $16,336. Motion to accept Versatile bid and authorize Supervisor to execute documentation therefor (A.Berg-D.Hamm m/s/p) ALL AYE.

RESOLUTION NO. 60: AWARD BID OF VERSATILE TRAILER, MORRISONVILLE, NY FOR 20-TON TRAILER WHEREAS, requests for bids for a 20-ton trailer to haul the pavement roller were published and bids were received and opened on August 8, 2012; and WHEREAS, review of the bids received were performed by the Highway Committee, Highway Superintendent and each Board member; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the bid for the 20-ton trailer has been awarded to Versatile Trailer, Morrisonville, for a 20 CAM 925TA trailer with options, including 20-ft beaver tail with separate ramps for $16,335; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute any necessary documentation.

Those voting aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Allen Berg
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Bradley Merrill
Councilman Clifford Smalley

Those Voting nay:

None

Those Absent:

None

Those Abstaining:

None

C. 1987 EQUIPMENT TRAILER

. Coun. Hamm, in response to Coun. Merrill’s query, opined the Town’s older trailer, was still serviceable. Coun. Hamm recommended the Board declare the item as surplus and advertise it for sale at approximately $5,000. Motion (B.Merrill-A.Berg m/s/p) ALL AYE

RESOLUTION NO. 61: 1984 EQUIPMENT TRAILER DECLARED SURPLUS; ADVERTISE FOR SALE WHEREAS, the Town adopted a resolution awarding the bid for a new 20-ton equipment trailer; and WHEREAS the current equipment trailer is no longer necessary; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the current equipment trailer, a 1984 trailer is declared surplus; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the 1984 trailer will be advertised for sale at a price of $5,000.

Those voting aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Allen Berg
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Bradley Merrill
Councilman Clifford Smalley

Those Voting nay:

None

Those Absent:

None

Those Abstaining:

None

D. SCHEDULE BUDGET WORKSHOPS AND PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET Budget workshops will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 for the General and Fire Protection Funds, on Monday, October 15, 2012 for the Highway Fund, and the Public Hearing on the 2013 Preliminary Budget will be held at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 prior to the November Board meeting. Motion (C.Smalley-B.Merrill m/s/p) ALL AYE.

11. OLD BUSINESS

A. RETURN UNOPENED BIDS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEM Because there is not now nor will there be adequate funds to purchase a new telephone system for the Town Hall, Supv. Willman requested a motion for a resolution returning the unopened bids for a new telephone system. He noted that during the bid process the Town Clerk met with Scott Wilson, Illuminating Concepts, Jay, NY, who stated he and his team were familiar with the Town’s Avaya system and could repair and maintain it. Motion (A.Berg-C.Smalley m/s/p) ALL AYE

RESOLUTION NO. 62: RETURN UNOPENED BIDS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEM WHEREAS, request for prices was published for a replacement telephone system for the Town Hall; and WHEREAS, bids were received but remained sealed, and therefore unopened at the August 8, 2012 Board meeting; and WHEREAS, there is not now nor will there be adequate funds in the near future for the purchase of a telephone system; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Clerk will return the still-sealed envelopes to the prospective bidders with a letter of explanation.

B. MERRILLSVILLE GARAGE REPAIR UPDATE Supv. Willman reported that the roof on the Merrillsville Garage has been completed, and Doug Snickles did very good work. The building now requires an overhead door, and although a quote was received from Overhead Door of Plattsburgh, Supv. Willman asked the Board for authority to contact North County Overhead Door and obtain a quote from it and to accept the quote for the lower price. Motion (B.Merrill-D.Hamm m/s/p) ALL AYE.

RESOLUTION NO. 64: AUTHORIZED SUPERVISOR TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR OVERHEAD DOOR FOR MERRILLSVILLE GARAGE WHEREAS, repairs have been made to the Merrillsville Garage roof; and WHEREAS, an overhead door is necessary so that equipment can be stored safely; and WHEREAS, Overhead Door Co. of Plattsburgh has submitted a price quote; and WHEREAS, an additional quotation would be in keeping with the regulations governing competitive bidding; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to solicit additional price quotations for an over head door; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Supervisor is authorized to accept the lower price quotation on behalf of the Town Board.

Those voting aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Allen Berg
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Bradley Merrill
Councilman Clifford Smalley

Those Voting nay:

None

Those Absent:

None

Those Abstaining:

None

C. VERMONTVILLE GARAGE REPAIR UPDATE. D&D Construction (Doug Snickles and partner) will be commencing work on the Vermontville Town Garage repair in approximately ten days.

D. PROPOSED NEW BRIDGE ON COUNTY ROUTE 48. Supv. Willman received a letter from Essex County Highway Superintendent Lavigne. Providing funds are provided for the bridge replacement, unless a single-lane temporary bridge can be constructed, the detour will be 25 miles. Mr. Lavigne and Jon Hutchins, Franklin County Highway Superintendent are now pursuing other sources of funding. If adequate funding is found, construction would not commence until Spring 2013.

E. HUD GRANT APPLICATION. Scott Campbell, Friends of the North Country, delivered a copy of the grant application to Supv. Willman.

E. JAWS OF LIFE FOR BLOOMINGDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. Supv. Willman reported the Town had paid BVFD $16,000 for the Jaws of Life Equipment. Derrick Romeo reported the JOL equipment is currently in Tupper Lake being cleaned but it has not yet been purchased. The truck is in process of being retrofitted.

F. LAND INVENTORY. No progress.

G. OIL-WATER SEPARATOR. No progress.

13. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. AUDIT. No report.

B. CEMETERIES. Coun. Merrill reported the work at the Union Cemetery on Route 3 has begun. Supv. Willman stated he had received a map from Geomatics. Coun. Merrill is proposing a sign listing Cemetery regulations 18x24 and will check with Mid-State .

C. RECREATION.

1. August 18th Music Fest. The Kate Mountain Community Recreation Association Music Fest was held on August 18th at the Rec Park. Derrick Romeo reported the KMCRA sold almost all the food and considered the event a success.

2. New Fields. Supv. Willman reported that work on the new fields past the current ballfield is on hold until next Spring. He indicated that a larger area would need to be cleared past the hiking trail, and the hiking trail would be relocated farther east. Franklin County Soil & Water will lend the Town its hydroseeder, and is also searching for grant funding for the project.

14. ANNOUNCEMENTS.

THANK YOU to Zoe McCulley for her hard work on the Town Hall front garden. Her contribution is very much appreciated, and the garden is thriving..

APPOINTMENT OPENINGS: Board of Assessment Review for a term starting October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2015. Supv. Willman suggested advertising the position. Motion (C.Smalley-A.Berg) m/s/p.

IMPORTANT DATES

Sept. 13 Thursday Republican Primary noon-9:00 pm
Sept. 19 Wednesday Dental Clinic
Sept. 20 Thursday Food Pantry 3:30 pm
Sept. 21 Friday Dental Clinic
Oct. 9 Tuesday General & Fire Funds Budget Workshop
Oct. 10 Wednesday Monthly Town Board meeting 7:00 pm
Oct. 15 Monday Highway Fund Budget Workshop & Spec Bd Mtg
Nov. 6 Tuesday Election Day 6:00 am-9:00 pm

15. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS. None

16. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss or conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Motion (A.Berg-C.Smalley m/s/p) ALL AYE

Respectfully submitted, Sandra J. Oliver, Town Clerk

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