Adirondack Town Of Franklin
Adirondack Town Of Franklin

Town of Franklin Board Meetings

Regular Meeting April 11, 2018, 5:30pm

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Supervisor Art Willman, Councilman Cliff Smalley, Councilman Tom Bartiss, Councilman Pete Woodcock and Councilman Don Hamm

OTHERS PRESENT:

Doris Hamm, Paul Blaine-Code Officer, Julie Woodcock, Jacques DeMars-Highway Superintendent and Lauren LeFebvre-Town Clerk

CALL TO ORDER

Supervisor Willman called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Town Clerk called the roll, noting a quorum was present.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

REVIEW/APPROVAL OF March 14, 2018 MEETING MINUTES: Minutes approved as presented. (C.Smalley-T.Bartiss m/s/p) all aye

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

General FundAbstract 4Claims 54-73$18,158.97
Highway FundAbstract 4Claims 52-68$19,738.20
Pre-Pay GeneralAbstract 4Claims 14-20$1,646.36

(D.Hamm-T.Bartiss m/s/p) all aye

SUPERVISOR'S REPORT: Balances on hand as of March 31, 2018

General Fund
Checking$248,291.56
Savings$174,801.87
Historian$3,039.05
Kt. Mt SRF$45,168.59
Cemetery RF$3,202.80
CLASS$240,119.56
Highway Fund
Checking$648,804.45
Savings$558.34
Cap Proj. HW$47,216.18
CLASS$394,694.16
Landfill Clos. CR
Checking$968.32
CLASS$19.371.55
Fire Protection
Checking$13,829.07
CLASS$20,892.83
Capital Proj Bldg
CLASS$66,210.63

(Smalley-Hamm m/s/p) All Aye

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

  • Plow and sanded as needed
  • Cut trees as needed.
  • FEMA closeout- We had previously applied for a disaster assistance grant through FEMA for winter storm Stella, the Blizzard of March 2017.
  • After several meetings, phone calls and many forms and various other paperwork, we were approved for $13,358.00 CHIPS reimbursement- On March 19th, $160,594.98 was deposited from CHIPS for the work that was done at the end of last year.
  • Applied for a grant through Rural Roads Active Management Program (“RRAMP”). The grant which we were awarded is for $7,500.00 is to be used to “Protect infrastructure and water quality within the Lake Champlain Watershed Communities through integration of economically- feasible, harmonious, resilient and sustainable networks of secondary road corridors”. Gas, fuel and maintenance logs given to Highway Committee.

CODE OFFICER'S REPORT - March 2018–2 Building Permits, 0 Violations, 1 C.O.O., 4 Inspections, $125 Fees Collected

NEW BUSINESS

A. Board of Assessment Review Vacancy -Millie Vorrath has informed the Town Clerk that she is resigning from the BAR. Nancy Bernstein has expressed interest in serving out the unexpired term 9/30/19.

RESOLUTION #17 APPOINTING NANCY BERNSTEIN TO FILL UNEXPIRED TERM ON BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW On a motion by Councilman Cliff Smalley, second by Councilman Tom Bartiss, BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Franklin Town Board accepts the resignation of Millie Vorrath from the Board of Assessment Review and hereby appoint Nancy Bernstein to the Town of Franklin Board of Assessment Review to fill the vacancy and unexpired term ending September 30, 2019.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Willman
    Councilman Smalley
    Councilman Hamm
    Councilman Bartiss
    Councilman Woodcock

Those voting No: None

B. Bloomingdale Fire Department -Supervisor Willman informed the board members the Town Board is invited to the BVFD annual banquet on May 5, 2018.

RESOLUTION #18 SUPPORTING FRANKLIN COUNTY'S REQUEST FOR NATION GRID TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS IN MAINTAINING THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT On a motion by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Bartiss, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby support Franklin County's Resolution 96/2018 urging National Grid to fulfill their obligations in maintaining their own equipment of be censured by the Public Service commission and the New York State Broadband Office.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Willman
    Councilman Smalley
    Councilman Hamm
    Councilman Bartiss
    Councilman Woodcock

Those voting No: None

C. RESOLUTION #18 SUPPORTING FRANKLIN COUNTY'S REQUEST FOR NATION GRID TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS IN MAINTAINING THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT On a motion by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Bartiss, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby support Franklin County's Resolution 96/2018 urging National Grid to fulfill their obligations in maintaining their own equipment of be censured by the Public Service commission and the New York State Broadband Office.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Willman
    Councilman Smalley
    Councilman Hamm
    Councilman Bartiss
    Councilman Woodcock

Those voting No: None

D. Bids for 2018-19 Road Sand

RESOLUTION #19 AWARD BID TO TRUDEAU SAND AND GRAVEL FOR 2018-19 ROAD SAND -On a motion by Councilman Bartiss, second by Councilman Woodcock, BE IT RESOLVED that Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby accept the sealed submitted by Trudeau Sand and Gravel—Saranac Lake, NY, in the amount of $4.75 per ton for the purchase of up to 13,000 tons of road sand and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby authorize Highway Superintendent Jaceques DeMars to purchase up to 13,000 tons of road sand.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Willman
    Councilman Smalley
    Councilman Hamm
    Councilman Bartiss
    Councilman Woodcock

Those voting No: None

OLD BUSINESS

A. Community Building Update - Supervisor Willman reported the bids for the community building were opened on March 22. The lowest bid for the complete project was approximately $1.2 million. The board agreed to table the discussion of next steps for another board meeting as the lowest bid was approximately $500,000 more than anticipated.

B. RESOLUTION #20 REJECTING ALL BIDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNITY BUILDING - On a motion by Councilman tom Bartiss, second by Councilman Don Hamm, BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby reject all bids submitted for the construction of the community center including Danko Constructions, Friend Commercial Contracting, Dow electric, LH LaPlante, J. Hogan Refrigeration & Mechanical, Hyde-Stone Mechanical, Cornerstone Energy Services, Watson Electric, S&L Electric, Weydman Electric and, K&L Plumbing and Heating.

B. Solar Project Update - Supervisor Willman stated he has received the contract from NYSERDA for the installation of a solar array at Kate Mountain Park. Supervisor Willman requested board approval to sign the agreement.

RESOLUTION #21 AUTHORIZING SUPERVISOR WILLMAN TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH NYSERDA FOR SOLAR ARRAY GRANT - On a motion by Councilman Bartiss, second by Councilman Hamm, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby authorize Supervisor Willman to sign the contract with NYSERDA for the construction of a solar array at Kate Mountain Park.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Willman
    Councilman Smalley
    Councilman Hamm
    Councilman Bartiss
    Councilman Woodcock

Those voting No: None

C. Charter Franchise Contract -Councilman Bartiss reported he has been in communication with Charter and submitted additional addresses for consideration as part of Charter's “Build Out” plan.

RESOLUTION #22 AUTHORIZING SUPERVISOR WILLMAN TO SIGN CHARTER FRANCHISE CONTRACT - On a motion by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Hamm, BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby authorize Supervisor Willman to sign the fifteen year franchise agreement with Charter Communications.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Willman
    Councilman Smalley
    Councilman Hamm
    Councilman Bartiss
    Councilman Woodcock

Those voting No: None

D. Waterfront and Hamlet Revitalization Grant - Supervisor Willman he attended a meeting regarding this on March 28. The grant is in its final stages. The Town of Franklin's proposed projects are Kate Mountain Park (fill/landscaping), trails and improving Bigelow Rd access by repairing the bridge to be usable by pedestrian and light traffic (snowmobiles, bicycles, etc) and adding ADA compliant parking.

E. Garage Electricity - Councilman Hamm stated electric service should be added this year. Supervisor Willman will work on this.

F. Other-General Fund Town Maintenance Employee- - Following up on discussion held on February 21, 2018 regarding elimination of the General Fund Town Maintenance position, Councilman Bartiss provided the board with a cost analysis associated with the General Fund Laborer/Groundskeeper/Building, Grounds and Maintenance/Town Custodian/Town Maintenance Employee position. According to Councilman Bartiss' figures, cost to the Town to fund this position including salary, benefits and retirement are $73,110.22. Costs associated with the position including fuel, vehicle depreciation and equipment repair and maintenance are approximately $9,536.38. Councilman Bartiss projected the total cost to the Town of Franklin to fund this position is $82,646.60. Councilman Smalley provided the board with figures from three vendors for mowing Town of Franklin facilities/property. The estimates were $880 wk/$13,400 yr, $1,300 wk/$20,000 yr and $19,000 yr (does not include Franklin Falls Cemetery). Cleaning services were estimated to be $6,000yr. Discussion was held regarding the appropriate time in the budget year to consider eliminating this position. Councilmen Smalley and Bartiss stated taking immediate action to eliminate the position will save taxpayers money in the current budget year. Supervisor Willman stated the time to consider taking action to eliminate the position would be in October when the board is creating the 2019 Fiscal Budget.

RESOLUTION #23 ELIMINATION OF GENERAL FUND LABORER/GROUNDSKEEPER/ BUILDING, GROUNDS AND MAINTENANCE/TOWN CUSTODIAN/TOWN MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE POSITION - On a motion by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Bartiss, BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby eliminate the General Fund Town Maintenance Employee (also known as laborer/building, grounds and maintenance/town custodian/town maintenance employee) as of April 12, 2018.

Those Voting Aye:
    Councilman Smalley
    Councilman Bartiss
    Councilman Woodcock

Those voting No:
    Supervisor Willman
    Councilman Hamm

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Supervisor Willman adjourned the meeting at 7:08pm.

Respectfully submitted, Lauren LeFebvre, 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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