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 Tom Bartiss and, Councilman Don Hamm

Others Present:

Highway Superintendent Jacques DeMars, Doris Hamm, Ed Martin, Richard Meagher-Budget Officer, Peter Woodcock, Julie Woodcock, Glenn Swinyer and Town Clerk Lauren LeFebvre

CALL TO ORDER

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

REVIEW OF 2016 PRELIMINARY BUDGET

Budget Officer Richard Meagher compared the 2015 and 2016 budgets.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

CLOSE PUBLIC HEARINGSupervisor Willman closed the Public Hearing at 5:45pm and opened the regular meeting at 5:45pm.


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

REVIEW/APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 14, 20 MINUTES

The minutes of October 14 & 20, 2015 were approved as presented. D. Hamm-A. Berg (m/s/p all aye)

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

General FundAbstract 11Claims 210-236$42,252.67
Highway FundAbstract 11Claims 165-180$51,008.86
Pre-Pay GeneralAbstract 11Claims 32-35$1,616.59

D. Hamm-A. Berg (m/s/p/ all aye)

SUPERVISOR'S REPORT.

Balances on hand as of 10/31/15:

GENERAL FUNDChecking$38,806.05
Savings$75,493.73
Historian$3,038.32
Kate MT. SRF$19,319.47
Cemetery RF$2,201.09
CLASS$87,360.09
HIGHWAY FUNDChecking$83,215.50
 Savings$233,330.62
 Cap. Proj. Hwy.$46,563.94
 CLASS$538,816.58
LANDFILL CLOSURE CAP RESChecking$6,291.94
 CLASS$24,084.09
FIRE PROTECTIONChecking$15,571.32
 CLASS$685.30
CAP. PROJ. BLDGCLASS$25,449.11

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

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Superintendent DeMars read the following report:

  • Added shoulders where paved on: Alder Brook Rd., Alder Brook Park Rd, and Fletcher Farm Rd.
  • Finished hauling sand.
  • We received a letter stating that Nortrax will be closing on Nov.30th.
  • Local road inventory- Howe Road.
  • Cut shoulders on Fletcher Farm Rd. from Cold Brook Rd. to Franklin Falls Hill.
  • Had men out after high winds for down trees.
  • Hauled asphalt for Town of Tupper Lake, Village of Tupper Lake and village of Saranac Lake.
  • Patched potholes on cold Brook Road.
  • Pulled culvert that had failed on Norman Ridge Road.
  • Prepped some trucks for winter.
  • Currently cutting shoulders on McManus Road.
  • Gas, fuel and maintenance logs given to Highway Committee

Highway Committee Report - None

NEW BUSINESS

A. 2016 Budget

RESOLUTION #35 ADOPTING 2016 FINAL BUDGET

On a motion by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Berg, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby adopt the 2016 Preliminary Budget, as presented at the Public Hearing, as the 2016 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

B. 2016 Town of Franklin Insurance

-Supervisor Willman has received at $31,796.41 quote from New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal. Trident has provided a quote that is approximately $5200 less. Supervisor Willman suggested the board meet with the Town's insurance agent, The LaBarge Agency, to discuss this on November 18, 2015 at 5:30pm. A Special Meeting was set for that time.

C. Excavator Financing

Supervisor Willman has procured 3 quotes for three year financing for purchase the Kubota Excavator:

Sun Equipment3.62%$69,786
Kubota Credit5%$72,443
1st Niagara2.58%$69,166.80

RESOLUTION #36 FINANCING KUBOTA EXCAVATOR

On a motion by Councilman Berg, second by Councilman Smalley, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby select 1st Niagara Bank as the lender to provide financing for the purchase of the new Kubota Excavator for a total loan of $69,166.80 with the first payment due in January 2016 and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board approves Supervisor Willman to sign all necessary documents and agreements regarding the financing with 1st Niagara Bank.

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. Justice Audit

Supervisor Willman reported he audited the Town Justice Roger Symonds financial records and found all to be in good order.

RESOLUTION #37 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 November 3, 2015, 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

E. Year-end Meeting Date

The board discussed December 30, 2015 as a date for the year-end meeting. This will be finalized at the December 9 regular board meeting.

F. Teamsters Contract

Supervisor Willman discussed the contract negotiations between the Town and the Teamsters Union. An agreement has been reached. Changes have been made to sick leave accrual upon retirement. Retiring employees will be paid $100 per day, up to 50 days, for unused sick days. A longevity increase has been included as well as annual raises.

RESOLUTION #38 2016-2018 TEAMSTERS CONTRACT

On a motion by Councilman Berg, second by Councilman Bartiss, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby accept and approve the 2016-2018 Teamsters Contract.

Those Voting Aye:

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

Those Voting Nay:

None

G. Noise Ordinance

Councilman Berg reported he was present at the Town Hall when a resident came in to inquire as to whether the Town had a noise ordinance. She was told by Supervisor Willman the Town does not. Councilman Berg suggested a noise ordinance may be something to be considered in the future.

OLD BUSINESS

A. CDBG/HUD - No update

B. POLE BARN STATUS - Councilman Smalley reported the structure, as per bid specifications, is complete. The Highway Department will perform some groundwork tasks next week. Councilman Hamm inquired as to whether Anchor Bolts had been installed. Supervisor Willman informed him they were not and he is concerned about spending more funds out of the 2015 budget at this time of year. Councilman Smalley has been in contact with SLCSD Superintendent inquiring as to whether it would be possible for a group of students to paint a tree mural on the back and side of the Pole Barn. After investigation, the Superintendent determined this was not possible. Councilman Smalley will contact area artists as an alternative.

C. LUNCHES - Supervisor Willman continues to work with Franklin county Legislator Barbara Rice to have the Town of Franklin included, at a reduced cost or no cost, in the summer lunch program run through Saranac Lake Central School District. The Town of Franklin has proven that more than 50% of the children attending our Summer Youth Program are eligible for free or reduced lunch as he was informed we must do to take part in the program. In a conference call on November 10, which included Supervisor Willman, Legislator Barbara Rice and representatives from Essex County (where program funding passes through) more obstacles were presented by the county. Supervisor Willman and Legislator Rice continue to work on this as the funds are provided to SLCSD which is located in Franklin County, with a student population of both Franklin and Essex Counties.

COMMITTEE REPORTS.

A. Cemetery - no report.

B. Veteran's - no report.

C. Celebration - Lauren reported there will be "A Visit With Santa" at the Town Hall on December 19, 12:30-2

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Supervisor Willman adjourned the meeting at 6:40pm.

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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