Adirondack Town Of Franklin
Adirondack Town Of Franklin

Town of Franklin Board Meeting

October 9, 2006 - 7:00 pm

The Town Board of the Town of Franklin held a duly noticed Special Board meeting on Monday, October 9, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the Vermontville Town Hall.

Board members present:

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

Board members absent:

    Councilman Tim Goff

Others present:

    Highway Superintendent James Rascoe
    Town Clerk Sandra Oliver

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited; the Town Clerk called the roll, announced a quorum was present.

AUDIT OF BILLS

    The following bills were presented for payment on Abstract 10:
    GeneralClaims 196-215$4,822.95
    HighwayClaims 105-120$8,112.84
    Prepay GeneralClaims 61-67$1,575.11
    The following bill was presented for payment on Abstract 6:
    Highway Prepay Claim 10$160,400.00
    The following bills were presented for payment on Abstract 5:
    Landfill Special ReserveClaim 5-6$1,026.45

    Motion to approve bills (G.Goff-W.Kretser m/s/p) ALL AYE

MINUTES

    The minutes of the September 11, and special meeting of September 27, 2006 were accepted as presented. Motion to accept minutes (M.Keith-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE

SUPERVISOR'S REPORT

    Balances as of September 1, 2006

    General FundCK$33,361.07
    SV$34,280.05
    CLASS$170,795.60
    Highway FundCK$41,015.88
    SV$6,088.81
    CLASS$127,073.42
    Cap Proj Hwy$56,961.13
    LandfillCK$2,124.64
    CLASS$66,329.28
    FireCK$841.78
    CLASS$4,561.13
    Cap. BuildingCLASS$138,423.56

    Supervisor Keith set forth the method of payment for the 2007 International vehicle to M.A.Jerry. The Town issued Bond Anticipation Notes (See Resolution No. 41) through Tupper Lake National Bank in the amount of $110,000. This amount was deposited into the Highway Fund CLASS account, transferred to Highway Savings and then further transferred to Capital Project Highway. At the same time, the Town received $85,000 from Franklin County in payment of snow and ice removal. This amount was also deposited into Capital Project Highway for a total of $245,000. $160,000 was then paid to M.A. Jerry in full payment for the new vehicle. Sale of the 1999 International vehicle plus anticipated $103,000 from CHPS in December will repay the Bond Anticipation Notes. (Change per 11/13/06 Board meeting.)

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

BUDGET AMENDMENT #4 GEN FUND

    To adjust the Town's bookkeeping, Supervisor Keith asked for a motion for an amendment to the General Fund Budget.

    Motion for resolution (G.Goff-W.Kretser m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 46: GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 4: In order to maintain a balanced 2006 General Fund Budget, the following Budget Amendment is hereby adopted:

    FROM ACCOUNTAMOUNTTO ACCOUNTAMOUNT
    A1330.4 Tax Collector$520.00A1330.2 Tax Coll Eq$520.00
    A1410.4 Town Clerk$520.00A1410.2 Clk Eq$520.00
    A1990.4 Contingent$3,000.00A1650.4 Centr Comm$1,500.00
    A7140.4 Spec Rec CE$1,500.00

    Those voting aye:

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

    Those Voting nay:

      None

BUDGET AMENDMENT #3 HIGHWAY FUND

    To adjust the Town's bookkeeping, Supervisor Keith asked for a motion for an amendment to the Highway Fund Budget.

    Motion for resolution (J.Ordway-G.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 47: HIGHWAY FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 3: In order to maintain a balanced 2006 General Fund Budget, the following Budget Amendment is hereby adopted:

    FROM ACCOUNTAMOUNTTO ACCOUNTAMOUNT
    Unexpended Balance$52,000.00DA5140.1 Gen Repair PS$1,000.00
    DA5148.1 S vcs Other Govts PS$1,000.00
    DA5112.1 Cap Impr PS $20,000.00
    DA5142.1 Snow Rem PS $30,000.00

    Those voting aye:

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

    Those Voting nay:

      None

SAND BIDS

    Having advertised in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise and the Press-Republican for road sand bids, the Town Clerk opened the two bids received: Trudeau Sand & Gravel was awarded the contract for $5.24 per ton. The Graymont bid was for $8.35 per ton.

    Motion to accept Trudeau bid (W.Kretser-G.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE

BIDS ON 1999 INTERNATIONAL

    Because the Post Office was closed this date, opening of bids for the 1999 International was postponed to the Special Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 4:00 pm.

HIGHWAY REPORT

Highway Superintendent James Rascoe presented the following report:

    1. CURRENT PROJECTS.
      a. French Road. Trees cut and culverts dug. This was a bad situation as water was streaming down the road, and the department spent 3 1/2 days ditching and cutting trees.

      b. Swinyer/Merrill Intersection. This project is finished, and Couns. Kretzer and Ordway complimented Mr. Rascoe on the improvement. The difference is big - the intersection is finally safe.

      c. Muzzy and Franklin Falls Roads. Supt. Rascoe wants to work on these roads as conditions are bad, especially Franklin Falls Road at the top of the hill.

      d. Paye, Keith and McManus Roads. These roads have been graded.

      e. Thatcherville Rd. Still mowing

      f. Goldsmith Rd. Almost finished

      g. Mowing. Almost all of the Loon Lake area has been completed.

      h. Shoulder Work. Completed

    The Board thanked Supt. Rascoe for all the hard work his department has done and complimented him on his leadership.

    2. SALT DELIVERY. Most of salt has been delivered.

    3. EQUIPMENT.

      a. Tractor. Broom removed from tractor as it is so damaged it is no longer usable. The tractor is also very old but department will continue to rake with it until it is so damaged it can't run.

      b. 2000 Tandem. This vehicle (Unit 11) has been taken to M.A. Jerry to have the oil pressure checked. New lights will be installed on the vehicle.

    4. STREET SIGNS

      a. Leo Collins Rd. Sign stolen.

      b. Pine Grove Lane. Sign stolen.

      Both stop signs have been replaced.

    5. HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT CONCERNS

      a. Brush and Trees. Mr. Rascoe stated the Town was in terrible trouble with trees growing over its roads. He said the department could spend the next 3 years just cutting brush and trees. He reiterated his wish to purchase a new tractor for $25,000 with a $18,000 extendable ladder for cutting trees. Coun. Kretser acknowledged the brush and tree situation was a problem and noted that Cold Brook Road is beginning to resemble a tunnel.

      b. North Branch Rd. The Haltigan family has moved to the top of the hill, and the school bus must travel to the residence to retrieve and deliver the children. This road is in very bad shape and may damage the Town's vehicles. The department worked on the road a bit this summer, but it needs more work and a turnaround needs to be created. Although the road is classified as "seasonal", the fact that a family with children resides on it creates a problem for snow removal. This road will need work.

      c. Fletcher Farm Rd. The department has replaced problem culverts and done quite a bit of ditching. The road needs additional ditching and culvert replacement.

      d. Blue Spruce Drive. The Wechslers informed Supt. Rascoe they planned to install a new septic system on their property across the road from their house, which means the line will be installed under the road. Supt. Rascoe expressed concern a bout the number of lines under the road, as well as freezing problems. The Codes Officer has been apprised of the situation and will require plans submitted by a professional engineer.

      e. Garden Road. Mr. Gilmore moved his rock ledge close to the road to accommodate the growth of his large blue spruce tree. The rock ledge infringes by approximately 10 feet the Town's right-of-way and will impede plowing. Supt. Rascoe located the Gilmore property stakes and measured. A certified letter will be sent by the Highway Superintendent advising Mr. Gilmore that the rock ledge should be removed or relocated to its original position at Mr. Gilmore's expense. The Board concurred with Supt. Rascoe.

      f. Bottom of Franklin Falls Road. The cement culvert is rising and the road is sinking. Supt. Rascoe purchased warning signs and will shim the road with asphalt on both sides in order to make it passable this winter. However, the road needs to be worked on next year. The Superintendent will meet a representative of National Grid before working on it because of all the power lines in the area.

      g. Town Garage. The County gave its approval for the Town to retain the bulldozer so the slope behind the garage can be worked on. h. Summer Laborer. Supt. Rascoe expressed his hope to employ the summer part time laborer as a full time laborer on a permanent basis. This would entail adding him to the health insurance program. Supt. Rascoe noted his department has 3 employees who do not participate in the Town's health insurance program. If the young man becomes a full time employee, the Highway Dept. would have 8 MEO's and 1 laborer.

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

    1. Septic System. Coun. Ordway asked if the Garage septic system froze last winter, and Supt. Rascoe responded it had not because of the heat tape that had been applied.

    2. Salt Shed. A proposal for emergency repair of the salt shed was delivered to the Town Clerk from T. Machain. The proposal amounted to $1,200 plus the daily rental of a lift. The work urgently needs to be completed, as the shed is in danger of imminent collapse. Coun. Kretser will speak with the contractor before the agreement is signed.

OLD BUSINESS

    1. Fuel Bids. Supervisor Keith is still researching the issue, but requested the Board to authorize her to advertise for bids.

    Motion for resolution (J.Ordway-W.Kretser m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 48: AUTHORIZATION FOR SUPERVISOR TO PUBLISH REQUEST FOR FUEL BIDS WHEREAS, in accordance with the Town's Procurement Policy, requests for bids for fuel must be published, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to publish requests for bids for fuel.

    Those voting aye:

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

    Those Voting nay:

      None

    2. Yellow Wood Associates.

      a. The September 27, 2006 special board meeting was attended by representatives of Yellow Wood Associates, the Town Board and the Building Committee. It was very informative, and priorities were set.

      b. Potential Structure at Rec Park. Shortly after the special board meeting, Shanna Ratner sent an email with specific questions for the Board concerning the potential structure. She asked the Board to respond to same on or before October 13th. Yellow Wood will be contacting an architect to consult on the structure (at Yellow Wood's expense). The Board reviewed her questions and determined it wished to proceed with the structure as recommended by the Building Committee. The Board also wanted the opportunity to talk to the architect. They asked the Town Clerk to email Ms. Ratner.

    3. Rescue Contract with Village of Saranac Lake. Coun. G. Goff will attend a meeting scheduled for Tues. October 10, 2006 at 3:30 pm.

    4. Board of Elections Chargeback. It was noted that the morning's local radio broadcast contained a report of the County Legislature during which representatives from the northern end of the County strongly disagreed with changing the manner in which the Board of Elections chargeback is calculated. The Town adopted Resolution No. 22 at a special meeting held April 3, 2006 and forwarded a certified copy of same to the Legislature. The Town Board expressed dissatisfaction with the current method based on real property assessment, and preferred instead calculation based on the number of registered voters in the Town.

    5. Assessment Issues.

      a. Waterfront Property Owners Associations. Copies of a letter received from several waterfront property owners associations were distributed to the Board, along with the response by Douglas Tichenor, Assessor, and response by Supervisor Keith. The correspondence expressed dissatisfaction with current assessing methods and requested more clarity from the assessor on methods used. The complaints contained in the correspondence appear to be directed at another assessor.

      b. Town of Franklin Reval. Supervisor Keith, in discussions with Assessor Tichenor, noted the Town is due for an update of the assessment revaluation in 2007. The Assessor will address the Board at an upcoming meeting to request postponement of same until 2008.

    6. Ethics Committee. Chair Lauren LeFebvre is due for reappointment to a 3-year term. Supv. Keith asked for a motion for a resolution reappointing Ms. LeFebvre. Motion for resolution (J.Ordway-G.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 49: REAPPOINT LAUREN LEFEBVRE TO ETHICS BOARD WHEREAS, Lauren LeFebvre has served as Chair of the Town's Ethics Committee; and WHEREAS, she is willing to continue to serve an additional 3 year term, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Lauren LeFebvre is hereby reappointed to a 3-year term as Chair of the Town's Ethics Committee.

    Those voting aye:

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

    Those Voting nay:

      None

    7. Loon Lake Homeowners Association. Keith Silliman requested support from the Town in its application for a grant to improve the water quality of Loon Lake. Supervisor Keith acquiesced, and copies of the letter in support were distributed to the Board.

COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

    1. 911 System. Coun. J. Ordway had a discussion with a member of the Franklin County Fire Committee, and he asked her to urge Town residents to call "911" instead of police, fire or rescue directly. She requested this be posted on the bulletin board and elsewhere.

    2. House Numbers. Town residents also need to put their new 911 house numbers where the police, fire or rescue trucks can see them. This should also be communicated to the residents of the Town.

ADJOURNMENT

    There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 9:18 pm

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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