Board Meeting
April 19th, 2011
The Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lexington was called to order on April 19th, 2011 at 6:30 P.M., by Supervisor Greg Cross at the Lexington Municipal Building, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
PRESENT:
Supervisor ....................................... Greg Cross
Council Members....……...……....… Keith Mellott
John Berger
Lynn Byrne
Glenn Howard
Town Clerk ……..….......................…Rose Williams
Supt. of Highways …..…..………..…. Frank Hermance
OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Ryan (Windham Journal Rep.), JoEllen Schermerhorn, Elizabeth Hapeman, Berry Eckstein, Elaine Fekner, Nancy & Lubko Kizyma, Mary Cline, Supervisor ‘s Assistant; Margaret & Jerry Lawrence, Ron Lipton, Mildred Hermance, Janice Mellott, Michael Petecca, Anna Spinetti, Marie Cross, Robert & Margaret Stapleton, Karen Deeter, Susan Sheiner, Joseph Romanec, Linda Winchester, and Lois Jenkins.
Minutes
Resolution # 65-11
Approve Minutes
On a motion by Council Member Keith Mellott, seconded by Council Member John Berger, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Berger, Howard, Mellott,
Nays - 0
This Town Board moves to approve the minutes of the meeting held on held on April 5th, 2011.
Resolution # 66-11
Approve Financial Report
On a motion by Council Member John Berger, seconded by Council Member Glenn Howard, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Berger, Howard, Mellott,
Nays - 0
This Town Board moves to accept the Financial Report printed on April 17, 2011.
Update on Septic District
Supervisor Greg Cross said that the Town Board received a letter from Jack & Kathy Jordan asking the town to address the question they had regarding the septic system. Supervisor Cross said that he addressed the questions many times and a copy was given to each board member.
Supervisor Greg Cross said that he had received an e-mail since the last meeting from the proposal that was presented on April 5th regarding the Orenco System --- the system has been reviewed and accepted by NYC DEP. There are two weeks before the deadline to accept the plan and money. Supervisor Cross went on to say that he thought the Town Board believes this is the best system for the Town, but they do need to make sure it is what the town needs
-- the operating system, and the operating cost for the long term benefit of the town. A discussion was held about the Orenco Septic System by the Town Board and the town residents.
The topic of removing the post office came up and Supervisor Cross said that it was addressed at the last meeting and he did not believe that anyone would like to see the Post Office removed, and that it was only a proposal from the owner.
Veteran’s Memorial
Councilmember Glenn Howard said that he had a meeting with Richard Banks and they decided to have only members who joined the armed forces while they were residents of the Town of Lexington. So to be eligible to have your name on the monument, you need to have joined the military when you were a resident of the town. Councilmember Howard is going over the list to define it and after that is done – an ad will be put in the newspaper.
Janice Mellott expressed her opinion by saying that she thought it was wrong to put the names on the monument because you will leave someone out and to differentiate and to say that you lived in town when you joined the service – and moved out of town before joining – they still joined to serve our county and she went on to say that she was only stating her opinion, but felt that she needed to say it, and felt the town should be thankful for all the men and women who joined the service. Councilmember Glenn Howard said that he could appreciate that opinion, but he felt that he gave twenty years of his life for this county and he wanted his name on the monument. Further discussion was held.
Councilmember Glenn Howard said there would be provision for someone who is forgotten and there would be room to add their name(s) at a later time.
Resolution # 67-11
Criteria for Names on Veteran’s Memorial
On a motion by Council Member Glenn Howard, seconded by Council Member John Berger, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Berger, Howard, Mellott,
Nays - 0
This Town of Lexington Town Board moves to make the criteria for names on the Memorial Monument to be: “Only Town of Lexington residents who joined the military service while living here at the time of their enlistment would have their names put on the monument in front of the Kenneth A. Becker Municipal Building.”
Schoharie Watershed Advisory Council Update
Councilmember Lynn Byrne said she went to the Schoharie Stream Watershed Management Program and listened to speakers on extreme precipitation and the increasing amount of rainfall in the north east, which will be continuing. Cornell is investigation the rain fall increase and has records dating back to 1940, so they can track the increase. More information was given.
A grant has been awarded to GCS&W to do a fly over of the Schoharie Creek to determine where there are thermal holes in the Schoharie that would help maintain the trout population. Based on the Schoharie Watershed Advisory Committee grants that are available; Prattsville is getting another grant for stream access and Windham is getting a path. There are grants out there for many different categories.
The proposed project for Spruceton would be $275,000.from Greene Co. Highway and the Greene County Soil & Water has agreed to give $75,000 towards the project. A discussion was held on the project.
Councilmember Lynn Byrne handed out material to the Town Board Members regarding the agreement between the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Town of Lexington for the Lexington Pocket Park. She asked the Council Members to review the info and have it put on the agenda for the next meeting for approval. Councilmember Byrne said she would like to have two days in May and June and ask for community volunteers to come and help do some planting and clean up the property. She was also thinking about having a plant swap to exchange plants. More discussion was held about dredging the stream beds and removing the gravel bars.
Code of Ethics Board
Two new members of the Code of Ethics Board were needed and the town advertised for interested residents. Elaine Fekner and Susan Sheiner volunteered to serve on the Code of Ethics Board along with Town Board Member, Glenn Howard.
Resolution # 68-11
Approve Code Of Ethics Members
On a motion by Supervisor Greg Cross, seconded by Council Member John Berger, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 4 - Cross, Byrne, Berger, Mellott,
Nays - 0
Abstain - 1 - Howard
This Town Board moves to appoint Elaine Fekner and Susan Sheiner to serve on the Code of Ethics Board for the 2011 year.
Correspondence
The Lemonade Stand day is May 1st and the IDA is getting kids to set up lemonade stands.
Extending the Hamlet == Public Hearing will be at the next Board Meeting of May 3, 2011 at 6:30 pm.
Emergency Preparedness Plan
Robert Basil commented to the supervisor that the if there is an emergency --- would there be power at the Municipal Building--- most likely no, so he suggested that the town should get a backup generator system for power at the Municipal Building. Supervisor Greg Cross said that he thought was a valid point and since Robert Basil has volunteered his services in getting and installing a generator --- the Town Board should think about doing that.
Councilmember Lynn Byrne said that she would have figures for the next meeting on purchasing a laptop and a projector so when a board meeting is held ------ people or visitors that come in can show programs, and the Town Board would be able to show the community different things with their power point presentations.
Resolution # 69-11
Support funding compliance actions for the Shandaken Tunnel SPEDES Permit extension that address in-stream and terrestrial turbidity sources
On a motion by Councilmember Glenn Howard, seconded by Council Member John Berger, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Berger, Mellott,
Nays - 0
WHEREAS: The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be applying for a permit extension to the Shandaken Tunnel SPDES Permit, which expires September 1, 2011; and
WHEREAS: The Shandaken Tunnel SPDES Permit issued by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to the DEP addresses structural and non-structural measures with the goal of reducing impacts from turbidity that originate in the Schoharie basin and are diverted via the Shandaken Tunnel to the Ashokan basin; and
WHEREAS: The Town of Lexington, through its participation in the development of the Lexington Stream Management Plan, recognizes the importance of natural resource planning, and
WHEREAS: The Town of Lexington has been involved in the development of the Stream Management Implementation Program, serving as a participant on the Schoharie Watershed Advisory Committee, and
WHEREAS: The Town of Lexington, as well as the other participating municipalities that comprise the Mountaintop Supervisors and Mayors Association, have on many occasions worked in cooperation to develop and implement programs of mutual benefit, and
WHEREAS: Concerns related to storm water management and water quality have been the subject of many discussions and are a common interest of Greene County mountaintop communities, and
WHEREAS; The Town of Lexington has identified a need for strong stormwater technical assistance to support its planning board, code enforcement official, highway department, residents and developers with respect to proactive stormwater management involving storm water regulations, coordination with permitting agencies on stormwater pollution prevention plans and SEQRA determinations, development of a stormwater infrastructure maintenance program on public and private systems, and use of better site design principles in development projects, and
WHEREAS; The Town of Lexington acknowledges that protecting the landscape and economic development can be compatible with proactive technical assistance at the local level to guide development and redevelopment projects to reduce impervious cover and runoff,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Town of Lexington supports the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District’s effort for continued funding by NYCDEP in the 2011 Shandaken Tunnel SPDES permit extension for turbidity reducing measures that support local watershed communities in the Schoharie basin to protect water quality by funding:
- The Stream Management Implementation Program for another five years
- Additional stream restoration work with a focus on the Lower West Kill reach that is significantly impairing water quality in this sub-basin, and
- Providing funding for a full-time Stormwater Technician position that would support the Town in managing a proactive regional approach to stormwater management through greater technical assistance at the local level.
Correspondence
Supervisor Cross received notification from the Department of Transportation that a culvert replacement would be done between County Rt. 13 and County Route 17, which is located in the Town of Jewett. There will be one-way traffic when this is done and it is believed that it is near Mrs. Palace place.
Public Concerns
JoEllen Schermerhorn asked for an update on the Mosquito Point Bridge and when it would be completed. Superintendent Frank Hermance said that it would open in around two weeks. The hope is that the bridge will be open by May 9th.
Barry Eckstein asked if someone from the Town Board could write a letter on his behalf for Spruceton Road and get a schedule for the proposed work on the Spruceton Road. Supervisor Greg Cross said that his best time line which he has been told was that it would be done in this construction season.
Transfer
Resolution # 70-11
Transfer in General Fund
On a motion by Councilmember Keith Mellott, seconded by Council Member Glenn Howard, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Berger, Mellott,
Nays - 0
This Town Board moves to make the following transfer in the General Fund for expenses to go to the Assoc. of Towns Meeting in New York and Finance Schooling in Saratoga Springs.
General Fund: From: Special Account, Contingence Acct. (A1990.4) == $1,500.
To: Town Board, Contractual (A1010.4) ======== $1,500.
Resolution #71-11
Audit the Bills
On a motion by Council Member Glenn Howard, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Mellott, & Berger
Nays - 0
Resolved that the bills be paid on General Fund Abstract # 7 in the following amounts:
General Fund No. 97 through No. 108 = $ 2,852.23
Resolved that the bills be paid on Highway Fund Abstract # 7 in the following amounts:
Highway Fund No. 70 through No. 76 = $ 9,686.38
Adjourn
Council Member Keith Mellott made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Glenn Howard. All agreed.
Supervisor Greg Cross adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Rose Williams, Town Clerk, RMC