Town Board & Special Meeting

May 5, 2009

The Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lexington was called to order on May 5, 2009, at 7:00 P.M., by Supervisor Dixie Baldrey at the Lexington Municipal Building, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

PRESENT: Supervisor  ...........................Dixie Baldrey
     Council Members......……..….....…   Keith Mellott                                                                 
                                                                Paul Van Valkenburgh
                                                                Maurice Nelson
                                                                Lynn Byrne
      Town Clerk ……..…....................… Rose Williams

OTHERS PRESENT: Ralph Albino, Glenn Howard, and Mike Ryan (Windham Journal Rep.), Nicholas Palermo, Scott Griffin, Glenn Leisching, James Boyle (Code Enforcement Officer), and John Loftus.

Minutes

Resolution #61-09
Approve the Minutes

                On a motion by Council Member Keith Mellott, seconded by Council Member Maurice Nelson, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes -54 - Baldrey, Mellott, Nelson, Van Valkenburgh & Byrne.
                    Nays - 0

                This Town Board resolves to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on April 7, 2009.   
               
Financial Report

                The Town Board Council Members reviewed the Financial Report that was presented by Supervisor Dixie Baldrey.

Resolution #62-09
Accept the Financial Report

                On a motion by Council Member Maurice Nelson, seconded by Council Member Paul Van Valkenburgh, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Baldrey, Mellott, Nelson, Van Valkenburgh & Byrne.
                    Absent – 0
                    Nays – 0

                This Town Board moves to accept the Financial Report dated April 30, 2009, as presented by Supervisor Dixie Baldrey.

Resolution #63-09
Transfers – Highway Fund

                On a motion by Council Member Paul Van Valkenburgh, seconded by Council Member Maurice Nelson, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Baldrey, Mellott, Nelson, Van Valkenburgh & Byrne.
                    Absent – 0
                    Nays – 0

                This Town Board moves to make the following transfer;
                   Highway Fund: 
                         From: DA 9060.8 - Health Insurance ……………. $451.00
                             To: DA 9040.8 - Workmen’s Compensation ……$451.00

Resolution #64-09
Transfers – Highway Fund

                On a motion by Council Member Maurice Nelson, seconded by Council Member Lynn Byrne, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Baldrey, Mellott, Nelson, Van Valkenburgh & Byrne.
                    Absent – 0
                    Nays – 0

This Town Board moves to make the following transfer:
    General Fund:
                         From:  Contingency, A1990.4 ……………. $460.00
                             To:  Supervisor, Contractual, A1220.4 ….. $460.00

 

Restore NY Grant – Lexington Hotel

                Supervisor Dixie Baldrey said that the owner and project manager from the hotel are present at the meeting along with a copy of the grant, which would be in the office of the Town Clerk’s office for review by the public.  
                Supervisor Dixie Baldrey said that there was a lot of discussion for the meeting on Friday, which she was unable to attend because of a medical emergency.   However, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Leisching were present at the meeting to answer questions.   Supervisor Baldrey went on to read a letter from Mr. Warren Hart from the Greene Co. Economic Development, Tourism & Planning, where he was supporting the application for the RESTORE NY funding.    

Resolution #65-09
Go into Executive Session

                On a motion by Council Member Lynn Byrne, seconded by Council Member Maurice Nelson,  the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Baldrey, Mellott, Nelson, Van Valkenburgh & Byrne.
                    Absent – 0
                    Nays – 0

                This Town Board moves to go into executive session for personnel issues.
Time: 7:05 pm.

Resolution #66-09
Leave Executive Session & Resume Meeting

                On a motion by Council Member Lynn Byrne, seconded by Council Member Maurice Nelson,  the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Baldrey, Mellott, Nelson, Van Valkenburgh & Byrne.
                    Absent – 0
                    Nays – 0

                This Town Board moves to leave executive session and return to the regular scheduled meeting. Time: 7:20 pm

Grant Application

                Supervisor Dixie Baldrey said that the Town Board would like to review the grant application for the hotel at a later time and see if there are any questions for the owner of the hotel.    The grant application will be in the Town Clerk’s Office for public viewing. 

Truck Bid / Advertised for Sale

                Sealed Bids were sought for a used highway truck --- a 1999, F550, with a 4 X 4 Power Stroke Diesel Transmission.   The bid advertisement was published in the Windham Journal on April 16th and 23rd  2009 for the sale of the truck.

                One bid was received in the Town Clerk’s Office on May 5, 2009.  The bid was from Allen Cross, 6194 Route 23C, Prattsville, NY 12468 at a bid price of $500.

Resolution #67-09
Award Truck Bid (1999-F550)

                On a motion by Council Member Keith Mellott, seconded by Council Member Paul Van Valkenburgh,  the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Baldrey, Mellott, Nelson, Van Valkenburgh & Byrne.
                    Absent – 0
                    Nays – 0
               
                Whereas, the Town of Lexington Superintendent of Highways, Larry Cross, advertised the 1999 – F550 used truck for sale in the local newspaper with a minimum bid of $500., and
                Whereas, there was one bid submitted from Allen Cross at a bid price of $500.;
                Therefore, this Town Board moves to award the bid to Allen Cross for the 1999 – F550 truck at a price of $500.

Crump Hill

                Supervisor Dixie Baldrey received information from Tal Rappleyea regarding Crump Hill because a meeting needed to be set up with the different parties to discuss and prepare for the upcoming depositions.

 

Ambulance Service

                Supervisor Baldrey said that the Town Boards of Ashland and Lexington are trying to prepare to get together for a meeting to discuss how the Town of Ashland operates their ambulance service within there system.   The meeting has been tentatively set for Friday,
May 22, 2009; and will need to check with Ashland for the time and their o.k. (Now tentative set for Wednesday, May 27, 2009, as per 5/14/2009 ---- 22nd was not a good date for Ashland)

Basil & Town Line

                Supervisor Baldrey said that there is a section of property between Basil and the Town that needs some care, but where the line is was in question.  Rose and Paul found a survey map of the town property, which showed that that it does belong to the town, so apparently the Town of Lexington needs to be taken care of the property.
 
Ambulance Service

                Councilmember Lynn Byrne said that she had the first application and the paperwork that needs to be completed for the Mutual Aid Plan.  Councilmember Byrne suggested having another meeting to go over these things and complete them.   The meeting was scheduled for Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 7:00 pm.  It will be advertised in the Windham Journal.   
To prepare for the meeting on the fifteenth; the Town Board Members should review their paperwork and have an idea about the funds available from the town.  Councilmember Byrne said that the Board Members need to think about how the service would be manned and what the rate of pay should be and what kind of certification they would be needed, and etc.  
                The tentative date to meet with the Ashland Town Board is May 22, 2009 if it is alright with them.  Supervisor Baldrey will confirm the date and time with Supervisor Richard Tompkins. (Changed tentative now as of 5/14/09 to Wednesday, May 27, 2009 --- was not a good date for Ashland)

Lexington Park

                Greene County Soil & Water is ready to start planning for the park so that it would be in the grant funds that would be available in 2010.   Councilmember Lynn Byrne said that she would soon get in touch with the committee that was working on the project to set down with Michelle Yost and Jeff to share the ideas with them.   Councilmember Lynn Byrne asked if there was anyway that the Highway Crew could clean up the towns portion of the property so that it would look nicer. 
                Councilman Van Valkenburgh said that he would like the town highway crew draw in some fill next to the church property --- in the low spot – it would need at least a couple of loads in there. 
                The Hartnett Property will be graded off and grassed over as per the Supervisor.
               
Cell Tower

                Jim Jeffreys from JNS Enterprises, Inc. gave a presentation on putting up a cell tower for the Town of Lexington.  He explained the different styles – how high it should be --- the best place was behind the Municipal Building --- the town could pick the spot behind the building, but needed to consider power lines --- is there any maintenance involved (pretty maintenance free) --- also talked on the security of the tower --- would the cell tower affect the high speed internet --- can the fire company have their fire communication apparatus included on tower ---- can a balloon test for cell tower be done, and a Mono-pole was recommended as the best tower to use.

Tree on Front Lawn

                Supervisor Dixie Baldrey wanted to know what the Town Board Members felt about the evergreen tree on the front lawn that was planted in memory of Muriel Hoffman.    Supervisor Dixie Baldrey asked if they should have the tree assessed by someone to see if it is diseased. A discussion was held on weather the town should have a professional come to give a status report on the tree.  Councilman Keith Mellott said that the tree has the blight and should be removed from the front lawn before the town has a hazard.   Councilman Van Valkenburgh said that the tree should be cut.   More discussion was held regarding the evergreen tree. 

 

Resolution #68-09
Tree on Front Lawn / Municipal Building

                On a motion by Council Member Keith Mellott, seconded by Council Member Paul Van Valkenburgh,  the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Baldrey, Mellott, Nelson, Van Valkenburgh & Byrne.
                    Absent – 0
                    Nays – 0

                This Town Board moves to cut the tree on the front lawn, and ask the Greene County Highway Dept. if they could cut the tree.

Maintenance Man

                Supervisor Dixie Baldrey said that the town is still without a maintenance man.  A discussion was held on hiring a maintenance man.

Resolution #69-09
Hire a Maintenance Man

                On a motion by Council Member Lynn Byrne Keith Mellott, seconded by Council Member Maurice Nelson,  the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Baldrey, Mellott, Nelson, Van Valkenburgh & Byrne.
                    Absent – 0
                    Nays – 0
 
                This Town Board moves to hire Scott Edmonds from Jewett, NY as the Maintenance Man for the Town of Lexington at a rate of pay of  $15.00 per hour.

Clean Up Day

                Clean Up Day will be held the last week in August --- starting August 24, 2009, and the Highway Department will be picking up the articles.

Nick’s Article

                Supervisor Dixie Baldrey told Nick Palermo that he passed his article on to Assessor Georgette Krauss, which encouraged people to fix up their property without punishing them.   It seems that they are using it in the Village and Town of Catskill, and it will be observed by the town --- how it is working.. 

Correspondence

                Received an article form the Greene Co. Health Dept regarding Swine Flu  in Greene Co. --- no confirmed cases.
                Minutes was forwarded from the Town of Lexington Fire Com. to the Town Board Members for information.
Notice from the Town of Halcott for a Public Hearing that will be held on May 18, 2009 for the Land Use Code.
Notice from the Town of Jewett for a Public Hearing on May 13th, 2009 to enact a Local Law Amending Article IV. F.:  Timbering of the Town of Jewett Zoning Law
Letter from Senator James L. Seward saying that the state legislature rejected the governor’s plan that he proposed to put a cap on state payments for state lands.

Resolution  # 0-09
Pay The Bills

                On a motion by Council Member Paul Van Valkenburgh, seconded by Council Member Lynn Byrne, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Baldrey, Nelson, Byrne, Van Valkenburgh, Mellott.
                    Absent - 0                  
                    Nay - 0

                Resolved that this Town Board, having audited the following General Fund Vouchers #93 through #119, inclusive, hereby, orders them paid and directs the Town Clerk to draw Abstract #5, General Fund, on the Supervisor for payment of $ 11,845.32.

                Resolved that this Town Board, having audited the following Highway Fund Vouchers #52 through #64, inclusive, hereby, order them paid and directs the Town Clerk to draw Abstract #5 Highway Fund, on the Supervisor for payment of $ 11,307.62.

Resolved that this Town Board, having audited the following Special Lighting Fund Voucher #4, inclusive, hereby, order them paid and directs the Town Clerk to draw Abstract #4 Special Lighting District Fund, on the Supervisor for payment of $ 185.61.

Adjourn

                Council Member Lynn Byrne made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott.  All agreed.

                Supervisor Dixie Baldrey adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,

Rose Williams,
Town Clerk, RMC

Special Meeting

May 15, 2009

The Special Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lexington was called to order on May 15, 2009 at 7:00 pm, by Supervisor Dixie Baldrey at the Lexington Municipal Building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, NY, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

 

PRESENT:  Deputy  Supervisor..................Dixie Baldrey

       Council Members......……..….......…  Paul Van Valkenburgh 
                                                                   Maurice Nelson

                                                                   Lynn Byrne
Town Clerk ………….……...................... Rose Williams

ABSENT: Councilmember ………………Keith Mellott    

Others Present: Taris Charysyn & Charles Visich

               Supervisor Dixie Baldrey said that the special meeting was called to review the options that the town has for the ambulance service. 

Councilmember Lynn Byrne reviewed the blank lines in the application with the council members.  Many items were discussed:
1.      How long the process would take after the application it is submitted.
2.      How many trained personnel would be needed?
3.      The need to hire a billing clerk.
4.      How many EMT’s would be needed?
5.      How many shifts would be needed?
6.      How many drivers are needed?
7.      A plan to schedule the workers.
8.      Would others be available to help?
9.      Pay for the employees.
10.   How many rescue calls are there each month?
11.   Insurance would be needed.

Councilmember Paul Van Valkenburgh made a motion to adjourn, seconded by

Councilmember Maurice Nelson.  Everyone agreed.

Supervisor Dixie Baldrey adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Rose Williams, Town Clerk
RMC, Town of Lexington