Town of Lexington,NY - Board Minutes


Board Meeting June 30, 2010 The Information Meeting for the Ambulance Service for the Town of Lexington was called to order on June 30, 2010 at 7:00 P.M., by Supervisor Greg Cross at the Lexington Municipal Building, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Supervisor........................................... Greg Cross Council Members......……..….......... John Berger, Glenn Howard, Keith Mellott, Lynn Byrne Town Clerk .......................….............. Rose Williams Superintendent of Highway…....…..... Frank Hermance OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Supervisor Mary Cline, Lois Jenkins, Stephen Foreman, Mike Cotrone, Fire Commissioner Taris Charysyn, Alfred Truesdell, Donald Falke, Beatrice Sainato, Judy Sainato, Amelia Cutolo, Sharon D'Addario, Heidi McNab, Jarred D'Addario, Elaine Fekner, Mildred Hermance, Rescue Squad Captain Jack Jordan, June Frasier, Kenneth Becker, Kathy Jordan, Jo Ellen Schermerhorn, Zack Jordan, Sarah Jordan, Nancy Kizyma, Liza, Abigail, and Paul Dwon, Emma Jean Fiesinger, Betty Hapeman, Rob Zuchowski, Nicholas Palermo, Albert & Louise Van Etten, Paul Van Valkenburgh - Sec./ Treas. of the Commissioners, Commissioner Robert Hermance, Amy Simmons, Robert Sherwood, and James Buscarello. Supervisor Greg Cross said that they are trying to come up with a solution for an ambulance service and he read a letter from the Commissioner from July of 2008 where they were making the Town Board aware of the serious situation because of a lack of personnel during the daytime because so many Rescue Squad members are working out of town. The letter in its entirety is on file at the Town Clerk's Office. Some of the discussions and comments made were: Jack Jordan said that the Rescue Squad only has one certified EMT at the present time. Should consider a model like Ashland, but was unable to do that so the Town Board voted two months ago to go forward toward a paid service. Councilmember Byrne and Supervisor Cross came up with a paid budget after reviewing Windham and Ashland’s budget. Need to hire an Administrator, an additional full time EMT, and a third EMT which would be used for days off, sick days, and so forth. Need to establish the budget by using an on call driver, so no driver would set for a twenty-four seven time frame. $199,400. was the budget which they came up with, and to give a little extra --- made it $210.000? Talked to the Assessor to find out the cost per taxpayer --- for a budget at $200,000. ---- it would cost the taxpayer $1.24 per thousand assessed. There are 821 residential parcels in the Town of Lexington with and average assessed value of $129,000. Councilmember Byrne said there was a mistake in the Windham Journal where it said that the ambulance service would be free to Lexington residents --- that was not true because it is illegal for the town to provide free service to residents and charge other people who are non residents. It would not be a free service for anyone. Ashland has found out that after two or three years, funds do come in. A discussion was held on what the Insurance Co. would pay for. Need to check out how the payments are made and who pays what? A question was asked if a guest in the home would get charge. Yes, was the answer? The town has an average of twenty (20) calls throughout the year. The Commissioners said they couldn’t give the ambulance over to the town ---- a discussion was held. It was asked if there was a place to house the people and a place for cots and showers. Fire Commissioners contacted the Association of Fire Districts to find out what they could do and couldn’t do. The town needs to work together because this is a nationwide problem – no ambulance service. Many laws have changed over the years which makes is very difficult for someone to become certified. What are the qualifications for a first responder? Liza answered that you need 40 hours of first aid time. Liza said she plans to get recertified as an EMT and it would take at least three months. Paul Dwon said his certification has expired but he plans to recertify it in September. Matt has resigned, and Jack Jordan said that his certification has expired. Travis Rinaldi has to take the test again --- go back to Utica to take the test. Hoped no one in the room would get hurt or have something happen to a family members --- just think if something happened to one of your family members and no one was able to come and help you --- can you imagine that -----a discussion was held. Let’s start working together. How many active Firemen does the town have? They have 18 members that are active under the age of 57. It has been rumored that the Fire Co. is going to keep some of the equipment and have a first responders group for their unit. They answered by saying they don't have to purchase any new equipment because they have things on the ambulance right now which is required equipment --- extra back boards, extra defibrillator, along with other extra equipment that is used in other vehicles. Right now, an EMT responds to the scene and sometimes equipment is there because they have extra equipment, and it will work for the first responders group, and they said they have the equipment so no more expense would be involved. And then it was stated that if the town has the paid ambulance service -- then the town would have to buy equipment to supply the ambulance which would make an additional cost. Further discussion was held on establishing the first responders unit and that the ambulance cannot be given to the town for a dollar. How can Ashland purchase an ambulance for one dollar and this town can’t. A discussion was held on purchasing an ambulance. Discussed looking for a new used ambulance. Discussed having an Ambulance District within the town for payment on tax bill. See if an EMT course could be held here in the Town of Lexington. Wanted to thank all of the people who have served on the Rescue Squad and Fire Co. Wondered if the G. C. Legislature has been notified of our situation --- yes, they have been contacted and no grants are available at this time. Wanted to know how long it would be before this gets started. The answer was that they first need to know the status of ambulance and also need to contact Ashland how they transferred their ambulance. Can a person still be a volunteer if it goes to a paid ambulance service, and the answer was no – only if you want to participate on the paid squad. A discussion was held. Will this go to a public referendum --- go before the voters of the Town of Lexington? Need to talk to Attorney Tal Rappleyea to find out the pros and cons of setting up an ambulance district. The Town Board will put it up for a vote and see where it goes from here. Bus Driver / Youth Program Resolution # 88-10 Bus Driver to Mine Kill State Park 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 This Town Board approves hiring Nancy Arangio @ $18.00 per hour as a bus driver for the Hunter-Tannersville Central School Bus to drive the children to Minekill State Park for the Youth Program. Computer Person Supervisor Greg Cross said that the historian has had problems with her computer and the computer guy installed a two hundred and ninety dollar program in the computer which she could not use, and then recommended upgrading with an additional six hundred dollars, which he thought, was a little excessive. Therefore, he took the liberty of contacting Nett Lynch from Technett Computer Services, who came and looked at all the computers in the town. She also gave an estimate of $75.00 to fix the Historian’s Computer, and the Supervisor recommended switching computer personnel. Resolution # 89-10 Computer Technician On a motion by Council Member John Berger, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was ADOPTED Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Mellott, & Berger Nays - 0 This Town Board moves to switch computer person from Computer MD’s to Nechnett Computer Services, and there will be no monthly updates. Resolution # 90-10 Establishing a Standard Workday for Elected and Appointed Officials On a motion by Council Member Lynn Byrne, seconded by Council Member John Berger, the following resolution was ADOPTED Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Mellott, & Berger Nays - 0 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board be and hereby establishes the following as a standard workday for elected and appointed officials for the purpose of determining days worked reportable to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System: STANDARD: six hour day equals one (1) day Town Clerk/Tax Collector & Superintendent of Highways STANDARD: five day work week, eight (8) hour day Supervisor, Highway Personnel, Town Board Members, Bookkeeper, Justice, Attorney of the Town, Assessor, Building/Zoning Officer, Planning Board Member, Zoning Board of Appeals Member, Assessment Review Board Member, Health Officer, Historian, Dog Control Officer, Clerk to the Assessor, Clerk to the Justice, Deputies to the Town Clerk, Cleaning Person, and Custodian. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that this Resolution supersedes Resolution #28-09, dated February 3, 2009, when the “Town of Lexington Employee Handbook for 2009” was adopted. Open to the Public Elaine Fekner said that she would like the Town Board to have another meeting on the ambulance service. Executive Session Resolution # 91-10 Open Executive Session On a motion by Supervisor Greg Cross, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Mellott, & Berger Nays - 0 This Town Board moves to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues. Time: 8:45 PM. Resolution # 92-10 Close Executive Session On a motion by Council Member John Berger, seconded by Council Member Lynn Byrne, the following resolution was ADOPTED Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Mellott, & Berger Nays - 0 This Town Board moves to close the Executive Session and return to the regular meeting. Time: 9:07 PM Resolution # 93-10 Excuse Code Enforcement Officer On a motion by Supervisor Greg Cross, seconded by Council Member John Berger, the following resolution was ADOPTED - Ayes - 4 - Cross, Howard, Mellott, & Berger Nays - 0 Abstain – 1- Byrne This Town Board moves to excuse the Code Enforcement Officer, James Boyle of his position. Adjourn Meeting Council Member Glenn Howard made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott. Everyone agreed. Supervisor Greg Cross adjourned the meeting at 9:15 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Rose Williams, Town Clerk, RMC

Board Meeting

June 30, 2010

The Information Meeting for the Ambulance Service for the Town of Lexington was called to order on June 30, 2010 at 7:00 P.M., by Supervisor Greg Cross at the Lexington Municipal Building, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENT:

Supervisor........................................... Greg Cross
Council Members......……..….......... John Berger, Glenn Howard, Keith Mellott, Lynn Byrne

Town Clerk .......................….............. Rose Williams
Superintendent of Highway…....…..... Frank Hermance

OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Supervisor Mary Cline, Lois Jenkins, Stephen Foreman, Mike Cotrone, Fire Commissioner Taris Charysyn, Alfred Truesdell, Donald Falke, Beatrice Sainato, Judy Sainato, Amelia Cutolo, Sharon D'Addario, Heidi McNab, Jarred D'Addario, Elaine Fekner, Mildred Hermance, Rescue Squad Captain Jack Jordan, June Frasier, Kenneth Becker, Kathy Jordan, Jo Ellen Schermerhorn, Zack Jordan, Sarah Jordan, Nancy Kizyma, Liza, Abigail, and Paul Dwon, Emma Jean Fiesinger, Betty Hapeman, Rob Zuchowski, Nicholas Palermo, Albert & Louise Van Etten, Paul Van Valkenburgh - Sec./ Treas. of the Commissioners, Commissioner Robert Hermance, Amy Simmons, Robert Sherwood, and James Buscarello.

Supervisor Greg Cross said that they are trying to come up with a solution for an ambulance service and he read a letter from the Commissioner from July of 2008 where they were making the Town Board aware of the serious situation because of a lack of personnel during the daytime because so many Rescue Squad members are working out of town. The letter in its entirety is on file at the Town Clerk's Office.

Some of the discussions and comments made were:

Jack Jordan said that the Rescue Squad only has one certified EMT at the present time.
Should consider a model like Ashland, but was unable to do that so the Town Board voted two months ago to go forward toward a paid service.
Councilmember Byrne and Supervisor Cross came up with a paid budget after reviewing Windham and Ashland’s budget.
Need to hire an Administrator, an additional full time EMT, and a third EMT which would be used for days off, sick days, and so forth.
Need to establish the budget by using an on call driver, so no driver would set for a twenty-four seven time frame.
$199,400. was the budget which they came up with, and to give a little extra --- made it $210.000?
Talked to the Assessor to find out the cost per taxpayer --- for a budget at $200,000. ---- it would cost the taxpayer $1.24 per thousand assessed. There are 821 residential parcels in the Town of Lexington with and average assessed value of $129,000.
Councilmember Byrne said there was a mistake in the Windham Journal where it said that the ambulance service would be free to Lexington residents --- that was not true because it is illegal for the town to provide free service to residents and charge other people who are non residents. It would not be a free service for anyone.
Ashland has found out that after two or three years, funds do come in.
A discussion was held on what the Insurance Co. would pay for.
Need to check out how the payments are made and who pays what?
A question was asked if a guest in the home would get charge. Yes, was the answer?
The town has an average of twenty (20) calls throughout the year.
The Commissioners said they couldn’t give the ambulance over to the town ---- a discussion was held.
It was asked if there was a place to house the people and a place for cots and showers.
Fire Commissioners contacted the Association of Fire Districts to find out what they could do and couldn’t do.
The town needs to work together because this is a nationwide problem – no ambulance service.
Many laws have changed over the years which makes is very difficult for someone to become certified.
What are the qualifications for a first responder? Liza answered that you need 40 hours of first aid time.

Liza said she plans to get recertified as an EMT and it would take at least three months. Paul Dwon said his certification has expired but he plans to recertify it in September. Matt has resigned, and Jack Jordan said that his certification has expired.
Travis Rinaldi has to take the test again --- go back to Utica to take the test.
Hoped no one in the room would get hurt or have something happen to a family members --- just think if something happened to one of your family members and no one was able to come and help you --- can you imagine that -----a discussion was held.
Let’s start working together.
How many active Firemen does the town have? They have 18 members that are active under the age of 57.
It has been rumored that the Fire Co. is going to keep some of the equipment and have a first responders group for their unit. They answered by saying they don't have to purchase any new equipment because they have things on the ambulance right now which is required equipment --- extra back boards, extra defibrillator, along with other extra equipment that is used in other vehicles. Right now, an EMT responds to the scene and sometimes equipment is there because they have extra equipment, and it will work for the first responders group, and they said they have the equipment so no more expense would be involved. And then it was stated that if the town has the paid ambulance service -- then the town would have to buy equipment to supply the ambulance which would make an additional cost. Further discussion was held on establishing the first responders unit and that the ambulance cannot be given to the town for a dollar.
How can Ashland purchase an ambulance for one dollar and this town can’t.
A discussion was held on purchasing an ambulance.
Discussed looking for a new used ambulance.
Discussed having an Ambulance District within the town for payment on tax bill.
See if an EMT course could be held here in the Town of Lexington.
Wanted to thank all of the people who have served on the Rescue Squad and Fire Co.
Wondered if the G. C. Legislature has been notified of our situation --- yes, they have been contacted and no grants are available at this time.
Wanted to know how long it would be before this gets started. The answer was that they first need to know the status of ambulance and also need to contact Ashland how they transferred their ambulance.
Can a person still be a volunteer if it goes to a paid ambulance service, and the answer was no – only if you want to participate on the paid squad. A discussion was held.
Will this go to a public referendum --- go before the voters of the Town of Lexington?
Need to talk to Attorney Tal Rappleyea to find out the pros and cons of setting up an ambulance district.
The Town Board will put it up for a vote and see where it goes from here.

Bus Driver / Youth Program

Resolution # 88-10
Bus Driver to Mine Kill State Park

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

This Town Board approves hiring Nancy Arangio @ $18.00 per hour as a bus driver for the Hunter-Tannersville Central School Bus to drive the children to Minekill State Park for the Youth Program.

Computer Person
Supervisor Greg Cross said that the historian has had problems with her computer and the computer guy installed a two hundred and ninety dollar program in the computer which she could not use, and then recommended upgrading with an additional six hundred dollars, which he thought, was a little excessive. Therefore, he took the liberty of contacting Nett Lynch from Technett Computer Services, who came and looked at all the computers in the town. She also gave an estimate of $75.00 to fix the Historian’s Computer, and the Supervisor recommended switching computer personnel.

Resolution # 89-10
Computer Technician

                On a motion by Council Member John Berger, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was ADOPTED
                     Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Mellott, & Berger
                      Nays - 0

This Town Board moves to switch computer person from Computer MD’s to Nechnett Computer Services, and there will be no monthly updates.

Resolution # 90-10
Establishing a Standard Workday for Elected and Appointed Officials

                On a motion by Council Member Lynn Byrne, seconded by Council Member John Berger, the following resolution was ADOPTED
                    Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Mellott, & Berger
                     Nays - 0

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board be and hereby establishes the following as a standard workday for elected and appointed officials for the purpose of determining days worked reportable to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System:

STANDARD: six hour day equals one (1) day
Town Clerk/Tax Collector & Superintendent of Highways

STANDARD: five day work week, eight (8) hour day
Supervisor, Highway Personnel, Town Board Members, Bookkeeper, Justice, Attorney of the Town, Assessor, Building/Zoning Officer, Planning Board Member, Zoning Board of Appeals Member, Assessment Review Board Member, Health Officer, Historian, Dog Control Officer, Clerk to the Assessor, Clerk to the Justice, Deputies to the Town Clerk, Cleaning Person, and Custodian.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that this Resolution supersedes Resolution #28-09, dated February 3, 2009, when the “Town of Lexington Employee Handbook for 2009” was adopted.

Open to the Public
Elaine Fekner said that she would like the Town Board to have another meeting on the ambulance service.

Executive Session

Resolution # 91-10
Open Executive Session

On a motion by Supervisor Greg Cross, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Mellott, & Berger
Nays - 0

This Town Board moves to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues. Time: 8:45 PM.

Resolution # 92-10
Close Executive Session

                On a motion by Council Member John Berger, seconded by Council Member Lynn Byrne, the following resolution was ADOPTED
       Ayes - 5 - Cross, Byrne, Howard, Mellott, & Berger
                     Nays - 0

This Town Board moves to close the Executive Session and return to the regular meeting. Time: 9:07 PM

Resolution # 93-10
Excuse Code Enforcement Officer

                On a motion by Supervisor Greg Cross, seconded by Council Member John Berger, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 4 - Cross, Howard, Mellott, & Berger
                     Nays - 0
                       Abstain – 1- Byrne

This Town Board moves to excuse the Code Enforcement Officer, James Boyle of his position.

Adjourn Meeting

Council Member Glenn Howard made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott. Everyone agreed.

Supervisor Greg Cross adjourned the meeting at 9:15 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rose Williams, Town Clerk, RMC