Town of Lexington,NY - Board Minutes


Board Meeting Special Meeting July 21, 2010 The Special Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lexington was called to order on July 21, 2010 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......……..…............. Lynn Byrne Glenn Howard Keith Mellott Town Clerk .......................…............... Rose Williams Superintendent of Highway…....…....... Frank Hermance Absent: Council Member ……………………………. John Berger OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Supervisor Mary Cline, June Frasier, Paul Van Valkenburgh, Dixie Baldrey, Lois Jenkins, Richard Grinnell, Roberta Amico, and Mike Ryan (Windham Journal Representative). Supervisor Greg Cross said the special meeting was called to interview the applicants for a Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Lexington, and the applicants were Richard Grinnell and Roberta Amico The Town Board Council Members had their qualifications/resumes before them for review and was able to ask them questions. They were candidates which the Town Board received when they advertised for a Deputy Code Enforcement Officer in March of 2010. Supervisor Cross said the compensation package was discussed at the last meeting and said that several towns are doing Code Enforcement as a subcontractor, which would help out the town. The C.E.O. would be an employee of the town as a subcontractor, and would be issued a 1099 at the end of the year. There wouldn’t be any payroll taxes to pay or retirement contributions to make. The hours would be like they were set previously --- sixteen (16) hours a week plus mileage with no health benefits and no retirement benefits. The position would provide for the certified training which would be around 144 hours, along with the amount allowed for meals by the town. The Town Board Members agreed to require a detailed log of the work performed at a budget of $12,855., which would be paid bi-weekly. The candidates agreed and further discussion was held. Councilmember Lynn Byrne said that the hours should be defined for the public and Supervisor Greg Cross agreed. Supervisor Cross went on to say that the public can work around the hours that are set and they should be able to contact the Code Enforcement Officer at certain hours. Councilman Glenn Howard said that as a general rule ---- they should work sixteen hours a week, but give them enough flexibility for an emergency and if they cannot do things any other way ---- then they should be able to put the time in with extra pay. Roberta Amico asked if the telephone could be accessed from her home --- not sure, but will look into it. Executive Session Resolution # 71-10 Open Executive Session On a motion by Supervisor Greg Cross, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was ADOPTED Ayes - 4 - Cross, Howard, Byrne, & Mellott Nays - 0 Absent - Berger This Town Board resolves to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Time: 7:10 pm Rose Williams, Town Clerk excused herself from the Executive Session. Resolution # 72-10 Close Executive Session On a motion by Councilmember Glenn Howard, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was ADOPTED - Ayes - 4 - Cross, Howard, Byrne, & Mellott Nays - 0 Absent - Berger This Town Board resolves to leave executive session and return to the special meeting of the Town Board. Time: 7:22 pm Resolution # 73-10 Appoint Code Enforcement Officer On a motion by Councilmember Keith Mellott, seconded by Council Member Glenn Howard, the following resolution was ADOPTED - Ayes - 3 - Cross, Howard, & Mellott Nays - 0 Abstain - 1 - Byrne (related to candidate) Absent - 1- Berger This Town Board resolves to appoint Richard Grinnell as Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Lexington. Truck Bids Supt. of Highways, Frank Hermance wanted to get bids for a Pickup Truck and asked the Town Board Council Member if he could advertise in the local newspaper for the bid prices. Resolution # 74-10 Advertise for Pickup Truck / Highway Dept. On a motion by Councilmember Glenn Howard, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was ADOPTED - Ayes - 4 - Cross, Howard, Byrne, & Mellott Nays - 0 Absent - 1 - Berger This Town Board moves to advertise for bids for a highway pickup truck for the Highway Department which will be opened at the Regular Town Board meeting at 8:00 pm. Other Items Council Member Lynn Byrne said that she would like to request the Town of Lexington Planning Board to start researching Wind Towers. Council Member Lynn Byrne said that the grant that she has been working on with Greene Co. Soil and Water with SWAC approval for the Lexington pocket park for an access to the Schoharie Creek would be going in on August 1st. Council Member Byrne said that it would include plantings and the access. Council Member Byrne went on to say that she knew that a group of residents would like to see a bench(s) and flower pots put there along with other things, but she was concerned with the high water that comes along that creek quite often and had visions of the benches going down stream. A new survey line needs to be established where the Hartnett house was removed. Paul Van Valkenburgh said that he would look into establishing a new line for the survey. Council Member Lynn Byrne is also looking into a feasibility study of a grant from Trout Unlimited to do a study on the stream to see if they could get funds to work on the channel. It is a long term project, but would like to get it started. Council Member Keith Mellott said the Town Board Members needs to discuss a plaque that they said they would put up for Muriel Hoffman when they cut down the diseased tree that was planted in her memory. A discussion was held. Councilmember Howard said that he believed it was suppose to be done for each teacher; Muriel Hoffman, Margaret Dunham, and Mary Van Loan. A discussion was held. Resolution # 75-10 Purchase Benches & Plaques On a motion by Councilmember Lynn Byrne, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was ADOPTED - Ayes - 4 - Cross, Howard, Byrne, & Mellott Nays - 0 Absent - 1 - Berger Whereas, the Town of Lexington removed a diseased tree on the front lawn of the Kenneth A. Becker Municipal Building which was planted in memory of a former teacher, Muriel Hoffman; and Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Lexington said they would replace it with a bench and plaque in her memory; so therefore, This Town of Lexington Town Board moves to have Council Member Glenn Howard look into getting three benches with plaques in memory of the three teachers; Muriel Hoffman, Margaret Dunham, Mary Van Loan who taught here at the building when it was an Elementary School Building of the Hunter-Tannersville Central School District, and; It further moves to use the funds from the Memorial Fund for the purchase of the benches and plaques. Ambulance Council Member Byrne asked what the status was on the ambulance and Supervisor Greg Cross said that he would like to bring in two qualified people to discuss the administrator position with them. Adjourn Council Member Keith Mellott made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Lynn Byrne. All agreed. Supervisor Greg Cross adjourned the meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Rose Williams, Town Clerk, RMC

Board Meeting

Special Meeting
July 21, 2010

The Special Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lexington was called to order on July 21, 2010 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......……..…............. Lynn Byrne
                                                                  Glenn Howard
                                                                  Keith Mellott

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

Absent: Council Member ……………………………. John Berger

OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy Supervisor Mary Cline, June Frasier, Paul Van Valkenburgh, Dixie Baldrey, Lois Jenkins, Richard Grinnell, Roberta Amico, and Mike Ryan (Windham Journal Representative).

            Supervisor Greg Cross said the special meeting was called to interview the applicants for a Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Lexington, and the applicants were Richard Grinnell and Roberta Amico   The Town Board Council Members had their qualifications/resumes before them for review and was able to ask them questions.   They were candidates which the Town Board received when they advertised for a Deputy Code Enforcement Officer in March of 2010.
Supervisor Cross said the compensation package was discussed at the last meeting and said that several towns are doing Code Enforcement as a subcontractor, which would help out the town. The C.E.O. would be an employee of the town as a subcontractor, and would be issued a 1099 at the end of the year. There wouldn’t be any payroll taxes to pay or retirement contributions to make. The hours would be like they were set previously --- sixteen (16) hours a week plus mileage with no health benefits and no retirement benefits. The position would provide for the certified training which would be around 144 hours, along with the amount allowed for meals by the town. The Town Board Members agreed to require a detailed log of the work performed at a budget of $12,855., which would be paid bi-weekly.   The candidates agreed and further discussion was held.
Councilmember Lynn Byrne said that the hours should be defined for the public and Supervisor Greg Cross agreed. Supervisor Cross went on to say that the public can work around the hours that are set and they should be able to contact the Code Enforcement Officer at certain hours.
            Councilman Glenn Howard said that as a general rule ---- they should work sixteen hours a week, but give them enough flexibility for an emergency and if they cannot do things any other way ---- then they should be able to put the time in with extra pay.
            Roberta Amico asked if the telephone could be accessed from her home --- not sure, but will look into it.

Executive Session

Resolution # 71-10
Open Executive Session

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

            This Town Board resolves to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Time: 7:10 pm

Rose Williams, Town Clerk excused herself from the Executive Session.

Resolution # 72-10
Close Executive Session

            On a motion by Councilmember Glenn Howard, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 4 - Cross, Howard, Byrne, & Mellott
                    Nays - 0
                    Absent - Berger

            This Town Board resolves to leave executive session and return to the special meeting of the Town Board. Time: 7:22 pm

Resolution # 73-10
Appoint Code Enforcement Officer

            On a motion by Councilmember Keith Mellott, seconded by Council Member Glenn Howard, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 3 - Cross, Howard, & Mellott
                    Nays - 0
                    Abstain - 1 - Byrne (related to candidate)
                    Absent - 1- Berger

This Town Board resolves to appoint Richard Grinnell as Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Lexington.

Truck Bids

Supt. of Highways, Frank Hermance wanted to get bids for a Pickup Truck and asked the Town Board Council Member if he could advertise in the local newspaper for the bid prices.

Resolution # 74-10
Advertise for Pickup Truck / Highway Dept.

This Town Board moves to advertise for bids for a highway pickup truck for the Highway Department which will be opened at the Regular Town Board meeting at 8:00 pm.

Other Items

Council Member Lynn Byrne said that she would like to request the Town of Lexington Planning Board to start researching Wind Towers.

Council Member Lynn Byrne said that the grant that she has been working on with Greene Co. Soil and Water with SWAC approval for the Lexington pocket park for an access to the Schoharie Creek would be going in on August 1st. Council Member Byrne said that it would include plantings and the access. Council Member Byrne went on to say that she knew that a group of residents would like to see a bench(s) and flower pots put there along with other things, but she was concerned with the high water that comes along that creek quite often and had visions of the benches going down stream.

A new survey line needs to be established where the Hartnett house was removed. Paul Van Valkenburgh said that he would look into establishing a new line for the survey.

Council Member Lynn Byrne is also looking into a feasibility study of a grant from Trout Unlimited to do a study on the stream to see if they could get funds to work on the channel. It is a long term project, but would like to get it started.

Council Member Keith Mellott said the Town Board Members needs to discuss a plaque that they said they would put up for Muriel Hoffman when they cut down the diseased tree that was planted in her memory. A discussion was held. Councilmember Howard said that he believed it was suppose to be done for each teacher; Muriel Hoffman, Margaret Dunham, and Mary Van Loan. A discussion was held.

Resolution # 75-10
Purchase Benches & Plaques

            On a motion by Councilmember Lynn Byrne, seconded by Council Member Keith Mellott, the following resolution was
ADOPTED - Ayes - 4 - Cross, Howard, Byrne, & Mellott
                    Nays - 0
                    Absent - 1 - Berger

            Whereas, the Town of Lexington removed a diseased tree on the front lawn of the Kenneth A. Becker Municipal Building which was planted in memory of a former teacher, Muriel Hoffman; and
            Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Lexington said they would replace it with a bench and plaque in her memory; so therefore,
            This Town of Lexington Town Board moves to have Council Member Glenn Howard look into getting three benches with plaques in memory of the three teachers; Muriel Hoffman, Margaret Dunham, Mary Van Loan who taught here at the building when it was an Elementary School Building of the Hunter-Tannersville Central School District, and;
            It further moves to use the funds from the Memorial Fund for the purchase of the benches and plaques.

Ambulance

Council Member Byrne asked what the status was on the ambulance and Supervisor Greg Cross said that he would like to bring in two qualified people to discuss the administrator position with them.

Adjourn

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

Supervisor Greg Cross adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rose Williams, Town Clerk, RMC