The Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Otsego was held on the 14th day of June 2004 at the Town Building, Fly Cr

The Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Otsego was held on the 14th day of June 2004 at the Town Building, Fly Creek, NY at 7:00 PM.

PRESENT:

Tom Breiten Chairman

George Tucker Councilman

Bill Michaels Councilman

Nancy Iversen Councilman

Leslie Weir Councilman

ALSO PRESENT:

Pam Deane Town Clerk

Louie (Spike) Boyd Highway Superintendent

Margaret McGown Town Attorney

Jane Berry Zoning Officer

Chairman Breiten called the Regular meeting to order and asked that everyone please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

MOTION by Councilman Michaels, seconded by Councilman Tucker, to accept the minutes of May 12th as presented.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Chairman Breiten reviewed correspondence he received since May. Mr. Breiten read a letter from NYSEG protesting their assessment and asking for a $668,300 reduction. The Town of Milford has also been approached by NYSEG for an assessment reduction. If NYSEG prevails the Town of Otsego and Cooperstown School would lose approximately $40,000 in tax revenue from NYSEG. Other utility companies will then be expecting a reduction in their assessments as well. Chairman Breiten is hopeful that the Town can team up with the Cooperstown School in the event this goes to court.

Chairman Breiten reported that the Board of Education is in the process of establishing a steering committee whose purpose will be to review and react to the proposed remodeling projects for the school. Superintendent of Schools Mary Jo McPhail has asked that a representative of the Town Board serve on the 27-person committee. There were no volunteers from the Board at this time.

Chairman Breiten read a complaint from Helen Davis of Fly Creek regarding Portabello’s restaurant. Zoning Officer Jane Berry will write a letter of response to Helen Davis.

Chairman Breiten stated that he talked to Steve Daniels about his copy change sign. He sent a follow up letter stating that the Town Board is willing to compensate him for expenses incurred as a result of the Code Officer’s mistake in issuing him a sign permit for the copy change sign. Chairman Breiten requested from Mr. Daniels a bill listing his expenses along with receipts for the Town Board to review. Chairman Breiten is still waiting for Mr. Daniel’s reply.

Chairman Breiten opened the floor for public comment.

Sheila Ross of Fly Creek stated that the Town trucks seem to be overloaded when drawing sand. Spike conceded that they might be overloaded. The trucks are loaded by yardage, not weight. Ms. Ross raised concerns about the liability of running trucks that are overweight and suggested that the Board consider buying larger trucks in the future.

Chairman Breiten replied that her concern was duly noted.

MOTION by Councilman Michaels, seconded by Councilman Tucker, to pay the following invoices:

GENERAL: #149-#161 $ 13,222.21

HWY: #145-#177 $ 47,943.40

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Chairman Breiten submitted a financial report. Balances are as follow in the various accounts:

General Savings: $376,510.98 General Checking: $ 85,336.59

Hwy Savings: $594,536.42 Hwy Checking: $ 36,822.88

MOTION by Councilman Michaels , seconded by Councilman Iversen, to accept the Financial Report as presented.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Louie (Spike) Boyd gave the Superintendent of Highway report. Fuel expenses are as follow:

FUEL GALLONS TOTAL COST/MONTH YTD GALS YTD EXP.

Gas 142.0 $ 215.20 855.7 $ 1,097.49

Diesel 1,880.0 $ 2,226.93 9,613.0 $ 11,484.81

Heating 347.5 $ 419.61 7,337.3 $ 8,627.19

Svc. -0- $ 1,406.84 $ 2,867.27

Chairman Breiten added that the bill submitted by Town of Middlefield for $5,000 was for the Town of Otsego’s share of the Main Street Bridge engineering retainage fee.

MOTION by Councilman Michaels, seconded by Councilman Tucker, to accept the Superintendent of Highway report as given.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Zoning Officer Jane Berry reported that the Planning Board has scheduled a workshop to discuss specific changes to the Town Land Use Law. She will present a report next month for the Board’s review.

The Board reviewed a watershed report submitted by Councilman Iversen. Two important notes of interest were:

1. A short informational form for realtors on how to obtain an inspection upon transfer of property was considered and slight changes recommended, and

2. A general report form for notifying the County upon completion of an inspection was considered and changes recommended.

MOTION by Councilman Michaels, seconded by Councilman Tucker, to accept the Watershed report as presented.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Chairman Breiten read the Dog Control Officer report. One lost dog for May was reported. Chairman Breiten also mentioned that Dog Enumerator Laurie Denmeade has asked for an extension. The Board had no objection.

Chairman Breiten submitted the revaluation contract issued by Chase Valuations. The agreement states the town will pay $45 per parcel located in the Town of Otsego for a total of $77,985. This excludes the 1,022 parcels located in the Village of Cooperstown. After reviewing the contract, Attorney McGown found it satisfactory except for one point. The Contract reads under Conflicts of Interest: where there are conflicts or inconsistencies between the Town’s Request for Proposal and Chase Valuation’s Project Bid Proposal, the terms, provisions and conditions of the Town’s Request for Proposal shall govern. The problem lies with the starting and completion dates on the RFP not only do not agree with the contract but also are long past.

MOTION by Councilman Iversen, seconded by Councilman Michaels, authorizing Chairman Breiten to sign the contract with Chase Valuations once the contract is amended.

Chairman Breiten explained that the Town would be almost guaranteed $15,000 under a Small Cities Assistant Grant. He suggested that the Town hire Zoning Officer Jane Berry to apply for the grant.

MOTION by Councilman Michaels, seconded by Councilman Iversen, to pay Jane Berry $2,000 to apply for the Small Cities Assistant Grant.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

A Public hearing date was set for 7:00 pm July 14th for the Small Cities Assistance Grant.

MOTION by Councilman Tucker, seconded by Councilman Iversen to go into Executive Session to discuss CSEA contract negotiations.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

MOTION by Councilman Tucker, seconded by Councilman Iversen, to come out of Executive Session.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Chairman Breiten announced that, while in Executive Session, the Board discussed the newest developments concerning the highway contract negotiations.

Chairman Breiten discussed other options he wished the Board to consider in the way cp-pay reimbursements are handled with the town highway employees.

MOTION by Councilman Iversen, seconded by Councilman Tucker, to establish a co-pay petty cash fund of $100 with the Town Clerk to reimburse highway employees after they have presented a receipt.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

MOTION by Councilman Iversen, seconded by Councilman Weir, to adjourn.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

The next regular meeting will be held on July 14th, 2004 at 7:00 PM at the Town Building in Fly Creek.

Respectfully Submitted

Pamela Deane, Town Clerk