A Public Hearing and Monthly Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Otsego were held on the 14th day of July, 2004 at the Town Building, Fly Creek, NY at 7:00PM.

PRESENT:
Tom Breiten Chairman
Leslie Weir Councilman
George Tucker Councilman

ALSO PRESENT:
Pam Deane Town Clerk
Louie (Spike) Boyd Highway Superintendent
Jane Berry Zoning Enforcement Officer
Margaret McGown Town Attorney

Chairman Breiten called the Public Hearing to order. He asked that everyone please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Breiten explained that the purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive public input into the proposed application for financial assistance for the preparation of a Community Development Strategic Plan for the Town of Otsego. The Town of Otsego intends to apply for a grant of $25,000 for a total project budget of $35,000 including the Town’s required portion. The proposed Technical Assistance grant will enable the Town of Otsego to obtain assistance in developing a strategic plan that will provide a vision for the community and identify implementation steps to achieve the vision by outlining specific community development goals and objectives. The plan will identify and address pressing issues in the community and will be a blueprint of how the Town will better the quality of life for all of its citizens. Chairman Breiten went on to explain that once the Town has applied for the Technical Assistance Grant and identified specific community needs, additional funding can then be applied for to satisfy those specific needs.

Zoning Officer Jane Berry further explained that this is the first of two public hearings encouraging public input regarding community development needs priorities, and possible solutions. Jane stated that the State defines a Strategic Plan as a plan that creates a vision for the future for a community. The goal is to complete the vision of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan focusing on specific areas of the Town such as the Fly Creek Hamlet Business and Historic Districts. It will become the foundation and basis under which the Town will be able to submit other grant proposals. Jane went on to explain that the grant would not cause displacement of town residents or special assessments. The deadline for the Technical Assistant grant is September 17th. The Town will be notified of the States decision mid or late-February, 2005.

Rochelle Semel of Fly Creek asked what the Town of Milford proposed when they applied for the Technical Assistance grant.

Jane Berry replied that the Town of Milford was awarded $12,500 toward their $25,000 budget. The money will be used to study the impact on their community as a result of the commercial development and tourism occurring along State Hwy. 28. The study will also include what opportunities might exist for Milford residents. Applying for the Technical Assistance Grant is just the stepping stone for them to apply for other grants.

John Phillips of Fly Creek expressed concern that resident’s taxes will increase as a result of the Town being required to match the grant.

Chairman Breiten answered by stating that there was money already appropriated in this year’s budget to update the Town’s existing Comprehensive Plan.

Paul Poulos of Fly Creek asked the Board if they were going to take the advice from a non-resident Professional Planner, or evaluate the needs of the community based on the input from Town residents.

Chairman Breiten stated that, in his opinion, volunteer committee members have taken the redrafting of the Comprehensive Plan as far as they can, and it is now time to call in a Professional Planner to guide the committee to the next step.

Jim Atwell of Fly Creek reminded those in attendance of the community survey the Planning Board sent out two years ago, which should prove to be useful. Atwell also remarked how disappointed he was in the small number of people that attended, and commented on their vision for the Town of Otsego at the neighborhood meeting series. He encouraged the Town Board to repeat the neighborhood meeting series. This time they should heavily advertise meetings, encouraging residents to express to the Board what they would like to see continued, what they want like to see improved, and what they would like to see changed in the Town.

Ann Geddes-Atwell commented that she wished there were a way to develop a regional comprehensive plan. What surrounding Towns do affects everyone.

Cooperstown resident Brenda Berstler agreed that regional support and getting a clear-cut idea of what people want could make a big difference.

MOTION by Councilman Tucker, seconded by Councilman Weir, to close the Public Hearing.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Chairman Breiten opened the regular monthly meeting.

Chairman Breiten asked that the June minutes be amended on two specific issues.
(the amendments to the June 9th minutes will be reflected in the Minute Book pgs. 185 & 186)

MOTION by Councilman Weir, seconded by Councilman Tucker, to approve the minutes of June 9th as amended.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Chairman Breiten opened the floor for comment.

Paul Poulos stated that he is concerned with the relationship the Town Board has with the Town Highway employees. He pointed out that the Town’s attorney fees to assist in the Highway Employee negotiations are to date $2,408.96. It was Mr. Poulos’ opinion that the Board made the wrong choice in hiring Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC to represent them, and he believes to hire any law firm at this time is a waste of taxpayer money. Poulos speculated that legal fees could reach $10,000.

Chairman Breiten credited the great job the highway crew does in the winter however the Board felt that they would be taking a risk with taxpayers’ money if they did not have legal representation at the negotiations. The Union had attorneys their representing the highway employees; it only seem logical that the Town had legal representation as well.

MOTION by Councilman Tucker, seconded by Councilman Weir, to pay the following invoices:
GENERAL: #162-#181 $ 23,280.38
HWY: #179-#208 $ 58,292.85

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: $377,449.77 General Checking: $74,511.60
Hwy Savings: $545,996.92 Hwy Checking: $58,208.48

MOTION by Councilman Tucker, seconded by Councilman Weir, to accept the financial report as given.

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 362.0 $ 464.53 1217.7 $ 1,562.02
Diesel 1,829.4 $2,119.99 11,442.4 $13,604.80
Heating -0- -0- -0- $ 8,627.27
Svc. -0- $ 2,867.27


Spike stated that OSHA would like to reserve the Town Building on July 23rd for an all day training class. The Town Board had no objections.

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

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Jane Berry gave a Zoning Officer’s report. Zoning Permits issued since last month are as follow:
New Residential: 1 - Value $150,000 Residential Additions: 6-Value $225,500
Land Use/Zoning reviews: 62 Property Boundary Change: 2

A second Public Hearing for the Small Cities Technical Assistance Grant was set for 7:00 PM August 11th.

MOTION by Councilman Weir, seconded by Councilman Tucker, to accept the Zoning Officer’s report.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

In Councilman Iversen’s absence; Chairman Breiten submitted the Watershed report which was read and reviewed by the Board. The report stated that there is no inspection of boats being launched or any boat- wash at the Springfield Landing. Dr. Harman speculates that it is just a matter of time before zebra mussels are found in Otsego Lake. Sportsmen have been lobbying the State for a boat launch at Glimmerglass State Park.

The Board read and reviewed the report submitted by Dog Control Officer Wolfgang Merk.

MOTION by Tucker, seconded by Councilman Weir, to accept the Dog Control Officer’s report as presented.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Chairman Breiten stated that the Town has received a technical assistance record grant from the State in the amount of $2,400.

Planning Board Chairman Jonathan Bass approached the Board with proposed changes drafted by Planning Board and Town Board volunteers. The proposed changes address Shoreline Protection Area, General Business 2 requirements, and Special Permitted Uses and Special Requirements in the Residential Agricultural District. After reviewing and discussing the proposed changes it was decided that, since the Board was missing two of its members, the changes would be reviewed again at the August meeting before setting a Public Hearing date.

Jonathan Bass submitted a copy of a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) proposed by the Otsego County Planning Board. The Town Board compared the proposed changes with the existing MOA. Attorney McGown agreed to talk to County Planner Diane Carlton to get clarification on specific changes made to the agreement.

Chairman Breiten announced that he has once again mailed out Requests for Proposals on an evaluation of the Town highway garage. He hopes there will be returned proposals for the Board to consider for next month’s meeting.

Chairman Breiten read a letter from County Planner Diane Carlton, introducing the Otsego County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazard Mitigation Plan project. The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require that all local governments have an approved All Hazard Mitigation Plan in place by November 1, 2004 to be eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program funding. The federal mandate further requires that this plan be reviewed and updated every five years. The County Planning Department will serve as Project Manager. They anticipate that the initial planning process will take approximately six months to complete. The County is asking for two volunteers from each township. The Board reviewed a sample Resolution proposed by the County.

MOTION by Councilman Weir, seconded by Councilmen Tucker, to sign the resolution authorizing participation in the Otsego County Multi-Jurisdictional all-hazard mitigation plan & creating a local all- hazard mitigation planning committee.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED: (Resolution Docket pg. 36)


MOTION by Councilman Tucker, seconded by Councilman Weir, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

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

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

Chairman Breiten announced that, while the Board was in Executive Session, no decisions were made.

MOTION by Chairman, seconded by Councilman Tucker, to adjourn.

MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.

The next regular meeting will be held on the 11th day of August, 2004 at 7:00 PM at the Town Building in Fly Creek.

Respectfully Submitted
Pamela Deane/Town Clerk