The Organizational Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Otsego was held on the 2nd day of January, 2006 at the Town Building, Fly Creek, NY at 9:00 PM.
Those present were:
Thomas Breiten Chairman
Orlo Burch Councilman
Anne Geddes-Atwell Councilman
John Schallert Councilman
Meg Kiernan Councilman
Others Present:
Pamela Deane Town Clerk
Louie (Spike) Boyd Highway Superintendent
Prior to the meeting all members of the Board were sworn in by Judge Cooke.
Chairman Breiten called the meeting to order.
Chairman Breiten submitted the Town’s present Code of Ethics for the Board to review.
MOTION by Councilman Geddes-Atwell, seconded by Councilman Burch, to adopt the Code of Ethics as given.
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.
Chairman Breiten read a letter from Gerald Phelan, CSEA Labor Relations Specialist, reiterating the policy for negotiating the union contract.
Chairman Breiten explained in detail to the Board the financial report, Town Budget, meeting procedure, paying of the bills, and Town revaluation.
Chairman Breiten submitted the Investment Policy, which was reviewed by the Board.
The policy had two “Schedule of Eligible Securities” to choose from. It was the consensus of the Board to choose Appendix B, eliminating item 6 from the schedule. Item 6 allowed obligations of Puerto Rico and was rated in the three highest rating categories by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
MOTION by Councilman Burch, seconded by Councilman Geddes-Atwell, to adopt the proposed Investment Policy with Appendix B, schedule of eligible collateral, excluding Puerto Rico item
number 6.
Chairman Breiten opened the floor to the Board for discussion.
Councilman Kiernan wasn’t sure Puerto Rico should be excluded from the schedule of eligible collateral.
Councilman Burch stated that he is cautious with banks that offer a higher rate. It sometimes means they are having trouble attracting deposits and offer a higher rate to helps draw in more money. This may indicate that they are risky.
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.
Chairman Breiten suggested the Board members ask the Comptroller’s Office what they think. The Investment Policy can be changed at any time to include Puerto Rico (item number 6).
Chairman Breiten submitted the Town’s present Procurement Policy for the Board’s review.
Councilman Burch pointed out two clerical errors, which the Board agreed needed to be corrected.
Councilman Schallert stated that he felt under “Estimated Amount of Public Works Contract” services costing between $10,000 - $19,999 should be let under competitive bid instead of three written RFP’s.
After discussion the Board was unclear what the difference was between an RFP and letting the project out for competitive bid. It was decided to table adoption of the Procurement Policy until next meeting, giving Chairman Breiten time to contact the Comptroller’s Office for clarification.
Chairman Breiten asked the Board what amount they wanted to adopt for mileage reimbursement.
MOTION by Councilman Burch, seconded by Councilman Geddes-Atwell, to adopt 40 cents a mile for mileage reimbursement.
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.
Highway Superintendent Louie Boyd (Spike) presented a proposed Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Monies. Roads proposed for improvement were Curry, Dana Clark, and Smith Cross Road. Spike explained that these three roads are next in line on the Town’s adopted five-year road improvement plan.
MOTION by Councilman Kiernan, seconded by Councilman GA, to approve the proposed Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Moneys.
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten, Councilman Schallert, Councilman GA, and Councilman Kiernan voted yes. Because Councilman Burch lives on Dana Clark road he abstained.
Chairman Breiten stated that the Town does not have a Capital Asset Policy. He asked for a volunteer from the Board to research and find a sample policy the Board could consider. Councilman Burch volunteered.
Chairman Breiten asked for volunteers from the Board to assist in the Annual Update Document which is sent to the Comptroller’s Office through their website. This report includes all the figures of the Town’s income, expenditures and bank balances. Councilman Geddes-Atwell volunteered to assist with this undertaking.
Chairman Breiten presented a proposal for Town Appointments, which was reviewed and discussed by the Board.
MOTION by Councilman Geddes-Atwell, seconded by Councilman Kiernan, to approve the following appointments:
Planning Board Attorney – Margaret McGown
Town Attorney – Martin Tillapaugh
Planning Board Member –Paul Lord (term expires 12/31/2012)
ZBA Member – Greg Crowell (term expires 12/31/2010)
Planning Board Chairman – Jonathan Bass
ZBA Chairman – Anthony Scalici/ Vice Chairman – Greg Crowell
Board of Assessment Review – James McNulty ( term expires 2008)
Planning Board/ZBA Clerk – Bill Deane
Watershed Supervisory Committee- Meg Kiernan
Town Historian- Tom Heitz and Sherlee Rathbone
Registrar of Vital Statistics – Village of Cooperstown Clerk and Deputy Clerk
Zoning Enforcement Officer – Sal Furnari
Planning Board Engineer – Wayne Bunn
Dog Control Officer - Wolfgang Merk
Bank Depositories – Wilber National, Central National, MBIA, and Key Bank
Official Newspapers – The Daily Star, CoopersTown Crier, and Freeman’s Journal
Polling Places – Cooperstown Fire Department and Otsego Town Office Building
Meeting Date – Second Wednesday of the month
Mileage Reimbursement – 40 cents a mile
Payroll Service – ADP
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.
Chairman Breiten asked for volunteers to fill a list of ongoing projects. The list of projects and those volunteering for them are as follow:
Town Revaluation – Councilman Kiernan
Town Building Renovation – Councilman Schallert
Highway Department Facilities – Councilmen Burch and Schallert
Comprehensive Plan – Councilmen Geddes-Atwell and Kiernan
CSEA Contract Negotiations – Councilmen Geddes-Atwell and Burch
Art Andrews Park – Councilman Kiernan
Annual Department Audits:
Chief Fiscal Officer – Councilman Burch
Town Clerk – Councilman Schallert
Tax Collector – Councilman Geddes-Atwell
Town Justices – Councilman Kiernan
Board of Elections – Redistricting Request from the Board of Elections– Councilman Geddes-Atwell
Councilman Schallert stated that he would like to see the Board reinstate the Code Officer position. He felt the County Code Office cannot handle the demand. Chairman Breiten asked Councilman Schallert to survey the contractors, research the estimated revenue from building permits, research how many building permits are issued on average per year, project an estimated salary for a Code Officer, and propose a job description.
Chairman Breiten submitted to all Board members a copy of the Meeting Cancellation Policy adopted by the Town Board on April 7th, 2004. He explained that it was thought that the policy was a good idea, but in retrospect it only causes confusion. Many times when the roads are bad and school is closed by 6:00 AM, the storm had passed and road conditions are fine by 7:00 PM. People not knowing of the policy or forgetting the Town has a policy come and wonder why there is no meeting. He asked the Board to consider rescinding the Meeting Cancellation Policy.
MOTION by Councilman Burch, seconded by Councilman Geddes-Atwell, to rescind the Meeting Cancellation Policy adopted on April 5, 2004 (pg 35 of the Resolution Book).
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.
MOTION by Councilman Burch, seconded by Councilman Kiernan, to adjourn.
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilmen voted aye.
Meeting ended at 1:15 PM.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for January 11 at 7:00 PM at the Town Office Building, Fly Creek, NY.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pamela Deane
Town Clerk