A Special Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Otsego was held on the 2nd day of April at the Town Building, Fly Creek, NY at 9:00 AM.

Those present were:

Thomas Breiten Chairman

Joseph Potrikus Councilman

Anne Geddes-Atwell Councilman

Meg Kiernan Councilman

Others Present:

Pamela Deane Town Clerk

Mike Miller Zoning Enforcement Officer

Shawn Mulligan Highway Superintendent

Chairman Breiten called the meeting to order.

Chairman Breiten reviewed correspondence received since the last meeting.

• Notification from NYS Department of State that all Planning Board and ZBA members must have a minimum of four hours of training each year to be eligible for reappointment. A sample Resolution was attached for the Board to review.

• Spectra Engineering sent a letter of Transmittal Hydraulic Analysis for the lower Stone House Road Bridge to FEMA. The Board is hopeful that after FEMA reviews the results of the analysis they will grant the Town an additional $150,000 to replace the bridge with a Low Profile Box Culvert instead of a Multi-Plate Arch Pipe.
• Chairman Breiten stated that he signed and filed the Tax Warrant extension with the County Treasurer’s office.
• Notification from the Public Protection Department reporting that ISO has completed its analysis of the structure fire suppression delivery system provided in the Town’s community and that the Town’s previous classification of Class 9/10 continues to apply.
• A letter from the Fly Creek Area Historical Society offering enthusiastic support to the Town of Otsego citizens who are pressing for the retention of the historic Toddsville Bridge.

Watershed Director Win McIntire introduced Environmental Project Managers Fred Testa and Terry Deuel from NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). Mr. Testa explained that if the Town decides to sponser the Sewer District project, and the Board proposes the Sewer District based on a specific solution and if the property owners endorse the proposed district then the Board can implement the project. Special Improvement Districts are simply a special tax base defined by the Town. Certain properties are included in that district which establishes for itself the right to provide the infrastructure and levy special taxes and fees within that district. This is to generate revenue to pay off any debt associated with providing that infrastructure and to operate and maintain that infrastructure.
Mr. Testa explained the steps to establish a Sewer District using the Town Board Resolution Method Pursuant to Article 12-A of NYS Town Law. To form a sewer district:

• 1. An Engineering Planning Report defines properties to be served, where the infrastructure is to be installed, estimated capital cost, estimated annual cost, estimated cost per user, and anticipated line of financing. This information needs to be disclosed when proposing the district.
  2. Hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Sewer District. If it is the decision of the Board to establish a Sewer District, the adopted Resolution is subject to Permissive Referendum to those property owners in the proposed district.
  3. Legal Spending Limit must be established before the Public Hearing.
  4. If the Board plans to borrow money for the project and the estimated cost for the typical user is more than a threshold that NYS Comptrollers Office defines, then the Town must apply to NYS Comptrollers Office for formal permission to establish the district.
  5. The Sewer District is subject to SEQRA

• A new Local Law needs to be written for the Sewer District.

Win McIntire stated that feedback on establishing a Sewer District has been positive. All properties in the Sewer District are going to benefit.
Mr. Testa explained that all properties in the district must be taxed even if they’re not connected to the system. The tax is separated into two categories, one being Debt Service and the other Maintenance. Those connected to the system are taxed on both. Those only in the district would only be taxed on the Debt Service. Those opting not to be part of the system would still be allowed to connect to the system at a later time.
Engineer Tim Wales from Wales Engineering estimated the cost of a system to handle 40 residents to be $500,000.

Mr. Testa stated that short term and long term financing is available based on a project score that EFC assigns to each project. That scoring system is based on the degree of water pollution problems the applicant is trying to resolve. There are many communities listed on the Intended Use Plan competing for the limited funding available through EFC.
Mr. McIntyre introduced Tim Wales from Wales Engineering who has been working for the Watershed Committee establishing a feasibility study.
Mr. Testa recommended that the Board join the Watershed Committee in revising the feasibility study. The Town Board would then need to contract Wales Engineering to establish a map finding report. The Town then would provide EFC with a listing form for the project.
After a short discussion it was the consensus of the Board to schedule a Public Informational Meeting discussing the possibility of establishing a Sewer District for May 9^th at 7:00 PM.
Chairman Breiten thanked Mr. Testa, Mr. Deuel, Mr. McIntyre and Mr. Wales for coming.
Chairman Breiten read a letter of interest from Tim Donahue asking to be considered for the Board of Assessment Review vacancy.
MOTION by Councilperson Kiernan, seconded by Chairman Breiten, to appoint Tim Donahue to the Board of Assessment Review.
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilpersons voted aye. (Donahues term ends 9/30/09)
Highway Superintendent Shawn Mulligan submitted a quote for a tandem Mack truck, plow and wing in the amount of $171,000. The Board reviewed the quote and tabled further discussion until the April 11^th meeting.
Shawn submitted an amended “Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Moneys” which the Board reviewed and tabled further discussion until the April 11^th meeting.
Councilperson Kiernan reported that tables like the meeting room 10 ft. laminated table are still being sold through Hummel’s. The 10ft table cost approximately $300 and the 5ft tables are around $200.
MOTION by Councilperson Kiernan, seconded by Councilman Potrikus, to order one 10ft table and two 5ft tables from Hummel’s to match the existing tables.
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilpersons voted aye.
MOTION by Councilperson Potrikus to adjourn.
MOTION CARRIED: Chairman Breiten and all Councilpersons voted aye.
Meeting ended at 11:30 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pamela Deane Town Clerk