[1:58] The hill on board the order. Please
[1:59] stand for the pledge of allegiance.
[2:01] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[2:04] United States of America and to the
[2:06] republic for which it stands. One nation
[2:09] under God, indivisible, with liberty
[2:11] [clears throat] and justice for all.
[2:13] » Okay. Thank you all very much. I'm going
[2:15] to uh ask that the clerk do please do a
[2:18] roll call. And I want to let the public
[2:20] know that as per uh the law that was
[2:23] passed about extraordinary circumstances
[2:25] circumstances video conferencing, I did
[2:28] have two town council members uh contact
[2:30] me in writing within the allotted time
[2:32] frame with uh specific reasons falling
[2:35] under the extraordinary circumstances
[2:37] video conferencing uh law. So uh would
[2:41] you please do the roll call?
[2:43] » Uh council member Hernandez
[2:45] » Present.
[2:46] Council member uh Ziggler
[2:49] » Here.
[2:50] » Supervisor
[2:52] » Here.
[2:53] » Uh Council Member Corano Nordenstrom
[2:56] » Here.
[2:58] » Uh Council Member uh Fel.
[3:02] » Oh, you muted.
[3:03] » He muted. Uh but he said here.
[3:06] » He did say shake hand.
[3:08] » There you go.
[3:10] » Got it.
[3:11] » Thank you. And thank you all for
[3:14] being here tonight. Um uh first is our
[3:17] public comment. Uh would we have 10
[3:20] minutes aotted? Would any member of the
[3:21] public like to comment
[3:23] » Or
[3:24] » Oh, and Marcy Ella and Michael Miller.
[3:27] Okay. Uh Mr. Miller or Marcy or Amy or
[3:31] Jeff
[3:33] have any public comments? I have Amy
[3:36] Davidson, which I'm going to throw it to
[3:38] Amy.
[3:39] » Thank you. Um, first of all, I would
[3:42] like to recommend that we reinstitute
[3:45] the three minutes or 10 minutes of
[3:47] public comment at the end of the meeting
[3:49] just because it's a little easier than
[3:51] if there's something to comment on with
[3:53] the time after the meeting because
[3:54] otherwise I'm making comments now
[3:57] » On hypothetical what might be said,
[3:59] right? Anyway,
[4:00] » My um my discussion today again has to
[4:03] do with roads, which is obviously my
[4:05] favorite topic. Um, and I just feel like
[4:09] the
[4:10] the presentation from um Richard Briggs
[4:16] was was great, but I feel like we need
[4:18] more detail because I think this storm
[4:21] that happened July 28th through the 30th
[4:24] is really pretty extreme and I don't
[4:26] think this really captures all of the
[4:28] work that the highway department A had
[4:30] to do. Um, but it's also gives us an
[4:33] opportunity to provide a little bit more
[4:36] detail. So there's going to be
[4:37] institutional knowledge as more of these
[4:39] extreme ring happen. So my suggestion
[4:42] would be to take the report at a
[4:45] preamble at least to mention this is in
[4:47] response to the July 28th 30th
[4:51] you know extreme rainfall storm um
[4:54] because I did a little research and I
[4:57] couldn't find it anywhere on New York
[4:58] State or National Weather Service other
[5:01] than the closing of Route 22. So, I just
[5:04] feel like we just need to have a little
[5:06] bit more information about that. And my
[5:09] other comments, and again, I do not want
[5:11] to create more work for Richard, so
[5:13] maybe it can go to somebody else, is
[5:15] that the damage between severe and
[5:18] moderate, which is how it's categorized
[5:20] here by the road listings, you know,
[5:23] probably needs a little bit more nuance
[5:25] because I do know that like FUD and
[5:27] pheasant lean had definitely severe
[5:29] damage compared to claw. I would put
[5:32] those in two different categories if it
[5:34] were me trying to create a rating system
[5:36] now and for the future. But Richard, you
[5:38] might have ideas and I don't know if
[5:40] your team takes photographs just to
[5:43] capture things so we can see. And again,
[5:46] it's 10 years down the road. We're going
[5:48] to have different people here. How are
[5:49] we going to compare what happened to the
[5:51] past, what worked, etc. Plus, this might
[5:53] be a good opportunity to start start
[5:55] capturing the costs because these
[5:58] extreme weather events are going to only
[5:59] happen more frequently. unfortunately
[6:02] and continue to cost the town money. So,
[6:05] those are my comments. Thank you.
[6:07] » Thank you. Thank you for your comments.
[6:09] Uh, any other member of the public?
[6:13] » IPhone 7. Um,
[6:16] » This my wife.
[6:16] » Oh, hi.
[6:19] All right.
[6:21] You got your seven. You see about seven.
[6:24] All right. Then I'm going to call the
[6:25] public um comment to close and move on.
[6:30] Um, next up is uh the approval of
[6:32] minutes. Uh, for the sake of efficiency,
[6:34] can I get a motion to approve the
[6:36] minutes from July 21st uh the July 21st
[6:40] public hearing and the July 29th special
[6:42] meeting? Can I get a motion, please?
[6:44] Council member.
[6:45] » Council member Hernandez. Second.
[6:49] » Second.
[6:51] » Second.
[6:52] » Thank you. We got a second. Uh, Bart,
[6:54] you first. Any comments? Nico. Council
[6:58] member
[7:00] Karana Nordenstrom.
[7:01] » Yeah. Yeah. Mike, if if you could could
[7:04] you separate the motions.
[7:07] Um I I didn't attend the the special
[7:11] meeting.
[7:12] » Okay. All right. Yeah, that's true. All
[7:13] right. So, um I'm going to withdraw that
[7:15] motion. Can I get a motion to approve
[7:18] the minutes on July 21st?
[7:21] Um the Ziggler and Hernandez.
[7:25] Um
[7:26] uh any discussion on the minutes from
[7:29] July 21st?
[7:32] » Yeah, I I just um there is a section
[7:35] under the highway super uh attendance
[7:39] report um that I think is
[7:44] um maybe something that the town
[7:45] attorney should discuss with our board.
[7:49] If if that's if that's how our meetings
[7:51] are memorialized, then I think uh it
[7:54] deserves a discussion
[7:57] between board members.
[8:02] Um,
[8:05] » If if me if you don't remember, uh,
[8:10] myself and two others are being accused
[8:14] of harassment in the minutes.
[8:18] » Okay,
[8:19] » It was it's a summary of what Richard
[8:22] said.
[8:24] Okay.
[8:25] » Which is why I write
[8:26] » I I I don't remember if if names were
[8:30] given but uh
[8:32] » I do and they were
[8:34] » Okay. Uh anyway,
[8:37] » Okay. I can certainly bring this up with
[8:39] Ken Dao, but I think um
[8:40] » Videos are
[8:41] » No, I I think it's important that the
[8:42] entire board um uh seeks counsel in this
[8:47] particular case. I mean, it's a
[8:49] verbatim. It's a verbatim u transcript
[8:53] of what happened. It's it's not
[8:56] verbatim. [clears throat]
[8:57] » Well, it's it's a it's a it's a
[8:59] reflection of what was said by uh an
[9:03] elected official.
[9:04] » Okay. I think it I I think we should
[9:07] discuss it and it should be clarified.
[9:09] It's a pretty serious subject matter.
[9:11] » Okay.
[9:14] Any other comment?
[9:16] Um
[9:18] uh I will run this by um the attorney
[9:22] and CC the board on this the responses.
[9:26] Okay. But uh the motion's on the table
[9:30] to approve. All in favor of approving
[9:33] uh the word Hernandez Ziggler and
[9:37] » Approved.
[9:39] » All against
[9:42] Trump. Okay. Thank you. Uh, can I get a
[9:45] motion to approve the July 20 21st
[9:49] public hearing? Uh, uh, Hernandez, can I
[9:52] get a second? Ziggler. Uh, any further
[9:56] discussion on the public hearing notes?
[10:00] » Can you stop J talking so I can hear?
[10:02] » Yep. Hey guys, me please. No discussion.
[10:05] Thank you. Um, any further discussion?
[10:10] » All in favor?
[10:11] » I unanimous. Thank you. Uh the special
[10:15] meeting on July 29th. May I get a motion
[10:18] to approve, please? Uh Ziggler
[10:21] Hernandez. Uh any discussion on the
[10:23] special meeting?
[10:28] Hearing none. All in favor?
[10:30] » I
[10:31] » I
[10:34] » And one abstension. Okay. Thank you. Um
[10:39] okay. Supervisor's report. I want to
[10:41] talk about the EMS in Columbia County.
[10:44] Um I did uh post both the press release
[10:47] from Chairman Morurell and the report
[10:49] that was given by PJ Keeler. Um
[10:54] long story short, uh currently, as I'm
[10:56] sure members of the EMS know, we operate
[10:59] on a regional basis. Hillsdale is part
[11:01] of the cop rescue squad which is funded
[11:04] by the towns and correct me if I'm
[11:06] wrong. Hillsdale Copek to Conic and
[11:08] Ankram Community
[11:11] » I'm sorry
[11:12] » Community now cope
[11:14] » It's called
[11:15] » Community rescue I'm sorry community
[11:18] rescue see I told you but anyway the the
[11:21] point is uh we used to have seven there
[11:24] are now four regional emergency units
[11:27] which um is not practical in that
[11:33] if there's a big emergency in Gent
[11:36] Copic's going to come through. You know,
[11:38] there's no boundaries.
[11:40] The county is not broken up in four
[11:41] districts. It is a countywide
[11:45] system. So, by having it broken up into
[11:49] four system, there not only
[11:50] efficiencies, there's, you know, no
[11:52] county oversight. Uh, and some towns
[11:56] through I can't exactly explain why, but
[12:01] um, you can quiz me later, actually pay
[12:04] more than their share, some pay less
[12:06] than their share because it's all based
[12:07] on population and home values and some
[12:11] complicated math there. So, what PJ
[12:14] Keeler and Chairman Morurell are
[12:16] proposing is that we dispense with the
[12:19] regional model and go to a full county
[12:22] model. Uh this will be voted on
[12:26] uh hopefully at the September meeting so
[12:28] we can budget for it for 2027 during our
[12:31] budget season. I will be voting for this
[12:35] as I feel this is a natural
[12:38] progression in Columbia County. As as I
[12:41] said we used to have seven regionals. We
[12:42] only we're down to four. Also, uh these
[12:46] numbers that are posted are tentative,
[12:49] but it looks like Hillsdale is
[12:51] essentially paying their fair share. So,
[12:54] while some towns would see an increase
[12:57] because they have historically gotten
[12:59] lucky, uh Hillsdale seems to be on an
[13:01] even keel. So, there's really no
[13:04] financial
[13:05] downside to Hillsdale switching to the
[13:08] system.
[13:09] » Please. Yeah.
[13:11] But does community rescue still keep
[13:14] their identity as community rescue?
[13:16] » Yes. Still the four squads that's left,
[13:19] » Right? But they'll be funded from one
[13:21] pot. Okay.
[13:22] » That will be distributed and that math
[13:24] is still being worked.
[13:25] » Okay. I'm just asking that because they
[13:27] all donate to our community rescue
[13:31] squad.
[13:32] » Yes.
[13:32] » And I'm asking because if then if it
[13:34] goes to Big Pop then
[13:37] » Yeah.
[13:38] » So that's that's what
[13:39] » Okay. That's a good point. As far as I
[13:41] know, yes, because they're not going to
[13:44] disband the forward rescue flight,
[13:46] » Right? Yeah. I wouldn't think so, but
[13:48] they could change the name of it. Sure.
[13:50] But right now, they're working under
[13:52] » The EMS, which is Columbia County EMS
[13:55] under the protocol that they still all
[13:57] have their individual identity,
[13:59] » Right? And I could just see that that
[14:03] could
[14:05] » Create a little bit of controversy with
[14:06] residents if
[14:10] with me if I donate okay
[14:12] » You know to community rescue squad and
[14:14] it would actually go to this great big
[14:16] pot right
[14:16] » And goes to Malaysia rescue
[14:18] » Okay that's all
[14:20] » All right that's a good point uh also
[14:22] should mention that they are proposing a
[14:24] uh in their 2027 budget a 5% increase
[14:27] because there is some major
[14:30] without
[14:31] » Without a doubt.
[14:32] » Yeah. So, I think that bodess well on
[14:36] the county level because we'll be able
[14:38] to make a stronger case on the
[14:39] countywide level than you know like
[14:41] right now I attend a a meeting uh down
[14:44] in Copek with um uh Supervisor Lutz and
[14:48] Supervisor Wolf and Supervisor uh Ryan
[14:51] SCOD. Um, but if it's a countywide level
[14:54] and you're all making a case, which is a
[14:56] very strong case which was outlined in
[14:59] detail about the the great need,
[15:01] » Sadly to say, probably not. In the long
[15:04] near future, we're going to have to be
[15:06] having this conversation about the fire
[15:08] companies, too.
[15:09] » Yeah.
[15:09] » Yeah.
[15:10] » Absolutely decide.
[15:11] » Yeah. Agreed. So, I just want the the
[15:16] constituents and the town board to know
[15:18] that is my position. if you have further
[15:20] thoughts. Uh,
[15:22] » So the question, will this create a new
[15:24] agency to oversee?
[15:25] » No, it'll be overseen by the county
[15:27] board of supervisors. Right now, it's
[15:28] four supervisors here, five supervisors
[15:30] here. So, the supervisors just kind of
[15:32] band together,
[15:33] » But is there some overall agency that
[15:35] the four existing ones will be under
[15:38] like a different
[15:38] » It'll be under the county
[15:40] » The county.
[15:41] » Okay. The county board is not running
[15:43] this dayto day. who will actually
[15:45] » We essentially are right right instead
[15:47] of
[15:47] » The county EMS council which
[15:51] » There's that's already exists
[15:53] » That already exists but in terms of
[15:55] oversight instead of four supervisors
[15:57] working tan just over here and five
[16:00] supervisors working up in delay we're
[16:02] all going to be working together and
[16:03] figuring out you know what what's the
[16:05] overall need
[16:08] » Okay um
[16:12] uh July financials are posted. Uh I
[16:15] wanted to make a note that uh the sales
[16:18] tax did come in about $180,000
[16:23] which is on par with last year as well
[16:25] as the $19,000 of um uh tobacco
[16:30] settlement. So that puts us back into
[16:32] the black with our uh um procurement
[16:36] policy, our our fine balance policy, I'm
[16:38] sorry. So um
[16:42] that's that. Uh I didn't want to do
[16:44] that. Um in terms of budget amendment, I
[16:47] did not prepare the highway uh transfer
[16:51] that we had talked about because I know
[16:53] there'll be furthers because of the
[16:55] storm. So I think you and I can get
[16:57] together and um work out an overall
[17:00] budget amendment uh for the next meeting
[17:02] if not October.
[17:04] » Okay. I just didn't want you to think I
[17:06] ignored it. So no budget amendment
[17:08] though this month. Uh town clerk report.
[17:14] » Mike, I'm sorry. May I ask a question
[17:16] about the financials?
[17:19] » We have
[17:22] the fund the fund balance availability
[17:24] and total cash page.
[17:26] » Uhhuh.
[17:27] » There are
[17:30] summaries highlighted in red and
[17:33] negative. I'm sorry if I missed this.
[17:35] Maybe you
[17:37] » Yeah. Um this previous meeting
[17:39] » Negative in so much as we have our fund
[17:42] balance policy.
[17:44] Um
[17:45] » Right
[17:47] » We're we're are we in violation of the
[17:50] policy?
[17:51] » Uh we are not in violation of the policy
[17:53] but we are underneath the amount that uh
[17:57] is suggested. Uh however, with the uh
[18:01] influx of the sales tax, we are now no
[18:04] longer um in
[18:08] under that suggested amount of 734.
[18:13] Um or it might be slightly under, but we
[18:15] still have revenue coming in from
[18:17] various sources. Um the highway, uh we
[18:20] are going Richard's going to tell us uh
[18:22] the impact of the storms. Um, also
[18:25] remember that we do have $250,000
[18:29] uh in the West End Bridge account that
[18:32] is reserved. We spent, I believe, about
[18:34] 50,000 so far. So, that's not in here.
[18:39] Um, that's because that's in a totally
[18:41] separate account. We took it all out.
[18:42] So, that's um and the sewer. We'll talk
[18:46] about the sewer.
[18:47] » So, so the sales tax revenue is is
[18:50] reflected here. Sorry, I'm
[18:54] » After in August.
[18:55] » Uh if you go to uh board documents
[18:59] » Uh finance uh uh deposits, you'll see
[19:03] all the deposits and you can see uh what
[19:06] I deposit on a daily not a daily basis.
[19:08] do it.
[19:09] » But the revenue, so line uh like the
[19:12] sales tax, it looks like it is reflected
[19:14] for 2026 because it says
[19:16] » Sales tax 134,000 and change
[19:20] » Sales taxes quarterly.
[19:22] » Yeah.
[19:22] » So that reflects one quarter. So
[19:25] essentially two 2Q came in which ended
[19:29] June. The county did their magic, sent
[19:32] us a check the end of July and I
[19:34] deposited it in August. and we'll get
[19:37] another one in uh the queue will end in
[19:41] uh September, so we'll get another check
[19:43] in October and then we'll get one after
[19:45] the year is over. So, we're still
[19:47] probably expecting another
[19:50] uh what
[19:52] 350 400,000 from sales tax.
[19:55] » So, so approximately what are we
[19:57] year-to- date? Yeah.
[20:00] » Uh year to date uh sales tax we are
[20:03] approximately
[20:05] 350 and expecting another 350.
[20:10] » But our budget uh if I'm reading this
[20:12] correctly, our budget's only 275.
[20:18] » Yes. Cuz because part of it goes to the
[20:20] highway to
[20:20] » Yeah. Part of it goes to the highway.
[20:22] » A big portion of it goes to the highway.
[20:24] » Not the sale pack. That's the um
[20:27] property.
[20:29] Oh, property tax. Sales tax, too.
[20:31] » Sales taxes.
[20:34] Um,
[20:37] » I think sales.
[20:38] » Yeah.
[20:39] » Yeah. I mean if if if it I mean from the
[20:42] way I'm reading it if if we are at the
[20:46] status or the point that you say we are
[20:51] then
[20:53] then actually our sales tax revenue is
[20:56] not in line with last year. We we would
[20:59] have much more right.
[21:04] I cash a check.
[21:14] » Yeah, I mean we can
[21:16] » Well, no. Yeah, because it is
[21:17] » We can look at this. Um
[21:19] » Yeah, during
[21:19] » Yeah. After the meeting, I just uh
[21:22] » Yeah. No, I I I definitely noticed that
[21:25] also. We can We're going to have a
[21:26] series of budget workshops
[21:28] » If I'm correct. There's 200 deposited
[21:31] yet.
[21:33] There's $275,000
[21:35] in sales tax budgeted for the town,
[21:37] » Right?
[21:38] » And there's $225,000
[21:41] budgeted for the highway,
[21:43] » Right?
[21:43] » And so we're actually
[21:44] » The total is 400 and those cost has been
[21:48] deposited a jet into the highway
[21:49] » Into the highway,
[21:50] » Right? So we we should be based on the
[21:53] second Q above the projections uh of our
[21:57] » Of last year
[21:57] » Of last year
[21:59] » For sales tax um based on the 180 for
[22:04] just one quarter
[22:05] » Right
[22:06] » But I think if it's allocated to highway
[22:09] isn't it still shown in our general fund
[22:12] budget line
[22:15] » Or no that's
[22:16] » No yeah yeah
[22:18] » It's deposited yes
[22:19] » It's deposited to the general but it is
[22:22] » General
[22:23] » Transferred
[22:24] » Transferred to
[22:26] » Anyway I anyway there's maybe
[22:29] discrepancy there or just clarification
[22:32] of whether or not what is actually
[22:34] included in that line in [clears throat]
[22:36] the
[22:37] » Okay
[22:38] » And then also I think maybe our our
[22:42] board should just discuss
[22:45] um discuss the or reference the fund bal
[22:49] balance
[22:50] policy that we adopt. I think we adopted
[22:53] » Yeah.
[22:53] » A revision to the fund balance balance
[22:55] policy, right?
[22:58] » We we every year we read it.
[23:01] » Yeah.
[23:01] » Oh, okay.
[23:02] » Part of our organization over January.
[23:04] » Yeah.
[23:05] » Yeah. I remember reviewing it at some
[23:07] point.
[23:08] » Oh, yeah.
[23:09] » There's a reason it exists. So, we
[23:11] should maybe
[23:12] » Yeah.
[23:13] » Reference it at the next meeting. part
[23:14] of the policy is that it is uh reviewed
[23:17] and re reestablished every year. So we
[23:20] will continue to do that.
[23:23] Um town clerk report.
[23:25] » Okay.
[23:26] » So Emily has been scanning records and
[23:29] um
[23:31] quite diligently. Thank you.
[23:34] We plan to uh review the vault which is
[23:37] at the substation and order shelving and
[23:40] boxes so we can get them more organized
[23:42] there and still uh do scanning. Um I'm
[23:47] going to order the archive books for the
[23:49] rifle records. We have I think $3,000 to
[23:52] » I think it's $5,000 in record
[23:54] management. There is
[23:56] » Heard of this year.
[23:57] » Then dog license donations in uh are
[24:00] collected are going to be collected
[24:03] monthly by the town clerk at the same
[24:06] time that we collect fees and then we
[24:08] give them to the supervisor because it's
[24:10] broken out in our reports monthly and
[24:13] then it's determined whether we're going
[24:15] to do that monthly to the green county
[24:18] or
[24:18] » Tumblr green.
[24:19] » Tumbl green. Yeah.
[24:20] » Yeah.
[24:22] um or quarterly or something like that.
[24:25] Um Gretchen and I worked on the salt
[24:27] shed grant and managed to get that in on
[24:30] July 30th which took quite a while. Um
[24:35] and then um council member Kurano had a
[24:39] Corano Nordstrom had an issue with the
[24:41] minutes from the prior meeting June and
[24:45] uh was going to supply us with
[24:47] screenshots but I'd never received them.
[24:49] Did you send them, Jamie?
[24:51] » Uh, no, Rebina. I've been on sick leave.
[24:56] » But you can't send the minutes.
[24:58] » Yeah, I didn't res I haven't responded
[25:00] to any emails for three weeks.
[25:04] » Okay. But at the last meeting you at the
[25:07] last meeting, you said that you had you
[25:09] were you had screenshots and you were
[25:10] going to email.
[25:11] » I Yeah, I'm I'm happy to respond to your
[25:15] email in this coming week.
[25:18] » Okay. Thank you.
[25:20] Um,
[25:22] on to the highway superintendent report.
[25:25] Richard,
[25:27] [clears throat]
[25:27] » You got my monthly report.
[25:30] » Yes.
[25:31] » You got my storm damage report.
[25:33] » Yes.
[25:34] » And
[25:37] as a comment to
[25:42] public comment from someone.
[25:46] I
[25:49] do my best to report
[25:52] to the board and the public of what's
[25:57] happening.
[25:58] And I think that the people in
[26:01] Harlemville
[26:04] most that most
[26:08] that got the most damage. I mean, that
[26:10] was out there was probably between 10
[26:13] and 11 inches of rain in 10 hours versus
[26:16] us in in town. Uh 10 inches of rain in
[26:20] 10 hours. Uh
[26:22] and our our highway employees, you know,
[26:26] uh we were short. We're short-handed.
[26:28] We've been short-handed since winter
[26:30] time to employees.
[26:32] Um we worked very diligently to keep
[26:35] coar pipes open, to keep roads open.
[26:38] Unfortunately, we did have to close
[26:40] roads. And again,
[26:46] the comment was made that I made a
[26:50] statement [snorts]
[26:51] and put it in writing and I stand behind
[26:53] that.
[26:56] But Bezant Lane, significant damage.
[27:00] Comro significant damage. The road was
[27:02] closed. We lost a 6ft coldware pipe.
[27:08] I with my budget and what my 284 was the
[27:13] whole nine yards everything is changing
[27:16] because [snorts] there's no there
[27:20] I am not going to give certain con
[27:24] constituents
[27:25] the pleasure of saying I went over
[27:27] budget. I am working diligently to stay
[27:31] within the budget to keep our roads open
[27:34] to keep our roads safe and to continue
[27:37] on
[27:39] our chip ceiling which is starting this
[27:41] week the rain we had dates that this
[27:44] rain changed dates
[27:47] I am not going to be able to do
[27:48] everything that I was I wanted to do
[27:51] it's
[27:53] as an elected highway superintendent as
[27:56] your elected highway superintendent
[27:58] This is in my preview of how to
[28:05] bring it back to you guys of what's
[28:06] going on. Mike, we've been on the phone.
[28:09] We're being almost I I mean, weeks after
[28:13] the storm, this is going on, that's
[28:15] going on. What can I do? You know, you
[28:17] know, so everybody was informed.
[28:20] And Hillsdale
[28:23] is not as bad as a couple other
[28:26] communities, but we
[28:30] suffered significant damage. And I am
[28:34] very proud to say that my
[28:41] work over the last 20 years of chip
[28:45] sealing roads saved this town so much
[28:48] money because
[28:51] I did an estimate for the county for the
[28:54] uh for the emergency management with
[28:57] only materials
[28:59] for this storm
[29:01] of 100 just material.
[29:03] That's without cover pipes. That's with
[29:04] a labor of $125,000.
[29:08] Back when we went through Sandy and
[29:10] Irene separately,
[29:13] we were over $1.2 million in damage to
[29:17] road services alone.
[29:20] and everybody that lives in Harlemville,
[29:23] Harlemville Road being sealed, chip
[29:25] sealed, harder,
[29:28] uh, Wolf Hill, these roads were all
[29:32] underwater. Underwater by feet and we
[29:36] had the road surfaces. I'm very, very
[29:38] proud of that. And I can tell you the
[29:40] majority and it makes me very proud to
[29:43] be able to say this tonight after all
[29:45] the controversy I've gone through for
[29:46] the last two years with Chip Simmon
[29:48] Roads. The compliments and the thank
[29:52] yous to the from the taxpayers of what
[29:55] we were able to save them
[29:58] almost brings tears to my eyes tonight
[30:00] to say that to you
[30:02] because that is a major accomplishment.
[30:06] And to have that money saved is a big
[30:10] deal
[30:12] to me and to so many taxpayers.
[30:19] » Okay. Thank you. And uh
[30:21] » Thank you guys for supporting me, the
[30:23] board, and thank you Mike and Rebina
[30:26] especially with all the
[30:29] the 10:00 at night phone calls and we
[30:31] got to do this, we got to do that, we
[30:32] got to do, you know, thank you guys. I
[30:35] much appreciate it.
[30:36] » You're on the 10 p.m. I'm on the 7 5
[30:38] a.m.
[30:40] » 5 a.m.
[30:43] » Um, no, thank you. Uh, it's hard to
[30:46] believe that we dodged a bullet.
[30:48] » Yeah,
[30:49] » Because
[30:51] » 10 miles
[30:52] » Had that track 10 miles.
[30:56] Uh
[30:57] » If we didn't get the break in the rain
[31:00] in town on this side of just say on this
[31:03] side of Whipville,
[31:05] » If we hadn't gotten that break,
[31:09] » You know, it just it was just light
[31:11] enough to be able to catch up some.
[31:14] » It was a big deal.
[31:15] » Yeah. I mean, I can proudly say Texas
[31:18] Hill Road there no road surface damage
[31:21] and the only reason we lost anything on
[31:23] the shoulders was because the power
[31:26] company had gone up into the woods
[31:28] » And diverted you know they didn't
[31:30] purposely divert the water but with
[31:32] their big vehicles. So, it missed
[31:35] instead of it going into a culver pipe,
[31:37] it just washed down
[31:39] » And it was, you know, a few loads of uh
[31:42] the infamous Gabian rock that cure that
[31:45] problem.
[31:46] » Yeah. Um I I do want to say I I agree
[31:51] with the constituent who said that uh
[31:53] this is will not be the last. And the
[31:54] scary part of this storm is that it
[31:57] wasn't a hurricane. It wasn't Sandy.
[31:59] This was a storm,
[32:01] » Not a tropical something from
[32:03] » You're right. But this was a storm. The
[32:06] hurricanes both Sandy and I [snorts] are
[32:07] in. It was the rain that was over a
[32:11] period of a day and a half, two days.
[32:14] This was rain over a period of 10 hours.
[32:18] » Yeah. you know, so I mean, just go up
[32:23] the Hudson River corridor
[32:26] and there's still state roads that's
[32:28] closed because of this with the same
[32:30] amount of rain,
[32:32] » But it was the amount
[32:35] in the time it was it came in a shorter
[32:38] period of time.
[32:38] » Yeah. Um, like I said, I do like the
[32:41] suggestion brought forth of um photos
[32:44] because I can't drive around on these
[32:45] roads.
[32:46] » They're all on my phone, right? I I can
[32:49] only say that I've, you know,
[32:52] » This is the best
[32:52] » For sure.
[32:53] » Let me put this on a record for sure to
[32:56] employees.
[32:57] » I'm on the road. I have been in
[32:59] equipment. We have the the pictures are
[33:02] on my phone when we, you know, and then
[33:04] doing all the documentation for the
[33:07] county, you know,
[33:09] » And we got the letter today that, you
[33:10] know, it doesn't look like or the email.
[33:13] It doesn't look like any of this is
[33:14] covered. So the taxpayers of Hillsdale
[33:16] have to cover this. It's not like it's
[33:18] going to be any kind of assistance from
[33:20] the state or the federal government.
[33:23] » So, just one more thing that you know my
[33:27] work has
[33:29] saved a lot.
[33:30] » Absolutely. And just so the public knows
[33:32] I did forward that email to the town
[33:34] board. I I I should have put it in the
[33:36] public record which I I can still do. Uh
[33:39] but
[33:40] » To this was it not?
[33:42] » Uh no that was uh that was your report.
[33:45] Um
[33:45] » Okay. uh it did not the level of damage
[33:48] did not reach the threshold for FEMA or
[33:51] » State
[33:51] » Or state uh which is hard to believe but
[33:55] that is what it is
[33:56] » It was such a narrow
[33:59] » Right it wasn't
[34:01] » So we will have some discussions
[34:04] probably next month about um
[34:08] financial matters
[34:10] » I'm as I said I'm adjusting my schedule
[34:13] to I'm not going to be chips sealing as
[34:16] much because of this. I I'm changing
[34:18] things as we
[34:21] » Well, I was on the phone with Rebina.
[34:23] She got me some different reports of
[34:24] where things actually stand.
[34:26] » So, before we start on Thursday and
[34:28] Friday, you're probably going to be
[34:29] later than that now, you know, cuz I'm
[34:32] not going to
[34:33] » Understood.
[34:33] » I'm going to be within the budget.
[34:35] » Okay. All right. I'm actually because of
[34:38] the storm,
[34:41] my equipment budget, I'll publicly say
[34:44] this, the my funds for equipment, my
[34:48] point 2 account has now has to be
[34:51] transferred into my 5110.4
[34:54] account to cover road repairs.
[34:56] » Right.
[34:56] » Right.
[34:57] » So, we're going to be falling behind on
[35:00] equipment,
[35:01] » But that's what we have to do.
[35:03] » Right.
[35:05] Okay. Uh if you uh want to meet at any
[35:09] time, let me know to
[35:11] » Yeah.
[35:13] because fall too far behind with the
[35:15] budget amendments,
[35:17] » Right?
[35:17] » So we can meet, you know, maybe Rebina,
[35:19] you Bob and I can give you what what I'm
[35:22] forecasting and then Okay. Just so we're
[35:24] up to date with the amendments because
[35:26] as I said, I thought the 77 was
[35:29] happening.
[35:30] » You know, it would more balance. So, but
[35:33] I wanted to make it
[35:33] » There's going to be some negative in my
[35:35] account for, you know,
[35:37] » Okay,
[35:37] » Before the next board meeting.
[35:39] » All right. Yeah. No,
[35:40] » Because I've submitted some bills
[35:42] already for August. It's going to
[35:45] » It's going to take you over. Okay.
[35:46] Understood. We should be prepared to see
[35:48] » But the overall budget,
[35:50] » Yeah,
[35:51] » I'm still with Evan.
[35:52] » Okay. All right. So, uh look forward to
[35:55] those budget amendments to discuss next
[35:57] month. Uh we'll also be entering a
[36:00] budget season next month.
[36:02] » Where did the year go? Uh you can see
[36:04] our budget schedule down at the bottom
[36:06] of the agenda that's been posted for
[36:08] several months. Uh so this will be part
[36:11] of a larger discussion also going
[36:13] forward.
[36:14] » One thing we didn't discuss under
[36:17] highway
[36:18] which
[36:21] » Maybe it was somewhere coming up
[36:22] somewhere else but the grants for the
[36:24] culbert.
[36:25] » Yeah, that's that's next.
[36:26] » Okay. Okay.
[36:28] » So, I can give a little precy of that.
[36:30] Uh I have Rebina mentioned that the salt
[36:33] shed grant is in. Thank you to Gretch
[36:35] and Stevens and toina Wards. We really
[36:38] uh uh uh burn the midnight oil, shall we
[36:42] say? Uh
[36:44] got them
[36:45] » Right under the wire. Next year I've got
[36:48] I've got CFA due and it's you're going
[36:51] to start this in February. Uh but thank
[36:54] you. Uh upon further investigation of
[36:58] the Hudson River estuary program, the
[37:01] issue is that they require New York
[37:05] State DO design standards, which throws
[37:09] it into Culver. That throws it into a
[37:13] whole different realm of uh
[37:15] architectural drawings of um of just
[37:20] everything. it just takes a culvert and
[37:23] then multiplies it by at least four or
[37:26] five. So that becomes a problem because
[37:29] the match is essentially what we might
[37:31] be paying for.
[37:33] » So I did contact the person that
[37:36] contract that gave us the quote last
[37:38] year of 120 grand,
[37:40] » Right?
[37:42] » And had the discussion. So we're still
[37:44] able to do that. It is a three
[37:49] three-sided
[37:52] » Co piped that
[37:54] » Again the year inflation added to the
[37:57] 120 whatever thousand it was.
[38:00] » But for us to go from $120,000 it's
[38:03] going to close a road for a week versus
[38:07] if we don't do anything that could close
[38:08] the road for whatever.
[38:12] » The money's in my budget.
[38:14] » Yes.
[38:15] But we're now that we've opened
[38:19] ourselves up to a grant, we're can we
[38:22] still go? Because he said he was still
[38:24] well. He was going to update that and
[38:25] he's under
[38:26] » State contract and everything. So that
[38:29] » It's a little bit tougher at this time
[38:30] of year because of the
[38:34] that's a kind of tributary stream, not a
[38:38] trout stream, but there's a couple
[38:40] interrupt you so everyone knows. This is
[38:42] the covert on Mitchell. Just south of
[38:45] just north of 23 on Mitchell the f
[38:49] » Just off the intersection.
[38:50] » Just off the intersection 23.
[38:52] » Sorry to interrupt.
[38:53] » All the Mitchell Street what we have in
[38:55] all the records is the Mitchell Street
[39:01] » South.
[39:01] » South.
[39:02] » Okay.
[39:02] » So,
[39:03] » Oh, yeah. Because it's south,
[39:04] » Right? Okay. Right. And yeah, the one
[39:06] that's been going on since 2018
[39:09] by Home Road is the Mitchell Street
[39:11] North by uh
[39:15] that's just the height of the the water
[39:17] for
[39:19] the fish that's right.
[39:23] » Okay. So, uh, long story short, we can
[39:27] still go after the CFA grant next year
[39:29] for culverts, but the, uh, it was
[39:32] determined that the Hudson estuary
[39:34] program is not really,
[39:36] uh, uh, cost effective for us as a small
[39:40] town with a relatively small cover.
[39:44] » So, we went through this 10 in of rain.
[39:47] » Mhm. And that cold pipe has not did not
[39:53] suffer any further damage.
[39:54] » Okay.
[39:56] But
[39:59] somewhere along the line, we need to
[40:00] have a communication of
[40:03] are we going to go for the cost out of
[40:06] the budget, which the money is in the
[40:09] budget this year for the $120,000 versus
[40:13] [clears throat]
[40:13] » $47,000
[40:15] to be able to get a grant,
[40:17] » Right? Yeah. That
[40:18] » And that's the big hit. I mean, where do
[40:20] we
[40:21] » So, I don't The communication is in the
[40:24] public. So, I'm I'm I'm saying to the
[40:27] board or asking the board
[40:31] to have this conversation with me at
[40:33] least because I don't know
[40:38] where we've only got another month, two
[40:40] months at the most to get this work
[40:43] done,
[40:44] » Right?
[40:44] » So, it's that short of a time frame. So,
[40:47] what do you think?
[40:48] » What's your recommendation? Personally,
[40:50] the way I feel is that, you know, we
[40:53] should get this done with the the
[40:55] budgeted money. But, but the problem
[40:57] being is
[40:59] that amount that was budgeted was for an
[41:03] estimate from last year. I don't have an
[41:05] updated
[41:06] » Estimate and everything. I mean, fuel
[41:10] prices have doubled. I mean, that's
[41:12] that's our big my biggest problem with
[41:13] my budget, you know. So, I mean, I'm
[41:16] sure the cost of this project is going
[41:17] to be more, too, which I don't have the
[41:20] overrun in my budget to be up. You know,
[41:22] if it was
[41:25] 12 and they're going to say 1770, I
[41:27] don't have that $50,000 to play with in
[41:29] this year's budget.
[41:30] » Okay. So, we obviously need the updated
[41:34] um budget numbers to make a decision.
[41:36] » And as I said, I've talked to Chris a
[41:38] couple times about this, but I didn't
[41:40] know where we were standing. I can call
[41:42] him and revisit it and
[41:45] » Yes uh I think the board would obviously
[41:48] consider keep saying [clears throat]
[41:49] obviously staff uh would consider uh an
[41:52] updated proposal uh as this has been on
[41:55] the
[41:56] » I will get that he's got all the
[41:58] information he's got all the photos he's
[42:00] got all that so I can probably
[42:02] » Going to be a couple days but I can yeah
[42:04] and then build from there but I don't
[42:06] know that we're going to have enough
[42:07] time
[42:08] » If we wait until the next board meeting
[42:10] to make a decision Okay. Well, we can,
[42:13] you know, have a special meeting. Uh, we
[42:15] can go through the numbers with you, uh,
[42:17] and see, you know, exactly how much
[42:18] you're going to be
[42:20] » Moving around within your budget and
[42:22] will you, you know, and what's left in
[42:24] our budget and our contingency. And so,
[42:27] there are some moving pieces here, but
[42:28] let's start with the new estimate. And,
[42:30] uh, I, you know, this is,
[42:33] » I just, as I had that conversation with
[42:34] you, I'm just amazed at how much is
[42:38] added to a project.
[42:41] as soon as you ask for a gram.
[42:44] » That that
[42:46] it's the New York State standards that
[42:49] are
[42:49] » I'm sure it's not just New York State,
[42:51] but yeah.
[42:54] [laughter]
[42:56] » Love New York State, but uh
[42:57] » I just, you know, we've always gone
[43:00] through the whole process, so it's been
[43:01] a slow thing. This is basically in our
[43:03] face,
[43:04] » Right?
[43:04] » And it was Yeah.
[43:06] » Yeah. What a difference.
[43:07] » What a difference. But, you know, we do
[43:09] have three other culberts that need
[43:11] replacing also currently.
[43:13] » Well, those culberts, and I I'll say
[43:16] this, they are not
[43:19] » Damaged. They're not like going to close
[43:21] the road,
[43:22] » Right?
[43:25] » They're not an imminent uh
[43:27] » Right. It's it's undersizing and stuff.
[43:30] And if they do flood, it's not like it's
[43:32] going to take out the road because we've
[43:33] had that before in the past.
[43:34] » Mhm. Okay.
[43:35] » But uh
[43:36] » But I guess my point is we can go like
[43:38] it's going to collapse,
[43:39] » Right?
[43:39] » Or the Lord is going to undermine them.
[43:41] » Yeah.
[43:42] » And then have the road change. That's
[43:44] » But my point is next June 30th. June
[43:47] 30th. June 30th, we can go for a CFA
[43:49] grant which does not have the strict
[43:51] standards for the
[43:52] » Start in January. So I
[43:53] » Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we're going to
[43:55] No, actually we're going to start in
[43:56] October and then September 24th when we
[43:59] talk about the budget and the grants
[44:01] we're going to potentially go for next
[44:03] year. have a list of projects and uh
[44:06] » We definitely learned this year with
[44:07] that.
[44:08] » Yeah. Yeah.
[44:11] » But I want to thank you and
[44:13] » Yes,
[44:16] » Did you ask a question? Is are the um
[44:21] Can you hear me? Okay.
[44:22] » Yeah. Yeah.
[44:23] » Yes.
[44:24] » Okay. Um, are the cost differences from
[44:28] the DOT's engineering standards? Are the
[44:31] cost differences
[44:33] also because the estruary programs
[44:36] predominantly support alternative
[44:40] uh crossings
[44:42] like uh
[44:44] uh bottomless culverts and
[44:48] um you know actually actually the type
[44:52] of crossings that are not traditional
[44:54] culverts
[44:56] » Right I believe it's both the design
[44:59] aspect effect definitely was quadrupled
[45:03] uh uh for them to even consider the
[45:05] grant. So uh but that you know also led
[45:08] into the construction cost and the
[45:12] uh I guess whatever standards they use.
[45:14] » Well, we could clearly put in even
[45:17] though it would have a bottom it would
[45:18] be put in the ground. So it would be a
[45:22] foursided structure but it would still
[45:25] have your rear crossing.
[45:28] » Yeah. And it's but the three-sided
[45:30] structure obviously is a lot more
[45:32] because of the footings and the whole
[45:34] » Right but it was also a function of a
[45:36] time constraint coupled with uh
[45:40] unforeseen cost that uh led us to say
[45:43] okay we're not going to be able to
[45:44] approve this
[45:45] » But one of the biggest costs was when it
[45:47] went to that do phase or whatever it
[45:51] » It was a major increase
[45:53] » It was like doing what they did on 23 on
[45:56] these two you know it Yeah.
[45:58] » Significantly more.
[45:59] » So, but uh thank you to Gretchen for
[46:02] » Alerting us to this.
[46:05] » So much work. I can't express.
[46:07] » Yeah.
[46:08] » Yeah.
[46:08] » Even with the salt building, you know,
[46:10] but she did a lot of this work with this
[46:12] this cover pipe too. So,
[46:14] » Yeah,
[46:14] » She was. So,
[46:16] » We are on notice for next year to pursue
[46:20] this, but um and and to have a robust
[46:23] branch. We're going to have another
[46:24] Heather one to deal with and that's the
[46:26] one on Plum Road because
[46:27] » Because of the storm
[46:28] » I could only piece that together.
[46:30] » Okay. All right. So, we're up to Okay.
[46:35] Thank you, Richard.
[46:36] » Yeah. Thank you guys. Much appreciated.
[46:38] Uh, we have to go back to the clerk's
[46:40] report because I neglected to put forth
[46:43] a resolution to pass state form RS2417-
[46:49] as per the office of New York State
[46:51] comproller and the New York State and
[46:53] local retirement system. Can I get a um
[46:58] motion please for form RS
[47:01] » Hernandez? Can I get a second? Ziggler.
[47:05] Uh, any comment on this is a um a form
[47:09] required by New York State. Then they
[47:10] require that it be passed by resolution.
[47:13] Uh, this is for the pension system, I
[47:15] believe. Yeah,
[47:16] » That's
[47:18] » It sounds like a pro for nothing
[47:21] » Substantive we need to talk about here,
[47:23] right?
[47:24] » Yeah, it's
[47:26] correct.
[47:27] Uh, any further discussion?
[47:32] Uh, all in favor? Uh, Feld is frozen.
[47:36] No. Feld. Uh,
[47:39] » Karana.
[47:41] Uh,
[47:42] » I have a one question just because it's
[47:45] just obvious on the but it's it says
[47:48] standard workday and then it has eight
[47:53] hours
[47:56] » As what?
[47:57] » It's a standard work day.
[47:58] » Oh, okay. I see. I see. Um, I see how
[48:01] it's separated. I'm sorry. Go ahead.
[48:03] » Okay. So, all in favor, Hernandez,
[48:06] Ziggler, Feld,
[48:08] » And Chrono. Hi.
[48:10] » Okay. Thank you. We will get that filed.
[48:13] Um, sewer.
[48:15] Okay.
[48:17] H se
[48:20] is coming on September 3rd for a visit.
[48:24] Uh, as you know, we've worked very hard
[48:25] to um,
[48:28] uh, maintain good relationships with the
[48:30] DEC. So, I look forward to the visit
[48:32] from our representative Jamie Malcolm.
[48:35] Uh,
[48:37] » Uh, it's pretty. I don't know. Um,
[48:41] » Uh, good question. I'll call Jamie
[48:43] probably. Well, both. We'll have to go
[48:46] on site. Um, uh, our sewer operator will
[48:50] be in attendance. Um, I did send a soil
[48:55] sample from the burm to Cornell. Takes
[48:58] them eight weeks. Seems like a long
[49:00] time, but that's And I also did disperse
[49:03] a bag of grass seed as a test before it
[49:06] rained a couple days ago. So
[49:09] hopefully
[49:11] uh
[49:12] » It's not growing. That's the issue.
[49:13] » It is growing, but not as robustly as
[49:16] one would. So, I wish Richard was back
[49:18] for this, but I bet they they compacted
[49:20] it, right? When they they formed the
[49:22] » Yeah. Or it could be some salt or some
[49:25] » Yeah. He used the good soil that he had.
[49:28] » Yeah.
[49:28] » They used that for the base.
[49:31] » And then he had to purchase other soil
[49:33] for the top and that was the
[49:35] » Yeah, it was more soil than
[49:37] » I bet it wasn't loosened before you
[49:39] spread that seed in.
[49:40] » It wasn't.
[49:41] » It was not. And then they covered it
[49:43] with the blue mesh. And that's
[49:46] » Even even in great conditions, that's
[49:48] not going to do very well, right?
[49:51] » You can even see the repair that they
[49:53] did in Crerville, you know, in front of
[49:54] the church.
[49:55] » They did all the right stuff, but it's
[49:57] just compacted and the scrap wasn't
[49:59] plate very well. You got to loosen it.
[50:00] » Maybe I'll take you down and
[50:02] » If you have a moment.
[50:03] » Yeah.
[50:04] » In your in your busy season. Um, look,
[50:07] we've had some uh issues with um
[50:12] breakers [snorts] to the pumps. Uh two
[50:16] issues uh while Revina was on vacation
[50:18] that the uh just the breaker flipped or
[50:22] the breaker was removed. So, the we had
[50:24] some unexpected pumping issues uh with
[50:27] two tanks. Uh we did on the uh advice of
[50:32] our sewer operator uh purchase a few uh
[50:36] pumps to have on hand should because the
[50:39] pumps are now 20 years old.
[50:42] » So you know I know I had some very
[50:44] optimistic uh projections for the end of
[50:47] the year uh balance. I think it's going
[50:51] to be not as optimistic as we initially
[50:54] thought because it always seems to be
[50:56] something with the sewer and un
[50:58] unforeseen [clears throat]
[51:01] stuff. But we are, you know, considering
[51:04] that there's been threequarters of a
[51:06] million dollars of upgrades, I think
[51:09] where we will end up
[51:11] debt wise is pretty impressive still. Uh
[51:16] plus we want to ma maintain we want to
[51:19] do the proper maintenance because that's
[51:20] how we got into this mess of the first
[51:22] time.
[51:23] » Proper maintenance wasn't happening and
[51:25] that led to a big
[51:28] problem a big half a million dollar
[51:30] problem. So if we I and the board can
[51:33] you know always uh disagree and um but
[51:38] » Mainten
[51:40] control panel too that wasn't
[51:44] » Uh
[51:44] » Technical that wasn't working properly
[51:46] » Right uh the dosing was the dosing was
[51:49] working properly it's just it wasn't
[51:51] they need to be programmed
[51:53] » Yeah so um just know that thank god for
[51:56] I can't say this enough thank god for
[51:58] less and H2O they have uh I don't
[52:03] know where we would be without them.
[52:05] We'd be shut down. Um um so
[52:09] um we will again be discussing this at
[52:11] budget time. Um so that's uh that's my
[52:14] update. Any other update? Uh we're still
[52:17] waiting to hear about the design grant.
[52:19] Uh
[52:20] » Oh yeah.
[52:22] » Still waiting to hear about the design
[52:23] grant and the um Anthony Street cold
[52:26] water.
[52:27] » The street grant. the street grant.
[52:29] » These were CFA filings in July or
[52:32] December some years.
[52:33] » Yeah.
[52:34] » Oh, yeah. All right. Well, the the
[52:36] design grant was actually a DEC grant
[52:38] which was due in
[52:40] » CFA
[52:42] has got this.
[52:44] » Ah,
[52:44] » Yeah.
[52:46] » Um, so
[52:49] believe me, the minute I hear, I will
[52:51] let you all know and everyone know.
[52:53] Okay. Um, next up, can I get a
[52:55] resolution to hold a public meeting?
[52:59] » Uh, we
[53:01] West End Bridge. Yes.
[53:04] » Sorry. West End Bridge. Um, I we had a
[53:09] preliminary design meeting. I sent you
[53:10] the notes and the transcript.
[53:13] uh GPI which is the chosen um firm will
[53:18] present to both the town board and the
[53:20] public at the November meeting. Um they
[53:24] will be going through uh all the
[53:27] preliminary design work that they've
[53:29] done. They will probably have an updated
[53:33] um cost analysis
[53:36] which will be interesting which I think
[53:39] we will talk about again in uh our
[53:42] budget meeting uh with what Richard is
[53:45] saying about increase cost. You know we
[53:48] originally had a budget of 1.25.
[53:53] » Yeah.
[53:56] » We shall see what they say. I'm just
[53:59] » Now you see why some towns have
[54:00] temporary bridges like the permanent
[54:02] temporary one right
[54:03] » Back
[54:04] they just closed it there's a couple
[54:06] bridges they've just closed ter
[54:11] » Um
[54:13] » Yeah like three of them
[54:16] » Really is it's detrimental with the fire
[54:19] district
[54:21] all the lines
[54:22] » Yeah well this is the one bridge we own
[54:24] and it's a major thoroughare not a m
[54:26] it's not a major thorough affair but
[54:27] It's important.
[54:29] » No,
[54:30] I got
[54:33] » Is actually pretty major.
[54:34] » Yeah.
[54:34] » Oh, yeah. It is.
[54:35] » It really is. It really is because it
[54:37] would actually separate.
[54:40] » I mean, anybody on the other side would
[54:41] have to go all the way through back
[54:43] through into Martindale and come back
[54:46] around.
[54:46] » Yeah.
[54:46] » If Martinale's closed, I'd go that way.
[54:49] » Yeah. So, I look forward to DPI's
[54:52] presentation. I've been very impressed
[54:54] with the level of professionalism.
[54:56] um like uh exhibited so far. I look
[55:00] forward to the board hearing from them
[55:02] directly and to ask questions. So um
[55:06] please review the materials that have
[55:08] been submitted so far and um we'll talk
[55:11] further in November. Uh okay. Uh, can I
[55:16] get a motion to pass a resolution to
[55:19] hold a public meeting
[55:22] uh for local law 262 establishing income
[55:26] levels for senior citizens real property
[55:28] tax exemption on Tuesday, September 15th
[55:31] at 6:45 p.m.
[55:33] » Council member Hernandez second
[55:37] uh Council Member Ziggler. Uh I'll just
[55:40] uh uh uh preface this uh by saying this
[55:44] has been discussed at the county level
[55:48] and what we are proposing to do is to
[55:50] mirror what the county is doing. Um I
[55:54] believe I've sent around an email where
[55:55] the financial implications for Hillsdale
[55:58] are minimal but uh we can discuss this
[56:01] at the public meeting.
[56:03] uh this basically has a new uh uh
[56:06] structure uh for the tax exemption.
[56:11] Uh but we'll be we will be discussing
[56:13] this more next meeting.
[56:17] my I have
[56:18] » I have um one question you might want to
[56:21] bring up with the uh the county council,
[56:27] » But if if you read um the state um
[56:34] » Or if you read the state law, it says
[56:37] » If the income quote if the income of the
[56:40] owner the combined income of the owners
[56:42] of the property for the applicable
[56:44] income tax year exceeds the sum of
[56:47] $3,000 there. Anyway, there's a section
[56:51] that I think implies that the
[56:55] um that the lowest amount is 3,000.
[57:00] So, where it says um I need to pull that
[57:03] back up. um
[57:07] where it says um
[57:11] it's just a a small detail, but
[57:14] » It says $45,000
[57:17] or less.
[57:19] I'm not sure, but it might it might
[57:22] actually be uh $45,000
[57:26] to $3,000. It's not actually to zero,
[57:30] » But I I'm not that has to be interpreted
[57:33] by an attorney.
[57:35] Okay. Um, great. Um, I will look at
[57:39] that. Uh, Ken has uh reviewed this uh
[57:44] did a initial review. Uh, he suggested
[57:48] that we
[57:50] mirror uh what the county and state are
[57:52] doing uh in our uh this will change uh
[57:57] some of our
[57:59] uh local laws obviously. Uh but um I
[58:02] would take a look.
[58:04] » So the the reason we're able to adopt
[58:07] this and the reason the county is is
[58:08] because there's a state mandate for it.
[58:11] So
[58:11] » So I it was just unclear. Um
[58:16] » Okay.
[58:17] » And I think it's something that could be
[58:20] missed, but anyway.
[58:22] » Okay. Um, uh, if you would do me a favor
[58:26] and you could if you could download that
[58:28] and
[58:29] somehow highlight that or I can call you
[58:31] tomorrow and we can talk. But, uh, um,
[58:34] that would be great. Thank you.
[58:36] » Sure.
[58:37] » Um, all in favor of holding the public
[58:39] meeting. Uh, Hernandez, Devorech,
[58:42] Ziggler, Feld, and Coron or Fund.
[58:46] Unanimous. Thank you. Um and uh next up
[58:49] is a resolution to hold a public meeting
[58:53] for local law three establishing incomes
[58:55] for disabled and lowincome real property
[58:58] tax exemption on Tuesday, September 15th
[59:01] at 6:55 p.m. Can I get a motion, please?
[59:03] Supervisor Hernandez, can I get a
[59:05] second, please?
[59:07] » Supervisor Ziggler. Supervisor Council
[59:10] Member Ziggler.
[59:12] Um any further discussion? Uh this is
[59:16] just basically the same law for
[59:19] » Yeah.
[59:20] » Yeah.
[59:21] » Hearing none. All in favor? Uh
[59:23] Hernandez, Devortch, Vigler,
[59:26] » Bel and
[59:28] Corona.
[59:32] » Just muting.
[59:32] » Oh, you mute. You muted, Amy. Jamie.
[59:36] » Yeah, I'm pulling [clears throat] I'm
[59:37] pulling it up. So, sorry it's um loading
[59:41] here. I just wanted to look at it um one
[59:44] last time here.
[59:51] » Um
[59:54] yeah. Okay.
[59:56] Hi.
[59:57] » Okay. Thank you. Unanimous.
[59:59] » Uh next up, um I'm noticing a typo here.
[1:00:02] Um um of the Hamlet Park. Bart, did you
[1:00:06] want to put forward this resolution?
[1:00:07] » Uh yes. This is Oh, we're doing
[1:00:10] evolution, right?
[1:00:11] » Yeah.
[1:00:12] » Yes. Um I'm describing it.
[1:00:14] » Yeah. Just read what's on there.
[1:00:18] » Okay. Resolution XXX. However,
[1:00:22] » 2026 accepted from Mankind LLC for
[1:00:26] 163,616.25
[1:00:29] for construction of the Hammond Park
[1:00:32] band shell.
[1:00:34] Uh
[1:00:35] uh I'll put forward that motion and then
[1:00:38] uh supervisor Hernandez
[1:00:40] council member
[1:00:42] give everybody
[1:00:43] » Not going to give anyone else to drive.
[1:00:45] » Yeah.
[1:00:47] » Next year next year. Next year
[1:00:50] no uh Bart put forward the res. Yeah, I
[1:00:54] made the motion and uh uh council member
[1:00:58] Hernandez seconded it. Okay. uh parts
[1:01:01] that you put forward the resolution. Do
[1:01:03] you want to speak to this first?
[1:01:04] » Uh yeah, this is just in case people
[1:01:05] aren't aware. This is for the assembling
[1:01:08] of the kit. We now have for the banshe
[1:01:12] arrived a couple weeks ago and uh the
[1:01:15] foundation all the assembly. Um and we
[1:01:19] uh got two bids and one was $163,000
[1:01:23] approximately. Other was 172. Um so
[1:01:27] we're going with the lower priced one as
[1:01:29] is usually the case.
[1:01:31] Uh and we had the town uh engineers CPL
[1:01:35] take a look at the bids uh and they are
[1:01:38] fine with the lower price one. They say
[1:01:39] it seemed the company seems to be
[1:01:41] reputable rep good uh you know
[1:01:44] qualifications from elsewhere and so
[1:01:46] that's the one we think we should go
[1:01:48] with.
[1:01:50] » Yeah. I think it's a really good thing
[1:01:51] that both bids are pretty close
[1:01:52] together. That's a good sign that you're
[1:01:54] getting towards an honest number. So
[1:01:56] seems good.
[1:01:57] » Yeah.
[1:01:57] » Yeah.
[1:01:59] Barb, can you remind us what is the
[1:02:01] total project budget and and um where
[1:02:05] how are we financing this? Just if you
[1:02:08] could
[1:02:09] » Yeah. Well, we're now up to uh a little
[1:02:12] over $100,000 $200,000. The uh cost of
[1:02:15] the kit was about $50,000
[1:02:19] » And they're now doing 163. So that's
[1:02:21] what uh 13.
[1:02:23] » Yeah.
[1:02:24] » Um and we have several grants. are
[1:02:28] paying for it. We uh last year we got
[1:02:30] $80,000 from Rank Stern Hill Community
[1:02:33] Foundation. Uh this year we got an
[1:02:35] additional $45,000 from them and then we
[1:02:39] got 20,000 from the HR&T Foundation. And
[1:02:44] then as you'll see on the next item in
[1:02:46] the agenda, we're asking Rhinest
[1:02:48] Foundation to reallocate $12,000 that
[1:02:51] was going towards this transportation
[1:02:53] program. We're planning on linking up
[1:02:55] the uh South County Transportation uh uh
[1:02:59] system in uh Great Barington, but that's
[1:03:01] not going to happen. They're a bit of
[1:03:03] disarray at this point. They recently uh
[1:03:06] the man running the thing quit or left
[1:03:08] were going for the job. Yeah.
[1:03:11] [clears throat]
[1:03:11] » Yeah. Okay. So that's that's
[1:03:13] » And also there is a u uh uh $4,000 from
[1:03:19] the flea market revenues in addition to
[1:03:21] a reserve of8
[1:03:25] group $85,000
[1:03:27] from the subdivision fee. So uh that
[1:03:32] would put us uh some quick math about
[1:03:35] two 60. So we would still have about $40
[1:03:39] to $50,000 in that reserve which is
[1:03:43] earmarked for Hamlet for park
[1:03:47] » Improvements.
[1:03:47] » Improvements.
[1:03:48] » So I was c I was counting these numbers
[1:03:51] up but I mean I got a number much
[1:03:54] bigger. So So what is the total project
[1:03:57] number?
[1:03:58] » 213.
[1:03:59] » 213
[1:04:00] » 213 but the numbers you gave me are like
[1:04:03] 426.
[1:04:05] And we were just listing the uh listen
[1:04:07] the grants grants. We have
[1:04:09] » The grants to offset the 213.
[1:04:12] » So we have been uh
[1:04:14] » So you have double the grants
[1:04:19] » Money from the total.
[1:04:23] » No. Uh Bart go through this. It's 80K
[1:04:26] from Rystrom, 45K from Rhinestrom,
[1:04:29] » 20 from HRB,
[1:04:31] » 20 from HRB.
[1:04:32] » 20. Okay.
[1:04:33] » Yeah.
[1:04:34] » Two zero. had in 12K from Rhinestrom.
[1:04:38] Uh we just call it 5K from the flea
[1:04:42] market and then 85K
[1:04:45] uh from the uh the reserve fund.
[1:04:48] » Okay. And we still
[1:04:50] » Just so you know, we did pass a
[1:04:51] resolution at the special meeting to a
[1:04:54] to ask HRBT for additional funds
[1:04:57] » For this also. So,
[1:05:00] » Okay. So, we're still we're still over.
[1:05:04] You said the total project budget was
[1:05:06] 213.
[1:05:07] » Yeah, we're over
[1:05:09] » We're we're over
[1:05:12] » It's 246.
[1:05:14] » No.
[1:05:14] » Yeah.
[1:05:18] » The total of those numbers you gave me
[1:05:20] were was 246 or was it
[1:05:23] » That's [clears throat] was the last
[1:05:25] number 85 or 8500?
[1:05:27] » It's available money. It doesn't mean
[1:05:29] we're going to spend it.
[1:05:31] I I understand that. But usually like
[1:05:34] you you understand specifically how a
[1:05:38] project is funded before you approve.
[1:05:42] » It's fully funded with the grants
[1:05:44] listed.
[1:05:45] » Can I explain? We went into this knowing
[1:05:47] we have $85,000 in a park fund that can
[1:05:50] only be used for projects such as this.
[1:05:52] But we did not want to spend all that.
[1:05:54] So we went out and raised money from
[1:05:55] foundations and we were very successful.
[1:05:58] Right.
[1:05:58] » So, we're only using a tiny bit of that
[1:06:01] » Other reserve park money
[1:06:03] » To go towards this. And if we're more
[1:06:04] successful in getting our additional
[1:06:06] money, we're asking for more from one of
[1:06:08] the f one of the funders, HRBT. We may
[1:06:10] not have to take any money out of that
[1:06:11] fund.
[1:06:12] » Right. So, we have the 213 covered with
[1:06:17] non- taxpayer money.
[1:06:18] » Yeah. Correct. And none of this we're
[1:06:20] talking about is taxpayer money, not the
[1:06:21] 85,000 park fun.
[1:06:25] It's all public money when you receive
[1:06:28] private grants. It's public money. So
[1:06:30] whether or not it's from tax property
[1:06:33] tax revenue or not, but I I I just I
[1:06:37] think when we do projects this size,
[1:06:40] it's important that [clears throat] we
[1:06:42] have a budget a total project budget in
[1:06:46] real time that is published as part of
[1:06:48] the public record.
[1:06:49] » Please review the
[1:06:51] has been discussed. We we B has
[1:06:54] presented budgets.
[1:06:55] » Uh we kept track of the I presented a
[1:06:59] spreadsheet. Uh uh this is again we're
[1:07:02] still within yes the branch cost more
[1:07:05] than we initially thought but we're
[1:07:06] still within
[1:07:08] » The realm of
[1:07:10] » I I obviously obviously the funding is
[1:07:13] available but you know we I think we
[1:07:16] should have a pretty specific idea of
[1:07:18] exactly where the money is coming from
[1:07:20] and if there is any balance of course
[1:07:23] that money can be used for other
[1:07:25] projects. Yeah, agree. But
[1:07:28] » But we should have some idea of that,
[1:07:30] you know.
[1:07:31] » Well, until the bids were in, we didn't
[1:07:33] have a solid number, but we, you know,
[1:07:36] we we had a an estimate that was
[1:07:38] considering the rising cost and
[1:07:42] » The model that we used uh might not have
[1:07:45] been up to the state standards that
[1:07:47] Hillsdale is
[1:07:49] » Using. So, uh that was initially under
[1:07:54] budgeted. The good news is that we have
[1:07:56] the funds to cover this.
[1:07:58] » Okay, great.
[1:08:00] » Okay,
[1:08:00] » Thank you.
[1:08:02] » Yeah, congrats.
[1:08:04] » Uh, all in favor of accepting the bid
[1:08:06] from Man, not Man,
[1:08:08] » I
[1:08:10] Hernandez, Devorech, Ziggler, FEL, and
[1:08:12] Corona Nordstrom. Okay, great. Uh, we
[1:08:16] can contact them tomorrow and try to get
[1:08:18] on their schedule ASAP. Uh,
[1:08:21] » I'll do that.
[1:08:22] » Great. Um, next up is a resolution uh
[1:08:26] requesting the Rinstream Foundation to
[1:08:28] re reallocate the the $12,000 initially
[1:08:32] awarded to the transportation program to
[1:08:34] the construction of the band. So, can I
[1:08:36] get a motion, please? Hernandez and
[1:08:39] Ziggler. Um, Bon mentioned this before,
[1:08:43] the uh unfortunately uh the South
[1:08:47] Connector is going through some things.
[1:08:49] Um uh you can read more about the
[1:08:52] situation in the Berkshire paper. Um
[1:08:55] very unfortunate um but
[1:09:00] that we will not be able to proceed with
[1:09:02] the the um transportation grant. Uh I
[1:09:06] oddly enough I was in a meeting budget
[1:09:08] meeting uh at Columbia County and I did
[1:09:10] mention you know we're still interested
[1:09:12] in the transportation program in
[1:09:14] Columbia County but you know this
[1:09:16] particular realm is is not going to
[1:09:18] proceed. So uh we are proposing to
[1:09:23] reallocate the funds already awarded to
[1:09:26] Hillsdale to the band shell
[1:09:30] and that's the story.
[1:09:32] » Yeah. So I think in this case like I
[1:09:36] think um it's it's hard to vote to
[1:09:40] approve this when we again like don't we
[1:09:44] we don't know exactly what is funding
[1:09:47] it. So we wouldn't want to re I mean
[1:09:50] we've done this before where we
[1:09:51] reallocate something and it doesn't make
[1:09:53] sense to reallocate it. So
[1:09:57] um it would just be nice to to see
[1:09:59] exactly
[1:10:01] um
[1:10:02] » Going towards the bench
[1:10:04] » What what is what is actually needed for
[1:10:07] the for this uh project
[1:10:11] » 23 $23,000
[1:10:14] and and is the total um we have raised a
[1:10:19] total of
[1:10:21] 145 in grants we are proposing we add
[1:10:25] $12,000 to that to bring it to 157. The
[1:10:31] def the uh remaining cost will be paid
[1:10:34] for by an existing reserve fund
[1:10:37] specifically earmarked for Hamlet Park
[1:10:40] improvements.
[1:10:42] So I am in favor and another five of
[1:10:46] flea market
[1:10:47] » Revenue and I can Yeah.
[1:10:50] » Okay. Uh
[1:10:52] » Yeah, it's just different than what
[1:10:55] those are different numbers from what we
[1:10:57] just reviewed, but it's
[1:10:58] » They're the same.
[1:11:00] » Okay.
[1:11:01] » All right.
[1:11:06] » Um all in favor, uh Hernandez Dvorch,
[1:11:10] Ziggler,
[1:11:14] » Here. Uh all against
[1:11:18] » I'm going to abstain just
[1:11:20] » Okay
[1:11:21] » Based on these details.
[1:11:22] » Thank you. Uh Jamie, uh next up is the
[1:11:27] um CSC CEC task force.
[1:11:30] » I was I wasn't present if there was
[1:11:33] » All right. Um
[1:11:35] uh then do you want to speak to the
[1:11:38] comprehensive plan update or do you want
[1:11:40] me to do that?
[1:11:41] » Uh you can.
[1:11:42] » Okay. Um,
[1:11:44] » Are you skipping the Revolutionary War?
[1:11:46] » Oh,
[1:11:47] yeah.
[1:11:49] Uh, let's do the Revolutionary War.
[1:11:52] Okay.
[1:11:52] » Uh, it's right after
[1:11:55] » War number 14.
[1:11:58] » Was it you updated?
[1:12:00] » He must have something.
[1:12:02] » Yeah,
[1:12:03] » This isn't on the This is from the
[1:12:04] website.
[1:12:05] » No, but if you you click here on the
[1:12:08] updated, that's always the Oh, you're
[1:12:10] right. Yeah, this that we added at noon
[1:12:13] uh yesterday uh because the historic
[1:12:15] committee met
[1:12:17] » At noon on Monday
[1:12:20] uh and they are uh I believe Bart and
[1:12:24] Irwin
[1:12:25] » Attended as liaison. Bart and Irwin, do
[1:12:27] you want to speak to the historic
[1:12:29] committee meeting?
[1:12:31] » Is this a resolution?
[1:12:32] » Since Bart does it may not uh drop out
[1:12:35] with the internet. Let him go for it.
[1:12:37] » Okay.
[1:12:38] » Okay. Uh well this is my first meeting
[1:12:40] on this so I'm know no expert at all but
[1:12:43] this is this uh the our official
[1:12:46] historic hillsdale group wants to uh
[1:12:49] clean the headstones and put in signage
[1:12:52] in several town uh cemeteries town and
[1:12:56] non-town cemeteries that had the graves
[1:12:58] of revolutionary war uh soldiers. Uh
[1:13:02] obviously this is part of the 250 uh
[1:13:05] anniversary in this country and um
[1:13:07] » Yeah that's okay.
[1:13:08] » This will be entirely funded by sales of
[1:13:12] the book the start book that uh
[1:13:15] » Uh what is her first name? Kayla Key
[1:13:18] » Jean
[1:13:18] » Jean Jean
[1:13:19] » Wrote uh about many of these soldiers
[1:13:21] families in their lives.
[1:13:24] Yeah, they've raised a good amount of
[1:13:25] money from 2000.
[1:13:27] » They sold a lot of books for like 3,000.
[1:13:29] » 3,000 which would at 25 bucks a pop.
[1:13:32] » Yeah,
[1:13:32] » That's right. If you don't have the
[1:13:34] book, I highly recommend it.
[1:13:35] » It's very well done.
[1:13:37] » Yeah, great tales.
[1:13:38] » Um, so
[1:13:41] asked us to put forward a resolution
[1:13:43] authorizing the Revolutionary War
[1:13:45] veteran headstone cleaning and signage
[1:13:47] project in commemoration of the 250 50th
[1:13:50] anniversary of the American
[1:13:51] Revolutionary War. And this will occur
[1:13:54] uh they have to buy the cleaning
[1:13:55] equipment uh in the midfall, late fall,
[1:13:59] october, November. And uh we would be
[1:14:03] sanctioning this as a town event. So it
[1:14:04] would be covered under town policy. Our
[1:14:07] confederate soldiers on
[1:14:09] » They already
[1:14:11] they already have more than enough
[1:14:13] volunteers.
[1:14:14] » Yeah. Uh Lauren has more than enough
[1:14:18] volunteers to
[1:14:19] » War.
[1:14:22] Okay. [laughter]
[1:14:24] Yeah.
[1:14:25] » Win is this the signage that you
[1:14:27] presented at the last meeting? Was it
[1:14:29] the last?
[1:14:30] » No, no, no, no, no. This is really
[1:14:32] mostly about the cleaning of the graves.
[1:14:34] Um, and Jean had identified most of the
[1:14:37] graves that were still allegible, but
[1:14:39] Lauren was meeting somebody from the D
[1:14:42] today to go to North Hillsdale to the
[1:14:45] cemetery on 21 and 22
[1:14:50] to further investigate there. So, we
[1:14:53] have a complete number before we go in
[1:14:57] and we know how much solution to
[1:15:00] purchase. Uh, it seems like it's a very
[1:15:03] simple process. it gets sprayed on. Uh
[1:15:06] you leave it uh rain and whatever do
[1:15:09] what they do. And I suggested that we do
[1:15:12] a test sample of one stone although that
[1:15:16] may not be partic completely indicative
[1:15:19] because they are made of different
[1:15:20] stones. Uh just to see the process and
[1:15:25] uh
[1:15:27] that's pretty much it. It's it's
[1:15:30] actually [snorts] very clean and it's
[1:15:31] very uh Lauren had sent the information
[1:15:35] on the uh the two products that are
[1:15:37] approved to do this and we chose one one
[1:15:41] yesterday.
[1:15:43] » Yeah. And and Jean uh sent me an email
[1:15:46] asking for information about who to
[1:15:48] contact for the big cemeteries, not the
[1:15:51] ones. So I guess
[1:15:55] » The second part of it is to create
[1:15:58] signage for a small sign for and we we
[1:16:01] decided I think yesterday 8 by 10 was a
[1:16:04] good size uh for each individual
[1:16:06] cemetery
[1:16:08] uh to list the names of the soldiers
[1:16:10] that are in there because uh we know
[1:16:13] that they're there but we don't
[1:16:16] necessarily know where uh over time
[1:16:19] either erosion or you know just stones
[1:16:24] falling over into the ground. Uh so we
[1:16:26] know certain people are there but we
[1:16:28] can't actually mark their graves. So
[1:16:30] they want to do a general
[1:16:33] um sign for each one of them uh that
[1:16:38] will identify the people that are in
[1:16:40] there. Irwin
[1:16:43] um
[1:16:45] uh
[1:16:47] did was there a consideration that um
[1:16:50] historically like women weren't included
[1:16:54] in lists um or as enlisted
[1:16:57] uh persons during this time.
[1:17:00] » Uh I really cannot speak to that.
[1:17:04] » Okay. because that is uh something
[1:17:06] that's brought up and in state, you
[1:17:09] know, um historic site signage that
[1:17:13] » The people who we know actually fought
[1:17:15] in the revolution and there are 72 of
[1:17:17] them in Hillsdale,
[1:17:19] » Right? But that but that list is all
[1:17:20] men, right?
[1:17:23] » Correct.
[1:17:23] » All white men.
[1:17:25] » These are people who served in the
[1:17:27] military,
[1:17:29] » Right? So I think um what what u
[1:17:33] historians are considering now is adding
[1:17:36] additional people to those lists who may
[1:17:39] have not been intentionally may have not
[1:17:41] been documented at that time but
[1:17:44] participated in um on the battlefields.
[1:17:48] If you were if you were a nurse in the
[1:17:50] American re if you were a female in the
[1:17:53] American Revolution and you were a
[1:17:55] nurse, you were not counted for an
[1:17:58] official documentation.
[1:18:01] » I think if you were
[1:18:03] » If you anyway it's a it's a
[1:18:06] » It's a issue that comes up with um in
[1:18:10] this context.
[1:18:14] » Yeah. Black Americans and women were not
[1:18:16] in included in those lists, but are were
[1:18:19] often fought
[1:18:20] » Or um participated
[1:18:23] » Side by side with something.
[1:18:27] » Yeah.
[1:18:30] » I know she's working with the D who the
[1:18:32] ones certify this. Um you can't just you
[1:18:35] know you need actual certification.
[1:18:37] These are the people that are there to
[1:18:39] bring up assignments.
[1:18:40] » Yeah, this is a good point to bring up
[1:18:42] uh as we're doing this. So, thank you.
[1:18:44] » Yeah.
[1:18:46] Uh, you need a motion.
[1:18:47] » Uh, no. I think the motion has been a
[1:18:50] motion. Uh, okay. Can I get a motion?
[1:18:53] Hernandez and Ziggler.
[1:18:56] » Uh, we kind of had the discussion
[1:18:57] period. Any further discussion?
[1:19:00] Uh, all in favor? Hernandez, Ziggler.
[1:19:04] Unanimous.
[1:19:05] » Bel.
[1:19:07] Okay. Thank you. So, thank you to uh the
[1:19:09] historic committee, Lauren, and
[1:19:10] especially Jean Kever, who is very
[1:19:12] passionate about this. Um, next up, can
[1:19:16] I get a resolution to reappoint Mary
[1:19:18] King to the
[1:19:20] » No. Oh, comprehensive plan. Sorry.
[1:19:24] » No, I I I went back.
[1:19:27] » Um,
[1:19:28] I forwarded on to the board that we did
[1:19:30] here from New York State. I did uh talk
[1:19:33] to uh Jamie also. Um
[1:19:37] uh I have also forwarded the contract
[1:19:39] for the comprehensive plan to Kand Dao
[1:19:42] who is going to review this. It's pretty
[1:19:45] you know what the state says the state
[1:19:48] says but he's he's going to take a look
[1:19:50] at it. Um
[1:19:52] the preliminary comprehensive plan
[1:19:54] committee um Michael Toth I believe had
[1:19:58] knee surgery this week. Uh, so the time
[1:20:03] frame is fall. Uh, I leave it to Nico
[1:20:07] and Jamie and Michael and Gretchen and
[1:20:10] Steve Tiger I also forwarded to because
[1:20:12] there's a lot of uh, MWBE
[1:20:15] stuff contained, but it's very exciting
[1:20:18] that we are about to begin this process.
[1:20:20] So, I want to thank everyone involved
[1:20:24] and I look forward to gaining
[1:20:28] input from everyone in the community.
[1:20:32] So, onward. Um, okay.
[1:20:37] » Yes. Can I get a motion to reappoint
[1:20:40] Mary King to the Columbia County
[1:20:42] Environmental Management Council?
[1:20:44] » Make a motion.
[1:20:46] » I'll second it.
[1:20:48] » Hernandez and Fel.
[1:20:50] Um,
[1:20:53] she has been ablely serving for many
[1:20:55] term, two-year terms now.
[1:20:57] » Yeah. Has Mary uh requested this?
[1:21:01] » Uh I reached out to her and she uh
[1:21:04] agreed to serve another
[1:21:06] » React. So this would now be picked up to
[1:21:09] the county level and then they would
[1:21:11] formally approve. But we have to do
[1:21:13] that.
[1:21:14] » Okay.
[1:21:15] » So all in favor
[1:21:17] um uh
[1:21:20] okay unanimous. Thank you. Uh, next up
[1:21:24] is a resolution to appoint Kevin Hines
[1:21:26] as an al alternate to the planning
[1:21:28] board. We've been looking for alternates
[1:21:31] for a long time now.
[1:21:35] Um, can I get a motion please? Hernandez
[1:21:37] and
[1:21:39] » Second
[1:21:41] » I guess not.
[1:21:45] » Um,
[1:21:48] any further discussion?
[1:21:50] » Yes.
[1:21:52] Yeah.
[1:21:53] » Oh, I'm sorry.
[1:21:57] » Is there someone else speaking?
[1:21:59] » No, go ahead.
[1:22:00] » Okay. Um, so I encountered uh when I was
[1:22:05] looking at this, I encountered a
[1:22:09] a potential issue that is that I don't
[1:22:12] think we have a law that actually um
[1:22:17] forms our planning board.
[1:22:20] I don't think we have a local law that
[1:22:22] actually defines the formation of our
[1:22:26] own planning board
[1:22:28] and I think that is required by
[1:22:35] [sighs]
[1:22:35] » Let me
[1:22:37] do
[1:22:38] » Um set up
[1:22:40] » Section 271
[1:22:44] um
[1:22:47] See
[1:22:49] Tom municipal law. So it's it's called
[1:22:51] planning board creation appointment.
[1:22:53] [clears throat]
[1:22:57] It's under section 271. Um
[1:23:01] so from the way I read it we I mean
[1:23:05] maybe we have been appointing alternates
[1:23:07] every once in a while. Uh but I don't
[1:23:09] think I didn't have a law.
[1:23:13] » We do have a law that that created and
[1:23:15] it happened in my term first term I
[1:23:18] think or actually the year term before
[1:23:20] that when Steve was on the board where
[1:23:22] we created two alternatives alternates
[1:23:25] for the planning board and the zoning
[1:23:27] board. So it's a law.
[1:23:30] » Yeah. No, but so uh maybe but I don't
[1:23:34] see it in our e-code or
[1:23:36] » It's not a maybe. It is. So, um, it's
[1:23:39] possible we don't
[1:23:41] » I mean, if you search our e-code, it's
[1:23:43] not there.
[1:23:44] » It's possible that the prior
[1:23:46] administrations didn't keep a copy that
[1:23:48] we could have put on e-code. Um,
[1:23:51] » Right. But e-code,
[1:23:53] » I will look into it.
[1:23:55] » Yeah. So, so that's one thing. I mean,
[1:23:58] so normally I think the town is supposed
[1:24:02] to we we need to
[1:24:05] from the way I read it, we need to adopt
[1:24:07] a a law that says that a planning board
[1:24:10] is formed and that [clears throat]
[1:24:13] » Whether it's five or seven members
[1:24:16] » Um
[1:24:18] the alternate you know that
[1:24:20] » We can choose to have alternates, we can
[1:24:23] choose not to have alternates. Uh but
[1:24:25] that would be
[1:24:26] » That would be defined. Um
[1:24:29] » There is a law Jamie. So
[1:24:32] » So where what is can you reference that
[1:24:34] law? I mean
[1:24:36] » Not
[1:24:38] there is well you can't find it but
[1:24:40] there is one and I do remember it
[1:24:41] because I did attend board meetings and
[1:24:43] Steve is here
[1:24:45] » Right. So, but the e-code is our that's
[1:24:48] that's our
[1:24:48] » E-code is, but it needs to be updated
[1:24:50] all the time. And I can't tell you
[1:24:55] when the last time we updated the laws
[1:24:57] was. It's a separate deal before we even
[1:25:02] » Would have been Well, no, actually Tom
[1:25:04] Carter and I set it up ages ago, but um
[1:25:08] » Okay. Okay. They can only they can only
[1:25:10] put in e-code what exists in paper and
[1:25:14] documents.
[1:25:16] » So if if e-code includes that legal
[1:25:19] disclaimer like that
[1:25:23] anyway you can you cannot we cannot
[1:25:26] reference law that that does not exist
[1:25:30] to us.
[1:25:31] » They do exist Jamie and they are there
[1:25:34] » Just because you cannot find them. So
[1:25:35] that's the first that's the first part.
[1:25:38] Uh the second part is when I did look at
[1:25:41] the e-code, it shows that nothing has
[1:25:44] been updated on e-code since 2022.
[1:25:48] uh in terms of new laws.
[1:25:54] » Um so if that's true,
[1:25:57] » We we just I think this month maybe the
[1:26:01] board should consider reviewing
[1:26:04] » First as the process for updating the
[1:26:08] e-code. Um what that looks like and a
[1:26:10] policy for it. Um because I
[1:26:13] [clears throat] think it it is a
[1:26:14] requirement. I mean, if you have e-code
[1:26:16] and you're not updating it with new
[1:26:18] laws, it kind of defeats the purpose of
[1:26:20] e-code. Um,
[1:26:23] [clears throat] and the other part of it
[1:26:25] is that, um, you know, we're basically
[1:26:29] like appointing people to positions that
[1:26:34] don't exist. I should
[1:26:36] » Jamie, I just Jamie, I just looked up
[1:26:38] New York Town Law 271. It says this lets
[1:26:42] a town board create a planning board
[1:26:44] either by local law or by ordinance or
[1:26:46] resolution. Right.
[1:26:48] » Many small towns it's simply by board
[1:26:50] resolution rather than a codified local
[1:26:52] law.
[1:26:53] » Okay. Where are you referencing that
[1:26:55] from?
[1:26:56] » Uh it's a document.
[1:27:00] I can let me find the I mean it's found
[1:27:02] online. I'm giving you exactly where
[1:27:03] it's coming from.
[1:27:05] » Yeah. I mean, I I'm not saying that I
[1:27:08] I'm qualified to necessarily interpret
[1:27:11] this. I think that our the town attorney
[1:27:14] should look at it and uh advise
[1:27:18] specifically, but um
[1:27:23] [clears throat]
[1:27:24] » Yeah, that's it.
[1:27:28] » Well, that's one of
[1:27:29] » Yeah, it says the town board of the law
[1:27:31] uh I'll quote it. The town board of each
[1:27:34] town is hereby authorized by local law
[1:27:36] or ordinance to create a planning board
[1:27:38] consisting of five or seven members
[1:27:41] and shall resolution appoint the members
[1:27:44] of such board and designate the
[1:27:46] chairperson thereof.
[1:27:47] » Okay. I'm on New York State Senate
[1:27:49] website and it has a whole description
[1:27:51] of section 271 on your planning board
[1:27:53] creation and appointments and
[1:27:56] » Yeah that's what I just read from
[1:27:58] » Resolution
[1:27:59] » Right but I'm repeating it says that it
[1:28:01] can it does not require local law can
[1:28:03] also be done by an
[1:28:04] » Orolution
[1:28:06] » Okay so I
[1:28:08] » Do we have that ordinance
[1:28:11] » I don't know that question I don't know
[1:28:13] that answer
[1:28:17] » What's What year is that?
[1:28:18] » No, that's And I mean, what is the
[1:28:21] definition of an ordinance?
[1:28:24] » Official law, rule, or regulation passed
[1:28:27] by a local municipal government. I just
[1:28:32] » Okay. So, um,
[1:28:34] » Yeah. So, there's
[1:28:39] » I just think that it's in our interest
[1:28:43] organizationally to address this this
[1:28:46] month. and a point to meeting.
[1:28:49] » I I I'm finding it we've we've done
[1:28:52] three organizational charts where
[1:28:54] alternates were listed and at this point
[1:28:56] you're bringing your concerns up. I I I
[1:29:00] don't see the value of that that there
[1:29:03] we have alternates going back at least a
[1:29:06] decade. So obviously this is a part of
[1:29:10] this. So to bring it up at this point is
[1:29:14] » You know the planning board
[1:29:15] unfortunately we have a member who is
[1:29:17] ill and a member who uh is having some
[1:29:21] other issues and they need an alternate.
[1:29:24] They had to cancel a meeting which is
[1:29:26] not ideal.
[1:29:27] » Right. But Mike just to clarify
[1:29:30] alternates are not used in those cases.
[1:29:33] Alternates are used for conflicts of
[1:29:35] interest not for absences. No, they're
[1:29:38] not.
[1:29:39] » No, that's not true. They they are they
[1:29:43] can be used if a quorum is not
[1:29:45] established because people are are
[1:29:47] unable to attend.
[1:29:51] » Okay.
[1:29:52] » I find it I find it odd that we have
[1:29:56] alternates in the or organizational
[1:29:58] chart for three years running and
[1:30:00] probably for 20 years.
[1:30:02] » Mike, I'm just being diligent. I don't
[1:30:05] know why why why I and I'm trying to
[1:30:08] make the planning board functional, but
[1:30:11] they're in, you know, they definitely
[1:30:13] need an alternate and we found one.
[1:30:16] They're having issues with attendance.
[1:30:19] Not by anybody's fault by by but just
[1:30:22] from some circumstances.
[1:30:24] Um, this alternate position has been
[1:30:27] advertised for three years now.
[1:30:30] » Yeah. So, can I read you the law on
[1:30:32] alternate members? It says, and again,
[1:30:35] I'm not an attorney, but it just I think
[1:30:38] there's just a misunderstanding about
[1:30:40] this. It says alternate members. It's
[1:30:43] it's um it's number 15 under that same
[1:30:47] um same law that Bart also pulled up. It
[1:30:50] says a town board may by local law or
[1:30:53] ordinance or is part of the local law
[1:30:56] ordinance creating the planning board.
[1:30:58] Again, it goes back to the local law or
[1:31:02] ordinance specifically creating the
[1:31:04] planning board. Establish alternate
[1:31:07] planning uh establish alternate planning
[1:31:09] board member positions for purposes of
[1:31:12] substituting for a member in the event
[1:31:15] such member is unable to participate
[1:31:18] because of a conflict of interest.
[1:31:22] » That's it. It doesn't say a conflict of
[1:31:24] interest and an absence or a series of
[1:31:27] absences.
[1:31:29] » Is this by majority voter?
[1:31:30] » Yeah.
[1:31:31] » To vote on,
[1:31:33] » Right? So, but we're we're voting on
[1:31:35] naming a alternative alternative to the
[1:31:38] this board. We're not saying what that
[1:31:39] person's duties or otherwise are. So,
[1:31:43] you're going levels deeper than what
[1:31:45] this uh
[1:31:46] » Well, we vote you voted on alternatives
[1:31:48] before. So, I have another So, that's my
[1:31:50] first
[1:31:52] uh [laughter]
[1:31:53] first uh let's call it an opportunity to
[1:31:57] address some of these potential issues.
[1:32:00] The other question I have is whether
[1:32:03] this position was posted.
[1:32:05] » Yes.
[1:32:06] » And for when was it posted?
[1:32:09] » For three years now. It's it's it's on
[1:32:12] our website.
[1:32:15] » Yeah. Every month it's in the
[1:32:16] newsletter.
[1:32:17] » Okay. I I did I didn't find it recently.
[1:32:20] So, uh
[1:32:20] » Look at the last newsletter. You'll see
[1:32:22] it. The August newsletter.
[1:32:24] » Oh, I I didn't find it there. So,
[1:32:26] anyway, but it's
[1:32:27] » Can you do a screenshot?
[1:32:32] I'm I'm very surprised that your your
[1:32:35] board members take personal offense to
[1:32:37] my comments, but
[1:32:39] » It sounds like you're
[1:32:42] » Unwilling to look into this
[1:32:44] » Meeting moving and other issues being
[1:32:47] raised now which don't seem appropriate
[1:32:49] to this thing question. Yeah, but you've
[1:32:52] you've also created you've also created
[1:32:55] alternatives for the zoning board and
[1:32:57] this board is actually uh swapped around
[1:33:00] people that were on the board to
[1:33:02] alternate.
[1:33:03] » No, I think the frustration is that you
[1:33:06] know these concerns were not brought
[1:33:08] forth three years ago. Um
[1:33:12] » No,
[1:33:12] » You know this has been fully advertised,
[1:33:14] fully part of the organizational chart.
[1:33:17] Um, so
[1:33:19] » Yeah, Mike, I honestly I looked at this
[1:33:21] a uh a bit closer because uh because of
[1:33:26] my role
[1:33:27] » [clears throat]
[1:33:27] » Uh in the comprehensive planning
[1:33:29] committee.
[1:33:30] » Okay. All right.
[1:33:31] » So, that's why I did look at a little
[1:33:33] closer. I'm sorry I missed it, but it
[1:33:35] seems like it's been missed for
[1:33:37] » A long time
[1:33:39] » And not just by by me.
[1:33:45] » You want to take a vote? Um, okay. So,
[1:33:52] » I have to go through minutes to ask for
[1:33:54] resumptions.
[1:33:56] Yeah.
[1:33:58] » Okay. So, I I think I need to consult
[1:34:00] this.
[1:34:01] » Well, no, I think uh take a vote to
[1:34:04] appoint
[1:34:06] » Kevin
[1:34:06] » To appoint Kevin Hind as an alternate.
[1:34:09] Uh,
[1:34:09] » And I'll find the minutes or the
[1:34:11] resolution or the whatever it is that
[1:34:12] says that the town board has agreed to
[1:34:15] appoint alternates.
[1:34:17] » Okay. [clears throat] Um, all in favor?
[1:34:21] » Hernandez, Devorech, Ziggler, and
[1:34:24] » Feld. All against
[1:34:28] Corona
[1:34:29] » Abstained.
[1:34:30] » Thank you.
[1:34:31] » Okay. Thank you. Thank you for bringing
[1:34:32] up those concerns. Uh
[1:34:35] um
[1:34:36] as I described the the planning board is
[1:34:42] um
[1:34:44] in a state of flaws or you know is
[1:34:46] having issues.
[1:34:47] » Yeah.
[1:34:48] » And which I'm trying to
[1:34:50] you know evade
[1:34:52] um
[1:34:53] » Roan Park.
[1:34:54] » Uh Roan Park.
[1:34:56] » All right. The roof on the farmhouse has
[1:34:58] been completed. Turns out I was right
[1:35:00] and the sub the plywood underneath the
[1:35:03] roof was completely rotten letting in
[1:35:04] water. So that all had to be replaced,
[1:35:07] » But it's replaced and it's fixed and
[1:35:08] it's good.
[1:35:10] » Um the another good project that was
[1:35:12] completed was the water line to the
[1:35:14] community garden. So now the seniors
[1:35:17] don't have to lug hundreds of feet of
[1:35:18] hose to get
[1:35:20] » Water there, which is great. They have a
[1:35:21] hydrant right at the garden.
[1:35:23] » And we fixed the entrance to the park so
[1:35:25] there's no more puddles, which makes the
[1:35:27] [clears throat]
[1:35:28] » Everybody happy. Yes.
[1:35:32] » Uh thank you. Uh any other business
[1:35:35] before the town
[1:35:38] » Um
[1:35:39] » Yeah m Mike if if I can just go back um
[1:35:44] just because it's um not a resolution
[1:35:47] here but I think separately we should
[1:35:50] address the policy around updating the
[1:35:53] e-code. thought is a very um that is I
[1:35:57] think very serious and um and also has
[1:36:02] to do with the planning board and zoning
[1:36:05] board and our board's ability to
[1:36:08] function in a basic way.
[1:36:11] » Okay. Uh Marina, can you present next
[1:36:14] board meeting of the policies to be
[1:36:17] okay?
[1:36:18] » I'll put that on the agenda for
[1:36:20] September.
[1:36:25] Uh hearing no further business. Motion
[1:36:27] to adjurnn.
[1:36:29] Uh Hernandez
[1:36:31] » And Fel second.
[1:36:33] » Uh all in favor?
[1:36:36] » I
[1:36:36] » I
[1:36:37] » Uh unanimous. Thank you all for
[1:36:38] attending. Good luck to our two council
[1:36:41] members tomorrow. Um and um thank you