[0:05] All the order in the town of Rotterdam, town board meeting for April 8, 2020, 6, Mr. Pele, please call the roll.

[0:13] Mr. Shaw, you have abstin. Mr. Sanchez.

[0:16] Mr. President. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Pele, may you hear?

[0:23] I'd like to call on Ms. Mattelitz to lead us in the budget meetings.

[0:30] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, of liberty and justice, for all.

[0:46] Our next item on the agenda is the privilege of a board.

[0:50] Any person recognized by the talent supervisor to speak here in the privilege of a board,

[0:55] shall direct his or her comments to the talent supervisor as the chair of the meeting.

[0:58] Any person granted the privilege of the floor shall first clearly state his or her name and whether the resident or non-resident of the town of Rotterdam for the record.

[1:08] The purpose of the privilege of the floor shall be for speakers to express their views thoughts and speak freely.

[1:13] Each speaker who wishes to address the town of Rotterdam should have an equal, reasonable opportunity to be heard by the town board.

[1:20] Each speaker should be given a maximum of three minutes to address the town board.

[1:25] There are two speakers signed up.

[1:27] First is rent at your home.

[1:54] For rent at your home?

[1:56] This is an honor.

[1:59] Can you hear me about them?

[2:00] No.

[2:00] I don't think they can sing on their cups.

[2:03] Maybe you're sitting there's a great honor.

[2:06] Time?

[2:12] Just have anything to do with them.

[2:14] They're not coming to my three minutes.

[2:15] Does this have anything to do with them?

[2:17] No, it's not your computer.

[2:19] Yeah.

[2:21] Just go ahead and look at what's waiting.

[2:22] Why perform things to be served on?

[2:24] I think

[2:37] that Redney is just late at five.

[2:41] It's just what they want.

[2:42] Just they want two, three, it's nine.

[2:44] That's where it's put.

[2:47] What do something to do?

[2:51] What do you want for us?

[2:52] No, I don't think it ever.

[3:01] There we go.

[3:09] There's just so much stuff here I know.

[3:12] What do you want for us?

[3:14] We can hear yourself.

[3:16] Does this kind of... I know.

[3:18] Okay.

[3:19] There's too much.

[3:20] Okay.

[3:20] I want you guys to know.

[3:21] I want the residents to hear it.

[3:27] So I yell.

[3:29] Don't get upset.

[3:30] I'm sorry, excuse me.

[3:32] Okay.

[3:33] I'm going to bring up two things.

[3:36] The one is, why hasn't the town give us any explanation?

[3:41] Why the privilege of the floor went from four to three minutes.

[3:46] After meeting residents met with Mr. Slime.

[3:48] And he said, that's what the supervisor wants.

[3:53] I guess so much for democracy.

[3:57] Okay, this is a big one.

[3:59] Regarding water, metering situation.

[4:02] How many times is this board going to line to the residents?

[4:09] How many times?

[4:15] This is the supervisor you said that the metering

[4:17] were forced, it was a forced, driven project for a bunch of people, that's great and that's

[4:27] wrong.

[4:30] Why did they answer such a time-taking note then, all day?

[4:39] Right, right then, the initiated this project, this was a mistake forcing me on us,

[4:52] right

[4:52] And if they wanted that, they had to do F1 and Z.

[4:55] So for you, continuous, continuously, say it's faint force.

[5:00] Continue on it, all the time.

[5:04] Even in the damn new barn, those paper.

[5:11] And not only that, please explain this to supervisor,

[5:16] why

[5:16] this is one of your priorities.

[5:25] And we wanted to see this.

[5:30] This is the ton of rye of them.

[5:32] Water distribution system, universal leader in initiative,

[5:37] inflammation plants, this was in 2019.

[5:43] We are now in our sixth year of nothing's happening.

[5:47] But meanwhile,

[5:51] the disproject is going up constantly.

[5:55] And you Mr. Supervisor, it's not a priority.

[5:58] Please summarize your times up.

[6:03] That was put

[6:07] up lying to the residents of Rotterdam.

[6:11] Please.

[6:27] I am going to comment that when I have been here and since I have been coming to the

[6:31] meetings, and I am very concerned and all taxpayers should be.

[6:36] From the view of work disaster, claiming agreements made that were not made, losing grants

[6:42] due to incomplete applications, leading to obtain second reports due to not following

[6:48] through the time limits is becoming a more financial burden losing money, waste of being

[6:55] so far. Yet, we have attorneys on the board and stated other professionals who are

[7:02] knowledgeable to these areas. Now we have the water project. We need transparency and truth.

[7:09] The taxpayers deserve that. We're footing the bill. The privilege of the four is our right,

[7:15] But we are only hurt. We've never known if it was addressed what were the findings in what is being done.

[7:23] Therefore, I can only conclude suspicion as to what is going on, and I've lost trust in our...

[7:31] The only thing we know is our taxes will increase big time. Let's keep up business, not bullshit. You know, the same money talks and bullshit walks? Here we are. And I have a suggestion, as to not being able to get answers. Unless we have a schedule to point to supervisor, which is wonderful. How about after one of these meetings? Maybe you guys stay 15 minutes and we'll sit here, and we'll see what we can do.

[8:00] At least tell us, okay, we heard John, we'll address that.

[8:04] Janice, we're in the middle of investigating that.

[8:06] We'll let you know.

[8:07] Something new, guys.

[8:09] Something,

[8:13] because you guys, it's getting crazy.

[8:17] I think, first of all, thank you very much, I appreciate it.

[8:23] Privileges of the floor is now closed.

[8:26] Our next item on the agenda is consideration of our resolutions.

[8:30] We have five items for original consideration today and in accordance with Robert's rules or these resolutions will be considered under the consent agenda procedure.

[8:40] All items on the consent agenda will be enacted by one motion.

[8:44] Unless the member of the town board request that an item be removed for separate discussion and vote.

[8:49] Any member of the board may request that an item be removed from the consent agenda at this time.

[8:54] We will have a roll call vote for item number five.

[8:59] I am number one. Resolution number 123 will declare agreed. Resolution number 123 for

[9:08] virtual consideration, accepting town forward meeting minutes. Without objection, I

[9:12] can send item number two. Resolution number 123 will declare agreed. Resolution number

[9:17] 123 for virtual consideration, to accept revenue for the town clerk's office for March

[9:22] 2026. Without objection, I can send resolution number 125 will declare agreed.

[9:27] Resolution number 125 for original consideration to accept fits and award contracts for highly materials,

[9:34] crushed blood zone, gravel and sand.

[9:36] Without objection, I could send resolution number 126 with a clear degree.

[9:40] Resolution number 126 for original consideration to accept fits and award contracts for highly materials,

[9:47] mantle, frame, and grates, and mantle roundrises.

[9:50] Without objection, I could send item number 5, resolution 1, 27 will be a roll call.

[9:55] The consent agenda is now closed.

[9:57] Can I have a motion to approve the items on the consent agenda?

[10:02] I'll make the motion.

[10:03] Is there a second?

[10:05] I'll second.

[10:06] All in favor?

[10:07] Aye.

[10:08] Any opposition?

[10:09] The consent agenda is approved.

[10:12] We have one resolution for roll call.

[10:14] Will the clerk please read item number one.

[10:16] Resolution number 127.

[10:19] Resolution number 127.

[10:20] for virtual consideration, urging the continued operation of a disconnecting VA clinic and

[10:25] right at any more.

[10:27] I have a motion.

[10:30] I'll make a motion.

[10:30] Is there a second?

[10:31] I'll second.

[10:32] Thank you.

[10:33] Any of all those in favor?

[10:37] Oh, yes.

[10:37] Yes.

[10:37] Thank you.

[10:38] Sorry.

[10:40] Any discussion on this item?

[10:44] Yeah.

[10:46] I just want to affirm my support, urging, disconnecting VA clinic, we're made up of

[10:52] open. It is crucial for veterans in our region to have access to health care, especially

[11:00] those that can't travel with City of Albany. I know speaking from my own family, my father

[11:06] rely on VA services for the last five years of his life. In most cases, the VA is the only

[11:12] source of health care available to them. I strongly urge our federal representatives and this

[11:20] administration to put aside political differences and

[11:24] engage in saving this important service in modernity.

[11:31] Absolutely unequivocally, yes, on resolution 1 27.26.

[11:37] Mr. Eddie, further discussion.

[11:43] Will the clerk please call the roll?

[11:45] Mr. Shlottis, absent, Mr. DeSantis.

[11:48] Yes.

[11:48] Ms. Guluch, yes.

[11:49] Ms. Mattelitz.

[11:51] Yes, I'm throwing you support.

[11:57] Mr. Paul May.

[11:57] Yes, the motion passes for

[12:06] I have one item at our last town board meeting, Andrea Pola asked a question regarding

[12:13] resolution of 1.18 of 2026. It was in regards to authorizing the supervisor to execute

[12:21] and sign a master professional service agreement with E3 Energy Advisors LLC. Andrea asked

[12:28] question is this for an energy committee or is this for energy advisors and I just wanted to answer

[12:35] her question that it's for energy advisors not for a committee?

[12:40] Any other discussion, right?

[12:46] In terms of the awardators, I've been very consistent.

[12:50] I've said not even time again, the state has pushed us down our throats because previous administrations

[12:58] and call attention to the water issues,

[13:02] whether it's discussing water projects or so forth.

[13:06] That is a fact.

[13:08] And so that is why it's been brought forward.

[13:13] There's been a little bit of a lot of water

[13:16] on the water, why don't we finish?

[13:18] There is $4 million project, $3 million of which isn't great.

[13:23] That's also been stated multiple times.

[13:25] This project is not to charge residents that's been said multiple times as well.

[13:32] The idea is because we're being pushed into this and that gives a fact.

[13:39] Well, I'll have a request and you'll get the information.

[13:46] It is a fact.

[13:49] And so we are moving forward with this, and the idea is that's going to take many years.

[13:57] We're going to move forward as long as we keep getting the grants.

[14:02] If we don't, then we'll see what happens with regards to this state.

[14:07] The process is to make sure this is a financial aspect to it.

[14:13] By putting these water meters in, we kind of hold infrastructure.

[14:16] It'll actually help us to say money besides, this isn't about water conservation, this isn't about using meters to charge residents.

[14:25] It's going to take many years before that happens, because in order to do the whole town, you're talking a long period of time.

[14:34] And we're not going as long as I'm here, we're not going to charge anybody using the water meters until everybody has something.

[14:41] And then, I don't even know if that'll be used at that point, that's a forward decision.

[14:49] It allows us to determine with real-time data where water leaks are.

[14:54] That will allow us to save some money into determine where these leaks are and be able.

[15:00] To be more efficient in terms of figuring out where many of these leaks are. So we have real time data that will be coming to us over the network, straight to town hall, and then we can monitor that data that allows us to see if there's any leaks. This is not about charging residents. And yes, this is a mandate from the state.

[15:25] In terms of the VA, I want to thank my fellow board members for support for the resolution.

[15:35] We've made some headway.

[15:38] We have hundreds of pound hundreds of addition sign.

[15:43] It's getting noticed.

[15:44] The VA still ignores us.

[15:46] We will force the issue.

[15:48] This is something that is very relevant to the town.

[15:51] We have over 1,500 veterans solely in Rotterdam.

[15:56] There are valid alternatives to the antifurgy site.

[16:01] We can propose, we can have, at the ready, to propose alternative sites that will actually

[16:09] save the VA money, allow them to expand access to care, bringing in people for scary, hand

[16:15] strand of John's count, easier, and if they chose, they could expand services, which is

[16:21] they said they wanted to do. So we have alternatives to play. You know, we've got some support from our county,

[16:33] colleagues as well as some of our state representatives, and we are going to keep pushing this issue.

[16:38] It's too important to our town to let this fail. Ultimately we won't have any sand, but we're going to fight to the end.

[16:47] In terms of E3, which Ms. Maddoz brought up, we had a meeting with them today.

[16:55] They are already at work looking to save us money.

[16:58] Unfortunately,

[17:02] the energy contract that Tom had should have been renegotiated in the past six to nine months before the end of that,

[17:10] which it closed in December.

[17:13] Energy rates have, as we all know, as residents,

[17:18] and utility payers, have gone up considerably.

[17:22] At the time, the contract was second sense

[17:24] for whatever the unit is.

[17:27] And now we're paying around 15 cents

[17:29] because the contract is not going to negotiate.

[17:33] We are in a process of trying to get short-term contracts somewhere

[17:37] in the 12th set range.

[17:38] can be re-looking, re-insamining that to get a better rate as we can.

[17:45] Of course, there's a lot of factors that's played with the energy markets,

[17:49] but that will allow us, hopefully, say, a little bit money

[17:52] because it's not just getting hammered on you to the cost right now.

[17:57] Additionally, the town has been paying sales tax on national print bills for many, many years,

[18:04] and they shouldn't have been.

[18:05] Period.

[18:06] So we've got that getting corrected so that we're not going to be paid and we're hoping

[18:12] to get some of our money in return as a refund.

[18:17] We are also examining the energy credits that the loan has in order to try to get some money

[18:23] back and save some money that way.

[18:25] So there's many things that E3 will be doing for us in terms of looking at grants as well

[18:30] to try to save us money, they are brand-new, but they are already at the ground running.

[18:37] And we have an announcement to make which will be putting out later this week.

[18:42] We just recently heard, probably more to actually have heard this yet, because it's relatively new information.

[18:49] We got a grant for a five-less, out-and-water damage junction. This will be a water main project

[18:57] it's a big deal. There was a great project put out there. When I came in the office, I had

[19:04] it pulled back. He re-insammed it and we included a water main into the project. That will put

[19:12] a water main down 5s in Rotterdam Junction. That's huge. Huge news. It's going to cost the town

[19:20] little. For a water main project that big, I don't know the exact number once it's about

[19:26] 1.2.1.4 million. But in terms of a water main, that's very, very cheap. And that will help

[19:33] with the water access out in the area of junction there. So, kind of surprised to the board,

[19:38] but it is relatively new and great information. So, with that, can I have a motion to adjourn?

[19:45] I'll make motion, is there a second?

[19:48] I'll second color paper.

[19:50] Hi.

[19:50] Thank you, Virtua.

Rotterdam Town Board Meeting 04 08 26

Transcript