Town of Franklin Board Meeting
December 11, 2006 - 7:00 pm
The Town Board of the Town of Franklin held a duly noticed Special Board meeting on Monday, December 11, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the Vermontville Town Hall.
Board members present:
Board members absent:
Other officers present: Town Clerk Sandra Oliver
Others present:
Residents present:
CALL TO ORDER
Supervisor Keith called the meeting to order; the Pledge of Allegiance was recited; the Town Clerk called the roll, and announced a quorum was present.
AUDIT OF BILLS
Motion to accept payment of claims
(W.Kretser-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE
MINUTES
2007 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
...Coun. Motion to accept November 13, 2006 minutes as amended
(J.Ordway-M.Keith m/s/p) ALL AYE
Following some general discussion, acceptance of the minutes of the November 6, 2006 Public Hearing was tabled to the special meeting scheduled for December 18, 2006, in order that Coun. Kretser might verify the accuracy of the comments submitted by attendees.
SUPPORT FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY GRANT APPLICATION
Supervisor Keith received a request from Franklin County for a resolution in support of its Shared Municipal Services Incentive Grant Application for a new paver that will be shared among all municipalities in the County and appointing Supv. Keith as the Town's authorized representative.
Motion for resolution
(M.Keith-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE
RESOLUTION NO. 58: SUPPORT FOR SHARED MUNICIPAL SERVICES
INCENTIVE GRANT APPLICATION BETWEEN
FRANKLIN COUNTY AND ALL MUNICIPALITIES
WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT WILL SHARE THE PAVER
WHEREAS, the Town of Franklin hereby supports the Shared Municipal Services Grant Application as Co-Applicant with the County of Franklin; and WHEREAS, the authorized representative to act on behalf of the governing body in all matters relating to this grant will be the Town Supervisor; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Franklin hereby supports said grant application and authorizes the Town Supervisor to act on behalf of the Town of Franklin as authorized representative.
Those voting aye:
Those absent:
Those Voting nay:
SUPERVISOR'S REPORT
Motion to accept Supervisor's Report
(W.Kretser-J.Ordway m/s/p) ALL AYE
GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT #6
Motion for resolution
(J.Ordway-W.Kretser m/s/p) ALL AYE
RESOLUTION NO. 59: GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 6
WHEREAS, In order to maintain a balanced 2006 General Fund Budget, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following Budget Amendment is hereby adopted:
Those voting aye:
Those absent:
Those Voting nay:
HIGHWAY FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT #5
Motion for resolution
(J.Ordway-G.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE
RESOLUTION NO. 60: HIGHWAY FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 5
WHEREAS, In order to maintain a balanced 2006 Highway Fund Budget, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following Budget Amendment is hereby adopted:
Those voting aye:
Those absent:
Those Voting nay:
PRESENTATION BY LABARGE AGENCY
General Liability: No changes for renewal. Includes $2 million limit and $4 million aggregate.
Premium based on the Town's Budget.
Owners, Contractors & Protective: No changes. Covers special projects which require the
purchase of a special policy
Public Officials Liability: Covers wrongful acts originating out of employment, with an
aggregate of $4 million. Excludes landfills and dumps.
Automobile Liability: Based on 12 vehicles. Town will receive a rebate for the part of the 2005
premium. Ms. LaBarge expressed gratitude for Highway Supt. Rascoe's
thoroughness and organization.
Property: Covers contents of all buildings, signs and sheds - blanket limit of $1,063,008.
Premium increase of 4%; $1,000 deductible. Also covers system
breakdowns, explosions, flood and earthquake damage
Inland Marine: Covers general office equipment, parks and recreation equipment, all
computers and communication equipment at Highway Dept. $250 deductible.
Umbrella: $2 million coverage for underlying coverage; $2 million comprehensive and
$4 million for general liability, etc. $10,000 deductible. Ms. LaBarge
recommended purchase of additional limits for this policy. The Board
will review and discuss this suggestion and advise Ms. LaBarge.
Inland Marine Equipment: For vehicles 10 years and younger, replacement cost coverage
applies. If older than 10 years, value at actual cash value.
Bond: Covers dishonesty by public officials and theft, disappearance and destruction - checks
Storage Tank Environmental Liability: As Town has two (2) above ground storage tanks,this coverage is recommended. Coverage would be $1,000,000 for each claim
with deductible of $5,000 per claim. Maximum $1,000,000 all claims. The
Board will discuss this subject and advise Ms. LaBarge.
Total Premium: If Town Board opts to add another limit to the umbrella policy and also
purchase Storage Tank policy, premiums will rise to $28,806 from $25,626.
Supervisor Keith thanked: Ms. LaBarge for her presentation at the meeting, and Ms. LaBarge then left the meeting. HIGHWAY REPORT
1. Dept. Hours. On Nov. 13th, the Department returned to 8 hr days.
2. Goldsmith Rd. Cleared stone, filled holes and dug ditches.
3. Garage and Equipment Maintenance. Hot water tank changed and new sink installed. Built two sets of tire chains; repaired all generators, drained gas and cleaned carburetors, built frames on wheels, plow and sand. Also located parts for steam jenny and welded wing on Unit 11. Coun. Walt Kretser commented that the old hot water tank was a fire hazard.
4. Muzzy and Oregon Plains Rds. Cleaned roadsides of downed trees.
5. Signage. Erected sharp turn signs on Oregon Plains Rd, marked all guide rails and culverts.
6. Bigelow Rd. Opened other end of Bigelow Rd.
7. 284 Agreement for 2007. Draft 284 agreement submitted. Board will review.
8. Salt Shed. Repairs made.
9. Garage septic system. Steve Light attended this and replaced the broken wire to the pump. Coun. Gene Goff commented he was not happy that the installer of the system, Trudeau, could not repair the problem.
10. New Hire. Russ Garrow of Saranac Lake was hired as MEO. HIGHWAY COMMITTEE
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS ON HIGHWAY MATTERS
2. Al Berg asked whether the Town Board agreed to take ownership of roads in the proposed subdivision in Loon Lake, and if so, would Town agree to same for the Union Falls/Stickney Point subdivision. Supervisor Keith and Coun. Gene Goff responded the Board did not agree to take ownership of the Loon Lake subdivision roads; the Board wrote it could not commit a future Town Board. Frank Karl commented that in order for a municipality to take over a road, the specifications for the road would have to be approved by the Highway Superintendent. ADIRONDACK LEADERSHIP EXPEDITIONS
Supervisor Keith introduced Susan Hardy of Adirondack Leadership Expeditions. Ms. Hardy thanked the Board for inviting her to explain the organization's program and to explore solutions so as to avoid a recurrence of the recent incident. She noted ALE had formed a local advisory board which will have its first meeting on December 19th. She said ALE wanted to be a good neighbor. ALE treats adolescents experiencing depression who are privately placed by their parents (not the courts) because of conduct disorders. In the 3 years ALE has been in Onchiota, 3 residents have left the premises, usually at the beginning of their stay. However, these youngsters are unfamiliar with the Adirondacks and soon realize they must stay. The most recent incident involved a boy who was not happy to begin with, but he had just received notice he would be referred to another facility for another 8 weeks of treatment. When he received notice, he did not react, but later, he just ran. Several counselors followed him, but not fast enough to prevent the entry into the home of the 92-yr-old woman.
Ms. Hardy distributed brochures describing ALE's programs and was thanked by Supervisor Keith for attending the meeting. Ms. Hardy, Mr. Everett, Mr. Mills and Mr. Burke then left the meeting. OLD BUSINESS
2.Yellow Wood Update. A conference call was held with Yellow Wood on December 6th to discuss the preliminary report. The final report will be presented at next Monday's special board meeting. Frank Karl inquired if YW had recommended natural materials construction, and Supv. Keith indicated it was presented as an option.
3.Fire/Rescue Contract. Coun. Gene Goff reported surrounding municipalities were unsuccessful in efforts to change the manner in which the fire/rescue service contract was based. Although the Village of Saranac Lake has the most fire and rescue calls, the basis for computing costs is now based on the Town's assessed value rather than on a per call basis. Surrounding communities are still and will continue fighting this cost basis. Frank Karl suggested submitting a demand to the Fire Department for a full accounting for the prior year. Coun. Gene Goff responded they had done so and would also like to organize a Fire/Rescue Oversight Committee. COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
Respectfully submitted, Sandra J. Oliver, Town Clerk
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