Adirondack Town Of Franklin
Adirondack Town Of Franklin

Town of Franklin Board Meetings

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Supervisor Art Willman, Councilman Peter Woodcock, Councilman Tom Bartiss, Councilman Don Hamm and, Councilman Cliff Smalley

OTHERS PRESENT:

Ed Martin, Doris Hamm, Deputy Town Clerk Sandra Oliver, Stephen Ward, Michael Ward and Town Clerk Lauren LeFebvre

CALL TO ORDER

Supervisor Willman called the Organizational Meeting to order at 5:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Town Clerk called the roll noting the full board was present.

NOTABLE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Supervisor Willman welcomed new board member Peter Woodcock and wished a Happy 95th Birthday to former Councilwoman Fran Oliver.

1. TOWN OF FRANKLIN 2016 BOARD APPOINMENTS

Deputy Supervisor. Clifford P. Smalley has been appointed by Supervisor Willman as Deputy Supervisor with all the powers and obligations accorded to him by law and will be paid $500 per year as per budget. (A1220.4)

Deputy Highway Superintendent. Brian Snickles has been appointed by Highway Superintendent DeMars and will be paid $1,500 per year as per budget. The stipend will be renegotiated with each deputy each year. (A5010.11)

Deputy Town Clerk. Sandra Oliver has been appointed First Deputy Town Clerk and Autumn LeFebvre has been appointed Second Deputy Town Clerk by Lauren LeFebvre. There is no salary for this position {A1451.1}

Budget Officer. Richard Meagher has been appointed Budget Officer and will be paid $764 per year as per budget (A1340.4)

Town Bookkeeper. Richard Meagher will contract with the Town for the position of Bookkeeper in amount of $10,699 per year as per budget (A1320.4)

Town Historian. Melinda Hadley has been appointed Town Historian and will be paid an $800 stipend per year as per budget (A7510.4)

Registrar of Vital Statistics. Lauren LeFebvre, Town Clerk will serve as Registrar and will be paid $400 per budget. (A4020.4)

Fixed Asset Manager. Lauren LeFebvre will serve as fixed asset manager at $400 per year. {A1410.4}

Court Clerk. Meredith Symonds has been re-appointed Court Clerk at an hourly rate of $12.16. (A1130.1)

Supervisor's Confidential Secretary. Melissa Begor has been re-appointed Confidential Secretary to the Supervisor at an hourly rate of $12.40. (A1310.1)

Codes Enforcement Officer. Robert R. Drosdowich has been re-appointed as Codes Enforcement Officer at a salary of $10,300 per year. (A3010.4)

Process Server. Brian Manny will continue to serve as Process Server and will receive $250 per year. (A3120.4)

Cemetery Custodian. Timothy Goff has been appointed as Cemetery Custodian and will receive $650 per year. (A8810.4)

Cemetery Worker. The Grounds Maintenance employee will maintain the Cemeteries. (A8810.1)

Assessor. Doug Tichenor will receive a salary of $18,000 per year. (A1355.1)

Health Officer. Lisa Neuman will serve as Health Officer at a yearly salary of $300. (A4010.4)

Official Town Newspaper. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise is designated as the Official Town Newspaper.

Board Liaison Committees. The Board Chair will select non-Board committee members:

    Highway Committee - Peter Woodcock, Donald Hamm
    Recreation Committee - Arthur Willman, Peter Woodcock
    Assessment Committee - Peter Woodcock, Donald Hamm
    Audit Committee - Clifford Smalley, Tom Bartiss
    Celebration Committee - Arthur Willman, Clifford Smalley
    Cemetery Committee - Clifford Smalley, Tom Bartiss
    Fire/Rescue Committee - Arthur Willman, Peter Woodcock
    Landfill Committee - Tom Batiss, Clifford Smalley
    Building Committee - Donald Hamm, Clifford Smalley
    Newsletter - Vincent Pagano, Lauren LeFebvre

Salaries. All salaries of elected and appointed officials are set out in the 2016 budget, as follows:

    Supervisor - $20,000
    Council Members - $18,000 (4 members)
    Town Clerk - $19,000
    Highway Superintendent - $60,000
    Justice - $10,300

Medical Insurance. The Town has offered health insurance to the Buildings & Grounds general fund employee in the NYS Teamsters Health & Hosptial Insurance Plan, as defined in the contract with the Teamsters Union.

Pension Plan. The Town is a member of the NYS Retirement System and is offered to all Town employees. All new employees are obliged to join the Retirement Plan. Part-time employee membership in the Plan is optional.

Official Depository. Community Bank, Broadway, Saranac Lake, NY, is the Official Depository for the Town. The Town will also continue to contract with MBIA (CLASS) as a savings depository.

Petty Cash Fund. The Supervisor and the Town Clerk have declined the option of a petty cash fund.

Contracts. The Town will contract as follows:

    Fire Protection - Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department ($37,000+ ½ of comp)
    Ambulance - Saranac Lake Voluntary Ambulance & Rescue, Inc. $28,270
    Ambulance - North Country LifeFlight $1500
    Childrens Activities - Saranac Lake Civic Center $1550
    Recreation - Franklin Snowmobilers, Inc. $300
    Employee Services - Employee Assistance Service $40 per person (All employees, Elected Officials and Appointed Officials are included)
    Landfill monitoring - F.X. Browne
    Municipal support - Association of Towns of the State of NY$800
    Municipal support - Adirondack Association of Towns $450
    Workers Compensation - Franklin County Self-Insurance
    Animal Control - Tri-Lakes Humane Society $2814
    Childrens Recreation - Bloomingdale Boosters $500
    Senior Citizens Activities - Town of Franklin 55+ Club (A6772.4) $1500
    Saranac Lake Adult Cen. - $1000

Board of Assessment Review: Members are Jean Baltzly, Jon MacDowell, Jennifer Norman, Mildred Vorrath and Edward Martin. Member stipend is $50 for Grievance Day and mileage to/from required training. {A1355.4}

Board of Ethics: Members Paul F. Ward, Aaron Caiazza will serve as unpaid members. There is an unfilled seat at this time

Town Attorney. Edward Murphy, Esq. will serve as Town Attorney pro bono.

Saranac Lake Area Fire Advisory Board. Arthur Willman is designated Town representative to the SLAFAB, and Peter Woodcock is designated alternate representative.

Mileage Allowance – Reimbursement for mileage for officers, employees and appointees in performance of business for the Town will be $.57 cents per mile.

2. RULES OF PROCEDURE

The Rules of Procedure for regular and special Town Board meetings, workshops and executive sessions follow and replace and suspend all prior town board rules of procedure:

REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETINGS - A regular town board meeting is one in which the town board meets once a month at a fixed time and place throughout the year to conduct town business. In the case of the Town of Franklin, regular town board meetings will be held once a month on the second Wednesday at 5:30pm. The board will audit the bills a half hour prior to the meeting start.

NOTICE OF REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETINGS - After the town board establishes by resolution a regular fixed time and place for its meetings throughout the year, no other notice need be given to the members of the board. The Town Clerk is authorized by the Town Board to publish one Public Notice yearly.

RULES OF CONDUCT AT A REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING:

    • The supervisor, when present, shall preside and act as chairperson. In his/her absence, his/her deputy shall act for him/her.
    • Members of the board are to be recognized by the chairperson before addressing the rest of the board or the public.
    • No member of the public shall be permitted to address the town board unless recognized by the chairperson. In that event, the person must identify himself /herself by clearly stating his/her full name and address and then stating the nature of his/her business.
    • A period of 15 minutes will be aside at the start of each meeting for public comment or questions. Members of the public will be given 2 minutes to ask their question or make their comment. A sign-in sheet will be located near the front door. Any person wishing to speak during this comment period must so indicate by signing the sheet.
    • The chairperson may set a limit on the time on each occasion which each member of the public addresses the board.
    • Persons speaking to the town board with the consent of the chairperson shall address their remarks to the town board, not to other members of the audience.
    • No such person has the right to demand an answer to a specific question from a member of the board. All such questions shall be directed to the chairperson, who may either answer them or refer the questions to a board member or the attorney for the town, if present. The answer may be deferred and subject to further review or study and answered at a later date.
    • No member of the public or board shall engage in any demonstration, booing, hand clapping, or otherwise disrupt the formality of a town board meeting.

TOWN BOARD RESOLUTIONS

    • The adoption of resolutions is the most frequent type of formal action taken by the town board in its legislative and administrative capacities. Resolutions are often confused with motions. The latter are the vehicle by which resolutions are brought before a town board for action. The two can be used interchangeably. Typical examples of actions that require resolutions are as follows:
    • transferring money from one budget to another
    • establishing a salary
    • designating depositories

TOWN BOARD VOTING AT A TOWN BOARD MEETING

    • The voting on every issue requiring a resolution, ordinance, or law shall be “ayes” and “nays” and the names of the members present and their votes shall be entered in the minutes of the town board.
    • The supervisor is a member of the board and therefore must vote. He/she may also move or second resolutions.
    • The town clerk or (in his/her absence) his/her deputy calls a roll of town board members on every issue in question before the town board.
    • The town clerk must take minutes and keep a record of all proceedings of the board meetings

REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING AGENDAS

    • A preliminary agenda will be developed by the supervisor and/or board members prior to the meeting and published via posting in public places, newsletter, and/or news media whenever practical.
    • Because urgent issues may not be presented to the board until shortly before a town board meeting, a final agenda may not be adopted by the supervisor until shortly before the meeting.
    • No additional matters are to be considered until each matter on the prepared agenda has been acted on by the town board.
    • Members of the public are invited to bring an issue, questions, or comments before the board in one of the following four ways:
    • by written request to be put on the formal agenda at least five business days before the scheduled regular town board meeting, or
    • by addressing the board at a segment set aside per the Agenda at the end of the meeting specifically for that purpose. The supervisor reserves the right to limit each speaker to two minutes. The speaker may request that the board have a special meeting at a later date to consider that particular issue. At the end of this session, the board will decide if such a meeting is feasible and will set a date and time for it, or
    • by addressing the board at the end of the meeting during a questions and answers segment.
    • Members of the news media may have ten minutes at the conclusion of the meeting to ask questions concerning matters that came up at the meeting.

MINUTES OF REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETINGS

    • The town clerk, when present, will record minutes of the meetings proceedings as prescribed by law and shall make such minutes available within two weeks of the meeting. In the absence of the town clerk, his/her deputy or another person appointed by the board shall take his/her place.

TOWN BOARD WORK SESSIONS

    • A town board work session is held to discuss and deliberate matters that are coming up at the next regular board meeting, special board meetings, or public hearing. No votes will be taken at work sessions. As with all public meetings, the public is free to attend these sessions but are not to participate or ask questions. Members of the board are expected to attend work sessions when called for by the supervisor.

PUBLIC HEARINGS BY THE TOWN BOARD

    • A public hearing is a meeting of the board and the public regarding an important issue that may have a significant economic, environmental, or other serious impact on the town and its residents.
    • The purpose of a public hearing is to give the public an opportunity to express its views.
    • The public has the right to appear and give evidence and the right to hear and examine witnesses regarding the issue at hand.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

    • The supervisor will give notice of public hearings in writing to the board and town clerk ten days before the hearing, when possible. The town clerk will then post a notice of the hearing in at least one public location and will give notice to the news media at least 72 hours prior to the hearing.

PREPARATION FOR PUBLIC HEARING

    • A study or report should be prepared by an expert in the subject matter of the hearing, such person to be present to testify in favor of the proposal.

RULES OF CONDUCT AT PUBLIC HEARINGS

COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

    • Oral Comments. The Town Clerk will maintain a sign-in sheet at the public information desk for each person who wishes to make oral comments. Anyone who wants to do so must enter his/her full name and address on the sign-in sheet, in the spaces provided. ANYONE NOT SIGNING THE SIGN-IN SHEET WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ADDRESS COMMENTS TO THE TOWN BOARD.
    • Questions. The Chairperson will entertain questions from the floor. Questions shall be for the sole purpose of obtaining information about the subject matter of the public hearing or clarifying its provisions. Questions shall not have the intent of provoking a debate between the questioner and the Town Board or any individual in the audience.
    • Written Comments. The Town Board will accept written comments on the subject matter of the public hearing PROVIDED ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE GIVEN TO THE CHAIRPERSON BY THE END OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.

PRESENTATION OF COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.

    • Presiding Officer. The Town Supervisor or designee will preside over the public hearing, and act as Chairperson. In his/her absence, the Deputy Town Supervisor or designee will act as the Chairperson.

GROUND RULES FOR THE PRESENTATION OF COMMENTS

    • The purpose of a public hearing is to gather public comment on (subject of Public Hearing). The Board encourages all in attendance to offer comments and ask questions. However, a successful public hearing requires that some simple ground rules be followed. These ground rules will ensure that all in attendance are treated in a respectful and courteous manner, and that all who desire to speak will have the opportunity to be heard:
    • No one may speak unless recognized by the Chairperson for that purpose. Upon recognition, the person must identify him/herself by clearing stating his/her full name and address.
    • Anyone choosing to speak must address his/her remarks to the Town Board, and not to other members of the audience. Any debate between those “for” and those “against” the proposal must be strictly avoided.
    • Oral comments can generally be delivered in two minutes. If there are a large number of persons wishing to speak, the Chairperson reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to strictly enforce the 5-minute rule, so that all who wish to speak may have an opportunity to do so.
    • The Town Board is here to listen to the public’s comments, and to answer questions about the Preliminary Budget. The Board is NOT here to express its own views or opinions thereon. The Board will NOT participate in a debate of the issues. We want your advice and assistance in coming to the proper conclusion on the issues involved. If you are in favor, simply tell us and give us your reasons why; and likewise, if you are opposed.
    • No person has the right to demand an answer to a specific question from a member of the Board. As noted earlier, questions should seek clarification and information and should not lead to a debate of the issues. All questions are to be directed to the chairperson, who may either answer them or refer them to a Board member or the Attorney for the Town. The answer may be deferred and subject to further review or study and answered at a later date.
    • No person may speak a second time until everyone who wants to speak has spoken.
    • No member of the public or Town Board shall engage in any demonstration, booing, hand clapping, or otherwise disrupt the formality of the public hearing.
    • The Town Clerk will be responsible for ensuring that these rules are followed.
    • ANYONE VIOLATING ANY OF THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO REFRAIN FROM DOING SO, AND MAY, IN THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRPERSON, BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING

    • Special town board meetings may be called by the supervisor at any time for urgent or lengthy issues or for any other important reason determined by the supervisor.
    • Notice of special town board meetings and rules of conduct are the same as for public hearings.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

    • Executive sessions may be held only after an open meeting is convened and a motion to hold an executive session, identifying the area or subject to be considered in such executive session, is adopted by the majority vote in the open meeting.
    • Executive sessions matters are restricted to:
    • A matter which will imperil the public safety if disclosed.
    • A matter which may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer.
    • Information with respect to investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would jeopardize effective law enforcement if disclosed.
    • Discussions relating to litigation.
    • Matters relating to collective negotiations under the Taylor Law.
    • Medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person or corporation, re relating to appointment, promotion, demotion, discipline, or removal.
    • Preparation, grading, or administration of examinations.
    • Acquisition, lease, or sale of real property or securities when publicity would substantially affect the value.
    • Attendance is restricted to town board members and any other persons authorized by the board.

MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE SESSION PROCEEDINGS

    • Summary minutes must be made of any final determination taken by formal vote, including the date and the vote thereon; however, such summary should not include any matter which is not required to be made public under the Freedom of Information Law. Such summary minutes shall be available to the public within one week from the date of executive session. If no formal action was taken in an executive session, then no executive session minutes need to be taken.

3. ADDITIONAL ITEMS

    A. Inter municipal Shared Services Agreements. The Supervisor is authorized to execute and the Town Clerk is requested to send Inter municipal shared services agreements to the same municipalities as previously following consultation with the Highway Superintendent.
    B. Prepayment of Certain Claims. Certain invoices are regularly received by the Town and delaying payment of same for Board approval results in interest being charged to the Town, the Supervisor, as chief financial officer of the Town, is hereby authorized to prepay those certain regularly-occurring claims prior to the monthly Town Board meeting; and the Town Board, at its regularly-scheduled monthly meeting, will approve vouchers for said claims.
    C. Authorization to Publish Public Notices. The Town Clerk is hereby authorized to publish and post all public notices as required by the Town Board in the Official Newspaper, Adirondack Daily Enterprise, and other local newspapers.

4. ADOPT ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS.

Supv. Willman requested a motion for a resolution accepting the organizational items.

Motion (C.Smalley-T.Bartiss m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 1: ACCEPT ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS
    WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed the preceding organizational items and finds such items acceptable; NOW THEREFORE,
    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Franklin Town Board accepts the organizational items as set forth above.

Motion (A.Willman-C.Smalley m/s/p) ALL AYE

5. OFFICIAL UNDERTAKING.

The Town Board has approved the procurement of a blanket undertaking from the LaBarge Agency, Inc., which is duly authorized corporate surety covering the officers, clerks, and employees of the town. Such approval assures that this blanket undertaking indemnifies against losses caused by the failure of officers or employees to faithfully perform their duties or by their fraudulent or dishonest acts. Motion (D.Hamm-C.Smalley m/s/p) ALL AYE

    RESOLUTION NO. 2: ACCEPT OFFICIAL UNDERTAKING
    WHEREAS, the Town Board has negotiated with LaBarge Agency, Inc. for procurement of a blanket undertaking through Trident, which is duly authorized corporate surety covering the officers, clerks, and employees of the town; NOW, THEREFORE,
    BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Franklin approves the purchase of such blanket undertaking which assures that this Undertaking indemnifies against losses caused by the failure of officers or employees to faithfully perform their duties or by their fraudulent or dishonest acts. The Clerk is directed to file same with the county clerk. The elected officers of the Town of Franklin hereby execute this undertaking as follows:
    WHEREAS, Arthur P. Willman, Jr., of the Town of Franklin, County of Franklin, New York, has been elected to the office of SUPERVISOR of the Town of Franklin; and
    WHEREAS, Peter Woodcock, of the Town of Franklin, County of Franklin, New York, has been elected to the office of COUNCILMAN of the Town of Franklin; and
    WHEREAS, Clifford P. Smalley, of the Town of Franklin, County of Franklin, New York, has been elected to the office of COUNCILMAN of the Town of Franklin; and
    WHEREAS, Donald M. Hamm, of the Town of Franklin, County of Franklin, New York, has been elected to the office of COUNCILMAN of the Town of Franklin; and
    WHEREAS, Thomas Bartiss of the Town of Franklin, County of Franklin New York has been elected to the office of COUNCILMAN;
    WHEREAS, Roger P. Symonds, Sr., of the Town of Franklin, County of Franklin, New York, has been elected to the office of TOWN JUSTICE of the Town of Franklin; and
    WHEREAS, Jacques DeMars, of the Town of Franklin, County of Franklin, New York, has been elected to the office of SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS of the Town of Franklin; and
    WHEREAS, Lauren LeFebvre has been elected to the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Franklin; NOW, THEREFORE, we as respective officers above, do hereby undertake with the Town of Franklin that we will faithfully perform and discharge the duties of our office, and will promptly account for and pay over all moneys or property received as a Town Officer, in accordance with the law; and This undertaking of the TOWN SUPERVISOR is further conditioned upon that he will well and truly keep, pay over and account for all moneys and property, including any special district funds, belonging to the Town and coming into his hands as such Supervisor; and This undertaking of the TOWN JUSTICE is further conditioned upon that he will well and truly keep, pay over and account for all moneys and property belonging to the Town coming into his hands as such TOWN JUSTICE; and This undertaking of the TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR is further conditioned that she will well and truly keep, pay over and account for all moneys and property coming into her hands as such Town Clerk/Tax Collector; and The Town does and shall maintain insurance coverage, presently with American Alternative Insurance Group, in the sum of $20,000.00 plus additional $350,000.00 for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector, $50,000.00 for the Town Supervisor and $50,000.00 for the Town Justice to indemnify against losses through the failure of the officers, clerks and employees covered thereunder faithfully to perform their duties or to account properly for all monies or property received by virtue of their positions of employment, and through fraudulent or dishonest acts committed by the officers, clerks and employees covered there under.

Motion (A.Willman-P.Woodcock m/s/p) ALL AYE

ADJOURN ORGANIZATIONAL PORTION OF MEETING.

As no further organizational items required discussion or action, Supv. Willman requested adjournment at 5:50 PM. Motion to adjourn (C.Smalley-T.Bartiss) ALL AYE
OPEN REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING

Supervisor Willman called the monthly meeting to order at 5:50pm.

2015 BUDGET AMENDMENTS

Highway Fund Budget Amendement #1

Resolution #3

Supervisor Willman the following 2015 Highway Fund Budget Amendment:

FromTo
DA 5130.4 $10,864 DA 5130.2 $10,864.00
DA 5148.1 $5639.00 DA 5110.1 $449.00
DA 5142.1 $5142.1

(C.Smalley-P.Woodcock m/s/p) All Aye

General Fund Budget Amendment #1

Resolution #4

Supervisor Willman presented the following 2015 General Fund Budget Amendment for approval:

FromTo
A 1990.4 $23,897.00 A 1410.4 $119.00
A1620.4 $15,000.00 A 1670.4 $1042.00
A 1910.4 $530.00
A 5132.4 $29,228.00
A 7130.4 $1827.00
A 7510.4 $561.00
A 7550.4 $1324.00
A7310.1 $833.00
A1620.1 $3370.00
A9080.8 $63.00

(C.Smalley-D.Hamm m/s/p) All Aye

REVIEW/APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 9, 30 2015 MINUTES

The minutes of December 17 and 30, 2014 were approved as presented.

(D.Hamm-C.Smalley m/s/p) All Aye

APPROVAL OF CLAIMSThe board audited and approved payment of the following claims:

General FundAbstract 1Claims 1-23$36,611.12
Highway FundAbstract 1Claims 1-3$38,698.70
Pre-Pay GeneralAbstract 1Claims 1-2$923.54
Fire ProtectionAbstract 1Claims 1-2$70,596.00

(T.Bartiss-C.Smalley m/s/p) All Aye

SUPERVISOR'S REPORT

Balances on hand as of December 31, 2015:

GENERAL FUNDChecking$23,002.27
Savings$25,494.32
Historian$3,038.36
Kate MT. SRF$20,076.27
Cemetery RF$2,201.19
CLASS$87,410.97
HIGHWAY FUNDChecking$72,589.09
 Savings$83,333.25
 Cap. Proj. Hwy.$46,571.02
 CLASS$538,898.65
LANDFILL CLOSURE CAP RESChecking$6,292.05
 CLASS$24,087.78
FIRE PROTECTIONChecking$15,571.75
 CLASS$685.32
CAP. PROJ. BLDGCLASS$25,462.78

(T.Bartiss-C.Smalley m/s/p) All Aye

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Supervisor Willman read the following report:

  • Plowed/ sanded when needed.
  • Cleaned up down trees due to high winds.
  • Bigelow Road- replaced culvert
  • Pole barn- bracing was added.
  • A request was submitted to OGS for a dozer and skid steer, the request was denied.
  • Replaced numerous road signs around Town.
  • Currently down one man due to medical.
  • Request Town Board adopts the following; "resolution with request and hold harmless for County".
  • 284 for General Repairs- request Town Board approval.
  • Unit #11- needle scaled the box, primed and painted.
  • PESH- updated safety data sheets binder(s)
  • 2015 Injury reports done
  • Dick Meager (Bookkeeper) was given the gas and fuel usage totals for 2015.
  • Gas, fuel and maintenance logs given to Highway Committee

NEW BUSINESS

A. HUD/Friends of the North Country

RESOLUTION #5

As part of the Town of Franklin NYS HCR Housing Rehabilitation Program, a motion was made by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Bartiss, to authorize the expenditure of an additional $1,719.51 of program funds for the project #FRAN-13-07,-all inclusive of capital, project delivery and Note & Mortgage filing fees as part of the Town of Frankln Housing Rehabilitation Program.
ALL AYE

B. Fuel Bids

The Town Clerk stated one quote, from HomEnergy, was received. Supervisor real aloud the proposed fixed, discounted and below NYS Contract price to supply the Town's fuel for 2016.

RESOLUTION #6

On a motion by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Hamm, BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Franklin Town board does here the accept the quote from HomEnergy for ½ cent per gallon BELOW NYS Contract price.
ALL AYE

C. 284 Agreement

RESOLUTION #7

On a motion by Councilman Smalley, second by Councilman Hamm, BE IT RESOLVED pursuant to the provision of Section 284 of the Highway Law the Town of Franklin Town Noard agrees that the monies levied and collected in the Town for the repair and improvement of highways shall be expended as follows:

General Repairs: The sum of $90,920 shall be set asied to be expended for the primary and general repairs upon 67,95 miles of town highways, including sluices, culverts and, bridges having a span of less than five feet and boardwalks or the renewals thereof.
ALL AYE

D. RESOLUTION #8

REQUEST FOR COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE

On a motion by Councilman Bartiss, second by Councilman Hamm, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby authorize Supervisor Willman to sign the 2015 request for Franklin County Highway Department Assistance with the following specific equipment: Paver and paving crew, Roller, Shoulder Crew with equipment Vacuum Truck, Dozer for Kate Mountain Park and Sand Pile, and, Water Truck. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that this work is undertaken by the Town of Franklin Highway Department and it totally under the direction and supervision of the Town of Franklin Highway Department. The Town of Franklin is required to get necessary agency permits, obtain property owner(s) agreements and provide utility notification. As an inducement for such assistance the Town of Franklin will hold the County of Franklin harmless from property damages, claims brought by any third party as a result of this work and, if the County is held responsible for damages the Town of Franklin will indemnify Franklin County.
ALL AYE

E. Community Building Update

Supervisor Willman met with Jeremy Evans, Village of Saranac Lake Community Development Director, and Franklin County Legislator Barbara Rice to discuss funding opportunities for a Community Building at Kate Mountain Park. Jeremy will begin working on this. Supervisor Willman also met with a firm that was formerly connected with Earth Science Engineering. They have provided planning documents that were created for the Town in 2008.

F. Kick Ball Tournament

A local group, focusing on expanding recreational opportunities in the Town, would like to plan a Kick Ball Tournament in June. More information will be provided at the February meeting.

G. NYS Electronic Deposits

Supervisor Willman has been made aware that NYS allows only one bank account to be used to all funds received from NYS. Currently, a Highway savings account is being used. This is not condusive to conducting business for the Town, as transferring fund from Highway Fund to General Fund is prohibited. Transferring funds from General to Highway is acceptable therefore this is will be rectified by changing the designated account to a General Fund Account.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Excavator Update - First Niagara has approved financing the new Kubota Excavator. Payments will begin in 2016.

B. Other - None

COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Review Park Policy

A copy of the current policy has been provided to board members and this will be discussed at the February board meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Celebration

Visit with Santa was successful, although there were fewer children than last year. Roast Pork dinner will be held at the Town Hall on January 23 to raise funds for a Community Building.

B. Cemetery

Councilman Smalley reported that snow is being plowed further into Union Cemetery on Route 3 in Vermontville than what is necessary for parking. Supervisor Willman will look into this and report back.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

55+ Club-2nd and 4th Tuesday at noon at the Town Hall

Martin Luther King Day is January 18, Town Hall offices are closed.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the board, Supervisor Willman adjourned the meeting at 6:40pm.

Respectfully submitted, Lauren LeFebvre, Town Clerk

Click here to see past minutes

Town of Franklin
P.O. Box 209, Route 3, Vermontville, NY 12989  ·  Tel: 518-891-2189  ·  Fax: 518-891-6389  ·  info@townoffranklin.com
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