Town of Franklin Board Meetings
Monthly Meeting
March 8, 2017
5:30pm
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Supervisor Art Willman, Councilman Tom Bartiss, Councilman Cliff Smalley, Councilman Don Hamm and Councilman Peter Woodcock
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
OTHERS PRESENT:
Doris Hamm, Highway Superintendent Jacques DeMars, Code Officer Paul Blaine, Ed Martin, Monroe Gladd, Julie Woodcock and, Town Clerk Lauren LeFebvre
CALL TO ORDER
Supervisor Willman called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Town Clerk called the roll noting a quorum present was present.
REVIEW/APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 8, 2017 MEETING MINUTES
Minutes approved as presented. (D.Hamm-T.Bartiss m/s/p) all aye
APPROVAL OF CLAIMSThe board audited and approved payment of the following claims:
| General Fund | Abstract 3 | Claims 44-61 | $36,483.13 |
Highway Fund | Abstract 3 | Claims 31-48 | $19,853.55 |
Pre-Pay General | Abstract 3 | Claims 7-9 |
$1,538.70 |
(D.Hamm-T.Bartiss m/s/p) All Aye
SUPERVISOR'S REPORT
Balances on hand as of February 28, 2017:
GENERAL FUND | Checking | $316,165.52 |
Savings | $182,213.22 |
Historian | $3,038.71 |
Kate MT. SRF | $33,091.86 |
Cemetery RF | $2,201.97 |
CLASS | $87,730.49 |
HIGHWAY FUND | Checking | $684,528.06 |
| Savings | $25,535.25 |
| Cap. Proj. Hwy. | $46,741.28 |
| CLASS | $390,724.06 |
LANDFILL CLOSURE CAP RES | Checking | $523.96 |
| CLASS | $24,175.83 |
FIRE PROTECTION | Checking | $27,920.72 |
| CLASS | $688.01 |
CAP. PROJ. BLDG | CLASS | $25,555.90 |
(Woodcock-Hamm m/s/p) All Aye
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Superintendent DeMars reported the following:
- Plow and sanded when needed.
- Had the grader out several times taking the buildup off roads.
- Had loader out- to Alder Brook Park Road and had it on Kushiqua Mud Pond Road to push back the parking spot for snowmobilers. It was also on Norman Ridge Road pushing back the drift areas.
- Trees down- we cut numerous trees that came down due to high winds and heavy snow. 911 was notified, subsequently they contacted National Grid and the Fire Dept.
- Town received a check for work we did installing a catch basin last year at intersection of Alder Brook Rd. and Alder Brook Park Rd.
- Note: the check is for $1800, out of which only $111.00 was material cost to the Town.
- Again this winter we have had reports of people going through the section that is not maintained (Dec. 1 to April 1) on Alder Brook Park Road because they are following instructions of their GPS.
- Also had a delivery truck stuck on Kushaqua Mud Pond Road in the section that is not maintained in the winter.
- 1 Employee’s probation is now over.
- 1 Employee’s position has changed from laborer to MEO (still on probation)
- Gas, fuel and maintenance logs given to Highway Committee
Highway Committee
A discussion was held regarding cutting “dangerous” trees on state land. Superintendent DeMars has been informed multiple times by DEC that the Towns CANNOT cut “dangerous” trees that are not on a Town Road' meaning the tree must have fallen into the roadway before the Highway Department has the authority to remove it. Trees the are hanging and will almost certainly fall into the roadway in the very near future CANNOT be removed by the Highway Department. Because of this information the Highway Department must wait to remove these trees. Councilman Bartiss has been given different by DEC regarding “dangerous” trees. Councilman Bartiss will follow up with DEC on this matter.
CODE OFFICER'S REPORT
One Building Permit and one Certificate of Occupancy were issued. Two inspections were performed and $187.75 in fees were collected.
NEW BUSINESS
A. RESOLUTION #10 FRANKLIN COUNTY FIRE MUTUAL AID PLAN
On a motion by Councilman Cliff Smalley, Second by Councilman Pete Woodcock, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Franklin agrees that the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department will participate in the Franklin County Fire Mutual Aid Plan that is currently in effect.
The Franklin County Mutual Aid Plan may be amended and certified by the Franklin County Board of Legislators through its County Fire Coordinator and no restrictions exist against “outside” service by such fire department within the meaning of Section 209 of the General Municipal Law, which would affect the power of such fire company to participate in such plan.
And BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution is filed with the Franklin County Fire Coordinator.
Those Voting Aye: All Aye
B. TANDEM
Superintendent DeMars has received information from Clark's Trucks regarding a purchase of two new tandems on NYS Contract. According to the Town's equipment replacement schedule the Town will be buying one truck this year however, it may be advantageous to the Town to trade in two tandems and purchase two new ones. The value of the trucks the Town would trade in was discussed. It was decided by the board that Superintendent DeMars speak with other dealers, other than Clark's, to see what they would give the Town as trade-in prices.
OLD BUSINESS
A. 2006 Dodge
The Town has received two offers for the pick-up truck, $1,500 and $2,000.
RESOLUTION #11 Accept $2,000 Offer From St. Paul's Food Pantry in Gabriels, NY.
On a motion by Councilman Hamm, second by Councilman Smalley, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby accept the offer of $2,000 from St. Paul's Food Pantry in Gabriels for the purchase of the 2006 Dodge w/ Plow.
Those Voting Aye: All Aye
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Cemetery
Installing a gate at Union Cemetery was discussed.
B. Veterans
No Report
C. Celebration
Committee will meet April 19 to discuss 2017 events
D. Recreation
DEC held a Public Comment session at the Town Hall on March 1 in order to obtain public comments on the Debar Wild Forest Unit Management Plan. The session was very well attended.
E. Building
The architect is working on the draft to incorporate the changes the committee discussed. Supervisor Willman set the date of March 21 at 5:30pm for a Special Board Meeting to discuss financing options for a Community Center.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Supervisor Willman adjourned the meeting 6:50pm.
Respectfully submitted, Lauren LeFebvre, Town Clerk