Adirondack Town Of Franklin
Adirondack Town Of Franklin

Town of Franklin Board Meetings

Regular Monthly Town Board Meeting February 11, 2015 5:30pm

Board members present:

Supervisor Art Willman, Councilman Tom Bartiss and, Councilman Don Hamm

Board Members Absent:

Councilman Cliff Smalley and Councilman Al Berg

Others Present:

Melinda Hadley-Town Historian, Jacques DeMars-Highway Superintendent, Rob Drosdowich-Code Enforcement Officer, Ed Martin, Jon MacDowell, Doris Hamm and Lauren LeFebvre-Town Clerk

CALL TO ORDER.

Supervisor Willman called the meeting to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Town Clerk called the roll; noting two board members absent and a quorum present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ed Martin-Mr. Martin acknowledged the great turnout for the Roast Pork dinner with proceeds going toward building a Town of Franklin Community Center.

REVIEW/APPROVAL OF JANUARY 14, 2015 MINUTES

Minutes were approved as presented. (T. Bartiss-D. Hamm m/s/p) All aye

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General FundAbstract 2Claims 16-45$16,338.63
Highway FundAbstract 2Claims 8-29$49,990.27
Pre-Pay GeneralAbstract 2Claims 3-5$16,662.26
Fire ProtectionAbstract 2Claims 3$27,973.00

(D. Hamm-T. Bartiss m/s/p) All Aye

SUPERVISOR'S REPORT.

Balances on hand as of 1/31/15

General FundChecking$286,103.15
Savings$75,476.53
Historian $3,038.09
Kate Mt Sp Reserve Fund$11,518.20
Cemeteries Sp Reserve Fund$2,220.59
CLASS$87,370.16
Highway FundChecking$275,763.65
Savings$34,170.70
Cap. Proj. Hwy.$46,549.63
CLASS$538,644.47
Landfill Clo Cap. Res.Checking$6,748.94
CLASS$24,076.59
Fire ProtectionChecking$43,542.94
CLASS$685.30
Capital Project Building$25,451.13

Approved as presented. (D.Hamm-T.Bartiss m/s/p) All Aye

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Superintendent DeMars read the following report:

Plowed and sanded when needed.
Cut banks as time permits.
We had the backhoe push back banks on several intersections and Norman Ridge.
*284 for General Repairs.
Request that the dollar amount for purchases be raised up from current $250 before Supervisors approval is needed.
Gas, fuel and maintenance logs given to Highway Committee

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE REPORT

none

AGREEMENT FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF HIGHWAY MONEYS

Resolution #8

On a motion by Supervisor Willman, second by Councilman Hamm, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Franklin approves the Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Moneys as follows:

Pursuant to the provision Section 284 of the Highway Law, it is agreed that moneys levied and collected in the Town of Franklin for the repair and improvement of highways, shall be expended as follows:

General Repairs-The sum of $89,137 shall be set aside to be expended for primary work and general repairs on 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.

Those voting aye: Supervisor Willman, Councilman Hamm, Councilman Bartiss

Those absent: Councilman Berg, Councilman Smalley

Resolution #9 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, Roller, 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.

Those voting aye: Supervisor Willman, Councilman Hamm, Councilman Bartiss

Those absent: Councilman Berg, Councilman Smalley

HIGHWAY QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

Ed Martin stated he feels the Highway Department is doing an outstanding job of keeping the roads clear.

CODE OFFICER'S REPORT

40 permits were issued in 2014, fees collected $3266.25.

HISTORIAN

Melinda Hadley thanked the board for the appointment and said she has a lot of ideas for the year.

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION #10 - Establishment of Office of Town Attorney; Appointment of Town Attorney

WHEREAS, Section 20(2) of the NY Town Law provides two ways in which towns can obtain legal services:

    1. Section 20(2)(a) authorizes the Town Board to establish the Office of Town Attorney, and to appoint an attorney who is an elector of the Town to serve in that Office; and

    2. If a Town has not established the Office of the Town Attorney, Section 20(2)(b) authorizes the Town Board to employ an attorney on a contract basis;

WHEREAS, since the Town Board has not established the Office of Town Attorney, its designation of Mr. Murphy as the attorney for the Town at the organizational meeting on January ____, 2015 resulted in employing him on a contract basis pursuant to Section 20(2)(b);
WHEREAS, both the Town Board and Mr. Murphy intended that he would be appointed the Town Attorney in the Office of Town Attorney, to be established by the Town Board pursuant to Section 20(2)(a);
WHEREAS, to effectuate this intention, the Town Board must establish such Office and appoint Mr. Murphy thereto; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Murphy is an elector of the Town and otherwise qualifies for appointment to the Office of Town Attorney;
NOW, BE IT RESOLVED:

    1. There is hereby established the Office of the Town Attorney in the Town of Franklin, pursuant to Section 20(2)(a) of the NY Town Law; and

    2. Edward Murphy, Attorney at Law, is hereby appointed pursuant to that section to serve as the Town Attorney in such Office, without compensation.

Those voting aye: Supervisor Willman, Councilman Hamm, Councilman Bartiss

Those absent: Councilman Berg, Councilman Smalley

Solar Update-Supervisor Willman stated the presentation from a Sun Vest representative has been put on hold as a reduced rate determination by the Public Service Commission has not been happened yet.

OLD BUSINESS

CDBG/HUD-Supervisor Willman reported 2 contracts were signed since the last board meeting.

Oil/Water Separator-The Town Clerk will solicit bids.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Cemetery-no report

Veteran-no report

Celebration-There will be an Easter Egg Hunt March 28 around the Town Hall.

Building-no report

Skating-no report

IMPORTANT DATES:

55+ Club - 2nd/4th Tuesday
St. Patrick's Day Dinner - March 14 - 4-7
Easter Egg Hunt - March 28 - 1pm

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Supervisor Willman adjourned the meeting at 6:05pm.

Respectfully submitted, Lauren LeFebvre, Town Clerk

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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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