The Town Board of the Town of Franklin held a regularly scheduled Board meeting on Monday, June 11, 2007 at 7:00 pm at the Vermontville Town Hall.
Motion to approve bills and pay same
(T.Goff-W.Kretserf m/s/p) ALL AYE
Generous applause was had in acknowledgement of the accomplishments of the students. Highway Superintendent James Rascoe presented his report
Supv. Keith asked if the Board members had any additional suggestions for subject of Town of Franklin's concerns. Coun. Kretser had suggested sharing the cost of purchasing large vehicles (i.e., a paver), and Supv. Keith suggested the problem of ever-rising real property assessments. Since additional suggestions were not forthcoming, Supv. Keith will complete the questionnaire and mail it.
2. PLANNING - KEITH SILLIMAN, ESQ.
Mr. Silliman, a resident of Loon Lake, President of the Loon Lake Association, and Chair of the Town of Bethlehem Planning Board, explained the process taken by the Town of Bethlehem to create its subdivision regulations. Bethlehem is similar to the Town of Franklin in that it is a “bedroom community” with several working farms and virtually no business. The tax burden falls on property owners, but because of the town's location and excellent school system, Bethlehem experienced a boom in subdivision. Property owners felt the town was losing its character, so the town developed subdivision regulations. Because Bethlehem had working farms, regulations were developed in such a way that if a farmer retired from agriculture and decided to subdivide his land for his children, he could have a 4-house subdivision on an existing highway with water and sewer without having to go through the SEQR process. In addition, the farmer could also apply to the planning board once every two years for an additional subdivision.
Coun. Kretser indicated the Town of Franklin was only interested in subdivision regulations, and that authority would reside with the Town Board. No planning or zoning board is contemplated. The Town Board intends to “keep it simple.” Coun. Kretser stated APA subdivision authority rests mainly in shoreline restrictions and setbacks. The Town should have the right to review proposed subdivisions so the character of the Town of Franklin will not change dramatically.
Mr. Silliman stated the Town Board should have a vision of what it wants the Town to look like. He then offered his assistance and expertise to the Board in drafting a subdivision law, and it was gratefully accepted by the Board.
Supervisor Keith, Councilman Gene Goff, Highway Superintendent James Rascoe and Deputy Highway Superintendent Eric Merrill were trained and also designated as Town of Franklin contact persons for the National Incident Management System (“NIMS”). In the event of a disaster, FEMA funds would be contingent upon course certification. NIMS plan also includes ham radio operators transmitting and receiving under the County E911 emergency coordinates. The Board determined the same individuals would be designated as Town contacts.
The Board concurred that Ruth and Roland Lapier should continue in their respective liaison positions.
An independent public information meeting held at the Town Hall (not sponsored by the Town) concerned the status of the Loon Lake Fire Tower. Sean Reynolds, Onchiota resident, and ranger for DEC, gave a very thorough presentation; the Adirondack Mountain Club will assist volunteers in raising funds to restore the Tower. DEC indicated the tower itself was in very good condition.
A public information session will be held at 6:00 pm on July 9, prior to the monthly Town Board meeting. The public is invited to attend and comment on Time Warner service.
b. EMT Hire. The Saranac Lake Area Fire Advisory Board will hold its next meeting on June 20th. It anticipates the employment of one or possibly two paid EMTs. If this occurs, the recommendation of the Fire Advisory Board will be implemented, however, the cost of the contract with the Village of Saranac Lake will naturally increase.
b. Building Committee. The Building Committee met with Terrie Martino of ANCA. Coun. Kretser stated the Town Board is happy with the Building Committee and would like the committee to continue; however, members need to commit to the infrastructure project. b. Basketball Court. Coun. T. Goff will paint the basketball court as soon as a 2-day clear weather forecast is given.
c. Summer Youth Program. The summer program will start on Monday, July 9, 2007 at 9:00 am and will continue each weekday for 6 weeks. Kathy Drake, Coordinator of the program and her two assistants are ready to start. Respectfully submitted, Sandra J. Oliver, Town Clerk
Board members present:
Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith
Councilman Gene Goff
Councilman Tim Goff
Councilman Walt Kretser
Board members absent:
Councilperson Janet Ordway
Others Present:
Highway Superintendent James Rascoe
Town Clerk Sandra OliverResident's & Others Present:
Ellen Goff, Bruce Goff, Keith Silliman, Sandy Hayes, Al Berg, Brad Merrill, K. Tuthill, B. Huggins, Karen Potts, Bryon Tuthill, Amy Tuthill, Holly Huggins, Joe Rupp, Ellen Beberman, Vincent Fallica, Shir Filler, Jean Baltzly
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. Supervisor Keith welcomed all present. She stated the agenda was full, and requested those present to refrain from commenting until the appropriate times.
AUDIT OF BILLS
The following claims were presented and reviewed by the Board::
General Warrant #6 Claims 94 - 114 $3,437.97
Highway Warrant #6 Claim 93 - 115 $14,261.99
Prepay General Warrant #5 Claims 33 - 36 $1,218.61 SUPERVISOR'S REPORT
Balances on hand at May 1, 2007
General Fund CK $17,675.40 SV $35,285.19 CLASS $227,296.20 Highway Fund CK $29,514.20 SV $76,066.12 CLASS $467,742.40 Cap Proj Hwy $24,089.08 Landfill CK $2,576.78 CLASS $63,468.06 Fire CK $10,249.72 CLASS $4,669.22 Cap. Building CLASS $144,141.42 Motion to accept Supervisor's Report
(W.Kretser-G.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
The Franklin Scholarship Committee, an independent organization, awarded scholarships to the following students who were present:
B. Huggins
K. Tuthill
Sarah Brown
Bruce Goff
HIGHWAY REPORT
1. HIGHWAY SCHOOL attended by the Superintendent and Deputy Eric Merrill, with lectures on
2. VEHICLE BREAKDOWNS.
3. ROAD WORK
4. LOON LAKE
5. HIGHWAY COMMITTEE
6. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS RE HIGHWAY
OLD BUSINESS
1. LOCAL GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND COMPETITIVENESS COMMITTEE.
NEW BUSINESS
1. DISASTER PLANNING.
Motion to affirm contact persons
(W.Kretser-G.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE
2. ASSOCIATION OF SENIOR CITIZENS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Motion to nominate Ruth and Roland Lapier
(G.Goff-T.Goff m/s/p) ALL AYE
3. LOON LAKE FIRE TOWER RESTORATION.
4. TIME WARNER FRANCHISE HEARING
5. FIRE/RESCUE UPDATE.
a. Dry Hydrants. Coun. Gene Goff inspected the Sinkhole Road bridge; he will confer with the Bloomingdale Fire Dept. chief to ascertain whether the department will use a dry hydrant installed at that location.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. BUILDING COMMITTEE.
a. Infrastructure Project. Coun. Walt Kretser reported that he and Supervisor Keith met with three different engineers and toured the Garage, Town Hall and Kate Mountain Recreation Park. All the engineers opined the Town should proceed with the approach recommended by Yellow Wood Associates for repair, renovation and construction work on all three buildings at once. In this way the Town can guarantee the services of project managers and Clerk of the Works. The engineers, Aron Ovios of Sutherland, Plattsburgh, Doug Ferris of Willsboro and Tom Bombard of Keeseville will submit RFP's. Once the Town Board receives the RFP's, it will start making schedules.
2. RECREATION COMMITTEE.
a. Pavilion Enclosure. Coun. Tim Goff reported that the corrugated plastic proposed to be used as replacement for the plastic tarpaulin tends to break easily. Therefore, he proposes to use wooden beadboard to stop the wind and rain.
3. CEMETERY COMMITTEE. Kuhn Memorials of Vermont did a wonderful job on headstone repair. The work was paid for out of an already-existing, non-taxpayer fund. Supervisor Keith plans to hold fundraisers so that money can be collected for work needed at the Merrillsville Cemetery.
4. CELEBRATION COMMITTEE. On Saturday, July 21st Town Celebration Day will recognize the Underground Railroad.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. NYS DEC TO JOHN HUTCHISON. Letter indicating that the cleanup of the dump site on Rock Street is in substantial compliance.
2. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MCHUGH. In response to Town's Resolution No. 20, advocating mandatory funding of health care benefits to veterans, Rep. McHugh will be introducing a bill to that effect.
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:48 pm
(M.Keith-W.Kretser m/s/p) ALL AYE