Adirondack Town Of Franklin
Adirondack Town Of Franklin

Town of Franklin Board Meetings

May 14, 2014 Regular Monthly Board Meeting

Board members present:

Supervisor Art Willman
Councilman Tom Bartiss
Councilman Al Berg
Councilman Don Hamm
Councilman Cliff Smalley

Others Present:

Highway Superintendent Jacques DeMars, Sue Pickard (Friends of the North Country), Mary Ellen Keith, Maryann Slater, Joyce Swinyer, Derek Romeo and Dick Jarvis (KMCRA), Ed Martin, Doris Hamm and, Town Clerk Lauren LeFebvre

CALL TO ORDER.

Supervisor Willman called the meeting to order at 7pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Town Clerk called the roll, noting the full board was present.

FRIENDS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY

-Supervisor Willman announced the Town of Franklin has been awarded a $200,000 grant through United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities Program, administered by the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation of Office of Community Renewal (OCR). Supervisor Willman introduced Sue Pickard from Friends of the North Country. Ms. Pickard provided a brief overview of the next steps in the process of providing rehabilitation assistance to eligible applicants. FONC has a waiting list currently but residents wishing to be considered should contact FONC now. Eligible applicants are served on a “fist come, first served” basis. The following resolutions were put forth and approved as part of the grant administration process.

Resolution #18 Authorizing Supervisor Willman to Act as Certifying Officer for Community Renewal Community Block Grant Project #416HR34-13 At a regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Franklin, a Municipality with offices at 7 Cold Brook Road, Vermontville, New York 12989, duly called (a quorum being present) and held at the Town Hall, located in the Town of Franklin, County of Franklin, State of New York, on May 14, 2014, the following Resolution was duly adopted and is now in full force and effect:

A Motion was made by Councilman Cliff Smalley and Seconded by Councilman Tom Bartiss, to authorize Arthur P. Willman, Town Supervisor, to act as Certifying Officer for the environmental review process to be completed in conjunction with the Town's Office for Community Renewal Community Block Grant project # 416HR34-13 Housing Rehabilitation Program.


Those Voting Aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Thomas Bartiss
Councilman, Al Berg
Councilman Clifford Smalley

Those Voting Nay:

None

Resolution #19 Authorizing Supervisor Willman to Act as Fair Housing Officer for Community Renewal Community Block Grant Project #416HR34-13 At a regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Franklin, a Municipality with offices at 7 Cold Brook Road, Vermontville, NY 12989, duly called (a quorum being present) and held at the Town Hall, located in the Town of Franklin, County of Franklin, State of New York, on May 14, 2014, the following Resolution was duly adopted and is now in full force and effect:

A Motion was made by Councilman Don Hamm and Seconded by Councilman Tom Bartiss, authorizing Arthur P. Willman, Town Supervisor, to act as Fair Housing Officer for the Town's Office for Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant project #416HR34-13


Those Voting Aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Thomas Bartiss
Councilman, Al Berg
Councilman Clifford Smalley

Those Voting Nay:

None

Resolution #20 Authorizing Supervisor Willman to Execute an Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Office of Community Renewal and an Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and Friends of the North Country On a motion by Councilman Al Berg, second by Councilman Cliff Smalley; Whereas, this Town Board supports the creation and maintenance of affordable housing in the Town of Franklin, and Whereas, the Town applied for a grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities Program, administered by the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation of Office of Community Renewal (OCR), and Whereas, the grant was awarded Project #416HR34-13 for the general purposes of rehabilitating housing and notice to that effect was provided to the Town by OCR on April 17, 2014 for the amount of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000), Resolved, that the Town Board wishes to accept the award and authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute an Agreement between the Town of Franklin and the Office of Community renewal (NYS HTFC), and Resolved, that the Town Board wishes to engage the services of Friends of the North Country, Inc. (Friends) to administer the 2013 Town of Franklin Housing Rehabilitation Program award and authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute an Agreement between the Town of Franklin and Friends who will, for the standard allowable Program Delivery and Administrative fee schedule allowed by the OCR, perform as Subrecipient on behalf of the Town of Franklin in accordance with OCR guidelines.


Those Voting Aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Thomas Bartiss
Councilman, Al Berg
Councilman Clifford Smalley

Those Voting Nay:

None

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mary Ellen Keith thanked the board for the $1200 in annual support for the 55+ Club however the club thought the contribution was going to increase to $1500 as the Town's annual contribution to the Saranac Lake Adult Center increased by $400. Supervisor Willman relayed that the Adult Center submitted a letter to the Town requesting an increase in support. Supervisor Willman stated he would research the information to be sure the Town gave the 55+ Club the correct amount budgeted for 2014 and if the club would like an increase in support for 2015, a request prior to budget time would be welcome. Mrs. Keith against the board's decision to approve the selling of alcohol at town sponsored events. Mrs. Keith expressed concern that selling alcohol at a family event sends the wrong message to our youth. Mrs. Keith also stated that previous Founder's Day celebrations were successful without alcohol. Supervisor Willman stated he will include this issue on the agenda for the June board meeting.

Dick Jarvis, KMCRA, read a letter to the board. The letter appears at the end of these minutes.

BUDGET AMENDMENTS -None

APPROVAL OF APRIL 9, 2014 MINUTES

Minutes were approved as presented. (C.Smalley-T.Bartiss) 4 aye, 1 abstain (Berg)

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

The board approved the following claims for payment

General FundClaims 84-110 $9210.31
Pre-Pay GeneralClaims 10-13 $2177.83
Highway FundClaims 65-85$12535.95

(C.Smalley-A.Berg m/s/p) All aye

SUPERVISOR'S REPORT.

Balances on hand as of April 30, 2014:

General FundChecking$95,684.72
Savings$150,459.73
CLASS$87,347.51
Historian$3037.86
Kate Mt Sp Reserve Fund$5491.96
Cemeteries Sp Reserve Fund $2200.09
Highway FundChecking$165,192.86
Savings$540,525.04
CLASS$538,500.95
Cap. Proj. Hwy.$46,538.12
Landfill Clo CRChecking$2,082.44
CLASS$34,069.58
Fire ProtectionChecking$11,068.80
CLASS$685.30
Capital Project Building$25,445.14

(A.Berg-D.Hamm m/s/p) All aye

HIGHWAY REPORT

A. Superintendent's Report - Superintendent Jacques DeMars reported the following April 10 to May 14, 2014:

Plowed and sanded when needed.
Prepared trucks for summer.
Worked on washout on Goldsmith Rd. and Alder Brook Park Rd.
Patched potholes with cold patch.
Cut trees and chipped on sections of: Swinyer, Franklin Falls Hill and Alder Brook Rds.
Started brooming, and picking up sand in some spots.
Road work on Swinyer Rd.
Ordered and received last of salt to fulfill contract
Raked McManus Rd.
Had a local trapper take care of some beavers on Goldsmith Rd.
Now on summer hours (4 tens)

Superintendent DeMars requested board approval to replace the slusher on Unit 11 using the funds received through the Town's insurance claim when the original slusher was damaged. Approximate cost will be $7000.

Resolution #21 Authorizing Superintendent DeMars to Replace Slusher on Unit 11 On a motion by Councilman Berg, second by Councilman Smalley, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby approve the purchase of a new slusher, in the amount of approximately $7000, for Unit 11 using the insurance funds received through the claim submitted after the original slusher was damaged.


Those Voting Aye:

Supervisor Arthur P. Willman, Jr.
Councilman Donald Hamm
Councilman Thomas Bartiss
Councilman, Al Berg
Councilman Clifford Smalley

Those Voting Nay:

None

B. Highway Committee - Councilman Berg inquired as to whether Superintendent DeMars intended to repair Franklin Fall Road over the course of two years. Superintendent DeMars stated that was not his intention as his original statement was he was considering working on a portion of the road to see how it withstood over the winter. If the repairs met with his standards in the Spring, the entire road would be completed that year. Superintendent DeMars emphasized he has made no decision on this matter yet.

1. Gutters-Councilman Hamm stated gutters should be reinstalled at the garage. This work would cost under $1000.
2. Pole Barn-No update
3. Garage Equipment-Councilman Hamm suggested the Town look into purchasing a Pelican as this would take the place of two pieces of equipment, thereby saving space.

NEW BUSINESS

A. HUD Grant-this was completed at the start of the meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Dodge Pick-up - The board authorized the Town Clerk to place a “For Sale” ad in the classified section of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise for the pick-up. Price advertised will be $3000. (C.Smalley-T.Bartiss m/s/p) All aye

B. 3-Bay Sink - Supervisor Willman will be purchasing this before the June board meeting.

C. Lunches for Summer Program - Supervisor Willman has been working with County Legislator Barbara Rice, Mike Kilroy and others to secure hot lunches for the summer program. The procedure to be part of this program must be strictly adhered to by the summer program staff.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Audit Supervisor Willman and Councilman Berg will audit the Tax Collection records on 5/20.

Celebration Town Clerk Lauren LeFebvre reported approximately 20 children participated in the Easter Egg Hunt. Supervisor Willman reported the 2nd Founder's Day planning meeting will be held Monday, May 19 at 6pm, all are welcome to attend.

Cemetery Councilman Hamm reported there are swampy areas in Union Cemetery on Route 3. Supervisor Willman requested that Councilman Hamm contact Town Groundskeeper Glenn Swinyer to direct him on how to correct this problem. The caved in grave in Merrillsville Cemetery will be filled in.

town of franklin

ADJOURNMENT

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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