Approved Minutes

Village Board Meeting

11/9/99

 

 

 

Present:

Mayor Nastke, Tr. Raihofer, Tr. Strevell, Tr. Pesce, Tr. Nastke

Attorney Grattan

Guest List on File

Mayor Nastke called the monthly meeting to order with the pledge to the Flag.

 

Minutes:

Tr. Raihofer made a motion seconded by Tr. Strevell to accept minutes from 10/12 & 10/14 meetings, all in favor so carried.

 

Audit Meeting:

Tr. Raihofer made a motion that an audit meeting was held, seconded by Tr. Strevell, all in favor so carried.

 

Payment Of Claims:

Tr. Raihofer made a motion authorizing payment of claims, seconded by Tr. Strevell, all in favor so carried.

   

Fire Dept. Report:

No report this month.

 

Comprehensive Plan:

Mayor Nastke said Eric Herrmann was not here this evening but Mayor Nastke said he attended the last Comprehensive Plan meeting and the Board should get a draft copy of the plan by the end of November.

 

Youth Committee Update:

Mrs. Holsapple said last Saturday the youth committee sponsored the coats for kids, had a great turn out.  The coats for kids started out here then they went to Chatham and on Sunday they delivered the rest of the coats to Hudson.  There was a total of 300 coats.

Discussion on the Philmont Youth Center and Mrs. Holsapple is seeing how they got funding and any ideas on how they got started. Mayor Nastke and Tr. Raihofer said they visited the center and it as very nice. 

 

DPW Report:

Tr. Raihofer said he will speak to Charlie Fuda regarding the grading of the parking lot at the playground.  Tr. Raihofer said they will be picking up leaves until first snowfall or November 30^th

The town has been helping out with cleaning the lookout.  They will get to the man holes next week.   Tr. Strevell had asked about Santa Claus park.  Tr. Raihofer said he would call Charlie Fuda in the morning.  Mayor Nastke said Tr. Pesce wrote a letter to D.O.T. (Department of Transportation) requesting a T sign on Rt. 203 and Elm Streets and solutions for congestion on Church Street due to the congestion from the school buses.  D.O.T.’s recommendations where not to our likings so Tr. Pesce will continue to work with them and the school.

 

Cell Tower Committee:

Mayor Nastke said  Village Attorney Mr. Grattan and Tr. Strevell and Tr. Pesce will work with the committee which consists of village residents, the more people the easier it is to direct a zoning law.

 

Web Site:

Mayor Nastke said we discussed this a while ago but the gentlemen who was going to do the site was to busy with other jobs to get to us, so Anthony Salinas is here to discuss what type of web site he can do.  Mr. Salines gave a brief outline of what type of page would be appealing to people who visited the web site.   Mayor Nastke read quote from Anthony Salinas:

Main Page:

History

Meet Municipal Office

Santa Claus Club

Calendar of Events

Village Minutes

Progress Report

Links to Local Businesses

Links to other sites---------------------------------------------$500.00

Search Engine Registration------------------------------------$ 29.95

Domain Cost-www.Valatie.net

       “               ”                .org

       “               ”                .gov-------------------------------$100.00

SUBTOTAL-----------------------------------------------------$629.95

Discussion on delivery date:

Anthony Salines said he could do it guaranteed in 30days. (2wks) if the information is supplied quickly.

Discussion on Internet service board decided to use a local Internet provider.

Mayor Nastke stated he spoke to accountant Mark Fitzgerald and the monies to purchase the web site can be taken from the Capitol Fund or Clerk Contractual.

Mayor Nastke said we cannot pay up front we can pay as we go until goods are delivered.

If there are any problems or maintenance to be done on the site Anthony Salinas will monitor the site and make any corrections.

     

The Board decided to add Judicial issues to the site. 

Tr. Raihofer made a motion to hire Salinas Net. com to continue with web site for Village subject to contract presented, seconded by Tr. Strevell, all in favor so carried.

Mayor Nastke will write a letter to the gentleman in Chatham.

 

Beaver Cotton Mill Overlook: 

Mayor Nastke said everyone received a memo on the overlook and it is basically completed.

Everyone who volunteered there time was Thanked- Mayor Nastke, Tr. Pesce.

Tr. Nastke suggested that Judge Archie Williams come down with the newspaper and Mayor and Trustees and have a ribbon cutting ceremony.   

Discussion on mark for handicap parking spaces.  Tr. Raihofer said he would contact Charlie Fuda.

 

Water Improvement Project:

Mayor Nastke said last month we made a motion under the Eminent Domain Procedure to offer the property back to the original owners Dr. & Mrs. Freinberg.  Under the law they have the right to first refusal to purchase the property back.  Dr. &Mrs. Freinberg have agreed to purchase the property back from us for the original amount which is $35,000.00.

Mayor Nastke then read resolution from previous meeting.

Tr. Raihofer made a motion offering the resolution seconded by Tr. Nastke, roll call vote.

Tr. Raihofer Aye

Tr. Nastke    Aye

Tr. Strevell   Recuse

Tr. Pesce      Aye

So carried.

Mayor Nastke then filled everyone in on the next step with the water project.

Mayor Nastke said the wells should be running in a couple of days, the pipes on Church Street have been completed as well as the restoration, the pump house has been built and completed and Harris Drive has been completed.  Mayor Nastke stated he and Tr. Strevell met with the Federal Government regarding the tank relocation and that was cleared up and we should begin work on the tank next week.  Mayor Nastke said he has a meeting Tomorrow with Engineer Doug Clark @ 9:00A.M.to complete paper work and the project should be moving right along.

Mayor Nastke asked if there were any questions from the board?.

Tr. Pesce asked about the altitude chamber?.  Mayor Nastke said because of the tank change we no longer need the additional pipes which would have run to Ridge Drive, Thus the piping is eliminated but the altitude chamber will still be constructed. 

No other questions.

 

Pachaquack Preserve:

Mayor Nastke said as you know there is 43 acres of land that has been subdivided by the Village of Valatie in 1996 as part of the Little Falls Estate subdivision.  The 43 acres was intended to be set aside as open space , what we have done is worked to develop a plan which is a nature preserve which would include a two mile walking trail that would be handicap accessible.  

       

Including three picnic areas that would have access to the Kinderhook Creek, picnic benches and

a information booth.  Also, a bridge that would tie into Main Street.   We have applied for a grant under the Environment Protection Fund of 1993.  We will not hear anything from this until January.  Mayor Nastke said he met with Congressman Sweeney’s office to get support for this project and they offered to go a step further, if we don’t get the grant what can their office do for us.  Mayor Nastke said they put him in touch with The Guard Program ( New York State National Guard) they have training sessions to train their guards and they provide the work for municipalities. (ex.. Claverack Fire tower).  Mayor Nastke said he met with Colonel Riggio who came up for two days and walked around and observed the area.  We met with different divisions of the guard who like the plan and they like the fact that it benefitted the community.  Congressman Sweeney was here with his staff and General Martin and they went thru the entire preserve and they were very excited.  The guard can help with clearing of land, building of booth and nature trails.

Discussion on what could have cost in labor.

Mayor Nastke said there is not a time line on this.  Everyone is excited and we probably will break ground in Spring.  Mayor Nastke said the amount of money we will save is in the six figures.

 

New Business:

Mayor Nastke said Jerry Patton is here to speak from the Northern Columbia County Little League and is asking the Village for permission to put a fence around the main field.  The purpose of the park is to enhance the look of the park and turn it into a professional field. 

Discussion on the improvements that were done to the park already.

Tr. Strevell asked if the fence will be used for advertisements?

Yes! In the future if the Village would permit it.

Discussion on if all leagues would be able to use the fields after the fences were installed.

Tr. Raihofer said he would meet with Mr. Ed Williams to discuss this.

Mayor Nastke said he spoke to Lee Norton and they have spent a substantial amount of money and time on these projects.  Mayor Nastke said he was concerned about this because he didn’t want the work to be done if other leagues cannot use the field.

Tr. Pesce felt that the residents should be included in any decisions that are made.

No fence should be installed unless everybody would be able to use the field.

Tr. Nastke said a letter should be written to Mr. Norton and the volunteers on the great job that has been done.   

 

Appoint Joe Cutro as Acting Village Justice:

Mayor Nastke said acting Judge Hallock has resigned, he was elected as supervisor in The Town of Chatham.  Judge Williams recommends Mr. Joe Cutro as acting Judge.

Tr. Raihofer made a motion seconded by Tr. Strevell to appoint Joe Cutro as Acting Village Judge, all in favor, so carried.

 

DPW Contract With Town:

Mayor Nastke stated that we renegotiated a contract last year with the Town Of Kinderhook for a one year price of $49,400.00 less $100.00 a month rent on the St. Lukes Drive garage. 

                                                      

Since then the Mayor said he has met with the Town Of Kinderhook and we went over  the contract they made an offer and we negotiated a price out for the next three years for highway services.  The Town has offered us a 10% increase for the next three years which is reasonable.  The contract will be revised to the three years at a set amount.  Attorney Grattan said he would recommend the board sign the contract subject to final approval of the Village Attorney.

Tr. Raihofer made a motion seconded by Tr. Strevell to approve the contract with revisions of the Village Attorney and the Mayor’s Signature, all in favor so carried.

 

Water District Contract-renegotiate

Mayor Nastke said he and Tr. Raihofer met with Councilmen Strobel And Councilmen Bujinow on Saturday morning to discuss contract.  Mayor Nastke said there a lot of things that need to be cleared up and the board was not able to make a offer at this time, it is moving along and it will be finalized by the end of the year.

 

Illegal use of NIMO Easements:

Mayor Nastke stated her has received several complaints regarding Steurwald and Wild’s Pond land and ATV’s and dirt bikes.  Police cannot handle it.  The reason they are using this land is because it is a straight away.  Mayor Nastke said he spoke to NIMO about putting in a fence. the fence will accommodate walkers but will stop ATV’s and dirt bikes. 

Discussion on a NO MOTORIZED VEHICLE sign being installed and enforced.

 

Mayor Nastke said he met with Accountant Mark Fitzgerald and went over the budget and some funds need to be transferred.

A motion is needed to transfer from line 999 sewer fund to general a budgeted amount of ($12,500.00) to pay off deficit and to transfer ($69,000.00) of surplus from sewer to general to pay off deficit.

Tr. Raihofer made a motion to transfer $81,500.00 from line 999 sewer fund to general fund to pay back deficit from prior years, seconded by Tr. Strevell, all in favor so carried.

Water Fund= total deficit is $45,000.00

Mayor Nastke said accountant suggested at the boards pleasure to pay back the entire amount owed to the HUD money and then just owe the general fund.

Transfer $20,000.00 to HUD and transfer $2,500.00 to the capitol fund and one debit will be totally paid off as budgeted to Fiscal Year 1999-2000.

 

Tr. Raihofer made a motion to transfer $20,00.00 to HUD and $2,500.00 to Capitol Fund, seconded by Tr. Strevell, all in favor so carried.

Tr. Raihofer said the Fire Dept. wants to purchase hose ($8,200.00 lowest bid).  They will receive $7,500.00 from the sale of the old fire truck and the difference will go for the fire hose. 

Mayor Nastke said we need to increase Fire Dept. budget by $8,200.00.

Tr. Raihofer made a motion to increase the fire dept. by $8,200.00 or amount of lowest bid, seconded by Tr. Strevell, all in favor so carried.

Tr. Raihofer made a motion to allow Fire Dept. to purchase fire hose from lowest bid, seconded by Tr. Strevell, all in favor so carried.

            

Tr. Pesce stated he and Charlie Pulver attended a Public Meeting regarding the Army Corps of Engineer review process for the proposed Athens Generating Plant in Athens.  Tr. Pesce said there are concerns of the possibility down wind pollution and letters needed to be written by November 17^th 1999 opposing it. 

Tr. Pesce said scientist also were against the plant.

Mayor Nastke said he would not take any position until he knew all the facts.

Mayor Nastke said if anyone needed the address to see Tr. Pesce.

Discussion on advantages and disadvantages.

 

PUBLIC FORUM:

Mr. Walsh from Church Street said he presented his problem to the board on June 9,1999

and has not heard anything.  Mr. Walsh said the drainage infront of his property is very bad and it runs onto the sidewalk and wanted to know who is liable because it is very dangerous.  Mr. Walsh said if he is liable he will get a lawyer and change the sidewalk and make it higher.  Mr. Walsh also commented on the road, it was suppose to be redone when the water project completed.  Mr. Walsh also commented on the Church Street crosswalk who is responsible for the payment of a crossing guard.  What is New York State Law? Do you stop at a cross walk. Why was the crossing guard let go there used to be one there?

Mayor Nastke said he met with the School Supervisor and they agreed in the future to try and fund a crossing guard.  Attorney Grattan will find out about the crosswalk. Mayor Nastke said in terms of Church Street drainage $15,000.00 was budgeted from State Aide and is not a lot of money to repave the roads.  Mayor Nastke said he spoke to grant writer and if the road is on the federal highway list you get reimbursed.  We have petitioned them to get the road on the list and we are on the list.  Know we will have to see what we want to do with the road put it into a letter and see what happens.   Tr. Raihofer said he would talk to Charlie Fuda about drainage problem.

Mr. Walsh also wanted to know if in the future residents were allowed to speak before the meeting.

Mrs. Chrysler asked if Mayor Nastke has heard anything from Rural Development regarding the Water Project?  Mayor Nastke said he should hear from them in the next couple of days.

Discussion on Money to be borrowed less the altitude.  Mayor Nastke said it looks like we will be borrowing $60,000.00 to $70,000.00

Why is there no correspondence list with the agenda.  Mayor Nastke said he does not put one together.

Mrs. Chrysler asked about the fire flow on Church Street?.

Mayor Nastke said Paul Warner has not done it but will bring it up to him tomorrow.

 

Ms. McNamara wanted to know the address for the Army Corps?.  Tr. Pesce gave Ms. MacNamara the address.  

Mr. Pulver made a comment by saying he thinks everyone should write a letter in opposition.

 

Mrs. Marblo stated her driveway is the same as Mr. Walsh’s. Tr. Raihofer said he would talk to Charlie Fuda regarding both problems.