CANAAN TOWN BOARD MEETING
July 12th, 2010

Supervisor Richard Keaveney opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed by a moment of silence.

PRESENT: Supervisor Richard Keaveney
Councilperson David Patzwahl
Councilperson Carrie Bither
Town Clerk Charlotte Cowan
Highway Superintendent Bernhard Meyer

ABSENT: Councilperson Peter Stelling and Councilperson Brenda Adams.

AUDIENCE: 12

MINUTES: Councilperson David Patzwahl made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, to approve the June 14th, 2010 minutes. 3-ayes.
Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney – yes;
Councilperson Carrie Bither – yes;
Councilperson David Patzwahl – yes. Motion Carried.

BILLS: Councilperson Carrie Bither made a motion, seconded by Councilperson David Patzwahl, to approve the payment of all bills presented: General Fund Bills: #204 - #249, in the amount of $15,505.17. Highway Fund Bills #71 - #81 in the amount of $10,186.74. 3-ayes.
Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney – yes;
Councilperson Carrie Bither – yes;
Councilperson David Patzwahl – yes. Motion Carried.

Supervisor’s Monthly Finance Report:
Town Clerk Revenues: $ 158.88
Highway Fund Balance: $507,981.41
Highway Fund-Capital Balance: $ 96,906.69
Lighting Districts Balance: $ 2,906.77
Ambulance Districts
and Fire Districts Balance: $ 58,489.54
Building Inspector Revenues: $ 1,010.20
Planning Board Revenues: $ 50.00
Recreation Balance: $ 3,177.36
General Fund Balance: $283,438.08
Court Revenues: $ 5,435.00(May)
Tax Collector: $ 7,915.31
Covanta – Transfer Station Revenues for .


RESOLUTION #59 –CHATHAM RESCUE SQUAD AS AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDER FOR BOTH DISTRICT 1 AND DISTRICT 2 IN CANAAN.
MOTION: Supervisor Richard Keaveney made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, to adopt Resolution #59. 3-ayes.
Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney – yes;
Councilperson Carrie Bither – yes;
Councilperson David Patzwahl – yes. Resolution #59 adopted.

BOARD DISCUSSION:
1. Board Letter: Supervisor Richard Keaveney said that the letter will be mailed within the month.
Supervisor Keaveney said that tentative dates for Public Hearings on the Sand/Salt Shed will be held: August 28, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. and September 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
2. Councilperson David Patzwahl spoke of the drowning at Queechy Lake this July 4th and that the Queechy Lake Association is seeking law enforcement at the lake.
3. Supervisor Keaveney said that the board has received a report from the BAR with statistics and recommendations. Supervisor Keaveney said that this matter will be discussed at the August meeting.

ASSESSOR: Assessor Jean Rohde was not present.

HIGHWAY Superintendent of Highways, Bernhard Meyer, read his monthly report. ACTIVITIES:
PRESENT:
We are working on cited items which the Dept. of Labor wants to have fixed. The panel box has been relabeled; toe rails on loft areas, exit/no exit signs in various areas as well as the inevitable paperwork. We have requested a consultation with the Dept. of Labor to assist us with the proper protocol. The team has been cleaning up piles of mixed product and screening it into usable road material. We have had the usual “tree down” calls ~ nothing big or bad. Dust ~ Dust ~ Dust the calls started to come in during that hot spell. We have taken care of the most aggrieved ones and look forward to some rain to ease the otherwise expensive and temporary treatment.

PAST: The Bridge on Maple Drive was compromised, requiring me to file a certificate of necessity to close the road. We were able to install the new squat culvert and have the road reopened within a week. I thank everyone on Maple Drive for their patience.
We repaired and reinstalled the gate on the basketball court.
We have had some minor breakdowns such as hydraulic hoses letting go but nothing substantial.
On Dean Hill we finished the embankment project, relocated and replaced driveway culverts at various locations up to the MA line. Not only has the line of sight been dramatically improved but we now have a place to push snow in the winter.
FUTURE: We will be continuing road-side mowing.
I have ordered two “road will be closed” signs with interchangeable dates for upcoming jobs. They will be installed prior to the work on Peaceful Valley Road to give people advance notice.

NATURAL OCCURANCES: I want to thank the highway department for their efforts during the heat wave. The men worked diligently, fueled by popsicles!

DISCUSSIONS & REQUESTS:
Truck #5 has been removed from service, plates have been turned in and insurance has been cancelled. I would like permission to put the truck up for bid to sell.

MOTION: Supervisor Richard Keaveney made a motion, seconded by Councilperson David Patzwahl, for Truck #5 to be put up for bid to sell. 3-ayes.
Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney – yes;
Councilperson Carrie Bither – yes;
Councilperson David Patzwahl – yes. Motion Carried.

BID RESULTS: Mini excavator:
MOTION: Councilperson David Patzwahl made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, to purchase the recommended Kubota, 2008, mini excavator as recommended by Highway Superintendent Meyer as a result of bids received with the trade-in of our present machine. 3-ayes.
Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney – yes;
Councilperson Carrie Bither – yes;
Councilperson David Patzwahl – yes. Motion Carried.

Percida estimate (Dean Hill) for lining 75 +/- feet of ditch to mitigate catastrophic erosion at a cost of $1,438.30.
MOTION: Supervisor Richard Keaveney made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, for Highway Superintendent, Bernhard Meyer, to proceed with the Dean Hill property project as soon as an attorney agreement is recorded. 3-ayes.
Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney – yes;
Councilperson Carrie Bither – yes;
Councilperson David Patzwahl – yes. Motion Carried.

MOTION: Supervisor Richard Keaveney made a motion, seconded by Councilperson David Patzwahl, to approve Section 149 Permit: requested by George Hoover for a project on Krobchuk Road. 3-ayes.
Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney – yes;
Councilperson Carrie Bither – yes;
Councilperson David Patzwahl – yes. Motion Carried.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
1. Mr. Gary Flaherty asked Superintendent of Highways, Bernhard Meyer, if a chain could be placed by the stored gravel on Frisbee street. Highway Superintendent Meyer said that if anyone sees someone taking gravel they should call the State Troopers.
2. Ms. Wendy Dwyer is concerned about the large vehicles parked at the Bar-Ken garage. The intersection view is blocked. Supervisor Keaveney said he would speak to the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
3. Mrs. Ann Pearce spoke for the 250 Committee and they are offering a display cabinet to be built with funds that remained from the celebration.
4. Mrs. Pat Liddle, a ZBA committee person, asked permission to attend an educational class in Albany.
MOTION: Supervisor Richard Keaveney made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, for Pat Liddle to attend the class in Albany. 3-ayes.
Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney – yes;
Councilperson Carrie Bither – yes;
Councilperson David Patzwahl – yes. Motion Carried.

5. Mr. Gary Flaherty asked why the flag at the town hall was at half staff. Supervisor Richard Keaveny said he received an email from the Courts asking that the flag be flown at half staff to honor the soldiers that were killed in Afghanistan.

ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Carrie Bither made a motion, seconded by Councilperson David Patzwahl, to close the meeting at 7:40 p.m. 3-ayes.
Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney – yes;
Councilperson Carrie Bither – yes;
Councilperson David Patzwahl – yes. Motion Carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

Charlotte L. Cowan, RMC, CMC
Canaan Town Clerk

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