CANAAN TOWN BOARD MEETING - AUGUST 13TH, 2007

Supervisor Gary Flaherty opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silence.
There were four board members present:
Supervisor Gary Flaherty: present
Councilperson David Patzwahl: present
Councilperson Virginia Nightingale: present
Councilperson Stephen August: present
Councilperson Carrie Bither: absent
There were twenty people in the audience.

BILLS: Councilperson David Patzwahl made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Virginia Nightingale, to approve payment of all bills presented. General Fund, # 189 to #213 in the amount of $15,515.69. Highway Fund, #86 to #95 in the amount of $32,472.03. 4-ayes, Motion Carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes; Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes; Councilperson David Patzwahl, and Councilperson Stephen August-yes. Motion Carried.

MINUTES: Councilperson Stephen August made a motion, seconded by Councilperson David Patzwahl, to approve the minutes presented of the July 21st, 2007, meeting. 4-ayes, Motion Carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes; Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes; Councilperson David Patzwahl, and Councilperson Stephen August-yes. Motion Carried.

CORRESPONDENCE: Supervisor Gary Flaherty read the list of correspondence.
1. Letter from ORPS re: Final State Equalization Rate
2. Flyer re: Workers Comp
3. Rural Futures news from NYS legislative Commission on Rural Resources.
4. Letter from County DA re: Cell phones for the elderly and response from the Supervisor.
5. Monthly Report for July from CEO.
6. ZBA Minutes
7. Flyer on Stand-Down for Homeless Veterans
8. Release from of the Health Insurance Incentive from Department of State.
9. Letter from Columbia County Planning Department re: preparing for the 2010 Census.
10. Final notice of List of unpaid taxes indicating tax sale on Nov l, 2007.
11. Columbia County Office of the Aging SENIOR REPORT.
12. Notice of Annual conference on Energy in the Northeast.
13. Letter to Tammy) as clerk to Planning and Supervisor for attending focus group
hosted by CLC (Ron Davis also attended) In fact, Canaan had the most in attendance.
All correspondence is on file at the town clerk’s office and may be seen during normal working hours.

Supervisor Gary Flaherty said that four letters of interest and resumes for the position of Assessor whose terms expires on September 30, 2007, had been received.
One was the current assessor who has since pulled his.
One is being sent a letter telling her that she did meet the deadline. (Just came in this week).
The other two are active and I have spoken to both on the phone and discussed
These applicants with their Supervisors. Both were recommended and I have requested a written recommendation.

Supervisor Flaherty said that since Carrie Bither is away and not present, he would schedule the two applicants for interview at the September meeting. Carrie is co-liaison with me, to the Assessor’s Office and I feel that it is only fair that she be part of the process. She and I spoke about it both on Sunday and Monday.

Larry Salzman’s term on the BAR expires on September 30th and Tony Urso moved, so we need to advertise to fill both positions.

JUSTICES: Judge Pamela Melville wrote a letter of interest in handling Justice Peter Stelling’s cases for the remainder of the year with compensation. Justice Stelling resigned in July. The board discussed and was in favor of such a motion but the Supervisor was waiting for a written statement from the judicial system for conformation of the legalities.

CONSULTANT AGREEMENT: Supervisor Gary Flaherty said that Highway clerk, Daryl Schiffer, had presented a booklet containing the “Consultant Agreement” for the VanDerburgh and State Route 295 project. The board would like the booklet to be sent to the town attorney because it contains a contract.

ASSESSOR REPORT:

HGIHWAY REPORT:

SPECIAL MEETING: A special town board meeting will be held on August 27th, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. to interview the two assessor applicants and the justice vacancy with discussion and decisions.

RECREATION: A discussion concerning the title of commission/committee to be held at the September 10th, 2007, board meeting.

Mr. Byron Greenfield presented pictures, sketches, and suggestions for spruce trees he would like to donate, also a suggestion of a fence at the town Highway Garage site.
Mr. Greenfield would like Red Line to be a “good neighbor” and clear the premises of to many cars.
Councilperson Stephen August would like to know how the space at the garage is going to be used. Councilperson Virginia Nightingale is concerned about the “traffic flow” at the garage site with the trees being planted there. This discussion will continue at the September board meeting.

Supervisor Flaherty said that attorney Lois Phillips has a contempt issue with the Tieger order.
Supervisor Flaherty asked that people keep a watch out for persons doing “graffiti” on the basketball and tennis courts.
Supervisor Gary Flaherty commended Alex Long for the job she is doing at the recreation field program this summer.
Supervisor Flaherty said that Congresswoman Gill bran has appointed him to the Veterans committee.


AUDIENCE:
Mrs. Donna Knight asked about the status of the land at the site of the move of the VanDerburgh road and Route 295. Superintendent of Highways, Bernhard Meyer said that the project is in the “scooping stage” of review.
Mrs. Knight also asked why the garage lawn had not been mowed all season. Who had mowed it before the Highway clerk did, Superintendent Meyer said he did.
Mrs. Knight commended the Recreation staff and their wonderful support for the program, the park and its equipment. We couldn’t afford to pay for the many volunteer hours this committee gives to keep this program in running order.

BOARD OF ETHICS: Mr. Al Vinck reported that the committee would like to be on the October agenda to present the cover letter, financial statement changes, and the packet that the committee has been working on.

BERKSHIRE FARM: The cell tower issue is still being addressed. They now have a guard at the gate booth twenty-four hours a day. A new camera system has been installed and they are still identifying “dead” spots.

POPPY’S: Supervisor Gary Flaherty said that the liquor license was never renewed and the place is for sale.

ADJOURMENT: Councilperson Virginia Nightingale made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Stephen August to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlotte L. Cowan, RMC
Canaan Town Clerk

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