CANAAN TOWN BOARD MEETING – SEPTEMBER 10, 2007

Supervisor Gary Flaherty opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 7:00p.m. followed with a moment of silence. Supervisor Flaherty asked that during the moment of silence we remember past Fire Chief Joe Reiger’s wife, Gloria, and Mr. Don Malin, who served as Planning Board chairperson for the town, on their recent passing.

There were five board members present:
Supervisor Gary Flaherty present
Councilperson Stephen August present
Councilperson David Patzwahl present
Councilperson Virginia Nightingale present
Councilperson Carrie Bither present
There were 23 people in the audience.

Supervisor Gary Flaherty introduced Ms. Jean Rohde, an applicant for the assessor position. Ms. Rohde was unable to come to the previous interview held at the August 27th, 2007 interview due to another commitment. The town board interviewed Ms. Rohde with questions concerning the position and her experience. Supervisor Flaherty “thanked” Ms. Rohde for coming and stated that she would be notified.

MINUTES: Councilperson David Patzwahl made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Virginia Nightingale, to approve the minutes of the August 13th, 2007 meeting. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither-abstained, and Councilperson Stephen August-yes. Minutes approved.
Councilperson David Patzwahl made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Virginia Nightingale, to approve the minutes of the August 27th, 2007 meeting. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- abstained. Minutes approved.
Councilperson Virginia Nightingale made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Gary Flaherty, to approve the minutes of the September 4th, 2007 meeting. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- abstained. Minutes approved.

BILLS: Councilperson Carrie Bither made a motion, seconded by Councilperson David Patzwahl, to approve the payment of all of the presented bills: General Fund, #214 to #239 in the amount of $15,893.97 and the Highway Fund, #96 to #106 in the amount of $53,330.89. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- yes. Motion approved.


FINANCIAL REPORT: Town Clerk, Charlotte Cowan, read the Supervisor’s monthly finance report.
Town Clerk revenues $ 297.99
Building Code Officer $ 170.00
Highway Fund $235,713.31
Highway Fund-Capital $ 47,860.12
Lighting Districts $ 1,266.21
Ambulance Districts & Fire Districts $ 29,384.39
Recreation $ 1,606.70
General Fund Balance $ 89,663.54
Court Revenues $ 2,830.00
Planning Board $ 125.00(June)
$ 50.00(July)
$ 170.00(August)
B-3 Transfer Station Operations – Received $18,605.63 for the month of July.

RESOLUTION #52 - TOWN OF CANAAN COMMITTEE FOR MORATORIUM OF CONSTRUCTION OF FLINT CROSSING AREA
WHEREAS, Local Law No. 2 of the year 2007 imposes a moratorium of construction on Flint Crossing area, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Canaan Town Board wishes to establish a committee for said Local Law,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the committee shall be the: Highway Superintendent, the Planning Board chairperson, the Zoning Board chairperson, the Building/Zoning Code Officer; and the Traffic Safety Board Town representative,
Councilperson Virginia Nightingale made a motion, seconded by Councilperson David Patzwahl, to appoint said committee. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- yes. Resolution #52 adopted.

CORRESPONDENCE: Supervisor Gary Flaherty read the list of correspondence. All correspondence is on file at the Town Clerk office and may be seen during normal office hours.
1. Copy of press article on Ms. Tyson’s Driscoll Award.
2. ZBA July ’07 Meeting Minutes
3. ZEO Report for Aug ‘07
4. LVPA monthly report
5. Letter from NYS Tax Department re: fuel purchases with government credit cards after 9/1/07. Letter from Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties, Inc. re: “Reception and Pumpkin Walk” to be held on Oct 20th at Olana.
6. Letter from Columbia County Department of Health re: survey to be sent to Town Clerk’s.
7. Letter from Mr. James Galvin, Columbia Hudson Partnership re: funding of upcoming training at Columbia Greene Community College. Training to be conducted on land use.
8. Copy of DEC Permit for Bridge Construction at private residence in Red Rock.
9. Results of County Survey on Smoking issues in Columbia County.
10. Letter from JNS enterprises, Inc. re: wireless communications.
11. Copy of review by attorney of the Consultant Agreement for Vanderbrugh Rd.
12. Letter from Congresswoman Gillibrand on the reappointment of the Town Supervisor to her Military Academy Selection Committee.
13. Information packet from Columbia County 911 Advisory committee.
14. Invitation from Hoffman Car Wash for free car washes to all military and veterans on Veterans Day. Flyers posted.
15. Letter from Troop K, New York State Police re: Trooper exam.

Supervisor Flaherty read the Assessor’s monthly report. The report is on file at the Town Clerk office and available to the Public during normal office hours.

Supervisor’s Report: Supervisor Gary Flaherty said he received the Town attorney’s reviewed proposed contract for the VanDerburgh road project.
MOTION: VanDerburgh Project: Councilperson David Patzwahl made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, to have the Supervisor sign the project contract. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- yes. Motion Carried.

ENERGY ANSWERS: Supervisor Gary Flaherty read a letter received from Energy Answers Corporation, dated September 10th, 2007, stating that the board of directors is selling its operating company, EAC Operations, Inc., and subsidiaries to Covanta Energy Corporation. The facility in Canaan will continue to operate with uninterrupted service. The Town of Canaan has five more years with the current contract.

MOTION: Mr. Byron Greenfield’s trees offered to the Highway Garage. Councilperson Stephen August made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither to table the offer of trees to the Highway site by resident Mr. Greenfield. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- yes. Motion Carried.

Motor paving of Upper Queechy road will be done now that funds have been transferred to the Highway account.

BERKSHIRE FARM: Audience questioned the location of the proposed cell tower at the Farm location and who sent letter of intent to surrounding residents. Mr. Paul Deres presented the unsigned letter to the board. Mr. Joe Lawrence explained that the proposed site is toward the Richmond, MA line.

TIEGER CASE: Councilperson Virginia Nightingale asked the status of this matter. Supervisor Flaherty said he had heard nothing from Attorney Jessica Wilcox.

ZONING LAW REVISIONS: Councilperson Carrie Bither handed the Town Board members the revisions to our current zoning laws that have been found.

RECREATION: Councilperson Virginia Nightingale asked about the information concerning the title of:”Committee or Commission” received from the town attorney. It has been two months and the board has not seen any of the paper work.

HIGHWAY REPORT: Superintendent of Highways, Bernhard Meyer, read his monthly report. Supervisor Flaherty asked about the Cunningham Hill culverts. Superintendent Meyer said that the property owner had given them permission to extend the easement location of culverts for better drainage of wet spots in the town road.

AUDIENCE: Mr. Al Vinck asked about the clean up at the Teiger location and who is responsible for the cost. The cost would be Mr. Teiger’s expense; if the Town pays to clean the property a lien would be placed on his property.

Mrs. Annabeth Dillon asked why she did not receive the Supervisor’s newsletter. Supervisor Flaherty said he got the mailing labels from the County Board of Elections. Councilperson Stephen August asked for accountability of the cost of a letter the town paid for and a letter many did not receive. Councilperson August will file a formal request with the County.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Supervisor Gary Flaherty asked to enter into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.
MOTION: Councilperson Stephen August made a motion, seconded by Councilperson David Patzwahl, to enter into executive session at 8:30 p.m. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- yes. Motion Carried.

MOTION: Councilperson Virginia Nightingale made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, to return to the regular meeting. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- yes. Motion Carried.
Supervisor Flaherty said that there were no motions, nor actions made in executive session.

MOTION: Councilperson Virginia Nightingale made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Gary Flaherty to appoint Jean Rohde as sole assessor for the Town of Canaan starting October 1, 2007. 4-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- abstained. Motion Carried.

RESOLUTION #53 – APPOINTING JEAN ROHDE SOLE ASSESSOR
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Canaan has interviewed applicants for the position of sole Assessor for the vacancy to be filled October 01st, 2007, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to appoint Jean Rohde, to act as sole Assessor for the Town of Canaan for a term of six years, according to town Local Law No. 1 of the year 1994 and according to State requirements,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Clerk shall notify Jean Rohde of her appointment and administer the proper Oath of office. 5-ayes, motion carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Gary Flaherty-yes, Councilperson Virginia Nightingale-yes, Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes, Councilperson Carrie Bither- yes, and Councilperson Stephen August- abstained. Motion Carried.

ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Virginia Nightingale made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlotte L. Cowan, RMC
Canaan Town Clerk

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