Canaan Town Board Meeting – February 11, 2008

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.
There were five board members present: Supervisor Richard Keaveney
Councilperson Brenda Adams
Councilperson Peter Stelling
Councilperson Carrie Bither
Councilperson David Patzwahl
There were thirty people in the audience.

SUPERVISOR Monthly report:
Town Clerk revenues: $ 225.75
Building Code Officer: $ 185.00
Highway Fund: $117.024.15
Highway Fund-Capital: $ 48,157.85
Lighting Districts: $ 506.19
Ambulance Districts
and Fire Districts $ 1,900.70
Recreation
General Fund Balance: $ 70,858.81
Court Revenues: $ 2,250.00 (Dec revenues)
Planning Board: $
Zoning Board of Appeals: $
Tax Collector: $995,480.00
B-3 Transfer Station Operations-December 2007 $12,909.17 (6,089.23 tons @ $2.12) received 2-7-2008.

MOTION: Councilperson David Patzwahl made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Peter Stelling, to approve the January 14th, January 28th, and the February 4th, 2008 minutes. 5-ayes, Motion Carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney-yes; Councilperson Brenda Adams-yes; Councilperson Peter Stelling-yes; Councilperson Carrie Bither-yes; and Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes. Motion approved.

BILLS: Councilperson Brenda Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, to approve payment of all bills presented. General Encumbered Funds: #381 - #388 in the amount of $7,407.16; General Fund: #14 - #49 in the amount of $29,534.32; Highway Funds: #1-#16 in the amount of $70,773.91. 5-ayes, Motion Carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney-yes; Councilperson Brenda Adams-yes; Councilperson Peter Stelling-yes; Councilperson Carrie Bither-yes; and Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes. Motion approved.

MOTION: Councilperson Brenda Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Peter Stelling, to approve the Town Clerk, Charlotte Cowan, to attend the Town Clerk Association Conference in Saratoga, April 27-30, 2008.

RESOLUTION #31: Appointment Animal/Dog Control Officer – Mike Mickle.
RESOLUTION #39: Appointment Planning Board member – Jennifer Mickle.
Councilperson David Patzwahl made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Carrie Bither, to adopt said resolutions. 5-ayes, Motion Carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney-yes; Councilperson Brenda Adams-yes; Councilperson Peter Stelling-yes; Councilperson Carrie Bither-yes; and Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes. Resolutions adopted.

HIGHWAY REPORT: Superintendent of Highways, Bernhard Meyer read his monthly report. Superintendent Bernhard Meyer asked for permission to go out for bid for materials. The monthly report is on file at the Town Clerk office and may be seen during normal office hours.
Superintendent Meyer said that at a town board meeting held October 5th, 2007, a motion was made for the purchase of a new medium duty truck at a cost of $61,151.82. Superintendent Meyer placed the order with memos sent to the then acting Supervisor as an encumbered fund. The funds were never encumbered and the order had to be cancelled. Superintendent Meyer said that this will not only delay his replacement schedule but will affect the highway revenue minor sales line.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Councilperson Peter Stelling made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Brenda Adams to enter into executive session to discuss the assessment lawsuit agreement at 7:25 p.m. 5-ayes, Motion Carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney-yes; Councilperson Brenda Adams-yes; Councilperson Peter Stelling-yes; Councilperson Carrie Bither-yes; and Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes. Motion approved.
MOTION: Councilperson David Patzwahl made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Peter Stelling, to return to the regular meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Supervisor Richard Keaveney said that there were no decisions or motions made while in executive session.

Supervisor Richard Keaveney explained that there will be:
1. a Town wide reval to be completed in 2009 with full data collection
2. Town data info to be posted on the Town web site, only public information, and all confidential material will be kept confidential
3. Assessment Review Board will be increased from three members to five, this will be advertised
4. A Saturday for four hours will be held for Grievance Day.
MOTION: Councilperson Brenda Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Peter Stelling, to approve the assessment lawsuit settlement. 5-ayes, Motion Carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney-yes; Councilperson Brenda Adams-yes; Councilperson Peter Stelling-yes; Councilperson Carrie Bither-yes; and Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes. Motion approved.

ASSESSOR: Town Assessor, Jean Rohde said that grievance day will take place on May 27th 2008, the fourth Tuesday of the month and on a Saturday. Assessor Rohde’s office hours are: every Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, the first Friday of each month, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Supervisor Keaveney said that a special meeting will be held to interview law firms, the Albany firms to be first, followed by local firms, each being asked a set of standard questions, about twenty minutes each.

AUDIENCE:
David Pearce thanked the board for working together and a settlement being agreed upon.
Becky Meir not pleased with attorney Jason Shaw.
Ruthmary Deuel expressed her concerns about the transfer station and the “nightmare” conditions.
Highway Superintendent, Bernhard Meyer, asked that an emphasis be placed on procedures and cleaning of floors of nails, etc when negotiating with the new company.
Richard Klingler reminded all that DEC is responsible for policing the transfer station area.
Joann Cayot asked about clean up at the Town Highway Garage. Supervisor Keaveney said that there are other issues that most be addressed at the site before beautification can take place.

ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Brenda Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Peter Stelling to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. 5-ayes, Motion Carried. Roll call showed: Supervisor Richard Keaveney-yes; Councilperson Brenda Adams-yes; Councilperson Peter Stelling-yes; Councilperson Carrie Bither-yes; and Councilperson David Patzwahl-yes. Motion approved.

Respectfully submitted,
Charlotte L. Cowan
Canaan Town Clerk

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