[TOWN OF ASHLAND

12094 State Route 23

Ashland, New York 12407

April 10, 2023

Town Board Meeting

Attendance

Supervisor Richard E Tompkins

Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez 

Councilperson Cathi Aplin

Councilperson Scott Tuttle

Absent: Councilperson James Lawrence

Attending Meeting: George Scherer-Planning Board member, Nathan Cearley, Jane Sarah Posner, Erica Bradbary, Curley & April Brimberry, Heather Younes 

1 -2] Supervisor Richard Tompkins opened the Town Board Meeting with the pledge to the flag at 7:35pm. 

3] Comments from the Floor: Jane Sarah Posner addressed the board with questions regarding the Solar moratorium, she is concerned about her project of roof panels, NYSEG & other incentives are time sensitive, and costs increasing. The Supervisor and board advised her they were close to completing the law, within a month or so.

Mr. Brimberry of Magda Lane wanted to first thank the Fire Department for responding so quickly to the electrical fire. He wanted to know the steps needed to turn the road over to the Town. The Board will contact the Town Attorney to get details for him, make sure the town clerk has your contact info.

Erica Bradbary: asked about putting toys for the Dogs in the Dog park- The Supervisor asked her to call the office Diane, can help you with this project. She also stated there is a hole in the fence. The supervisor asked the town clerk to make note of it for him.

4] Proposed Variance: Nathan Cearley has a septic that is failing, he has paperwork for the septic, from all departments, he needs the board to consider a variance of 10 feet. 

A motion made by Councilperson Cathi Aplin, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez to set a public hearing for May 8th at 7:30pm, prior to the board meeting, motion;

Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle, - Nay 0 Absent 1 Lawrence

6]New Lease for Ambulance Quarters: The new owners of the apartment building, formerly Howard & Rosemarie Drum, which we lease to house Ambulance crews, the new owner has given us a lease for 6 months, increasing the amount per month by $100.00, and advised us the we will be paying the electric now. 

A motion made by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson Cathi Aplin to authorize the Supervisor to sign the lease, motion; Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle- Nay 0, Absent 1 Lawrence    

7] Site Plan Review Law: The supervisor sent each board member copies of the site plan law to review, he asked them to decide if we need any changes.

8] Dental & Vision Rider with current policy: The Supervisor asked Heather explain the rider as she had been doing the research on it, with Diane. It will be an option, and paid for by the employee if chosen. 

A motion to approve the rider was made by Councilperson Cathi Aplin, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, motion; Adopted:  Aye 4 - Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle-  Nay 0, - Absent 1 Lawrence

9] Ambulance Fees Collected: These were reviewed by the board and signed.

10] Employees & Payroll Policies: The policy was approved pending a few changes.

A motion to accept the policies made by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, motion was;

Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

11] Resolution to Object: The Governor’s NY Housing Compact Proposal: The Supervisor read the proposal, the board discussed it, this allows the state to be exempt, from local town laws, building codes, and local zoning.

A motion was made By Councilperson Cathi Aplin seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to oppose this Governors Housing Compact, motion was; 

Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

12] Town Board Resolutions: 

#13- Loan from General to Water usage: The board authorized the Supervisor the loan from General Fund to Water Usage until funds becomes available.  A motion was made by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson Cathi Aplin, to accept this resolution, motion was;

Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

#14 Adoption of the Annual sewer Billing for 2023: in the amount of $10,621.53.  

A motion was made by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, to accept this resolution, motion was; Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

#15 Adoption of the Annual Water District billing (debt Service) in the amount of $33,840.00 A motion to accept this resolution was made by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson Cathi Aplin, motion was; Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

#16 Authorize the Supervisor to use the sum of $110,000.00 of to balance accounts for 2023.

 A motion was made by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to authorize the supervisor to balance accounts, motion was;

Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

13] General Fund Resolution# 3 of 2023: Balance accounts

A motion was made by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson Cathi Aplin to authorize this resolution to balance accounts, motion was; 

Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

14] Sewer District Resolution #2 of 2023 Balance accounts.

A motion was made by Councilperson Cathi Aplin, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez to authorize this resolution, motion was; Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

Mountain Top District Ambulance: The Supervisor has been in contact with the town attorney and other officials regarding the Mountain Top Ambulance District. We have the municipal Certificate of Need, after a discussion of events involved, the State is sitting on several bills to help local emergency issues. 

A motion to apply for a conventional Municipal Certificate- was made by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, motion was; 

Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

15] Update on Carver Bridge: The supervisor received an email from Lamont, he shared with the board- the temporary shoring of the bridge to stabilize it, until funding is secured to re-align it increase the size and armor the bank.

16] Town Clerk’s October Report:

A motion made after review by Councilperson Cathi Aplin, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez to authorize Supervisor Tompkins to sign the town clerk’s March 2023 report, motion; Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle- Nay 0 - Absent 1 Lawrence

17] – CWC Reports Stonewater Retrofit Program - read for information.

18] Update of Hunter Landfill: The Supervisor said, the towns are looking into the sunset of this project. Our accounting firm asked for paperwork, Dawn has been working with Hunter clerk and others to find the original paperwork. 

Tim Gonzalez Payroll update: Tim passed his CDL license on September 27, 2022 His pay rate will increase by $1.00 per hour- retroactive to the date he received his license.

A motion to update Tim’s hourly rate and make it retroactive as of 9/27/22 made by Councilperson Cathi Aplin, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, motion; Adopted:  Aye 3 Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0 - Abstained 1 Gonzalez- Absent 1 Lawrence

Diane’s Pay: The Supervisor asked the board that we add $5.76 to Diane’s current hourly rate of pay, this will then eliminate the Ambulance Administration quarterly stipends going forward.  

A motion made by Councilperson Cathi Aplin, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez to approve this change, motion; Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0 - Absent 1 Lawrence

Communications: 

19] Catskill Mountain Housing Corp.

20] Honor to Vietnam Veteran

21] Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District

Pay Bills:

A motion to pay bills as written made by Councilperson Cathi Aplin, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle motion; Adopted:  Aye 4 Gonzalez, Tompkins, Aplin, Tuttle - Nay 0   Absent 1 Lawrence

General Fund Warrant #4 - 52 Claims $135,990.43

Highway Fund Warrant #4 - 6 Claims    $3,335.80

Water District Warrant #4 - 3 Claims     $ 858.89

Street Lights Warrant #4 -      1 Claim      $ 132.07

WWTP Warrant # 4           12 Claims $33,380.99   

A motion to close made By Councilperson Cathi Aplin, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, to close at 9:07PM motion carried.

 

____________________________

Dawn Thorp, Town Clerk- 

Dated: April 10, 2023