Town of Ashland

12094 State Route 23

Ashland, New York 12407

Town Board Meeting

August 12, 2024

Attendance:

Supervisor Richard E Tompkins

Councilperson Scott Tuttle

Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez

Councilperson James Garraghan

Councilperson John Mattice

Town Clerk Dawn Thorp

Highway Superintendent Larry Tompkins

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Attending: Bob Myers, Travis Castle, Andrew Horlock of Kaaterskill Associates, Jeff Beatty

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1-2] Supervisor Tompkins opened the meeting and Public Hearing with the pledge to the American flag at 7:30PM.

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3] Comments from the floor: Were held until later.

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4] Public Hearing: Notice is hereby given: A Public Hearing will be held to consider a proposed Variance for an addition to an existing structure located at 12064 State Route 23, regarding set back in the Town of Ashland. The proposed Variance is for a 12-foot x 14 Foot addition for Jeffrey Beatty Tax map # 93.02-1-18 on State Route 23, Town of Ashland. The Hearing will be scheduled for August 12, 2024, 7:30 PM at The Town Hall #12094 State Route 23, Ashland, New York. All parties will be heard at that time. By Order of the Town Board, Dawn Thorp, Town Clerk Dated: July 24, 2024

Jeff Beatty Proposed Variance: Supervisor Tompkins asked Mr. Beatty to bring his information for the board to review. Supervisor Tompkins asked if Dawn received the Return receipts from him, which she did. He is looking for an 18-foot Variance at the back of his building to the property line for an additional mechanical room on the back of his house. He went over his plans and the options for property with the board. He stated it would look better on the back of the house, and seemed to fit will with the structure.

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5]After review; A motion to close the public hearing, at 7:40 PM made by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice, all in favor.

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6] Public Hearing Proposed Variance Space Storage LLC: At 7:41 PM a Motion made to open the Public Hearing by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson James Garraghan, all in favor. Notice is hereby given: A Public Hearing will be held to consider a proposed Variance for additional storage units at 11241, regarding set back in the Town of Ashland. The proposed Variance is for Space Storage LLC., Tax map # 94.00-2-45 on State Route 23, Town of Ashland. The Hearing will be scheduled for August 12, 2024, 7:30 PM at The Town Hall, 12094 State Route 23, Ashland, New York. All parties will be heard at that time. By Order of the Town Board, Dawn Thorp, Town Clerk Dated: July 10, 2024 Mr. Andrew Horlock- of Kaaterskill Associates representing John Avanzato a member of Space Storage LLC- had given the information, explained to the board on the locations of the cooling systems for the proposed units. The designs were reviewed, and discussed. Councilperson Scott Tuttle arrived 7:43PM

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7] Motion to close the Public Hearing by Councilperson John Mattice seconded By Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez at 7:46PM, all in favor.

A motion made Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson James Garraghan, to approve the 18-foot variance of Mr. Beatty, motion was; Adopted: Aye-5 Tompkins- Tuttle- Gonzalez- Garraghan- Mattice Nay-0 A motion by Councilperson James Garraghan to approve the variance for Space Storage LLC of 20 feet on the west and 37 feet on the south, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice, motion was; Adopted: Aye-5 Tompkins- Tuttle- Gonzalez- Garraghan- Mattice Nay-0

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8] Magda Lane Engineering Review: The board members received Doug VanDuser report from Lamont for Magda Lane, after a discussion and clarification with the Town Attorney Tal Rappleyea via phone: A motion by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to accept the report on Magda Lane, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, motion was; Adopted: Aye-5 Tompkins- Tuttle- Gonzalez- Garraghan- Mattice Nay-0

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9] Stamped Plans for Ambulance Quarters Update: The Supervisor advised the board with the cost of the quarters upstairs being a certain amount, we need to have stamped plans in place, which are in the works.

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10] Generator Issues: The Supervisor reported to the board, that our Generac generator system was not working properly- during the electric outage for several days. He and Travis were working on it, and enlisted others to figure out what they could do to solve the issues

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11] NYSEG OUTAGE: There were numerous calls to the Supervisor regarding the outage, many young and older people were without power for 2-3 days. People with no refrigeration for food. We are encouraging people to contact the Public Service Commission, make them aware of this long outage, and people affected. Many residents out of power for several days, did not see NYSEG check the roads they resided on.

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12] Water Main Extension- Drilling update, and JAT installing three fire Hydrants on the South side of Route 23, each flushing hydrant will be on the North side of route 23. DEP pulled the permit and it is to be reinstated momentarily, but has not happened yet. NYS gave their permit. The cost for the hydrants will be $5950.00 each.

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13] ARPA Money from Greene County: The information was sent to the county regarding a veteran Memorial Flag area and a pickle ball court. Motion by Councilperson James Garraghan, to draft the resolution for a multi-use, court using the basketball court and pickle ball court, and the Veteran’s memorial, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, motion was; Adopted: Aye-5 Tompkins- Tuttle- Gonzalez- Garraghan- Mattice Nay-0

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14] Ambulance Fees Collected: The board members reviewed and signed the report.

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15]Multitimed Billing Service, Inc.-The board discussed using this service for all the new updated billing numbers and work involved with the ambulance service. This service will receive approximately 12% of the amount taken in. After they discussed the variables involved with this undertaking and working with this company. A motion to authorize the new billing system made by Councilperson John Mattice, seconded by Councilperson James Garraghan, motion was; Adopted: Aye-5 Tompkins- Tuttle- Gonzalez- Garraghan- Mattice Nay-0

3]Comments From the Floor: Travis returned to the meeting- he checked the sewer line and easement regarding Beatty’s Property. He wanted the board to make sure the easement and building would not be in either the line or easement. After the board discussed the possibility, The Supervisor -Code enforcement officer and Travis agreed to meet and check the area. They stated we may have to contact Kevin Young or Tal on this.

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16] Town Board resolutions #34-38:

TB Res.#34: Annual Water Usages Billing 2024: Motion to accept the amount of $23,842.00 consisting of 91 hookups made by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice, motion was; Adopted: Aye-5 Tompkins- Tuttle- Gonzalez- Garraghan- Mattice Nay-0

TB Res.#35: Town of Ashland wishes to install a flag pole for future Veteran’s Memorial, a Pickle Ball court on existing Basket Ball court, at the Town Park, with ARPA funds from Greene County in the amount of $25,000. Motion by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson James Garraghan, to authorize this resolution, motion was; Adopted: Aye-5 Tompkins- Tuttle- Gonzalez- Garraghan- Mattice Nay-0

TB Res.#36: Authorize the Supervisor to use Unappropriated Fund Balance to balance 2024 General Fund accounts.

Motion by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice, motion was; Adopted: Aye-5 Tompkins- Tuttle- Gonzalez- Garraghan- Mattice Nay-0

TB Res.#37: Motion by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to authorize the Supervisor to use Unappropriated Fund Balance to balance accounts for 2024 in the Ambulance Operating Account, motion was; Adopted: Aye-5 Tompkins- Tuttle- Gonzalez- Garraghan- Mattice Nay-0

TB Res.#38: Motion by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson James Garraghan authorizing the Supervisor to use Water District Unappropriated Fund Balance to balance 2024 accounts in the Water District Fund,

Motion was; Adopted: Aye 5 Gonzalez- Tuttle- Mattice- Tompkins- Garraghan Nay 0

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17] General Fund Resolution #9: Motion by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice authorizing the Supervisor to make the transfers from Unappropriated Fund Balance accounts in the 2024 General Fund to balance, motion was; Adopted: Aye 5 Gonzalez- Tuttle- Mattice- Tompkins- Garraghan Nay 0

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18] Highway Fund Resolution #4: Motion by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, Seconded by Councilperson James Garraghan to authorize the Supervisor to make the following transfers to balance accounts in the Highway Fund, motion was: Adopted: Aye 5 Gonzalez- Tuttle- Mattice- Tompkins- Garraghan Nay 0

19] Water District Fund Resolution #6: Motion by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, Seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to authorize the Supervisor to make the following transfers to balance accounts in the Water District Fund, motion was: Adopted: Aye 5 Gonzalez- Tuttle- Mattice- Tompkins- Garraghan Nay 0

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20] Ambulance District Fund Resolution #4: Motion by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, Seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to authorize the Supervisor to make the following transfers from Unappropriated Fund Balance- to balance accounts in the 2024 Ambulance District Fund, motion was: Adopted: Aye 5 Gonzalez- Tuttle- Mattice- Tompkins- Garraghan Nay 0

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21] Facility Compliance Inspection at WWTP -Read by board for review

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22] Tax Collector Report: Dawn gave each board member a copy of the final Tax summary Report to review from Debra Gallo Executive Fiscal Administrator of the Treasurer’s Office- Dawn Stated-all the tax records were in order and verified by the County when I returned the records and Tax roll for 2024 with all accounting, final funds, and unpaid delinquent taxes.

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23] Town Clerk July Monthly Report: After review by the board, A motion made by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez to authorize the Supervisor to sign the Town Clerk Report, motion was;

Adopted: Aye 5 Gonzalez- Tuttle- Mattice- Tompkins- Garraghan Nay 0

Swim Program: The board discussed the options of the Swim Program for next year- They would like- moving forward, to have the list of possible assistants to the program scheduled in the May 2025 meeting for approval.

Communication:

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24] Carver Sand & Gravel: Letter received from Dylan Neudecker General Manager regarding the acquisition of the Ashland site by Heidelberg Materials Northeast LLC. The board reviewed the letter.

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25]Annual Senior Citizen Day: Letter received from Maureen Murphy read for information-

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26] Stream Management Program: Read by the board – Schoharie Basin Stream Management Program regarding construction of 23C - over Town House Brook culvert replacement in the Town of Jewett.

Copies of the following for the boards review: Planning board minutes- Town Board minutes- Travis Castle’s Water & Sewer reports.

Motion to pay Warrants as written by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson James Garraghan motion was;

Adopted: Aye 5 Gonzalez- Tuttle- Mattice- Tompkins- Garraghan Nay 0

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Pay Warrants:

General Fund Warrant #8 42 Claims $91,292.52

Highway Fund Warrant # 8 13 Claims $4,104.56

Water District Fund Warrant #8 9 Claims $4,045.58

Streetlight Fund Warrant #8 2 Claims $ 346.38

Ambulance Fund Warrant #8 13 Claims $5,845.27

WWTP Fund Warrant # 8 16 Claims $22,514.54

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No Further business- Motion to close by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice at 9:33PM, all in favor.

 

Dawn Thorp, Town Clerk

Dated August 12, 2024