VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 2018
The regular meeting was called to order at 6:38 p.m. by Trustee Amy Reinshagen. Those present were Trustee Reinshagen, Trustees Kayla Mason and Gordy Key, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief of Waste Water Richi Horne, Andrew Flach, Kristina Zill and Mary VanValkenburg.
Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen reported to the Board that the crew had been busy with cleaning up snow and they had to replace the water pump on the trackless machine. They also put out the Christmas decorations on the Village street poles and the Christmas lights had been put up. Kathleen Van Valkenburgh of DOT contacted Lucas regarding the sidewalk in between the Hobby Shop and Coffee Pot and wanted to know what the Village was going to do about it as the melting ice was going onto Route 10. It was discussed that it has been a unique summer/fall of weather with a lot of wet weather. A ditch had been dug by the previous owner to prevent the water from going to the sidewalk. It was determined that if it happened again, the new owners would be notified that they would need to maintain the property to keep any water from going onto the sidewalk.
Chief of Waste Water Richi Horne reported to the Board that she met with the operator in SK and had done the annual sampling for DEP. She stated that Dan and Tim both attended the water class and now had to fill out the appropriate paperwork and have enough time spent in the plant to get the Department of Health to come out to license them. She stated that Jake had been between both plants that week due to the well issue at the Maple Avenue well. Chief Operator Horne also wanted to state that the current health insurance was personally the best she’s had.
Andrew Flach stated the holiday market had gone well and asked if everything was left clean. Clerk Estus stated that it wasn’t. There had been multiple events back to back that weekend so it was unknown what the condition of the center was when the holiday market took place. He said he would make sure to pass that along for next year. Mr. Flach also stated that there were cartons outside of the reading room that he placed in the reading room to get them out of the way and wanted to receive permission to go through the items to move it along for donation, etc. The Board agreed that it was okay with them for him to do that. He also asked if the draft letter he drew up regarding the insurance and cleaning and maintaining of gym equipment could be placed on Village letterhead to be sent to the potential grantors. The Board agreed to do this.
Trustee Reinshagen continued the meeting. The Board reviewed the November Treasurer’s Report. A motion to accept the report with the following changes was made by Trustee Key, with a second from Trustee Mason, with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $66.00 from 1620.4 to 1620.4-4; transfer $351.67 from 5142.4-1 to 5110.4-1. In the Water Fund, transfer $40.00 from 1990 to 8340.4-5; transfer $3.20 from 9060 to 9060.1. In the Sewer Fund, transfer $474.31 from 8130.4-27 to 8130.4-4. A motion to approve the minutes of last month’s meeting was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Mason, with all in favor, carried.
Trustee Reinshagen continued the meeting with old business. Regarding the property off of Reservoir Road, Rod Jones of Northeast Timber Services had let the Village know that the timber sale had to be put on hold due to the concern of the bridge. Paying for temporary right of ways on adjoining properties were discussed and seemed pricy. The use of a temporary bridge was also considered to be an option. This would require permission and a permit from the County. The Board discussed this and determined that they should see what all of the options were and ask for Rod’s final opinion. The item of police officer was tabled. Kristina Zill of Transition Catskills stated the Village has 72 cobra head streetlights. If the Village paid for the unexpired life of those lights ($2,589.74) then they could save $5549/year by changing over to LED streetlights as part of the NYSEG LED Conversion program. A resolution to approve the NYS Unified Solar Permit was reviewed by the Board members and agreed to be passed as Resolution No. 6 of 2018. A motion to pass the resolution was made by Trustee Reinshagen with a second from Trustee Mason, with all in favor, carried. The HAC rental can be taken off the agenda.
In new business, the health insurance for 2019 will continue as last year. The Village’s insurance agent said if everything remains the same until February, it would be the lowest utilization rate he has seen in a group. Premium rates have increased, but the employees will continue to pay the same weekly rate. All three Board members were in agreement with this.
Trustee Mason brought to the Board and Superintendent McMullen’s attention that she had been notified by the owner of 40 Cornell Avenue that a Village snow machine had hit the building while clearing sidewalks. She was contacted sometime early December and had taken pictures of the damage on December 13th. Superintendent McMullen was not aware the damage had happened. This brought on discussion of incidents such as this that should be reported as soon as possible and should be brought to the Village office so a complaint form can be filled out and an incident report placed on file and it can be handled right away. It was agreed that Trustee Mason would tell the owner to contact the Village office. Trustee Mason stated she witnessed the Village truck dumping sand/salt on the road while plowing and the next Village truck following right behind and scraping the sand/salt off. Superintendent McMullen stated the crew does not do that. Trustee Mason told McMullen that the sand truck is to be in the back from now on. After some discussion, Trustee Mason left the meeting. The following bills were reviewed for payment on Abstract No. 7 by Trustee Reinshagen and Trustee Key.
General Fund Voucher No. 167-203 $20,441.11
Water Fund Voucher No. 100-115 $17,335.92
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 117-140 $ 8,647.95
NYC Fund Voucher No. 132-156 $18,795.18.
Trustee Reinshagen adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
