VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2019
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Aaron Kaufman at 6:29 p.m. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees Jim Quarino, Amy Reinshagen, Kayla Mason and Gordy Key(late), Village Attorney John Hubbard, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne(late), Andrew Flach, Cody Hager and Michael Milton(late).
Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen reported to the Board that he replaced a culvert pipe of River Street and installed more cellular meters. The leaf box was put on the truck and the crew has been vacuuming leaves and prepping trucks.
Andrew Flach stated he had nothing to report and would like to coordinate with the Village to store the bicycle racks before the snow comes.
A motion to approve the September Treasurer’s report with the following changes was made by Trustee Mason, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen with all in favor, carried. In the Sewer Fund, transfer $1,533.10 from 8130.4-4 to 8130.2-2. Transfer $145.38 from 8130.4-2 to 8130.4-11. A motion to accept the minutes of last month’s meeting was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Mason, with all in favor, carried.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with old business. In regard to the water issues, Mayor Kaufman stated Congressman Antonio Delgado came to the Village on October 1st and met with the Mayor and Superintendent of DPW. The Mayor and Superintendent McMullen also attended a meeting in Albany with Senator Seward and a few other parties to discuss possibilities for funding for the well project. No grants were available but loans were. The project is estimated to cost $800,000, so a loan would be an additional $28,000 a year payment on top of the $28,000 the Village already pays yearly on an existing loan that won’t be paid off until 2033. Mayor Kaufman said Senator Seward was very accommodating and was trying to get something to happen at the meeting. Mayor Kaufman feels the best option would be to dig a well and pipe it into the existing plant. SpecGX has reached out to help with this project. Mayor Kaufman said he had wanted to narrow down what exactly the Village will do before getting back to them. He also said he has started an application through the Drinking Water Revolving Fund. The police officer was tabled again. Mayor Kaufman was in touch with the Village of Muttontown to see what their law was like and they are unable to find the papers as of right now. Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with new business. He read proposed Resolution No. 6 of 2019 titled “Recognizing October 2019 as Anti-Bullying Awareness Month.” The resolution proclaims that the Village Board designates the month of October as Anti-Bullying Awareness Month. The resolution passed with 5 ayes and 0 nays. In regard to truck issues, the flat bed exhaust has fallen off so that would cost approximately $1500 in repairs. Mayor Kaufman discussed with the Board options in looking for another used truck and possibly purchasing one if found depending on the price range. Mayor Kaufman revisited the road paving of Maple Avenue. He stated Cobleskill Stone came out and measured Maple Avenue and River Street. Their quote to mill Maple Avenue was $16,000 and to put it back down was $83,000. River Street was $10,800 to mill and $72,000 to put back down. Now it can only be done if there is a warm day in early November. The Board agreed unanimously to wait until spring to have it done. The Board also discussed checking the storm drain conditions and the water main conditions prior to the roads being redone. Mayor Kaufman distributed a sick leave donation policy to the Board and Village Attorney Hubbard for review. Attorney Hubbard had a couple of suggested changes to the policy. The Board agreed that it could be approved with the changes that Hubbard made. Mayor Kaufman stated the reporting of an absence in the Employee policy and procedure book had been added to state that an employee has to provide a doctor’s note stating an employee can return to work full duty with no restrictions. This includes family doctor visits. Trustee Quarino suggested marking the Village roads that intersect the railroad tracks for safety reasons.
Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne reported that the 3 pumps at the water plant that would normally need to be cleaned now need to be replaced. They are estimated to cost $30,000 and would be submersible pumps. Department of Health will be doing an inspection tomorrow. In regard to sewer, Horne stated she and Jake attended the Sidney training and the turbidimeters were calibrated. The Delaware River Basin docket is completed and is subject to a public hearing in November. Chief Horne stated everything looks fine. She also reported that they had a surprise DOL inspection from a health inspector at the Waste Water Treatment Plant only. The Village will receive a notice in the mail of any issues or violations.
Michael Milton, the President of the MURAL gallery approached the Board asking for permission to place art in the park outside of the community center for about 3 months around the time of the Women’s Writer Festival which is in the beginning of September every year. He is applying for a grant to do the art and it consists of steel cables and bungee cords. He stated he knew insurance would be something that was needed. The art would also be placed up high enough where people couldn’t touch it. The Board gave Mr. Milton their approval.
A motion to approve the bills on Abstract No. 5 was made by Trustee Quarino with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher No. 119-155 $6,304.78
Water Fund Voucher No. 66-87 $4,507.85
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 81-99 $5,400.02
NYC Fund Voucher No. 97-115 $4,553.83
The Board discussed a proposed work dry erase board going up for the DPW with jobs to be checked off daily by employees. Superintendent McMullen had submitted his resignation earlier in the month but has since stated he will be staying. The Board decided to schedule a special meeting on November 4th at 6:30 p.m. to discuss employee items and issues. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:58 p.m. was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Reinshagen with all in favor, carried. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
