VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES MARCH 16, 2020
The regular meeting of the Village of Hobart Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Aaron Kaufman at 6:30 p.m. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees Jim Quarino, Kayla Mason and Amy Reinshagen, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Village Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne, Cody Hager, Rosie Lamport, Scout Lamport, Logan Kaufman and Seth Ashline.
Superintendent Lucas McMullen reported to the Board that the crew tore out carpets and linoleum at the Activity Center for the rooms that will be rented soon. They have also been painting pipes at the water plant. Superintendent McMullen said the crew also helped Magnan Electric install LED lights in the Activity Center gym and stapled ceiling tiles back up that were falling. The crew also did an emergency water pipe repair over the weekend at Hanley’s garage.
Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne reported to the Board that Mallinckrodt had a pH probe malfunction that worked out with no adverse effects. A group of Mallinckrodt employees came down to the sewer plant to see how they affect the sewer plant. She also stated State Trooper Gambosi stopped at the plant to discuss a homeland security grant. He was reaching out to municipal water and sewer facilities regarding “see something – say something”. Horne stated a DEP inspection had taken place and a starter had been replaced for the microfilter. Electricians worked on the blower project as well. The Department of Labor came back to look at the now addressed violations at the plant and was satisfied with everything. An email will be sent to her showing this. Mayor Kaufman stated the water plant is not being cared for properly and as of tomorrow the water plant duties will go to Superintendent McMullen. Mayor Kaufman had a video showing the Board of a tank that was leaking all over in the water plant. Mayor Kaufman questioned Chief Operator of Waste Water Horne on this and how a significant leak can’t be found. Numbers are provided daily for tracking but they aren’t working to see where water is going and leaks are. Mayor Kaufman asked what was being done at the Waste Water plant as they daily duties for the week looked like a copy and paste every week. He stated contractors were doing the work, not the waste water treatment plant employees. Mayor Kaufman also addressed Horne referring to time card clock issues. The time clock has been off by at least 15 minutes but it has not been fixed. Why? The key to the time clock is to come up to the clerk’s office tomorrow.
The Board reviewed the February Treasurer’s report. A motion to accept the report with the following changes was made by Trustee Mason with a second from Trustee Reinshagen with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $269.04 from 5110.4 to 1325.4; transfer $1001.09 from 1990 to 1620.13; transfer $2062.89 from 1990 to 1620.4-1; transfer $234.94 from 1620.4(HAC) to 1620.4; transfer $250.00 from 1990 to 1989.4. In the Sewer Fund, transfer $75.15 from 8130.4-9 to 8130.4-4. In the NYC Fund, transfer $2620.00 from 8130.4-39 to 8130.2-7; transfer $551.20 from 8130.2-7 to 8130.4-11; transfer $280.39 from 8130.4-37 to 8130.4-3. A motion to approve the minutes of last month’s meeting was made by Trustee Mason, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with old business. Regarding the water plant upgrade, the Board needed to pass a SEQR Negative Declaration resolution: Resolution No. 2 of 2020, Village of Hobart, titled: SEQR Negative Declaration.
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hobart is undertaking a project called the Water System Improvements Project (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Project’) that will rehabilitate and upgrade the Village’s existing water treatment plant and groundwater sources, and develop new groundwater sources; and
WHEREAS, the Village is applying to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (NYSDWSRF) for financial assistance to undertake the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hobart has designated itself as Lead Agency pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act in the environmental review of the Project and has solicited comments from involved and interested agencies with regard to the Village’s designation as Lead Agency; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hobart has prepared an Environmental Assessment Form and has provided copies of this document to the involved and interested agencies for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the probable environmental impacts of the Village of Hobart Water System Improvements Project have been carefully considered by the Board of Trustees.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hobart adopts the findings and conclusions relating to the probable environmental impacts contained in the attached Environmental Assessment Form and files the Negative Declaration in accordance with the applicable provisions of the law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes the Mayor to take such further steps as might be necessary to the discharge of the Village Board’s responsibility as lead agency for this action.
By vote of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hobart at its meeting of March 16, 2020. All in favor of this resolution, four ayes, no nays.
The Village received an agreement from Hodgens Russ as bond counsel for the water plant upgrade project. It will cost roughly $5000 to $7000. The Board unanimously approved the agreement. Mayor Kaufman stated the subject of police officer is tabled. Regarding policy and procedures, Mayor Kaufman has made a contagious disease policy. The Board reviewed the policy and unanimously approved to implement this policy. Regarding the training, Mayor Kaufman tabled it for now. Regarding HAC rental, Mayor Kaufman stated Andrew Van Buren will be moving in on May 1st and Tails A Wag’n Grooming Spa will be moving in on April 1st. Delaware County Head Start has looked at space in the Activity Center as well. They would be using the reading room and kitchen if they agreed to rent the space.
In new business, the Board reviewed the tentative budget. A public hearing is scheduled for the 2020-2021 budget at 6 p.m. prior to the regular scheduled board meeting in April. Mayor Kaufman discussed with the Board having the employees get physicals based on their job description. They will explore the idea more. Regarding DOT signs, the Village has been notified that crosswalk signs will be installed in the road at each crosswalk location on Route 10. DOT also stated they will be fixing manholes in the road this year and will be paving Route 10 in 2022. The County sent papers with properties located in the Village that will be foreclosed on by the County. The Board agreed to sign to go in with the county to receive unpaid taxes.
Mayor Kaufman said he is continually working on a USDA grant and has worked on a new Covid-19 policy. Some of this includes proper hygiene notices, and discussion of meeting alternatives if need be. Zoom video conferencing is one option. The Mayor stated the Village would go with the County wide April 14, 2020 postponement date and therefore cancel weekly senior meetings and the April movie night. The Clerk’s office will be by appointment only or call the office. As of today the work schedule is to be reduced by 50% as per the governors direction. New hours for waste water treatment workers will be shifts of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. /10 a.m. to 2 p.m./2 p.m to 6 p.m. DPW hours will be shifts of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m./10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will continue until April 14th or further notice. A plan to disinfect the buildings was discussed and cross training employees. All fob/cards for the Activity Center will be deactivated with the exception of current renters and Village employees. Superintendent McMullen stated that the trash days to be scheduled in April will now be postponed until further notice. A request to place a small flyer for Western Catskills grants in the next water bill was accepted by the Board. A request to waive the fee for a funeral reception to be held in May at the community center for former clerk Mary Betz was accepted by the Board.
A motion to approve the bills on Abstract No. 10 was made by Trustee Reinshagen with a second from Trustee Quarino with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher No.278-304 $26,417.87
Water Fund Voucher No. 173-191 $ 6,629.41
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 196-215 $ 6,890.67
NYC Fund Voucher No. 223-245 $ 9,702.31
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 p.m. was made by Trustee Reinshagen with a second from Trustee Quarino, with all in favor, carried.
