VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 21, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Aaron Kaufman at 6:33 p.m. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees Jim Quarino, Amy Reinshagen, Kayla Mason (late), Village Attorney John Hubbard, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne, Ben Dates of Delaware County Soil and Water, Don Thomases, Cody Hager, Christine Kaufman and Cody Estus.
Mayor Kaufman began the meeting with department head reports. Superintendent Lucas McMullen stated the crew was able to get all the lights on the Christmas lanterns working and had Timber Tree put them up. They have both sanders on trucks and plowed with the big white truck during the snow storm. The trackless machine had been serviced but blew a gasket during clean up of the sidewalks. McMullen took it apart and it looks to need an O-ring replacement.
Chief Operator Richi Horne reported that the crew checked the outfall at the stream and sent pictures to DEP as they aren’t sending their employees to sites. She stated she and Tim were able to complete defensive driving courses which count as credits toward their licensing renewals. The blowers were serviced and they pressure washed the press. She reported that they were cleaning and painting at the plant. She asked Mayor Kaufman for clarification on the new holiday schedule policy so all WWTP employees understood it. Mayor Kaufman said he was not able to take a look at it before the meeting but will get back to her on it. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report with the following changes was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Quarino, with all in favor, carried. In the Water Fund, transfer $8.30 from 1990 to 8310.4-2; transfer $3.20 from 1990 to 9060.1. A note that all of the overages in the sewer fund were due to NYCDEP’s lack of funds and the Village is using the sewer account to cover for those lack of funds. A motion to accept the minutes of last month’s board meeting was made by Trustee Quarino, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried.
Don Thomases reported he had done some research regarding the holiday lights and had the opportunity to look at the existing lanterns and what they entailed. He submitted an example to the board of lights similar to the existing ones. After some discussion from the Board and community, it was agreed to have him bring more options to the next board meeting. Regarding the foot bridge project, Thomases stated he had 3 different engineers come look at the proposed site and all said it was workable. He will look into receiving 3 bids for the proposed project.
In old business, Mayor Kaufman stated the Village has the $150,000 bond anticipation note in the bank. When speaking with Lamont Engineers, Mayor Kaufman was assured that there in no chance in losing the funding. Drilling of a test well may begin within a month. SpecGX LLC had offered to pay a $65,000 payment to the Village broken up into 2 installments for well maintenance. Mayor Kaufman said he was informed that they can not do this now that they have filed for bankruptcy. Mayor Kaufman stated he will again table the topic of police officer but said the board needs to seriously address the issues within the village. Regarding the comprehensive plan, Kaufman stated he is still plugging away at it. In regard to the Maple Avenue culvert, Ben Dates an engineer with Delaware County Soil and Water stated the culvert is undersized which opens up projects as it is in poor shape and if it backed up, it would inundate property owners. He stated soil borings will be done in January or February. The Board passed the LFA (Local Flood Analysis) resolution No. 8 of 2020 with all ayes. WHEREAS, the Stamford Flood Commission, comprised of participants from municipalities with the Town of Stamford, including the Village of Hobart, Village of Stamford and Hamlet of South Kortright, utilized grant funding received by the municipalities from the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation’s District (DCSWCD) Stream Management Implementation Program, that is funded by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, to complete a Local Flood Analysis (LFA); and
WHEREAS, the Stamford Flood Commission enlisted the engineering services of Milne & MacBroom, Inc. to conduct an LFA and prepare an LFA report for municipalities within the Town of Stamford, including the Village of Hobart, Village of Stamford, and the Hamlet of South Kortright; and
WHEREAS, the Stamford Flood Commission supported DCSWCD as administrator and technical assistant to contract with Milone & McBroom, Inc., in developing the Stamford LFA; and
WHEREAS, the LFA report, with community input and participation, investigated sources of historic and potential flooding within the Town of Stamford municipalities, with flood hazard mitigation options and alternatives proposed for future projects which promote flood resiliency and community resiliency; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Hobart will continue its working relationship with DCSWCD and utilize DCSWCD as lead agency for the implementation of the community-driven and prioritized flood hazard mitigation projects recommended within the LFA; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Village of Hobart hereby accepts the final Stamford Local Flood Analysis Report, prepared by Milone & MacBroom, Inc., as complete.
Regarding EMS, Mayor Kaufman stated both ambulances will require new cardiac monitors at the cost of about $35,000 per monitor. One option would be to apply for a grant for funding from O’Connor Foundation. Billing for EMS could be done through a company called MedEx by billing $35 per claim, or 7% of revenue collected per year. No up-front or contract fees. Mayor Kaufman stated they need to have people join the emergency squad. Regarding the truck issues, the sewer plant truck needs front end work that will cost approximately $2500.00. It was decided to hold off on the repair and use the trailer that was purchased specifically for sludge hauling. Concerns of the solid waste management center not letting the Village bring the trailer in their facility were brought up. A call to the center will be made to clarify this. In regard to the fire alarm system at HAC, Fyr Fyter installed all necessary units with their own heads and both systems are operating. Regarding foreclosures, a list of delinquent tax payers will be sent to Andrew Van Buren and he will write letters to the property owners. Regarding the fitness center update, the room is complete and ready to go. So far, 17 adults and 10 students have signed up just by word of mouth. Rules, waivers and policy and procedures have been written for the use of the fitness center.
In new business Mayor Kaufman said there was a break in at the Activity Center. The dog groomer’s business and Van Buren’s office were affected financially. There is a police investigation with currently no leads. Mayor Kaufman had a few quotes from a security company for Village owned facilities for security cameras. He found out that the water plant could include that cost in with the upgrade. Superintendent McMullen informed the Board that one of the motors burned up in one of the pumps at the water plant and the tank is leaking again. Monthly water and sewer bills were sent to SpecGX, LLC for October and November to try to recoup that money a little faster. Regarding NYCDEP, a payment was supposed to be arriving in middle to late December and now it is projected to be coming mid-January of 2021. Mayor Kaufman issued sheets showing projected changes to water and sewer rates. The Board agreed to go with the projected changes. A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 7 was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Mason, with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher No. 182-224 $38,988.62
Water Fund Voucher No. 101-119 $ 3,470.67
A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 7 but hold off on payment until the NYCDEP money comes in was made by Trustee Quarino with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried.
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 111-134 $ 4,148.44
NYC Fund Voucher No. 130-157 $11,579.76
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. was made by Trustee Quarino, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
