VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 18, 2021
The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Aaron Kaufman at 6:32 p.m. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees Amy Reinshagen, Jim Quarino and Gordy Key, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Daisy McMullen, Don Thomases and Cody Hager.
Superintendent McMullen reported to the Board that Layne Christensen Company repaired the pump motor at the Eklund well and the filter pump at the water plant. The Dodge is at Royal Chrysler getting a new ignition switch and the seal kit worked on repairing the trackless machine. He stated that the crew has been busy with snow clean up. Don Thomases submitted 3 different choices of holiday lights for the Board to look at. The idea of businesses purchasing a light was brought up again. Regarding the footbridge, Thomases stated they received proposals from 3 engineering firms. Cedarwood looked like the best choice.
A motion to accept the December 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 General Fund, transfer $144.76 from 1620.4 to 1620.4(HAC); transfer $173.14 from 3410.4-9 to 3410.4; transfer $29.98 from 5142.4-1 to 7110.4. In the Water Fund, transfer $8.30 from 9010 to 8310.4-2; transfer $19.20 from 9040 to 9060.1. A motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
In old business, Mayor Kaufman stated he spoke with Jason of Lamont Engineers and they are rounding up all loose strings in the paperwork part of the water plant upgrade. The drill date should begin on or before the middle of February. Regarding SpecGX, LLC, Mayor Kaufman stated he emailed Charles Scheer, engineering manager, regarding the $65,000 payment for well maintenance a few times and received a reply today still stating they cannot do anything during bankruptcy. The subject of police officer was tabled with the question to the Board from Mayor Kaufman if they all were still interested in revisiting it. The Village could fund a deputy sheriff to patrol the Village. Mayor Kaufman also read a letter to the Board from a senior student of SKCS regarding drug use and crime in the Village of Hobart. The letter was part of the student’s project for government class to identify a problem and try to do something to address and or fix the problem. After reading the letter, Mayor Kaufman stated he would contact Sheriff Dumond regarding the funding of a deputy. Mayor Kaufman had a few sheets he worked on in the Comprehensive Plan for the Board to look at. Regarding the Maple Avenue culvert issue, Mayor Kaufman stated he spoke with Ben Dates today and Dates stated his conversation with the homeowner went well and it was reiterated that the dealings only be made with Delaware County Soil and Water and not with the Village. Dates agreed it was a good idea of getting an engineer to observe the culvert to see if we need weight restrictions placed on it. Regarding EMS, Mayor Kaufman asked the Board if they had any ideas to get members to join. There were none. He stated his idea was to cross train the sheriff as an EMT if the Village funded a sheriff. He also thought seniors in high school could take an EMT class. It was agreed a notice in the water bills would be helpful to get the word out to the community that there is a great need for EMS members. In regard to the Rural District, Kaufman said the current contract is only $3000 a year. There is a FD/Rural District meeting tomorrow night and Mayor Kaufman invited the Board to come, this would be one item brought up at the meeting, that the amount would need to increase. Regarding the sludge truck, Mayor Kaufman stated it was determined at the last meeting that it was not worth fixing, but then employees said it was worth it after the meeting. So, the truck will be fixed as soon as all the parts are in at M & M motors. An email was received from Fyr Fyter that there has been a bit of a delay for them to come back due to issues with Covid. In regard to the list of foreclosures, Clerk-Treasurer Estus asked for clarification on what Andrew Van Buren needed for his letters. Mayor Kaufman stated it would be the name address and the total amount due in back taxes. Any property owner with 2 years or more of Village taxes will receive this letter. Village Attorney Hubbard suggested doing it with February’s totals. Regarding Head Start, Mayor Kaufman stated inspections will be done once the fire alarm system is complete. SpecGX, LLC has paid 2 months of water and sewer invoices so far. NYCDEP has also submitted a payment. The contingency issue for NYCDEP is still not figured out yet. HAC rentals for one month are showing $320 for gym rentals, $715 in fitness room rentals and $2700 in rental rooms. Regarding water and sewer rate adjustments, Mayor Kaufman stated the new water rates went into effect January 1, 2021. The sewer rates will require a public hearing, so one is scheduled for 6 p.m. prior to the February meeting on 2/15. Mayor Kaufman would like to try to rewrite that law for the public hearing as well. The subject of infrastructure and security will be tabled for now as there is no funding available.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with new business. Donna Muthig is interested in purchasing a ¼ acre of property that is owned by the Village. She thought she did purchase this piece of land with the trailer park until she had it surveyed and found out the Village purchased it from Leroy MacArthur. The ¼ acre borders the trailer park and the Eklund wells. The board agreed after some discussion to table this until they research more of what it entails, a survey, etc. If it is found to be too close to the wells, the answer will immediately be no. The Village election will be held on March 16, 2021. Election inspectors will need to be appointed by February 4th and should be Village residents if possible. Clerk-Treasurer Estus is to contact Barbara Hoover Stevens and Barbara Coleman to see if they would do it. Also, the Board agreed to ask Doris Clark, Dawn Bals, Joyce Posie and Karen Kosier for alternates or inspectors depending on the outcome of the phone calls. Regarding cancer insurance for the fire department members, there is $127/year increase for optional additional coverage. The Board agreed to purchase this. NYS has implemented a Continuance of Operations Plan for the Covid-19 pandemic for every Town and Village to adopt. Basically, filling in the Village’s information where prompted. A motion to accept the COOP was made by Trustee Key, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried. Mayor Kaufman stated he spoke with the LaBarge Group, an engineering firm that would be able to come to the Village and look at all Village owned buildings and Village procedures and be able to troubleshoot what the Village is doing right or wrong. It would cost $1500 up front and this includes them looking for grants for the Village as they also do grant writing. Mayor Kaufman stated he would set up a date for them to come out. Mayor Kaufman explained the new holiday pay schedule policy to the Board to make sure it was understood. All Board members agreed they understood it. Trustee Key asked if the Board could work on an ordinance that would prevent property owners from collecting a lot of items on their property. It would have to be a local law. The Mayor said he would look into it. A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 8 was made by Trustee Quarino, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher No. 225-254 $13,085.48
Water Fund Voucher No. 120-129 $ 1,768.68
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 135-143 $ 2,795.28
NYC Fund Voucher No. 158-168 $ 2,921.64
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Key. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
