VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2021
A public hearing for the proposed changes to Local Law No 3 of 1994 titled “Sewer Rent Local Law” was held prior to the regular board meeting at 6 p.m. The hearing was opened by Mayor Aaron Kaufman at 6:03 p.m. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustee Jim Quarino, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus and Cody Hager. There were no comments from the public. The hearing was closed by Mayor Kaufman at 6:33 p.m.
The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaufman at 6:33 p.m. Those present were those present at the public hearing and Superintendent Lucas McMullen, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Trustee Gordy Key, Don Thomases and Mary VanValkenburg. Superintendent McMullen reported to the Board that the crew had been busy plowing and sanding and the main hose in the trackless had broke so that had to be replaced. He said they serviced the new toolcat as per manual instructions and the crew was prepared for the projected storm that’s coming. Mayor Kaufman reviewed notes from Chief of Waste Water Richi Horne. He stated they had all reports submitted for the year. Don Thomases congratulated John Hubbard for receiving Person of the Year by the Mountain Eagle. He also stated the design, reports, construction by the engineer for the footbridge would be roughly $19,000 to start and they would be looking to raise money for this. Regarding the holiday lights, he said they already had 6 commitments to purchase 6 lights and donation money for more. A motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report with the following changes was made by Trustee Quarino, with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $79.32 from 1990 to 1325.4-4; transfer $1210.22 from 1990 to 1620.1-3; transfer $3.60 from 1990 to 1950-C; transfer $205.60 from 1990 to 3620.1; transfer $10.78 from 1990 to 7110.4. In the Water Fund, transfer $9.60 from 1990 to 9060.1. A motion to approve the minutes of last month’s meeting was made by Trustee Quarino, with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with old business. Regarding the Water Plant upgrade, it is projected to be March before the well is drilled. The police officer subject is tabled and there is nothing to update for the Comprehensive Plan right now. Regarding the Maple Avenue culvert project, Ben Dates told Mayor Kaufman as of today still nothing from the property owner. Jim Thomas, an engineer for Delaware County will be coming out to evaluate the bridge to see whether a weight limit should be placed on it in the interim. Mayor Kaufman stated that he has gone to two EMS meetings that basically said the same thing. Towns would have to get their own Certificate of Need. He also had a zoom meeting with SpecGX LLC corporate and Dr. Sasnov that discussed how all other SpecGX plants have 24 hour paramedic and EMT coverage in house. Discussion of this plant getting that too and the possibility of allowing that paramedic to come outside of the plant to go on Village calls was made. Regarding trucks, Mayor Kaufman stated they are all good right now. He asked the present Board members is they wanted to have him try to work one in the sewer budget for the upcoming budget. Regarding the fire alarm system at HAC, Kaufman said he spoke with Jeff Back of Fyr Fyter and it is all in, they are troubleshooting a few things and the next step would be to take out the old system. In regard to the foreclosure properties, Andrew Van Buren has all of the information and is working on the letter to send out to the property owners. In regard to NYCDEP plant upgrades will have to be done as per the guidelines of the original contract from now on. Infrastructure security was tabled with the exception of Mayor Kaufman asking the Board is they wanted to try to work one building into the budget. It was agreed to try to get the Activity Center in the next budget. Regarding the trailer park adjacent property, Mayor Kaufman said the first step is measuring to see how close the wells are first before proceeding. Superintendent McMullen will do that. Mayor Kaufman stated election inspectors and alternates have been appointed. Barbara Coleman and Barbara Hoover Stevens are the election inspectors and Doris Clark and Dawn Bals are the alternates.
In new business, Mayor Kaufman asked if the Board was good with the proposed local law on sewer rates. Village Attorney Hubbard stated there was a number that needed to be changed in the new law and asked about the name of the fund that was for sewer rents. Trustee Quarino made a motion to adopt the law with the change of the number 1 to a 3 in reference to the title of the old law. Trustee Key second the motion, with all in favor, carried. Mayor Kaufman asked the Board if they wanted to do budget workshops. There will not be any. Regarding LED lighting, Mayor Kaufman stated 10 a.m. Friday he will be meeting a gentleman to go around to all of the Village buildings. Regarding a WWTP Pilot Program, Kaufman stated LVDV Operations was approached by a company to help oversee a pilot study for a significant user in the Village. LVDV was concerned of a possible conflict of interest. Village Attorney Hubbard said no it would not be. Mayor Kaufman stated a resolution was also required to pass the public health emergency operations plan that was passed in January. The resolution, titled Adoption of the Village of Hobart Continuation of Operations Plan Specific To A Public Health Emergency Involving A Communicable Disease and No. 1 of 2021 was passed with all ayes and no nays. A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 9 was made by Trustee Quarino, with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher No. 255-282 $14,201.76
Water Fund Voucher No. 130-146 $12,733.07
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 144-161 $ 5,599.88
NYC Fund Voucher No. 169-189 $ 9,218.23
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. was made by Trustee Quarino, with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
