VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 2017
A public hearing was held prior to the regular meeting for the Proposed Water Law. The public hearing was called to order by Mayor Aaron Kaufman at 6:03 p.m. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees David Hotaling, Charlie Reinshagen and Jim Quarino, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne, Andrew Flach and Tee Gould. The proposed water law was reviewed by those in attendance. Some changes were made to the wording of the proposed law. The hearing was closed at 6:34 p.m. by Mayor Kaufman with no comment from the public.
The regular meeting of the Village of Hobart Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Kaufman at 6:34 p.m. Those present were all attendees of the public hearing and James Barr III. A motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report with the following changes was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Hotaling, with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $19.73 from 3410.4-3 to 1950-C; transfer $3.03 from 9060 to 9061.1. In the Water Fund, transfer $55.10 from 8320.4-1A to 8320.4-1; transfer $12.80 from 9060 to 9060.1. In the Sewer Fund, transfer $762.60 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-3; transfer $17.26 from 8130.4-1to 8130.4-10; transfer $25.68 from 9060 from 9060.1. In the NYC Fund, transfer $5338.20 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-3; transfer $17.20 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.4-10; transfer $76.96 from 9060 to 9061.1. A motion to approve the minutes of last month’s meeting was made by Trustee Hotaling, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried.
Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen gave the water report to the Board stating there was a communication failure last night most likely due to the storm. He stated he met with Carl Hanselman of Mallinckrodt regarding the meter installations and Mallinckrodt will be installing the meters and the Village will be installing the endpoints. In his DPW report, Superintendent McMullen reported the crew has been busy plowing, sanding and keeping the sidewalks clear. He stated the sand truck needs a U-bolt and leaf springs. Trustee Hotaling stated the truck should have them replaced immediately. Trustee Hotaling also questioned the communication problem with the water plant. He stated this has been an ongoing issue. Mayor Kaufman asked Superintendent McMullen to contact Smith Control Systems to see if there are other options for communication other than Verizon’s line. McMullen concluded his report stating he found an online OSHA 10 hour course for all employees.
Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne reported to the Board that she researched a tank company who deals with the filter that is leaking at the water plant. She found a representative that will be giving their best recommendation of what to do. Chief Operator Horne stated there are no quotes yet for the overhead doors. She also reported there has been some pump work done and an electrician looked at the outlets. A drain valve was replaced in the slurry and monthly sampling has been done. Horne stated there were other quotes for the sludge truck repair and asked what to do. Trustee Hotaling stated it would be tabled for now. Mayor Kaufman will sign the new USGS Agreement after confirming with Chief Operator Horne that the new agreement with the additional testing looked okay.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with old business. In regard to the trees on Maple Avenue, the resident agreed to have both trees taken down, the stumps ground and all wood taken away. In regard to the upcoming budget, Mayor Kaufman asked the Board about having a budget workshop. After brief discussion, the decision was made to hold a budget workshop at the Community Center on Monday, March 6th at 6 p.m.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with new business. Mayor Kaufman stated the election inspectors for the upcoming Village election were Barbara Hoover Stevens and Lynda Turner, with alternates as Dawn Bals, Dottie Accurso, Barbara Coleman and Mary Betz. Trustee Hotaling made a motion to accept these appointments, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried. In regard to charging for FOIL requests, Village Attorney Hubbard stated generally fees are set with a $10 handling fee and when requests come in, the Village would get the fees first. Clerk-Treasurer Estus will look into neighboring Villages to see if and what they charge. In regard to clarification of the duties at the Community Center/Fire House, Mayor Kaufman discussed with the Board about who should take care of the fire house side of the building. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed the Village would clean the meeting room floor and take out the garbage on the fire department side. A discussion about having children in the fire house was briefly discussed and the Board agreed to discuss this issue with the fire department. Andrew Flach asked the Board about alcohol usage in the building. Mayor Kaufman stated the fire department is allowed to have alcohol on their side of the building while the community center side cannot. Mayor Kaufman stated the health insurance needed to be discussed as it is currently stated that the employees pay 14% of the cost. The insurance has increased this year by 6%. The Board decided to have the employees continue to pay the 14% plus half of the 6% increase and the Village would pay the other half. The Board agreed that this will need to be revisited each year in February.
A motion to accept the proposed water law with the changes made earlier in the public hearing was made by Trustee Quarino, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried. Trustee Hotaling brought up the Village property located off of Reservoir Road stating that the previous Mayor and Board had been given a proposal from NYC to purchase it and nothing came of it. Ken Heavee of NYC land acquisitions is working on a price to offer the Village. If the Village had a conservation easement, it would mean the Village would still own the property but it would be open to recreational use. If the property is logged, its property value would drop significantly. That property is 3 years from its maturity date to be logged again. Trustee Hotaling stated he still wanted the letter to adjoining property owners to go out.
Mayor Kaufman opened the floor to community participation. James Barr III asked about the gym use that he had proposed at the last board meeting. After discussion, Mayor Kaufman stated he is has discussed the liability with Kevin Hull of Reynard Insurance and is waiting for Kevin to get back to him regarding a policy for the gym. This policy would be like the policy a group of Mallinckrodt employees took out to play basketball in the evenings at HAC. Tee Gould asked about the signs in the Pillars parking lot that obstruct the view as you are looking north on Route 10. Mayor Kaufman asked Superintendent McMullen to contact DOT to see if they can be lowered or moved.
A motion to go into executive session to review employee evaluations was made by Mayor Kaufman at 7:45 p.m. A motion to open the regular meeting back up and close executive session was made by Trustee Hotaling at 8:22 p.m. A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 9 was made by Trustee Hotaling, second by Trustee Kaufman with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher #s 252 – 285 $13,845.46
Water Fund Voucher #s 127 – 139 $ 2,756.61
Sewer Fund Voucher #s 193 – 224 $ 8,602.92
NYC Fund Voucher #s 197 – 226 $ 8,322.89
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. was made by Trustee Hotaling, with a second from Trustee Quarino, with all in favor, carried. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
