VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 17, 2017
A Public Hearing for the proposed 2017-2018 budget was held prior to the regular Board meeting at 6:00 p.m. The Public Hearing was called to order by Mayor Aaron Kaufman. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees David Hotaling, Gordy Key, Jim Quarino and Amy Reinshagen, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne, Charlie Reinshagen, Sherry Hotaling, Christine Kaufman, Marc Estus, Donna Muthig, Kayla Mason, Don Dales and Velga Kundzins. There was no comment from the public. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Kaufman.
The regular Board meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaufman at 6:30 p.m. Those present were the same as the public hearing. The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed by the Board. A motion to accept the report with the following changes was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Hotaling, with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $57.25 from 1620.1-2 to 1325.4-4, transfer $28.45 from 1620.1-2 to 1620.4-5; transfer $36.90 from 1620.1-2 to 1620.4-E; transfer $1213.37 from 1620.4-A to 1910-D; transfer $962.46 from 1620.1-2 to 1620.4; transfer $48.44 from 5110.1-2 to 3410.4-8; transfer $179.24 from 3410.2 to 3410.4; transfer $74.57 from 5142.4-1 to 5142.4; transfer $48.10 from 9060 to 9061.1. In the Water Fund, transfer $443.05 from 8320.4-1A to 8320.4-1; transfer $16.00 from 9060 to 9060.1.
In the Sewer Fund, transfer $853.25 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-3; transfer $61.05 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.2-2; transfer $30.75 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.4-10; transfer $550.37 from 8130.4-2 to 8130.4-3; transfer $20.02 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.4-3; transfer $20.02 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.4-13; transfer $395.00 from 8130.4-37 to 8130.4-4; transfer $27.23 from 8130.4-8 to 9030med; transfer $116.55 from 8130.4-8 to 9030ss; transfer $43.35 from 8130.4-8 to 9060; transfer $32.10 from 8130.4-8 to 9060.1. In the NYC Fund, transfer $6672.75 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-3; transfer $1534.00 fro, 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-4; transfer $399.33 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.1-5; transfer $61.06 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.2-2; transfer $124.97 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.4-13; transfer $23.32 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.4-33; transfer $395.00 from 8130.4-2 to 8130.4-4; transfer $179.30 from 8130.4-3 to 9030med; transfer $766.70 from 8130.4-17 to 9030ss; transfer $96.20 from 8130.4-17 to 9061.1; transfer $46.17 from 8130.4-17 to 9060.
A motion to approve the minutes of last month’s meeting was made by Trustee Hotaling, with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen gave the water report to the Board stating that all was well with no issues. He reported to the Board that the crew has exercised the water shut offs and there are about 10 that need to be fixed. He reported he received the new brushes for the broom and the crew has been cleaning up lawns that were messed up from plowing snow and patching potholes. Superintendent McMullen read a portion of the NYS Civil Rights law pertaining to defamation of character. He reported that trash days would be the 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of May and the crew would be flushing hydrants sometime after Memorial Day, a date yet to be determined. McMullen read a portion of the NYS penal code law pertaining to harassment. He also stated there had been some sewer infiltration leaks.
Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne reported to the Board that wet testing, the first of four quarters due this year, has been completed. She stated that on March 27th flows at the plant went up, and after some investigating it was found that there was ground water coming into the sewer lines in a few spots. Boyle Excavating came and did manhole repairs and they are having normal operations/normal flows now. She reported that Pall Corporation did the annual evaluation of the micro filters and replaced two valves by the return pumps. They also had a sand filter evaluation done to maximize operation. Horne thanked the Board for allowing the emergency repairs to be done on the sewer manholes. Horne also asked the Board to waive the cost of the room rental at the Community Center for an AWWA training class scheduled for May 17th. The training is costly and they are offering 2 free non-member trainings, so the Village would save $300 and the cost of travel. The class is for water and waste water. The Board agreed to waive the fee. Mayor Kaufman stated the sewer main had separated up by Mr. Coleman’s flower bed on Main Street. He said during the time with heavy flows and the plant being under stress, the operators were finding things that were outdated or not maintained correctly, and certain flaws that weren’t taken care of over the last 10 years. Mayor Kaufman stated because of this in his opinion, it was the Boards’ right decision to hire an employee to operate the plant.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with old business stating the LEP requirements were to be tabled again. He also stated the three trees on Maple Avenue had been removed with the stumps ground so the job was completed. In regard to the additional posting, Trustee Hotaling stated he has been speaking with NYC about purchasing the property and some of the things the Village would have to do to fix it before they would buy it, would be to clean up the garbage and get rid of the remains of the stone house as no structures can be on the property. In regard to the HAC room for rent, Mayor Kaufman stated the rent of the toddler room alone was set at $550/month. He also received an inquiry for renting the infant and toddler room along with access to the kitchen and gym. This price was set at $800 a month. The person inquiring asked if it could be $700/month for the first year and then $800/month after.
In new business, Mayor Kaufman continued the organizational meeting by appointing Kellee Estus as Clerk-Treasurer, John Hubbard as Village Attorney, the official depositories named as NBT Bank and National Bank of Delhi, both Hobart branches, the official newspapers as the Mountain Eagle and The Reporter, David Hotaling as Deputy Mayor, mileage at the 2017 IRS mileage rate of 53.5 cents per mile, petty cash at $50 and placed Trustees Jim Quarino and Gordy Key in charge of the sewer plant, Trustee David Hotaling in charge of streets, Trustee Amy Reinshagen in charge of building and grounds and Mayor Kaufman in charge of the water plant. The Resolution No. 3 of 2017 titled Designation of Depositories was read by Mayor Kaufman. The Board voted all ayes for this resolution. The Resolution No. 4 of 2017 titled Mileage Allowance was read by Mayor Kaufman. The Board voted all ayes for this resolution. Velga Kundzins of Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council, Inc. asked for the Boards endorsement for the NY Main Street Technical Assistance program which would help support Don Dales to receive funding for the Hobart Inn. The Village’s endorsement is needed with no obligation to the Village. A motion to pass the proposed Resolution No. 5 of 2017 approving the application for assistance was made by Trustee Quarino, with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried. Mayor Kaufman stated he met with Ronald Laberge, Vice President of Laberge Group engineering company and showed him the water and sewer plants. A motion to accept the 2017-2018 Budget was made by Trustee Hotaling, with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried. Don Dales stated Jason Cammer had agreed to do the gateway signs for $1800. Dales stated there were commitments of $1600 already and asked the Board if it would still be alright to run the money through the general fund? Mayor Kaufman stated he thought the Village should be purchasing the signs and would like to see the $1600 go toward the triangular piece for the proposed kiosk/information center. A motion was made by Trustee Hotaling to have the Village of Hobart purchase the gateway
signs at $1800 from Jason Cammer with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried. Don stated a check for $900 was to go to Jason in their original agreement to begin the signs.
The Board discussed the change of water rates. They have been discussing new water rates for several months and want to implement the new rates at the next Board meeting. The new water law does state the Board can establish rates annually by resolution and it does not require a public hearing. It was agreed by the Board that no prior notification to commercial account holders was necessary. The Board discussed the purchase of a tractor and lawn mowers. The Board voted unanimously to purchase a Massey Ferguson tractor, 1754 4-horse with cab for $27,700 from Eklund Family Farm Machinery. The price reflects the trade in value of the Village’s John Deere tractor. The Board voted unanimously to purchase 2 lawn mowers from Eklund Family Farm Machinery for $15,000. The Board agreed to table discussion of a new truck until the next Board meeting.
A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 11 was made by Trustee Hotaling, with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher No. 328-358 $11,327.08
Water Fund Voucher No. 155-167 $ 2,406.94
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 249-276 $23,110.75
NYC Fund Voucher No. 249-276 $17,393.24
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m. was made by Trustee Reinshagen with a second from Trustee Hotaling, with all in favor, carried. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
