Village of Hobart Board Meeting Minutes June 19, 2017
The regular meeting of the Village of Hobart Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:28 p.m. by Mayor Aaron Kaufman. Those in attendance were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees David Hotaling, Jim Quarino, Gordy Key and Amy Reinshagen, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne, Andrew Flach, John Mahoney, Don Dales, Katherine and George Duyer, Judy Vidal, Sheila Beemer, Christine Kaufman, Sherry Hotaling, Marc Estus and Michael Triolo. A motion to approve the May Treasurer’s Report with the following changes was made by Trustee Hotaling, with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $250.00 from 1320.4 to 1010.1-1; transfer $1483.97 from 1620.4-A to 1325.4; transfer $150.52 from 1325.1 to 1325.4; transfer $42.14 from 1620.4-F to 1620.4-C; transfer $4135.37 from 1990 to 1910-D; transfer $41.63 from 1620.4-F to 1620.4; transfer $26.00 from 1620.4-F to 1910-E; transfer $3296.00 from 1990 to 3410.4; transfer $279.17 from 1990 to 5182; transfer 262.47 from 9040 to 7110.4; transfer $185.00 from 5142.4-2 to 9030ss; transfer $ 74.38 from 1990 to 9030med; transfer $38.48 from 9060 to 9060.1. In the Water Fund, transfer $44.29 from 8320.4-1A to 8320.4-1; transfer $130.00 from 8320.4-2 to 8320.4-4; transfer $12.80 from 9060 to 9060.1. In the Sewer Fund, transfer $28.50 from 8110.4 to 8130.1-1; transfer $2378.45 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-3; transfer $959.60 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-4; transfer $61.05 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.2-2; transfer $41.60 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.4-10; transfer $621.00 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.4-11; transfer $204.24 from 8130.4-1 to 8130.4-13; transfer $2453.54 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.4-3; transfer $1792.55 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.4-4; transfer $202.48 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.4-9; transfer $70.54 from 8130.4-17 to 9030med; transfer $301.94 from 8130.4-17 to 9030ss; transfer $491.11 from 8130.4-2 to 9060; transfer $83.46 from 8130.4-2 to 9060.1. In the NYC Fund, transfer $17.12 from 1910-5 to 8110.1; transfer $125.30 from 1910-5 to 8130.1-1; transfer $5338.20 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-3; transfer $3365.60 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-4; transfer $75.04 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.1-6; transfer $10.85 from 8130.2-7 to 8130.4-10; transfer $488.00 from 8130.2-7 to 8130.4-11; transfer $174.74 from 8130.2-7 to 8130.4-13; transfer $73.05 from 8130.4-2 to 8130.4-28; transfer $2545.46 from 8130.4-17 to 8130.4-3; transfer $115.49 from 8130.4-7 to 8130.4-33; transfer $50.86 from 8130.2-7 to 8130.4-9; transfer $138.72 from 8130.4-17 to 9030med; transfer $593.24 from 8130.4-17 to 9030ss; transfer $1498.32 from 8130.4-17 to 9060; transfer $76.96 from 8130.4-17 to 9061.1. A motion to approve the minutes of last month’s meeting was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried. Mayor Kaufman stated that the Clerk found a mistake in the April minutes when describing the new tractor. A motion to amend the March minutes from 4 horse to 56.5 horse was made by Trustee Hotaling with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
Superintendent of DPW McMullen gave the water report to the Board stating all was well. He stated the DPW crew installed the meter endpoints at Mallinckrodt and they all activated but weren’t reading yet. He stated they would be flushing hydrants the week of July 4th after the holiday. He reported that they had been busy prepping for Memorial Day and sanded the bed of the sander truck, applied rust reformer and painted and primed the bed as well. Superintendent McMullen also stated they cleaned out catch basins on River Street and repaired
a portion of the edge of River Street that had been washed out.
Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne reported to the Board that they have had a busy month. The Village hosted the lab class at the Community Center and it was well received, the organization would like to do it here again. Chief Operator Horne stated she met with USGS and a scientist from Syracuse University to continue additional research on water sampling. She stated the sewer crew replaced rotten pipe hangers. She also stated Jake Palmatier attended the Activated Sludge class in Morrisville. Horne stated EPA switched the method of DMR waste water reporting, so she had to set that up again. She stated the sewer crew and Lucas attended training in Sidney. She reported she would like to have a back-up pump on the shelf for the return pumps but the pumps are designed to be left hand and right hand pumps so that would require two different repellers and one motor for spares. She stated she has talked with a hydrogeologist from Alpha Geo Science and they would like to come here with Layne Christensen Company to look for ideas for a new water source. She said they would like to meet with the Village as well. Horne stated the copper limit is currently meeting permit level. She contacted Tighe and Bond, an engineering firm that specializes in metal reduction to come out and discuss options before the copper limit goes into effect. In closing, she stated the water plant calibrations will be done when Smith Controls can fit it in their schedule and while they are here, they will look at the communication problem. Mayor Kaufman asked if there was a sand filter solution at the water plant. Chief Operator Horne stated no. Mayor Kaufman stated a new time clock will be implemented at the sewer plant for the employees. It will be fingerprint scan only. He also told Horne that there is to be no more hand writing on the time cards. Just the employee is to write on their card with the supervisor initialing time in and out- that’s it. He also asked that employees review the time off policy and procedure.
Andrew Flach stated the Farmer’s Market is going well and a new food truck vendor is there. He stated a new sign for the Farmer’s Market will go on the existing sign. The new sign is a little larger than what is currently there. Don Dales stated the business association group met Tuesday at the Dinner Plate. He stated Joyce and Dave Barber are giving the Village two benches which will be made by Jim Quarino and will go in front of the Creative Corner bookstore and Blenheim Hill Books. The benches will not be on the sidewalks and will be removed during the winter. Mr. Dales wished to thank the Village for putting up the new signs on the South Kortright side of Hobart. He also stated discussion has been made about making Hobart a bicycle friendly Village. He stated ideas are welcome.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with old business stating the Activity Center rental is on hold until we hear back from the Code Enforcement officer. In regard to the basketball court in the park, Mayor Kaufman stated the paint for the court has been ordered and should be here this week. He stated two hoops have been ordered. Trustee Quarino stated SAMCO Digger Service has offered to dig the holes for the hoops once they arrive and the paint on the court will be blue. Mayor Kaufman stated the new water rates are in effect.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting regarding water bills stating that even though the Village has a new water law, the Village still knocked on doors and made phone calls before shutting off water to those who did not pay their bill. He asked the Board if they agreed that the next time, there will be no more of that, the water will be shut off. All Board members agreed unanimously. A suggestion was made to remind property owners that they can pay by credit card. The Village does charge 3% to help pay for the fees incurred to have the credit card terminal. A letter will be inserted in the July water and sewer bills for senior citizens to provide documentation to the Village to determine whether they qualify for the 10% discount or not. In regard to parking in the Village parking lot, suggestions were made such as lining just the center of the lot so people would park nose to nose rather than one car across. Mayor Kaufman suggested possibilities of Ms. Beemer trimming some of the trees and brush in the back of her lot and moving her dumpster over on the Village property to make more room for her tenant’s vehicles.
Mayor Kaufman opened the floor to community participation. Clerk-Treasurer Estus stated she had a letter to read. The letter was to the Village Board from Estus stating that although she enjoys her job and knew it entailed dealing with the public, there has been a lot more very unpleasant interactions with Village residents and/or property owners over the past few years regarding what the Village does and the laws or rules that are made by the Village. She stated she and other Village employees receive quite a bit of aggression from certain residents and property owners while simply doing their jobs. She asked the Board to have a better understanding of what the Village employees endure sometimes on a daily basis by implementing what the Village Board is asking of them. She also encouraged the Board to stand firm in their decisions as Board members and if they did not agree with something, to say so.
Sherry Hotaling asked about the new water rate schedule.
Mayor Kaufman stated if the Village passed a resolution to adopt a few more local roads, the Village would receive more CHIPS money. Resolution No.7 of 2017 titled “Adoption of Local Roads”, WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has determined to adopt three local roads and assume all maintenance and legal responsibilities for named roads. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Section I. That the Board of Trustees will approve the adoption of local roads named Whispell Lane, Water Tower Road and Creek Bend Road and assume all maintenance and legal responsibilities. Section II. That this resolution is effective immediately. All Board members voted aye on this resolution.
A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 1 was made by Trustee Hotaling with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher No. 1- 31 $13,790.19
Water Fund Voucher No. 1-15 $ 4,468.07
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 1-28 $ 5,880.17
NYC Fund Voucher No. 1-28 $10,714.40
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Hotaling, with all in favor, carried. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
