VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2017
The regular meeting of the Village of Hobart Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Aaron Kaufman. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees David Hotaling, Jim Quarino, Amy Reinshagen and Gordy Key, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne, Andrew Flach, Sherry Hotaling, Samantha Estus and Tee Gould.
A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report with the following changes was made by Trustee Key, with a second from Trustee Hotaling, with all in favor, carried. In the Water Fund, transfer $406.93 from 1990 to 1910.1; transfer $4.00 from 1990 to 8320.4-4. In the Sewer Fund, transfer $91.30 from 1990 to 8110.3; transfer $89.60 from 1990 to 8130.4-3. A motion to accept last month’s meeting minutes was made by Trustee Reinshagen, with a second from Trustee Hotaling, with all in favor, carried.
Superintendent McMullen reported to the Board that the crew flushed hydrants and put the second coat of paint on the basketball court. He stated the crew helped Rich Weiss repair a couple of water shut offs. They have been vacuuming leaves and will probably continue until it snows. He stated he rebuilt the rear differential on the ’97 Ford and the last trash day will be tomorrow. Chief Operator Richi Horne reported to the Board that wet testing and composite sampling is still being done, they cleaned the press and did a clean in place on 2 micro filter racks so now all of the racks have been done. There was a computer glitch with one of the racks – they were new in 2002 so they are considered obsolete now. She stated a note went out with the water bills regarding the flushing of rags/wipes and the sewer employees attended training in Sidney. In regard to the water plant, Horne stated Tom Magnan tested and identified that a new drive for a pump was needed so a replacement was ordered. She also stated 3 well pumps will be cleaned this week by Layne Christensen Company. Horne also stated Clean Sweep is this Friday. She stated that Mallinckrodt is changing their name to Spec GX. The sewer use permit states a change in ownership needs approval from the Village. As it is only a name change it was determined by Village Attorney Hubbard to place a line through the name and replace with the new name with “formerly known as Mallinckrodt” written. Horne also wanted to give the Board an FYI that the blacktop at the sewer plant will need attention.
Andrew Flach stated the Farmer’s Market did really well with 20 vendors this year. He wished to thank all for their support. He also wished to thank the crew for taking the Farmer’s Market sign down. Flach stated there would be a repeat of the holiday market this year on December 2nd at the Community Center.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting asking Superintendent McMullen and Chief Operator Horne if they had had an employee meeting and when told yes, he asked for the results. There were no complaints or concerns other than one employee didn’t like the color of the uniform hats and if during budget time, the Board could get more employee input on the health insurance. Mayor Kaufman stated that a few months ago, he had made a list of items that needed to be addressed at the water plant. He thought they would be addressed over the summer, but upon rechecking the plant, the 45 items were still an issue. He stated that Supervisors need to have their subordinates take care of the plant better. Mayor Kaufman stated beginning Monday, Jake Palmatier will be working 7-3:30 so he is under the supervision of a licensed operator until the staffing questions are cleared up from DEC.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with old business. In regard to the HAC rental space, Mayor Kaufman stated an email was received from the fire inspector with 2 items that require Code Enforcement. In regard to the basketball court, Mayor Kaufman stated the court has been painted with 2 coats and he and Trustee Quarino have lined one side of the court. Regarding parking, Mayor Kaufman stated he has not seen or heard of any issues lately so hopefully the barricades and signage are finally helping. Regarding the 1812 fire truck, Mayor Kaufman stated he contacted the company and they were going to check on the governor warranty but he has not heard back from them yet. In regard to the Village property off of Reservoir Road, Trustee Reinshagen questioned why the Village wasn’t using a real estate agent. Trustee Hotaling said because we would lose 10% and there are no comps of any property in the area to compare it to. After discussion, it was determined to have Village Attorney Hubbard contact Ken Heavey of DEP to see if the Village can buy some time to have a forester look at it.
In new business, Mayor Kaufman stated the Village has recognized October as Anti-Bullying Awareness Month in the past and asked to pass the following resolution:
WHEREAS, We must safeguard schools and communities for our children, and through our recognition of the serious issues that face them each day, offer our children an environment that holds promise and security; and
WHEREAS, Many organizations, school districts, educators and parents have publicly expressed concern about the bullying of children; and
WHEREAS, Each day an estimated 160,000 children refuse to go to school because they dread the physical and verbal aggression of their peers, and the loneliness that comes from being excluded and made the target of rumors and cyber-bullying; many more students attend school in a chronic state of anxiety; and
WHEREAS, It is important that we acknowledge and heighten awareness about the serious issues and the negative effects of bullying, including the long-term damage it can cause in our youth as well as the risks of teenage suicide; and
WHEREAS, Providing a safe physical and emotional environment is a significant goal and a personal responsibility of each individual; and
WHEREAS, It is time to “Stand UP for Character – DOWN to Bullying!” now, therefore be it
PROCLAIMED, that we, the Village of Hobart Board do hereby designate the month of October 2017 as Anti-Bullying Awareness Month in the Village of Hobart as a symbol of our commitment to the year-round struggle against bullying.
The Board was all in favor, with 5 ayes and 0 nays to pass Resolution No. 7 of 2017 titled Recognizing October 2017 as Anti-Bullying Awareness Month. In regard to the radar signs, Superintendent McMullen stated CHIPS money would not cover the signs. The signs are estimated to cost $3200 a sign. A motion to purchase one radar sign by the Village and write a grant application for a few more signs was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Hotaling, with all in favor, carried. In regard to snow, Mayor Kaufman showed a sample local law that the Village of Stamford will be having a public hearing on. He asked the Board if they thought it would be a good idea to adapt a policy similar to their proposed law. The Board agreed and Mayor Kaufman will work on a policy for a snow emergency. Mayor Kaufman asked Village Attorney Hubbard if he could draft a letter to go to those homeowners who have not contacted the Village for water meter replacement.
Mayor Kaufman opened the meeting to community participation. Sherry Hotaling stated there is a light out at the Activity Center above the ramp. Tee Gould asked the Village what they would be doing with the generator that sits outside of the water plant.
A motion to go into executive session due to employee issues was made by Trustee Hotaling at 7:40 p.m. with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
A motion to open the regular meeting at 8:51 p.m. was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Hotaling, with all in favor, carried.
A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 5 was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Hotaling with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher No. 116-144 $10,051.76
Water Fund Voucher No. 66-75 $ 1,988.49
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 102-118 $ 2,921.95
NYC Fund Voucher No. 103-119 $ 4,300.35
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 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
Oc
