TOWN OF RHINEBECK OCTOBER 26, 2009 TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES

At 6:55 the Supervisor Traudt called this meeting to order and Lily Knapp led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Dod Crane, Dan Staley, Ellen Silverstein, Bruce Washburn and Pam Richardson were all present.   

 

Sinterklaas Celebration

Jeanne Fleming discussed the upcoming Sinterklaas Celebration.  Sinterklaas will arrive in Rhinecliff on November28th and the parade will be in the Village on December 5^th.  An informational meeting will be held at the Beekman Arms on November 5^th at 7 pm.   There is basically a group of 25 residents who are diligently working to carry this event forward.  It will be the same venue as 2008 but better organized.  We just learned the cookie Christmas tree is returning. Hopefully all of our Grumpus's will return.  The stars have arrived and they will again be a fund raiser for the CLS Whale Watch trip in the spring of 2010. 

Jeanne then introduced Pat Sexton.  She announced that the T- shirts are on sale at Winter Sun/Summer Moon.  There is an educational part of this celebration and the primary school children will learn about tolerance and diversity.  There will be craft workshops at Bing's restaurant for children of all ages, seniors, and anyone who is interested in making this celebration a success.  It is a day long adventure.  Michelle Donner said there is a website sinterklaasrhinebeck.com so the community can stay informed.

 

Dod brought up the point that the Rhinecliff Advisory Committee is concerned about the parking situation in Rhinecliff when Sinterklaas arrives on November 28^th.  We need emergency access down there.  Jeanne stated she has met with

 

Pete Dunn and they are trying to work that out.  Sally Mazzarella and Jeanne both asked the Town Board for money.  The Thomas Thompson Trust has cut back on their donation so money is desperately needed.  Ronnie Fink is organizing an art auction in February also, similar to the old Whalewatch Bird House auction.  .  Bruce Washburn suggested bringing in the Fire Companies this year and Jeanne said she will contact them. 

 

Zero Waste Program Presentation by Greenway Environmental Services 

 

Shabazz Jackson and Josephine Papagni explained their firm is a consulting contractor for waste management.  They co-authored the Beacon Waterfront project.  Shabazz said we have permitted, constructed and operated 4 composting systems in the Hudson Valley and remediated 12 junkyards, 2 oil storage facilities and 2 landfill closures.  We have established zero waste at 3 colleges; SUNY New Paltz, Vassar and Marist.  We are looking for a demonstration site and the Transfer Station/Landfill is an excellent location for a zero waster demonstration.  We have identified a potential site for the demonstration behind the closed landfill in the area that is being used as the wood waste dump.  If the Town is agreeable to host the Zero Waste demonstration they can request the County to allocate funds to conduct a demo site.  The County would issue a RFP for services of a consultant to develop the demo project.  Greenway would submit a proposal which the County would assess and hire the best consultant.

 

Shabazz spoke to the Rhinebeck High School Environmental Club and they want to pursue a project.  It could be a great collaborative effort between the Town and High School.  Schools are the key to getting this zero waste concept accepted by the public.  Bruce understands that the hospital schools and Baptist Home are all interested in this process.  He encouraged the Board to revisit this at our next Town Board meeting.  Bruce asked what the next step is and Shabazz would like to see the Town say we are interested and contact your County Legislator and then have County show their interest for this demonstration site.  Meg Crawford urged people to tour the facility at Vassar farms.  Dod asked if our site could be used at County expense and Joel Tyner replied hopefully.  Shabazz feels the infrastructure is here.  Vassar Farm has been operating for 7 years.  We gather output from food waste, trees, leaves which we compost into highway soil, organic soil, mulch, humas, etc.  He said the Violet Hill Road project actually used their soil.  Our entire product line is products that are added value products. 

 

Josephine said they use cutting edge technology.  There is no prior protocol.  We are managing our site and work on different soil blends.  We support ourselves financially.  The implementation of zero waste can be costly.  Grant money is available.  A pilot program could take 3 months. 

 

Announcements

 

October 27^th Rhinecliff leaf pick up by Highway Department

 

October 27^th - Chris Linder is conducting an archeology dig at Thompson Mazzarella Park at 9:15

 

Effective November 15^th through April 1^st no parking on Town roads from 12 midnight to 8 am. 

 

November 7^th Discovery Fair at Rhinebeck High School

 

November 7^th at Dutchess County Resource & Recovery - Safe medication disposal day, call 463-6020 for more information

 

November 12^th Internet Safety Program at High School at 7:00 pm

 

BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

 

1. Bookkeeping transfers

 

Dan motioned and Dod seconded to authorize the bookkeeper to make the following budget transfers, amendments, and any necessary bookkeeping entries.

 

GENERAL FUND

 

SPECIAL ITEMS

Contingency                                         00 01 1990 400           -     $1,511.74

MTA Tax                                             00 01 1990 400           +    $1,511.74

Amending budget due to new payroll tax.

 

CEMETERY

Fuel Oil                                                00 07 8810 411           -     $   500.00

Equipment Repairs                                00 07 8810 427           -     $1,000.00

P.S. Seasonal Temporary                     00 07 8810 101           +    $1,500.00

Councilman Staley requested this.

 

 

PART-TOWN FUND

 

SPECIAL ITEMS

Retirement                                            01 08 9010 800           -     $    362.30

MTA Tax                                             01 01 1980 400           +    $    362.30

Amending budget due to new payroll tax.

 

HIGHWAY GENERAL FUND

 

SPECIAL ITEMS

Retirement                                            02 08 9010 800           -     $     15.06

MTA Tax                                             02 01 1980 400           +    $     15.06

Amending budget due to new payroll tax.

 

HIGHWAY PART-TOWN FUND

 

SPECIAL ITEMS

Retirement                                            03 08 9010 800           -     $    731.06

MTA Tax                                             03 01 1980 400           +    $    731.06

Amending budget due to new payroll tax.

 

VANDENBURGH COVE SEWER FUND

 

SPECIAL ITEMS

Worker's Comp                                   22 08 9040 800           -     $       1.50

MTA Tax                                             22 01 1980 400           +    $       1.50

Amending budget due to new payroll tax.

 

All were in favor.

 

2. On motion from Dan and second from Ellen Abstract 10B, vouchers 1362-1423 for $137,086.75 were unanimously approved.

 

3. Dan moved with Dod seconding to approve Capital Project for 9/28/09 Capital Project 27 Town Landing

 

            Williams Lumber           Abs 6 V7         43 06 7150 204                       $        15.98

                                                Total                $        15.98

 

Capital Project 62 Rhineson Property

 

            Gellert & Klein Abs 8 V10       78 06 7110 201                       $      587.87

                                                                        Total                $      587.87

 

Capital Project 79 Hogg's Bridge

 

            Daily Freeman              Abs 4 V24       95 04 5120 249                       $        90.45

                                                                        Total                $        90.45

All were in favor.

 

4. Dan reported that the Town sent requests for 24 sugar maple trees to Phantom Gardner, Adams Farm & Home Center, Cornell University, Wonderful and Schichtel's Nursery and award the bid for Greening of Rhinebeck grant for 24 sugar maple trees at Grasmere Cemetery to Schichtel's Nursery at $82 each with a $7 delivery change per tree.  All were in favor of Ellen motion and Dod's second.
5. Dan motioned and Ellen seconded to authorize Palmiter Benefits Group to give presentation to full time employees to enroll in new health care benefit plan.   Kathy Kinsella questioned why one vendor and the Supervisor explained this agency handles more than one insurance carrier and is presenting the MVP program since they seem to be the premier carrier in the Hudson Valley.  This has also been presented to the union and they are fine with it.  Tom feels there is a need to evaluate what the Town is offering the employees and he is trying to find the best coverage for full time employees.  Motion carried 5-0.
6. Dan moved with Ellen seconding to approve Vanderburgh Cove bid opening extension to November 6^th at 12 noon per Counsel request.  Ms. Richardson reported that the DEC suggested extending this bid in case of additional stimulus funding being available.  This wording will incorporate wording into an addendum.  It might open up additional avenues; Morris will prepare the addendum to bidders.  All were in favor.   
7. Dan motioned and Ellen seconded to set 2010 Budget Public Hearing for   

November 4^th at 6:30.  Tom wants the Budget and Finance Control Committee to review the budget before the public hearing.  All were in favor.

8. On motion from Dan and second from Ellen the Supervisor was unanimously authorized to sign the waiver of 2010 State Aid Eligibility for Youth Services.
9. Dan motioned and Dod seconded to approve the October 13^th Town Board minutes.  All were in favor.
10. Dod motioned and Dan seconded to approve job descriptions and organizational chart.  Motion carried unanimously

 

DISCUSSION

 

OSAH implementation committee - Dod submitted draft resolutions

 

Whereas the Town of Rhinebeck Town Board has accepted for review as part of the proposed Comprehensive Plan (dated 6/30/09) Appendix 5 of said "Open Space and Affordable Housing Implementation Plan" and

 

Whereas the Town of Rhinebeck is actively considering adoption of the proposed Comprehensive Plan, and a new Zoning Law dated 6/30/09, which contains zoning law regulations based on said Open Space and Affordable Housing Implementation Plan, and

 

Whereas said zoning law requires the implementation of detailed policies, procedures, and administrative actions to properly implement the Open Space and Affordable Housing portions of the Zoning Law, and

 

Whereas the original Open Space/Affordable Housing Committee was formed in 2006 as a single committee because of the integral relationship between open space and affordable housing objectives, and

 

Whereas the Town Board anticipates approval of said Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Law in the very near future, therefore be it resolved that the Rhinebeck Town Board does now hereby establish a single Town of Rhinebeck Open Space and Affordable Housing Implementation Committee, comprised of 8 members including 2 Town Board members.  This Committee is assigned the responsibility to develop policy, procedural, and administrative/management recommendations for consideration and approval by the Town Board to achieve the Open Space/Affordable Housing objective of the proposed Town of Rhinebeck Comprehensive Plan and the proposed Zoning Law of the Town of Rhinebeck, when approved.  This committee will conduct its work during the first year by placing primary emphasis on Affordable Housing action items and secondary emphasis on Open Space action items.  This committee is also tasked with returning to the Town Board, within 9 months, a recommendation on the long-term organization of this Committee as either one or two Committees, or other alternatives if developed. 

The Implementation Committee is specifically charged with making recommendations to the Town Board on the following: 

                Affordable Housing

                        -In lieu of fees

                        - Density bonuses

                        - Affordable housing applicant income criteria

                        - Staffing/organization of affordable housing administration including but not limited to use of town staff, partnering with County government, and shared staff with other municipalities

                        - recommend funding sources for land purchase including but not limited to bond initiatives, real estate transfer taxes, developer fees, grants, etc.

                        - develop public education and outreach initiatives regarding Open Space Implementation plans and issues.

                       - develop a plan for monitoring Open Space resources created as a result of mandated conservation subdivision actions

                      - staffing/organization of affordable housing administration including but not limited to use of town staff, partnering with County government, shared staff with other municipalities and partnering with land trusts. 

 

Dan suggested 7 members to the committee; Dod likes 9 or 11 to broaden ideas. 

Dan fells it should definitely be an odd number of members.  Ms. Richardson said the "in lieu of taxes" needs more clarification.  Dod stated that is spelled out in the Zoning Law so why repeat it.  Pam then suggested at least referencing that section of the law.  Dod questioned why no one responded to his emails of this resolution last week and now all these suggestions come up.  He will re submit above resolution.

 

Whereas the Town of Rhinebeck created an Open Space and Affordable Housing Committee in 2006 to develop an Open Space and Affordable Housing plan as part of the Town Comprehensive Plan, and

 

Whereas, the Open Space and Affordable Housing plan has been incorporated into the Town Comprehensive Plan as Appendix 5 entitle "Open Space and Affordable Housing Implementation Plan", thus completing the task for which said Committee was formed,

 

The Town Board of the Town of Rhinebeck does hereby thank for their fine work and efforts the Open Space and Affordable Housing Committee co chairs Steve Rosenberg and Bob Wills, and committee members Barbara Henzey, Al Dekrey, Bill Cotting, Pat McLaughlin, Leonard Neverz, Sally Mazzarella, Joanne Engle, Chris Lipscomb, and Donald Hines for their contributions to the Committee and the Open Space/Affordable Housing Plan

 

And does hereby disband the Town of Rhinebeck Open Space and Affordable Housing Committee. 

 

Motioned by Dod Crane                         Seconded by Ellen Silverstein

 

All were in favor.  Passed 5-0.

 

 

 

Ms. Richardson stated the Vanderburgh Cove easement letters will be mailed out soon.

 

Hog's Bridge funding update from Counsel - Ms. Richardson stated Scott Volkman is working on this but explained that 5 year bonding is available without going to permissive referendum.  Ten years or longer requires permissive referendum which is definitely more complicated. 

 

Highway MEO hiring status update from Counsel - Ms. Richardson reported that Civil Service Law provides with employee written letter he really cannot change his mind unless the Town Board consents to rehire him. 

 

Sally Mazzarella explained the Comp Plan consultants need a workshop with the Town Board and suggested having a Special Workshop on November 16^th at 4:30.  The final draft needs to be reviewed.  On motion from Dan and second from Ellen the 4:30 workshop on November 16^th was unanimously approved.  

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 9:22, on motion from Dod and second from Dan this meeting was unanimously adjourned

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Barbara Cunningham

Town Clerk