Town Board Meeting Minutes

OCTOBER 23, 2006 TOWN OF RHINEBECK BOARD MEETING MINUTES
The Supervisor opened the meeting at 6:50 pm.
Roll call; Supervisor Block, Councilman Crane, Councilman
Niedercorn, Councilwoman Souers and Counsel Replansky all
present. Councilwoman Silverstein arrived later.
Announcements:
The town board seeks applications to fill vacancies on the
Planning Board and the Waterfront Committee. Interested
residents should contact Town Clerk Barb Cunningham at 876-
3409 for applications.
The conference on improving how our schools, village and town
work together will be held at Rhinebeck High School on
Saturday, November 18, from 9-3. All residents will receive
more details and a registration form via regular mail
within the next week. The conference is being supported by a
grant of $4,465 from the Thompson Trust.
The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, from
6AM to 9PM at town hall, Methodist church and Rhinecliff
Firehouse.
On Thursday, November 9, 2006, 6:45PM, the Town Board will
hold its 2007 Budget hearing.
The Recreation Committee is sponsoring a bus trip to the
Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Reservations
for the November 11th performance must be received by the town
clerk no later than November 3rd.
The Town Winter Parking Ordinance kicks in on November 15th
and lasts until April 1. No car will be allowed to park on a
town road between midnight and 6 AM.
Proposed Actions:
1. Endorsing the proposal to the State Shared Services office
for $149,500 to support feasibility studies for
improving cooperation among the village, town, and school
district. Steve explained there is a 10% match of $14,950 if
approved.
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RESOLTUION IN SUPPORT OF SHARED SERVICES OFFICE of
the NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE APPLICATION
WHEREAS, the Rhinebeck Collaboration has been officially
established by resolution of the Village Board of Trustee, the
Town Board, and the Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, the Village Mayor, Town Supervisor, and
Superintendent of Schools plus one other member of each
governing body have been authorized to meet monthly to work on
common problems and to increase cooperation among the three
municipalities; and
WHEREAS, a public conference to consider ways to improve
cooperation and collaboration in public services and municipal
operations has been planned for November 18th; and
WHEREAS, further development of these goals requires
professional feasibility studies to identify appropriate
models, cost-benefit analyses, and implementation strategies;
and
WHEREAS, the State of New York Department of State has
established a program to fund the study and implementation of
shared services programs; and
WHEREAS, such funding requires a local match of 10 percent;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town
Of Rhinebeck does hereby declare its formal support for this
application; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon notification of grant
approval by the New York Department of State, the Town Board
shall re-allocate an amount equal to 10% of the grant award.
The above resolution was offered by Paul Niedercorn, and was
seconded by Linda Souers to adopt the preceding resolution
with the Town Board members voting as follows:
Supervisor Block aye
Councilman Crane aye
Councilman Niedercorn aye
Councilwoman Silverstein absent
Councilwoman Souers aye
The motion was carried by a 4 – 0 vote of the Town Board
members on October 23rd, 2006.
Certified by Town Clerk Barbara Cunningham
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2. Paul motioned and Dod seconded to appoint the following
members to the Committee on the Aging, term to expire
12/31/07:
Karen Baldwin, Margaret Feldman, Mike Mazzarella,
Sandra Blair, Arthur Kaufman, Mary Reid-Miller,
Marcella Briggs, Carole Leib and, as Committee Chair:
Margaret Feldman. All were in favor of motion.
3. Linda motioned and Dod seconded to approve resolution to
support Northern Dutchess Hospital’s effort to remain
officially in the New York City Medical Statistical Area
(MSA).
WHEREAS, Northern Dutchess Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, and
Vassar Brothers Medical Center (the “Dutchess County
hospitals”) provide a wide range of healthcare services to
county residents, including emergency care, tertiary care and
care for the underinsured and underserved; and
WHEREAS, the Dutchess County hospitals have been classified
since mid-2004 in the New York City Medical Statistical Area
(MSA); and
WHEREAS; the classification in the New York City MSA has
resulted in approximately $24 million annually in incremental
and appropriate Medicare reimbursement that has been vital to
the hospitals’ ability to remain competitive in terms of
compensation and benefits, and to invest in new services,
facilities and technology; and
WHEREAS; the Dutchess County hospitals are now faced with the
expiration of their classification in the New York City MSA
effective April 2007 for Northern Dutchess Hospital and
September 2007 for Saint Francis Hospital and Vassar Brothers
Medical Center,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town Of
Rhinebeck, on behalf of the Dutchess County hospitals, urges
the Congress of the United States to extend the
reclassification of the Dutchess County hospitals into the New
York City MSA before it expires in 2007 and to expand that
legislation to ensure that all three Dutchess County hospitals
are classified permanently in the New York City MSA, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent
to appropriate elected officials representing Dutchess County
residents at the local, state and federal levels, and that
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this document be a request to them to take all actions
necessary to assure the continued inclusion of the Dutchess
County hospitals in the New York City MSA. These elected
officials include: Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, Joel Miller,
Patrick Manning, Tom Kirwan, Daniel Hooker, Sandy Galef; New
York State Senators Stephen Saland and Vincent Leibell;
Congressional Representatives Maurice Hinchey, Sue Kelly and
John Sweeney and U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles
Schumer.
Supervisor Block aye
Councilman Crane aye
Councilman Niedercorn aye
Councilwoman Silverstein aye
Councilwoman Linda Souers aye
Certified this 23rd day of October, 2006
by Town Clerk Barbara Cunningham
4. On motion by Paul and second by Dod following abstract was
unanimously approved. Abstract 10B vouchers 1046-1096, checks
4650-4685.
Old Business
5. Julio Vega application for a Peddler’s Permit.
Dod would like to take this application to the Planning Board
since our Zoning precludes this location. The ownership of
the west side of Milham has not been determined. Donna in the
assessor’s office contacted Dutchess County Real Property
Office and even they are not sure. There is really no
shoulder to speak of and there seems to be problems with
locating the unit on the west side of Milham. Kathy and Dod
visited the site with Julio and from this meeting Kathy will
write the Town Board her concerns and thoughts. It is not a
wide road. The next step is the letter from the Highway
Superintendent, neighbor’s feelings and approving me to
compose a letter to the Planning Board for them to review and
querying the Zoning Board chair to see if a variance might be
appropriate. Steve will talk to the Comp Plan Committee
Wednesday night. Dod motioned and Paul seconded to allow Dod
to draft a letter to the Planning Board for their thoughts and
recommend
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New Business
Halloween curfew: Most of the Board members weren’t aware a
curfew even existed. There are several stipulations in the
local law such as under 10 years of age needs to be with a
parent between 8pm and midnight. Paul stated that it has been
enforced in the past. Warren will research and render a
decision at our next board meeting.
Gene Trombini funeral matter: Steve stated the idea
originated when Burnett and Rockefellar Funeral Home asked
Gary Slater back in January to see if the Town was going to
waive the internment fee for Mr. Trombini. Steve answered yes
but Paul feels it is not appropriate. The Cemetery Committee
in reviewing their records noted the discrepancy of no
payment. Steve’s instinct is to do the right thing. Linda
questioned the dollar amount and was told it was $710. Warren
feels the Town probably is not permitted to gift but this
happened unintentionally. The Town Board should actually
approve not just the supervisor. At this point just recognize
a mistake was made and waive the fee if the board is so
inclined. Barb Kraft feels it is an inappropriate use of the
taxpayer’s money. Paul agrees. Dod feels it is a technical
violation of state law but tends to agree with Warren. Thirty
one years of service to this town is high. It was a very early
decision in this administration and we should just let it go.
It is a sensitivity issue at this point. The cost to research
might be more than the $710 fee. Paul feels it is stealing
from the taxpayers. Steve thinks it is a reasonable request.
Linda understands all the different emotions but is incline to
waive. Paul motioned and Dod seconded to charge the Trombini
family $710 for Eugene’s internment. Paul voted aye; Steve,
Dod, Ellen and Linda all voting nay. Motion defeated 1-4.
Ellen has spoken with an Emergency Room doctor and the
director and they are willing to conduct a seminar on avian
flu at Town Hall. The doctor prefers January so hopefully at
the next board meeting we can set a date.
At 7:35 Paul motioned and Ellen seconded to adjourn this
meeting to hold a client/attorney consultation over a
contractual issue on the transfer station forklift bid. All
were in favor.
At 7:45 on motion by Dod and second by Linda the public
session was unanimously reconvened. Linda motioned and Dod
seconded to authorize Warren to send a letter to Thompson and
Johnson in accordance with his 10/23 memo. All were in favor.
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Linda also motioned with Ellen seconding to authorize Nancy
Cunningham to prepare rebid for the transfer station forklift
per her specifications with review with her liaison and
supervisor. Motion carried unanimously.
At 7:45, on motion by Dod and second by Ellen this meeting was
unanimously adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Cunningham
Town Clerk