TOWN OF BLOOMING GROVE

TOWN BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010

7:30 PM

Meeting called to order by Supervisor Fornario followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moments silence.

PRESENT:  Supervisor Fornario, Councilman Nielsen, Councilman Kirkpatrick

                                Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun, Councilwoman Murphy                            

 

ALSO PRESENT:     J. Benjamin Gailey, Attorney for the Town

                                     Town Clerk, Barbara E. Decker

            Supervisor Fornario announced that the Town Board Meeting Agendas will be published in the Orange County Post a week in advance of the Meetings, as well as appearing on the Town’s website.      Website address is townofbloominggroveny.com

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – DECEMBER 28TH, 2009 TOWN BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 4TH, 2010 TOWN BOARD WORK SESSION AND JANUARY 4TH, 2010 RE-ORGANIZATION MEETING.

I, Councilman Nielsen,  move that the minutes of the December 28th , 2009 Town Board

Meeting, the January 04, 2010 Town Board Work Session and January 04, 2010

Re-Organization Meeting be accepted as presented.  Seconded by Councilman Kirkpatrick.

 Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

           

CORRECTION – Supervisor Fornario stated that at the December 28th, 2009 meeting the former Supervisor made a statement that the fines levied by the NYS DEC for Glenwood Hills Sewer District and Tappan Hills Sewer District  were paid by the whole Town.    This was not correct, those fines were paid out of the affected sewer district funds.              

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS – NONE

 

ORANGE COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING –CONTRACT -F/Y 2010

I, Councilman Nielsen, move that authorization be given to the Supervisor to sign the Contract with the Orange County Office for the Aging for the year of 2010.   Seconded by Councilwoman

Murphy.

Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

 

GENEVIEVE PAUKOVITS  – BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW–1-10-15

I, Councilman Kirkpatrick, move that authorization be given to reappoint Genevieve Paukovits to the Town of Blooming Grove Board of Assessment Review  with her term to expire on January 10, 2015. Seconded by Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun.

Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

 

GEORGE DOERING – BOARD OF ETHICS – 1-10-2013

I, Councilman  Nielsen, move that authorization be given to reappoint George Doering to the Town of Blooming Grove Board of  Ethics with his term to expire on January 10, 2013.  Seconded by Councilwoman Murphy.

 Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Abstain, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

Councilman  Kirkpatrick noted that he is abstaining due to the fact that he is named in  an

application presently before the Board of Ethics.

Continued – page 2

TOWN BOARD MEETING                     JANUARY 11, 2010                              PAGE 2

 

2010 TOWN OF BLOOMING GROVE OFFICIAL UNDERTAKING OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS

WHEREAS, various sections of the state Town Law and Public Officers Law require that certain municipal officials execute an Official Undertaking; and  

WHEREAS, it is required by law that the Town Board  approve the Official Undertaking as to its form and manner of execution and the sufficiency of the insurance, and

            WHEREAS, we, the Town Board of the Town of Blooming Grove  hereby requires the Supervisor, Members of the Town Board, Town Clerk, Receiver of Taxes, Town Justices, Highway Superintendent and Town Comptroller to execute said Official Undertaking as required by said law;  

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Town Board of the Town of Blooming Grove approve the document entitled "Town of Blooming Grove Official Undertaking of Municipal Officers" as to its form and manner of execution  and the sufficiency of the insurance, and  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said Official Undertaking containing the   notarized signatures of those named municipal officials be filed in the Office of the Town Clerk, as well as the original copies of the Insurance policies indicating the sufficiency of the sureties to indemnify the Town against losses which may arise from failure of such officials to properly discharge their duties.

 This motion was put forth by Councilman  Nielsen,  Seconded by Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun and adopted by a vote of ___5_____Ayes  and __0___Nos. 

Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

 

APPOINTMENT – ERIN BROWN/KARA MARRERO – RECEIVER OF TAXES OFFICE

I, Councilman  Nielsen, move that authorization be given for the appointment of Erin Brown and Kara Marrero to the positions of Part Time Clerks in the Receiver of Taxes Office during the spring billing period for a maximum of 200 hours between the two of them at a salary of $10.79 per hour.   Seconded by Councilman  Kirkpatrick.

Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

 

RECEIVER OF TAXES BOND – 2010

I, Councilman Nielsen, move the adoption of a resolution authorizing payment of the premium for a Bond, said Bond to remain in force and effect for the year of 2010, said bond to include an additional indemnity for the Receiver of Taxes in the amount of $225,000.00, to cover the Receiver of Taxes during the collection of year 2010 State, County and Town taxes, with a copy of said bond to be filed with the Orange County Clerk’s Office, Goshen, New York.  Seconded by Councilman Kirkpatrick.

Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman  Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye, Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye.

 

FACILITY USE – HUMANE SOCIETY OF BLOOMING GROVE – NUTRITION SITE

I, Councilwoman Murphy, move that authorization be given to the Humane Society of Blooming Grove for use of the Nutrition Site for monthly meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM during the year of 2010.   Seconded by Councilman  Nielsen. 

Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

 

Continued – page 3

 

TOWN BOARD MEETING                     JANUARY 11, 2010                              PAGE 3

 

FACILITY USE – BLOOMING GROVE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE –LOWER LEVEL – TOWN HALL.

I, Councilwoman Murphy, move that authorization be given to the Blooming Grove Republican Committee for use of the Lower Level of Town Hall for monthly meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month, except for the months of July and August,  from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM during the year of 2010.   Seconded by Councilman  Nielsen. 

Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

I, Councilman  Nielsen, move that authorization be given to effect transfers necessary to pay the warrants.  Seconded by Councilman Kirkpatrick.

Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

 

WARRANTS

I, Councilman Nielsen, move that the bills of the Town be paid as audited by the Town Comptroller and approved by the Town Board.  Seconded by Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun.

Vote of the Board:  Councilwoman Murphy-Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun-Aye,  Councilman Kirkpatrick-Aye, Councilman Nielsen – Aye, Supervisor Fornario– Aye

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS –

The following matters were discussed during the public comments portion of the meeting:

           Mike Gertz stated he appreciated the sewer district follow up and that fact that the fines are being paid by the people in the sewer districts, however, he is disappointed that the operators did not have to pay.

           Johanna Kiernan stated she had some concerns about the park up in Mt. Lodge being finished.  They are hoping for some hand ball and basketball courts.  She hopes the Board will look into finishing it.  So far those using the park have respected it and by finishing it they will give the children more options.

            Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun stated that she would be in contact with Ms. Kiernan for further information so hopefully they will be able to address her concerns.    Councilwoman Murphy noted that she will be glad to help by looking into stimulus money as well as any grants that may be available.   Supervisor Fornario will contact new Legislator, Katie Bonelli to see if any funding available this year from the County. 

            Johanna Kiernan noted that the residents association will be meeting in a week or two and suggested that perhaps they could attend.

            Terry Hughes stated that Tappan Sewer District has 42 violations and Village of Washingtonville has 40.  He asked who is responsible for signing the certification of SPDES permit and application.

             Ben Gailey stated that the Town Board acts as Commissioners for the sewer districts in the Town and that fines are paid by the property owners in special districts.    No one was quite sure who signed the SPDES permit, the operators or the Town Engineer.   They  will look into it further.

             Steve Calzo of Mt. Lodge asked the Board about use of Calcium chloride on the roads in Mt. Lodge since it bothers the dogs paws and is not good for cars.   Asked about alternatives.  Noted that he read an article about what they call Magic Salt which is a by-product of Vodka used to melt ice.   More efficient, non toxic, would be great for pets and vehicles.    It is supposedly in fairly wide use.  

 

Continued – page 4

 

TOWN BOARD MEETING                     JANUARY 11, 2010                              PAGE 4

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS – CONTINUED

             Sal Amante, Highway Superintendent stated that there are other products, however, most are cost prohibitive and they cannot use a product on just one road.    It was suggested that Mr.  Calzo and Mr. Amante speak after the meeting.                                                                                                                                                                          

             Councilman Kirkpatrick who serves on the Ambulance Committee noted that he contacted Carole McCann, President of the Blooming Grove Volunteer Ambulance Corps. and will arrange to meet with her.

            Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun and Councilwoman Murphy attended training seminar in Albany and both came back full of ideas, and seems like more questions then answers.    Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun serves on the Humane Society Committee and reported that she has a copy of the new contract with the Town of Cornwall and is in the process of getting a report on the animals at the site for the last year from Missy Veraldo, the shelter manager..

             Supervisor Fornario agreed that he also came back from the conference in Albany with more questions then answers.    He is looking forward to receiving committee reports from all of  the Board Members as well as Department Heads.  He thanked Highway Superintendent, Sal Amante for his work on the roads.   He welcomed Mayor of the Village of Washingtonville, Tom DeVinko for coming.    He urged anyone with suggestions to  better the Town website to let him know, Councilman  Nielsen will be working on updating the website.    He also thank John Spear for providing space for the meeting agendas in the O.C. Post, and last but not least Missy Veraldo, Manager of  the Humane Society Animal shelter

            Supervisor Fornario also announced that there will be a Work Session held previous to the January 25th Town Board Meeting beginning at 6:15 PM. 

             On Tuesday, January 26th there will be a Public Hearing held by the Blooming Grove Planning Board at 7:30 PM,  in the form of a scoping session regarding the proposal put forth by Mountco for development of the  Camp LaGuardia property.     He announced that all meetings are open to the public.

            The Mt. View Estates water main break has been fixed, which took nearly 2 weeks.  He thanked the residents for their patience in that situation.  He also announced that Councilman  Nielson  is a new father and acknowledged the presence of Art Jefferies, Superintendent of Public Works from the Village of Washingtonville.   Being no further comments were forthcoming the Supervisor asked for a motion to adjourn.

                                                                                                                                   

ADJOURNMENT

I, Councilman Nielsen, move that this Meeting be adjourned.  Seconded by Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun..

Vote of the Board: Councilwoman Murphy -Aye, Councilwoman Wells-Calhoun – Aye,    Councilman Kirkpatrick - Aye, Councilman Nielsen- Aye, Supervisor Fornario-Aye

                                                                                               

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Barbara E. Decker

Town Clerk