2000-03-13 RGMCONSTANCE O. SMITH
SUPERVISOR
TELEPHONE: (914) 297-2744
FAX: (914) 297.4558
March 9, 2000
MEMO TO:
FROM:
RE:
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
Town Board
Attorney to Town
Engineer to Town
Media
Constance 0. Smith
WORKSHOP AGENDA
MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2000
7:30 PM
Interviews: Pete Muro Fire Inspector
George Kolb Building Inspector
SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE
20 MIDDLEBUSH ROAD
P.O. BOX 324
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 12590.0324
Osborne Hill Group Home Kilkenny/Hartman
Vehicle Purchase Comptroller
Meadowoods Project Steve Domber
Pok/Joint Water Jay Paggi
Water Improvement 99-2 ® Jay Paggi
Little League Bill Farrell
Bonding Recreation Mower & Backhoe
COS:dly
NO OTHER BUSINESS SHALL COME BEFORE THE BOARD.
03/13/2000.WS
The Workshop Meeting of the Town of Wappinger was held on March 13,
2000 at the town hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York.
Supervisor Smith opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Present:
Constance Smith, Supervisor
Robert Valdati, Councilman
Vincent Bettina, Councilman
Joseph Ruggiero, Councilman (arrived at 8:00 p.m.)
Joseph Paoloni, Councilman
Elaine H. Snowden, Town Clerk
Others Present:
Jay Paggi, Engineer to the Town
Al Roberts, Attorney to the Town
Graham Foster, Highway Superintendent
At this time, 7:30 COUNCILMAN VALDATI moved to go into Executive
Session to conduct interviews for the Fire Inspector, and Building Inspector.
Seconded by Mr. Valdati
Motion Unanimously Carried
The meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m. with all board members present,
including Mr. Ruggiero. There was no action taken at Executive Session.
The first thing to be discussed tonight is the Osborne Hill Group Home.
SUPERVISOR SMITH wished to notify the Board and the spokesman here
concerning the group home, that today, at 5:09 p.m. she received notification
from the RSS, explaining that they cannot accept the remaining site that was
offered as an alternative to 131 Osborne Hill Road. At this point, they would
like to move forward to build the residence they had planned for that location
and to work with the Town to obtain all of the necessary building and
occupancy permits. This means the board has 15 days to submit an
alternate site. If the board decides not to submit an alternate site, the Group
Home would be built on Osborne Hill Road.
At this time, Supervisor Smith recognized Mrs. Kilkenny to speak on behalf
of the residents of Osborne Hill Road. Mrs. Kilkenny explained, that when
they first heard about the proposed Group Home, they had many questions as
to safety, child safety, road safety, property values, etc. The first meeting
concerned environmental problems. They sent out questionnaires to each
property owner that lives along the swamp, requesting them to document
their problems with pictures, receipts, etc. They feel this site is not an
acceptable area to build this Group Home. Three alternative sites were
submitted to the board, and then the board turned around, and voted to
authorize the Supervisor to send a letter to RSS requesting them to remove
1
03/13/2000.WS
the two River Road North sites, and submit only the Route 9D site. Mrs.
Kilkenny wishes to know, why Mr. Bettina and Mr. Ruggiero (who was not
even at the February 19th meeting) thought it necessary to withdraw the
other two sites.
COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO explained, that at the February 28th meeting, it
was brought to the boards attention, by Mr. Bettina that upon reviewing the
three sites after the vote on February 19th, that he had discovered that one of
the properties was adjacent to "Greystone" another Group Facility. There is
nothing shady going on here, we are looking after the residents of the town.
At this time the Board recognized Mr. Hartman who wish to know if the
board was open to reviewing additional sites. COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO
explained, that if we get the sites in writing, the board will consider it. Mr.
Hartman explained, that one of the major arguments they have against
submitting alternative sites, that under the "Padavan Law" the areas where
the alternative sites are submitted do not have the means to respond. You
have to realize, that when residents come to the town for help, like dried up
wells, septic seepage, and things that would cost thousands of dollars to
repair, if a Group Home goes in on Osborne Hill Road, and they come to the
board for help, if the board takes all the steps under the "Padavan Law", case
closed, because everyone has done their best. Mr. Hartman explained that
he informed by the State Attorney Generals,
was that if the board does not
take the second step, then the board has not gone to the final end of the
"Padavan Law" in trying to help the Osborne Hill residents. If the residents
suffer severe financial damage from this home going in, and the board is
aware of these hazards, and did not make every effort under the "Padavan
Law", then the board could be held responsible should the residents decide to
hire a private attorney and contest this issue. At this point, Mr. Roberts
Attorney to the Town explained that he doubts anyone from the Attorney
Generals office would give that opinion, and if so, he would like the
gentleman's name and address, because he would like to discuss it with him.
As far as the environmental issues, the board has no control. They are
decided by the Health Department. The Town Board is not obligated to give
alternate sites. Every objection the residents have raised are legitimate, but
the decisions are not made by the board, they are made by the Health
Department or powers beyond this town board.
At this time, 8:45 P.M., COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO moved for a 10 minute
recess, seconded by Mr. Valdati and unanimously carried.
The meeting reconvened at 8:50 p.m. with all board members present.
2
03/13/2000.WS
At the last Town Board Meeting, Mr. Terwilliger was authorized to look into
State Bids for the purchase of a vehicle for the Zoning Administrator. The
General Part -Town Fund has provided $15K for the purchase of a standard
passenger type vehicle. However, a 4x4 Sport Utility Vehicle has been
requested. The lowest state bid award on a 4x4 SUV is a 2000 Jeep
Cherokee with a base price of $19,824.00, plus delivery, through Warnock
Fleet and Leasing. Availability - within 90 days. Current state contract
awards will expire the week ending 3/17/00. To take advantage of state
prices, authorization is needed from the Town Board, as well as a Budget
adjustment of $5,200 to cover the difference in price, $4,824.00, plus delivery.
COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO moved to authorize a Budget amendment of
$5,200 to cover the difference in price for the SUV, as requested by the
Comptroller.
Seconded by Mr. Paoloni
Motion Unanimously Carried
COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO moved to authorize the purchase of the SUV for
the Zoning Administrator.
Seconded by Mr. Paoloni
Motion Unanimously Carried
Next is Steven Domber, who wishes to discuss his Meadowoods Project. At
one time Mr. Domber said he would turn one of his wells over to the town.
He has since found out that he does not have any water in that well. When
the process was first started, Mr. Domber had approval for water source that
was able to serve the 79 approved lots. When the project was changed over to
well and septic for a portion of it, he was going to dedicate the land to the
town that had the well fields on it and the town would have future well fields.
When he went into the area where he was going to do the twelve lots, he had
assumed that he would get water, since there was ample water across the
street. Unfortunately, there was not enough yield out of ten test wells that
were drilled. He has no choice but to go back to the original plan which he
had in front of the Planning Board, to develop his own water source. He
wishes to revert back to his original project, because he does not have the
option of the twelve lots on well and septic. Discussion followed.
NO ACTION TAKEN
Correspondence received from Anthony Quartararo informing the board that
he had been directed by the Poughkeepsie Joint Water Project Board to
advise that they are requesting the Town of Wappinger deposit the sum of
3
03/13/2000.WS
$15K with the Water Board to be used to defray the costs of its consultants
regarding the feasibility and contract preparation costs of the sale of water to
the Town of Wappinger. Discussion followed.
COUNCILMAN VALDATI moved to authorize Engineer to the Town and
Attorney to the Town write to Mr. Quartararo explaining that we do not have
a district formed yet.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
A request from Graham Foster, Highway Superintendent for a P.O. payable
to Tech Air in the amount of $1,054.12, to replace the current welder which
is in poor condition and not cost effective to rebuild.
COUNCILMAN VALDATI moved to authorize a P.O. payable to Tech Air in
the amount of $1,054.12, to replace the current welder as requested by Mr.
Foster.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
Back in November Supervisor Smith was authorized by the board to send a
letter to the Dutchess County Board of Health pertaining to Bill Diesing's
property on Myers Corners Road. He had many violations and problems.
She reported to the board that she was not going to send the letter, because
of all the violations. He has now requested Mrs. Smith send a letter.
Discussion followed.
COUNCILMAN VALDATI moved to do nothing until Mr. Diesing submits
the Site/Plot Plan to the Building Department.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
Jay Paggi, Engineer to the Town gave a report on the Proposed Water
Improvement 99-2. It is a very complex project, and many issues still need to
be addressed. To further cloud the issue, we have just been made aware by
Mr. Domber, that we may not have access to what is commonly known as the
Domber well. It is the opinion of Mr. Paggi, that the board should entertain
that improvement with certain modifications. It is proposed to add on a
certain number of items to make the system somewhat more complete and to
be able to function in the interim. These additional items include:
Eli
03/13/2000.WS
1. The inspection and repair of the existing Cider Mill Loop Tank. This will
bring the existing tank up to current standards, and provide 1.0 mgd of
additional storage.
2. Appropriate sized chlorine detention facilities at the Hilltop Wellfield.
This is in response to the recent "Giardia" problems in the Sprout Creek
Aquifer.
3. The demolition of the existing Rockingham Water Storage Facility.
4. The construction of a replacement water storage facility at the
Rockingham site.
5. Emergency generators at the Hilltop and Atlas Sites.
6. Individual water meters for the existing Atlas distribution system.
The total cost of the work is in the neighborhood of $7.9 million. This
includes all construction costs, contingency fees, professional fees, planning
fees, and Environmental Facilities Corporation issuance charges. It is
assumed that this project could be financed through the New York State
Environmental Facilities Crop. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. This
allows the Town to realize a 1/3 interest subsidy and attractive interest rates
as part of a large pool. The $7.9 million Bond amortized over 20 years while
f participating in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund would have an
i?
annual capital cost debt reduction of approximately $120-$125 per benefit
unit for five existing districts, Central Wappinger Water Improvement
Area, North Wappinger Water Improvement Area, Myers Corners II
Water Improvement Are, Cranberry Hills Water Improvement Area,
and Ardmore Hill Water District.
COUNCILMAN VALDATI moved to authorize Mr. Paggi to prepare the Map,
Plan and Report.
Seconded by Mr. Ruggiero
Motion Unanimously Carried
COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO moved to set a future Workshop to discuss
Special Legislation.
Seconded by Mr. Paoloni
Motion Unanimously Carried
Bill Farrell, to discuss the Little League ball field at Robinson Lane. He
wants more dugouts, lighting, the road paved, and also a full time recreation
crew. He explained that our recreation programs have not kept pace with the
other towns and feels all the above items he is requesting would improve his
5
03/13/2000.WS
program. Mr. Farrell also enclosed several proposals for commercial lighting
for the ball fields. Discussion followed.
COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO moved to have a Recreation Bonding Workshop.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
At the last town board meeting, Recreation requested permission to go out to
bid for a mower and backhoe attachment for the Recreation Department. At
that time the request was tabled to a workshop, because there was some
question about going out to bond for these items.
COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO moved to authorize the funds for the Mower &
Backhoe for Recreation come out of the A Fund.
Seconded by Mr. Paoloni
Motion Unanimously Carried
A request from Joe Ennesser is to authorize the Supervisor to sign the grant
application in the amount of $10,000 to initiate improvements, safety
enhancements & expansion at the Chelsea Boat Ramp.
COUNCILMAN BETTINA moved to authorize Supervisor Smith to sign the
grant to initiate improvements at the Chelsea Boar Ramp.
Seconded by Mr. Paoloni J,
Motion Unanimously Carried
COUNCILMAN BETTINA informed the board that he mistakenly received
someone's tax bill in his mail.
COUNCILMAN BETTINA moved to waive any penalties that may have been
incurred on this tax bill.
Seconded by Mr. Valdati
Motion Unanimously Carried
There was no other business to come before the board.
COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO moved to close the meeting, seconded by Mr.
Valdati, and unanimously carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Elaine H. Snowden
Town Clerk
0