1997-04-14 RGMAGENDA
TOWN BOARD
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
2nd MONDAY MEETING
APRIL 14, 1997
7:00 p.m.
1. SUPERVISOR CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO FLAG
3. PRESENTATIONS:
7:00 P.M. - Donald Swartz, Justice Court House Bldg.
7:30 P.M. - Lyle Kitt/Bruce Cadman, General Codes
8:00 P.M. - EDC Representative
8:30 P.M. - Wm T. Parsons
4. PETIIONS & COMMUNICATIONS
a. Susan Philips, WCS Dist. request use of Voting Machines for
May 12th Budget Vote
b. J. Paggi, P.E., Eng. to Twn, Rockingham Farms Sewer Plant
(3/20/97) w/Corr of Daniel Iyekekpolar, Env. Eng., NYSDEC
C. Frederick P. Clark Assocs., Re: Memorandum of 1/29/97 to G. Foster
d. J. Paggi, P.E., ENG to Town, Re; Rockingham drainage Project
(Bars & Gates) w/ Corr from Jack Peluse, V.P., Marshall & Sterling
e. Charles Webber, re: Aerial Pest Control
f. J. Paggi, P.E., Eng to Twn. re: Leggetti, Brashears & Graham, Inc.
Atlas Well Field w/LBG Report attached
g. Zvi Segal, re: Extending Sherwood Heights 1000 Feet - request
Performance Bond be set
h. T. Logan, Assessor, re: Town Board certify current Base Proportion
i. R. Holt, Rec. Ch. re: Chelsea Boat Ramp - request to spend $1,500
for new Pilings - Funding from "Parklands" Account
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. G. Foster - Bids for Highway Trucks
b. J. Paggi, P.E., ENG. TO TWN. Re: Combined Sanitary Sewer and Wa
Trench
c. Albert Roberts, Esq.. Attny to Town., Re: (1)Proposed Combined Wa
Improvement Area - Acquisition costs apportioned (2) T/W with
Dutchess co. Water & Waste Water Authority Grant of $4,000.
d. Spring Clean-up forms
6. NEW BUSINESS _tt
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The Bi -Monthly Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger was
held on April 14, 1997 at the Town Hall at 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers
Falls, New York. Supervisor Smith called the Meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
Present:
Constance Smith, Supervisor
Joseph Ruggiero, Councilman
Vincent Bettina, Councilman
June Visconti, Councilwoman
Elaine H. Snowden, Town Clerk
Others Present:
Albert Roberts, Attorney to the Town
Jay Paggi, Engineer to the Town
Graham Foster, Highway Superintendent
Absent:
Robert Valdati, Councilman
The Supervisor asked all to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PRESENTATIONS
DONALD SWARTZ, of Archetypes Architecture & Planning, presented a
Video and gave a short presentation on the proposed building for the Justice
Court. He provided a brief explanation of current Town Court space, an
overview of existing staffing and square foot allocations, a detailed statement
of probable construction cost, based upon information available at this stage.
Mr. Swartz also distributed a feasibility report based on 1997 conditions, to
the Board Members. Several issues were addressed, such as handicap
accessibility, security area, etc. Jay Paggi, Engineer to the Town informed
the Board that he sent the site plan Mr. Swartz had worked out, to the DEC
to get a preliminary indication as to what they felt was the potential for the
project. They will review it and call for a site inspection and go over their
concerns with us. SUPERVISOR SMITH thanked Mr. Swartz for the great
presentation, she would like to go over the feasibility report in depth, and
meet with him again. At this time COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI had some
issues she wished to bring up. (1) What constitutes a full time judge. (2) Is
there a limit on the number of days a judge can preside over. (3) How many
hours are our judges currently holding court. (4) Is there a limit as to the
number of hours a judge can hold court. SUPERVISOR SMITH said she
would check into these issues and report back to the Board.
BRUCE CADMAN of General Code Publishers gave a presentation on
professional codification services. Mr. Cadman handed out literature and
informed the Board what was available. Basically what they try to do is act
as a law clerk to the municipalities that they deal with. He also presented a
description of how the actual code book itself is set up once it is done. He
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went over the steps that are involved in the process as well. The Town would
have documentation of every piece of legislation that it has ever adopted.
His office would prepare a comments and recommendation report and make
suggestions as to what type of revisions and changes should be made to the
legislation. It is their goal, to finish codes within a year. At the end of the
project we give you the disposition list and the legislation to adopt a code and
recommend how we can maintain the books, and in the future when new
legislation is enacted you are notified of the changes to add and delete. The
PC Code Book for Windows is $1,750 option. The Town Board were all in
total agreement, that this would be a viable tool for the Town Hall.
COUNCILMAN RUGGIERO moved that we approve the first part of the
contract with General Code Publishers for up to $20,000.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
The EDC representative was not prepared to take the floor at this time, and
would return at a later date.
At this time William Parsons Chairman of the Planning Board speaking for
the Planning Board and the ZBA, wished to address the Town Board on a
more serious note. There is a personnel problem. Linda Nguyen the
Secretary is currently looking for another job. The ZBA and Planning Board
secretaries, and there have been many, have never stayed very long due to
the low salary. The Planning Board and ZBA are requesting the Town Board
to consider an increase in Linda's salary. I am only looking for a couple of
thousand, maybe $3,000, raise for her. Her responsibilities have increased
as well as her knowledge of the workings of the ZBA and Planning Board.
The Boards, have been keeping costs down over the years; getting paid $25
per meeting for the past 17 years. The members are not looking for more
money for themselves. What is important is good support people. There is no
one more important than the secretary to those two Boards.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI questioned Supervisor Smith on the salary
study that was performed several years ago by the Dutchess County
Department of Personnel. Was it ever done. Supervisor Smith informed Mrs.
Visconti it was, and she distributed copies to all the Board Members. At this
time Mr. Parsons handed a copy of Linda's responsibilities to all Board
Members. As you can see by Linda's job description, its very complex, and
takes a year and a half for a secretary to those Boards to be proficient in the
jobs. Mr. Parsons checked with other municipalities and the salaries range
from $15.14 per hour to $7.15 and figuring a 37 hour week for Linda,
Wappinger pays $8.10. After looking at all the salaries for the Town of
Wappinger, Mr. Parsons concluded that all the women who work for the
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Town of Wappinger are very low paid. They are almost $2 to $3 and hour
behind every other Town. Ultimately the Town loses because of the time it
takes to train new people for the jobs lost. Mr. Parsons counted 8-10
secretaries in that job for the last 17 years. If you look at Linda's
responsibilities on a daily basis you will see that they are very important to
the Town and to members of the Planning Board and ZBA. We would like to
have someone we can count on to do the job, do it correctly, so we can do our
job to the best of our ability. COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI felt that she is
no position to agree or disagree, it will have to be discussed at Budget Time.
She has no problem looking into the situation. Mr. Parsons said some of the
employees also have second jobs in order to survive. That must say
something about the pay schedule. Its very important to keep costs down, as
far as taxes go, but in the long run, the Town loses out because of turnover.
Mr. Parsons said he would appreciate the Town Board discuss this and try to
come to some sort of decision.
PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS
Zvi Segal, owner and developer of Carmel Heights Subdivision, known as
Sherwood Heights, plans to extend the road of Sherwood Heights in May
1997 about 1000 feet, and connect it to Peel Lane. Mr. Segal is requesting an
amount for a Performance Bond to be established by the Town for the
incomplete items such as final cost of blacktop, curbing and landscape. Also
include the amount of escrow for the inspection of the gravel base, blacktop
binder and the time for the Town Engineer to establish the amount of
Performance Bond.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to authorize Engineer to the Town,
Jay Paggi, establish an Escrow Account and Attorney to the Town, Al Roberts
to prepare the necessary papers for the connection of Sherwood Heights to
Peel Lane, as requested by Mr. Segal.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
A Request from Susan Phillips, District Clerk of Wappingers Central School
for the use of ten (10) Voting Machines for the Wappinger Central School
District Annual Election to be held on May 14, 1997.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to authorize the use of ten (10) voting
machines to Wappinger Central School District for their Annual Election to
be held on May 14, 1997.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
Correspondence from Jay Paggi, Engineer to the Town in receipt of a letter
from Daniel Iyekekpolor, Environmental Engineer with the NYSDEC
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regarding the Rockingham Sewer Plant, dated March 13, 1997 and would
advise that we are currently preparing Contract Documents for the Contract
2.3 which is the final connection from the Rockingham Farms collection
system to the newly constructed Rockingham Farms Pump Station. This
project should be out to bid early April 1997, with construction beginning in
May 1997. The construction period would be approximately 1-2 weeks,
therefore, by late May the work should be completed. The reason the plant
has not been connected to Tri -Municipal, as of yet, is because their expansion
is not, as we speak, 100% complete, and therefore, flow could not have been
delivered to their plant. As you are aware, we were just informed recently
that the plant completion is imminent.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to accept the correspondence and
place it on file.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
Correspondence from Frederick P. Clark Associates responding to the
memorandum of 1/29/97 to Graham Foster, Highway Superintendent
regarding the road study.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to table, for further discussion when
Mr. Foster and Mr. Galante are both in attendance.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
A report from Jay Paggi, Engineer to the Town regarding the Rockingham
Drainage Project (bars & gates) with correspondence from Jack Peluse, V.P.
of Marshall & Sterling, Inc. In an attempt to wrap up the conversation of the
past few days regarding the ends of pipe at the Rockingham Drainage project,
it should be understood that the Town had previously investigated the
necessity for having bars and/or gates at the end of the pipe during the
design phase. The Town's insurance company looked into the matter, and
reported back to the Town that grates and/or bars could, in themselves, add
to the potential of having a problem, and advised against placing them. They
did advise that the Town should take all measures which they are able to
take to avoid an unfortunate incident such as fencing and/or appropriate
signage. It should be noted that these measures have been included in the bid
documents, and are presently being built.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to accept the report and place it on
file.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
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Motion Unanimously Carried
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An letter of introduction from Don Webber and Son announcing that they are
in the business of Arial Pest Control.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to accept the correspondence and
place it on file.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
Correspondence from Jay Paggi, Engineer to the Town with a report for the
Atlas Well field Phase 1 Soil Investigative project, from Leggette, Brashears
& Graham, Inc. Mr. Paggi strongly recommends that representatives of the
Hydrogeological firm of Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc., and
representatives of the Stephen B. Church Company, present their findings at
a workshop and explain what they feel the next step should be for the Town
Board. The development of this wellfield is an intricate part of the Proposed
Combined Wappinger Water Improvement Area, and their input would be
very helpful. At this time Mr. Cusack of LBG went over the report with the
Town Board with his recommendations. He will be sending a proposal to
authorize LBG to go ahead with the design of several test wells. Mike
Tremper of CAMO Pollution was concerned with the high Iron and
Manganese contents of the water, and Mr. Cusack explained that the
samples he took from unfiltered wells, may have had some turbidity.
No Action Taken
Next is a request from Thomas Logan, Assessor, for the Town Board to
approve the Adjusted Base Proportions for Arlington, Beacon, Wappinger
School Districts and the Town.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to approve the Adjusted Base
Proportions for Arlington, Beacon, Wappinger School Districts and Town,
based on the recommendation of Thomas Logan, Assessor.
Seconded by Mr. Ruggiero
Motion Unanimously Carried
At this time SUPERVISOR SMITH announced that Thomas Logan, Assessor
is considering retiring in June.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to authorize Supervisor Smith to
obtain resumes for the replacement.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
Ralph Holt, Chairman of Recreation. Last year the Town Board approved
the construction of new boat docks for Chelsea. It was discovered that the
pilings which the docks were to be attached, have washed away. After
checking around, we were told it would cost $1,500 to have new pilings
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erected. Since we have used all of the dock funds in our budget for the
construction of docks, we are asking permission to use funds from Parkland
Trust to have this work done. An estimate of $1,500 was obtained from
Whites Marina. No one else was interested in giving an estimate. The funds
would come from Parkland Trust Fund to Budget Revenue Account A-2089
and to Budget Expenditure Account A-7110.4 Recreation Contractual
Expenses.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to approve Mr. Holt's request to
transfer $1,500 from Parkland Trust Account to Budget Revenue Account A-
2089 and to Budget Revenue Account A-7110.4 Recreation Contractual, for
the installation of two new pilings for the new docks at Chelsea.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Highway Superintendent Graham Foster presented bids for two trucks for
the Highway Department. Mr. Foster recommends we award the cab and
chassis bid to Healey International for $89,790.00, which was the only bid
received and recommends we award the bid for the truck equipment to
Dutchess County Diesels for $77,918.00, they being the lowest.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to table Mr. Fosters recommendation
to the April 28th meeting.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
At this time SUPERVISOR SMITH wished to compliment the CAMO people
for the fine job they did with the sewer and the water, during the recent
storm, and also the Highway Superintendent and his crew, who are still
working ten hours a day trying to clean up limbs. The Board also discussed a
disaster plan, and Mr. Ruggiero suggested the Town look into getting
generators for the water & sewer plants. The Board was in agreement that a
disaster plan should be discussed in order to be more prepared in the event
of another storm like Snowbud.
A memorandum from Jay Paggi, Engineer to the Town, to Graham Foster,
Highway Superintendent, Michael Tremper, CAMO Pollution Control, and
Daniel O'Connor, P.E., DCHD with a copy of a proposed Combined Sanitary
Sewer and Water Trench in both dry soil conditions and wet soil conditions.
The Town is considering extension of central sewer and water facilities, some
of which are located on the same streets. Coordination of the utilities in the
same trench could result in a considerable cost savings to the Town. Mr.
Foster, Highway Superintendent, in his comments said he had no problem
with the trench details as shown. Daniel O'Connor, P.E. , DCHD, in his
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comments stated that recommended standards do allow for this type of
installation when practical consideration including costs, are a concern.
Mike Tremper, of CAMO, in his comments reported that because of the close
proximity of other lines; electric, telephone, and cable, it would complicate
repairs. If it saves a significant amount of money, and the Town Board
agrees to go in that direction, you can work around anything.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI move to accept the correspondence from Mr.
Paggi and place it on file.
Seconded by Mr. Ruggiero
Motion Unanimously Carried
At this time SUPERVISOR SMITH asked Tom Logan, Assessor the value of
the Oakwood Sewer Plant building. Mr. Logan said he did an appraisal on
just the building, and gave her a ball park figure of $15,000. He will get her
the exact figures, in writing.
Several Reports from Al Roberts, Attorney to the Town. The first concerns
the Proposed combined Water Improvement Area. In reviewing his file
regarding the acquisition of the Atlas Water Company, Mr. Roberts informed
the Board that the purchase was not made by the "Town," but rather by the
North Wappinger Water District, the Wappinger-Cranberry Improvement
Area, and the Myers Corner II Water District.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to accept the report and place it on
file.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
The second report submitted by Mr. Roberts concerns the Town of Wappinger
with Dutchess County Water and Waste Water Authority grant of $4,000.
COUNCILMAN BETTINA moved to table this item for revision.
Seconded by Mrs. Visconti
Motion Unanimously Carried
Mr. Foster gave a report on the storm clean up. He also reported that
residents are also putting out trees, limbs, logs, that have been laying in
their yard for years. It is creating much more work than anticipated. The
DEC is offering burning permits to several of the Towns that would not
normally qualify. If the Board does not have a problem with it and we do
have approval from the DEC, he will run it by the Fire Inspector We should
get the permit and designate a central location instead of trying to chip all
the wood. Behind the ball fields at Castle Point, was suggested by Mr.
Foster. He will speak to Ralph Holt and get his opinion.
SUPERVISOR SMITH presented the new forms and read the revised letters
for the Spring Clean-up to the Town Board for their approval.
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COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to approve the revised letters, and
authorized the Supervisor to order the new forms for the Spring Clean-up.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
SUPERVISOR SMITH announced that she had receive notification from
Assemblyman, Joel Miller, that he received word the SHIPS money for the
Town of Wappinger have been approved by the Speaker of the Assembly. The
amount approved for the Town of Wappinger is $351,600 for the road projects
on Wheeler Hill Road, Widmer Road, Spook Hill Road and Old Troy Road.
NEW BUSINESS
SUPERVISOR SMITH announced that an Assessors Aide has been
confirmed. She would recommend that the Town Board appoint Maureen
Helger for the position.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to appoint Maureen Helger for the
position of Assessors Aid with an annual salary set at $15,500.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
Motion Unanimously Carried
Several requests to attend conferences and short courses. The first request is
for permission for all seven members of the Planning Board to attend the
Planning Federation Short Course, Session One, Planning Board Basics to be
held on April 30, 1997 at the Farm & Home Center in Millbrook, New York.
Also, approval for attendance was granted to Mark Liebermann, Fire
Inspector and Charles Ricotta, Building Inspector to attend the NYCOM
annual meeting at the Nevele June 18t to June 4th. Mr. Liebermann and Mr.
Ricotta wish to have approval amended for this conference, and instead wish
to have approval to attend the Hudson Valley Code Enforcement Officials
Education Conference to be held at the Holiday Inn from April 30, 1997 to
May 2, 1997. This conference is good for 18 hours of training required by the
Sate of New York Codes Division. The Cost for the three days is $150.
The last request is for permission for Graham Foster, Highway
Superintendent to attend the annual training program for Highway
Superintendents in Ithaca, New York on June 2, 3, 4, of 1996.
COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI moved to approve the request for all the
members of the Planning Board to attend the Dutchess County Planning
Federation Short Course on April 30, 1997, and for Mark Liebermann, Fire
Inspector and Charles Ricotta, Building Inspector to attend the Hudson
Valley Code Enforcement Officials Education Conference on April 30, 1997 to
May 2, 1997, and for Graham Foster, Highway Superintendent to attend the
annual training program for Highway Superintendents in Ithaca New York,
on June 2, 3, 4, of 1996, and their legitimate expenses to be a Town charge.
Seconded by Mr. Bettina
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Motion Unanimously Carried
At this time COUNCILWOMAN VISCONTI wished to convey to the Board
Members that she thought tonight's meeting went very well, she appreciated
all the department heads being here, however it did not turn out as she had
envisioned it. What she would like to do is get together with some of the other
Board Members, Mrs. Snowden, Mrs. Smith, and Attorney to the Town Al
Roberts and come up with a format for both Town Board Meetings. She felt
that some of the correspondence could have been eliminated tonight because
it was very lengthy.
There was no other Business to come before the Board.
COUNCILMAN BETTINA moved to close the Town Board Meeting,
Seconded by Mrs. Visconti and Unanimously Carried.
The Town Board Meeting closed at 10:05 P.M.
E sine H. Snowden
Town Clerk
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