Village of Millbrook Board of Trustees Board Meeting Minutes May 13, 2008

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1 Village of Millbrook Board of Trustees Board Meeting Minutes May 13, 2008 Call to Order Attendance Mayor Ciferri at 7:05 p.m. Mayor Andrew Ciferri, Trustees Judith Bondus, Laura Hurley, Stan Morse and Thomas Whalen. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Mayor Ciferri Master Plan Update Trustee Morse contacted other area municipalities which stated there was one major point. The Village must know the main ideas for consultant to be accurate and efficient. The costs may vary greatly so choose carefully. The average cost was $75,000. By applying for a Greenway Grant the Village can offset the cost for the first few years. Trustee Morse had consulted Tony Sloan for advice on the mission statement, see attached. New Business Bob Collocola Highway Department Commissioner See attached. Attached was read by Trustee Morse. Mayor Ciferri state he would work with the Highway Department on blacktop issues in the Village. Fire House Matthew Rochfort state there will be no fireworks for carnival this year. It is too costly and there is no open area to hold them. They have 40 fire companies coming to date to the parade. Matthew questioned whether the Thorne building was being paved and would be ready for the carnival. Mayor Ciferri explained it will be done on time and he is waiting for one last estimate of three estimates needed. Matthew asked exactly what work will be done. He invited the Board to be in the parade. Firematic Chris Hawks stated the bids on the new tanker had to be bid again and he will get them shortly. He will then give them to the board for review. One brush truck does not run and the Board may need to consider buying a second hand brush truck. John Imperato Police Department Commissioner He wanted to make the board aware of the increase in arrests by 55% and increase in tickets by 75%. He feels that the increased hours and increased staff are working hard and are doing what the board has asked of them. He asked the board to consider repairing the second police car and could they make the decision soon. Speed limit updates Trustee Morse informed the board about the new signage within Village boundaries. He stated the DOT did testing with radar on 100 cars at 2 locations at each end of Franklin Avenue. Nationwide studies show signage does little to deter speeding; it is an enforcement problem in Millbrook according to DOT officials. Trustee

2 Whalen, Trustee Morse and Commissioner Imperato have a plan under way to control these issues. The signs were put up in a timely fashion by DOT. The Commissioner stated it all comes down to a limited budget and limited funds. He is trying to work the hours to benefit the village in the best possible way. Mayor Ciferri suggested changing the times and days. A member of the public suggested replacing a police officer with an electronic sign that issues tickets. Perhaps grants may be used. Concerns were raised about people using 9 Partners Lane as a shortcut to and from Route 343 to Route 44. Heavy trucks use it as a shortcut as well. Route 343 traffic to the monument is an issue as well. Trustee Whalen, Commissioner Imperato and Mayor Ciferri will meet and try to address all the concerns mentioned. The Village geography is a serious issue. Water/Waste Water Cathy Dahlin see attached. Trustee Hurley stated that studies showed hot spots where we can put cameras in and the Village will address these hotspots soon. Die and smoke testing will commence early next week. Smoke testing is the least expensive testing application but it is more time intensive. Trustee Hurley stated that a combined services grant may be available. She felt it was a definite possibility the Village would be awarded the grant this year or next year. Channel 22 update Trustee Morse stated the Village went on line on November 28, 2007 and by January 18, 2008 there were several screens of information. Kate Farrell has been the technical director for Ch 22. Initially there was government, educational and public access allowed on Channel 22. In February the Village realized the initial statement not what the Village had in mind. Amenia has warned the Village of Millbrook of questionable uses and the public use could backfire. We may want to consider restricting access to government only. We are most comfortable with uses for village and Town of Washington government, educational announcements that are recognized, licensed, credited and sanctioned. Trustee Morse has proposed that Channel 21 is available for public access use. He requested consideration of the policy statement. Mary Shaughnessy stated there is a law that public access is available and the Village is excluding interviews, film programs and lectures. She would caution the Board against excluding public access. Trustee Morse stated there has been abuse in large metropolitan areas. He feels this proposal is the best possible course of action to protect the village and the community. Trustee Hurley raised concerns on the wording of the policy statement. The word sponsorship is questionable and she cautioned the Board that censorship is a delicate issue. Trustee Hurley is in support of the school programs being broadcasted on Channel 22 again. Trustee Whalen questioned about the book fair being put on Channel 22. Trustee Morse stated we need to streamline the approval process by the Village Board. Only at monthly meetings is not frequent enough. At least 3 members of the board may review submissions was a suggestion by Mayor Ciferri. If the request is denied then the applicant may submit their request to the full Village Board for consideration. Mayor Ciferri, Kate Farrell and Trustee Morse will initially review the requests and if they question the application the full board will be contacted. A suggestion was made to perhaps include a protocol and a possibility of addressing amendments. Trustee Whalen, Trustee Morse and Kate Farrell will work up a new draft.

3 Mayor Ciferri commented on Royal/Welsh waste removal and that the Village is looking for the best proposal. Trustee Hurley stated the board wants to choose the best option and bring it to the public. Less than 50% of the Village residents use pickup now. She referred to the Village code and suggested a drop off system survey on Church Street at the Highway Garage location. She hopes to keep the clerk s office away from managing the system. The cans, according to code, are to be removed from the street by dusk. The Board wants to present all options to the public including using the decal or sticker portion. Jim Constantino stated the Village is looking at the best option to reduce the current deficit. Fifty residents currently have a contract with Royal. Trustee Hurley stated they would be less concerned if all the residents used the service. Many are choosing to use other services. The Village could use the revenue/fees toward a service used by all or a majority of the residents. The purpose of the stickers is to let Royal know who is a Village resident and who is entitled to a discounted garbage pickup service. The same service would be provided at a reduced cost. Royal s containers are larger than the Village s bags. Trustee Hurley state it is time to revisit the policy of the Village on trash removal. The local stores are selling 2 small bags for the price of one medium bag. Mayor Ciferri informed the public we have numerous small bags in our inventory. We are trying to utilize the bulk pickup service while gathering information at the pickup location. Trustee Bondus suggested a public hearing on June 24, 2008 and the Board approved this suggestion. Frank Grasso raised concerns that low users would be punished and high users would benefit. It was questioned whether recyclables would stay the same. It was also taken under consideration to offer a seminar on waste reduction ideas, conservation and educating the public. Jim Constantino stated the Dutchess County Waste to Energy Plant is where all burnable waste goes and complies with the clean air act. Mayor Ciferri state the Village Board has drafted a letter in response to the letter received from the Shaughnessy s. Mayor Ciferri reminded the public of the Article 78 lawsuit filed against the Village. Representative from that organization met with Mayor Ciferri and caused an intensive study on the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The Village applied to the DEC to go back to a yearly rolling average instead of the monthly rolling average currently in place. The Village is committed to eliminate as much I & I as possible. The DEC was informed the Village had already started the I & I testing. The DEC was very pleased about that progress. Mayor Ciferri received all the correspondence between Chazen, the DEC and the Village Office. Copies will be available for.25 per page. Mayor Ciferri wanted to get the information in house to date. To his knowledge the Bennett project is waiting for the DEC and the I & I study results before proceeding. The matter is currently in the hands of the Planning Board. The safety and concerns will be addressed by the Code/Building Inspector who has reviewed the buildings there. The findings will be discussed in executive session. Julia Widdowson questioned when and why the Village went to a yearly rolling average. Whether Bennett comes on board or not the I & I issues are still there. The DEC is working on the Bennett project and they may connect to the Village system or they may install their own system. The Mayor stated that as we correct our system this will increase the systems capacity. The board has and is addressing the issues in regard to Bennett. Several concerns were raised about

4 code violations and the ignoring of these codes. The Village has an ethical and legal responsibility to enforce code. Trustee Hurley suggested moving the discussion of the Village Code to the Comprehensive Plan Forum in June. Ed Shaughnessy sternly stated the Village must do their duty or the Village is derelict of their duty. Scott Tumblety state there is no paperwork discussing the possibility of an increase of the treatment plant s capacity. A question was raised whether we can enlist the states help in forcing the Bennett owners to move forward? Kate Farrell asked if there is there a statute of limitations on the development of Bennett proposal. Has anyone researched this? She was sure there is and it has expired. Should the Planning Board deny by default? Julia Widdowson stated repeatedly she was unclear whether the Board was involved in the DEC permit request or if the Mayor and the Village attorney acted on their own. Trustee Whalen stated is was a procedural question. Howard Schuman inquired about the fire and asbestos issues at Bennett? He raised concerns about the air and water damage, the health and safety issues. Frank Grasso stated the Village needs to look at the code and uphold the ethics for the public safety and potential costs to the Village residents. Kate Farrell revisited the infirmary issues and made suggestions to the Board. Mike Haggerty confirmed he will be applying for $15,000 from the Greenway Grant on behalf of the Village to help defer the cost in relation to the Comprehensive Plan. This grant requires a 50% match by the Village which has already been budgeted for. He also stated the Village should hear in late June in regard to the Record Room Grant application. The Appropriations Grant of $500,000 applied for through Gillibrand s office should notify the Village in December as to whether they are a recipient or not. He stated no news is good news. He attended a grant seminar and noted several possible grants the Village may apply for such as the Preservation Grant for the Thorne Building. The Village can apply for up to $600,000 and he is looking into updating an old application. He requested the Board pass a resolution allowing him to submit the grant application which is due June 30, Mayor Ciferri made a motion for Mike Haggerty to pursue the grant. Trustee Bondus seconded. All were in favor. Trustee Bondus added that she would contact Adelaide Camillo in regard to the old grant application and request her assistance and input. Mike Haggerty informed the Board there is a Transportation Enhancement Grant available through the NYSDOT. Out of $2.5 million the Village can apply for $625,000 with 80% of the funds coming from the grant and 20% of the funds being a match from the Village. Mayor Ciferri requested a list of possibilities from Mike Haggerty. Mike Haggerty stated he could be creative and attempt to meet the Village s needs. Trustee Bondus inquired about a walkway to the school being taken under consideration for a grant application. She also requested the Village apply for those they have the best possible chance of receiving. Mayor Ciferri stated this is great for the community and lessens the burden on the taxpayer.

5 Kate Farrell spoke on the Dutchess County Infirmary. She recommended a conservation easement, removing them from the waste water facilities in 2011 when the contract expires. She also recommended using these items as a strong negotiation position. Howard Schuman suggested the Village having a moratorium and following the Town of Washington s model. This moratorium would be input in the Village s Comprehensive Plan in regard to the buildings and structures. What can and cannot be done? What are the normal and customary processes? Charlie Marone volunteered to run the Water and Waste Water Treatment Plant for free of charge. He questioned when the Village s contract with VRI ended. He would provide services needed and repair the hot spots. Frank Grasso stated there are measures the Village can take to conserve water such as water restrictors, low flow aerators. Reducing water consumption can be done at minimal cost to the Village and the taxpayers. Trustee Bondus made a motion to go into executive session. All were in favor. Adjourn to executive session at 10:00 P.M.