Regular Meeting of the Town Board October 3, :00pm West Windsor Fire Hall Karla Drive Windsor, NY 13865

Transcription

1 Regular Meeting of the Town Board October 3, :00pm West Windsor Fire Hall Karla Drive Windsor, NY MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Deputy Supervisor McIntyre, at 7:00pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited. ROLL CALL by Clerk: Supervisor Carolyn Price: Absent Deputy Supervisor William J. McIntyre: Present Councilman Gary M. Hupman: Present Councilman Timothy J. Bates: Present Councilwoman Lesa Hawk-Shuler: Present Highway Superintendent Rocky Kohlbach: Present Attorney Cheryl Sacco: Present Code Enforcement Officer Dave Brown: Present Town Clerk Barbara Rajner Miller: Present Also present were: Rob Rynearson, Don Einstein, Elizabeth Einstein, Jerry Henehan, Scott B. Clarke, Linda Pierson, Mark O'Dell, Mark Lippolis, Floyd Bronson, Chris Platner, Christine Barnes, Ron Rambo, Sue Rambo, Jerry Launt, Jonathan Launt, Mike Atchie, Donna Frazier, Lynn Bowling, Paul Bowling, Katherine Trembach, and Jan Evangelisti. Deputy Supervisor McIntyre pointed out the exits in the room. A moment of Silence was observed in honor of Mahlon Guernsey, who had served the Town of Windsor for 35 years, in the roles of Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Member of the Board of Assessment Review. PUBLIC COMMENT: Deputy Supervisor McIntyre read aloud a statement from Williams regarding the two recent operational upsets at the compressor station. He also stated that Mike Atchie, representative from Williams, was here tonight to answer any questions. (Deputy Supervisor McIntyre outlined the guidelines of public comment.) Lynn Bowling: When she talked to Mr. Smalley last night, he informed her that the reason for the event on Saturday was because the Millennium Pipeline turned the valve off, which built up the pressure, and made the device kick. He said it was due to a lack of communication. Mr. Atchie said that there was maintenance being done, and, if there were an increase in pressure, it did exactly what it was supposed to do. They are looking at having the ability to remotely shut those valves off much sooner if need be. Bowling asked: But is it true, though, that it was caused by the lack of communication between

2 you and your customer? Mr. Atchie could not speak to that which Mr. Smalley said. He doesn t know if there was a communication gap. Donna Frazier, Thompson Rd: If this happened during shift change, was there no one there at the time? Mr. Atchie said that there is not always someone there. An operator might be on their way from another facility. Mark Lippolis, Dunbar Rd: Had once brought up the question to Williams Representative, Ray Stiffler: Is the station manned 24/7? He replied yes, it was. Mr. Atchie clarified that it is watched 24/7, but that there is not a person physically there all of the time. Also, Mark called the Tulsa, Oklahoma emergency number, after one of the incidents, and asked if the Dunbar Rd compressor station is watched 24/7, Tom Robbins replied in the affirmative. Mark went on to ask if there was any record of a report of the problem that happened about ten minutes ago? Tom Robbins said there was no record of anything. Scott Clarke, Dodd Rd: Two Town Board Meetings ago he had mentioned that Williams said that when the construction is done You won t hear it, see it, or smell it. That s been verified by two Town Board members. Ray Stiffler, Williams Representative, was at the July 19 th meeting, and said that he would meet with the residents who have concerns about their safety. Supervisor Price was to look into when that could be arranged. He would like to pursue that meeting. Scott still asks: When are we not going to hear it, see it, or smell it? Jerry Henehan, Dunbar Rd: Was not home on Saturday, so he can not comment on what happened that day, but he was awaken at roughly 3:25am on Tuesday morning, by what sounded like a very loud shotgun. It was not a vent. The loud sounds were still going on at 3:42am, every 5-8 seconds. We re going to pursue this with the State, or whoever we have to. All they ever asked for was for the support of the Elected Officials. We never have had it, and we don t have it now. I have total confidence that the Board will do absolutely nothing. You haven t done anything in the last eight years. Jan Evangelisti, Patterson Rd: Wanted to know more about the decibel system. Mr. Atchie gave a quick explanation. Code Enforcement Officer Dave Brown gave the limits. Mark Lippolis: Has critical information for the Town Board from the DEC. Spoke with Reggie Parker on the Monday after the Saturday incident at 10:10am, explaining to him what had happened. Mark asked Reggie if the DEC had heard anything from Williams regarding the problems from Saturday. Mark looked to Mr. Atchie and told him that they are supposed to be informing the DEC when there are problems with the emissions at the plant. Reggie had informed Mark that no one from Williams had let the DEC know that there were problems recently. Peter Ruggieri, Dire Rd: (Regarding maintenance on the line and low flow) How do either of those conditions lead to over-pressurization? Mr. Atchie answered that the combination of maintenance and low flow would have such an outcome. Rob Rynearson: If the compressor station were backing up, caused by the Millennium line, if it damaged part of the equipment, would you hold them accountable? Mr. Atchie explained that the compressor valve is designed so that does not happen. Jerry Launt: West Windsor Fire Dept was called on Saturday and yesterday. When he arrived on Saturday morning there was no noise. Within probably ten minutes, one of the tech reps arrived. When Jerry responded yesterday, the noise was already going on, and

3 there was already somebody at the facility. As Mike explained, it was the number two relief valve that was discharging. Lynn Bowling: How often do you check the valves? Mr. Atchie responded that it was a new valve that was installed at the expansion timeframe. Deputy Supervisor McIntyre asked Mr. Atchie if he would be willing to talk to those that have additional questions/comments. Mr. Atchie agreed to answer as much as he is able to. Mark Lippolis stated that the Board will not be here to hear that which is being said. Deputy Supervisor McIntyre said that the Clerk will record the conversation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion By: Councilwoman Hawk-Shuler Sec. By: Councilman Bates To approve the minutes of the September 12, 2018 Regular Meeting, as submitted. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion By: Councilman Bates Sec. By: Councilman Hupman To approve the minutes of the September 26, 2018 Special Meeting, as submitted. FINANCIAL REPORT: Deputy Supervisor McIntyre: * explained the Town of Windsor's Fiscal Stress Score; He explained that it was down from the highest of 29.2, to 3.3 now, which is a wonderful change for our financial stress score. * distributed the September 2018 Financials. Motion By: Councilwoman Hawk-Shuler Sec. By: Councilman Hupman To approve bills for payment: Highway Fund Vouchers #376 through #403, totaling $40,885.18; Sewer O&M Vouchers #63 and #64, totaling $5,356.14; General Fund Vouchers #421 through #461, totaling $51,980.66; Trust & Agency Vouchers #28 and #29, totaling $1,020.26

4 Review of 2019 Tentative Budget and preparation of 2019 Preliminary Budget. Deputy Supervisor McIntyre went over the five goals that this Board has, as they are preparing the budget. COMMITTEE REPORTS: ASSESSOR: No report submitted. CEMETERIES: None. DOG CONTROL: None. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: None. ENERGY: None. HIGHWAY: FEMA Approval Federal Flood Assistance HISTORY: None. SENIOR CITIZEN: None. TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR/REGISTRAR: Report submitted. TOWN HALL: Done with roof project. Currently working on installing security cameras. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: None. YOUTH & RECREATION: None. ZONING, PLANNING & CODE ENFORCEMENT: Code Enforcement Monthly Report submitted. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Attorney Sacco gave an update on Road Use in the Town of Windsor. NEW BUSINESS: None. SETTING DATE, TIME AND PLACE FOR NEXT MEETINGS: Regular Meeting: November 7, 2018 at 7:00pm, at the Windsor Town Hall. (Deputy Supervisor McIntyre explained that the change in meeting day for this meeting is to meet the Time Requirements of the Budget Calendar.) PUBLIC COMMENTS: Sue Rambo: Windsor Colesville Church and Museum will be hosting a prayer and music service on Sunday 10/14/18 at 1:00pm on the corner of Maple Street and Monroe Street in Harpursville. Donna Frazier: Regarding FEMA and flood damage, does that apply to ditches, too? Deputy Supervisor McIntyre responded that if there is severe damage to the ditch, it would absolutely. She is referring to the ditch at the bottom of Dunbar, at North, which is very bad.

5 Chris Platner, Patterson Rd: When he built a barn, he received an immediate increase in his taxes. He wanted clarification on the tax and assessment situation with the compressor station. Deputy Supervisor referred him to the Town s Assessor. Scott Clarke, Dodd Rd: The Historical Society had a picnic and a tour of the local train station museum, which was really nice. Rob Rynearson: In preparing the budget for the new year, has the Town Board applied for the Broome County small communities grant fund? At 7:50pn: Motion By: Councilman Bates Sec. By: Councilman Hupman To enter into Executive Session for matters regarding the employment of particular persons and for legal advice. As the Town Board was in Executive Session, the following question/answer/discussion session took place in the fire hall: Serena Platner, Patterson Rd: The incident on Tuesday was ongoing for about 35 minutes before it stopped. Can t they shut it down faster than that? Mr. Atchie said they don t have that currently, but they re looking into that. Lynn Bowling: (At Mr. Atchie) That s nice that you responded to them (the Town Board), but your response should be to us (the residents that live around the compressor station). We have to live with it. We re asking you, as a neighbor, to be considerate of us, who have to deal with it. We have to hear it, smell it, and feel it vibrate our house windows at 3:30 in the morning. Serena Platner: Days go by. We never hear from Williams. There s never a letter or a phone call. Do we evacuate? Do we not? How would we know? No one ever lets us know. Why did Williams not let us know about the events that just happened? If you lived there with your children, you would want to know. We re in the dark for eight years now. Jerry Henehan: Is there anyone here from Williams that was here on July 19 th that still works in this area? Kenny Smith is gone, Ray Stiffler is gone. For eight years now, Williams whole plan was: We intend to be a good neighbor. Still now, eight years later, we re told: You ll never see it, hear it, or smell it. The new guys always say: I d like to talk about the past, but I wasn t here, I m the new guy Neighbors likened the noise to the sounds at an airport, or a train running through. We didn t ask for that. That s not fair. They are scared for their safety. Concerned about their property values. Scott Clarke: These are my good neighbors here. Williams said they d be a good neighbor, but they haven t been, which is concerning. Let s have that meeting, with other

6 Williams representatives. Mr. Atchie said that there are people from Williams that are from the operational/technical side, which should be involved. Mark Lippolis: What has to trigger a reaction in Tulsa to effect the compressor station here? Mr. Atchie said a remote shut-off. Why was it not a typical blowoff of high pressure gas that we are very accustomed to? Rather it was like constant, intermittent gun shots going off. Mr. Atchie said he doesn t know, but that he would ask that question. Mr. Lippolis: We were led to believe the thermal oxidizer was going to be in the same location that the original stack was, not put up around the corner of the noise barrier, exposed all by itself. They didn t build the plant the right way. At 8:13pn: Motion By: Counciman Bates To return from recess for legal advice. ADJOURNMENT: Motion By: Councilman Hupman To adjourn the meeting at 8:13pm. Sec. By: Councilman Hawk-Shuler Sec. By: Councilwoman Hawk-Shuler Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Rajner Miller, Windsor Town Clerk