The regular meeting of the Town Board was held September 12, 2017 at the Hermon Town Hall. Present were Supervisor Nicole Bacon Ward. Councilman Susan Allen, Kathy Carpenter, Bernard Reed Jr. and Charles Tracy. Also present were Code Officer Robert Reed, Chris Stransky, Highway Superintendent Brian Brunet, Sharon Brunet Richard Bish and John Stransky. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Minutes of the previous meeting as submitted were approved on motion by Bernard Reed Jr. Seconded by Charles Tracy. All in favor and carried. SLC Legislator Larry Denesha The Trout Lake speed limit was granted a reduction to 45 MPH per NYS DOT A security system is needed in the SLC Courthouse, there are grants available 2017 Tax Sale had 167 parcels, they received bids for 165 SLC 2018 budget will be presented at the October 2 nd SLC Board Meeting Code Officer Robert Reed Has issued 33 permits to date. Sent notices for violations Dog Warden Daniel Moyer- report was read for July and August Chris Stransky Total Pump 2,975,700 Hermon 2,302,800 Dekalb 672,900 Total Discharge 2,115,000 Had discussion about Sewer Calibration and Water Withdrawal Permit and Storm Drain condition Kevin Feuka and Danny Forbes are working on inspection/reports for-spedes Permit Danny will check with Gleasons from Black River on pricing for pumping out Septic. Bernard Reed Jr. made the motion to have Nicole, Danny and Chris to check on prices for pumping septic and make decision. Seconded by Kathy Carpenter. All in favor and motion carried. Discussion was had regarding Filtration Beds need to have sand replaced-they are $10,000 each, Danny and Chris will check on and see if sand is still available to complete this year. Bernard Reed Jr. made the motion to have Chris and Danny purchase sand for 2 beds. Seconded by Susan Allen. All in favor and motion carried. Water/Sewer Bills audited. Highway Report: The paving is finished. There are still shoulders to install and shoulders to remove. We skimmed the top from the Rock Hollow Road intersection to LaPoints and also patched an area above this near the Gas Pipeline and Rock ledge. We completed 2 miles on the Jonesville Road, capped the McCollum Road and did some patching on the Pond Road. Brian was asked if it was more expensive to pave this year than last, he said no that oil was down. He has used all of the allotted CHIPS funding or very close. We also paved the end of the Hayden Road. Seasonal roads could be graded everyday and the most use and wear occurs on the end of the road due to stopping, starting and pulling onto the road. The Hayden Road gets real icy in the winter. We had a truck go off there last year, there are three school buses that travel that road twice a day. We still need to haul sand and cut wood. Seasonal roads need to be graded and add gravel where needed.
The sweeper that is located at the Sewer Plant was purchased Hermon and DeKalb. I have touched base with Jodi from DeKalb to see what he wants to do with it. It is not used often and Jodi agreed that we can put it up for sale and split the profit. Also, the 2006 Chevrolet Pickup will be taken off the road. It has been replaced by a 2008 Ford purchased from SLC. Brian asked the board if they would like to put these two items on the Auctions International website. He said that it does not cost anything to sell items on there. The board agreed to have these items sold via Auctions International. Brian assured the board that the seller has the last say on the bid - whether to accept it or not. Motion made to sell both pieces of equipment on the Auctions International Website made by Bernard Reed Jr. and seconded by Kathy Carpenter. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. A 2008 1 Ton Ford with a Utility Box and 70,000miles has been purchased from SLC Highway Dept. It is in good condition, used as a shop truck, 2 wheel drive, dual wheels and single cab. It has brand new tires and was probably serviced before it was sold. The insurance has to be canceled on the 2006. I have contacted the insurance company to add the 2008. Shain's truck has been at Bleam's Trucking for a long time, it should be back within a week or two. The cam bearings have been replaced, there were also electrical issues and emission issues. Dustin's truck has to go in for repair once we get Shain's back. Dustin's truck is going to a different shop, once it warms up, it begins to act up. Stadium has done a lot of work on it. Brian was asked if SLC has the same kind of trucks? Wesley Zeller has told a board member that the county has 12-3 of these trucks. A board member asked who was the head of the SLC Highway, Don Chamber is the Superintendent. It is known that the Maxi Force trucks are junk. Kathy said that the hill near Pennock's look nice and it shouldn't wash out again. There was a terrible drop off after the wash out. Gravel will no longer wash down into Donaldson's driveway. Brian said the problem has been eliminated but there is more to do everywhere. The Town Supervisor asked the Highway Superintendent some questions that had been brought forward by an anonymous email and concerned taxpayers. Supervisor - "Mandy has been in the last couple Saturdays. What is she doing?" Hwy Superintendent - "She does flowers. She doesn't get holidays." Supervisor - "I had emailed you about a non fuel purchase made on the Wex Bank Card for $35, do you know what that charge is for?" Hwy Superintendent - "Propane, heat. We use propane torches to heat boxes for asphalt." Supervisor - "The Army Truck that you picked up a couple months ago, did you take anyone with you?" Hwy Superintendent - "Yes, I told you at the meeting, Mike Baker went with me. Supervisor - "I did pull the voucher, it was approved for a $630 charge, 1 room and a meal for two people." Hwy Superintendent - "One meal on there, we were gone for 24 hours. I think the misunderstanding was that Shain and I weren't going. Mike doesn't obviously get paid time and a half and I earn a salary. I could've sent Shain and another employee and I could've stayed home." Supervisor - "It was asked why someone outside of the town went with the Highway Superintendent. The voucher was believed to be over $800." Kathy -" I don't see anything wrong with it, do you?" Susan - "Was it in Long Island?" Hwy Superintendent - "Yes." Bernard - "$123 for hotel. Supervisor - "On April, 30th, Shain was called out for a sink hole in the road. Five hours of overtime was charged out on payroll." Hwy Superintendent - "That was for the whole week not just the pothole." Kathy - "Is that the week it flooded?" Hwy Superintendent - "One of the weeks."
Supervisor - "Awhile back, there was questions brought forth regarding repairs on equipment that was in the Town Barn for Richie Brunet and/or Whittons. We talked to you about that. Have you had anything else in the barn?" Hwy Superintendent - "No, that was two years ago." Supervisor - "It has been reported that you do work on the side using the town pickup." Hwy Superintendent - "For what, I have five pick ups of my own." Supervisor - "I received an anonymous email that claims that the gas card was used for personal vehicles and for fuel stored at your personal residence." Hwy Superintendent - "It's my own fuel, I have a diesel pickup, a tractor and two diesel trucks. I can't store my own fuel?" Kathy - Someone is reporting that he is taking fuel? Supervisor - No purchasing it with town funds. Bernard - "The Wex Card, you mean?" Hwy Superintendent - "That's a gas card not diesel. The card stays in the gas pickups." Supervisor - I reviewed the Wex Card Statements since I have been in and do not see any fluctuations." Hwy Superintendent - "Only difference, is this summer versus last summer, we have a lot more mowing." Supervisor - "Yes, I did see that." Hwy Superintendent - "It's doubled." Supervisor - "Is there any instances that culvert work or gravel work has been done for individuals rather than town roads?" Hwy Superintendent - "No." Supervisor - "Does anyone have any other information?" Hwy Superintendent - "There was piping up here, we're trying- piping for Travis Locy's. It is an issue with water not to help Travis." Supervisor - "There is an issue with shoulder dirt and possible a supply from the sand pile area that was delivered to Barb Rickett's. Hwy Superintendent - A few loads from there. SLC was stripping shoulders and so were we. It was coming from everywhere." Supervisor - "Do you know how many loads?" Hwy Superintendent - "We don't count loads of shoulder dirt, we give should dirt away. SLC was stripping CR 20 one of these days." Supervisor - "The piled of shoulder dirt up my the sand pile, was the county adding to this pile.?" Hwy Superintendent - "They were. We take it there and up to McBroom/Rickett's." Kathy - "Town of Russell brought us 14 loads at camp. They needed a place to put it. Instead of hauling it further, they were happy to bring it there." Supervisor - "It has been reported that Duane Hendricks has a Commercial Sanding business and that the town loader was loading his sander." Hwy Superintendent - "I have before, yes. They also bring sand in there." Kathy - "Duane brings you sand?" Hwy Superintendent - "He normally comes up and shovels it in but if I'm there, I'll - it takes about a wheelbarrow full to fill his sander. I'll load him or whoever else wants to come up there. I mean, not with dump trucks. Anybody who comes in, they normally don't want you loading a pick up with a loader. If I'm sitting up there mixing sand and waiting and he pulls in or anyone else, I'll help them. Either shovel it on or put some on his truck." Supervisor - "With Duane, how often?" Hwy Superintendent - "Very seldom. Same thing like Russell hauls 50 loads of sand in. We take care of Wolf Road and their end of the Marshville Road. They come in from Grandy's hill. It's been reported before they come in empty and leave loaded. Larry brings 50-60, whatever loads. They have their own sand pit up there but it's not good sand. Mix it with what we have. Replenishes way more than they take. Supervisor - "There have been reports of employees riding in the bucket of the loader." Hwy Superintendent - "We do some, if we have to and can't reach it." Kathy - "Is that when we were hanging baskets?" Hwy Superintendent - "We hang baskets. That or fall off a ladder. It's not something we practice everyday, but if need be we do it."
Supervisor -" Just to make you aware - you know it's an OSHA violation?" Hwy Superintendent - "Yes, I know that." Supervisor - "Reports of the Town Escavator was in Elm Creek during bridge work." Hwy Superintendent - "I'm sure. No DEC violation." Kathy - " Thought we discussed that." Hwy Superintendent - " We have, all of this is old stuff." Supervisor - "Spending time in the bar, after being there, drive home with the town pick up." Hwy Superintendent - "No, I don't go to the bar with the town pick up. Very seldom go to the bar, regardless, I might leave work over there, lots of times, its been months since I've been to wing night but Sharon comes home from work and picks me up but the town pick up sets over there in the driveway. I don't take the town truck and go drinking or go anywhere else to do work with it. Why would l want to drive that when I have a brand new one of my own." Supervisor - "I knew some of those had been brought up. I didn't think all of them were. Any other questions for Brian?" General and Highway Bills audited. Bulldozer The Highway department uses the machine, along with water/sewer plant, so charges/repairs should be charged accordingly Bernard Reed Jr. made the motion to allow Brian to do repairs as needed on Backhoe. Kathy suggested when going to buy something-split costs- to take out of water/sewer/highway. Seconded by Kathy Carpenter. All in favor and motion carried. Old Business Payment received from Dr. Berk for Roto-Rooter work Spoke with the Sherriff office-porta Potty vandalism-town is not responsible for paying the damages Will need 5-6 loads of stone for bridge RESOLUTION FOR 2017 BUDGET MODIFICATIONS Budget Modifications A motion was made by Bernard Reed Jr. and seconded by Kathy Carpenter to authorize the following budget modifications: Create Budget Line Item W2770.0 Miscellaneous Revenue in the Water Budget in the amount of $15,000.00 to reflect the grant award received from St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency. This grant is for the NYSDEC Initial Water Withdrawal Permit Application required by NYSDEC after the dissolution of the Village of Hermon. The Water Withdawal Permit Application is being prepared by the C2AE Engineering Firm, Engineer: Kevin Feuka. Create Budget Line Item W9035.80 in the Water Budget for Medicare costs. Transfer $200.00 from W9030.80 Social Security to new budget line item, W9035.80 Medicare. Create Budget Line Item S9035.80 in the Sewer Budget for Medicare costs. Transfer $250.00 from S9030.80 Social Security to new budget line item, W9035.80 Medicare. Ayes- 5 Nays- 0 Motion Carried. New Business Preliminary Budget meeting September 19 @ 6 Public Hearing October 10 @ 5:30 p.m.
Fire Department Chris Stransky states- the State wants someone to pay if new attendees drop out or cannot pass the EMT course costs $748.00 and refresher course costs 454.00. Fire Department meeting was held about billing insurance-for ambulance services John Stransky had proposed idea of doing possible $10. Flat fee per parcel. This is not possible with Real Property. The Ambulance Service is making changes in their billing process. They will begin accepting credit cards and will decide if a case needs to be sent on to collection. The Town Clerk and Supervisor submitted their bank statements. The Supervisor s and Town Clerk s monthly report were examined and approved on motion by Kathy Carpenter. Seconded by Charles Tracy. All in favor and carried. General (# 244- #263) and Highway( # 147- # 164)and Water/Sewer (#1- # 5)bills were audited and approved for payment on motion by Charles Tracy. Seconded by Bernard Reed Jr. All in favor and carried. Susan Allen made motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Seconded by Bernard Reed Jr. Respectfully submitted, Karen A Wayering Town Clerk