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[MESSAGE JSNF-285-09]

APPROVED Minutes of the April 3, 2018 Meeting of the Asharoken Board of Trustees

 Incorporated Village of Asharoken

Board of Trustees Meeting/Public Hearing

 on the Annual Budget & Fire Contract

        Tuesday, April 3, 2018 6:30pm

             At the Village Hall

Approximate Attendance (13)

                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                               

Officers Present:                                                         

Greg Letica, Mayor

Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor

Melvin Ettinger, Trustee

Laura Burke, Trustee

Ian Jablonski, Trustee

 

Officials & Appointees Present:

Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk

Bruce Migatz, Village Attorney, arrived approximately at 6:31pm.

Bill Raisch, Emergency Manager

Emily Hayes, Treasurer

Doug Adil, Superintendent of Buildings

Raymond Mahdesian, Officer-in-Charge

Marty Cohen, Chairman of the Board of Conservation

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Publication of meeting was confirmed.

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve the Regular Board Meeting minutes for March 6, 2018 seconded by Trustee Burke.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve the Special Board Meeting minutes for March 20, 2018 seconded by Trustee Burke.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayors Report;” During the month of March final adjustments were made to the proposed budget and it was presented to the Board of Trustees on March 20th for their review.  At the special meeting additional adjustments were made and the final tentative budget, with a 0% tax increase, was completed.  There will be a public hearing on the budget later in tonight’s meeting.

The new five-year fire and EMS protection contract with the Village was finalized and it too will be subject of a public hearing this evening.

 

The New York State Comptroller released the results of their annual Fiscal Stress Monitoring System.  This analysis provides an objective assessment of the fiscal challenges facing individual local governments and school districts, identifying situations where corrective action may be needed. I am pleased to report that once again the Village received the highest rating of No Designation.

 

The Village was informed today that it will receive a final payment from FEMA  for $2,667 for the Village Hall construction.  This payment closes out the PW on the project.  I would like to once again thank Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse for a terrific job on getting this reimbursement for the Village.

I had the pleasure of attending the going away party for former Mayor George Doll and Deputy Mayor Henry Tobin. I presented each of them with a proclamation in recognition of their fine work on behalf of the Northport residents.

 

I would like to thank the Asharoken Garden Club for their annual charitable contributions.  This year’s honorees were St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Helping Hand Rescue Mission, Lewis Oliver Farm, The Northport Cat Rescue Association, The Respite Program at St. Philip Neri Church and Huntington Hospital.  Every year the Garden Club makes a tremendous impact on the lives of many people with their charitable contributions.  I would like to thank the members who are at the meeting tonight.

 

And sadly, I announce the passing of long time Asharoken resident Greg Sand.  Greg and his wife Linda lived in the Village for many years prior to moving to Northport 2 years ago.  I extend my condolences to Linda and the entire Sand family.”

 

Trustee:

Deputy Mayor Pierce reported that she attended the March 20th special meeting on the annual budget. She attended a meeting on March 28th with Congressman Suozzi and other officials.  She reviewed the budget, minutes, vouchers; EMS and fire contract, and worked with Village Clerk on the shared services.

 

Trustee Ettinger reported that during the month he discussed police related matters with Officer Mahdesian. On March 20th he attended the special board meeting, on March 7th, 13th and 21st he monitored the affects of the Nor’easter storms. He reviewed the fire contract, various correspondences from ACOE and NYSDEC, minutes, vouchers, FOIL’s and budget.

 

Trustee Burke reported that she reviewed the fire contract, storm water report, March meeting minutes, and vouchers, researched a parcel of land that that was offered as a donation to the village and attended the March 20th special meeting on the budget.

 

Trustee Jablonski reported that he reviewed the minutes, vouchers, fire contract and attended the budget special meeting held on March 20th..

 

Village Attorney:  Bruce Migatz reported that the Planning Board and the Zoning Board did not meet in March.  Last month he informed the board that the Browne Article 78 against the Planning Board was dismissed, the petitioner (Browne) filed a notice of appeal, and the petitioner has six months to perfect the appeal. The Akeson and Giunta litigation against the Board of Trustees challenging the denial of the dock permits is still pending. Robert Holmes and the Asharoken Bayside Association have been added as party respondents, they requested to be added to be able to join in the defense of the action. The petitioner’s attorney and the court have consented to that.  A briefing schedule has not been worked out the return date is June 5th, and could be further adjourned.

 

Village Treasurer: Emily Hayes Treasurer reported that the vouchers for the month of March were $31,480.33. Nothing unusual to report, there is a separate resolution to approve vouchers and budget transfers. NYS sent $2,667.34 for the additional 10% of the FEMA reimbursement for the Village Hall project.

 

Officer-In-Charge:   Officer Ray Mahdesian reported that there was 1 arrest and 33 summonses.   He noted that the department performed well in dealing with three major winter storms.

 

Sanitation Operator: Barry Bradley was not present.

 

Emergency Manager: Bill Raisch reported that as of yesterday a hurricane forecast came out for this coming year. It is supposed to be a normal or slightly above normal year with a total 12-15 tropical storms, 6-8 hurricanes but only 3-4 that may hit the U.S. The village conducted a table top exercise in the fall of last year to prepare for these and future storms.

 

Superintendent of Buildings: Doug Adil reported that he reviewed plans submissions for a new Osprey pole on Duck Island property. He met with an architect giving feedback on a design relating to floodplain requirements. He investigated a complaint regarding floodlights; the neighbor did adjust the floodlights to remediate the problem. He inspected an existing home on Bevin Road that was not in compliance, the preservation company was alerted and the issue was cleared up. He reviewed plans for a reconfigured garage and met with a landscape contractor who is installing a driveway apron. He performed 15 inspections this month.

 

Conservation Board Chairman:  Marty Cohen reported that the Board worked on a tree permit application.

 

Public Hearing on the Annual Budget for year end 5/31/2019, Village Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse read the public notice.

 

Mayor Letica proposed a tentative budget with a 0% tax increase, for fiscal year-end 5/31/2019 and a tax levy that stayed under the NYS 2% Tax Cap Law. He noted that this is the third consecutive 0% tax increase and the sixth consecutive budget. The Village has received the highest score, No Designation, in the NYS Comptroller’s annual municipal financial stress test for the four years (2014-2017) that the analysis has been conducted.  The budget maintains all of the services that the Village provides for its residents and reserves money for future needs without raising taxes for the next fiscal year. He highlighted several items in the Tentative Budget that changed from last year.  The largest expense increases were in Police Payroll, Health Insurance and Fire, EMS, & Paramedic Services. The Northport Fire Department has put in place a Paramedic program for 16 hours a day of paramedic services. The increase for the Paramedic program is $10,000 for the first year, and the Fire contract has increased by 3%. Smaller increases occurred in Fire & Police Retirement, Police Equipment and Social Security costs. Offsetting a sizeable part of these increases were reductions in the Contingent Account, Snow Removal Costs, Village Hall Light and Power, Marine Repairs and Highway Maintenance. The Village will be funding its reserve accounts for Police Equipment, Highway Maintenance and Unpaid Benefits (Police Retirement Costs). Several adjustments were also made on the revenue side with increases in Public Safety, Mortgage Tax and Interest Income. The Village is working closely with our financial representatives to ensure we receive the highest interest rates allowed. He thanked Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse and Treasurer Emily Hayes for working to prepare this budget.  Together they have worked on the last ten budgets and their expertise really shows. 

Mayor Letica opened the public hearing for public comment.

No public comments were made.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Public Hearing on the five year Fire, EMS & Paramedic Contract, Village Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse read the public notice.

Mayor Letica noted that this is a five year contract with the Village of Northport.

Mayor Letica opened up the public hearing for the Fire, EMS Paramedic Contract.

No public comments were made.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolutions:

 

Resolution (2018-23) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board approves the budget transfers for the month of March 2018.

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2018-24) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the vouchers for the month of March 2018 in the amount of $31,480.33.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2018-25) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the scheduling of a public hearing on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 on the MS4 Stormwater Annual Report for year-end March 9th, 2018.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2018-26) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the services of Breakwater Marine in the amount of $5000 for the tugboat and $3500 for the barge for the fireworks display on July 4th, 2018 (rain-date July 5th, 2018).

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2018-27) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby appoint Joseph Affrunti as the Fireworks Safety Officer for the 2018 fireworks display.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2018-28) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby authorize the Mayor to sign the five year Fire, EMS & Paramedic Contract between the Village of Northport and the Village of Asharoken, approved as to form by our Village Attorney.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2018-29) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby authorize the Mayor to sign the Loan Agreement for the police vessel loaned to the Village of Asharoken by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Marine Services Bureau for a term to begin January 1st, 2018 at a zero fee, approved as to form by our Village Attorney.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

Resolution (2018-30) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the village annual budget for fiscal year end 5/31/2019.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2018-31) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the Tax Warrant for the fiscal year end 5/31/2019.

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2018-32) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby appoint Village Treasurer, Emily Hayes and Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse to collect taxes that may be due for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, between the hours of 9am and 3pm Monday thru Thursday and 8am to 2pm on Fridays, except Saturday and Sundays and Legal Holidays.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2018-33) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby authorize, that pursuant to Section 1428 of the Real Property Tax Law the Warrant and Tax Roll for Collection of Village taxes of the Incorporated Village of Asharoken will be filed with the Village Treasurer for the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2018, taxes will be received at the Village Hall, One Asharoken Avenue, Northport, NY 11768, from June 1, 2018 daily from 9am to 3pm Monday thru Thursday and 8am to 2pm on Fridays except Saturdays and Sundays and Legal Holidays until and including July 2, 2018 without penalty.  Five percent will be added to taxes received after July 2, 2018 and one percent for each month thereafter until paid in full.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor Letica opened the meeting for public comment.

No public comments were made.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to close public session, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

                The April 3, 2018 Regular board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 7:10pm.              

Signed: _____________________________________________

                Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk