TOWN OF SCHUYLER FALLS
TOWN BOARD
REGULAR MEETING JULY 27, 2015
Supervisor Ormsby called the Regular Meeting of the Town of Schuyler Falls Town Board to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present
MEMBER
George Seymour
Barry White
Howard Newton
Willard Todd
Harold Ormsby
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X
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Donna Hamel
John Rock
Michael McCormick
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PUBLIC RECOGNITION Mary Sorrell, Barb Benkwitt, Joanne Hockney, Sheila Martin, Pete Keenan, Chris
Parnell, Sean Fritz, Shelley Field, Larry Shilling, Rebecca Marlowe, Erin LaDuke
All Board Members were provided with a copy of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting that was held on June 23,
2015 before this meeting.
Mr. White made a motion to approve and accept the Minutes as presented, Seconded by Mr. Newton.
AYES: Mr. Seymour, Mr. Ormsby, Mr. White, Mr. Newton, Mr. Todd
ADDRESSES Larry Shilling, Shelley Field and Sean Lucus, Chris Parnell, representatives from Casella, were in
attendance. Mr. Parnell asked the Board members if they had an opportunity to discuss the proposed changes that
Casella would like to see regarding the present Host Agreement and the Supplemental Host Agreement. Mr. Ormsby
told him that the current agreements have been given to the Town Attorney for review and legal advice but, to date,
the Town has not received any new agreements to review. Mr. Parnell said that he would send the Town the draft
amendment. Shelley Field, Legal Counsel for Casella told the Board members that the amendment will be very
simple. The agreement will state the extra proposed tonnage and the additional $.75/ton (years 1-4) for the new
capacity and the additional $.75/ton (years5+) for the new capacity.
Mr. Ormsby still does not understand the need to address this matter when there is another seven years left on the
old agreement. It was explained that Casella was at a crossroad where somethings need to change for financial
reasons. Some Convenience Stations would have to close instead of adjusting hours of operation. Being able to
increase the tonnage is very important financially. Garbage coming in the Landfill has decreased as well as the
recycling. Projection moving forward has to change.
Mr. White asked why Casella was not interested in buying the business from the County and run it as a private
entity. It was explained that Casella has a lot of experience with Public/Private partnership. This gives a chance for
someone other than themselves to have a hand in making sure things are going as they should.
Mr. Ormsby told them to send a draft of what they would like to see change. He will forward it to the Town
Attorney for review. Mr. Parnell asked the Board if it would be reasonable to expect a decision by the next meeting.
It was said that the next work session would be held on August 17 th when the Board can meet together to discuss the
changes. A definitive answer cannot be given at this time.
Sheila Martin addressed the Board concerning the junk, unlicensed vehicles and the deterioration of properties,
some unoccupied and some still occupied throughout the Town. These problems have been ongoing with nothing
getting rectified. Complaints have come in to the Town from various residents on various issues and given to the
Codes Officer, but nothing is being resolved. She presented the Board with several folders containing names,
addresses, letters and pictures of properties that residents have complained about. Letters to remedy for two
properties have been sent out by the Codes Officer, but to date nothing has been followed up by him. Some of these
complaints date back two years. She told the Board members that this is not fair to the residents that obey the
regulations regarding maintenance on their property only to live next door to a resident that keeps trash and junk on
their property.
Rebecca Marlowe, a resident that lives on Mason Street told the Board members that she has worked extremely
hard and has spent a lot of money refurbishing the inside and the outside of her house that she purchased four years
ago. The house located two doors down from her owned by Pat LaFave, which is unoccupied, is falling down
around itself. The grass and vegetation is overgrown all over the property. There are two storage trailers that have
been parked in the driveway for years with piles of bags underneath and tarps thrown on top of the piles. This house
brings the assessed value down for all houses around it. In her opinion, it is a dangerous situation in its entirety. She
would like to see something done by the Town to remedy the situation before someone gets hurt, possibly a child,
trying to access the house. There have been sightings of skunks and rodents around the area.
Erin LaDuke, a resident who lives at 880 Route 22B told the Board members that the one property across the street
from her is overgrown with weeds and grass and have junked vehicles, other discarded items strewn all over the
property. She knows that the resident has been cited and brought to court on this matter, but nothing has been
cleaned up. The property next door to that one has deteriorated and has bags of garbage strewn all over the property
and near the street. She has personally seen rodents around the property and wonders when they will start invading
her property. She stated that this is not fair that nothing is being done about these unsightly residences as these
properties have been in this state for a long time. She said that when they tried to build a garage on their property,
the Codes Enforcement Officer was all over them if something was not done correctly.
Donna Hamel told the Board members that she received a phone call from an individual that day regarding a
complaint that was given to the Codes Officer the beginning of June that has not been addressed by the Codes
Officer to date. She told the resident that he should print the pictures he has and write up a complaint and turn it in to
the Town. Mr. Ormsby said if there was a written complaint, it would need to be addressed. in a timely manner. He
asked the residents that were present to write up their complaints and bring it to the Town. He said that a paper trail
regarding these complaints would be helpful to address especially if nothing is being done by the Codes Officer. Mr.
White agreed as he has spoken to the Codes Officer regarding concerns and complaints to no avail.
Sheila Martin mentioned that the hours stated on the sign outside the Town Offices for the Codes Officer is nine to
one on Tuesdays. She said that he leaves about twelve most Tuesdays. It was mentioned that he does field work after
he leaves the office. Sheila stated that this field work should be done during the remaining fourteen and three
quarter hours that he should be working.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Received a letter of resignation from William Conroy, Planning Board member.
2. Notification from the County Highway Department that the NYS Dept. of
Transportation will be collecting traffic volume data on various roads with Region 7.
Mr. White made a motion to file the communications, which was seconded by Mr. Todd and was
unanimously approved.
MONTHLY REPORTS Town Clerk, Supervisor, Morrisonville Water, Woods Mills Water, Macey Lane Water
Water, Historian,
Mr. Seymour made a motion to file the reports; Seconded by Mr. White.
AYES: Mr. Seymour, Mr. White, Mr. Newton, Mr. Todd, Mr. Ormsby
RECEIPTS Town Clerk/$1,490.00 Judge Cumm/$2,370.00, Judge Van Nortwick/$4,114.00, Morrisonville
Water/$6,745.66, Woods Mills Water/$3,077.78, Macey Lane Water/420.82, Frosty Springs-Refund Bottle
Deposit/$31.00, Luck Bros., Inc.-Reimbursement for Electric Bill/$141.48, Casella Host Fees-2nd
Quarter/$61,246.68
Mr. Newton made a motion to file the receipts; Seconded by Mr. White.
AYES: Mr. Seymour, Mr. White, Mr. Newton, Mr. Todd, Mr. Ormsby
Mr. Seymour made a motion to file the Minutes of the Planning Board that was held on June 2, 2015. This
motion was seconded by Mr. White and was Unanimously Approved.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Highway/ Mr. Rock reported that he and his crew have been busy paving the roads slated to be done this year. They
still have a couple of storm drains to repair.
Councilman/ Mr. Todd thanked Barb Benkwitt, Town Historian, for the excellent job she did in organizing the
dedication that was held on Sunday for the two historical markers. The Historical markers were obtained by a grant
that Barb had applied for. Barb added that there were approximately 30 people in attendance for the dedications. Mr.
Ormsby stated that he received positive feedback on the dedications.
Mr. Newton told the Board members that he has not received any response from NYSEG regarding trying to obtain
natural gas for the Town. It was mentioned that the Town should write a letter to the Public Service Commission to
inquire on this matter. Donna Hamel mentioned that an e-mail was received from a resident on Salmon River Road
who was informed that natural gas would be coming to the Salmon River Road in the Town of Plattsburgh, but will
stop at 60 Salmon River Road and will not be extended over the Salmon River. He was told that NYSEG might
extend it to the west and into Schuyler Falls if there would be more users on the road. He would like the Town to get
this information to the people on that road. Mr. Keenan spoke up and told the Board members that NYSEG
approached him to let him know that they could extend the natural gas line that runs on Route 22B in Peru to his
home, which is approximately 4/10ths of a mile for $62,000.00. It was said that until a Franchise is secured by the
Town of Schuyler Falls, natural gas will not extend into the Town.
Supervisor/ Mr. Ormsby told the Board members that the Town of Plattsburgh’s water department has been
working on trying to locate the water main between 1809 and 1811 Route 22B. The two locations at this time are on
one water line. To date, they have been unsuccessful even with the help of Donald Rabideau the Town of Schuyler
Fall’s former Water Mechanic.
A resident who resides on 16 Joyce Avenue has a problem with water that flows out of a culvert and runs in
between her and her neighbor’s property. John Rock, the Highway Superintendent, went to that location to check to
see if the Town can rectify the situation. Someone added a pipe to the culvert that runs under the road. The water
now runs in between the two properties and not to an open ditch. Because this problem with the water is on private
property, the Town cannot work on it. Mr. Ormsby asked the Town Attorney if he thought this was a Town matter
because the Town installed the culvert many years ago. Mr. McCormick did not think so as the Town did not create
this problem as to how the water now flows.
Historian/Barb Benkwitt thanked the Highway crew for installing the Historical Marker at the Schuyler Falls
Cemetery on Felton Road and the Shingle Street location. She was very pleased on the public attendance at the
dedication ceremony of the historical markers. Barb mentioned to the Board members that there will be a public
meeting on Tuesday, July 28th at SUNY Plattsburgh to provide public input on the concept of creating a Greenway
Trail along the Saranac River from the City of Plattsburgh to the Town of Saranac.
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #15-41
MOTION BY: Mr. Newton
RESOLVED, that the Town of Schuyler Falls Town Board acknowledges the Resignation of Planning Board
Member, William Conroy, effective date of July 1, 2015.
SECONDED BY: Mr. White
AYES: Mr. Seymour, Mr. White, Mr. Newton, Mr. Todd, Mr. Ormsby
RESOLUTION #15-42
MOTION BY: Mr. Newton
WHEREAS, the Codes Enforcement Officer has found everything in compliance with the Earth Waste
Systems Inc. Junkyard, be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves the renewal of Earth Waste Systems, Inc. Junkyard License.
SECONDED BY: Mr. White
DISCUSSION: Effective Immediately through June 30, 2016.
Mr. Ormsby was concerned about approving the Junkyard License due to possible litigation. Mr.
McCormick advised that the Board is only approving the License due to the fact that the Codes Officer’s
recommendation that it has inspected and has found that everything is in compliance.
AYES: Mr. Seymour, Mr. White, Mr. Newton, Mr. Todd, Mr. Ormsby
RESOLUTION #15-43
MOTION BY: Mr. White
WHEREAS, the Codes Enforcement Officer has found everything in compliance with the Patinka
Junkyard, be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves the renewal of Robert Patinka’s Junkyard License.
SECONDED BY: Mr. Seymour
DISCUSSION: Effective immediately through June 30, 2016
Junkyard is inactive at this time
AYES: Mr. Seymour, Mr. White, Mr. Newton, Mr. Todd, Mr. Ormsby
RESOLUTION #15-44
MOTION BY: Mr. Todd
WHEREAS, the Hi-Way Department is in of a Boom Mower, and
WHEREAS, as stated in the procurement policy, quotes were received and reviewed for a boom mower,
now be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the boom mower will be purchased from Mountain View Equipment, Llc. in
Plattsburgh, Peru, NY, who submitted the lowest quote in the amount of $16,800.00, be it further
RESOLVED, that Mountain View Equipment, Llc. will give $2,000.00 for a trade allowance for the John
Deere 2020 Row Crop tractor that the Highway Department does not use. The total transaction will be
$14,800.00
SECONDED BY: Mr. Newton
DISCUSSION: The two quotes received are attached to this resolution.
Mr. White was concerned about the money that was invested into the old boom mower. It needed several
expensive repairs. If this mower is needed, he has no objections.
Mr. Ormsby told the Board members that Mr. Rock had previously discussed the purchase of the boom
mower with him. There is money in the Highway Budget for this purchase.
Mr. Rock told the Board members that he had contacted two other companies for a quote but did not receive
any quotes from them.
AYES: Mr. Seymour, Mr. White, Mr. Newton, Mr. Todd, Mr. Ormsby
CLAIMS
General Abstract for the Month of July
Highway Abstract for the Month of July
Morrisonville Water Abstract for the Month of July
Woods Mills Water Abstract for the Month of July
Macey Lane Water Abstract for the Month of July
Audit only Abstract for the Month of July
Vouchers for Claims
(#201500924- 201501032)
Vouchers for Audit Only (#201500891--201500904)
Payroll Claims for Month of July (#201500857-201500890)
(201500905-201500923)
$ 24,310.53
$ 156,678.21
$
2,586.03
$ 14,129.84
$
300.40
$
3,995.35
Mr. Seymour made a motion to pay the claims, which was seconded by Mr. White.
AYES: Mr. Seymour, Mr. White, Mr. Newton, Mr. Todd, Mr. Ormsby
PUBLIC FORUM / Mr. Keenan, County Legislator, told the Board members that the Airport addition is
progressing well. He stated that the Congresswomen, Elise Stefanik, will be in Town on August 3rd. She will be
touring the airport on that date with the County Legislator. He said that the sales tax this year for the County is a
little under the projected amount. He mentioned that this is partly due to the Canadian dollar value this year from
last year. Mr. White asked if the County was working on trying to get any new airlines into the area. He replied that
they are. He said that it would be nice to have an airline that has a major hub into Philadelphia.
NEXT MEETING
Work Sessions (If Needed)
Monday
August 3, 2015
6:00 p.m.
August 17 2015
Regular Meeting
Tuesday August 25, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Mr. Ormsby told the Board members that there will be a work session on August 17 th.
ADJOURNMENT Mr. Seymour made a motion to adjourn, which was Seconded by Mr. White.; and was
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED Adjournment/7:37 p.m.
Donna Hamel/Town Clerk