TOWN OF ORANGETOWN
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015
This Regular Town Board Meeting was opened at 7:30 p.m. Supervisor Stewart presided and the Deputy Clerk, called the roll. Present were:
Councilman Thomas Diviny
Councilman Thomas Morr
Councilman Paul Valentine
Absent: Councilman Denis Troy
Also present: Teresa Accetta-Pugh, Deputy Clerk
John Edwards, Town Attorney
Teresa Kenny, Deputy Town Attorney
Jeff Bencik, Finance Director
Janice Ganley, Supervisor of Fiscal Services
James Dean, Superintendent of Highways
Joe Moran, Commissioner of DEME
Robert Simon, Receiver of Taxes
John Giardiello, Director of OBZPAE
Aric Gorton, Superintendent of Parks, Recreation & Building Maint.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by the Town Board.
Announcement:
Public Hearing – 2016 Preliminary Budget – 11/04/2015, 8:05 pm
Summary of Public Comments:
George Garrecht, CSEA Town employee, is an employee that could lose his job, when the Town does a partnership for the Blue Hill Golf Course (BHGC). He and the CSEA Union will fight this partnership. He urged the Town Board to look at other options.
George Richards, CSEA Town employee, spoke about ethics and integrity. The donation of sick time should have been the same as in the past.
James Stevenson, retired Sewer Dept. employee, is against an outside evaluation of the high flow event that occurred at the WWTP. It was the Commissioner’s and Chief Operator’s fault.
Esta Baitler, Sparkill, wants a pra-transit bus service in the Town.
Eileen Larkin, Palisades, is concerned about the costs of sewage flooding the Sparkill Creek and Town buildings. She is against any partnership for the BHGC and employees losing their jobs.
Bill Baldes, Piermont, said Applied Golf setting their own rates is at the expense of BHGC. Applied Golf did voo-doo accounting but actually owes the Town $5,200. He demands the Town to collect this money. He is in favor of employees keeping their jobs at BHGC.
Mark Alexander, Blauvelt, supports youth athletics and a resident field use policy. He spoke against Rockland FC and the Supervisor’s support of them.
Mike Mandel, Pearl River, is glad a sick bank policy has been implemented. He supports an outside evaluation of the Sewer Department. He is concerned that many houses do not have numbers, in case of an emergency.
Manny Larenas, Pearl River, said sometimes fiction overrules facts. He read a letter from a soccer player regarding the great training he/she received. He requested that his name and Rockland FC not be slandered.
Tom Iacobellis, CSEA Town employee, said the employees are the backbone of the Town and the Town Board needs to show them decency and respect. He requested the BHGC RFPs be thrown out.
Ronnie Cummings, CSEA President, asked the Town Board if they can actually look at eight employees and tell them they are going to be transferred, at a lower salary, or lose their jobs. A partnership for BHGC is not the way to go.
Heather Hurley, Pearl River, asked questions regarding comments made by the Town Board members during the debate. She wants answers to questions that were sent in an email to the candidates running for election.
Amy Wertheim, Pearl River, said whether enforcing the existing code or adopting new legislation, banning the manufacturing of BTX, needs to be done immediately.
Kathy Kelley, Pearl River, is thankful for the very informative debate by the Council members. However, she is appalled at the Supervisor’s bad behavior during the debate. She has asked nicely and forcefully for action to be taken regarding the Anellotech project and it is shameful that nothing has been done.
Dimitri Laddis, Piermont, spoke very highly of Manny Larenas. He believes personal attacks and slandering is inexcusable.
RESOLUTION NO. 467 CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the public portion is hereby closed.
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Morr, Valentine,
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
***
RESOLUTION NO. 468 OPEN TB DISCUSSION MODIFICATIONS/2016 TENTATIVE BUDGET
Councilman Morr offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Supervisor Stewart and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, the Town Board opened discussions on the proposed modifications/changes to the Supervisor’s Tentative Budget.
Ayes: Councilperson Morr, Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Diviny, Valentine
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
***
RESOLUTION NO. 469 APPROVE MODIFICATIONS 2016 TENTATIVE BUDGET/OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BUDGET
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Valentine and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, the Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) budget (line A.3645.457) is increased to $11,500.00 from $8,000.00, in the 2016 Supervisor/Tentative Budget.
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Valentine, Morr
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
***
RESOLUTION NO. 470 APPROVE MODIFICATIONS 2016 TENTATIVE BUDGET/AUTOMATED EMERGENCY DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLUTION NO. 470 – Continued
RESOLVED, that the 2016 Supervisor/Tentative Budget is increased, by $5,000.00 for the Automated Emergency Defibrillators (AED), Shared Services-Capital Outlay (line item A.1622.200).
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Morr, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
***
RESOLUTION NO. 471 APPROVE MODIFICATIONS TENTATIVE BUDGET/AUTHORIZE PUBLIC HEARING/PRELIMINARY BUDGET (TENTATIVE BUDGET AS MODIFIED)
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the following changes to the Tentative Budget submitted by the Town Supervisor (Note changes, and, as appropriate, specific vote approving changes.)
And be it further,
RESOLVED, that the Tentative Budget, as modified, now the Preliminary Budget, is hereby approved for the purpose of a Public Hearing to be conducted, thereon, on November 4th, 2015, at 8:05 p.m., in accordance with the Town Budget Calendar duly adopted by Town Board Resolution 191 of 2015, and ordered filed in the Office of the Town Clerk
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Morr, Diviny, Valentine
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
***
RESOLUTION NO. 472 APPROVE/TAX CERTIORARI ORANGEBURG-SALISBURY CORP
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Supervisor Stewart and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Assessor, approve and authorize Dennis D. Michaels, Deputy Town Attorney, to sign the Consent Judgment regarding the tax certiorari proceeding Orangeburg-Salisbury Corp. v. The Town of Orangetown, Tax Map designation 74.07-1-15.1, (125 S. Greenbush Road, Orangeburg, SOCSD) for the tax assessment years 2009 through 2015, for a total refund by the County of $10,749, a total refund by the Town of $44,718 and a total refund by the School District of $122,247. Interest on the Town’s liability as a result of assessment decrease or refund is waived if payment is made within sixty (60) days after a copy of the order based upon the settlement is served on the Town (and Rockland County Finance Dept.).
Ayes: Councilperson Diviny, Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Morr, Valentine
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
***
RESOLUTION NO. 473 APPROVE/TAX CERTIORARI GOLDEN EAGLE, LLC
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Valentine and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Assessor, approve and authorize Dennis D. Michaels, Deputy Town Attorney, to sign the Consent Judgment regarding the tax certiorari proceeding Golden Eagle, LLC v. The Town of Orangetown, Tax Map designation 74.07-1-15.2, (S Greenbush Road, Orangeburg) for the tax assessment years 2009 through 2015, for a total refund by the County of $831, a total refund by the Town of $4,238 and a total refund by the School District of $11,924. The improvement on the lot was demolished. Interest on the Town’s liability as a result of assessment decrease or refund is waived if payment is made within sixty (60) days after a copy of the order based upon the settlement is served on the Town (and Rockland County Finance Dept.).
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Valentine, Diviny, Morr
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
***
RESOLUTION NO. 474 AUTHORIZE/PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT/GHD CONSULTING SERVICES/EVALUATE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
Under new business, Councilman Morr offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, an overflow occurred at the WWTP on Sunday, May 31, 2015 precipitated by an extreme weather event; and,
WHEREAS, GHD Consulting Services, Inc. was the original design engineer for the upgrades at the WWTP; and,
WHEREAS, it is recommended that preventive measures be taken to avoid a future overflow,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves a Professional Services Agreement with GHD Consulting Services, Inc., in the amount of $9,800.00, to evaluate said high flow event that occurred at the WWTP and recommend preventive measures to the Town.
Ayes: Councilpersons Morr, Diviny, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
***
RESOLUTION NO. 475 PAY VOUCHERS
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Supervisor Stewart and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Finance Director, Jeff Bencik, the Finance Office is hereby authorized to pay vouchers for the General Fund, Town Outside Village, Blue Hill, Broadacres, Highway, Sewer, Capital Projects, Risk Retention, and Special Parking Funds for a total amount of $512,226.64.
Ayes: Councilperson Diviny, Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Morr, Valentine
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
RESOLUTION NO. 476 ADJOURNED/MEMORY
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Valentine and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, at 9:30 p.m., the Town Board adjourned, in memory of Ronald McCormack, Nyack.
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Valentine, Diviny, Morr
Noes: None
Absent: Councilperson Troy
_________________________________
Teresa Accetta-Pugh