Urbana town board minutes

Editor's note: The following minutes havbe not yet been approved by the Urbana town board.

The Urbana Town Board held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall, 8014 Pleasant Valley Road, Bath, New York.

PRESENT: Gordon Lanphere, supervisor; Connie Cook, councilwoman; Paul Martuscello, councilman; Jim Presley, councilman; Barb Yahn, councilwoman, Mary Farmer, clerk; Dave Oliver, assessor

OTHERS PRESENT: Joe Sheehan, Ed Stull, Delia Stull, Bob Domras, Luther Perkins, Larry Foster, Jean O'Connell, Jill Regan, Terry Bretherton.

Supervisor Lanphere called the Meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. with the Pledge to the Flag.

Approval of Minutes

On motion by Councilman Presley, seconded by Councilman Presley and carried, all voting Aye, to approve the Minutes of August 19, 2008.

On motion by Councilwoman Cook, seconded by Councilman Martuscello and carried, all voting Aye, to approve the Minutes of August 20, 2008. Per Councilman Martuscello, let the minutes show this special meeting was held accordance with NYS laws.

On motion by Councilman Presley, seconded by Councilwoman Cook and carried, all voting Aye, to approve the Minutes of September 8, 2008.

Old Business

Jean O'Connell

Jean O'Connell from J. O'Connell & Associates gave a brief presentation about her credentials and experience and that she has been with the Town of Urbana for quite a while. Mrs. O'Connell stressed needed communication and wanted the Board's ideas and opinions of the needs of the Town.

The Board and Mrs. O'Connell discussed grants for shared services with other municipalities, the summer program to supplement the loss HCS funding, Small Cities and Restore New York projects, and the proposedWater District #3.

Delia Stull asked about money for neighborhood watch programs and said that there is a group of concerned people willing to coordinate efforts.

Town Hall

Building Update

Supervisor Lanphere reported that Blades will widen and pave the parking lot. He reported that the well was drilled but no reports on flow or quality are available at this time.

Keuka Maid

Councilman Presley handed out a second progress report from Robert Pfuntner. The report didn't state that any progress has been made to date.

Snug Harbor

Ed Stull asked the Board where Snug Harbor's permit is for expanded seating outside. Supervisor Lanphere said that Bob Magee is looking into it and that the Board will sort things out. Mr. Stull stated that a DJ during a wedding reception called out over the PA system to the neighbors who are complaining. Mr. Stull said that he spoke to the DJ and Craig Wilson, manager of the restaurant, and didn't get anywhere. Mr. Stull said that they are antagonizing the neighbors and that it is becoming a very dangerous situation. Mr. and Mrs. Stull and Jill Regan all spoke about several calls that have been made to 911 and the State Trooper's. Mr. Stull ended by saying that he has now been to the Board for three months and is asking for help. Supervisor Lanphere said that he will talk to Bob Magee and get back to Mr. Stull.

Parks & Recreation

Councilwoman Yahn said that the Parks & Recreation Committee is trying to pull a meeting together. Councilwoman Yahn said that the committee needs to look at streamlining services and budgets.

There was discussion as to why the Town received a water bill from the Village for Champlain beach and why the Town picks up garbage at Depot Park. There was also discussion about what needs to be done before contacting Wayne and Pulteney about support.

Councilman Presley asked about a Capital Account set up for Depot Park by Dawn Hawley. The account is not listed on the Supervisor's report. Supervisor Lanphere said that he will find out from Dawn what the account is that she's talking about.

On motion by Councilman Presley, seconded by CouncilmanMartuscello and carried, all voting Aye, that railroad track ties, plates, and spikes located on the Warranty Deed parcel only of the former B&H Railroad property, now owned by the Town of Urbana be declared surplus and scrapping theses railroad materials be put out to bid.

There was discussion about the money made from the sale of the iron from the railroad. Councilman Presley suggested that any money made should go directly into a Park Account.

There was discussion about the Park Planning Committee and Councilman Presley offered to take the list of interested community members and contact them. Councilman Martuscello said that the committee should meet for two to three months and bring a recommendation to the Board.

Councilwoman Cook said that there have been village complaints about garbage being left after special events and that it should be stated on the Application for Park Use Permit.

Veterans Tax Exemption

Dave Oliver, Town Assessor, gave a presentation on how Veterans Exemptions work and the impact on the Town. Mr. Oliver said that the Town of Urbana is one out of ten towns in the county that does not offer Veteran's Exemptions. Mr. Oliver made a recommendation to the Board should they adopt a Resolution to allow the exemptions. Supervisor Lanphere said that the Board would take it under advisement and will have it on the October agenda for further discussion.

Old Town Barn

There was a brief discussion regarding renting the old town barn with no action taken.

On motion by Councilman Presley, seconded by Councilwoman Cook and carried, all voting Aye to approve the August Supervisor's Report.

On motion by Councilman Presley, seconded by CouncilmanMartuscello and carried, all voting Aye, to approve the August Abstracts.

Public Comment

Terry Bretherton addressed the Board regarding his mother's property on Liberty Street and that a representative from a title company in Rochester researched the deed and found it to be clear, adding that the property belongs to Corinna Martin, Mr. Bretherton's mother. He noted a previous letter sent to the Town Board in December of 2007 threatening litigation was ignored but another will be mailed again.

Bob Domras, ZBA member, addressed the Board regarding concerns he has with some of the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals and that he has noticed very little change in the first nine months of 2008. Mr. Domras said that there has no positive change with this Board and their first choice for the ZBA Chair was a bad choice and then appointed another unqualified Chair. Mr. Domras noted that the meetings have been poorly run, minutes were not satisfactory and due to the sloppiness, the Town has been in court and lost. Mr. Domras complained about vital time frames not being kept regarding the paperwork needed for hearings and meetings.

Mr. Domras complained about the website not being upto date and the lack of handicap accessibility to the building. He noted that the Town Board has gone from proactive to inactive.

Councilpersons Yahn &Martuscello and Supervisor Lanphere all responded by addressing issues the Town Board inherited regarding the new town hall since January of 2008.

They noted several existing problems that have been and are still being addressed and that there are many things that the public is not aware of. In summary we are all trying to make the best of everything and it will all take some time.

With no further business, on a motion by Councilman Presley, seconded by Councilwoman Cook, the meeting was adjourned at 9:51 p.m. Carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary M. Farmer
Town Clerk