VILLAGE OF CAPE VINCENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AUGUST 14, 2007
Mayor Timothy D. Maloney opened the meeting at 5:30 PM with Trustees Robert Doud, Douglas Putnam, Alan Ada, and Joseph Gould present.
Mayor Maloney first announced the public hearing for the amendment to Local Law 2-05 would be held on August 28th, as advertised.
Trustee Doud would like the previous minutes corrected to read increased speeding was occurring on Lee St., not James Street. With this correction, Trustee Ada made the motion to dispense with the reading of the previous meeting minutes and correct them as written with Trustee Doud seconding the motion and all voting yes.
Abstract three was given for the Board to review as follows:
General: $26,64550
Water: 13,319.00
Sewer: 7,522.97
After review and questions, Trustee Putnam made the motion to grant the Treasurer authority to pay the abstract with Trustee Gould seconding the motion and all voting yes.
Lucinda Stevens, E. Lake St., addressed the Board with her concern over the use of motorized scooters on Village Streets. Her concern is the operators do not obey traffic laws. Mayor Maloney explained there is a Local Law 4-03 in place to address this use but due to the Village police department being in a transition period it has not been monitored but this would be referred to the officer in charge.
Curfew is also being violated according to Ms.Stevens and should also be monitored by the police. She then complained of an unusual taste and smell with the water at her home. She further explained the Village has tested the water with the results showing no unusual problems. Her neighbor’s homes are not affected but the taste and odor have appeared at different times over the past few months at her residence. After discussion, it was decided the Supt. will be notified the next time the problems occur and the water will be tested.
John Defrancesco, resident, stated he received a call from the Watertown Times reporter explaining she had interviewed Trustee Doud who stated the Local Development Corp. (LDC) was against having singlewide mobile homes in the Village. Mr. Defrancesco explained this was his personal opinion, not the opinion of the LDC. Trustee Doud responded he thought this because LDC members heavily attended the public hearing. As the discussion continued, Trustee Doud stated to Mr. Defrancesco, he does have issues with local group as he feels the group is more concerned with political issues than local development issues. His foremost issue is the recent survey sent out by the group, which he considers a windmill survey, private meetings and the alleged fraud of survey results. Mayor Maloney then used the gavel to end the dialogue by Mr. Doud and announced there would be no more discussion over a newspaper article. Mayor Maloney suggested Mr. Doud go to the next LDC meeting and discuss his issues with the group.
Marty Mason, DPW Supt., reported on activities of his departments as follows:
1. Cut and capped unused sewer laterals
2. Slurry paving of 4500 feet of streets will be done for approx. $8696.00
3. Bernier and Carr will locate survey pins for paving
4. Employee studying for sewer test while off on medical leave
5. Summer Employee G. Mingle will end employment during October or earlier
6. New mower has arrived and is being used
7. Hanging flower pots will come down in mid September
8. Trustee Ada asked the Supt. to order a sign for Broadway and James St. possibly from the County
9. Hylift pump for water plant has been rebuilt and will be delivered
Trustee Doud reported on the recent mobile home survey sent out in July. Out of approximately 450 surveys sent out 213 were returned. The singlewide manufactured home results were 104 votes no and 116 votes yes. The doublewide manufactured home results were 141 yes votes and 79 no votes. Mr. Doud reported the surveys were safeguarded after the question was asked. Mayor Maloney and the Board will take into consideration the written comments that were returned with survey.
Mayor Maloney had received correspondence from the New York State Department of Transportation concerning the proposed Welcome Center building at the East End Park. They questioned whether or not the Village would proceed with the project or return the funding. Trustee Gould made the motion to return the funding as the project had been cancelled with Trustee Putnam seconding the motion and all voting yes. Mayor Maloney will notify the proper officials with Department of Transportation.
Trustee Putnam brought forth for discussion the project scope and budget of the possible construction of a shipping dock at the East End Park. He reported the dock would be 600 feet long with a varying width from 60 feet to 80 feet with a preliminary construction budget of $8,223,000. Mayor Maloney explained the dock would be used to unload windmill parts and also as a Village dock for public use. Trustee Ada stated the dock would benefit the Village as it would encourage tourism and would be useful for tour boats to visit the area and private boaters to which would be of benefit to the Village. Resident, Barb Steinhouse, questioned the fact a portion of the East End Park would be termed commercial while Mayor Maloney explained the Village must show another area in the Village which would be used to compensate for the use of space at the Park. The area would be of the same dollar value and be designated as recreational use. Trustee Putnam will go forward and discuss this dock further with the St. Lawrence Wind Farm officials who have had preliminary interest in the project. He will also contact the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation with the proposed plan. The question of financing the study arose with Mayor Maloney responding it would be the Village responsibility. Residents asked if there would be a public hearing on the project before the Village moves forward with the Mayor responding he will check the possibility of a hearing with legal sources.
Mayor Maloney answered questions that arose at the last meeting about a dock and fence at the Defrancesco property. He did find the Village had issued a permit and Department of Environmental Conservation has no jurisdiction over this area as it was incorporated into the Village in 1987 as part of Village zoning. Trustee Doud did check the fence and found it did not obstruct views with Mr. Defrancesco responding he also had a permit from the Village for a fence.
Mayor Maloney showed the Jefferson County Board of Legislators had transferred paperwork designating a portion of the Dreswick property on Bay Street to the Village. A use of a home in the residential area, which is claimed to being used as a boarding house with, out a proper permit, was discussed. Trustee Doud stated boarding homes are addressed in the code and he will check for the proper language. Trustee Ada made the motion to have the code Enforcement Officer send a letter to the offender with Trustee Doud seconding the motion and all voting yes.
Written correspondence was read from the president of Mimakar Inc. requesting the Board to rescind the parking ban on James Street in front of the Hinckley residence as it is being abused by the Hinckley’s and not enforced by the local police. Trustee Gould stated this had been addressed previously and the Local law will remain and the Village Police will be asked to monitor this area.
James Docteur, Code Officer, advised the Board the Village does not have subdivision laws for a proposed development off Broadway but the project must abide by NYS laws. The Village does not require a site plan review but the Village Board may vote to have a site plan review for comments only. The officer further stated the project is possibly three years out.
Mayor Maloney read a letter of resignation from Perry Golden, part time police officer, but the letter was not signed, just typed and will be returned for a written signature. A Thank You letter will be sent to Mr. Golden for years of service. Mr. Golden will be directed to turn the Village owned weapon over to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office for safekeeping.
A letter of congratulations will be sent to the Improvement League on their securing a $200,000.00 Downtown Revitalization grant.
Mayor Maloney requested the Board rescind the resolution of May 8, 2007 that stated the Village would withdraw support to the LDC if meetings were not open to the public. He wishes the Board would extend the same trust the Village gives other groups whom the Village makes a monetary contribution. Mayor Maloney believes there was some misconception over the past months with the group and community. Trustee Ada asked how long the group had been organized which is three years and he feels this group is still in its infancy, which could account for some of the problems. Trustee Doud stated it is a moot point as now the meetings are public but did question when the strategy plan would be completed. The plan presentation will be at the September 11th Board meeting. After short discussion, Trustee Doud made the motion to rescind his motion of May 8th with Trustee Gould seconding the motion and all voting yes.
Trustee Gould will order digital service for Internet connections for the Law offices, Village office and the DPW offices.
Trustee Gould made the motion to enter an executive session to discuss policing issues with Officer Ryan at 7:25 PM with Trustee Putnam seconding the motion and all voting yes. Trustee Ada made the motion to appoint Shawn Ryan as Officer in charge with Trustee Putnam seconding the motion and all voting yes. Trustee Gould made the motion to increase the hourly rate of Shawn Ryan, due to an increase in duties to $15.00 per hour retroactive to August 8, 2007 with Trustee Putnam seconding the motion and all voting yes.
Trustee Ada made the motion to resume regular session at 8:24 Pm with Trustee Putnam seconding the motion and all voting yes.
Trustee Gould made the motion to allow the Village to participate in the New York State deferred Compensation Plan with Trustee Doud seconding the motion and all voting yes.
Trustee Doud made the motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM with Mayor Maloney seconding the motion and all voting yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Knapp
Village Clerk
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