January 24, 2005

Commissioners: Ernie Kelder, Harriet VanKleeck, Ernie DeWitt, Carol St. Rose, Joseph Roddy

Others: Terry Johnson

Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m. on a motion by Harriet. Motion seconded by Ernie K.

A motion by Joe to accept the December minutes, motion seconded by Carol.

Sewer Cleaner: Terry explained to the Commission, that about three weeks ago they had a bad sewer block and told them where it was. Joe asked "Kingston water dept. was not available to help you." Terry said no, that is why he we call Roto- Rooter from Albany at a cost of $1,000. The sewer cleaner they presently have is 25 years old, which stay out in the weather, and getting parts to repair it is not easy. A new machine cost over $35,000, so what he is asking is that a fund be set up to purchase a new one. Ernie D asked "We have no capital reserve for sewer?" Terry said yes, but there is only $30,000 in the account. Joe asked if there is another city dept in this area that might have a sewer cleaner available. Terry replied that Port Ewen’s water dept. just purchased a sewer pumping truck and their old cleaner is the same as theirs, which he believes they may still use from time to time. He could call Port Ewen and asked about the old cleaner. Harriet asked how much did Port Ewen pay for theirs. Terry said they purchased theirs at the same time we did which was twenty-five years ago, the cost was $22,000. Carol asked how much is a new cleaners. Terry said $35,000 to $38,000 and that depends if you can get it on State bid. Ernie K. said we need one now. Terry replied since yesterday. Once a year we do our own district and now the machine is unable to this. Joe asked if the sewer cleaner is a power snake or pressure feed. Terry said high pressure feed, with a three hundred feet of hose. Joe asked what roto-rooter used. Terry told him. A short discussion followed on this. Joe stated that Terry should call Port Ewen about their cleaner. He said he will, but he would also like Ralph C Herman to look at the cleaner and see what needs to be repaired. He would rather invest a few thousand into this one then spend $35,000 for a new one. Joe told Terry to talk to Carl and see if the sewer cleaner could be storage in Highway’s heated garage. Terry said they do, on an emergency basis. Carl would like to go half on purchasing a new cleaner with the water department because they uses it to clean storm drains, but he is dead set against doing that. The simple fact is that it is $20,000 of district money, but it is something we need. He does not have a problem with Highway using it a couple of weeks during the summer to clean the catch basins, but to tie the Town’s money up in an expensive piece of equipment that is not being used properly, is not right, which is his personal feeling on the matter. Joe stated that it might be your personal feelings, but he is looking at a financial way for the district to afford a new cleaner. Harriet stated "If it is not being abused that’s fine, but if it is, then it’s a lost cause." Joe said, "Still Carl has used it in the past. Terry informed Joe about the damage that was done to the equipment when Highway did use it. A short discussion followed. Terry will know by the next meeting whether Port Ewen agreed to sell them their sewer cleaner.

NTU Meter Contract: Terry informed the Commission that back in June or July of 2003, Pat came before you and asked for $8,000 worth of new turbidity equipment that had to be installed by Federal Standard. The equipment is up and running now. It is working beautiful and he would like to get a service agreement on the equipment. We don’t have to act on this now, but he feels this is a good use of district money. The company we bought the equipment from will come out four times a year to change it, calibrate it, make sure it is working, replaces parts that normally wear and then sign off on it. What this means is they will put a sticker on it showing that it was inspected. The cost for the service agreement is $2,000 a year. Joe asked if it will be $2,000 every year and/or did they give you a percentage of what it would cost the follow year. Terry said no, it is a yearly cost and that cost could go up the follow year. Joe asked was there a guarantee on the equipment when it was installed. Terry said one year but that does not included calibrating or fixing the equipment. He informed the Board that the price of $2,000 for the agreement will be good until April 1^st of this year. Joe thinks they should put it before the Town Board now because it is only three months away. All of the Commissioners agree to the service contract for the NTU Equipment.

Insurance Company Walk thru: Tim Robins from Selective Insurance who holds the policy on the Snyder Mine came to walk the accident site because a lawsuit has been filed. Tim and Terry walked the site last Thursday. Tim wanted to see it for himself and he also took pictures. I asked what he thinks we should do, should we take it down. He stated that we have to take it down because of the liability we are open to. Ernie stated "Now they know it’s a public liability because someone has been hurt. If someone else were to get hurt it could be a bigger problem for us." Joe mentioned that he knows a gentleman; Eddie Garland. He somehow knew of the accident at the mine. He told my son to find out what you want to spend, without going out to bid and he will see if he could do it that amount. Harriet asked Joe, to do what? Terry replied to take down the kiln. A short discussion followed on whether to go out to bid to take down the kiln. Terry will send a letter to locate company to see what they would charge to take the kiln down.

Sewer backup at plant: Terry informed the Commission that on January 14^th our area had torrential rains, which caused flooding in the area. On a normal day the plants takes in around 75,000 to 85,000 gallons of sewage, on that day the plant took in over 225,000 gallons. Two of the three pumps downstairs at the plant which lifts the sewage upstairs, failed on Saturday which left us with one. The one pump could not keep up with the flow coming in. Ernie D. asked if the motor burn out. Terry said basically they just clogged from running so long which caused them to overheat and they have an automatic shut off on them, so they shut down. Joe asked what damage was done to the pumps; Terry will explain when they go over the purchase order request sheet. He then stated that because they had only one pump they had to rent pumps just to keep up with the flow; water can be shut off, sewer you can’t stop. The cause of the problem was that people’s basements were flooding, so they hook up sump pumps to our sewer lines and that is illegal. It is also against town code, but it is not something that can be enforced. John Sanslalone of NYS DEC was called to inform him of the non- compliance with NYS DEC and EPA because we exceeded the amount of wastewater that is allowed to be treated. He told the Commission that he and his employees worked from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the reason was he was making calls to waste haulers because they could not keep up with it and this is also the reason we could not fix the pump. He finally called Jimmy Mihm because he happened to have a big diesel industrial pump that Saturday, pumping water from Washington Park. He asked Jimmy if he could possibly come over with the pump to help us; he didn’t hesitate to come to our aid. He asked if I could send one of my employees over to help him break down the machine for transport. Jimmy came over with this big diesel pump with a six inch line and was able to pump it down to the point where we could actually fix the pumps. He even asked Jimmy how much we owe him and he said we owe nothing. The Supervisor told me to write up something to send to our w/s customers concerning sump pumps. The letter will be sent with the first quarter water bills to just our water/sewer customers in the district. The letter will state the Town of Rosendale code on sump pumps and how the extra costs incurred in this matter gets passed to the customers in the district. A short discussion followed.

Sewer School: Terry informed the Commission that Mark and Joe started the sewer course about three weeks ago. He also told them that Joe did get a two dollar raise because he has been there for six months. Mark will not get his until March 1^st. Joe will receive his water license in April, so he will get another two dollar raise and Mark will get his in August. A short discussion followed.

High Speed Internet: Terry informed the Commission, the internet service the Town supplies to him is dial up, it is slow and does not work right; so he uses his at home which is a high speed service to look things up for work. Town Hall and the Assessor office both use Road Runner’s high speed internet service, which he would like to get down at the plant. If he switches to Road Runner he could eliminate the phone line that he currently uses for the dial up service. The phone line and the dial up service cost $57.00 a month; Road Runner will cost $68 a month, but he gets rid of a phone line and the internet service charge. A short discussion followed. All Commissioners agree to switches to Road Runner high speed internet service.

Rate Increase: Harriet asked Terry, she thought the increase for water/sewer went into effect on the first quarter’s billing. Terry replied the increase started with the fourth quarter billing. Harriet stated that she was a bit shocked and so were some other water/sewer customers; she received several phone call on this matter. A short discussion followed.

Dr. Aleo: Terry told the Commission that the Supervisor would like him to mention the matter concerning Mr. Aleo. Mr. Aleo would like to extend the sewer district to Ann’s Lane. He then mentioned that the sewer capacity that is left is 15%. Joe explained to the Board what the original plan was suppose to be with Don DePuy’s Garage and how Dr. Aleo is involved in the project. A short discussion followed.

Certified Letter to Customers: Theresa (the water/sewer clerk) informed the Commissioners that soon she will be sending out certified letters to the customers who do not pay their bills by January 31, and she would like to know if this could be their only notice. She explained the procedure: First a certified letter is sent to the customer giving them ten more days in which to pay their bill. If the bill is not paid by that day, a notice of shut off is placed at their home stating the date that payment must be received by. If the payment is not received by 10:00 a.m. the next day, their water will be shut off. A short discussion followed. All Commissioners agree that the Certified Letter mailed to the customers will be their only notice to pay their bills. The water clerk will state on the 2^nd billing, that this is their only notice.

Vouchers were submitted for approval of payment.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. on a motion by Harriet. Motion was seconded by Ernie D.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rosendale Recreation Center, 1055 Rte 32

Respectfully Submitted

Theresa Heinitz