February 27, 2006

Commissioners: Ernie DeWitt, Carol St. Rose, Joe Roddy

Other: Terry Johnson, Supt.

Meeting called to order at 7:02 p.m. on a motion by Ernie. Motion seconded by Joe.

Prior to accepting the minutes Joe would like to make two corrections in the minutes. The first correction is concerning the motion for hand tools. The motion should read: A motion by Joe to approve a purchase order for the amount of $2,000 for hands tools from Sears or from wherever Terry feels best to buy them. Joe would like the minutes to state; that Commissioner Roddy feels that Water/Sewer Dept. and the Highway Dept. should go partners on a new sewer cleaner. A motion was then made by Joe to accept the minutes, motion was seconded by Carol.

Snyder Mine Ownership dispute: Terry informed the Commissioners that the lawyers involved in the lawsuit are now trying to find out how the property was acquired by the Town and when it was acquired. He also had an investigator for the plaintiff come and see him. He sent him to the Town Attorney. The Town has been trying to find out when the Snyder property was transferred to the water dept. At this time, the only information they found was when it was transferred to the Town in 1967. There is no paperwork showing when it was given to the water dept. Ernie asked if a deed was located. Terry said yes, the deed from 1967. A title search will have to be done to find out who actually owns the property. A short discussion followed.

Main lift station pumps: Terry told the Commission that last week the main lift station pumps had to be replaced. Last month we were at the lift station at least thirty times pulling debris out of the pumps. He called the pump manufacturer and they told him the pumps wear rings were worn out. The price to rebuild the pumps, which are the original pumps from 1979, would cost $3,000 for each pump. To buy new pumps the cost is $4,250 a piece, so he ordered new ones. A short discussion followed.

Reed Beds: Terry informed the Commission that he did met with John Jankowitz to discuss Reed Beds. The way that John explained it to him is; the amount of sludge that our plant produces we would only need eighth of an acre of land. He will be looking at a reed bed on Thursday at the Hutterians, which was installed last year. Highland has one in operation and a few others also use them. Terry explained, that at this time it costs us 17 cents a gallon to treat our sewage which is one of our biggest expenses for sewer. If we use a reed bed the cost would go down to 5 cents a gallon. Carol asked Terry what a reed bed is. He explained how they are set up and how it works. He told the Board that John’s reed beds have been in operation for seven years and he has not had to touch it. He has seen them go as far as 15 years without touching them. Ernie asked "On the property we presently own, how much would we need for a reed bed?" Terry stated that they have no room on their current property for reed beds. Pat Marsh had explored it about ten years ago but, because of the close proximity to the well the DEC would never approve it. Now, that the property is opened up the Town Board will give us up to two acres for future expansion and we could use a portion of that property. Terry was on the internet over the weekend and NYSERDA will do 80% funding on something like this. He also mentioned it to our engineer and he said to get reed beds started the cost could be $70,000 to $80,000. A short discussion followed.

Sewer District extension: Joe thinks that any house between Ronda and Peggy Osterhoudt’s house should be included in the sewer district extension. Terry stated that is what Dr. Aleo would like to do. A short discussion followed.

Vouchers submitted for approval of payment.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 on a motion by Joe. Motion was seconded by Ernie.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rosendale Recreation Center, 1055 Rte 32.

Respectfully Submitted

Theresa Heinitz