May 23, 2005

Commissioners: Ernie Kelder, Ernie DeWitt, Harriet VanKleeck, Joseph Roddy

Others: Terry Johnson, Perry Soule

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. on a motion by Harriet. Motion seconded by Ernie D.

A motion by Ernie K. to accept the April minutes, motion was seconded by Harriet.

Article on Operators: Terry gave each Commissioner an article to take home and to read at their leisure. The article talks about why there is a shortage of qualified operators today.

EPA: Terry informed the Commission that the EPA will be here all week taking water and soil samples from the sewer plant property and also on the Renda property. They will take six samples on the sewer plant property and then they will take around forty plus samples on the Renda property. The EPA also has a mobile lab on site. They came in today just to do a field test. What they are doing is marking out all of the sample points with little yellow flags and then they are going to use GPS to mark it. We will be getting a map when they are done. They are collecting sample to see if there is any PEB and dioxin in the soil. A short discussion followed.

Mrs. Fusco: Terry explained to the Commission that Mrs. Fusco, who lives behind the Verizon building on Keator Ave, is requesting the same thing that Jack Snyder requested. Mrs. Fusco would like to pay only one water bill and not the rest. He did inform her that another customer had requested the same thing and it was denied. She would also like to know if she donates the property to St. Peter’s Church would she still have to pay the water bill? All Commissioners agreed that Mrs. Fusco cannot just pay one of the four quarter water bills. Terry will send her a letter stating that her request was denied.

Storage Tank - Sand Hill: Terry informed the Commission that, at the June 1 Town Board Meeting, Supervisor Gallagher is going to present a resolution. The resolution is for putting the Sand Hill storage tank out for bid. A short discussion followed.

Road Runner: Terry stated the Road Runner that was approved by this Board at the February meeting; well, we ran into a problem. If you recall, Road Runner would not install it because the conduit did not run from the building to where it would be installed to their pole on the street. At the time, we had signed a contract with them to give us service. This was before we found out about the problem with the conduit. He got a price from a company called Mirandas Cable, who does burial work for underground wiring. The cost would be $800.00. Joe asked, "I thought we threw the Road Runner out?" Terry said no. Harriet asked "I thought you were going with Verizon?" Terry explained that he tried to get Verizon DSL, but they do not offer it to businesses on Creek Locks Road. He then stated, because Mirandas Cable wanted $800 to do the work, he rented a trencher for $150.00 and they did it themselves. Time Warner gave them the cable. So, the job was done for only $150.00 and Road Runner is now installed. A short discussion followed.

EMIG’s Iron Works (site visit): Terry stated to the Commission that at the last meeting he mentioned a gentleman named Mark Emig from EMIG’s Iron Works and getting these spikes from the Snyder Mine property. He did walk the site with him. Basically, what Mark wants is this hand pounded raw iron which they do not make anymore. There are 8 pieces of 10 foot steel that have little hooks on the end of them that dock the hill side. What he wants to do is to just use a hack saw to cut them off. Harriet said he does not have to go down any holes. Terry said no. Joe stated that he read last month’s minutes and he has to be bonded. Terry told Joe that he is going to sign a waiver. Joe said a waiver means nothing. Terry said that people sign waivers everyday to go into Great Adventure and it stands up in court every time. Harriet said if we could talk to the town attorney to see if a waiver would be suitable, then she would go with it. A short discussion followed.

Sewer District Expansion: Terry informed the Commission that he had a meeting with Supervisor Gallagher today on the sewer district expansion. The Supervisor consulted with the Town Attorney and found out a few things concerning the sewer expansion. First, Dr. Aleo cannot directly pay for the pipe for the sewer expansion job; he has to make a donation to the Town. There are also some legal hurdles that need to be done in order to expand the district. The sewer district still has a loan out with USDA until 2007. So, right now, we don’t legally have a sewer district; we have a sewer improvement area. In 2007, the Town must have boundaries set up by then and that is when the district will be formed or locked in. Harriet asked is this for the park and ride project? Terry said yes and for Ann’s Lane. Harriet stated that this Board specifically stated that we did not want Ann’s Lane. When you include Ann’s Lane you are benefiting a developer at the district expense. Terry told Harriet that she will have to have a meeting with the Supervisor because the Town Board is moving ahead on this. Harriet said that she will. A letter was also sent to the Supervisor from this Board stating that the district will be expanded to Joleyn Ave only. Joe said he thought the last time they discussed this matter that Ann’s Lane was to be looked into. Harriet gave Joe a copy of the letter that she sent to the Supervisor. He read it and said it is stated that only Joleyn Ave with be extended to the park and ride. Harriet said there are so many other people who would like to get in the district and they should come first, not Ann’s Lane. Joe said all he knows is the sewer capacity was at 85% when the senior housing came in and we are still at 85%; he does not understand the figures. Terry said that is the number. Joe stated when we had the heavy rains this year and our plant took in 275 gallons of wastewater within a twenty-four hour period, we have to say that the sewer plant is considered tapped out. Terry agrees, but even if you had another thirty homes hooked to the plant with those kinds of rains, it would have overflowed. Joe said this whole sewer district expansion has to be subjected to the Board of Health first. Terry said yes. Joe stated that he can see why the Town Board is looking forward to making the only feasible spot in Rosendale accessible for commercial uses, thinks they are smart in doing this. Harriet said, but Ann’s Lane has nothing to do with it. Joe said, Ann’s Lane has lots that are owed by one other person and then the rest are all Aleo’s. If Aleo gets sewer in there, it will be a plus for him, and that is what he is looking to do. Terry told Harriet and Joe that Aleo can’t just go buy the pipe for sewer and say here put this in because the lawyer said he can’t. He can make a cash donation to the district. Harriet said then he can go where ever he wants. Terry said no he can’t because the district will have boundaries. Harriet asked are there boundaries set now. Terry said no but they will be in writing by a lawyer when the deal goes though. Ernie K asked we do have a sewer district, right? Terry said yes, we have a map showing the boundaries, but legally it is still considered a sewer improvement area. A short discussion followed on this matter.

Vouchers submitted for approval of payment.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. on a motion by Ernie D. Motion was seconded by Harriet.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rosendale Recreation Center, 1055 Rte 213.