The Town Board of the Town of Clayton held a regular meeting at the Village Municipal Building with the following present:

Robert W. Cantwell Jr., George Kittle, Justin Taylor, Donald Turcotte, Bonnie Rose , Bob Boulton, Kathy LaClair, Sharie Derrickson (TI Sun), Jim Yuhas, Nicole Cornaire, Michael Docteur

Supervisor Cantwell opened the regular meeting 5:00 PM.

Town Clerk:

Correspondence:

-                  Judge Clarence Giles November 2006 report.  (See attached report.)

-                  Judge Clifford James November 2006 report.  (See attached report.)

-                  Received “Fire Training Certificates for: Kathy LaClair, Robert Boulton, Robert Cantwell Jr. & Candie Pecor.  Each had completed training for: An Introduction to ICS-ICS100-7F-0743 (3 credit hours) and National Incident Management System: An Introduction IS-700-7F0744 (3 credit hours).  This brings five (5) Town personnel into compliance with NIMS.  Councilman Taylor had completed these courses prior.  (See File.)

-                  Letter dated 10/5 from Jason Bast, President of Jeff. Co. Farm Bureau.  They have taken a stance against the proposed Wetland & Grassland Management District.           (See attached.)          

-                  Depauville Sewer District minutes of 11/3/06.  (See attached.)

-                  Letter from Sharon D. Briggs, Program Director/Hawn Library inviting all to attend Dicken’s Christmas celebrations.  (See attached.)

-                  Memo & copy of resolution from Mike Kaskan, Dep. Co. Administrator concerning County Resolution opposing the proposed US Fish & Wildlife proposal.  (See attached.)

-                  Letter from Elaine & Herb Listemann, dated 11/17, concerning a controlled burn by the Clayton fire Dept. of the Morgan house.  (See attached.)

-                  Received the 2006 Summer business Survey from Gary DeYoung of TI International Tourism Council.  (See attached.)

-                  Letter from Mark Gebo of Hrabchak, Gebo & Langone,PC dated 11/30, requesting copies of budget sheets for the local court.  (See attached.)

-                  Letter from Michael Aubertine of Aubertine & Currier Architects to Bud Baril, Chairman of T/V of Clayton Joint Planning Board, concerning comments of Hotel St. Laurent’s Project.  (See attached.)

-                  Letter from the Office of the State Comptroller dated 12/06, a listing of the average estimated thresholds in determining whether approval of the State Comptroller is necessary for certain special district action in 2007.  (See attached.)

-                  Fire District minutes from 11/06.  (See attached.)

-                  From Jeff. Co. a listing of Notice of Foreclosure & Petition of Foreclosure on 2004 nonpayment of taxes.  (See attached.)

-                  Letter from Verizon, dated 12/5 thanking the Town for ordering the Centrex Plus service.  (See attached.)

-                  Received from Poulsen & Podvin, PC,  report of the 2005 Audited Statements & Additional Information.  (See attached.)

-                  Notice of NYS Archives-grant application & reference material for 2007-2008.  Application deadline is 2/07.  (See attached.)

 

Resolutions:

RESOLUTION NO. 48 OF 2006 offered by Bonnie Rose, 2^nd by George Kittle, a resolution in support of Jefferson County to apply for a 2006-2007 Shared Municipal Services Incentive (SMSI) Grant for the purchase of a Blaw-Knox RW100A Road Widener for joint use with Town Highway Department(s) within Jefferson County and Related Intermunicipal Agreement.  Robert Cantwell Jr. aye; George Kittle aye; Justin Taylor aye; Donald Turcotte aye; and Bonnie Rose aye.  (See Resolution Book.)

Minutes:

Motion by Bonnie Rose, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to approve the minutes of November 8^th as written.  Motion Carried.

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Bonnie Rose, to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting on December 6^th as written.  Motion Carried.

Board of Assessment Review Appointment:

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Bonnie Rose, to re-appoint Everett Foster to the Board of Assessment Review for a term that started 10/01/06 and running through 9/30/11.  Motion carried.

Part-time Zoning Help:

Town Clerk LaClair reported that one (1) application has been received for this position.

Board members asked for a copy of the resume and we will hold the appointment at least until the next meeting.  Possibility we may re-advertise.

Public:

County Legislator Michael Docteur thanked the Town Board stating it had been a pleasure working with you and for you this past year.

Mr. Docteur discussed the Watertown Airport.  Different airlines are competing to fly out of Watertown for a more reasonable rate to Boston.

Supervisor Cantwell questioned Leg. Docteur about the US Fish & Wildlife proposal.  Leg. Docteur stated indicated this if allowed, would take more property off the tax rolls and possibly place restrictions on neighboring parcels.

Discussion by the Board followed concerning the US Fish & Wildlife proposal with the Board indicating they will take no action as the status quo is adequate at this time.

Board members thanked Leg. Docteur for keeping them up to date on County issues, as they had been in prior years.

801 Housing:

Assessor Denise Trudell submitted a Memo to the Town Board on November 17^th.  She had attended a meeting at the City of Watertown with the committee working on the PILOT Amendment and Agreement concerning 801 Housing. 

Board members commented that it was nice to receive some information on this subject.

Supervisor’s Report:

Motion by Bonnie Rose, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to approve the Supervisor’s Report as submitted.  Motion Carried.

Final Tax Rate:

Jim Yuhas distributed an updated and final 2007 Tax Rate to the Board members.  The change was necessitated by a change  of monies to be paid by taxes on the Town of Clayton Fire District line.  (See attached.)

Bills:

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Justin Taylor, to approve paying Abstract #12 check #’s 1074-1076 & 31398-36676, in the amount of $107,124.62.  Motion Carried.

Discussion included:  Possible suspension of DSL Service to Town Hall.

Assessor Agreement:

Supervisor Cantwell indicated that Town Clerk LaClair has retyped the agreement.  While being typed, it was noted that this is actually produced by the Town of Orleans as they are the lead agent

Motion by Justin Taylor, 2^nd by Bonnie Rose, to authorize Supervisor Cantwell to sign the contract at the appropriate time.  Motion Carried.

Wind Farm:

Attorney Russell has produced Proposed Local Law #1 of 2007 and the Proposed Amendment to the Town Zoning Ordinance and he has sent it to Jefferson County Planning for their review at their next meeting of December 26^th.

Supervisor Cantwell has asked for the fee structure from Lowville, Martinsburg & Harrisburg.  The fee schedule is forthcoming.

Board member Kittle stated as of today he has heard no negative comments concerning the placement of wind turbines in the township.  Councilman Kittle did indicate that several people have voice displeasure that this is not done for the whole township, only a portion at this time.

Association of Towns conference/New York City:

Discussion followed on the Assoc. of Towns Conference scheduled for Feb. 18^th – 21^st, 2007.  Those attending will be as follows:  Bob Cantwell Jr., George Kittle, Justin Taylor, Bonnie Rose, Kathy LaClair, Henry LaClair, Jim Yuhas, MaryAnn Yuhas & Larry Aubertine.

Discussion on bus and the associated cost.  Councilman Kittle stated he will fly down again this year.  All others will take the bus.  In all, there will be thirteen (13) on the bus ride.  Town Clerk will contact Barb Harter, 2007 Bus Coordinator and inform her of the number.

Highway Superintendent:

Carrier Lane/Carrier Ridge Road take over request:

Deputy Supervisor Justin Taylor assumed meeting chair at 6:00 PM.

Kelly Cantwell acting as family agent, approached the Town Board requesting that the Town of Clayton take over Carrier Lane & Carrier Ridge.  He stated that many years ago his Mother had approached the Board requesting the take over, however at that time there was not enough assessment to warrant the take over.  Now there are several built parcels and several more being built.

Highway Superintendent Boulton stated he has looked at the area several times with Kelly Cantwell and his nephew Robert Cantwell III.  Several things come to mind and one of which is we don’t have current road specifications to work with.

Mr. Boulton stated he has checked with Jeff. Co. Highway and in 1981 they put out a road specification standard, which was revised in 1984 to be standard designs.  Since that time, several towns have adjusted those standards to fit their townships.

Discussion followed concerning proposed standards for taking over roads.  Supt. Boulton indicated to Kelly Cantwell they would need to expand the width and base of Carrier Lane and Carrier Ridge.  Once standards have been upgraded from the current condition and ditch work done, then the Town Board will review taking over the road.  Supt. Boulton also expressed that the lower end could be plowed, however the length of the plow truck can’t possibly make the turn at the top of the hill onto Carrier ridge.  This is your main artery and Supt. Boulton has concern of establishing an accurate line of site and swing for the plows.  Also needed is a 50’ X 50’ square area for the truck turn around.

Councilman Taylor stated a check list is needed, a budget for take over needs review, and this board needs a policy or regulation from Supt. Boulton and also Jefferson County Highway before the road can be dedicated and the board can move forward.

Councilman Kittle indicated he would also like to see a report from the Assessor for this area.

Councilman Turcotte stated the board needs to know that this project has met the standards as they are at the present.  Supt. Boulton needs to submit written criteria so board members have something to go by.

Supt. Boulton expressed he would have written criteria to the board for the next meeting.

Deputy Supervisor Taylor relinquished Chairmanship back to Supervisor Cantwell at 6:20 PM.

 Projects Working On:

            -  Truck 82 (State Rd. truck) replacing sander at this time.

            -  Some cold patching completed and pipes replaces.

            -  #1 sand bed in Depauville completed.

            -  Heritage Heights has some water problems from rain storms.

            -  Moved the new bath houses downtown.

            -  Met with Steve Campbell today, discussed area for back fill.

            -  Night shift started this week.

            -  Employee went to Dr’s today and is back on Compensation.

                        -  Councilman Taylor stated we should look at having establishing an evaluation for Compensation persons coming back to work.

            -  County employee Jerry Babcock will come back to replace our employee.

            -  Calhoun Road the drain pipe is washing out the road.  This needs to be replaced.

            -  Christmas Party at Hwy. Dept.:  Towns & Venders attending brought food for the food pantry.  The Town Hwy. received a “thank you” card from the Council of Churches.

 

Committee Reports:

Bonnie Rose: 
Hawn Memorial Library:  Did a great job with making the Dicken’s costumes for the Christmas festivities.

Paynter Senior Center:  Meets next Thursday 12/21 and will have election of Officers.  This Saturday is their Christmas dinner at 2PM. 

Decorating Contest:  Have eight (8) applications and Supervisor Cantwell and Norma Zimmer will act as Judges.

George Kittle:
Youth Commission:  No meeting this month. Chamber of Commerce:  Meeting will be tomorrow night.

Position Openings:  From last meeting was a little blind sighted. Believes any open position for any department, warrants advertising for that position, even if we hire from previously submitted applications.

Questions:  What constitutes a “drive” or “road”?  “Paving” some of our roads are paved and some not?  Discussion. 

Justin Taylor:
GIS:  Had a scoping session with Michael Stragner, Geneva  Phelps-Miller, Ralph Downey, Bob Boulton, Henry LaClair, Denise Trudell.  Hoping to have a product up and running by 7/31/07.  We will use a “C” technology,  Jefferson County uses “A” technology.

Phones:  Up and running in the temporary offices.

Personnel Committee:  Councilman Taylor met with Deputy Clerk concerning “personnel manual”, he hasn’t spoken as yet to the hourly personnel.

LENS:  Information folder needed.

Time Warner:  They have sent their packet.  Councilman Taylor has reviewed and will have recommendations for next meeting.

Don Turcotte:
Depauville Sewer:  The 1^st sand bed has been completed.  Heritage Heights Sewer:  Bill paying tonight in the amount of $218.00 for pulling, cleaning and resetting a pump.

Recreation Park:  Chiller:  Alarm system hasn’t been hooked up yet.  The Chiller is much more efficient.

Asbestos:  Depauville Library:  Still no cost estimate as yet, however, Bernier, Carr & Associates has completed their inspection of the building.

New Business:          

Motion by Justin Taylor, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to set the Annual Meeting for January 3^rd, 2007 at 5:00 PM.  Motion carried.

Motion by Bonnie Rose, 2^nd by George Kittle, to adjourn this regular meeting at 6:45 PM.  Motion carried.

                                                                        Kathleen E. LaClair, Town Clerk