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

 Justin Taylor, George Kittle, Donald Turcotte, Robert Boulton , Kathy LaClair, Bonnie Rose (Absent), Nicole Cornaire, Francis Delaney, Jasper Wilkie, Les Drake

The board meeting was opened at 5:00 PM by Supervisor Taylor.

Public:

Francis Delaney stated he was one of the Board of Directors for the NYS Snowmobile Association and was present to discuss the Snowmobiler’s Responsibility Rights Act (SRRA).  NYS lawmakers have recently increased fines considerably.  He is present to focus on making sure that fines are assessed.  Fine money is given back to the local clubs for grooming trails.

Minutes:

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to approve these minutes.  Motion carried.  (Rose – Absent).

Board Member Replacement:

Town Clerk Kathy LaClair indicated that an ad had been place in the TI Sun for this week.  The ad was not written as submitted and another ad will be in next weeks TI Sun.  Résumés and Letters of Intent should be submitted by May 15^th.

Correspondence:

-                  Friend’s Focus from Hawn Memorial Library received.

-                  Letter received from NYS DEC, a routine inspection had been completed at the Transfer Station on 3/5 and no violations were noted.

-                  Letter received from NYS DEC, a routine inspection had been completed at the land clearing debris landfill on 3/5 and no violations were noted.

-                  Grants Action News for April 2007 was received.

-                  Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, Planning Dept. for Jefferson County, Lewis & St. Lawrence Co., NYS Tug Hill Commission and JCC Center for Community Studies is sponsoring a training session on “Understanding and Utilizing the Co. Planning Review Process” on Wed., 5/16 at 6:30-8:30 at the College.

-                  Notice of a live, interactive, satellite teleconference sponsored by the NYS Comptroller & the Office of Court Administration on Tues., May 22^nd from 6:30-8:45 PM.

-                  Notice from the Northern NY Library sponsoring “Budgeting for Non-Profits” on Fri, 5/18 in Potsdam.

-                  Notice of the thirty (30) day review period for the North Agricultural District #2 from Jeff. Co. Planning Dept.

Ratify Planning Boards Member:

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte to ratify the Village appointment of Ron DuFord to the Joint Planning Board for the remaining four (4) years, making his term May 1^st through April 30 2011.  Mr. DuFord was appointed last year by the Village for a one (1) year term.  Motion carried.  (Rose – Absent).

The Village ratified the Town appointments of Bud Baril, Pl. Bd. & Jim Kenney, ZBA.  The Village also did joint appointments of Larry Aubertine, Pl. Bd. & Dave Storandt, ZBA.  Phil Randazzo’s appointment will be acted upon by the Village when he returns to the area.  The Village Board has taken no action on ZBA member David Clark.

Draft CLDC & TIPAF Relationship Agreements:

Supervisor Taylor stated he had distributed draft copies of relationship agreements concerning the Town and the CLDC and TIPAF respectfully.  Consensus of the Board was for Supervisor Taylor to follow through on implementation of each agreement.

Wind Power Public Hearing:

Supervisor Taylor reminded the Board that tomorrow night (4/26) will be the first public hearing for “comments” on the Horse Creek Wind Farm Draft GEIS here at the Village Municipal Building.

Zoning Officer Assistant Status:

Councilman Kittle explained that the committee had reviewed six (6) résumés and interviewed three (3) applicants this past Saturday morning. 

Supervisor Taylor interjected that he had discussions with the Assessor and she has added over $10 million to the assessment roll of new construction.  She is looking to get accurate data from the County Codes Office in a more timely manner.  Discussion also followed that possibly an Assistant ZEO might also do codes and the money we saved from paying the County to do our Code Enforcement could help pay our staff.

Consensus of the Town Board to review this further.

Draft Conceptual Office Layout:

Bernier Carr has submitted draft conceptual drawings of joint municipal offices.  The Village received these on Monday and Supervisor Taylor distributed reduced copies to the Town Board this evening.  Supervisor Taylor stated a large copy of the drawings would be left in the Town Clerk’s Office.  He is looking to have input back before the next Board meeting.  The ZEO & Assessor Offices would be changed as they’re too small.

The Village has already received a USDA Grant of 500,000 and the Town has received a grant from Sen. Wright for $100,000.

Business with a Twist:

Get together will be held tomorrow night at Clayton Marina from 5-7:00 PM.

GIS Beta Web Site:

Supervisor Taylor stated that this site is up and running.  If the Board hasn’t  looked at yet please do and give him feedback.

Highway:

-                  Highway Road Tour will be Friday, May 4^th.  We will meet at the Joint Highway Facility at 9:00 AM.

-                  The Depauville Sewer Meeting will be held on Thursday, 5/3 at 9:00 AM.

-                  Safety training has finally taken place.  It had been postponed several times due to inclement weather.

-                  Peter Huang, State Inspector of Mining inspected our mining pit.  We didn’t have our permit posted, it was in our file.  We do have it posted now.  Also there is a new ruling for when a pit is open.  Supt. Boulton stated that our pit will not be opened this year per this ruling.  You’re open if you’re processing two (2) materials.  We’re on temporary closure.

-                  Checked the purchasing of Oil.  Have been buying from Tillman for two (2) years.  Tillman is not big enough to supply to us.  Will be purchasing from Gillies.  Also several other products show substantial savings as well at Gillies.  Every couple of years a cost evaluation is completed to make sure the Highway is getting the best deal possible for their supplies.

-                  Wellness Program:  On 5/9 @ 9:00 AM, at the Highway Garage, Kathy Moore a Public Health  Dietitian, will be present to give a wellness program of suggestions to a healthier life.  TIERS will also be present to do blood pressures and will come back a month later to recheck blood pressures.  All Town personnel are welcome to attend.

-                  Road Standards:  Supt. Boulton stated that with the help of Kevin Wilder at Jeff. Co. Highway, the road standards have been upgraded. (See Attached.) Any developers need to see the Hwy. Supt. for a set of standards which will include these upgrades if approved by the Town Board.  In the future, the Hwy. Supt. needs to sign off on whether the project was done properly.  He will inspect during construction of the new road, checking sub-base, base & finished product.  Upon completion the Hwy. Supt. needs to approach the Town Board to adopt as a town road.  Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to accept road construction standards as presented.  Motion carried.

-                  Highway Facility Locks:  New keys have been obtained they’ve been numbered and have to be signed out.

-                  Boat Show was a success.

-                  Village Trash Pickup:  Again this year the Town Highway will be helping with the Village Pickup which will begin on 5/14.

Committee Reports:

George Kittle: Cemeteries – Spoke with the NYS Cemetery Inspector.  There is a chance that if this cemetery is “certified” funds might be available.  The cemetery would need to be groomed several times a year.

Citizen of the Year – Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations through tomorrow.

Depauville Water Proposal – Questioned if PPM Wind Energy would consider financing water to Depauville.  Councilman Turcotte stated that preliminary discussions with PPM have already taken place.  PPM would consider possible paying for the first 10 years payment of a Bond.

Donald Turcotte:   Transfer Site – No violations to the transfer site or the land clearing debris landfill.

Rec. Park Windows – Keith Wood has asked for three (3) quotes on replacement glass for the windows toward Graves Street.  He has only received one (1) quote from Northern Glass @ $6,876.96.

Energy Savings – Waiting for a report from Rob Campany who is currently out of town.  Report is needed to send in for payment.  Pool Boiler also needs updating.

Opera House – Project is 75% completed at present time.

Supervisor Taylor:   Richard Heck – Discussion concerning mowing and parts for G.I. Cemetery.  This is now all taken care of.

Consolidation and cost savings are being approached by the Governor.

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to adjourn this regular workshop meeting at 6:09 PM.  Motion carried.

Kathleen E. LaClair, Town Clerk